LOT 737-300

While Paint Bubbles may be a sign of Zinc Pest, it isn't 100% definite. It could just be a case of the paint simply bubbling, which sadly does happen. The most definite sign is when you start noticing the model deform itself with no interference an outside physical force (and that's usually signified by a model doing a great impersonation of a Boeing 787's wing flex. in most cases, but can also be signified by massive "cracks" showing up on the model, though that too can be a sign of paint that has gotten old too.)

To simply explain how the Zinc rot happened, and why it doesn't happen too much with models made these days with the exception of models that have been that unfortunate to receive that bad batch of Zamak (Zinc based alloy used to to make our models) is simply down to a simple down to earth explanation. High quantities of Lead impurities that have made it into the model at the Atomic level. To basically state it, Lead does not react too well with Zinc too well in this application, and when there is enough of a Lead impurity (and most of our models I should state have such an impurity to a certain, as a "pure" material would be highly prohibitive to produce, but in quantities low enough that they should be safe from turning to dust). So basically what happens is that the lead causes the atomic structure of the Zamak to deteriorate at a much faster rate, and this cases the model to start literally turning to dust as we've seen from models in the final stages of the Zinc Pest.

This is much larger problem in the Antique toy world, particularly of toys produced during the Second World War and maybe for at least 10 years after the war finished (particularly with toys of German Origin from this time, as higher quality Zinc was needed for the war effort, and then for the postwar recovery effort.)

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My Airport: Nowa Warszawa Int'l (NWL):
Attempt at first model airport (2005ish?)http://www.freewebs.com/nwlairport
Hey, model plane manufactures, how about some Braniff PZL 230Fs.