Kitbasher's blog: City slicker turned beach bum

[zenrat]

Yes.  Some kids can generate sound of a frequency that just drills right through one's skull.

[NARSES2]

Yes.  Some kids can generate sound of a frequency that just drills right through one's skull.

There's a trailer currently running on the Beeb where a certain actress screams with a voice that should be banned under the Geneva Convention 

She's in the only t.v. soap that my old mum was addicted to and when it was on I had to leave the room and I've not done that for any other programme on the box.

[The Wooksta!]

Bianca in Eastenders?  I'd rather slit my wrists than watch it, even if I did have a telly.

[NARSES2]

Bianca in Eastenders?  I'd rather slit my wrists than watch it, even if I did have a telly.

That's the one and when the trailer comes on I mute the t.v.

[kitbasher]

Right then, that's enough Klingon stuff and bl**dy Eastenders nonsense.

Up in Manchester again for a few days, modelling stuff with me (again) to help pass the time when mum has her daytime naps!  In and around the builds for the prototypes GB I've done a little more on a FROG Barracuda and there's a Matchbox Hellcat to progress too.

[kitbasher]

Not much chance of modelling at the mo. Since binning work I have spent more time in Manchester supporting ailing mum than being at home.  Needs must, can't not do that sort of thing, can you, especially if things are only going in one direction.  Basically have been home 3 days in the last four weeks.  Like I say, needs must and am not complaining.

On a lighter note, lots of de Havilland stuff in the new edition of Aeroplane magazine.  There's also a profile of one of my favourite jets, the SAAB Viggen.

Nice photo spread of airliners at Croydon Airport in the 1930s.  Pretty certain I spotted NARSES2 in the background of one of them.

[Rheged]

Well done, looking after your mum.   Been there, done that, got the mental scars.

[NARSES2]

Yup well done with your mum mate, you only get the one. I unfortunately had to see mine through when I was in my mid 40's. Had to balance work and mum, but lucky enough work were extremely understanding and then I suddenly discovered I had a far larger family then I thought. Complicated but 

Nice photo spread of airliners at Croydon Airport in the 1930s.  Pretty certain I spotted NARSES2 in the background of one of them.

Nah, not me. Might of been my dad though. He quite often used to reminisce about going down and peering over the fence at them. Family didn't live that far away from the airport at all.

[kitbasher]

Well, England Lockdown 2.0 and what would have been SMW 2020 weekend.  The decision to cancel has clearly been vindicated.

Anyway, home alone - so playtime!  Quick build in progress - 1/144 mash-up of two well-known fighters that I'd originally been tempted to do a few years ago in my more customary 1/72 scale (I had planned to mash the Foxbat with something 1/72 but once I got the kit I realised that was never going to work.  The Foxbat fuselage is much narrower than assumed.).  Not to worry, much quicker in a smaller scale!  chopping and gluing has already begun - update tomorrow, but meanwhile.....

[kitbasher]

Progress so far:

[NARSES2]

That's a good looking aeroplane 

[zenrat]

Phoxbat.

[kitbasher]

Initial filling and sanding done, some more to follow.  Canopy placed in position to see what it looks like.  Impossible to tell whether it's the right way round or not!  Don't think it really matters, ah well.

Colour scheme: torn between a Canadian successor to the CF-105 or an RAF aircraft.  Former based on CF-18 markings, the latter possibly an a 111 Sqn F-4K scheme - Black Mike possibly.  It's all down to what will be the best home-made decal set.  Erring towards Canadian but the all black scheme is tempting (and easier to paint!).

Foxbat main wheels are huge, will probably go for something a tad smaller from the spares box.

The sharp-eyed will spot that I've ditched the nose pitot.  TBH I broke it off by accident and can't be bothered refitting it!

Weapons sorted - including Sidewinders from my Operation Olympic Guardian Typhoon FGR.4 at https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=36089.msg578621#msg578621 (a far superior kit to either the Phantom or the Foxbat).

As for the leftover parts, I'll create something Russian, I think.

[kitbasher]

As I mentioned in my 'Captured GB - Inspiration' thread, I've had an ancient Revell Ki-61 on the go for years (even came close to being finished a couple of years ago) that I'll finish off in the background of the GB.  It has been pretty much in this sate for at least all of 2020, if not longer...



...although the bits and bobs that made it a bit more MC.205 were only removed yesterday.  Fair amount of 'corrective action' needed to lick it into shape, although nothing complicated.  Just time consuming.  Possibly.  Hopefully not.

[kitbasher]

Well done, looking after your mum.   Been there, done that, got the mental scars.

Thanks, Rheged.  Can't not be done, can it.

A bit more work on the Phanbat/Foxtom - initial slapping on of primer shows the filling and sanding was pretty much spot on, a bit more sanding in a couple of places, but not very much at all.  Phantom tanks assembled.  Have decided it'll be Canadian - I think the home decal printing will be a lot easier and in any case I see the jet as a successor to the CF-105.  just need to come up with a 'CF' number and a name.  I guess there's no reason why it can't be a CF-188, after all it's  scaled down Hornet sheet I'm getting my markings from!