Narses2's Blog - or what I'm slowly making progress on

[NARSES2]

Not much progress, it's too cold in the model room, but a little tinkering done on all the current projects.

Been catching up with my reading which has got a little behind and I have a couple of medical weeks coming up, including eye drops which scupper modelling for the day, so getting my money back from all those N.I. contributions I made 

Anyway I've also been considering a real world build in 1/48th ! Looking at the Airfix new tool P-40B. Reviews are good and looks like a nice relaxing build plus I fancy a Flying Tigers example which is in the box.

[DogfighterZen]

The only 1/48th model i've built so far was a P-40B, although it was the old Monogram kit, but i really enjoyed doing a Flying Tigers bird, great looking scheme.

[TheChronicOne]

Right on. I've been wanting to do a Fling Tiges "B" myself. I scored one in one of last years lot scores that I never got to documenting in the thread for it.. but anyway.. it's in 1/72, though.  Can't remember the mfr. though.

I might just get jealous and start it.   

[Librarian]

The P-40, in its many guises, is a very popular aircraft. Could be a GB idea...anything P-40 .

[NARSES2]

The P-40, in its many guises, is a very popular aircraft. Could be a GB idea...anything P-40 .

Or P.36 through XP.42 ? I've got a 42 on the go at the moment and a 37 in the stash  Or we could do a Curtis GB ? Might suggest a manufacturers GB in the next Poll, need to muse first. Ta for kicking the thought process off 

[Librarian]

Oh Sir! Sir! Curtiss GB .

[NARSES2]

Very little progress on any of the current projects as I'm in the middle of a "medical" period ! Loads of check-ups and quarterly appointments for ongoing conditions all falling together. I'm 65 in a month and you get offered a lot of tests around the milestone. As a matter of course I accept them whereas my parents generation tended to rather not know. So I'm getting my monies worth out of the NHS  at the moment 

Probably won't get much done until post Huddersfield but I do want to have a look at the MB5's wing joint as in all honesty it's no where as near as poor as I thought it might be, being it's a butt joint. Will take some cleaning up but I'd feared worse.

As I think I've said elsewhere I think they rushed this out ? Either that or it's a "second tier tooling", very much so when you compare it to their Me 109.

[PR19_Kit]

As I think I've said elsewhere I think they rushed this out ? Either that or it's a "second tier tooling", very much so when you compare it to their Me 109.

I'd agree with that Chris.

One side of mine is different to the other as well, as it needs some hefty filing to avoid a big gap, whereas the other wing seems to fit quite flush.

And the prop REALLY needs some attention, every blade root took maybe 5 mins worth of slicing and filing to get right.

[kitnut617]

One side of mine is different to the other as well,

I've had the same problem with my Siga FJ-1 Furys. Starting at the center joint of the fuselage halves out to the wing tips, the port side is quite different to the starboard side and don't match up. Must be to same pattern makers --- 

[NARSES2]

Some gentle progress on the MB.5. I'm struggling at the moment. As I've muttered about before I've a few medical appointments at the moment, plus I become an Old Age Pensioner in a couple of weeks  and that milestone is having a bit of an effect on me I think 

Still I got the first session of p.s.r. done on the wings and in all honesty they aren't as bad as I thought and cleaned up quickly and easily. Will need a second go but that's a given, given my abilities in that respect at times 

One of my favourite putties for this type of work is Green Stuff which I find goes on well, adheres well and sands down quite quickly. Its only down side is its colour. You can still see it quite clearly under a layer of primer and thus it can be difficult to tell if you have eradicated the seam completely.

[PR19_Kit]

......plus I become an Old Age Pensioner in a couple of weeks  and that milestone is having a bit of an effect on me I think 

You'll get used to it pretty quickly Chris, and it has all sorts of advantages, like Senior discounts in places, and Senior Wednesdays at the local garden centre etc. 

[kitnut617]

I'm 62 and some places give me senior discounts already   

[Rheged]

I started getting discounts at 60, got my old codgers bus pass at 62 and am looking forward to June, when Her Majesty's Government start paying me an old age pension.

As I've said elsewhere on this site:- age is irrelevant unless you are a cheese, a single malt whisky or a good port.

[NARSES2]

Yup I've had some discounts since I was 60 and my Transport for London free travel pass is WONDERFUL  Unlike the rest of the country we get free travel on all modes of transport not just buses and it appears to be something that all the parties agree with and the mayors of all shades have simply improved on.

On a couple of occasions where the discount doesn't kick in until 65 I've negotiated a half way house payment, especially at model shows 

Got my OAP sorted but I'm just feeling the age for some reason ? Probably to do with all the hospital appointments I've got/have at the moment as well.

Still Huddersfield at the weekend 

[PR19_Kit]

Bizzarely my and Mrs_PR19's bus passes work going TOWARD Chepstow on the bus, but we can't back using them as they don't apply in Wales..... 

So we buy tickets to Sedbury, the first stop in England across the Wye, and then wave our passes at the driver with smug grins on our faces.