Wednesday 5th April 2023

A large package arrived by Parcel Force this morning. Ten built 1/72 aircraft models from a collection in various states 'spares or repair'/ in need of some restoration .
The star of the show is the Lockheed Neptune MR.Mk1 WX582 which could have served in 120 Squadron when the Royal Air Force had them. It will need the metal landing gear and the Searchlight lens plus upper turret or I could add different engines and plug the gap in the upper fuselage.
The Lockheed C-130 will be stripped for spares  Well it literally fell apart when I lifted it from the box it was sent in.
The F-4 Phantoms' decals have faded which is ideal for a gate guard as most of the parts are in a small bag which needs sorting out.
The Gannet is a Mk1 with two torpedoes, gear up. The tail needs sorting out.
A Matchbox North American T-2 Buckeye and the remains of a F-18A/C. Gloucester Whittle jet fighter.
I have the tail cone for the Avro Lancastrian which is painted in silver, so the parts from a Avro Shackleton will come in handy.
The Wellington needs a lot of work done to it.
Out of the ten modes 8 can be restored/ whiffed maintaining their shape so they are instantly recognised.
 Another disturbed night spent sorting out parts for these builds.

Thursday 6th April 2023

Whilst having a rummage through the spares boxes I have found the nose and rear resin cones for the 1/72 Vickers Wellington, it has a pair of Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. I think that I have the Avro Lancaster undercarriage but the  vertical tail needs to be found, so does the twin tail surfaces on the Lancastrian.
I had to use the front of the SR-71 drone as part of the nose for the SR-71A, looks like the previous owner tried gluing the kit before, there's no glazing but I think that I can scratch build something as a replacement.
I have an idea for the broken Lockheed C-130, add some details as the inside has been painted. Sort of cutaway for display purposes. I will remove the wing.
Got the Airfix RNLI Severn Class Lifeboat and the Tamiya 1/24  Jaguar XJ220 as my last complete kits to build after I finish the Westland Tilt-jet V-24 Kite.

Friday 7th April 2023

I found a photo of one of my earlier whiffs which uses an F-16 kitbashed with the SR-71. I could have a go and recreate this in 1/72 scale. There's bound to be a few 1/72 F-16 kits in the bargain section!

Neat 

lovely !
what scales were they ?

Quote from: ericr on April 07, 2023, 02:05:18 AMlovely !
what scales were they ?

The F-16B is the 1/72 scale Matchbox model and the Lockheed SR-71 is I think 1/200 or smaller.
Hobby Model but I don't know what scale it is.

ok, this makes them match quite well by fuselage section

Quote from: ericr on April 07, 2023, 04:30:18 AMok, this makes them match quite well by fuselage section

That's Nick P's hand and the model was on the Whatif Stand at the last RAF Hendon Museum Model Show.
Been doing some thinking and the front part of a B-58 Hustler might be a better option.

Saturday 8th April 2023

It's the Easter weekend, and the A206 South Circular Road seems quieter than usual. I've found a built 1/72 Supermarine Scimitar in amongst my new pile of goodies, wheels up and slightly weathered in appearance. The roundels are missing but the Royal Navy decals on the tail fin is prominent.
I  was wondering if there was a two seater option and other customers, as I haven't gotten around to hanging my models from the ceiling yet a whiff could be possible.
The Westland Kite Tilt-Jet and the Westland Ravernclaw Series 50 will be worked on . More PSR as part of my exercise programme until my arms start to ache. More painting, plus some household chores. Should keep me busy for a few days.

That hasn't happened yet, been working on the Neptune, Buckeye,  A-6 Intruder,  Avro Lancastrian ,Gloucester Whittle , F-4 Phantom and Avro Golden Arrow. I know that the F-4 Phantom didn't have wingtip air-to-air missiles but this one does, doesn't have the gun so it's not the E version.

Tuesday 11th April 2023

I've scolded myself by dropping a cup of freshly made black coffee. I. C.E. ice, compression and elevation. Hurst like the proverbial caught me just below my left knee, splashback on my inner thigh.
Plenty of rest and watching films today, some backstories will take my mind off the pain. Gives me a chance to read up on the comments on this forum.
Plenty of future whiffery ideas
The 1/72 Lockheed C-130 literally fell apart, the doors were used on the Cardinal CH.1 model. Just got to remember where I put the parts to my current builds after the tidy-up.
I might have to resort to buying two of the same models and using one to finish off the build, the other one goes into the stash.
More racking or shelving during May/June, More rattle cans, got to splash out at an Arts and Crafts shop,  IKEA.

Thursday 13th April 2023

The sanding of the 1/72 Convair EB-61 Peacehaven AEW.1 continues the engines are nearly done, just the fuselage.
Restoration of the Avro Lancastrian and Phantom continues, I've run out of black ⚫ acrylic paint and filler/putty. The two shades of grey acrylic paint both needing two coats of each to get a good finish with a soft paint brush for the Avro Golden Arrow and Nebulous.
The Mach2 A.W. Argosy AEW.3 is undergoing repairs.

Thursday 20th April 2023

It looks to if I have gone a full circle in my current builds. I set out to create airliners/cargo aircraft from WWII bombers. I now have the conversion set for the Halton and the Wellington. The Lancastrian and a whiff using the Shorts Stirling.
Still have to get the B-17 and the Liberator.
As for the Lockheed RF-12C,  I think that I will stick to a kitbash using the Convair B-58 cockpit layout.
I still have to make some space for my future builds which will be the European Ford Capri in 1/24 or 1/25 scale. Then I can concentrate on finishing my car builds.
With my supply of paint and decals diminished a restock during May .I will also be buying a few four-wheeled small carriages for my clockwork train set plus some track. I think buying parts instead of a train set pack is within my budget.
My leg is healing and watching new skin grow is one of life's pleasures . Another two weeks and a lovely scar will be showing.

Friday 21st April 2023

Future builds in 1/72 scale

Douglas Southern Star. A DC-6 fitted with Rolls-Royce Griffon engines.

Boeing B-29 AEW similar to the PB-1W with the radome on top of the fuselage,  no guns.

Lockheed L-400, twin engine C-130

Four engine versions of the C-160 Heller model and Breguet Atlantic Revell kit

BAe Nimrod C.5.

Airfix quick build taxi and double decker bus

Sunday 23rd April 2023

Today is the London Marathon and I get a front row seat from my kitchen window, okay it's only a small section; Stoneleigh Retail Park towards the junction of the A102 and Charlton Railway Station.
For a part of the A206 South Circular Road which was supposed to be closed from 7am until 2pm, the traffic stopped at 07:10 this morning.
It looks like this section is very busy with the Police,  Security and the runners heading towards the start line.
I can hear the trains in the background.
When I used to work up near Ealing Broadway Station I would see the runners wearing silver foil coats after the race in the afternoon and again at North Acton tube station.

As to the fleet, a little bit of tinkering throughout the day until I run out of glue.
The 1/72 Lockheed RF-12C is now the RF-12D. As it has a new nose cone and the nose glazing from the Airfix 1/72 BAC Concorde which almost fits over the two crew seats. At the rear which was broken by the previous owner, I have added the four tail guns from a B-52G.
The BAe Majestic MR.3P amphibious flying boat, now has a FLIR nose sensor and at the rear SLAR. Yes a bodge using the fuselage fuel tanks from the Boeing MH-47E SOA Chinnook kit, it also acts as a stand as the build doesn't have any wheels at the present time. Needs PSR but I haven't got any putty/filler.
It's started. Just started to rain at 09:40am in Charlton Southeast London.

Tuesday 25th April 2023

My hospital appointment has been cancelled,  got a phone call this morning although they sent me a text message reminding me of my appointment.
I have been watching the tree surgeons do some pruning whilst chatting with my little sister who is in hospital recovering from her operation for removal of a gallstone.
I came across a book written by Scott Lowther online; Origins and Evolution Boeing B-47 Stratojet & B-52 Stratofortress.
The cover intrigued me, and a double-take. Got to get a copy of this book.