Loading an aircraft's build specification with unnecessary add-ons is known as "gold-plating," but the practice was taken to new extremes at the show yesterday, when HRH Duke of Kent visited the exhibit of the London Goldsmiths' Company.

Despite its not-too-convincing camouflage scheme, the Boeing Chinook shown to the Duke was quite clearly made of 18-carat white and yellow gold, set with diamonds. In all, it contains 7,014 grams of gold and 20.86 carats of stones, together worth $160,000.

At no extra cost, the 25-inch long model maneuvers electronically via a hand-held remote control. Rotors turn, a realistic sound emanates from speakers on the base, the cabin is lit and the searchlight illuminated. It will then 'hover' for a minute before 'landing' back on its base.
All rather different from our boyhood exploits with Airfix plastic kits.

By Paul Jackson