What's on the workbench!

[Pellson]

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.

Don't overdo things, mate. Exercise is good - to a degree. Take care

[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.

Don't overdo things, mate. Exercise is good - to a degree. Take care

I didn't get around to do some shopping, nor any whiffery. Catching up on sleep and watching the Mentalist on Prime.

[McColm]

Friday 11th February 2022

Just a fleet update on what's been going on, all in 1/72 scale with photos.

BAe Ravenclaw Tilt-Dyne AEW.1

That's my medication on the lower shelf.

Boeing Waddington MR.1,  Academy Boeing C-97 with parts from the Revell Dassault Atlantic ALT1 Italian Eagle/Magpie kit and the Falcon vacuum Lockheed EP-3E Orion radome.

Two drop fuel tanks are from the ESCI Lockheed AC-130H Spectra II kit.
Avro Lincoln AEW. 5, I have just realised that the nose glazing is upside down but as it fits so well I won't change it. Looks good with the four-bladed metal propellers. Acrylic black paint with hairy brush.

The Sanger Avro Lincoln B.2 vacuum kit is the donor for the Lincoln AEW.3. I'm waiting for the wings,engines ,and landing gear from another kit to arrive.

BAC Black Crow AEW.1PR. With the RVHP NC-121K  conversion set, Oz Mods Warning Star radomes and the Falcon vacuum reconnaissance Panther nose in a temporary acrylic paint scheme.

[McColm]

Monday 14th February 2022

I had a visit from an OpenReach telephone engineer he has come to install a landline so I can have broadband. He will be back tomorrow to finish the work.
I did a bit of work on the Transall AEW build. There's an escape hatch in the roof of the cargo bay but no hatch in the roof of the fuselage halves. Apart from the side cargo door there's no other options for the side doors to be opened unless I cut them out, seems a bit daft having all that interior detail and not being able to see it.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Valentines day, nothing special for me. Just another ordinary day. Been watching the TV series 'Sea Patrol ' on Prime. I think there was a writers strike which ended the series. Just when it was getting interesting. The patrol boat would make build if there's a kit available.

I can't believe the prices that Hornby charge for their 00 gauge trains, I know people will still buy them, why not sort out the gremlins before the product leaves the factory then they can justify the price. I'm still on the prowl for a cheap 00 train set,battery or clockwork as I can use a bit of whiffery to improve the details or Steam Punk in moderation.

I might invest in a few rattle cans for the fleet on the larger cargo planes.
Now that I able to potter around my flat time seems to speed up, whilst it used to drag when I was in intensive care. I still have problems coming to terms of my ordeal.

[ericr]

  impressive kitbashes

[McColm]

impressive kitbashes

Thanks

[McColm]

Wednesday 16th February 2022

I had a very interesting chat with the Health Start Doctor today, it's a programme run to get people back to work through the gym and swimming after a stay in hospital. It's free through your local council but you need a referral from your doctor.
Another thing is the Charlton Football Club has a Doctors Surgery and runs a club for men to have a chat ,tea plus biscuits, they have a walking club as well which runs every Monday. The Doctor is trying to get the modellers club back up and running. They get free kits as part of the physiotherapy, so I showed him this site and some of my builds ,he builds 1/24 scale cars, and prints his own decals. He also uses his 3D printer to make parts. Which gives me a great idea.
More chat revealed his network of people he knows to get welfare related benefits. Apparently every new council tenant has a lump sum of cash allocated to them, so I might be in-line for some flooring.
I have an idea to use two pasting tables as a base for the 3D Hogwarts Castle model,  when my new fitness regime starts I'll be able to add some shelves underneath and strengthen the legs. New tops will be sought as well

[McColm]

Friday 18th February 2022

It's been a very windy day, I have put the landing gear on the 1/80 scale North American A3J Vigilante and painted the upper surfaces Hataka acrylic Camouflage Beige the lower surfaces are painted in Hataka Light Aircraft Grey. As the paint is still drying I will put some photos up tomorrow.
I have also used the Beige paint on the 1/72 Lockheed NC-121K Black Crow which makes it look more sneaky.
The Light Aircraft Grey has been applied to the 1/72 BAe Terrier AC.1,looks like I have missed a bit towards the rear. The shadows cast by the main lamp makes it look like two-tone. I'm aiming to finish this build over the weekend
Meanwhile the 1/72 BAe Ravendyne AEW.1 has got a new roof  ( the long-range fuel tanks from the MH-47E Chinook kit)I have managed to raise the sagging rotor blade
I just have one more kit to start which is the Sword 1/72 Lighting T.Mk.5. Then I can finish off the standard builds before taking on Hogwarts Castle and building the new baseboard  plus surroundings.
My first attempt in constructing the SuperQuick Railway terminus or through station didn't go to plan so I will build another one. ^

[McColm]

Monday 21st February 2022

I was warned that the British benefits system works fine when you are in temporary accommodation but once the Council finds you a place that bubble bursts and you are now juggling what little money you have to keep you afloat. During the week I shall be making various phone calls to see what other benefits I can claim.
I'm down to my final 1/72 Sword EE/BAC Lightning T.55 kit, this will be built straight out of the box at first but will be whiffed at a later date.
My Wrebbit Hogwarts Castle which I am slowly converting into a mainline railway station. Radical surgery has taken place leaving the facade of the entrance to the Astronomy Tower. I did attempt to build the SuperQuick Railway Terminus but I can utilise various parts for the 'glass roof 'and foyer. I have been looking at the various station canopies from Hornby, Peco and Metcalfe. I should be able to make my own platforms with the lids of the model kit boxes.
Hopefully someone will have a 00gauge  train set  who wants a new home for it once I start joining various clubs within the New Charlton area.
This quite period does mean that I can finish off the twin engined Shackleton and attack helicopter. The 1/72 Lockheed NC-121K Black Crow does look good in the beige colour paint scheme. I know that I can create turboprop engines for it,  it's just getting hold of the materials and likewise the 1/72 Boeing C-97, I might even try a turboprop Rolls-Royce Griffon.
I have quite a few background stories to write so that should keep me busy.

[McColm]

Tuesday 22nd February 2022

I went to check out the Food Warehouse which is across the road from where I live,  I've been to B&M which is in the same retail park and had no problems in walking the distance.
However both of my legs are hurting, so I have used R.I.C.E. raise,  ice and elevation  which has helped. It's been a lazy afternoon.
I've been catching up reading the topics and thinking 'I can build one of those 'to add to my growing list of whiffs to build.
The Universal Credit Health Assessment isn't going to take place over the phone tomorrow (would have been the 6th attempt in phoning me),  instead I will be receiving another questionnaire to fill in.
I think that it tried to rain this afternoon in New Charlton, the sort that rains at the back of my flat but not at the front.  There's plenty of birdsong to listen to whilst I read your comments.

[McColm]

Saturday 26th February 2022

I bought my mum her Mother's Day card and gift this morning, I got this out of the way this year as money will be tight next month.
PSR continues with the 1/72 BAC Sphinx MC.1 as it's undergoing special missions flight testing.
The SuperQuick platform has been built, which means I will have to buy another one to match it. Demolition of the SuperQuick station has lead to the canopies been recycled and used on the Wrebbit Main Line station. The foundation has been superglued to a cardboard base and the stonework repointed.
Whilst doing this I have been listening to my mix of music on YouTube,  I didn't know that I have very good tunes on it  The 'hey I remember when this first came out 'has brought back some happy memories.
SkyFox1 the online aircraft fighter game has some new features,  whilst Asphalt 9 goes back to what Asphalt 8 used to be before it was updated and lost it's appeal to me. It's a case of starting all over again on Real Racing 3 but the Pluckin Brit  battles on to win another race.

[McColm]

Saturday 5th March 2022

After an appointment with the 'Mobility Doctor " I now know the Charlton has a Social Evening for men at the Valley football stadium on Monday nights 7pm to 9pm where they discuss men's problems amongst other topics.
There's also a men's walking group that meets every Thursday morning at 10am at the Greenwich Pavilion in Greenwich Park.
As people keep telling me that I have been through a traumatic experience and have I had any counselling or seen a shrink psychiatrist, I have a counselling session with Time to Talk in two weeks time. There's also MIND that does something similar.
I might be getting some furniture through Emmaus, the council will be paying for it and I have applied for PIP.
Now that the council are all back at work I will have to attend regular Universal Credit meetings to see what other benefits I can claim and check on my health.
As to my return to work,  I have pencilled in winter 2022. As I have a training schedule for fitness the only thing is I still get knackered walking to and from the local shops. Three flights of stairs doesn't help either but I can't complain about the view!
I have a gas appliance check next week between 12pm and 0530pm, I know that I was in an induced comma for four days but I didn't know that the 24hour clock had changed.
0530pm? 05 is in the morning and pm is in the afternoon!
One thing for sure is the size of the Airfix Ho/00 Booking Hall sometimes repackaged as a station,  it's tiny compared to a station from SuperQuick in 00gauge. The aim for me is to collect the entire range. The platform will change to Metcalfe.
More filler/puty is required for the current builds.

[NARSES2]

Saturday 5th March 2022

After an appointment with the 'Mobility Doctor " I now know the Charlton has a Social Evening for men at the Valley football stadium on Monday nights 7pm to 9pm where they discuss men's problems amongst other topics.

The way the Valliant's are playing you might get a run out mate 

Seriously take all the help that's offered 

[McColm]

Monday 7th March 2022

I hand washed some laundry today, stopped when I became tired, it's amazing what muscles I use for such a simple task.  Whilst sipping a mug of soup I came up with an idea to build a C-130 with four Rolls-Royce Tyne engines and another based on a concept by Kamov the original Ka-32 an oversized Rotodyne. Instead of a single rotor, twin stacks above the turboprop or turbofan engines I think that they intended to use the An-10 fitted with a pair of turbofan engines. The Ka-22 did fly until it crashed so they gave up and stuck to building helicopters.
The Ka-35

The Hogwarts Castle model that I have built will be turned into a 1,000 bed hotel with a helipad and underground car park. The lake should be large enough to take flying boats and seaplanes in 1/144 scale.
Having discovered that there is a platform 7 and a half that runs from King's Cross Station to wizarding  villages in continental Europe, I'm not sure if it uses a portkey,  ferry or uses the Channel tunnel. I'd like to think it is the hovercraft. The British carriages would stay on this side of the water and only the locomotive taken across as it is magical so it can adjust itself to the different track gauges.  Just because I can see this in my head doesn't mean it's not real.
Something to look forward to is travelling by train down to Cornwall to visit my mum in May It will be my first time using the new trains plus travel assistance.

[McColm]

Friday 11th March 2022

Once again I'm out of filler/puty which is okay as there's plenty of sanding to do until my hands begin to ache. The weather people say that the weekend will be a wet one,  it's already raining here in Charlton. I have plenty of cleaning to do which will keep me busy
I know don't over do it!