What's on the workbench!

[PR19_Kit]

Modern technology is marvellous when it works......

The trouble is that a lot of it doesn't, but the people who devised it don't give a damn as they're working on 'The Next Big Thing' and have no time to sort out the problems their stupidity produced in the first place.

And if they DO deign to have a look they say 'I don't see that problem, it must be your end' totally ignoring that fact that they are looking at it from the inside with much more privileged access to the system, and NOT as an outside user, like you and me.     

[McColm]

Modern technology is marvellous when it works......

The trouble is that a lot of it doesn't, but the people who devised it don't give a damn as they're working on 'The Next Big Thing' and have no time to sort out the problems their stupidity produced in the first place.

And if they DO deign to have a look they say 'I don't see that problem, it must be your end' totally ignoring that fact that they are looking at it from the inside with much more privileged access to the system, and NOT as an outside user, like you and me.     

When I was a security officer working for Pegasus Security Services Ltd they had the contract for the Home Office sites in London. At the time a new computer system was being installed which kept crashing every time you signed in. The IT Department got so fed up with the cries for help you could find them in the pub next door.
Unplug it, leave it for ten minutes and put the plug back in, switch on and login. Was the slogan I hung up in the reception of the headquarters of the prison service. My supervisor didn't see the funny side and asked me to take it down, of course within the first ten minutes the phone lines were jammed. I was ordered to put the sign back up!

[NARSES2]

When I was a security officer working for Pegasus Security Services Ltd they had the contract for the Home Office sites in London. At the time a new computer system was being installed which kept crashing every time you signed in. The IT Department got so fed up with the cries for help you could find them in the pub next door.
Unplug it, leave it for ten minutes and put the plug back in, switch on and login. Was the slogan I hung up in the reception of the headquarters of the prison service. My supervisor didn't see the funny side and asked me to take it down, of course within the first ten minutes the phone lines were jammed. I was ordered to put the sign back up!

  

I've always thought developers should have to test things on the operational standard equipment and at the last major upgrade I had to oversee from a users perspective before I retired got my own way. It was quite amusing 

[McColm]

Tuesday 19th March 2024

I might be returning to part-time work earlier than planned as my Universal Credit Work Coach has booked me on the SIA Door Supervisor course in Faringdon which is supposed to start on the 8th April, they will pay for the licence and travel fees so it could be late April or early May. Which means money will be a bit tight until I can get a 48 hour week. I'm looking forward to returning to work but I don't want to push myself too far too soon.
The National Careers Service has sorted out the problems but I can't find the original page to login for the Develop a business plan and when I type the course reference number on the Google search engine I find that the course has expired. The odd thing was that I stayed up until 1am watching Star Trek on the Paramount App,the episode where the crew sings.

[McColm]

Thursday 21st March 2024

The daffodils and cherry blossom are out in Charlton Southeast London just in time for the deluge of snow that's on the way according to the weather forecast.
I  have found that GWR are running battery powered trains on the Greenford to West Ealing line, there's a fast charger at either end. I had digs at both of these places before being rehoused in Charlton. On the battery powered train sets front I have found a solution, why not buy the Hornby Playtrain set pack. Comes with plastic 00 gauge track, DMU, hand controller plus scenery taken from the Hornby Junior Express. They also provide extension packs which include points plus buildings. I know that this is geared towards the toddlers but from what I've seen I can the Hornby range of buildings or paint them to look more like a layout than a train set. I think that the  some of the Dapol Kitmaster locomotives could be run although the
 bogies are toy like and could be covered over. Still a cheaper option until I have the means to buy another electric set or locomotives.

On the workbench the Jaguar Mk2 Coupe prototype (kitbash) has been given a new hood/bonnet in the style of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. One side closed and the other open to show off the engine. By using files some of the plastic parts have been roughly blended to the donor model's profile. The other bonnet/hood has been used on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Menace. After the PSR process and a coat of white primer it should be looking good whether or not I finish this in time for the 1960s GB remains to be seen as I start my training course soon and I will need to use the last Universal Credit payment to cover me over May. Gone are the days of weekly pay.

I've been distracted by the Bell XF-109 ,Bell D-188A and the Bell D-2001 as they look very similar to the EWR VJ 101. There are model kits for these and the F-104 does look as though a kitbash could be possible.
Another whim comes in the form of the Mig-23 what if the British built this underlicence? Or a kitbash using a twin engine model, two seater. Since no two whiffery models are the same this could be my second option.

Tracksuit bottoms will be replaced with trousers, I just need to buy a belt and notebook. Looking at my wardrobe I have one shirt, a good excuse to use the travel clothes steamer maybe buy a bigger one although there's a launderette that does offer ironing services until I get my strength back in my arms. Staypress shirts, knowing my luck they won't be white!

I'll let you know how I get on.

[Pellson]

Carry on, Stephen! You'll be fine! 

Oh - I am ridiculously envious of the daffodils. At least another month, maybe even six weeks until we get that over here..

[Rheged]

This is progress!  I'm pleased to hear that you seem to be on an upward track.

As to the signs of spring, we have daffodils, primroses and the first flowering cherry trees  in blossom........................not quite so good is the beginning of the oilseed rape flowering.  Hello hat fever once again!

[McColm]

Thanks Guys, that's really appreciated. I lost track of what day it was on Friday, kept thinking its Saturday. So I played with my battery powered train set and tinkered with the dummy power car. I added the motor as ballast and fitted the wheel to fit perfectly as it was connected to a cog which is why the train is very noisy when it runs. Got to buy some new batteries.
Easter is next week, Easter Eggs! A little treat, a small turkey in the air fryer roast potatoes and vegetables.
Got to practice the art of a packed lunch and the great tea swindle, been reading up on the Security Industry Authority rules and regulations, plus I have access to my account, been detailing the messages after reading them first.
I suppose returning to work after a stint in hospital is similar to returning to work after a long holiday/vacation except in my case its almost three years.

On the plus side independence and debt free, all those projects I have lined up and a new mattress and a fridge freezer.

[McColm]

Tuesday 26th March 2024

I've been watching a crane being dismantled on a building site that I can see from my bedroom window. Just the frame is left.
On the workbench the Daytona Transporter has been stripped of the crane, the trailer will accommodate a caravan/RV whilst the Range Rover Sport pickup gets the crane fitted with a few extra parts. That went rather well and I will leave the glue to dry overnight.
I'm giving myself a treat this week with some chocolate as it's Easter, might try a Lamb roast dinner over the weekend and get a small crown Turkey for next week.

I keep stumbling on ideas for the 1970s GB if my suggestion gets the vote,if not then it's the Gran Torino with the white stripe. Or the fourwheed Bond Bug, no that's not a whiff. The bloke who designed the car formed a car company which built them.

[McColm]

Wednesday 27th March 2024

The Jaguar Mk2 Coupe project proved to be a bit ambitious for me so once again it's been disassembled however I have found one of my first purchases of a spare or repair plastic models in the form of the 1985 Shelby Charger it's the Monogram Snap-Tite. This was already painted blue, l cut the roof off .After a few rummages I think that I have enough spare parts to complete the build although the original engine is missing but the V6 twin turbo from the Jaguar XJ220 seems to fit. I will be changing the headlamps.

I had a go at making pancakes for breakfast or crepes as they are called in Gibraltar, I think that I need to practice a bit more. So I'm sticking with fruit.
Just waiting for a home delivery whilst I catch up on NCIS series 20.
It's overcast and raining, the crane has gone.

[McColm]

Thursday 28th March 2024

I had a bit of a rough night, kept feeling sick but nothing came up from my stomach. Drank plenty of water in between trying to get back to sleep the urge to go into my hobby room was suppressed.
I'll stick with bread and jam until my stomach settles then take a walk to the local shops. Why does Iceland home delivery always miss off two of my items that I have chosen?
Easter Eggs,  come on there's alternatives! The stewing pack! I'll have to buy the vegetables separately.

Then there's the Monogram 1/24 Shelby Charger plastic model kit,I know the name Shelby carries some weight but not at those prices. Going to see if the 1985 Dodge Charger used a similar floor plan. Similar to BMC and Leyland Cars sharing the same body with different badges.

[McColm]

Friday 29th March 2024

Happy Easter to you all.
Last night here in Charlton Southeast London the wind was blowing a gale with heavy rain, I had an early night and I'm feeling a lot better thanks to cooking a small chicken in the air fryer, homemade chips and I roasted some leeks.I ate the wings.

Back to the 1985 Shelby Charger, having sliced the roof off which I think I used on the Triumph Broadsword to turn it into a two door hatchback. The leftovers from a diecast Jaguar XJS have been dry tested which includes the V12 engine and the dashboard so it's now a right-hand drive, with Jaguar XJ220 rims and tyres. I also found the rear from the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II which turns it back into a two door hardtop with a pickup rear. I might fit the quad lights from the Jaguar XJ220.
I've rubbed down the bodyshell, the previous owner had a few paint runs. This will need repainting after PSR. The seats are from the Matchbox Ford Mercury Capri Sports.

When I receive the built Tamiya Jaguar Mk2 this will be turned into a two door but everything else is on hold until I get my new security licence and first pay packet. Once I work out how much I have leftover over from paying the bills, travel fares and food, a few items will need replacing.

[NARSES2]

Glad your feeling better mate 

[McColm]

Glad your feeling better mate 

Thanks

[McColm]

Sunday 31st March 2024

 This morning I was woken up by crows making a racket in the nearby trees, I noticed that the moon had a slight yellow tinge and remembered that the clocks went forward an hour British Summer Time has started.
Yesterday was spent making chicken stew and mushroom soup. I'm upto date with NCIS, having gone online to find the prices for a rail ticket down to Falmouth Cornwall. The direct route is from London Paddington but if I head towards Waterloo Station I can get a train to Plymouth and catch a GWR train for the rest of the journey as they run the Class 43s(HST) changing at Truro onto the branch line. Saving £20. This trip will happen next year. Which got me thinking hire a car instead, although this would take me longer as I would need to stretch my legs every three hours but there's plenty of service stations available. Or fly to Newquay and hire a car from there.
 I'm feeling very tired today so it's time for a nap and reading kind of a day. Returning to work will mean that I can finish off the started builds and perhaps revist some that I never got to finish. I have plenty of photos for reference.
Have a pleasant day wherever you are.