Zenrat's Flying Circus

[NARSES2]

I couldn't believe it when in his second run the Aussie Gold Medalist Logan Martin, while in mid air threw his bike away from himself so it rotated 360 degrees in the vertical plane and them grabbed the handlebars and landed on it.  Amazing.

Must admit I was   

As for BMX's I missed them by about 30 years  Mind you most of us had an "estate" bike we'd made from spare parts for charging around the estate with and some even had "cowhorns" and front suspension. They got some pretty rough handling whilst our "racing" bikes were for proper cycling. 

[PR19_Kit]

How the heck will you be able to ride it if the lowest gear is bigger than the wheels ? 

The largest chainwheel is a 64 tooth, but it needs to be that big BECAUSE the bike's wheels are so small. The lowest gear will be about a 18" , but whether I'll be able to ride it fast enough in that gear to stay upright is questionable!

You may ask why am I doing it, just because I can............ 

As a youth I put together a six speed set up consisting of a double front chainwheel and a three speed hub.  I used a derailleur to tension the chain but it was locked in position.

Ingenious thinking Fred. 

[zenrat]

Bearcat is finished.
Back story is half written and I have to knock up a small "Chris" base from a cork coaster.

[NARSES2]

My place in history is sealed 

[zenrat]

Slightly unfocussed sneak peek.  I still have to finish the back story.
First time I used my static grass machine.  I'm very pleased with it.  Not so pleased with the colour of the sample grass but I do have more I bought separately.

Grumman F8F Bearcat - 14 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[NARSES2]

 

Static grass machine ? Please tell more

[Rheged]

Static grass machine ? Please tell more

I think I once read about this device in a railway modeller's magazine......but I didn't understand it then and I'd like to do so now, please.

[PR19_Kit]

Static grass machines are almost de rigeur in the model railway world these days, we've got three of them in our club.

They generate a static charge between the machine and the layout, with the aid of a socking great pin stuck in the layout in our case, and the tiny pieces of pre-cut 'grass' fly down to the layout when you pull the trigger and stick end-on into the layer of glue which you've previously applied. When the glue dries you have very good looking grass all sticking up as it should.

Different colours and lengths of grass are available to suit the scale of the layout or model.

[zenrat]

Yep, that's a similar design.  Mine has a crocodile clip on the end of a wire to attach it to the  "ground".

Mine is very cheap looking and flimsy but works, as can be seen above.  It is powered by 2 AA batteries.  I'm sure someone with a basic knowledge of electronics and a working soldering iron which they can find (I have neither) could knock one up quite easilly using bits and pieces.

I have posted a Bearcat thread in the appropriate place.

While finishing off this I have also been slowly moving forward with the BA20 armoured car.  It'll be ready for the final colour coat soon.

I have also repaired the Sea Witch after I broke the Dolphin Striker.  I had to sleeve it with a piece of aluminium tube.  The next bit of rigging requires parts (deadeyes) to be painted before thread is attached to them.  I am doing that.

[NARSES2]

Interesting looking bit of kit, thanks 

[jcf]

Most of what non RR modellers take for granted in terms of aftermarket decals, photo-etch,
aftermarket detailing parts, weathering techniques etc., basically all the "realistic" modelling
stuff, originated in model railroading long before the flying and crawly thing crowd started
using the techniques and similar products.

[Mossie]

They can cost a few quid but you can make your own cheaply from an electric fly swatter and a tea strainer.
https://miniaturefortblog.wordpress.com/tutorials/homemade-static-grass-applicator/

I've got the bits to make one, but as usual, never got a round-tuit.

[zenrat]

Most of what non RR modellers take for granted in terms of aftermarket decals, photo-etch,
aftermarket detailing parts, weathering techniques etc., basically all the "realistic" modelling
stuff, originated in model railroading long before the flying and crawly thing crowd started
using the techniques and similar products.

Well an OO/HO layout is nothing but a large and slightly out of scale 1/72 diorama...


I have begun putting the lozenge transfers onto the wings of the Fokker.  Today I learnt that you should never put a transfer into water too hot to put your fingers into.
Luckilly I got it flattened out again.
I've got the large upper and lower sections in place (more or less - still needs a lick of microsol in places) but there are a million rib tapes in transfer form to put in place on top.
They're like the WW1 equivalent of a Phantom's stencils.

The BA20 got a top coat of paint unifying all the various greens I had used to prepare it.  Not as patchy as I wanted but not bad if I do say so myself.

And, now the Bearcat is finished I have returned to building one of these...

...which I started a while ago before being distracted.

[Nick]

I have begun putting the lozenge transfers onto the wings of the Fokker.  Today I learnt that you should never put a transfer into water too hot to put your fingers into.
Luckily I got it flattened out again.

Yes, room temperature is best. I find that cold water does work but a little warmth helps the transfers slip off the sheet. Something to do with unsealing the glue I reckon.
I use tweezers to pick up transfers, my fingers are just too big. I must have about 5 pairs in varying shapes and sizes.

[zenrat]

I have a kettle in my shed specifically for producing transfer water (I like it warm).  I usually add some cold to it or let it cool or turn it off before it boils but this time I was lazy and impatient.