Happy New Year to all.
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Starting things off with what is on the go for January 2012.
1/350 Scale Flower Class Corvette - This will be an ID Fleet model and will be totally painted sea grey
1/144 Scale De Havilland Canada Buffalo/Canadian Forces CC-115 - Will be painted to represent the Buff show down on UN Duty
1/144 Scale Gloster Meteor Mk 7 - as flown by RCAF 421 Squadron in 1950. These aircraft were on loan from the RAF.
1/48 Scale Canadair Argus RCAF CP-107 - Currently working on fillets.
1/32 Scale Canadair Sabre Mk 5/6 - on shelf
I am formulating a list of what I would like to complete this year but that will come near the end of the month. I hope everyone will join in then and then the post will be locked and next Dec we can see what we accomplished vs what will wanted to do.
Happy New Year to all and keep your blade sharp
Lou
Happy 2012!
I've been working on designing a new basement workbench for a while, and have finished up some preparatory projects. I built two shoe shelves to go next to the work bench so they no longer need to be stored below it. This will free up space for tool or equipment storage. I also moved some coat hook racks to get them out of the way. I've been going through some of the design decisions with my 12-year old son, as he is now a prime user of the workbench. We bought a surplus solid-core door to use as the top, and plan to put a layer of hardboard on that as a replaceable work surface. I'll edge the sides with hardwood (probably alder or poplar, as they are relatively cheap and hard-wearing) to protect the edges of the door from damage (particle board interior with thin plywood skin and solid wood edges). I have a vise for it already, and have been drying the originally green 4x4 legs and 2x4s for the rest of the stretchers and leg framing. I also have some plastic peg board to put along the back with some shelves over that.
A friend of ours is moving and her son showed off some plastic 1/48 scale jet planes he'd been working on (an F-4 Phantom and a Mirage). He also told my son to pick one of his toys to have as a gift. My 8-year old son was impressed by the models and generosity that he gave our friend an F-14 model that he hadn't started yet.
Seeing the friend's completed models got my children fired up to build their own. All three of my children have chosen plastic models to build, and I decided to join in with a 1/144 scale plastic Mitsubishi A6M3 Type 32. We took a trek to our nearest hobby store (a long way away after the one a few miles away was torn down) to buy all the paint colors we thought we'd need for a while.
This is the first plastic model I've worked on since quitting them for solid wood models at least five years ago. At least for the 1/144 scale model I'm working on, I'm finding them frustrating! I think I used to ignore the gaps between pieces, but I don't have those on my wooden models, so now I want to fill them in with putty. It will essentially be a painting project, I guess. I'll end up with the colors I need to make my own 1/144 scale IJN (Imperial Japanese Navy) planes, so perhaps I should follow up with an ID+ model.
Garet
Good for you Garet. I continue to build plastics and wood at the same time. You are correct in your assessment that you would leave a small gap in a small scale plastic, but that would never happen with wood. The plastic details have a tendency to disappear under my sand paper and spoils the effect while doing do on a wooden model only enhances its look. I like both but each has its own peculiarity.
Lou
Gentlemen,
I have had e-mails to balsabasher bounced back at me twice now and I am a little concerned for him. Has anyone heard from him since about the 18th of December?
There are various unpleasant possible scenarios which I'd rather not consider, but his wife was rapidly declining and he is potentially an unwell man himself.
If you have any news please let us know.
Cheers,
Martin
Our web data show him being on line as late as the 28th of Dec.
Lou
Thanks for the concern chaps but Balsabasher is fine and kicking ! what has happened is that Virgin media although they will not admit it have had a major internet failure which has failed to deliver millions of items of mail up to and during the Christmas period,attempts to contact them have failed as all you get is an Indian call centre with someone reading from a pre-prepared checklist with not a clue as to the real cause is ? I have no idea who has tried to make contact and can only apologise for the inconvenience this has and still is causing,if it was not for the fact that everything is tied up in that one e-mail address then I would tell them where to stick their very poor services !
Martin thank you for your concerns and you know that I am grateful to placing this here on my behalf,thats the situation we get with being on forums and groups nobody really knows what happens to people,on another note Kenji appears to have vanished and attempts to contact him have failed,I am concerned for him as he was so active.
Very best wishes,Barry.
Phew! mail me when you get sorted out, Barry. Glad all is otherwise well.
I must get that Ureol to you.
Cheers,
Martin
Noel has been busy with adding stringers to his F-24.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10255/normal_Stringers_on_F-24.JPG)
Lou
And what is Noel using for his stringers? They look pretty good so far. And the scale itself should be a problem that he seems to have successfully overcome.
Cliff.
Are they some kind of thread ? look nice and straight anyway.
Barry.
It looks like Chartpak graphics tape. I've used it on some models, though never for stringers (just because I haven't made a solid with visible stringers -- yet).
Noel's comments on method here:
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=6557#top_display_media
Artists ruling tape is very similar to Chartpak,failing a supply of these simply lay masking tape onto glass and cut narrow strips to suit,carefully apply tape with the tip of a craft knife blade and smooth down,then flash over the edges with artists Fixatif ( note the spelling which means fixative ) this effectively seals the edges,drape wet strengthened model aeroplane tissue ( Modelspan is no longer available but suitable substitutes can be obtained from SAMS ) in small panels over the area and spray with water,smooth out with a soft brush first then apply clear dope through the tissue,it will turn milky white when dry but when another thin coat is applied it neautralises.
Barry.
I like that...Think I'll try it on a model I have to build for the museum of a Schweizer TG-3 training glider.
Right now I'm in the middle of building an F-4U Corsair for a friend. I'm using the Spotter Series plans as a starting point, and adapting it to the later model with the bubble canopy...
The real news is that I'm going to be teaching a 6-week class in solid model-building at the museum, beginning Jan. 31. We'll make the Spotter Series Spitfire, which is a nice, simple beginner's design. There's a notice on the museum website: http://www.esam.org/Misc%20html%20Files/Model%20Classes.html
Wish me luck!
Top marks Fingers for such enterprise ! I just wish that I was there to give you a hand,that would have been real fun.
Please do keep us all posted on your commendable efforts,Spitfire is one you cannot go wrong with.
Barry.
Right now I'm just praying everybody doesn't show up dressed as empty chairs! ;)
Quick tip for spraying water onto tissue,I use this idea myself it is safe and easy and requires no airbrush or spraygun,get an ordinary hand brush,a clothes brush or kitchen brush will do fine,dip the tip of the brush into water,then with a table knife draw the blade back quickly from the front spattering the water onto the surface,its not rocket science by any means but try it and you will see it is most effective,as a young lad it was all I had and my dad used this to watershrink the tissue on his rubber powered models.
Barry.
Quote from: Fingers on January 10, 2012, 05:10:34 PM
Right now I'm just praying everybody doesn't show up dressed as empty chairs! ;)
I have never heard that expression before !! simple,just build a quick Spitfire and display it in the museum with a placard, 'You too can build a model like this'
Barry.
Fingers, Good Luck on the Spitfire class!
I was days away from teaching a similar class to a bunch (40) of university design students last year. Had all the photocopying done, pre-cut and pasted templates to the blocks, built a sweet router jig for the wing etc... had a heart attack and the project was shelved. Lots of plumbing later and I'm now feeling great, though I do still have a box of kits waiting to be built. I guess I have a "Big Wing" to build myself :)
I sure hope your project goes well. I am absolutely sold on the idea!
Kenny
Kenny I am so sorry to hear of your heart attack,non of us are getting any younger and need to take care in our lives,I find that sometimes we can take on things that stress us out without realising it,take care Kenny Sir.
Barry.
Good Luck indeed Ken. What Barry says is very true. As we get along in years we're much more susceptible to one thing or another and stress, even building models, can creep up. But its nice to hear from you and that you are doing OK.
Cliff.
Good Luck in teaching your modelling course, Fingers. It looks like a good course. Wish I was closer; it would be fun to enroll in your course. We can always learn something new.
Cliff
Didn't mean to hijack the thread with health issues. Thanks guys, but really I'm feeling great lately, better than before. Spent the last three gloriously unseasonal days in the back yard jumping on the trampoline with my son Jimmy.
Just finished a 30 year old 1/72 Airfix Fokker Dr1 that was gathering dust in the stash. Been making the odd ID model, painting and paper decalling them. Working on a Battle of Britian set to have fly above my bench in the studio.
It is great to see you back Kenny. I hope to see that squadron on line later in the year.
Fingers, I too wish I could attend your class.
Lou
Kenny:
Let me add my "voice" to those wishing you the fullest recovery and continued good health. You're the person who first inspired me to try my hand at solid modelling, and I owe you, Ray and all the others here a debt of gratitude for the many hours of life-affirming recreation the hobby has provided me. When I consider the beautiful work you and the others here routinely turn out, I feel kind of presumptuous to be casting myself in the role of teacher. Truth is, if any of you were to enroll in my class, I'd gladly take a seat the first night and let the real masters hold forth. I see this as something to do to "give back" a little something to the community, and maybe even to help the craft itself endure.
Thank you all for the kind words and good wishes. If things go well, I'll try to keep you posted on the results.
jim
Jim you have the right approach to this,you realise the joy of carving and what you have personally achieved and now want to pass on some of that joy to others of creating a solid model,there can be no better way to spread the word about our hobby in this world today of ready made articles to distract the masses, we have here a unique craft at our fingertips that has survived and contributed to world wars,see the plastic model revolution but we all know it still holds an important place in model building,long may live the solid model ! and bravo to those prepared to fly the flag for its continued existance !!
Barry.
Well, I promised to update you on the model-building class, and here it is...The news is not cheery: We've had to cancel out.
The problem wasn't lack of interest, but lack of publicity. We sent out news releases to the local media, and I even followed up with phone calls to the local daily newspaper. The assignment editor promised he'd "take care of it."
And then -- nothing. Not a word. Only one weekly paper ran anything about the class, and they botched the rewrite up so badly that the one phone call we got as a result was from someone who thought we were going to build stick & tissue electric and R/C models! So, with the class due to start in a couple of days, no sign-ups in sight, and no materials in hand -- I wasn't about to buy supplies until I had at least ONE student! -- I decided it was time to admit defeat and pull the plug...
A great disappointment, to say the least. I really thought we could make a success of this. But the media was too busy covering God-knows-what to spare me three lousy column inches in the "Community News" briefs over a three-week period. What's doubly ironic is that just two days ago our daily paper ran a front-page feature on "16 Things to Do to Chase Away the Mid-winter Blues". It was filled with electrifying suggestions like, "Go for a Walk," "Take a Cooking Class" and "Adopt a Cat". But nothing on learning to build a model aeroplane...
Oh, yes, and this morning there was a three-column, 4-photo feature spread on the front page of the local section on...ready for this?
Popcorn...
I worked as a newspaper reporter myself for several years at the beginning of my career, and then 20 more years as a government public information officer, during which I dealt with reporters and editors every day, from all over the world, and I am at a complete loss to explain the depths to which the news media have fallen.
Sorry, gents. I tried...
jim
Jim please do not feel too badly about this,at least you tried to get something really good happening,give it a while and bounce back with a different plan of attack,the media really are to blame here and have let you down,I am sure that one day many will realise that building models is better than some of the other things you mention ?
There are just too many ready made distractions these days to compete with our unique hobby,but we will fight on regardless and keep solid modelling alive for the future.
You tried but did not fail,was merely let down by third parties who should realise better.
Barry.
The print media today is practically dead. I don't think most of the so-called reporters even leave their homes but do all their investigating via the telephone and internet. Remember the NYT reporter who travelled the world without leaving home? Magazines in the US are going downhill drastically as well.
The best way to reach people is via the internet. It can be tough some times to do, but it is the most reliable. Try setting up a social media site, such as facebook, for the event or some kind of local model group. That will be your news posting site and it is free. You can make up flyers publisizing the site and distribute them where you are likely to find people who want to take the class. Word of mouth is important as well. Make some posts on the site to give people an idea what to expect. Post pics to show some solid work. You may be able to get friends signed up that won't take the class but will keep watching your posts. Eventually, they too may give it a try. Post links to this forum.
It is true that many potential students are not on the web, but the newspaper has taught you how dead they are. They live in their dream world for as long as the paper can stay in print. When you see how little news is in the paper, you know people get their news from somewhere, you just have to find those places. Oh yeah, maybe the local libraries will let you put up a flyer advertising the class. They may even be interested in displaying the class projects for a short period of time.
Ken Pugh
And now, just to prove (if proof were needed) that the world has indeed been shaved by a drunken barber, comes the final irony: After sitting on our news release for fully three weeks -- with a piddling four days to go before the day of the first scheduled class -- the very day AFTER we decided it's all but too late for anyone to sign up -- this morning the paper ran our item in the "Community Notes" section. Three column inches on page B-2, shorn of all but the barest, minimal details. Thanks for nothing, guys...
Wouldn't you think maybe they could have found THAT much space before now? People need lead time to make a six-week class commitment. They need time to mull it over, decide whether they can fit it into their schedules, arrange things in their lives. That's why we sent the release out three weeks ago. I'll bet they've run better than 100 "chicken dinner news" briefs during that time, some of them for events not even scheduled to take place before March. And they leave us with four lousy days lead time. Incredible...
So I called the secretary at the museum this morning and told her that if we DO get any calls on this, to refer them straight to me at home, and I'll advise the caller that if we can get two or three persons to commit to the class, we'll go forward with it. Even if we have to push the startup date back a week. At least that'll give me time to purchase the materials, print up the course handouts and ensure the classroom space is set up.
I'm not optimistic, for the reasons already mentioned, but I'm willing to go the extra mile on this, if need be. Right now, though, I'm so disgusted I'm not sure I care, one way or the other...
:P
jim
Jim, I'm very sorry that you are experiencing so much trouble getting your course started. I really think it is a good course and is fulfilling a need in today's so-called modern society. I'm of the opinion that what is needed - and I'm afraid that ultimately it will be proven all too true - is that individuals or society in the aggregate will be forced to adopt a more connected or cottage industry type of existence - more in tune with what we are trying to accomplish in our group by building our own models rather than becoming dependent on the "purchased variety." However, I think that Ken Pugh may have a good point when he suggests taking a hard look at the internet to advertise your proposed course. It seems that if you can figure out how to distribute the promotional material that you shared with us via the internet you should be well underway. Your description of your course, its direction and requirements were clear and to the point.
Cliff.
There's much in what you say. I think sites like this one have been immensely useful in keeping this hobby alive. And they attract new people, too, but only those who are actively looking for information on what we're doing. The so-called "social media" is good at spreading the word to people who are already tuned-in and interested on various subjects, and who are looking to be reached. Unfortunately, in its present state, it really isn't a substitute for the generalized distribution of information that the traditional media has always provided. It's not yet, to use an old term, a "broadcast" news medium -- with broadcast used in the original sense of the word: to spread broadly and widely, the way a farmer once spread seed to plant wheat, by casting it out or hurling it by hand in all directions.
That's why newspapers -- good newspapers, that is -- still have utility in this electronic era. Of course, the internet offers this, too, through mega-news organizations like Yahoo and Google News. But those services don't really reach down to the grass-roots, hometown-level news as effectively, which is why newspapers maintain their own websites on the web...
The museum has a webpage (which you've seen), and also a Facebook page, and we posted the class news release there. But it can only reach the people who take the initiative to visit those sites. Until the internet finds a way to deliver local, grass roots-level, news right to your doorstep in one place, at one time, the way the print media does when it's doing its job right, it will remain essentially a "passive" form of news delivery, dependent upon the consumer's initiative, rather than serving it up to you in a package that you can scan, sample and consume.
All of this does nothing to absolve our local daily of its failure to convey word of our model class to the general public in a timely fashion, however. Simply stated, somebody dropped the ball there. Maybe next time we won't put so many of our eggs in one basket. We probably should make up some fliers and posters to spread aroluns. But that costs money, and money is in short supply these days for public institutions and not-for-profit agencies like ours...
Jim how about this for an idea ? why not put a solid model on display in the museum with a placard asking people to put their names down if they are interested in building one themselves ? then when there are enough people you do the necessary arrangements and contact each party in turn saying that you are proposing to hold such an event in the future.
I can sense your flustrations on this and quite rightly so,just a suggestion to you anyway once you find the necessary energy and inclination to do so.
Barry.
Not a bad idea, Barry. Thanks. I'll mention it to the folks at the museum.
Try your local BoyScout troop. ::)
Another good suggestion. We discussed this the other day, in fact.
We're thinking about giving the class idea another try in late spring or early summer...
The Boy Scouts of America has a Model Design and Building merit badge. I earned it as a boy with a wooden racing car.
Garet