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

[Captain Canada]

No, that's a good question. I've always assumed they would be for an individual piece, but as you, I've never actually seen one !

[NARSES2]

Decided to give the MB 5 it's matt coat this morning and against my better judgement decided to give Humbrol acrylic spray a final go. Now I have a love hate relationship with this stuff as I've had problems with it in the past. Varnish leaving a cracked surface, a white surface etc but thought "one more go".

So I decided to read the instructions, yea I know goes against the code, but what the heck  So they use the magic phrase "room temperature". Now what does that mean for Gordon's sake ? Warm room, cold room ? Winter, summer temperatures ? A room in the arctic or on the equator ?  It must be one of the most pointless phrases beloved of manufacturers instructions. Anyway I warmed the can up in a bowl of warm water (I removed it's top) for 15 minutes or so and then gave it a thorough shaking - count to 200 whilst shaking - and with toes crossed (my hands were occupied) sprayed the undersides. 20 minutes drying time latter and they were fine  So thinking I'd cracked it I removed the can from the bowl, repeated the shaking and sprayed the topsides. Not so good, not a disaster, but there was what looked like a little "ghosting" on one wing and one roundel had got what I assumed were air bubbles. Still not a disaster so I let it dry. Once dry I had a good look at it and the "ghosting" is quite difficult to see so I can live with it. What I thought were air bubbles are in fact solid. Now they weren't there before I sprayed it so I can only assume the can spat something out ?

Anyway I can live with it and I think the problem was me. I should have renewed the warm water in the bowl prior to putting the can back in after the undersides had been sprayed rather than use the same water. Lesson learnt and I shall give the spray another try. Or wait until Summer comes 

[NARSES2]

No, that's a good question. I've always assumed they would be for an individual piece, but as you, I've never actually seen one !

Thinking about it I think you are right Capt, but they might still be a good guide ?

[NARSES2]

On another matter I got my first Old Age Pension payment through today. So that's it, official, I'm a Old Man or G.O.G. 

Must admit the Dept of Work and Pensions process was all very efficient and easy to do. People very helpfull and contactable when needed. It's nice when Government Departments work well, so credit where credit is due 

[zenrat]

On another matter I got my first Old Age Pension payment through today. So that's it, official, I'm a Old Man or G.O.G. 

Must admit the Dept of Work and Pensions process was all very efficient and easy to do. People very helpfull and contactable when needed. It's nice when Government Departments work well, so credit where credit is due 

From what i've been told the equivalent process here is a real PitA.

I have two propeller building jigs for aftermarket resin props.  They are both specific to the prop in question but I dare say should be used for others with a little adjustment.

[Rick Lowe]

No, that's a good question. I've always assumed they would be for an individual piece, but as you, I've never actually seen one !

Thinking about it I think you are right Capt, but they might still be a good guide ?

I should think it would be possible - the jig lets you assemble one blade at a time onto the hub rather than all at once, so as long as the locations are accurate it should be a go?

[NARSES2]

I'm going to get a Quickboost replacement prop and see if it would be any good as an all purpose jig. I shall report back

[NARSES2]

Making good progress with the paintwork on both the 42 and the 54

[NARSES2]

Started sorting the smaller parts of both the kits out and discovered that while they were on the shelf of doom one of the Goose's undercarriage legs went walkabout  Can't find it anywhere but luckily they are fairly simple and very agricultural so I've fabricated a pair from tube, rod and some tape.

[NARSES2]

The Goose's undercarriage continues to cause problems. I attempted to fix the nose wheel leg and the gear bay decided to part company with the fuselage innards and disappeared somewhere into the interior. I know it's there I can hear it ! Anyway I sorted that out with a "T" section, so hopefully sorted. Went to fix my new main legs and because of the diameter of the brass I'd used needed to drill the locating holes out. One was fine, the other broke of it's attachment parts, but at least this time it was in an enclosed area. Finally got it fixed (I hope) with lots of liquid super glue and gravity and the leg is fixed. We shall wait and see if the attachments are strong enough, but at least the Goose had most of it's doors closed whilst on the ground so you can't see much.

The 42 has also had her legs fixed with no dramas and now has one coat of future/klear. Will take a few as the Humbrol was very matt, but we are getting there.

[NARSES2]

42 can now have her transfers put on and start to come to life a bit.

The Goose just about stands on her legs but my she's a bit of an "ugly gosling". It might be the fact that she looks a bit ungainly with her very long legs (no wonder the pilot needed a lift to get into the cockpit) or the heavily framed canopy. Indeed I may try and find a better one, although I don't fancy putting that much work into it. Just want to get her finished and put away.

I've decided that for every couple of fresh starts I make I'm going to pick one off the shelf of doom and finish it, whether it likes it or not 

[PR19_Kit]

I've decided that for every couple of fresh starts I make I'm going to pick one off the shelf of doom and finish it, whether it likes it or not 

A very laudable attitude Chris, but I ask myself how long it will last, having tried that myself and failed utterly. 

[NARSES2]

I've decided that for every couple of fresh starts I make I'm going to pick one off the shelf of doom and finish it, whether it likes it or not 

A very laudable attitude Chris, but I ask myself how long it will last, having tried that myself and failed utterly. 

In all honesty the shelf of doom is not heavily stacked. Mainly models where I simply ran out of steam, nothing complicated as I don't go in for major kit bashes as you all know. Should be able to clear it in the next 12 months or so.

[TheChronicOne]

Not a bad plan! I've mustered a few stalled projects already myself and I'm still fresh back to the hobby!!  Not to mention the "old" stuff I have needing repair and refurbish.

We should have an annual, short (month?) "Clear the Bench Group Build" to put a little fire under our arses to get things done. . ..

Or not.   

[The Wooksta!]

Shelf of doom?  Pah!  I have an entire library of doom!  At a rough guess, I'd need a lifetime to finish all the part started and stalled stuff before starting anything new.

Having said that, I've been trying to advance quite a few of these recently with some minor success.