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

[NARSES2]

A little bit of work on all 3 current projects, not much, but a bit at least.

The Invader fuselage is together and is not bad, better then I thought anyway although I did glue it over two sessions in order to get a decent join up front. However the wings to fuselage fit is "indifferent" to say the least ! Now unless I've totally misunderstood the fit of the bomb racks there is no way they are not going to interfere with the fit of the wings. The tabs on the wings are probably 8/10mm to long and foul the bomb racks  Not a problem as I'll just trim them. At least the method of construction means you can clean the wings and nacelles up before fitting to the fuselage. However there is a bit to much cleaning up needed for a kit of it's age.

On a completely different subject I see the UK modelling mags are going through their regular phase of Editorial Musical Chairs again ? We've already commented on Gary Hatcher moving to SAM and thus a new editor there (the old assistant editor) and now MAI have changed their editor as well.

This inevitably means the formats of the magazines will change, probably simply on the basis that the new editor has to stamp his mark on the title. MAI has already changed a bit and I must say I found it made it a bit difficult to see some of the stuff clearly, but given the toilet paper they print it on that doesn't surprise me. SAM had changed a bit with Neil as temporary editor, for the better I might say, but Gary will undoubtedly changed it more. SAMI and MA have also changed a little bit under Gary Francis but not much. My only concern here is that Gary mainly seems to build in the larger scales so I hope it doesn't mean we see less 1/72 stuff.

Just my thoughts and proves I'm getting older I suppose, but it does seem as sometimes it really is change for changes sake ? Whatever happened to "if it ain't broke don't fix it" ?

Chris

[The Wooksta!]

SAM can only improve with Jay Lafferty* out of the way and some more basic modelling builds inserted.  Fewer photos of style over substance masterpieces and more words wouldn't come amiss either.  And NO photos of the smug overbearing builders either - the models should be the selling point, not some balding halfwit dressed like a clown.

*I vowed never to buy it again after his self serving comments with regards to home resin casters.  his diatribe against whiffing a few issues later sealed it forever.

[PR19_Kit]

*I vowed never to buy it again after his self serving comments with regards to home resin casters.  his diatribe against whiffing a few issues later sealed it forever.

I'm 110% with you there Lee! 

Sometimes I thought it should have been renamed '1/48 Scale Modeller' under his editorship too.

[NARSES2]

Been busy with other things and people so just some tinkering with the current projects. Should get down to some more serious work next week.

However I was shuffling some stuff around and found my part finished pile. Determined to try and finish one of these for each two fresh starts ! Let's see how far that idea gets 

[Captain Canada]

Is he the guy that does all the bits for the Arrow ? Master Casters I think ?

[NARSES2]

Is he the guy that does all the bits for the Arrow ? Master Casters I think ?

Yes

Got some large cork place mats today. With some senic scatter material they will make nice bases for any twins I don't manage to get enough nose weight in 

[NARSES2]

Out for lunch again but I did manage to finally figure out the local Games Workshop's opening hours which are obviously student orientated ! Stocked up on some basic and metallic colours after I'd worked out all the new names they have given the paints. Why did they do that ?

Also don't like the new paint containers, look a lot smaller (now there's a surprise) but their Silver (used to be Mithril Silver is now Runefang Steel) is one of the best of its ilk.

Modelling will resume next week

[PR19_Kit]

..... but their Silver (used to be Mithril Silver is now Runefang Steel) is one of the best of its ilk.

Useful to know, I use that quite a bit, thanks Chris.

[Captain Canada]

Guess I should check into one of these Games Workshops when I see one !

[NARSES2]

..... but their Silver (used to be Mithril Silver is now Runefang Steel) is one of the best of its ilk.

Useful to know, I use that quite a bit, thanks Chris.

That's why I posted it Kit as I know a lot use their metallics. The store had a card with all the links between old and new names (why did they change ?  ) but the lad couldn't let me have it as it was the only one he had 

[PR19_Kit]

..... but their Silver (used to be Mithril Silver is now Runefang Steel) is one of the best of its ilk.

Useful to know, I use that quite a bit, thanks Chris.

That's why I posted it Kit as I know a lot use their metallics. The store had a card with all the links between old and new names (why did they change ?  ) but the lad couldn't let me have it as it was the only one he had 

That's why I carry a pocket camera with me ALL the time. 

And no, my phone DOESN'T take pics, it's a phone!

[Mossie]

They changed supplier.  IIRC, the original supplier had the rights to the names, so they had to change.  The paints are a little different to the older ones in their qualities and the replacement colours are not all 100% matches to the originals.

[Steel Penguin]

to be honest this is the 3rd (?) set of names for the paints  the earliest set don't have modern equivalents ( but can be purchased under very allusional names from Cote d arms) the 2nd set were renamed into this new set, just to confuse even more...
there is no match for the original worm purple in either of  the new ranges, and that's a colour I use as part of my space marine chapter colours 
also the new foundation paint don't match the previous colours by name or hue either.  the one advantage is that they've reintroduced the few spray paint base colours again

[NARSES2]

Right progress 

The Hurricane and Defiant can now have their varnish applied. If it's a reasonable day tomorrow I'll get it done out on the balcony. Then they just need aerials/pitots etc followed by canopies and framing. P-72 also just needs a couple of bits and bobs and she's done as well.

The Invader is now at the psr stage. Quite handy in that you can work on the fuselage and wings as 3 sub assemblies so not as clumsy as it could be.

Lining up the next projects and have found the markings I need for my Caproni and the bits I need for the minor modifications intended.

On a final note my dodgy eye is still giving me gip. It's getting quite difficult to judge distance/depth at times and that can make painting, fitting small parts a bind. Still I've got the 3 month follow up at the hospital next week so we shall find out what progress there has been, if any 

[Captain Canada]

Looking forward to the Hurri and Defiant. And good luck with the follow up appt. !

Cheers Chris !