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

[NARSES2]

Right Spitfire XIX is finished and the build can be found here : http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,35787.new.html#new



Spitfire 22 (real world) needs the canopy doing but not sure if it will get finished before the weekend. Decent weather means I'm off to the seaside (read seaside pub) with the lads Thursday  Rugby Friday 

Hurricane has had 2 coats of Future so hopefully get her transfers on over the weekend. Finish her when I get back from families. Had a slight problem with this one. I was going to use Spitfire XVI exhausts as suggested by Wookster but I droped one ! Can I find it   Even tried the normally foolproof walking aound in bare feet. Discovered an Me 110 radio/gunners seat, Revell Contacta needle  and a 1/72 Lewis gun, when did I last build something that needed one of these ? But no exhaust so she will get the standard one placed with white glue until I eventually find the one I want, they always turn up eventually.

[NARSES2]

Always struggle to get going again after a trip away from home, no idea why 

Anyway got my Hurricane varnished so can get on with the final bits and bobs, also started to sort out the new Airfix Mustang kit as the Freightdog conversion bits and bobs arrived (one day from order to arrival  ) This will be one of my Telford builds

[NARSES2]

Got builders in for the next 3 weeks (kitchen) . Might be able to get some modelling done, but will wait and see.

Should mean a fun 3/4 weeks prior to Telford 

[NARSES2]

Got builders in for the next 3 weeks (kitchen) . Might be able to get some modelling done, but will wait and see.

No chance of any modelling at the moment - chaos and dust reign supreme  Next week probably the same, hopefully in the third "finishing up" week I might get some done.

It does mean my reading rate has increased however. Almost finished Terry Pratchet's "Dodger". Absolutely brilliant, difficult to put down and being a Londoner helps with some of the slang used  He's written this for "young adults" ? Now I've never been considered very adult and I definately ain't young anymore so if I'm an old kid is that the same thing ?? 

[NARSES2]

Got a little done on Sunday amidst the chaos. Started on my Airfix Mustang. Cut, trimmed and test fitted the major parts on a tray on my lap 

The new tool Airfix P-51 is quite possibly the best Airfix kit I have so far worked on. Detail and fit are really, really good. One thing to watch out for however is the sprue gates. They are rather large and I would advise using a small razor saw (I used the small SAM one) to remove the parts from the sprue. In that way you avoid damage to the parts, although I will have to replace one wingtip navigation light  or sand the other off and say it was an RAF mod ?

I'll be using the Freightdog conversion and paper drop tanks with this model. Looks so good I should get it done for Telford even with the builders in. Not sure about the 2 resin kits planed, may have to adopt the backup plan, if I can think of one 

[PR19_Kit]

I noticed the size of the sprue gates on the P-51 too Chris, and when I checked the Spitfire PRXIX has them as well. Does the F22 have them too?

[NARSES2]

I noticed the size of the sprue gates on the P-51 too Chris, and when I checked the Spitfire PRXIX has them as well. Does the F22 have them too?

They are not quite so noticeable on the 22 Kit

[NARSES2]

Well no progress whatsoever because of the builders  Discovered I can't work of a tray on my lap so I've been catching up on my reading. Working my way through Simon Scarrow's Roman stories. Read 4 so far and half way through the fifth.

Got another week and then get down to some serious modelling

[Radish]

Serious....surely not.

[NARSES2]

You know what I mean 

[NARSES2]

We're nearly there ! I reckon builders should finish Monday or Tuesday. Then I just need to tidy up - "JUST" I can't believe the amount of dust, it's got everywhere, Models that were in progress look as though they've been in the Mummies tomb even though door has been shut.

So at least a week before I can start modelling probably. Means Telford plans need to change. Will build a new tool Airfix Mustang and probably bring my RAF high altitude bomber escort Mustang to keep it company.

[NARSES2]

Right managed to get a little modelling done - still a lot of tidying up/putting away to be done after builders - but some small progress.

Got canopies masked and painted for the Spitfire 21 and Hurricane "V".

Got some basic assembly done on the Mustang and cut out the relevant nose panels for the Freightdog conversion set 

[NARSES2]

Some interior paintwork done on the Mustang - serious time to be put in next week.

As mentioned elsewhere picked up an Eduard 1/72 Me 110 profipack today. I have the Airfix new tool but just not happy with it. There's something about it I'm not quite sure about ? Plus I've made a couple of silly basic errors and for some reason the paintwork and varnish looks like it's been done in Steptoe's yard  95% complete and will probably enter the chamber from which no model has yet returned    I've just screwed it plain and simple. I've got another which will be wiffed, Eduard kit will be real world

[Radish]

Steampunking my Airfix bf-110 as Japanese

[NARSES2]

Steampunking my Airfix bf-110 as Japanese

I may strip it back, put radials on it and say it was built for the Japanese ? In the same way as I put my radial engined Me 109 in Japanese markings  out on the quiet Mongolian Front.

Cheers Rad you may have saved an innocent (it isn't really) model from a lingering death - out of the mouths of babes (no not that sort of babe)