On the workbench - The old ones are the best.

The model kit manufacturers have been releasing a rapid succession of new and improved toolings that replace many older kits. The newer toolings have greater levels of detail and are often considerably more accurate in proportions due to advances in measuring the prototypes.

The models below are not new toolings - the moulds for one or two of these were made and first put into production before I was even born. Some parts of the kits simply did not fit together unless attacked with sanding paper and vast quantities of filler. The Grumman and Douglas in particular were covered in a swathes of rivets that made the surface of the fuselage more akin to a cactus than an airframe.

1/72 Douglas Devastator - The vibrancy of the colour scheme makes this model stand out on any shelf. The difficulties in getting the various assemblies to fit were more than compensated by the end result.

1/144 Boeing Clipper - How I would have loved a 1/72 version of this - however posting it to it's new owner would have posed some problems on account of the size of the thing. The natural metal finish was simulated by painting metallic silver enamel with a few coats of gloss varnish over the top to give it a sheen.

So why choose these models to build rather than a selection of Airfix or Revell's newest offerings?

Sometimes it is good to tackle these classic kits - if only to act as a reminder of how far things have come in the plastic kit world in a fairly short space of time. The quality of the plastic; the resolution and brightness of the transfers and so on.

1/72 Grumman Duck - Most amphibian aircraft tend to look ungainly (with some exceptions such as the Catalina) and the Duck is no exception. Main issues consisted of trying to align the wings and struts - none of which seemed to want to fit straight and true. An improvised jig with elastic bands and cotton reels in between the wings kept them in shape while the glue dried.

They also act as an excellent opportunity to practice and hone those modelling skills which don't really see much use with the modern high quality kits we have access to now. Older models like these take a fair while longer to finish in many cases (even though they have fewer parts and are simpler to put together) - simply due to the fact that they need a great deal of additional care and attention to bring them up to standard.

The end result is satisfying and gives a good account of itself even when placed next to modern model kits which are decades younger. All of the above models were soon sold and went to a loving home - each of the owners was very happy with the finished product.