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

[Radish]

Time for a beer!!

[NARSES2]

First modelling since the week prior to Telford  The post Telford inertia normally takes to the New Year to disperse so although I only got some painting done on my P-72 (and it was a spur of the moment thing) I'm quite pleased 

[NARSES2]

Just a thanks to Mossie on the Forum for giving me a practical solution to a problem I've been mulling over for a good few months.

I've been trying to work out what the French AF would use as roundels in my Far East scenario (note they are not Free French as France fights on from the colonies in the scenario). I had a discussion with Mossie and one of his suggestions was to just have a very thin outer red roundel. That to me is a very Gallic solution and practical from my point of view so it will be adopted.

Cheers Mossie 

[NARSES2]

Got the P-72 glossed, so can start thinking about getting her markings on now, but I may have to have another look at the canopy to fuselage join as I'm not particularly happy with it.

Hopefully just keep doing odd bits and bobs until Xmas is done and dusted and then get down to some serious modelling.

On a completely different note. I got my new HMRC Tax Statement this morning. Now apart from telling me my earnings/tax/tax rate etc on the back it has an interesting breakdown of where my money went. Now not getting into the politics of the thing but it was very interesting and enlightening. Lets just say a couple of the numbers and rankings surprised me. So well done HMRC, it's always nice to actually know rather then just moan about things based on assumptions. 

[Mossie]

Just a thanks to Mossie on the Forum for giving me a practical solution to a problem I've been mulling over for a good few months.

I've been trying to work out what the French AF would use as roundels in my Far East scenario (note they are not Free French as France fights on from the colonies in the scenario). I had a discussion with Mossie and one of his suggestions was to just have a very thin outer red roundel. That to me is a very Gallic solution and practical from my point of view so it will be adopted.

Cheers Mossie 

Your welcome mate.   Just kind of throwing ideas out, glad it's useful.

[NARSES2]

Just been doing a little tinkering with both the P 72 and Hurricane which I'm quite please about as I don't normally get much modelling done between Telford and January.

Did a little more work on the P 72 canopy and she looks a little better now. Started putting transfers on her this morning. Using some Revell ones and the Stars and Bars on the same sheet couldn't be more different. Only used the wing ones and one came off the backing straight away the other took an age ??

On a different not I went up my local bakers this am and popped in Nero's for a coffee. Sitting inside were 8 coppers having their break ! And they were beat coppers, helmet rather then flat cap. Now I've no idea where on earth they go on beat because I haven't seen one around here out of a car in ages. It got me thinking and I realised I don't even know where the nearest Police Station is any more. It's probably Croydon ? But we used to have 3 within walking distance and I've been a "guest" at one. DIC of a pair of feet one Xmas many years ago  Not having a go as it's a sign of the times but it's just such a change since I was a kid when we knew the local beat copper and indeed he'd sometimes have a bit of a kick around with us a-la Norman Wisdom 

[zenrat]

You didn't get the urge to "go all Bertie Wooster" and nick off with one of their helmets? 

[kitbasher]

On a different not I went up my local bakers this am and popped in Nero's for a coffee. Sitting inside were 8 coppers having their break ! And they were beat coppers, helmet rather then flat cap. Now I've no idea where on earth they go on beat because I haven't seen one around here out of a car in ages.

Were they strippergrams, maybe?

[NARSES2]

You didn't get the urge to "go all Bertie Wooster" and nick off with one of their helmets? 

I've known 2 people who did that many, many year ago. One was an old boss - Old Etonian and ex Cambridge Blue - did it Boat Race night and it was treated as a prank. The other was a mate - Old Ashburton boy and Croydon Tech College - very nearly got sent down for 21 days ! In the end one of the Magistrates talked the Colonel Blimp senior magistrate into fining him £10 which was more then a weeks wages then for most of us lads.

My how times have changed 

On a different not I went up my local bakers this am and popped in Nero's for a coffee. Sitting inside were 8 coppers having their break ! And they were beat coppers, helmet rather then flat cap. Now I've no idea where on earth they go on beat because I haven't seen one around here out of a car in ages.

Were they strippergrams, maybe?

Hope not all fella's 

[NARSES2]

Back to modelling 

P-72 now has a full set of transfers. I'm using some Revell P-47 ones and they are nice (apart from the previously mentioned delay some have from detaching themselves form the backing sheet), however the instructions Revell's usual A5 sheet which wouldn't be to bad if a bit crowded but they have used a horrible differention for the colours on the 4 view. Very, very difficult to make out with all the dots and darker dots, absolutely horrible.

[NARSES2]

Slow progress but any progress at this time of year is good for me 

The P-72 is now standing on her own legs had to drill and pin them but they seem quite sturdy now. I won't get this finished before Xmas but she should get done in the New Year along with the next Hurricane. Then I can start on a couple of twin engine jobs, real world and Wif

[NARSES2]

I took advantage of the bright day and managed to get the P-72 varnished out on the balcony. Decided to use a satin varnish rather then my usual matt. Not sure why exactly but I just didn't think a matt finish would suit the colour scheme. Strange how the brain works at time ? Anyhow it's come out quite nice.

I'll get it's canopy unmasked in the next day or so and that will probably be the last bit of progress before Christmas. Must admit I'm a little worried about this bit as I had "fun" getting the canopy faired in and it may be a nasty surprise when the masking comes off. Oh well fingers crossed.

[NARSES2]

Must admit I'm a little worried about this bit as I had "fun" getting the canopy faired in and it may be a nasty surprise when the masking comes off. Oh well fingers crossed.

Canopy not as bad as I'd feared and anyway it's my fault so can't complain. Gave it the toothpaste treatment followed by a coat of Klear and it looks better for it 

[PR19_Kit]

How do you 'fair in' your canopies Chris?

I ask because I had the devil of a job doing the same on my Hunter T12. It's OK, but only just passable really.

[NARSES2]

With difficulty is the short answer Kit and I'm not being flippant.

I now use PPP and a damp finger after first masking off the bits I want to remain clear. Previously I used other fillers which I always found too coarse and to be honest I've never been really satisfied with the results. The P-72 still isn't great but that's because I didn't fit it that well in the first place. I got fixated on one side of it and didn't notice the bigger problem with the other side  I like the model but she won't be going anywhere other then my own display case.