Pellsons Perceivings

[NARSES2]

It's been a good build so far, that Shackleton, and I've had lots of fun.

And isn't that what it's all about 

[Pellson]

The anticipated summer weather today didn't happen, instead a heavy fog rolled in from the sea, keeping the temperatures below 17 C. And even if that shouldn't be perceived as very cold, the strong humidity carried by the fog made the air feeling raw and unfriendly.
Hence a very good day to stay indoors and pursue some modelling!

So today became a Shackleton day, with a lot of detail painting. Radome, MAD boom, propeller tips, the Orange Harvest ESM antenna - you name it - I've painted it. Now, it's sitting to dry and tomorrow, it'll be time for the inevitable J&J coat and maybe even decals. So far, it looks good. Bringing out the details brings the model to life and just makes everything a bit funnier. While I still don't like decalling as such, I'm now looking forward to see the model with decals on.

I still have to get going on the missiles though. I have some Martels originating from the old Airfix Buccaneer kit that will work fine, but they need assembly and - obviously - painting. Ah, well..

[Pellson]

Oh - I've taken up the Canberra PR.10 again. The super high altitude one, you remember, right?
This:



Anyway - I'm contemplating payload, and optimally, you would want the imaging radar, the LOROP EO system and the ESM all at once. That would also make it a better asset than the U-2S, as that can't carry both the EO and the radar simultaneously.
Or am I stretching it?

I need to ponder this further..

[Pellson]

Shack backstory up as some of you have noted, and I think it's ok. I also managed to sort half the decals on the Shackleton before being called out to help a mate with a troublesome Defender. Not much luck there yet, but now I'm homeward bound to try to read up and have another go tomorrow. We'll see if there's time for decals too.

[Pellson]

Decals are on the Shackleton, but I have made an annoying mistake with the matt overcoat. To sort that, I despairingly went to the only "local" hobby shop, in town some 30 km away. He's pretty much in the city centre, in a corner of two small and narrow streets. No parking available for a mile and a half, a lot of digging and street work going on, and I did it on the way to pick up my eldest from school, so I had a time to keep. Eventually, I gave up and did an "Italian", i.e hazard lights on, car on the pavement. In to sort the paint (I took the opportunity to stash up a bit while there) out again, being honked on by a grumpy bus driver who had an interesting view on the width of his bus, and then off. Only reason I avoided a ticket was probably because there's a gangster war ongoing - the police just can't prioritise rogue Defenders..  

Anyway - today, I'm working and watching paint dry. Yay..

[scooter]

Anyway - today, I'm working and watching paint dry. Yay..

Which is still more interesting than American football.

[Pellson]

Anyway - today, I'm working and watching paint dry. Yay..

Which is still more interesting than American football.

I'm sure you're correct, but I'd still dare you to watch an entire soccer game without falling asleep or - worse - resorting to self harm. 

[scooter]

Anyway - today, I'm working and watching paint dry. Yay..

Which is still more interesting than American football.

I'm sure you're correct, but I'd still dare you to watch an entire soccer game without falling asleep or - worse - resorting to self harm. 

2010 World Cup final between Spain and Holland.  It helped, though, that it was the last day of a science fiction convention and Edward James Olmos and Dominic Keating were trash talking each other in the bar. 

[Pellson]

Anyway - today, I'm working and watching paint dry. Yay..

Which is still more interesting than American football.

I'm sure you're correct, but I'd still dare you to watch an entire soccer game without falling asleep or - worse - resorting to self harm. 

2010 World Cup final between Spain and Holland.  It helped, though, that it was the last day of a science fiction convention and Edward James Olmos and Dominic Keating were trash talking each other in the bar. 

Drinking (in that bar) is, by medical definition) self harming. 

[NARSES2]

Anyway - today, I'm working and watching paint dry. Yay..

Which is still more interesting than American football.

You'll get drummed out of the country for that comment won't you Scoot ? 

I'm sure you're correct, but I'd still dare you to watch an entire soccer game without falling asleep or - worse - resorting to self harm. 

You've obviously watched the Palace* on a "not very good day" 

* Crystal Palace that is 

[Pellson]

That Shackleton stunk all the way up to it got a second coat of Humbrol matt varnish on top of the Revell one. Unbelievable.
Anyway - it's sorted now and while there's still a faint scent around it, I think that'll wear off in the coming year or so. 
The remaining work on that, my first and so far only entrance in a GB (how the f**k are you all managing to gush out models like that?!), are the missiles. They're assembled but need paint. Maybe I can get them a first coat later today. I would be very pleasing to actually get it sorted within the allocated time for once, now that I started it officially in the GB and all. Ah, well. We'll see.

Other than that, in the "inspired by the GB, but not within" (since they're both recoveries from the Shelf of Doom), I've stalled badly on the HA Canberra. While I have an idea for a super pod (or two, actually) carrying ESM stuff, I still would like to find a way to get both a big honking SLAR and a massive LOROP camera thingy in. Carrying them both simultaneously would be the game changer rendering the U-2 less interesting, so I'm pretty keen on getting it in. We'll see.

I also got around to take out the two lower cannons of the Meteor FR.9A. Having lost a link chute to one of the upper guns, it seemed the natural thing to do, and now I've saved weight for a little cockpit armour. Everyone's happy. Some antennae, a bit of smallish PSR and then paint. In time.

Dizzys Spitfire FR.18 also gave me a little itch to carry on with my own version. I still am a bit uncertain on camouflage though. Initially, I was looking at a desert inspired scheme, but now I don't know, really.. 

Anyway - first, unfortunately, I have to finish the sorting of spares and accessories I had to start when acutely running out of shelf space earlier this week. Booooooooooooring!!!! And it's taking forever. While I've actually made some progress in aircraft spares, I should also be sorting up all my 1/700 naval stuff in the therefore acquired special assortment boxes I have. But to do that, I first need to assemble a gazillion of minuscule 20 mm cannons and not much fewer larger calibre guns. It take eons! And it's microscope work, these days! And worst of all - I KNOW I'll lose focus and just get started on something smallish and shippy, and then all these aircraft will - again  - sit for a few years on the SoD. 

In the rummaging, however, I found the lost B-24 glass nose I intend to use on the replacement Privateer as I nicked the fin of the old one. Despite that, I've decided not to start it right now. There's just not time enough left in the GB anyway, and I also feel more for clearing out what I've started. No more SoD just now. So I'll try to keep my lusts on what I'm at.

Outside, autumn seems to be here, and the neighbours are holding their first hunt today. Always a bit too exciting - they're usually a bit trigger happy at this time of the year, so we're wearing bright colours when walking the dog. And I've oiled my own rifle and taken it out, should something wounded walk in on my land. Meat is good, and deer is good meat. Likelihood is small, though. These chaps hunt with bleeding elephant rifles, so most prey will fall instantly. Or what's left of it. 

[Pellson]

The Martels have gotten their first coat, and I'm considering adding a pair of Bullpups to the equation as well. A Martel is quite a lot of explosives (and money) to pop off a surveillance trawler with, but an old Bullpup.. 

Ive also started to paint the Meteor FR.9A. It'll be good when sorted.

On stash matters, I'm looking at a Revell Halifax, the newer edition, to out-of-the-box whif as a GR.XI, or something. The engine nacelles are a bit too long for the B/GR.II it's supposed to depict, but let's say you substituted the old Merlin XX's with a set of Merlin 61's?

We'll see. It might get expensive also.

Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the lung specialists at the hospital. Ever since the sodding surgeons poked a hole in my right lung, over nine months ago, there's been a certain, very annoying lack of capacity. As I'm now fully vaccinated, relatively infection free and - for now - free from cancer, it's about time to have them look me over. I am, quite without reason, a bit nervous. They won't break anything, so I'd better just clam up at get it over with. Easier said than done, though.

[scooter]

The Martels have gotten their first coat, and I'm considering adding a pair of Bullpups to the equation as well. A Martel is quite a lot of explosives (and money) to pop off a surveillance trawler with, but an old Bullpup.. 

But they're perfect for the odd barge carrier heading towards Iceland under false colors.
(Clearly has not read Red Storm Rising )

[Pellson]

The Martels have gotten their first coat, and I'm considering adding a pair of Bullpups to the equation as well. A Martel is quite a lot of explosives (and money) to pop off a surveillance trawler with, but an old Bullpup.. 

But they're perfect for the odd barge carrier heading towards Iceland under false colors.
(Clearly has not read Red Storm Rising )

Cock, Scoot. I had all but forgotten about that. I think a reread is now scheduled.. 

[NARSES2]

Best of luck at the hospital mate