Subject: Armstrong Whitworth Siskin MkIIIA

Manufacturer: Matchbox

Constructed in 1983

Matchbox is not noted for fine detail but their range of inter-war biplanes is an exception and they are quite desirable. My first Siskin was built for my father and rigged with my wife's hair (no, not all of it!). This one was built later and rigged with nylon fishing thread after a downsizing of hair length rendered my preferred rigging material unavailable! I now use stretch thread from Aeroclub. It is very stretchy so no precision is needed when using it and it stands up to handling without coming adrift.