The Rat's Nest

[The Rat]

Ran out of shelf space, so a section of plywood underlay was
purchased and cut to size. 3 pieces, 2 installed so far. Things
are looking a little cramped, but in my time as a Ramp Rat I'm
rather used to stacking a hangar. 

[NARSES2]

Still some space on the top couple of shelves 

[The Rat]

Still some space on the top couple of shelves 

The bench is getting cleared, gradually.

[NARSES2]

    

[The Rat]

Another resurrected build, the Dragon 1/200th scale C-141, which is going to become a KC-141, courtesy of parts donated from the Hasegawa KC-10A. Paint is in the (very) rough stage, I've decided to use paint instead of frustrating myself with loooooong thin decals for stripes. Tamiya Fine White primer, Revell Aqua Lufthansa-Blau. 3mm masking tape will be applied over the blue, excess lightly sanded off, and the underside grey applied.

KC-141 paint by Dave Bailey, on Flickr

[NARSES2]

Tamiya Fine White primer, Revell Aqua Lufthansa-Blau. 3mm masking tape will be applied over the blue, excess lightly sanded off, and the underside grey applied.

Good to have a plan 

[The Rat]

Academy decal rant - TERRIBLE, AWFUL, INFURIATING, stopping now before I say something that SuperTom would censor. They look great on the sheet, register is perfect, no problem there. They slide off the backing paper in under 10 seconds, makes for fast work.

Then they don't stick. THEY DON'T STICK!     

I had this problem when I used tham on the Tuskegee Meteor, and thought it was because of the AK Metal Paste used as BMF. But no, now it's happened with the P-80, with Testors silver from a rattle can, and it isn't something I can replace without buying another kit. Little tiny nose art, "INA, The Macon Belle". It rubbed off with just a touch, onto the floor, and crumbled when I tried to pick it up.        I still have one, because Lt. Col. Lee Archer had it on both sides of the nose, but for me that's not good enough.

I used more caution with his 'zoot suit' symbol, and put a tiny drop of white glue in position beforehand, and now that it's dry it holds well. But I'm still miffed. If this is the way all academy decals (don't) work, then this could get frustrating. The larger markings seem to be holding better with setting solution, but I don't fully trust them.

So, a warning to anyone buying the Academy P-51C with Tuskegee markings; decals are a major joykilling problem.     

[The Rat]

DAMN! 

Positioning the second "INA", and it broke in the "the".  

It's so tiny that you can barely read it. but I know it's messed up.     

I'll pick up another model. Might give it away after cutting out what I need.     

[Captain Canada]

There's always something when us old codgers build eh ? This is why I drink 

[NARSES2]

There's always something when us old codgers build eh ? This is why I drink 

I didn't think you needed an excuse Capt   

[The Rat]

There's always something when us old codgers build eh ? This is why I drink 

    

[The Rat]

Still needs some touch-up painting, and I need to pick up some new decals, then do the landing gear, but it's almost done

by Dave Bailey, on Flickr

[NARSES2]

That does look nice Ratty   

[The Rat]

That does look nice Ratty   

Thanks. It's one of the better Airfix kits from that period, highly recommended for a quick simple build that can still result in a lovely addition to the shelf.

[The Rat]

Fooled another one!      Posted my Il-28 on the Greatest Planes That Never Were on facebook, and someone asked where it wound up. Gave them a link to the web site Constant Peg; MiGs in the Desert. After having a look they replied that there was no mention of it.    I let them down gently.