First plastic...

...cut.

Not quite as exciting as first metal cut, but not as noisy either.

So, I have begun the AW Whitley, with the beginnings of the cockpit:

'Nice plastic, not too soft, not too brittle', said Goldilocks...

I've been collecting together a few bits and pieces of references on the Whitley. I've mentioned my copy of the 1967 'Profile' by Philip J R Moyes. I'm a great fan of Profiles, even with their blurry, tiny photos; they were real pioneers. Top stuff. I've got the February and March 2016 issues of Model Aircraft, with their two-parter on the 'plane, and a build review in the March SAMI. But, I  was also able to buy this:

It's by Kevin Wixey, and it's the first 'Warpaint' series I've bought, and I rather like it - a sort of updated Profile, with some good photos,  and good, detailed, useful text. I bought it on Friday, when I had a trip, with my son and grandson, to the Midlands Air Museum, a mere 10 miles from where I sit. It's located at Coventry Airport (now just for some freight and light aircraft), near the village of Baginton.  Now, if you know your Armstrong Whitworths, you'll know that Baginton was their factory, and almost all the Whitleys built were built there. Same site. Marvellous!  Sadly, this is the only major piece of the 1,814 built which survives, and is back at Baginton:

As you can see, below, I doubt the crew returned home though:

On a happier note, the little gallery at the museum devoted to the Whitley also has this pub sign, of a Coastal Command Whitley:

If you're in the Coventry area at any point, I'd strongly recommend a visit to the Midlands Air Museum. In a relatively small space, it has some cracking aircraft - Meteor, Vampire (in 605 Warwick RAuxAF colours), Mig-21, Hind, Voodoo, Vulcan (and Blue Steel stand-off missile), DH Dove, Lightening, Phantom, Harrier, Starfighter, Sea Vixen, Javelin, Sea Hawk.... and more! Also, and importantly, the volunteer staff there are very, very good. My grandson (aged 7) took two tours of the Vulcan cockpit because the chap was so informative, pleasant, and friendly. Excellent!