What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

Wednesday 29th December 2021

I was supposed to get a Universal Credit assessment this morning but the assessor is self isolating.
I received a broken 1/72 Sanger Avro Lincoln B.2 with metal parts. Fortunately I have a Airfix Avro Lancaster which I can use. I was only going to lengthen the fuselage and add the Lancastrian parts to it which is handy as the nose and tail sections are the damaged areas.
5 of the 8 metal propellers came with the kit with 5 metal main landing gear legs. All the other parts seem to be in good order.
Just have to glue the broken parts back.
Some of the metal parts will be used on the Italeri Shorts Stirling  Mk.IV.

The vacuum kit  fuselages are very brittle and keep breaking every time I move them. In the bin .
However the Airfix Dam Busters Avro Lancaster does come with an alternative weapons bay as per standard kit. The engines from the Frog Shackleton do fit the wings with a bit of persuasion. The Lancastrian nose and tail cones have been superglued in place.

[McColm]

Friday 31st December 2021

New year's eve and I'm kitbashing a Italeri Shorts Stirling Mk.IV with the leftovers from the Airfix Dam Busters Avro Lancaster.
I'm not too sure if this is based on a RW Stirling but I have seen some artwork on this site when the tail sections were swapped over.
This time the RR Merlin engines fit on the wings and the twin tail fins.
As most of the interior details aren't going to be seen I will delete them from the build.

As for the Wrebbit 3D puzzle puzzle a lot of the pieces are joined but it's frustrating that there's a few gaps.Either I have put them together wrongly or they are in the other box by mistake.

[McColm]

Wednesday 6th January 2022

Just checking in, I have 6 new builds in various stages these are all in 1/72 scale.

Donor kits
Airfix Lockheed Super Constellation with parts from the RVHP NC-121K conversion set and the ESCI AC-130H Spectre II.
R.1 Black Crow
PSR

Hobbycraft Boeing V-22 Osprey turned into a STOL Gunship using parts from the ESCI AC-130H Spectre II
BAe Bull Terrier A.1
Awaiting painting

Revell/Frog Avro Shackleton MR.3 with some of the parts from the Fujimi Grumman E-2 Hawkeye.
Avro-Grumman  Charlton AEW.1
PSR and awaiting paint

Italeri Shorts Stirling Mk.IV with the leftovers from the Airfix Dam and other Lancaster parts.
Aka  the Stirling with the Merlins and twin tail fins plus a new Lancaster nose but I'm not too sure what Mark it is. It's the one without any guns. I'm going for an early ASW or trials aircraft. All the guns have been deleted so it could be used for troop transport and paratroopers. Keeping it open for ideas Detailing the cockpit.

Airfix Dam Busters Avro Lancaster. It now has the Suttcliff vacuum Lancastrian nose and tail. Revell/Frog  Rolls-Royce Griffons with landing gear, nose wheel landing gear is now at the rear with the Italeri Shorts Stirling vertical tail fin and tail planes. Spare parts from a wrecked Avro Lancaster have been used on the failled attempt to lengthen the wings.
Could have been a test aircraft now used as a freighter.
On going project.

Wrebbit 3D puzzle of Hogwarts Astronomy Tower. Update.
All the towers and walls minus one piece have been constructed. I used a hairy brush with some superglue for stiffness as the foam doesn't stick. This should make things easier if I need to move it .
Now comes the tricky part putting the roof on, all those tiles!
The Great Hall might be a bit easier.

[McColm]

Sunday 9th January 2022

An old school friend bought me an office with arms and a L-shaped computer desk with two shelves. This came out of the blue, I assembled both of them and they are in my lounge or man cave as I like to call it. I've moved my builds and started builds into this room.
At least I have somewhere to sit down and eat rather than sit on the edge of the bed.
I've also ordered a fabric covered wardrobe  made up of cubes which slot together.
My mum has bought me a small fridge with an ice box compartment which will be arriving next week along with the NHS  bathroom fittings. Hopefully by the end of the month I should have hot water and heating through the radiators.
I have my first physiotherapy session on Wednesday.
I'm looking forward to this.

I missed a build from my last blog which is the 1/72 Academy C-97A Stratofreighter. This is nearly ready for the PSR stage. I have added the seats from the AC-130H Spectre II to the cockpit. I was thinking of a gunship or AEW using the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye rotodome or E-1B.
I think that I will have to buy a few more deflated AEW radomes from Freightdog.

The Stirling Merlin sits a lot closer to the ground with the Avro Lincoln main landing gear from the Sutcliffe vacuum set.
A hole punch would be very handy for making some windows to go along the fuselage or stickers.

[AndrewF]

Good to know that you're getting your place sorted out. And I hope the heating comes on soon!!

[McColm]

Good to know that you're getting your place sorted out. And I hope the heating comes on soon!!

Thanks
The fridge is arriving over the weekend.

[McColm]

Tuesday 11th January 2022

I had my bath chair lift installed and toilet grab rail fitted as I can't lift myself straight up from sitting down.
Whilst waiting for this to happen I have started the Wrebbit 3D puzzle Hogwarts  Great Hall. Thinking this has to be easier than the other puzzle.
I keep hearing myself say 'now where does this bit go?'
I managed to complete the grounds, buildings next.

The 1/72 Airfix Avro Lancaster Dam Buster with the Lancastrian parts and Rolls-Royce Griffon engines now has the rotating bouncing  bomb fittings in the weapons bay. Flying demolition for those places that are inaccessible by road.

I had a bit of difficulty with adding the bomb doors to the Italeri Shorts Stirling Mk.IV 'Stirling with the Merlins '.Definitely a freighter.

As for the Avro Charlton this is changing into a gunship. The white metal gun parts for the upper gun turret are now on the front of the nose. The rear guns from the Italeri Shorts Stirling are mounted either side of the rear fuselage. There's a few sales on a well-known auction site of tanks and artillery pieces going for scrap. I can use them for this build.

The 1/72 Academy C-97A Stratofreighter has been renamed the Boeing Waddington AEW.1.

Whilst the Black Crow awaits a paint job.

[McColm]

Friday 14th January 2022

My creation to shorten the vacuum fuselage of the 1/72 Boeing C-97A Stratofreighter has run into a snag.
The fuselage can be cut and superglued back to the required length.
The tail section of the Academy B-17F/G can be cut and reglued but I hadn't thought about adding the wings on.
This is much larger than the C-75, so I'm naming it the C-75XL.

The Revell/Frog Avro Shackleton MR.3 now has some of the guns from the Memphis Belle. Especially the rear turret and upper gun turrets .

C-75XL is on the lower shelf.
Yes I know that the jammer pod is supposed to be hung underneath the fuselage or wings, just got a bit carried away, that's all.

[McColm]

Sunday 16th January 2022

I have added a few pictures of my current builds, apologies for the size. At least you can use them as screen savers!
The flat is starting to come together. Two burner electric hob, microwave and fridge.
Single bed and wardrobe.
Chair lift and grab handles in the bathroom, office chair with arms and a L-shaped computer desk with dark oak veneer.
Just need to get the housing benefit and hot water & heating sorted out .
Healthwise my Physiotherapist has given me some exercises to do, got my medication sorted out
I can't believe how the price of food has rocketed and the size of biscuits has shrunk. Wagon Wheels were a lot bigger before I was admitted to hospital!.

[NARSES2]

Just altered the size of the pic for you so that it fits the screen better  There was just the one pic though ?

[McColm]

Just altered the size of the pic for you so that it fits the screen better  There was just the one pic though ?

Thanks,  NARSES2. You can really see the details 

[McColm]

Tuesday  25th  January 2022

I have managed to get my new tablet working,  it was a  Christmas present from my little sister. Well it is one of her kids tablets that was spare.
I have uploaded some games and I must say that SkyFox1 has improved graphics and a few whiffs when it comes to their aircraft. I'm impressed with the Jaguar M flown by the Indian Navy from an aircraft carrier.
I've finished with the Wrebbitt 3D puzzle of Hogwarts Great Hall, it's a shame that some of the pieces were missing. A rebuild of the main tower and firming up of the other buildings is something I'm looking at. I will scratchbuild the missing parts. Then finish the Astronomy Tower.
Hopefully by the end of the week I should have hot water and central heating.

[McColm]

Wednesday 26th January 2022

I have been working on the 1/72 Avro-Grumman AP-5H Charlton gunship adding decals from various kits including the Memphis Belle. I painted the underside using Revell number 76 light Grey Blue. It  looks a bit patchy due to wear and tear during it's many missions  .The bright yellow markings were worn so that the aircraft didn't get shot down by mistake by the USAF.

The  Wizarding World Harry Potter 3D card 428 piece puzzle has arrived from the USA, at least I have a guide for what it's supposed to look like. I think that I can use the discarded pieces of packaging to reinforce the Wrebbit foam buildings.

Asphalt 8 stopped working so I am now playing Real Racing 3, the Plucky Brit has returned. Starting from new. I'm impressed by my Formula 1 Racing skills.

[McColm]

Friday 28th January 2022

I have hot water and heating!
As for my Wizarding World 3D cardboard puzzle of Hogwarts Castle,  the towers are causing me problems. I'm using a combination of white glue and superglue in the troublesome areas.

My recent purchases will lead to my first 1/72 Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic powered by four Rolls-Royce Tyne engines. The two outer engines are off a C-160 Transall.

If there are no problems with the Sanger Avro Lincoln  then this will get the wings, engines and landing gear from the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW.2. It might even get the seats and control columns.

I don't know if it is possible to narrow the Shackleton fuselage to the same width as the Lincoln, then the nose could be extended to the Mk.31. I think that the smaller Skyraider or Gauntlett AEW radomes are slightly smaller and would be a better fit. I have no idea if the Lincoln was used in the AEW role but it would be a great Whiff to build. 

The Avro Lancastrain Nene conversion kit will be used on the flying demolition Lancastrain with the Short Stirling tail.  I still have to come up with a suitable name for this kitbash. The nose cone is a bit  wonky but it's always handy to have a pair of Griffon engines .

The Revell  A-5A Vigilante was a surprise find. I  just might have another vertical tail fin in my stash. It's just one of those aircraft that the British should bought  even if they built underlicence.  Fighter/Interceptor, reconnaissance, bomber and tanker. A Pathfinder for the Buccaneer Boys!

I'm still waiting for the Heller Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star to arrive, the Oz Mods conversion set is due next week. I think that's one for another day.

[McColm]

Sunday 30th January 2022

If I can pull myself away from building the cardboard 3D puzzle of the Hogwarts Astronomy Tower and concentrate on finishing the Avro-Grumman AP-5A Charlton gunship, if not it's going to be a late one tonight.
I also intend to start the deconstruction of the Wrebbit Great Hall (both towers and surrounding areas) with a little bit of food shopping thrown in.
Recovering from a pulmonary embolism certainly zaps your upper body strength as you can't carry as much shopping as you would normally would when you had the strength to do so. Yes I did have a home delivery of groceries but not everything was on my list was what I ordered.
I have had some furry friends visit me during the night, teeth marks from a mouse, not having any carpets or flooring covering on the concrete certainly carries the sound. I have ordered some pest control.
Reducing the collection of cardboard boxes is a great and satisfying way of a form of exercise for me.
Well that's the plan.