jimbot58

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

Well, tonight I sit here just sort of stunned as they came in and fired the operations manager. He was not only my boss, but a friend as well. Not much more to add as I'm still kind of trying to digest this....

Jim

Total bummer Jim!  Wow!  After working all that overtime and they do that?  What the heck?  Was he caught doing something wrong?

Ken

Ken, to be honest, the big bosses showed up from corporate and the warehouse was in bad shape. Orders weren't going out as they should, and customer complaints were out of control. Even though we are still struggling to adapt to the new system and all, blame is going to come down to someone. When the ax falls, it's not going to be the little guys that go.....

As far as the common practice these days of cutting costs by hiring less experienced employees or filling positions with part time people to save on benefits, I think that it hurts them more than they realize!

I worked retail for 25 years and saw time and time again that when it came to cutting "controllable" expenses, the employees were always the first cut made. No CEO salaries or bonuses are considered. I know that when the company I worked for went bankrupt, the big wheels kept their pay and even received bonuses for staying during the liquidation. What did I receive for staying until they shut they shut the doors? Zero, zip, zich, nada, nothing, etc. Just a quick kick in the backside as we left the building.

Jim

That is sad Jim.  Yes, I have seen that before.  When it comes time to find the answer to a problem, it is usually easiest to simply blame someone and fire them.  My opinion, the problem starts at the top.  So if anyone should be blamed, it should be the CEO!

Ken

jimbot58

Update:

The Voodoo is nearly done, with the only thing left is the nose cone and try to figure out if I can get that tail hook to fit between the engine nozzles like it should without destroying the part.

I already started the next project, and that is Academy's A-10 Warthog.

Another mostly OOB build with the exception of the Master Model Avenger gun set:

They just had a soak in vinegar to etch them a bit and hopefully make the glues and paints stick better. I am sort of wishing that I had bought a couple of sets in case I loose one of those tiny gun barrels. Pitot tube is there as well.

There is an amazing amount of detail for such a small scale: EXTREME close-up here and you can see those things are actually hollow! How do they do that? I will be ready for a straight-jacket and rubber room when I go to try and assemble that thing!

There are also some TwoBobs decals I have for a fighter training squadron out of Nellis AFB. I didn't want to fight those notorious Academy decals. The color scheme will be the ever interesting gray on top with a slightly different shade of gray underneath...... by the way, that's sarcasm in case you couldn't tell...

I'm going to try and get around to some photos of the Voodoo and the Growler this weekend so they can be tacked up on the Wall of Fame.

Jim

Superb quality job on the Voodoo Jim!!      I still think you should enter your work in a IPMS contest.  I am confident you would place quite well.

Already started on the A-10 Warthog!  Wow, I need to get my butt back to the workbench!  As soon as I get this basement finished I will be ready.

I have been seriously thinking about when I do get back to the bench. I think I will start a new project myself.  I have a 1/72 Tamiya Mitsubishi A6M5c Zero that I would like to build, completely OOB.  It will be a tribute to my very first model I built when I was 6 years old!

Ken

Gamera

Jim: Yeah, the Voodoo looks fantastic! Love the metallic exhaust and the Day-Glo missiles (Falcons?). And the that A-10- I too wonder how on earth they get that kind of detail on teeny metal parts like that?

Lol, thanks too for getting us back on track here. I frankly haven't gotten anything done on the F4F and F6F. I've been mostly working on the little T-26 for the Orphaned Armour GB because I didn't finish the first FSM GB I've been a little gun-shy about getting this one done on time. And a friend asked me to build a B-17 for a vet so I'm working on the new Revell 1/72nd kit. It's amazing, far and away the best B-17 in this scale, the interior detail is beautiful.    

It is great to know that Revell is still putting out new high quality models!  And they don't have the ridiculous high prices that the other model manufacturers have.  Revell was probably the manufacturer of most of my kits I built when I was a kid.

Ken

mikeymize

Jim, not to beat a dead horse here but......  We've seen this time and time again. I've witnessed first hand incompetent, sycophants not only retain their positions but move up as less self-serving, harder working people get the boot. It's demoralizing to say the least and only breeds mediocrity from those left at best. Completely self-defeating behavior from top level "ethically challenged"people who should know better. Ruling from fear and intimidation will only drive the best and brightest out. This is not the case in all companies but is far too prevalent in my experience. Sorry about the rant but I feel much better now!

We all need to get things off our chest now and again.  And truer words were never spoken Mike!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Gamera

Jim: Yeah, the Voodoo looks fantastic! Love the metallic exhaust and the Day-Glo missiles (Falcons?). And the that A-10- I too wonder how on earth they get that kind of detail on teeny metal parts like that?

Lol, thanks too for getting us back on track here. I frankly haven't gotten anything done on the F4F and F6F. I've been mostly working on the little T-26 for the Orphaned Armour GB because I didn't finish the first FSM GB I've been a little gun-shy about getting this one done on time. And a friend asked me to build a B-17 for a vet so I'm working on the new Revell 1/72nd kit. It's amazing, far and away the best B-17 in this scale, the interior detail is beautiful.    

It is great to know that Revell is still putting out new high quality models!  And they don't have the ridiculous high prices that the other model manufacturers have.  Revell was probably the manufacturer of most of my kits I built when I was a kid.

Ken

I built mostly Monogram when I was younger but since they merged with Revell I'm not sure there's much difference now. Really happy to see them step up their A-game, I've heard a lot of good stuff about their new kits. This B-17 is as good as anything Tamiya or Hasegawa is doing right now. The engine detail is amazing- esp since a lot of it will be hidden in the cowling and not even visible. 

Uhhhhh......Mikey, do we work at the same company???  Sounds like my department......seems like the 'brown nosers' rule, no matter what industry you work in.  The guy (or gal) that faithfully serves the company day in and day out is often cast to the side for the "newest, greatest, youngest up and coming stars."  Kinda makes you throw up in your mouth a little.........If I wasn't close to retiring, I'd pop smoke and leave my current job behind.......you have my sympathies and support, friend!!!

Dave

.....and on a lighter note, Jim, that is an awesome Voodoo!!!!  Well done!!!

Gamera

Son Of Medicine Man

Gamera

Jim: Yeah, the Voodoo looks fantastic! Love the metallic exhaust and the Day-Glo missiles (Falcons?). And the that A-10- I too wonder how on earth they get that kind of detail on teeny metal parts like that?

Lol, thanks too for getting us back on track here. I frankly haven't gotten anything done on the F4F and F6F. I've been mostly working on the little T-26 for the Orphaned Armour GB because I didn't finish the first FSM GB I've been a little gun-shy about getting this one done on time. And a friend asked me to build a B-17 for a vet so I'm working on the new Revell 1/72nd kit. It's amazing, far and away the best B-17 in this scale, the interior detail is beautiful.    

It is great to know that Revell is still putting out new high quality models!  And they don't have the ridiculous high prices that the other model manufacturers have.  Revell was probably the manufacturer of most of my kits I built when I was a kid.

Ken

I built mostly Monogram when I was younger but since they merged with Revell I'm not sure there's much difference now. Really happy to see them step up their A-game, I've heard a lot of good stuff about their new kits. This B-17 is as good as anything Tamiya or Hasegawa is doing right now. The engine detail is amazing- esp since a lot of it will be hidden in the cowling and not even visible. 

I agree with you Cliff.  It could have been more Monogram than Revell for me too, but it has been so long now I can't remember.  There were one or two manufacturers that I stayed away from.  I can't remember their names now but their kits were terrible.  I remember thinking that the quality was no where near the Monogram and Revell kits.

Ken

Tal Afar Dave

Uhhhhh......Mikey, do we work at the same company???  Sounds like my department......seems like the 'brown nosers' rule, no matter what industry you work in.  The guy (or gal) that faithfully serves the company day in and day out is often cast to the side for the "newest, greatest, youngest up and coming stars."  Kinda makes you throw up in your mouth a little.........If I wasn't close to retiring, I'd pop smoke and leave my current job behind.......you have my sympathies and support, friend!!!

Dave

A big 10-4 on that Dave!  I hate brown nosers!  They do the least amount of work, know the least about the job, but always get the biggest rewards!  And one of their tools for success is to criticize and narc on everyone else to help make themselves look better.

Ken

Dave, Ken, I couldn't agree more. I know the story all too well. Another favorite tool in their bag of tricks is to take credit for other people's work and shifting blame onto others when they screw up. Hard to identify them at first due to their passive-agressive behavior, i.e., nice to your face, critical behind your back.

On a lighter more relevant note....I loved Monogram and Revell kits as a kid too. The bulk of my kits back then were those.When I had some extra cash I would sometimes get Tamiya. The older molds from that time period need extra work often to get them up to snuff but as you said Ken, the newer ones are equal to  Hasegawa ,et al. and usually less expensive!

So very true!!! LOL......

As Credence Clearwater Revival would say "it's like deju vu all over again!"  Most of my kits were Monogram, Revell, or Airfix....I use to love the Shep Paine diorama sheets that came with the Monogram kits.  They were so very inspirational!! ,,,,,great childhood memories!

Holy cow Dave, you just reminded me of the Monogram 1/48 B-17 I built as a kid. It had an insert with Shep's diorama of a crashed fortress. I thought I could do mine that way but.....never happened. I built the OD "Chow Hound" version cause I liked Pluto on the nose art! I'm not sure whatever happened to that as after I left for the service at 18 I suspect my mom "cleaned house" and tossed most of that stuff.

Son Of Medicine Man

Tal Afar Dave

Uhhhhh......Mikey, do we work at the same company???  Sounds like my department......seems like the 'brown nosers' rule, no matter what industry you work in.  The guy (or gal) that faithfully serves the company day in and day out is often cast to the side for the "newest, greatest, youngest up and coming stars."  Kinda makes you throw up in your mouth a little.........If I wasn't close to retiring, I'd pop smoke and leave my current job behind.......you have my sympathies and support, friend!!!

Dave

A big 10-4 on that Dave!  I hate brown nosers!  They do the least amount of work, know the least about the job, but always get the biggest rewards!  And one of their tools for success is to criticize and narc on everyone else to help make themselves look better.

Ken

Yes, all that stress and anxiety to make barely enough to get by, then home to sit here alone in a deteriorating 40 year-old mobile home, playing with plastic airplanes and watching reruns on TV!

Ok guys, I was searching for photos of the F-8 Crusader (a second project I am starting) and found this web page:

Am I missing the connection here?

Hi there!

I didn't get a lot of time or weather to cooperate with me for some outdoor pics. So I am going with these for the front wall for completed projects:

I tried the flash, but everything seems to come out too blue.

Also Ken' can you update the rooster to my current builds of Academy's A-10 "Warthog" and Academy's F-8E Crusader?

Jim

F/A-18 and Voodoo look awesome Jim as does the F-8 Crusader girl! But seriously, which of the two jets do you like better or feel is the best. They both look great from here and show a great deal of attention to detail as well as skill; much to be proud of my friend!

jimbot58

Ok guys, I was searching for photos of the F-8 Crusader (a second project I am starting) and found this web page:

Am I missing the connection here?

Maybe she piloted one...???

That reminds me. I have a couple F-8 Crusaders in my stash. Maybe it's time I pulled one out for this Group Build too.

mikeymize

F/A-18 and Voodoo look awesome Jim as does the F-8 Crusader girl! But seriously, which of the two jets do you like better or feel is the best. They both look great from here and show a great deal of attention to detail as well as skill; much to be proud of my friend!

I think the EA-18G I am more fond of as there was a lot of time spent with all the decals, aftermarkets parts and other details I added in such as intake ducting and compressor faces where the kit only had blank walls before. Maybe it represented more of a "labor of love?".

The Voodoo also was a lot of work, though it is very well molded and a good looking kit, it suffered from vague instructions in both part placement and painting guides, and many parts lacked locators. The landing gear was one example as the gear itself had a rectangular base but the bay had sort of oval shaped raised ridges where it ought to go. I had to scrape that away and cement it, then reinforce it with CA. No them way to reinforce them as the wings are very thin there. The pilot will need to land very gently....

The kits I am starting on are these:

Academy F-8E Crusader with added Eduard detail set and a Master Model Pitot tube: (Photo courtesy of Sprue Brothers)

And Academy's A-10 Thunderbolt II or better known as the "Warthog". No detail set, but I am adding a Master Model gun barrel/pitot set and some TwoBob's decals. (Photo from the net)

I would love to do a dessert scheme if I had appropriate decals.

Jim

Jim: They both look perfect to me, very sharp work!!!

The F-8 and A-10 look like they'll be pretty cool too, maybe you can find a bikini gal to go with them!

Gamera

Jim: They both look perfect to me, very sharp work!!!

The F-8 and A-10 look like they'll be pretty cool too, maybe you can find a bikini gal to go with them!

Maybe I should search for "Bikini Girl" to find pictures of the F-8!

Sometimes you don't know what you might get when you do a search. Years ago, I was at Mom's on her computer trying to look something up. I did a search and came up with something unexpected. I quickly closed it, but not before my nephew saw it and ran up the stairs to inform his Grandmother, "Gramdma! Uncle Jim's using your computer to look at porn!" The little t*rd bucket was mad that I pulled him off of computer earlier! Plus, it wasn't porn, just something a little suggestive.

jimbot58

Ok guys, I was searching for photos of the F-8 Crusader (a second project I am starting) and found this web page:

Am I missing the connection here?

Those guns are lethal! 

Ken

Jim: would love to see some more photos when you get a chance (your models that is but the bikini gal would be ok too...)

Tal Afar Dave

As Credence Clearwater Revival would say "it's like deju vu all over again!"  Most of my kits were Monogram, Revell, or Airfix....I use to love the Shep Paine diorama sheets that came with the Monogram kits.  They were so very inspirational!! ,,,,,great childhood memories!

jimbot58

Hi there!

I didn't get a lot of time or weather to cooperate with me for some outdoor pics. So I am going with these for the front wall for completed projects:

I tried the flash, but everything seems to come out too blue.

Also Ken' can you update the rooster to my current builds of Academy's A-10 "Warthog" and Academy's F-8E Crusader?

Jim

Great pictures Jim!      Those look great!  The front page has been updated.

Ken

Duke Maddog

jimbot58

Ok guys, I was searching for photos of the F-8 Crusader (a second project I am starting) and found this web page:

Am I missing the connection here?

Maybe she piloted one...???

That reminds me. I have a couple F-8 Crusaders in my stash. Maybe it's time I pulled one out for this Group Build too.

Go for it Duke!

Ken

jimbot58

mikeymize

F/A-18 and Voodoo look awesome Jim as does the F-8 Crusader girl! But seriously, which of the two jets do you like better or feel is the best. They both look great from here and show a great deal of attention to detail as well as skill; much to be proud of my friend!

I think the EA-18G I am more fond of as there was a lot of time spent with all the decals, aftermarkets parts and other details I added in such as intake ducting and compressor faces where the kit only had blank walls before. Maybe it represented more of a "labor of love?".

The Voodoo also was a lot of work, though it is very well molded and a good looking kit, it suffered from vague instructions in both part placement and painting guides, and many parts lacked locators. The landing gear was one example as the gear itself had a rectangular base but the bay had sort of oval shaped raised ridges where it ought to go. I had to scrape that away and cement it, then reinforce it with CA. No them way to reinforce them as the wings are very thin there. The pilot will need to land very gently....

The kits I am starting on are these:

Academy F-8E Crusader with added Eduard detail set and a Master Model Pitot tube: (Photo courtesy of Sprue Brothers)

And Academy's A-10 Thunderbolt II or better known as the "Warthog". No detail set, but I am adding a Master Model gun barrel/pitot set and some TwoBob's decals. (Photo from the net)

I would love to do a dessert scheme if I had appropriate decals.

Jim

Nice box art on those kits!  Looking forward to watching you build them!

Ken

jimbot58

Gamera

Jim: They both look perfect to me, very sharp work!!!

The F-8 and A-10 look like they'll be pretty cool too, maybe you can find a bikini gal to go with them!

Maybe I should search for "Bikini Girl" to find pictures of the F-8!

Sometimes you don't know what you might get when you do a search. Years ago, I was at Mom's on her computer trying to look something up. I did a search and came up with something unexpected. I quickly closed it, but not before my nephew saw it and ran up the stairs to inform his Grandmother, "Gramdma! Uncle Jim's using your computer to look at porn!" The little t*rd bucket was mad that I pulled him off of computer earlier! Plus, it wasn't porn, just something a little suggestive.

Ken

Hey Ken, what's the deal. I thought you told Jim the front page was updated; where's the Crusader chick???

mikeymize

Hey Ken, what's the deal. I thought you told Jim the front page was updated; where's the Crusader chick???

I tried but it wouldn't fit!!

Ken