The Swedish Air Force operated exactly one Grumman Goose, purchased second-hand from a Norwegian airline in 1951 and based at F 21 in Luleå. Painted overall orange with Red Cross markings, it served as an air ambulance in the sparsely populated north of Sweden throughout the 1950s — an amphibious aircraft being a practical choice for a region with more lakes than roads. Its career ended abruptly when it crashed on takeoff from Hemavan in April 1962.

The kit from Czech Model, reboxed by Encore, leaves something to be desired on the fit front — particularly the canopy section, which required significant filling and sanding to eliminate both gaps and step differences. Still, it's a rewarding subject precisely because it stands out: unusual shape, unusual colour, and a very Swedish story.