British industry received a boost when aviation giant Airfix recently announced a four billion pound contract to supply military fighter jets to the tiny island state of Joboba.

Although they have been a leading player in the aircraft industry for many years, Airfix have only limited experience in building full sized aeroplanes.

Nevertheless, their new aircraft - the 'UHU-1' - is set to turn the industry on its head by introducing a host of new innovations. It will be the first fighter aircraft to be delivered in kit form, coming in a number of snap-together sections which are fixed with strong adhesive. Each plane is packaged in its own cardboard box with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, and comes with a selection of decals and insignias.

A joy to put together

Flight Lieutenant Guiovanni Gregoryov of the Joboba National Air Force is delighted with initial deliveries of the aircraft, claiming that the colourfully illustrated instruction leaflet makes the plane a joy to put together.

"I particularly enjoyed painting the little man inside the cockpit," Guiovanni told us. "I've given him a nice green flight suit and a smiley pink face."

This is just the first phase in modernising Joboba's military forces, and Airfix are not the only company due to benefit from the programme. Last month the Joboban Army placed an order with furniture giant Ikea, and will soon take delivery of over four thousand flat-pack missile launchers