Ken:

Nice car. PinanFarina stole the wedge design at the front.

yeah, that was Cool alright.

Please let us have a copy of your dad's Vietnam video........

Dom

Son Of Medicine Man

Ken:

Nice car. PinanFarina stole the wedge design at the front.

yeah, that was Cool alright.

Please let us have a copy of your dad's Vietnam video........

Dom

Okay, I don't know what happened to my last post but I am more than pissed!  I spent 15 minutes writing it. It completely deleted it to make it look like I just repeated Dom. I am not writing it again.   I gave a detailed description of the video.  I will write it again tomorrow.  This new site sucks!!!!!!!!

Ken

So, my Reply privileges have been restored...du.du.du.doooo...

Ken, i strongly suspect a Microsoft product.....snifff....snifffff.......

Don't worry lad, Bill will donate thousands to your pension fund as an act of good faith....

Bill Gates is obsolete, and it happened in his lifetime....lol....

Bill gates allows me to play computer games. I say high five to the man. lol

How was everybodies 4th of july?

Scorpiomikey

Bill gates allows me to play computer games. I say high five to the man. lol

How was everybodies 4th of july?

Same sentiments here- I've been running Windows 7 for over two years now and not one lock-up, crash, or any odd occurrence. Microsoft gets a lot of krap thrown at them but I've always had good luck with their products. Frankly I have a great deal more respect for Gates than I ever had for the over-rated Steve Jobs...

Worked over the Fourth, didn't do anything special - just came home from work, turned on the A/C and took a siesta. Watched a little TV and got a some small work done on a few models. 

Man, I need some cheering up.  I found my best friend in high school sister on FaceBook and asked her how to get in touch with him.  She told me he passed away in 2008.  I am so tired of hearing about people being dead.

We were inseparable during our time together.  We were both children of dads in the USAF.  We lived in base housing.  It just happened that both of us lived there for the length of time that we did.  Most military families live at one base for only 2 maybe 3 years.  We both happened to live there for 8 years.  And we happened to be close friends, which made it even more special.  I had no other close childhood friends like him.  When my Dad retired (1975) I was only 18 years old and not ready to live on my own, so I moved with the rest of my family to my parents home town of Lafayette Indiana.

I tried to keep in touch with him, but he was not the type to write letters (remember, this is way before the internet) and also long distance calls cost a fortune back then.  I went back to see him 10 years later (this was 1985) and he had changed quite a bit.  He had become an alcoholic, but he was still my best friend and it was still good to see him.  I visited with him for a week, then came back home.  Again I tried to keep in touch with him, but he once again eluded writing back.

My life changed, I went to college, but I would still try to get in touch with him.  And now this.

And to just add icing to the cake, I am not a big FaceBook user, but I had a few people I thought were good friends on FaceBook.  I thought after all this I would send them messages to see how they were doing and wham, they are no longer my friends!  In fact, they must be "blocking" me because I cannot even find them.  Wow!  What a cold slap to the face!  I just do not know what to think.

This is after a day of having my back stabbed repeatedly at work.  I tried calling who I thought was my good friend to see if he would like to get together tonight because, you know, it has been a really crappy day and, "no, I am just going to stay home tonight".

So, I am whinning to you guys because all you can do is just ignore me.  And I know it is a bunch of whinning but man, really?  I almost feel like there is some kind of supernatural power taking an incredible dump on me!

Ken

Everybody gets dumped on occasionally dude. Facebooks had some issues in the last few days. Went to send my mate a message yesterday and her profile wouldnt even load. just a blue screen. Today, no worries. It was weird.

Some days when life gets you really down. Take stock of what you do have. Ignore what you dont have. Go and do something for yourself. Go to a movie, or a play. Or just go to a mall and people watch.

Sometimes you just need to step out of the stream, and have a wee rest.

Losing loved ones sucks, even if you were out of touch, it sucks. But always remember, the pain we experience now, enhances our joys in the future.

Don't sweat it too much Ken.  Facebook is the only way I can get ahold of my few remaining friends and family.  And sometimes it really messes up and I can't get contact them for days at a time.  As for work.  People that mean and shallow will get theirs when Karma kicks in.  I always have days like that so I just suck it up and move on.  This last week has been particularly stressful.  But if you don't let thingsa get to you, they do eventually improve.

I consider myself fortunate to have folks like the users here to talk to.  It gets my mind off of problems and de-stress.  l am sorry to hear about your friend.  I have lost a few over the years.  It always surprises me.  You think of what they were like when you first met, and then you kind of realize how long it's been.  I try to remember them as they were, because that was the person I knew.  

And when I get depressed, I just sit down and model.  Which is the best stress remover ( except for sex that is) that I know of.

Rich

P.S.  Something on topic..  Has anyone ever built any of the Academy 1/48 F14 kits?   Someone told me they are almost identical to the Revellogram kits.  I went in to do a bit of work on mine today and the fuselage halves that I was so careful to line up, and looked great 2 days ago were still aligned, but were bowed in in the seam.  I think this kit was designed by the Marquis De' Sad.   I need to do a different manufacturer model to get the bad taste out of my mouth.

Ken, if it makes you feel better by all means vent, sometimes it helps to get it out even if we can't do much to help. It sucks about your friend, you did what you could, you did your best to keep him from screwing up his life.

My favorite aunt is in the hospital right now. I have no idea what's going on - the doctor was talking like she's about ready to pass on and now she's back up and alert. Frankly I'm wondering if his medical degree came in a Cracker Jack box. Thankfully she seems to be doing better now so if I may you're not the only one that's having a bunch of krap thrown at you right now!

I don't know what to tell you, when I'm down I pray, watch a funny movie, shoot some aliens on the computer, or not being much of a drinker eat something chocolate. Not sure what else to tell you.

Rich: Built F-14s in 1/48th by Monogram and Hasegawa but not Academy so I can't help you. Did build their F-15C years ago and thought it went together pretty well.

Thanks everyone for helping to cheer me up.  Cliff is right, I did just need to vent.  And Cliff, I have found from working at a hospital that doctors are just like any other profession, there are good ones and there are bad ones.  If you don't like the one you got, fire him or her and get another one.  When it comes to life critical decisions, don't worry about hurting someone's feelings!  Some of them are real idiots!  You may think that just because they are a doctor that they must be smart.  Totally not true.  I have known some real dumb bells that I wouldn't trust to put on a band-aid.

Ken

You're 100% correct.  You can't go through life trying to change friends.  There has to be a point at which you simply let them make their own mistakes, because that's the only way people learn, through trial and error.  Ken, your friend made his decisions, right or wrong.  You can't hold yourself responsible for them.

Gamera, I just wondered if it is designed the same way as the monogram with the two horizontal fuselage sections which NEVER line up right, or if it has them split vertically.  I am watching a cheap Academy kit on eBay and I am wondering if it's worth the money.  I saw some images that made it look identical to the Monogram/Revell kits, but they were somewhat indistinct.  The fuselage and the intakes are a nightmare to get right on that thing.  And when I had it right, two days later the plastic started to bend in on the seam.  I think the bad fit of the upper section, wanting to bend inward was too much and overwhelmed the glue.  I am thinking that if I ever end up building another one, I am going to cut some thick styrene panels to use as internal bracings.  If I make the lower section walls stronger, it should be able to handle the load.

Has anyone seen Dom on today.  I wanted to tell him a kit I bought on eBay for him arrived, but he hasn't answered email all day.  Sometimes I snag them for him if the seller won't ship to Canada, then I just send them up to him.

Rich

Ken: Thanks but she seems to be doing a lot better now. She was out of it in the morning and then would be alert by the afternoon. One of my cousins who's been staying with her thinks it's the medication she's been on. They're slowly weaning her off it now so cross your fingers she'll be fine.

Rich: Dunno about the Academy but kit but I think the Hasegawa one was split horizontally as well, I built it twenty years ago and don't remember that clearly now. The Hasegawa is a good kit but insanely expensive, at least now but I don't remember it being too much back then.

Annnd, Gates Fans, MS is dead....dead I tell you...He's dead Jim.....lol.....

Well,

I dunno. As long as the stuff arrives intact, which it does not, about half the time, crushed, shorted for content, completely a different item,,,,,lol,,,,, I am happy to import the unwanted kits of the USA....lol....

annnd, from what I've seen guys, yes, it is a depression...forget what the media is saying, they are paid to lie......the price of kits is going to go down.....hang on to your cash.....bundle deals will become more affordable as guys cash out and food stamp applications grow....lol....good opportunity for guys to build their stashes in the future, and that's the good news.

The Deja Vu thread.

The state health care system killed my folks.

They wanted DNR because they couldn't be bothered to try to save them. Nuff said.

Yah, instead of going to the mall, lookin' for a friend, google "Liverpool Care path".

That'll sober you up gents. It is coming to a hospital near you. You will not die naturally guys, you will be put down....ahem.....it is here...and it what drives the funding for health care, don't get mad at me, I saw it happen to my folks......"don't worry, be happy."

It is going to happen to you.

Ken, sorry to hear about that, but this is the time of life when you see the leaves fall like rain. I have sadi good bye to 12 relatives in 4 years, many more at the door, and the 'workers' in the health facilities just want to stamp them DOA.

Sorry Ken, I can't cheer you right now, but they are dropping like flies, and I ran out of berievemant days at the office already.

Like going too  a mall to chat with total strangers is going to help....smokin' crack?

Sure, tell me I am wrong, but just watch....another one is going to die in a few months. I'm not trying to bum you guys out, by this is really what is happening.

I am so sick of waiting in hospitals and standing for hours at funerals right now.

3 dead parents. 10 funerals, 2 years. No, don't need to talk to an unemployed dud in mall.

I'ld rather buy kits I will never build.

Hi Dom,

It sounds like you are the one that needs the friend right now.  Yes, you are right about it being the time in our lives, at least for those of us "baby boomers", where we start seeing more and more of our friends and relatives pass on.  My Mom's brother has cancer and from what little information we have been able to gather, it doesn't sound like he has much longer.  I am taking my Mom to see him next week since he lives a 3 hour drive away.

Ken

I never said anything about talking to people. Oh god, i couldnt imagine anything worse. I had to do it for 2 years while i worked in retail.

Just watch the stupidity, it can be fun sometimes.

Ill stop with the attempts at sage advice now, im only 26.

Hey Mikey;

I was embellishing, and actually, I agree with you that

it is important to keep sane by doing things.

After our parents died my wife and i agreed it was better to just keep

going to work rather than take time off. What you were talking about is self preservation because

if you let it get to you, well, you lose it.

So I did appreciate your comments man.

Dom

Also glad I no longer work retail....

No worries, its just a case of keep on keeping on.

Has anyone built anything here recently?

Scorpiomikey

Has anyone built anything here recently?

Wow Mikey, what a slap in the face! I guess I needed that!  I decided that enough time has passed and I will make another attempt at the ejection seat handles.  I will try the suggestion by Mikey to use some acrylic clear on them first.  I used flat clear.  I will wait a couple of days to make sure it is good and dry and then I will make another attempt at bending them into shape.

How's that Mikey! 

Ken

Does that include sanding and cutting wing spars?

I build slow most of the time, mind you i've already put in well over 100 hours on the F-4P.

Those J-79 burner cans were very persnickity and tore up about 3 months of weekends.

Right now I'm resuscitating an F-84F, if anyone has an extra canopy in 1/48 for that

I'ld be willing to trade.

I can't paint anything so I'm doing all the rough stuff on a number of kits.

As for picking up the pace, well, it is summer, so good luck on that.

Good news though, i bought a couple of kits,,,,,,lol.....

I didnt mean it to be a slap in the face. Just figured someone needed to set a time and place to stop mourning things we cant change. I hope i havent offended anyone.

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Dom,

It sounds like you are the one that needs the friend right now.  Yes, you are right about it being the time in our lives, at least for those of us "baby boomers", where we start seeing more and more of our friends and relatives pass on.  My Mom's brother has cancer and from what little information we have been able to gather, it doesn't sound like he has much longer.  I am taking my Mom to see him next week since he lives a 3 hour drive away.

Ken

Sorry to hear about your uncle.

All the best to him and your family.

-Dom

Son Of Medicine Man

Scorpiomikey

Has anyone built anything here recently?

Wow Mikey, what a slap in the face! I guess I needed that!  I decided that enough time has passed and I will make another attempt at the ejection seat handles.  I will try the suggestion by Mikey to use some acrylic clear on them first.  I used flat clear.  I will wait a couple of days to make sure it is good and dry and then I will make another attempt at bending them into shape.

How's that Mikey! 

Ken

Just had a thought. what about using black and yellow electrical tape with wire as a stiffener inside instead of trying to paint the wire?

No offense taken Mikey,

I sure wish I had the power to stop

folks dropping though,

but it's not quite over yet.

If I sound a bit like an old fart,

well, that's what happened the last ten years....lol

They tell it won't get any better....lol....

My next project is to finish the intake ducts for the F-4P.

I have to break out the hairdryer to warm them up real good.

Hmmmmm.......90 tomorrow?.......might wait a bit on that.

Revell didn't scale the hips on the bird either, they are absent,

so I cut a paper pattern and I'm going to

cut styrene sheet stock. Those hips are a bit over 1/8th"

too narrow....the designers didn't even try to put them in.

I pulled the fuselage from a 1/32 Tamiya F-4C/D as a pattern.

I'm a bit put out at how much plastic I have to add to the Revell

And like Berny, surprised at how much I have to sand off the Tamiya.

-Dom

Scorpiomikey

I didnt mean it to be a slap in the face. Just figured someone needed to set a time and place to stop mourning things we cant change. I hope i havent offended anyone.

Hi Mikey,

No no, I was totally joking around!  No I got exactly what you were driving at.

As far as the yellow tape, that might work but it would start adding to the thickness which is one of the things I was fighting with.  We will just wait and see how this acryl clear works.  It is pretty tough stuff when it is cured so it may do the trick.

Hey Dom, thanks for the kind words about my uncle.  My Mom is beginning to get depressed realizing that he probably does not have too much longer.  He is the last of her close family, so it is going to be a real bad thing when he does pass.

Ken

Hey on a brighter note, I spoke with my Dad's best friend tonight and invited him over for lunch this Sunday.  He is a big aircraft history buff, loved going to the USAF museum in Dayton with my Dad.  So we will have a good time talking about the old times and about aircraft and everything else in between.

On the description of the video that I sent in to have converted to DVD, half of it has the Saigon Zoo, then there is a tour of Saigon.  My Dad was stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Da Nang Air Base, and Nha Trang Air Base, so there is some footage at each base on the flight line.  There is also some brief aerial footage from I believe a C-123 of Saigon.

The last scene shows two RF-101Cs taxiing out very quickly to the runway then blasting off together.  Very impressive how quickly they can move from the parked spot to the runway and into the air!

Ken

Cool, that would be impressive to see.

NZ didnt have much in the way of military presence in Vietnam. But dad was on the short list to go when the kiwis canned it. Apparently there was meant to be a small airforce contingent head over which dad was a part of (grease monkey) then then the plug got pulled. (thank god)

Scorpiomikey

I didnt mean it to be a slap in the face. Just figured someone needed to set a time and place to stop mourning things we cant change. I hope i havent offended anyone.

Mike: I am horribly offendicated and just generally angryfied by that remark!!!!

Ok I'm over it now......

Actually I've been kinda annoyed at modeling and haven't done much over the weekend. I did pull some figures out and paint them though so I guess I got something done.