Spey_Phantom's corner of solitude

[DogfighterZen]

Hey Nils, good to know you're feeling better, just take it easy and you'll be fine.

[Captain Canada]

Sorry to hear that Nils. Keep your head up it can only go up from here ! Are you still riding your bike ? Maybe try and spend a bit more time cycling and enjoying the views and getting exercise and forgetting about your worries...

[kerick]

I second the advice on seeing a doctor. Being out of work for so long will do it to you. I can personally attest to that. It was nearly five years for me. At least I was able to go back to college on the US GI bill. Now I see a doc at the VA clinic. Its helped beyond measure. Don't be surprised if the first thing the doc wants to do is give you a complete physical exam. They have to check for any physical cause for your symptoms. Mention the feeling in your chest too. Chest pain is not something to self diagnose.

Depression is a disease and can be managed. Listen to the previous entries as they all they know what they are talking about.

Get out of the house and meet some people, even if its just walking down the street. Everything helps.

[Go4fun]

Nils, I'm retired on the "Less is better than nothing' plan but anything I can do to help would be worth it to me. I can tell you when you hit rock bottom at least you can say "It can only get better from here"!

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #114


About one week after my Nervous Breakdown, im starting to recover, although i still have some problems controling my nerves 
over the weekend i managed to forget all about it, spent the weekend at my girlfriends place and we spent the night in Antwerp on friday after coming back from a Ladies od Soul Concert, i actually quite enjoyed it, but the night at the hotel was a living hell that i rather not talk about (nothing to do with my girlfriend).

anyways i just got back home, during the weekend everything felt fine as i could forget about my problems, guess the change in scenery did good, however when i got home, my nerves and chest stings started to work up again, must be because tomorrow i have an appointment with my second employment consultant (the one who called last friday and triggered my breakdown). to play it safe, and in case anything goes wrong, i have decided to start recording our conversations in secret on my phone, in case she eversteps the line again, i have evidence and something to bargain with to her bosses.

still had no callback from the CGG (phychiatric clinic) for an intake conversation, if the dont call tomorrow, im gonna call them again.


but enough whining for now, lets get to what this Blog is actually all about: Models 


little progress on the bench over the week, but im curretnly working on something new. some time ago, i attempted to build a 1/144 scale Tornado 2000 out of a spare Academy Tornado GR.1 (witch i bought as a source of Decals and Sea Eagle missiles) but i failed at actually getting it right. now im gonna try again on a similar project to build a 5th Generation upgrade to the Tornado, the Super Tornado 2020, using an old Revell Tornado Gr.Mk.1 kit (80's mould) i bought on the cheap as a source for parts. certain new features will include new engines (Eurojet EJ200 or GE F414), a new stealthy nose profile (reshaped using a new experimental procedure), new fixed and reshaped wings and tail, replacing the centerline pylons with an internal weapons bay, CFT's, internal sidewinder launchers,.....
i have another future project planned, very similar to this one but using an Su-47 instead (Su-47Gen5 Firkin-F).

furthermore, ive been looking into other future project this week for the WW3 storybuild. in a future installment, the US breaks its relationship with Saudi Arabia after discovering they have been supplying certain terrorist groups with weapons bought from the west. as a result, all US FMS sales to Saudi Arabia are cancelled and an arms embargo is emposed. as a result, the Saudi government turns to China and Russia for new weapons. im thinking of RSAF Su-47, Su-30's, Mig-29's, IL-476 transports, IL-96-400TZ Tankers, Mi-35 Helicopters and Sukhoi Superjet 100 Maretime patrol aircraft.

my mind is going a mile a minute, and im starting to remember older ideas aswell. with newer airliner kits now on the market or coming out, im thinking of a new line of military derivatives, such as an AEW Embraer 170, Maretime Patrol Embraer 195 and Sukhoi Superjet 100MPA (Sukhoi Su-100, NATO codename "Mayvis", as a replacement for Russia's IL-38 May).

of course there will always be the 1/72 projects, such as Iranian Su-35's, Russian Tucano-based COIN aircraft, various Mig-37 ferrets,...but also western aircraft including an RAF F-22A Raptor (17 Squadron), Turkish F-20A Tigershark,....
in 1/144 im also planning a line of different F-23 Grey Ghost fighters in different markings, including Dutch and Norwegian versions. as for the F/A-18 Super Hornet, im also planning on building German versions of both the F/A-18E (Tornado IDS replacement) and EA-18G Growlers (Tornado ECR replacement).


More soon.........

[Captain Canada]

Glad you're feeling better Nils.

Sounds like that huge workload of models should keep you distracted for awhile eh ?

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #115


a week has passed with little progress on the bench.
i have got some paintwork done on the BV.240, but im not entirely satisfied with the result, so i might have to do some repaint work on it  
no progress on the SeaKings or the ships this week due to lack of time.
research has been completed for the building of a 1/72 scale MIG-21F-13 for a What-If cold War GB over on Facebook.
the kit will be an academy 1/72 Mig-21 in Royal Netherlands Air Force Markings with a bare metal paintscheme, using decals from an Italeri F-104G Starfighter.

this week, im planning to do some reorganising of the stash, im concidering putting some lesser wanted kits up for sale (belgium only, to keep the mailing costs down). the reason im doing this is because i have been at home for 2 years now, and im having to cut back on the budget, so im selling some stash in order to have a reserve funds in case things go bad.
im also gonna have to buy a new Dremel powertool, as my brother borrowed it over the weekend to fix the car and he broke it 

earlier this week, i had a call from the CGG about the treatment of my depression, im sheduled for an intake conversation next monday.
although im feeling better, i have a feeling its not over yet, i have been feeling kinda edgey lately and my nerves are sometimes acting up for no reason, so its better to have it checked out.

as far as jobhunting goes, i sent out a number of applications again, but so far, again, no result  

On a lighter note, my girlfriend Jessica stayed over for the weekend, friday was our first anniversary, so we went to the seaside as the weather seemed to be quite good. i got her a new Nintendo 2DS, as she mentioned a few months ago she would like to have one.
i recieved my gift last weekend, 2 nights for 2 at the hotel in Koksijde where we spent our valentines-weekend, were planning to spend it there in late June.


more soon.....

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #116


not much done this week, i could hardly find the time due to more important things.
i did however managed to finish decal designing, im now waiting to print them out as its to cold in the shed to spray a coat of sealant (to cold, it wouldnt dry).

i dont plan on doing much today except for re-organising the workspace.
for today i was planning on going to the OV-10 Bronco Team Fan Day at Wevelghem Airport today, but i havent been feeling to well, i think  im catching a cold as im very tired, my legs are feeling heavy and im not feeling to good.

for tomorrow, i have my first intake conversation with a shrink at the CGG (psychological clinic) in ostend, in regards to my depression following a nervous breakdown some time ago. my nerves are still acting up  now and then and i have the feeling im not getting the full 8 hours of sleep i need.


OK, modeling related news:

ive decided to get extra furnishings for the workspace, including a second desk/table or a bookshelf to replace an old desk im using as storage. ive been looking at different options, but the limited space (under the angled lining of the roof) makes it kinda difficult to find something that both offers good storage and limited space (space between the roof, wall and door i roughly 1 meter).
i will find a sollution, i could also get another desk and fit an extra set of drawers underneath it. its mostly gonna be used to place my books and research materials.

ive also been looking to restore a pair of older 1/144 F-4 Phantoms, one is an Academy F-4F that im planning to repair and repaint as a USAF F-4E, the other is an F-4G Wild Weasel (converted F-4F) that needs repairs.
there's also a 1/144 Avro Lancaster waiting in line for repair and restoration, and to be fitted with the props/engines. as for markings, im thinking French Navy 

but first, i gotta clear some other projects currently on the bench 


more soon..........

[Captain Canada]

Is the motor of the dremel still spinning ? If so there is a little plastic piece that is designed to break that connects the motor to the head. It stops people from killing themselves when they get to rammy with the tool. I think you need to get it straight from dremel tho.

Good luck with your shrink as well.

And as for stash sell off, I wouldn't bother. You have already paid for them, and will probably get less than you paid, so that loss, combined with the small amount of cash that is too be made really doesn't add up ( to me anyway ). And then further down the line, when you guys are married with kids, you won't have the cash to re-purchase said kits at regular price. And even if you did, the retail price you will pay combined with the loss you took combined will equal paying for the kit twice yet only having 1 kit !

Devil's advocate right there.

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #117


im a little late with this entry, mostly due to more lack of time 
anyway, its time for an update.

not much done this week except for the final touches on decal designing for near-term projects.
ive also been looking into another future project, including an extended life version of certain early jet aircraft for the "extended life/back dated GB" over on BTS. im thinking either an updated ground attack version of the Me262 or an upgraded interceptor version of the FW Flitzer in post-war luftwaffe markings. although i am keeping my options open and am concidering maybe an updated COIN P-51 Mustang or modern day F4U Corsair in modern US Navy markings. but i could also use the Airbus A320 in RAF Air Support Command markings as a possible entry 

im staring to get my inspiration back, so things might start moving again.
but before all that starts, i got to finish what i have on the bench right now, including 2 1/72 SeaKings (witch seems like theyve been there forever), a 1/144 Mig-31 Foxfound, A 1/144 FAA S-70 Blackhawk, a blank 1/144 F-22A Raptor and a 1/144 P-51D Mustang.

also on the bench, is the 1/72 BV.240 (luft'46 version of the Beriev Be.6 Madge), witch is due to be finished soon.

on a personal note, due to health problems and asthmatic attacks being more frequent, ive used my ecostamps from my previous workdays to buy an electric bicycle, this is to be used on the longer range trips and for future work traffic.
this will bridge the gap until i get my drivers license and a car. im hoping to do my first theoretical exams later this or next week.


more soon........

[Captain Canada]

Cool. Look forward to seeing the Beriev !

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #118


just coming back home from a weekend away at my girlfriend's place, i pretty much immediatly started looking at the ammount of projects on the bench. so i made it the priority to finish them all before continuing on other projects.

the cold war GB aircraft (a 1/72 dutch Mig-21F-13) will have to wait a while before starting.
the Berviev Be.6 has a priority at the moment, with the naval GB on BTS ending soon after an extension. the model is about 80% finished, the fuselage needs a second coat of paint and certain areas ned more attention before decals are applied. also, the wings need a full paintjob on the topside and floats.

other projects include a 1/144 Mig-31, S-70 Blackhawk and P-51 Mustang. all about 90% done, but on the non-priority list. also on the bench is a completed 1/144 F-22, void of markings, im still wondering what to do with that one.

work will also be fonused on the SeaKings, witch to mee seems like a neverending story, but i said to myself that after these (and the 2  NH90's) there will be no more commision builds from me.

looking into future project, im looking at the stash, wondering what to build for next week's "1 week group Build". im thinking of entering that Russian COIN Tucano in 1/72 i have been planning for so long. everything is already here, so all that needs to be done is start it.

another project is an upgraded modern-day ground attack version of the Me262 for another GB on BTS due to start.
improvements include a new glass cockpit, moders ground attack weapons, possibly hellfire or LGB integration and various new sensors.
to be painted in modern luftwaffe markings.

looking into other models on the to-do list, include a Luftwaffe SAR H145M (formerly EC645) ammong others...



more soon.......

[Captain Canada]

No fun when builds become a chore.

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #119


ok, with Easter this weekend and Jessica coming over to stay for a few days, im gonna post an early blog entry  

the bench is clearing up, the BV.235 (formerly known as BV.240) now finished, i can now concentrate on the other projects on the bench and add some new ones. at the moment, there are 3 and a half 1/144 aircraft in various stages of completion and 2 1/72 SeaKings.
for those who remember the 1/144 ships i started a short while ago, im gonna look into completing those aswell.

also, im planning to do something for the 1 week GB, but i have no idea what yet? i was thinking of a 1/72 Belgian P-51D Mustang in brown/green RAF camouflage 

this week a finally managed to print out new decals, with the temperature in the shed now warm enough for sealant spraying.
decals included some for RW builds, but also a number of What If projects.

decals are:

RW:
-1/144 F-16C poland (serials and stenciling for the cockpit area)
-1/144 SA330 Puma of the Belgian Gendarmerie (+ a backup set)
-1/144 Afghan Air Force AN-2 (commision decals for someone on the dutch modeling forum)
-1/144 NH90-NFH, Belgian Air Force
-1/72 NH90-NFH, Belgian Air Force (2 sets, for commision builds)

What If:
-1/144 F-15T Strike Eagle (Turkish Air Force)
-1/144 Airbus A320 CC.1 (RAF Air Support Command)
-1/144 Airbus A400M (Belgian and New Flanders Air Forces)
-1/160 Belgian Coastguard Ship (converted old revell USS Defiance)
-1/144 F/A-18E & -F Super Hornet (New Flanders Air Force, including a solo display scheme for F/A-18E)
-1/144 F/A-18C Hornet (Managua Air Force, for a Buck Danny GB on the dutch modeling forum)

Misc:
-various serialnumbers and squadron logo's


but none of the larger model projects are going to go ahead unless the bench is cleared, so for now its bench clearing time.
the commision builds still need to get done, so im gonna concentrate on those for a while.

in terms of jobhunting, things are picking up pace again, im starting to get multiple phonecall a week, mostly for places i already worked at or for places/positions to far out of range or jobs im (by lack of know how or due to medical conditions) not qualified to do. also, i really need to find work due to financial reasons, as for the 2nd consecutive month, my benefits have been lowered by almost 15% and i dont have a lot as it is. im also forced to cut back from the hobby-budget, so not to many new stash additions for the time being. i am still looking to buy a new Dremel powertool and i think i found one on the cheap online (about 30 euro's). its a cheap basic brand, but for styrene working, it will suffice. but that will have to wait, as i already had to spend a lot this week on rent, healthcareplan, our trip to Disneyland next month,......its all becoming a bit to expensive, so its gonna be time to do some serious saving and cutbacks.


more soon....

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #120


its been very busy on the bench this week, everything i was working on was put on hold due to the 1 week GB.
after a couple of days of thinking, i decided to enter with a 1/72 P-51D Mustang in Belgian Air Force markings.
at first i startd of with a Revell P-51D, but the fit and quality of the kit was so bad, i had to start over using a 1/72 Airfix P-51D witch i was saving for another project. in the end, it proven to be the bast desision to go with, and the revell kit ended were it belonged, in the garbage can.

build thread + pictures: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,40440.msg680080.html#msg680080

meanwhile, at this moment, ive started work again on the 1/144 corvette ship i started a while back.
i wasnt happy with the way the bridge looked, a bit to high for my liking, so i took it down and im gonna build a new one half the size.
i also just fitted a smokestack on the rear of the main structure.
at this moment, i have to many ship models in the stash or undergoing a refit, so im gonna be looking into completing them as soon as possible. on the go at the moment aside from the corvette, im also refitting a defiance class gunboat into a Belgian Coastguard ship, decals are already printed and im hoping to complete the work soon. i also got a 1/144 tugboat today, so i might induct that ship into my naval fleet 

as for some of the ships in the stash, im planning to store away some long-term projects, some include a Kriegsmarine'46 Type XXIII U-boat (wilhelm bauer), a heller 1/400 Duguan Trouin Frigate, a revell 1/530 USS Hornet (planned to be build as a light LHD),...
another ship in the stash is a revell 1/72 S-100 fast attack boat i got on the cheap. im planning to use the hull to build a new 1/144 navy ship, might be a frigate, AEGIS cruiser or corvette. and use the parts to create a flak-tank (using the chasis of a Panzer IVd and the flack turrets from the S-100). other ships include a 1/72 Seehund midget submarine, a 1/720 Graf Zeppelin, a 1/700 zerstorer 1936 (as an escort vessel to the Graf) and a 1/200 Netherland coast guard ETV Waker.


in terms of aircraft, im still looking into finishing some of the current projects, im also gonna start work on a 1/144 scale F/A-18C Hornet in Managua Air Force marking for a "Buck Danny GB" on the Dutch forum.
2 1/72 SeaKings are also recieving some attention today, im really hoping to get those finished ASAP. next in line after the SeaKings are 2 NH90-NFH's, these would not be as complex as the SeaKings.

also on the "to do list" is a 1/144 Airbus A320 in RAF Air Support Command colors for a tima warp GB over on BTS, but the start of that project will have to wait. things are moving at a steady pace, but im gonna wait with the build of larger projects until the bench is cleared and all commisioned builds are completed.


more soon....