Tuesday 19th December 2023

I've moved the 1/72 Boeing Kite AEW.1 and the Fairey/Westland Ravernclaw KAH.2 to the top shelf. In the Current and finished builds they are finished, well they are as far as I can go without spoiling them.
Supplies are running low and any excuse to wind down apart from the sanding of the mountain of filler on the Peacehaven,  Whale and Sea Lion.
I probably won't do any whiffery until February, I have a few ideas for the Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight and Ravensburger plastic 3D jigsaw of Hogwarts Great Hall, although not in 1/76 scale it wouldn't look too out of place on a Ho/00 gauge model layout. I've seen other model railway layouts use similar kits.
Another 3D jigsaw puzzle would be a stadium, the Quidditch World Cup but I think next year will be scaled down when it comes to any new builds.
Well I have about 25 builds that require primer and my local Halford store isn't that far from my front door.

Wednesday 20th December 2023

My first Christmas present arrived today, a Tower T17021/T17021RG 4.3L Air Fryer. It's about twice the size of the one that I tried to buy on eBay. Some reviews say 'family size or it can feed the size of an Army '.
So naturally I have been watching some videos on YouTube to see how it works and if there's any problems. The instructions say not to use any oil but most of the recipes insist of a coating of oil over the food to give it a crispy texture.
The main reason for getting an air fryer is due to my medical condition I can't bend down to use the electric oven so cleaning it would be a problem. Until my strength returns to my arms carrying the baking or roasting tray with food is still a long way off.
A roast would provide meals for three weeks, with the money saved I could buy a chest freezer or a full size fridge freezer.
I haven't had chips/French fries for eight months. From what I have seen it's a bit hit or miss either char grilled or not quite cooked.

I promised myself that I would try and cut down on the new kits for the 2024 stash but having seen a few conversion sets that I have been searching for that's not going to happen.
I would like to use the vacform Boeing KC-97L Stratotanker fuselage with the wings from the Lockheed Constellation or DC-6B. I still have the vacform wings from the EC-121 Warning Star but the Airfix/Heller kit might be a better option.
Then there's the big three maritime surveillance aircraft; Nimrod,  Orion and Atlantic. Another one for the shelf. That's between finishing off the started builds, loads of primer, paint and decals to get. Plus clear satin for all of my finished builds.
Every year since being discharged from hospital I have pledged that I will get out and about more, next year could be time to explore Charlton Village and be a foot passenger on the Woolwich Ferry that's if its running!
I've walked each of the foot tunnels under the River Thames yes they do have lifts but the stairs are a bit of a challenge even if you are healthy.

I've finished watching all 8 of the Harry Potter films with the description service on my new tablet, I saw loads of stuff that I had missed. The screen seems to be a lot sharper than I expected. The Fantastic Beasts and where to find them will be next.
It's winner winner chicken dinner for the 25th and 26th of December, Iceland Food Depot has come up trumps again and they both fit in the ice box/freezer compartment which is an added bonus.
A few of the neighbours have put up Christmas decorations, some have solar powered lights hung on the walls or fences so it's beginning to feel like Christmas.
Take care and stay safe.

Lovely to see that you're on a roll, Stephen. Keep up the good work and take care! 

Positive news, Stephen!   Keep on  going up like this.   A happy Christmas to you, and a peaceful and prosperous new year

Saturday 23rd December 2023

I thought that I would start with the end of the year round up of my current unfinished builds.
Photos will be added, so its a description for now.

1/24
Rolls-Royce Phantom Menace.
Windscreen and doors mirrors to be fitted. Rear windscreen and colour scheme.

Triumph Broadsword
Awaiting paint and decals.

Ford Capri Panel Van
Paint and detailing

Barris Batmobile Ute. PSR, paint and decals. Wing mirrors to be fitted.

1/50
Eurofighter two seater Typhoon with conformal fuel tanks, a resin desktop model with no stand, no landing gear.
Detailing, fixtures and fittings.

1/200
Based on the Revell Boeing 2707. Repositioning of the landing gear and a 1/144 F-117 .Scratchbuilt camera pods. Awaiting paint and decals.

1/144
Shorts Nightwatchman AEW.1 flying boat. Decals and weathering.

Based on the Airfix Princess Margaret hovercraft, a naval landing craft/replenishment for V/STOL or helicopters. Alternative engines to be acquired, paint and decals.

1/72
Avro-Lockheed Griffon MR.1. Detailing and paint.
HS Eerieye AEW.1 aka Eyerie the well known typo error. Awaiting paint, decals and windows.
Lockheed Starlight Express MR.1, PSR, paint and decals.
Fairchild-Republic EA-10E Electronic Hog. Paint, cockpit detailing and canopy to be fitted.
Boeing Eagle Harrier. Paint finish needs improvement before decals and canopy can be fitted.
BAC Lightning Thunderbolt. Detailing 99% finished.
Based on the Airfix RNLI Severn Class Lifeboat, painted in the colours of the RAF Launch. 99% finished just a few touch-ups, hoist and R.I.B. to be fitted.
Mcdonnell-Grumman Panther ECR.2. Paint and detailing.
Sukhoi Su-47 Electronic Buzzard, Awaiting paint and decals.
Boeing F-35XL 'widow cranky '. PSR, paint and decals.
BAC Excalibur Experimental Aircraft. PSR, paint and decals.
BAe Marshall Harrier aka Manta. PSR, paint and decals.
Convair EB-62 Peacehaven AEW.1, PSR, detailing, paint and decals.
Messerschmitt Big Bertha Air Car Ferry. Plastic becoming brittle, will need metal bracing to support the wings. PSR, doors to be fitted plus loading ramp before paint. Decals to be found.
BAe-158 Electronic Fox AEW.1. PSR and a stand.
HP Victor AEW.5, needs painting.
Boeing Waddington AEW.1. Paint required.
Martin Marina MR.7, paint required and decals.
HP-Martin Magestic MR.3P, PSR, paint and decals.
Shorts Sea Lion MR.4. PSR, paint and decals.
SJMc WHALE MR.1, PSR.
Lockheed Cardinal CH.1, PSR and paint.
Boeing Interrogator KAEW.1  PSR.

Plenty there for the SQGB 2025 

Tuesday 26th December 2023

I've been looking on eBay for possible 1/144 sets to finish the Mermaid Class hovercraft and stumbled upon a couple of Hornby series 800 controllers, well I had one back in the 1980s that worked well with my 8 x 4 foot 00 gauge model railway layout.
At first I was going to settle on 6 x 5 foot baseboard but I have decided that 7 x 4 is more manageable with an upper level, this is a combination of two Peco layouts and reminds me of West Ealing Station before the Elizabeth Line was incorporated, another Station will be Park Royal Halt  that's the latest plan.

I have a few ideas for the 1/72 Airfix BAC TSR.2, knowing that the cockpit from a F-111 fits maybe a three seater similar to the Convair B-58  or even a single seater. Parts from the F-18 Growler.  Taking it one step further a bit jet based on the concept model for the Mig-25. The fuselage from a Jetstream or HS 125 are possibilities.

Primer and decals come first for the current builds, I have the basics for a production line, got that 'it's getting on my nerves ' feeling to finishing the majority. Then suitable colour schemes.
Hemp, white, white and grey or grey and one black. Or go down the route of the retirement option, bright colours and flags.
Or just plod along at a leisurely pace and see where that goes.
We might not of had a white Christmas but it's on its way, so the weather experts say. One snow flurry in London and it grinds to a halt. Every other city has a contingency plan of action apart from London. I can remember one year when I was a security officer working in Oxford Street near Tottenham Court Road Underground station, it started snowing at 9am in the morning by 2pm the entire staff had vacated the building but I had to stay until the night officer arrived. He couldn't get in,so I stayed all night eventually getting relieved at 10am the following day. I was told not to come back until the weekend. The company had arranged for a mini-cab to bring me into work. So I was given four days leave, those were the days when the facilities management had petty cash for such occasions.
Those days have come and gone.
Tomorrow I get the chance of trying out my new air fryer, my little sister has the same model, her children bought one for her the previous Christmas. I can remember the Breville sandwich toaster was all the rage, passing fad but most people I know bought it and its now in a cupboard gathering dust or been sold. A cheese toastie sandwich! Or pineapple chunks wrapped in a slice of bacon odd combination but tasty.

Quote from: McColm on December 25, 2023, 11:41:30 PMThose days have come and gone.

Sad but true

Quote from: McColm on December 25, 2023, 11:41:30 PMI can remember the Breville sandwich toaster was all the rage, passing fad but most people I know bought it and its now in a cupboard gathering dust or been sold. A cheese toastie sandwich! Or pineapple chunks wrapped in a slice of bacon odd combination but tasty.

Some of us still use our sandwich toasters!  We are still using one that Madame R bought before we got married.....it still works at about 38 years old.! 

  I also have its predecessor;  the SPEEDISNAK TASTI-TOASTER.  This was a pair of deep metal saucers mounted on a hinged metal bar.  You put your slices of  bread and the  filling in one saucer, closed the lid to make a (more or less) sealed container and held the device over a gas flame by the handles until you guessed that it was done.  Mum bought it in 1957 at an agricultural show near Carlisle  and became an expert at turning out baked bean and cheese pasty-like things.  I've even used it on our barbecue.

Much to my surprise, I find that a similar device is STILL available  :-https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sandwich-Toaster-Maker-nonstick-Nonstick/dp/B07HM6FQZM/ref=asc_df_B07HM6FQZM/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=534926225494&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2476966054893937835&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006790&hvtargid=pla-591596920210&psc=1&mcid=017b7b052013349ba069c64741a08d38

Quote from: Rheged on December 26, 2023, 07:44:49 AMSome of us still use our sandwich toasters!  We are still using one that Madame R bought before we got married.....it still works at about 38 years old.! 

I use mine at least once a week, I'd STARVE without it! 

Wow! When I lived in Nightingale Vale Woolwich, I used the sandwich toaster just for toast. I think it was the only appliance that wasn't broken in the shared house.
My mum through hers out when she moved down to Falmouth Cornwall.

Wednesday 27th December 2023

I've managed to find a decent priced Airfix UH-46 Frog/Sea Knight on eBay, I will probably buy two more for a fuselage stretch going down the route of a civilian operator. I think that I kept the seats from a Revell Rotodyne but I will have to double check.
As for the Boeing V-22 Osprey well there isn't a civilian version so there's a whiff waiting to be done, just have to find the appropriate decals.
I'm delighted about finding a cheep Thomas the tank engine clockwork train set, the double oval layout will be electrified at a later date when the baseboard is sorted out
Another find was a metal framed wardrobe, the one I have at the moment is a plastic frame which did have a fake canvas cover. My intention was to convert the cloakroom cupboard into a walk-in wardrobe. This is on hold until I get the lighting sorted out.
I've ordered a handheld clothes steamer and a mini vacuum cleaner, which is ideal for the places I can't reach to clean.
The list of what to buy when I return to work is getting slightly shorter.

I managed to clean the bathroom in one session which is a first for me, although I don't have the strength to lift the bath chair, the surfaces are clean. I also used the air fryer to roast a medium sized chicken,  it turned out okay. Next time I will get something a bit smaller to roast.

Five past eleven and it's still raining.

I was looking at your long to do list and had a thought. Now this could apply to me and others as well. It's like getting rid of credit card dept. Start with the easiest one to pay off. In this case, finish off the one build that has the least amount of work involved. This will give you a boost of encouragement and confidence to tackle the next one. Of course, one would have to factor in the degree of mojo generated by a certain build.

Quote from: kerick on December 27, 2023, 04:04:18 PMI was looking at your long to do list and had a thought. Now this could apply to me and others as well. It's like getting rid of credit card dept. Start with the easiest one to pay off. In this case, finish off the one build that has the least amount of work involved. This will give you a boost of encouragement and confidence to tackle the next one. Of course, one would have to factor in the degree of mojo generated by a certain build.

Must admit I've used that trick myself a couple of times