Apparently it's 'Black Friday' today, some sort of made-up festival of what exactly? So I won't bore you with lists of special deals ( that turn out to be not so special ), but I did happen to be in a branch of the Aldi supermarket chain today, and saw these in the famous 'middle aisle':
Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1a
Messerschmidt Bf 109E
Mitsubishi A6M 'Zero'
North American P51 Mustang
DUKW
That last one seems a little random, but there we are - I guess it's a job lot of whatever Airfix had a surplus of. If you are in the UK and a keen modeller of WW2 aircraft (and/or DUKWs ) in 1/72 scale, get down to your local Aldi 'while stocks last'..
I admit I didn't make a purchase, but it's nice to see them there, maybe a new generation of kids will experience the joy of sticking their fingers together with poly cement, or a few old geezers will re-live their childhood.. Actually I may go back for a DUKW - useful for river crossings by my 'D-Day Dodgers' British and Indians?
One thing about them that made me smile was the presence of safety warnings etc printed on the boxes in several languages, one of which was of course German. So if you pick up the Spitfire kit, you see in very bold print the word ACHTUNG... ( in the picture you can spot it on the topmost 'Zero' box ). Seems very appropriate, somehow.
That's all for now, just a quick topical note. 'Real Life' and a bit of a mini-break has meant little or no hobby time this week apart from reading other folks' blogs - I hope to make some more progress next week, and report on it. Must start painting the figures I bought at Warfare the other week. Until then, keep well everyone.
UPDATE: Reader, I succumbed...
Jus the one, mind - maybe I should have got three, and hung them on the wall...
Make room in your schedule and we can put a game onto the docket.
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you very much Jon! Let's see if we can work something out..
ReplyDeleteI often notice they have kits for sale there. And in other German owned supermarkets.
ReplyDeleteChris/Nundanket
Thanks Chris, yes they pop up now and again, and as Steve J points out below, in other German-based emporia too..
DeleteThese are the kits that have paints and glue included so make great starter set gifts. Anything that makes our hobby visible on the high street has to be applauded.
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm, yes these are the starter sets, quite a good idea. And indeed, you never know who might get started with one..
DeleteLet’s hope this catches the imagination of the next generation…
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Thanks Alan, yes indeed we can but hope (though a DUKW might not be quite so exciting 😀)
DeleteGood to be stocking starter kits as the entry level drug / clickbait for a new generation of modellers, paints, glue and brush included. A great little present.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark, yes a good small gift idea, you never know where it might lead!
DeleteLidl have the same kits too and I was tempted to buy one for nostalgia's sake, but already have a kit our son got me as a present that is yet to be opened!
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve, so it looks like Airfix have been pushing these out to the supermarkets. Maybe best to stick with the one you already have, and not generate a kit backlog (plastic pile?)..
DeleteI think my Dad still has my Mum's parents ceramic ducks that used to adorn the wall somewhere, in their original 'mallard' colour scheme. A bit the worse for wear, but a constant memory from my childhood as they were in the hallway and you saw them everytime you entered and left the house. I used to hate them but now nostalgia has changed my mind somewhat. Maybe someone should paint the DUKW in 'mallard' colours;)?
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve, glad to hear that someone 'real' actually had flying ducks on the wall! Hmm... that mallard colour scheme, interesting idea..
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