SMN REPORT
This could be the 1:72 scale kit sensation of the year, and it’s about to land in the model stores anytime now. The Short Sunderland, nicknamed Fliegendes Stachelschwein (Flying Porcupine) by enemy aircrews for its defensive firepower, has been somewhat shortchanged in the kit department until now.
Good looking
We have high hopes for this latest production from Italeri, as the detail looks terrific, and it comes complete with such niceties as internal cockpit fittings and metal-etch components.
Airfix Sunderland
The old-stager Airfix kit has been around for many years, and in its day represented a high-water mark for large-scale kits. Of course, it’s still in production, but we have to say that it’s more than time that someone came up with something to raise the bar.
Well done Italeri
We’re looking forward to having a close look when it arrives. Meantime, congrats to Italeri for bringing the big flying boat to market.
Old timer still on sale (above) forms centrepiece for this excellent diorama from The Society of Scale Modellers, Malta.
Looking ahead
Now for the 2013 wish-list. How about really making us happy with a Short Mayo composite - the fabled piggyback flying boat-seaplane combination from the late 1930s? Yes please - IWOOT!
Short Mayo composite (above) in 1938.
Massive range of Italeri kits to view here.