Spey_Phantom's corner of solitude

[Pellson]

I did a similar reduction some seven years ago. In my case; scale wasn't an issue as I've always been a 1/72 chap, but rather period. Having already built exclusively postwar models for more than two decades, I realised that all stuff WWII and older just was occupying unnecessary space. Hence, they had to go.

In retrospect, I haven't regretted one single disposal. Not one. On the contrary, it is a relief being rid of these kits, most of them having found new, enthusiastic owners, in many cases younglings exploring the hobby much like I did in my childhood.

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #330

time to give you a small update.

i have been working on several mustangs in 1/144 scale, off and on, and they are nearly ready for decals (once printed).
im also about to start, once the bench clears, on a number of 1/144 Mirage 2000's and Hawker Hunters, with an experimental feature i will talk about later.

on the research and design table, im making plans for a another 1/144 scale aircraft hangar, to be part of a smaller diorama to put in a displaycabinet in my living room. mostly as scenery to display my 1/144 scale warbirds.

and now, what ive been up too?

i have been researching the use of Neodymium magnets to swap over aircraft weapons for various models. although im having some technical problems implementing them into the smaller scale models (1/144), but for 1/72 scale, at least in theory, its do-able.
i will need to wait until the actual magnets get here to physicaly test this.

more soon....

[NARSES2]

Blog Entry #330

i have been researching the use of Neodymium magnets to swap over aircraft weapons for various models. although im having some technical problems implementing them into the smaller scale models (1/144), but for 1/72 scale, at least in theory, its do-able.
i will need to wait until the actual magnets get here to physicaly test this.

more soon....

Be interesting to read the results of your experiments    And if it works in 1/144 then I'll salute your eyesight and hand/eye co-ordination   

[Old Wombat]

Be interesting to read the results of your experiments    And if it works in 1/144 then I'll salute your eyesight and hand/eye co-ordination   

Absolutely!

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #331

wow, has it really been that long since the last update?!
so, whats been happening? to awnser that, not much, at least in terms of physical modeling.

i have a few projects on the go, mostly WW2 era aircraft, with plans for many more.
to slim the stash a bit faster, im making preperations to build entire air forces at once (mosly consisting of 4 to 6 types of aircraft).
im already working on craft for the Air arms of Borduria, Syldavia, San Theodoros, San Nico (fictional South American nation), a yet undisclosed Balkan nation,....
in progress at this moment are 3 P-51D's (awaiting decals), 2 Bf110's (including 1 radial engined version) and one old TBF Avenger being restored.

as you read this, i think its clear that there's a theme going on, thats because in the past few months, ive been deepening myself into the worlds of TinTin and others. something i like to call "Hergé-ism".
im currently clearing to bench aswell, i bought some new small drawers (for nuts and bolts) and im gonna use them to sort smaller parts.
still not satisfied with how the workbench is organised, im gonna look into sorting this out, again.

but these will propably be in vain, as over the past weeks, me and the SWMBO have been looking at new houses, as the current one is getting too small.
we checked one out last week, it looked promising,  the rent was a bit high but do-able, but the downside was there was no heating upstairs.

this weekend, we are gonna check out another house not far from here. its also a bit out our price range, but its hard to find something affordable these days.
we are looking for something with 3 bedrooms (1 main bedroom, 1 for our son, and one for my scale modeling room).
so 2024, maybe, we might see us moving, and a new mancave to be built 

more soon...

[Pellson]

Lovely news, Nils! Best of luck! 

[Old Wombat]

  

[NARSES2]

Lovely news, Nils! Best of luck! 

Indeed   

And, I've always been a fan of Tin Tin myself 

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #332

time for another update. this will also be the last one for this year. 

progress on the bench is slow, but is coming along. there will be no new projects for the time being as due to situations im forced to finish what i have on the go right now.

currently on the go:

1/144:

2 x Messerschmitt Bf110 (one normal, 1 radial engine)
3 x P-51D Mustang (awaiting decals)
1 x TBF Avenger (restoration)
1 x Henschell Hs126 (awaiting decals)
-....

1/72

1 x EC135 local EMS helicopter
-....

these are just a few of the project that are eating up space.

and now for a special announcement.

today, we went to have a look at a new house, we spoke with the landlors and both sides are positive.
in other words, there's 90% chance we are moving to a new and bigger home, only a short distance from here.
that means i will get my mancave/hobby room back 
the house itsself is still not finished, the electrical cables are there, but the fusebox and the plugs/lightswitches are not installed yet (among other shortcomings that need to be fixed). but should be ready arround march/april, we will get details soon. ive already started packing most of my stash into boxes to save time in the short term.

so, 2024 so far is looking promising!

more soon, and see you all in the new year. 

[Pellson]

Great news! 

[kerick]

I hope all goes well!

[Old Wombat]

 

[NARSES2]

Best of luck with the house Nils 

[Spey_Phantom]

Blog Entry #333[

the bench has seen some levell of progress after the new year, so lets give you all an update:

first off, 4 1/144 scale kits are now finished, these are 3 P-51D Mustangs and a Henschell Hs.126. all are painted in the colors of a yet to be revealed air force. that same air force, will also recieve 2 1/144 Messerschmitt Bf.110's, including one with radial engines.  these are also still under assembly.

im also making big progress on a 1/144 WW2-era airfield diorama, that is now about 75% finished.

progress seen here, in this teaser picture, with the previously mentioned Mustangs and Henschell being based there.



there will be no further new projects in the coming months, with eyes on moving house in May. there might a smaller in-between project if i have some free time.

one of the next larger project to follow, are a 1/144 Bordurian Air Force, these will be equiped with not only the well known hotchpodge Bf109, but also the Junkers Ju.87, Junkers Ju.52, Messerschmitt Me262 and henschell Hs.126. there might also be a Messerschmitt Bf.110 later. decals are already printed, kits are on the ready, so there might be an early start if time permits.

aside from the Bordurian aircraft, i also started looking at another country of Hergé's TinTin universe, San Theodoros.

the Fuerza Aerea San Theodoros, will also be equiped with WW2 era aircraft, just to stay in the theme and era of the tintin comics.
in one album, Alcazar tried to obtain some DH Mosquito's on the black market, but never got them delivered.

as for equipment, im looking at other South American countries as examples, so im looking at types like the P-51D Mustang, F4U corsair, Douglas C-47B and Fairchild C-123. in the album, YTintin and the Picaros, we see a FAST Mil Mi-1, which was provided by Borduria, but with a San Theodorian flag sticked on its side. as for markings, im thinking a square-shaped country flag on the tail, and a new roundel for the wings and fuselages.

this is my design right now:



there's still lots more work to so, so see you next time, for a new update 

more soon....

[NARSES2]

Diorama coming along nicely Nils