I thought you might fond it iteresting to know htis Aardvark is really the old ESCI mold, in Italeri boxes. Italeri obtained all the molds that remained after the ESCI-ERTL company went under, and has been steadily reboxing them ever since. Many of their 1/72 line originated with ESCI.

As you noted it is a nice kit with adequate detail, certainly up to the casual modelers needs. When you consider that it is probably 25 years old, has been across the ocean and still looks as good as most new kits today - well, it really has value for the money!

You might find it interesting to know that this F-111A is the old ESCI mold, reboxed by Italeri. After ESCI-ERTL went under in the late 80's, the molds ended up in a warehouse in Indiana, forgotten. In time, Italeri bought all the molds that were left and began to re-release those ESCI molds that had withstood the ravages of storage.

As you've noted, the detail is pretty good, certainly up to casual standards. When you consider the molds are 25 years old, they really look good. Many of todays kits are just now surpassing the level of detail these old ESCI kits had.

I like you site very much... I really like the CD stand idea!

Thanks,

David