What's on the workbench!

[PR19_Kit]

If only someone did metal rotor blades for helicopters or resin blades. They have a tendency to snap off as well,  the alternative is to display the helicopter in the stowed position.

They do, for some types anyway.

Notably Colin Freightdog does some resin blades for the Chinook, and it has two rotors there are LOTS of blades to play with.

[McColm]

If only someone did metal rotor blades for helicopters or resin blades. They have a tendency to snap off as well,  the alternative is to display the helicopter in the stowed position.

They do, for some types anyway.

Notably Colin Freightdog does some resin blades for the Chinook, and it has two rotors there are LOTS of blades to play with.

Thanks Kit 
Just been on the Freightdog website,  Colin only does the Puma rotors in 1/72 scale.

[McColm]

Sunday 10th January 2021

I've managed to find two extra shifts for this month and whilst I was on eBay I found a chap who sells decals for 00 and N gauge coaches,  locomotives plus 1/50 or 1/76 vehicles. I may able to use the decals for the Northern Belle carriages on the Triang Midland blue Pullman. He could do a limited production for the dummy,  power and open coach. The brown paint is fine but getting the cream to match is a bit of a problem as it's either too light or too dark on the window surrounds.
Meanwhile the 1/72 Avro Sea Serpent MR.1 is looking a lot better with more parts from the Revell Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic ATL1 kit added to it.
I've been testing Deluxe Super 'Phatic! Glue,  it's a bit fiddly so I have left a piece over night and will see if the glue sets.
My local Wilko has closed down which is a bit of a pain as it used to sell the hard to find Gorilla super glue and the better grade wet 'n' dry papers.
I still have about another four black bags of stash to sort out,  so some more plastic storage boxes will be ordered.
Hopefully my supplies should be delivered next week.
I've also found that I have another Corgi Major Chubb Pathfinder Airport Crash Truck,  no hoses on this one. Play worn in areas,  I'll see if the siren still works and get a battery. If I can get the parts then a restoration is possible if not a Police Response vehicle or something military. Maybe a  expedition vehicle or camper if I can find my Dremel set.

[McColm]

Monday 11th January 2021

Well the Deluxe Super 'Phatic! Glue does work  but as I have said it is a bit messy. I used it to glue the white metal main landing gear on the 1/72 Airfix BAe Nimrod MR.1 wings and strengthen the join between the Nimrod wings to the Revell Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic ATL1 fuselage. Hence the new name Oceanic. The M.A.D. boom has been cut off and glued on to the Mach2 Martin Mariner (Marina MR.1. Turbofaned version).
I'm using Micro Kristal Klear as an adhesive until my Revell modellers cement arrives.
I've reglued the Rolls-Royce Tyne engines onto the Mach2 Martin WB-57F which is turning into a EW platform. The T.17 nose is a good fit.

I found my Revell Boeing SST kit,  it might be a bit late for the GB build but I'm thinking what if the Russians had made a copy. The engines and the drooping nose would be different. I think that I used parts from the 1/144 Concorde on another Boeing SST. I must dig that out at some point.

[McColm]

Thursday 14th January 2021

I've started to read the book 'American Secret Projects 2, US Airlifters  1941 to 1961' by George  Cox and Craig  Kaston www.crecy.co.uk
I never knew that the Chase XC-123 which became the C-123 Provider had so many different designs and studies undertaken. This resulted in turboprops and turbojets being tested but not going into full production. Twin tail fins with twin tail booms which would go on to be used on the C-119, or water skis fitted for water or snow landings.
I have found the 1/72 Roden Fairchild C-123 kit,  it looks as though all the pieces are there. I'm thinking that I might still have a few engines from the Airfix Fairey Rotodyne or C-130 in the stash.
Another find was the 1/100 Flugzeug-Modellbaukasten IL-62, not all the parts are included but it is the closest model I have to the Vickers VC10. It lacks the glazing,  engine fans, and some of the tyres. When it's painted up and wearing RAF roundels,  it should pass muster.
The last find was the 1/72 Hasegawa/Revell Lockheed P2V-7 (SP-2H) Neptune.  A pair of Rolls-Royce Tyne engines would look great although the engines from the Revell Airbus A400M Atlas fit as well. Which reminds me that I still have the Italeri Short Sunderland in the stash.
I now have a merry-go-round of builds at the moment;  Revell/Monogram Convair RB-36H Peacemaker,  Heller  DC-6B,  Revell DC-4,  Mach2 Martin Mariner, Mach2 Martin WB-57F,  AMT/ERTL Northrop X/YB-35,  Airfix Avro Shackleton AEW,  Airfix Avro Lancastrian Nene,  Revell Breguet Br.1150, Mach2 Martin SeaMaster,  Hasegawa Martin Marlin,  Airfix Bristol Superfreighter and Airfix BAe Nimrod with Airfix Avro Vulcan wings.  It's mostly PSR and adding parts.
Paint brushes,  filler/puty and glue are yet to arrive. Hopefully next week,  although I do have a couple of primer rattle cans.

[McColm]

Friday 15th January 2021

I'm impressed with the VEB 1/100 scale IL-62. Most of the fuselage windows have turned out rather well as I used Micro Kristal Klear , I also used it to glue all the parts together. There's a hairline gap in the upper fuselage. I had a look at some photos on wikipedia and the VEB model must have been a prototype as none of the features have been carried over to the production aircraft. There's a little bit of PSR to be done and fitting the landing gear. I will have another rummage to find a suitable windscreen and wheels.
I have just found out that there's only two road taxed Austin  Ambassadors in the UK. I've checked on eBay and there doesn't seem to be a diecast model available. So I was thinking of using the Dinky Austin Princess/Leyland Princess to convert it. It's basically a new front grill and a new paint job.
I'm surprised that there's the diecast Allegro estate and Morris 1800. I even found a low mileage Austin 3L for sale,  if that was mine. The engine would be replaced with something more modern or LPG and those resin seats retrimmed in leather. Well I can dream. 

[McColm]

Sunday 17th January 2021

The 1/72 Mach2 Martin Mariner which has been kitbashed into the Martin Marina MR.1 now has the metal Airwaves Hercules refuelling probe which makes this the MR.1P. As more lumps and bumps are added the current paint scheme will have to be changed.
Air to air refuelling trials were conducted with the Breguet  Oceanic AEW.1 , this carried a pair of hose and drogue refuelling pods under the wings. Onlookers noticed the new ECM radome fitted at the rear of the fuselage.
After an hour both aircraft landed safely.

[McColm]

Wednesday 20th January 2021

I have been told to vacate my room by the 1st February as my landlord has been told by the council to make some improvements. Basically get it up to their standards for renting. He is adamant that all the rooms have to be cleared.
For me it's a case of packing my suitcase and large luggage hoddle full of clothes,  then finding a bed for the night.  There's a few hostels around the Greenwich area. They are cheap but I can save up for a deposit on a room in a few months time.
So no Whiffing for me,  thankfully all my builds have been photographed so at least I will have something to look at or use as a reference when I get back on my feet.
I know that the landlord is supposed to find alternative accommodation for me and my fellow roommates but he hasn't.
This comes at the worse time as work has been a bit patchy,  fortunately for me a few of the security officers are taking leave in February and March so at least I can put some money by but it will mean using my annual leave to make up the difference if I go back to a one day week.
You guys are the best and I salute you all,  I will be checking your updates and when I can adding to the Alternative History topic.
I will keep the Revell Boeing SST kit and a few diecast vehicles but everything else will be chucked.
As someone said 'I  shall return '. Keeping optimistic is crucial,  stay safe and take care. God bless you all.

[tigercat]

The Citizens Advice is still operating virtually if you need someone to put pressure on landlord 

Also Council may have some duty towards you   as last thing they would want is to make you homeless particularly through their actions even if indirectly

Especially with covid . It's worth calling their switchboard and talking to homeless/housing team .

https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200187/homelessness/533/are_you_worried_about_becoming_homeless


https://www.homeless.org.uk/homeless-england/service/lb-greenwich-housing-options-and-support

Have spent last 15 years working in social housing so know about this related field

[NARSES2]

As Tigercat says, the Council may well have some responsibility, it's always worth a try and Citizens Advice can be very helpful.

Best of luck and I hope it all works out

[Nick]

That is not great news. I wish you the best of luck in finding a new place and soon.

I've dropped you a PM about storing your model gear. Let me know.

[McColm]

Thanks Guys 

[McColm]

That is not great news. I wish you the best of luck in finding a new place and soon.

I've dropped you a PM about storing your model gear. Let me know.

Thanks Nick, yes please. There's about 10 plastic storage boxes and about 10 started builds. I'll give you a ring over the next few days.
Thanks again,
Steven

[zenrat]

Sorry to hear that Mac.
Best of luck finding somewhere.

[McColm]

Thanks for your support,  I have found a couple of cheap hostels around the Greenwich area and at £12 per night I can't grumble. The Gunpit is no worse than the Mayfield's Hostel that I stayed in for a few months. The Mayfield was bought by the Chinese restaurant underneath it.
With this cold weather and gusty winds,  at least I will have a bed for the night. The hard part is to keep an optimistic outlook on life.
I've found two more around the New Cross area,  one of those is even cheaper but looks as though it has more facilities than the first two.