TallEng's Modelling musing

[NARSES2]

The very next article in the magazine was about the RW Swift FR5, and in all the pics of the aircraft not a single panel line could be seen! It made the review a total waste of magazine space.

Especially in 1/72 scale. I was once told, "stand 72 feet away from the real thing and what can you see ?"

[Rheged]

The very next article in the magazine was about the RW Swift FR5, and in all the pics of the aircraft not a single panel line could be seen! It made the review a total waste of magazine space.

Especially in 1/72 scale. I was once told, "stand 72 feet away from the real thing and what can you see ?"

This is a reasonable, logical thought.  It's a variant of my little sister's idea that most pictures/models/crafts are "20 foot items".  If you don't look too closely you get the best view.

[NARSES2]

The very next article in the magazine was about the RW Swift FR5, and in all the pics of the aircraft not a single panel line could be seen! It made the review a total waste of magazine space.

Especially in 1/72 scale. I was once told, "stand 72 feet away from the real thing and what can you see ?"

This is a reasonable, logical thought.  It's a variant of my little sister's idea that most pictures/models/crafts are "20 foot items".  If you don't look too closely you get the best view.

If this is the little sister who terrorised who pupils, then I'm not going to argue 

[TallEng]

Time for a little update
Working away from home as usual for the two weeks in the month that i work.
its 10-12 hour night shifts and if we're honest modelling mojo isn't at its highest after a night shift.
I do however have a place (dining table) as its only me in the flat as a workbench, so I thought I'd
introduce to you a couple of the long term denisins of this alternate work bench.

NH90 SAR.1 by , on Flickr

first up is the NH90 SAR.1
I thought that the RAF would appreciate it as a replacement for the retired Sea Kings.
why the NH90? well I like the look of it, and it only cost me €5,00
as you can see I've based the SAR.1 (I really need a name for it ) on the NFH version of the NH90.
I've added a Sea Kingish Radar dome (needs sanding to fit) and it will have some kind of low light search thingy mounted on the nose
and a Nite Sun search light as well. does a modern SAR Helicopter need/have anything else?
I suppose it will be Golden Yellow overall, although I have had thoughts about overall Matt Green with Golden Yellow Tail boom and nose.

The 2nd long term resident of the alternate workbench is a Beaufighter ECM.13

Beaufighter ECM. 13 by , on Flickr

As its ye olde Matchbox (Revell Re-pop) kit, I've spent hours detailing the cockpit and ECM operators area, most of which you can't see
but strangely enough enjoyed imensly.
It will be carrying an external ECM pod containing early experimental jammers etc. You'll also have noticed I'm modifying the engines into experimental
reverse flow type hercules*, with smoother cowlings and a different exhaust and intake set up.
*as far as i know, this was an idea tried on the Centaurus, but not for the Hercules?
anyway will try and progress them this week, Mojo permitting

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

As its ye olde Matchbox (Revell Re-pop) kit, I've spent hours detailing the cockpit and ECM operators area, most of which you can't see
but strangely enough enjoyed imensly.

It's surprising how often that happens.

Both looking very nice 

[TheChronicOne]

Right on!! Keep chugging. Agreed with the cockpit stuff.... sometimes thinking about it is worse than doing it but once ya have all your paints and supplies in one place and progress is going forward at a good pace it turns into a fun little obsession. 

[TallEng]

Blog report....
Not much done really since last time I was at home.
The AVM's Spitfire got it's final lick of PRU Electric Blue No.2 paint, just needs canopy masking/painting and the finer aerials/Pitot probe
Plus the inevitable touch ups. Then I can do the transfers
Spitfire F.22 had a bit more done to it's camouflage, but still away from being finished.
Gave the Airfix phantom another looking at...
The Canopy fuselage join is just huge and no matter how I look at it, I can't ignore it so I'm going to have to fill sand and repaint..
The 1 Sqn Lightning is this () close to the finish line, I really ought to push it over...
But it needs a few "touch ups" and I need to clean up/dust off RAF Hiding-in-the-Hedges for the photo shoot.
Anyway big birthday tomorrow, so no updates for a while
Regards
Keith

[TallEng]

Been one of those sort of weeks...
I've run out of Matt black for propeller blades (actually I think it's in my other modeling bench at work)
Plenty of PSR on the Farley StarFilter and loads more to go....
Struggled to use the Eduard canopy masks on the Spitfire, gave up with the smaller pieces for the rear canopy just couldn't get them in the right place. It's also quite warm here which kind of saps the Mojo.

Regards
Keith

[TallEng]

So I've been fondling the plastic (as you do) of the newly acquired Revell VW T1 van,
With vague thoughts of doing a VW Supervan on it. Porsche flat 6 in the back and some
Original Fuchs wheels would look pretty neat me thinks. The trouble is the only 1/24 Fuchs
Wheels I could find on the internet have to cost €24 plus Postage, for which money I could just
Buy a Revell 911 kit and Nick the wheels, engine (not that you'd see much of it)  and possibly the
Steering wheel and seats.
Might have Just talked myself into another stash addition 
Unless anyone knows of a cheaper source of a Fuchs wheel set?

Regards
Keith

[TallEng]

Progress? What progress?,  very little as it happens, hot weather, bicycle rides, walking the dogs and all the other normal stuff that happens, Got in the way a bit. It's now time for my two weeks away at work so its all at a stand still on the modeling front.
However the Farley Starfilter is entering the final PPS and could be ready for paint in a couple of weeks, The Lightning FGA got a first  coat of Medium Sea Grey and i resurrected a project to turn a B737 into a rear engined canardy thing 
Looks like im leaving it a bit late for the Prototypes GB, but i will try my best, mainly because its got a cracking backstory (I think)

Regards
Keith

[TallEng]

Blog? what Blog?
Time for an update, sadly no modelling done since i finished the Farley Star Filter.
probably a Mojo thing, not helped by a Workbench that only in the widest sense of the word could be described as a Workbench.
Dumping area for Kits incomplete various, and stuff would have been more accurate......
However in a desperate attempt to regain some order and possibly find some Mojo I've tidied my Workbench
I now have enough space to attempt modelling Don't hold your breath though
Now I don't know about you lot, but invariably at New year i make a resolution or two....

1)No more Kits/Decals to be bought until I've built and FINISHED some from the stash!!!

2)Finish the kits (or at least some) from the shelf of doom

Resolution 1 lasted until this afternoon.....
Whilst not modelling I have been pondering several possible Whiffs

One of which involves Making a model of "The Millie P"* as flown by Maj. Edward Giller (and Boxed by Revell years ago. Anybody remember the box art? that's what seduced me; A P51 Mustang with a green and yellow checked nose and a RED fuselage what was not to like? apart from the actual kit? it could roughly be said to resemble a Mustang but even my (then) young eyes could detect that it wasn't quite right. Anyway said kit was bought, made, painted  and hung from the bedroom ceiling)

Fast forward to now, and I want to replicate that model again. A quick search of the internet reveals Decals are available for "The Millie G" however they all appear to be Nil stock in 1/72 scale But fear not from the depths of my stash I have found a 1/48th Hasegawa P-51K (reduced from 16,50 to 11,99 in a Beatties sale) so I'm guessing the best part of 20 years in the stash
Interestingly The Barracuda decals that I've ordered also contain markings for a couple of other Mustangs, One of which also has a much discussed Camouflage scheme:  Lt.Col Thomas Christian's "Lou IV" which may or may not have had dark blue top surface camouflage...
And a Whiff in its self (due to Licensing difficulties I believe) a P-51D "Amourous Len III"** presumably as flown by Captain "Huck" Eager 363FS, 357FG RAF Yoxford.
All of which led me to Order a set of Eduard Overtrees for a P-51D Mustang, which contains amongst other Goodies, three different propellers one of which should help turn the Hasegawa "K" into a "D" Once that lot arrives I'll have to decide which ones I'm making....

*apparently its "The Millie G" But I've always known it as The Millie P,
If you put "The Millie P" into your favorate search engine and toggle images you'll see the aircraft I mean
** allegedly If you Search the Decal sheet carefully you may find some "spare" letters that may or may not help you make a Certain famous American Test Pilots Mustang.

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

1)No more Kits/Decals to be bought until I've built and FINISHED some from the stash!!!

2)Finish the kits (or at least some) from the shelf of doom

I wonder how many of us have said those to ourselves in the past 

[PR19_Kit]

It's the Whiffer's #1 mantra. 

[Pellson]

1)No more Kits/Decals to be bought until I've built and FINISHED some from the stash!!!

2)Finish the kits (or at least some) from the shelf of doom

I gave up on similar thinking when I realised that such a strategy seriously hampers my creativity. When I get an idea, more often than not, there's some hardware missing to make it work. To not allow yourself that indulgence is waste of otherwise perfectly good life, imho.

That said, it does have an impact on storage. And I am, admittedly, running out of said commodity. But as long as there's hope.. 

[Rick Lowe]

1)No more Kits/Decals to be bought until I've built and FINISHED some from the stash!!!

2)Finish the kits (or at least some) from the shelf of doom

That said, it does have an impact on storage. And I am, admittedly, running out of said commodity. But as long as there's hope.. 

I have tried (and failed...) to keep to that Method. Sometimes even for days or weeks at a time...

Space? If you can thread your way past the towering and toppling piles to get to the bathroom and kitchen, even the bed if you insist, then you're ahead of the game...