Kitbasher's blog: City slicker turned beach bum

[kitbasher]

Strange day today.  Heading north to sign off the contract for the sale of my late Mum's house.  Need to pop in to read the utility meters - it'll be the last time I see the only house my parents ever owned and the one I grew up in.  Not been there since the start of this year but it'll be odd.

Travelling by train so blagging the wifi.  Decided to look and the IPMS UK website and the SMW2019 photo gallery.  Found the pic of the What If? SIG stand and the sight of The Wooksta! looking as though he's having a sly snooze behind the table made me chuckle.  Then I realised how much I've missed modelling shows over the last 18 months.  Not that I go to that many, but it's good to catch up with SIG buddies and others.  Was very disappointed with the Coventry show cancellation but fully understand the reasons why and support the decision.

Here's hoping Elstree happens, and of course SMW2021.

[NARSES2]

Was very disappointed with the Coventry show cancellation but fully understand the reasons why and support the decision.

As was I. Hopefully Elstree is o.k.

[kitbasher]

And another one bites the dust.  OK it happened at the end of last year but have only found out.  Not my LHS but always visited when in Montreal, and that is Udisco.   A shame but not surprised, huge amount of stock but some of it was decades old that really could have been cleared out at sale prices to make way for newer items.  There are actually an number of underlying reasons why it closed, but yes, another hobby shop gone for good.

[NARSES2]

Always sad. Got me wondering when the last new one (rather than one that's relocated) opened ?

[kitbasher]

There's a small hobby shop recently opened in Ventnor called 'Sorties'.  Popped in during hols to check it out, chatted with the owner who seemed a nice guy.  General purpose hobby shop really - trains, boats and planes, plastic and diecast.  Says business is good.

Seems to have got the balance right for the rather limited local market - e.g. limited range of plastic kits (mostly Airfix), and then in 'gift set' or 'starter set' boxings.  Then he doesn't need to stock paint, keeping overheads down while getting established.

I wished him success - btw it's the only model shop on the island as far as I can tell.

[NARSES2]

Yup best of luck to him 

[kerick]

It seems a shop has to stock a little (or a lot) of everything these days to survive. Not a bad thing as I often find odd pieces from trains or RC that fills a need for something I'm working on or planning. I'm imagining something lately for a post apocalyptic build using a train locomotive cab and really big wheels.

[kitbasher]

Promised a while ago to post pics of the UK's 'secret' rocket testing site on the isle of Wight.  Here we are:



Plus obligatory shot of The Needles:


I was buzzed by a Spitfire Tr.9 just before I was about to take the pic of The Needles but couldn't get my camera out quick enough to get a shot of it.

More info at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-needles-old-battery-and-new-battery/features/into-the-space-age-at-the-needles-new-battery and http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/south_east/needles_battery.html#:~:text=%20%20%20%20%20%20POSTCODE%20,%20%20N%2FA%20%20%2050.662821N%201.583497W%20.

[NARSES2]

I was buzzed by a Spitfire Tr.9 just before I was about to take the pic of The Needles but couldn't get my camera out quick enough to get a shot of it.

They've got your name and number now, you know that don't you ? Mind you, you probably "know" the right people anyway, so you'll be ok

[Howard of Effingham]

Ta for those pictures Kitbasher.

Did you know that the WW2 radar site at Ventnor is rumoured to have been the site for the ONLY German landing and attack in 1943?

[kitbasher]

Did you know that the WW2 radar site at Ventnor is rumoured to have been the site for the ONLY German landing and attack in 1943?

No I didn't, Trevor, so must find out more about that.  Radar is long gone (I used the Ventnor Type 264 when I was at LATCC in the 80s) but the NATS Tx/Rx masts are still in use.

Anyway, Recce GB.....RF-47N is very close to completion and the Lightning PR.8 is almost built prior to painting.  Have got the PR.8's colours scheme sorted - nothing exciting really but the choice was determined by what I had in the spare decals box that would allow a real RAF PR squadron to operate them.  The Hunter PR.11 has stalled somewhat but will do my best to get it done.  Further updates with progress pics in the various threads to follow in the next few days.

There's been some cracking entries so far for this GB, I must say/

[The Wooksta!]

Have you made a start on the P8 yet?

[kitbasher]

Have you made a start on the P8 yet?

Parts removed from the 'sprue'/'runners' but nothing more.  More wavering as to how to build it - straight 'prototype' or modded 'in service' as I was originally leaning towards.  Won't be buying another (saving pennies for future releases in the range) so probably will not modify it.  Yep, maybe a bit lame of me as what I had in mind isn't difficult, just want to be sure of doing the kit justice.

BTW it's October's build.

[Howard of Effingham]

Did you know that the WW2 radar site at Ventnor is rumoured to have been the site for the ONLY German landing and attack in 1943?

No I didn't, Trevor, so must find out more about that.  Radar is long gone (I used the Ventnor Type 264 when I was at LATCC in the 80s) but the NATS Tx/Rx masts are still in use.

I will get you details on another channel of the book written on the matter. 

[kitbasher]

Freightdog Mosquito B35 resin improvement kit - SORTED!!