Hi, Toshi - This Zeke is looking scary good, what a model builder you have become, and in such a short time. Your detail painting of items like the interior framing and hand controls is just first rate, and the care you're are now giving to critical alignment of flight surfaces, such as the horizontal stabilizers, really is paying off by way of an accurate completion.

I think you'll be ready to have an entry for one of the IPMS conventions soon enough, maybe even score a ribbon. Great work, friend, and I'm truly happy to read that your doctor and therapists see you improving, this hobby is clearly much more than a simple diversion or entertainment for you. I had hoped that the hobby would make me a better man, but nope, I just build models.

Patrick

No sir, you as well as other members of FSM forum are not only better men but outstanding citizens of this wonderful modeling community.  A giant family of modelers if you will!  I'm just happy that I can tag along with you all.  If only the rest of the world leaders could see the good that everyone here incorporates, the world would be a much better place, at least a portion of the world is for now due to the existence of FSM forum and it's members.

As for entering a IPMS convention, that would definitely be a goal someday.  I don't even care about a ribbon and in actuality and in all truthfulness, I feel I'm a winner just by being excepted here as a FSM forum member and to have so many followers like yourself.  This is my score of a truly heart felt ribbon.  

I was in such a bad condition in that I was sent to a day care facility in Stow, Ohio called MENTIS.  I not only refused to go but was absolutely negative about my whole situation and in a deep state of severe clinical depression.  Then one day, I was forcefully taken out to an outing to Hobby Lobby.  I saw for the first time in a long time a Testors F4U Corsair.  When the therapist saw my eyes, they immediately purchased the Corsair kit and a tube of lemon smelling Testors glue in that blue colored tube.

Once back at the facility, I was able to complete my build in an amazing two hours.  I immediately went back to Hobby Lobby the next day with Mrs. Toshi and purchased my first serious build, Revell/Monogram 1:48 P-61 Black Widow of which was my very first thread here on FSM forum.  In two weeks, I was released to return back home to live there, I felt whole again.  All this just from a F4U Corsair.  As you now know and fellow forum members, the rest is history now!

Toshi

That is an amazing story Toshi. You are the type of guy I would gladly hang out with in the really real world.

I too have had to battle serious depression. I'm working my way out of it right now. It's not an easy thing to do. I understand that. To overcome such a deep depression and be in a place where you can be genuinely happy with your life and how every day is spent is a somewhat heroic thing. Not a "rescuing people from a burning building" type of heroism, but one that I understand to just as tough and far longer to deal with.

You sir, are my hero. You just keep on doin' what you came to do Toshi. Have fun and don't change a thing about your life if this is truly where you are happy. Your mental well being is necessary to live. Its a tough thing to learn the hard way.

You're making great progress there Toshi! And that retractable landing gear, looks complicated but seems like you've got it all in place.

I know what you're talking about when it comes to being down. I was in a car accident late last year and my left shoulder was banged up and is still sore. Guess I should shut up and quit grousing about it, you've had bigger problems and keep a positive attitude.

To M. Brindos,

We are both in good company, if you ever need to just talk to talk, email me anytime.  Concurrently I'm taking bupropion, cymbalta, and abilify.  I need these medications as at one point I decided that life was not worth living.  Through medication, family support, and a brother like you, I'm able to rise above the noise and see the sunset and the breath of morning air.  "One day at a time, one step at a time"!

Modeling gives me a sense of accomplishment, I'll purchase a kit, build it and see that I've actually started and finished assembling a aircraft or what will you.  This feels good to me.  Then to have proffesional modelers on this forum give praise is just a overwhelming sense of gratification and awe.

I have Mrs. Toshi, you have your father whom supports your hobby, we are both in good company.

miuraohana@sbcglobal.net

Toshi

Thank you Gamera, the retractable landing gear was somewhat of a head scratcher but I was able to figure it out.  What's cool is that the black piece is some type of strange resin/styrene wrapped around metal, another ingenious Tamiya modification.

I know how you feel as well, I know this is cliche but, only time will heal all things!  You're the man, I see you fighting through this, it takes a rare individual to do so.

Toshi

Kirkland, Ohio?  Oh wow, lawdog114, that's but a forty to forty five minute drive from my home in Streetsboro, Ohio off of 271 North towards 90 East.  I used to travel 90 East six days a week as I once resided in Ashtabula, Ohio, hence I know exactly where Kirkland is.  Do you have anymore information regarding the IMPS show that's in November?  Even if I don't enter my Zero, I would love to go just for the experience.  Who knows, maybe my next build the Monogram 1:48 Visible B-17G "Flying Fortress" will be entered instead of the Zero as the B-17G will be loaded with tons of PE if I can pull it off.  If not, then PE for me will stand for nothing but Physical Education.  LOL!

Lawdog114, the rules for FSM forum clearly state no nudity, religious and or political statements.  Getting into personal issues that we can all learn and grow from as modeler so as well as human beings are for the betterment for this forum, I'm sure is more than welcomed by the moderators of FSM forum and it's affiliates.  

Both Mrs. Toshi and I lost our parents at a extremely young age, and I mean extremely young age!  I know exactly where you're coming from.  Mrs. Toshi took her lost the hardest.  It was an extremely tragic statement in her life, it's been several decades and yet it still affects her.  In my case, both my parents knew they had only a limited time left hence, I was prepared for it.  At least to the best of my abilities as no one can really prepare for their list of a loved one especially mom and dad.

Mrs. Toshi told me to tell you that she and I both understand the situation in which you take the holidays as well as those special celebrated days to heart, it is at times like this in that we miss our parents present the most.  My grief comes from my children not having a grandmother and a grandfather from both My side and Mrs. Toshi's side to be with.  In this case our children are the ones that suffer by not knowing their grandparents nor having the time to spend with them.  

With this in mind, it is our upmost duty to take care of ourselves physically and mentally so as to allow the next generation to get to know what and where they came from through you.  Of course and to share the joys of model making.  Like you, I definately loose myself in assembling a model kit, it takes you to another time zone and makes you temporarily forget all the pain you once held for a small moment in time.  That's all you really need!  I too, like you, will have Netflix and or jazz music on as background noise.  Thank you lawdog114 for sharing the joys and sadness of life with me and forum members alike.  The secret meaning to life is as simple as this; "To live life to it's fullest".  This is due to the fact that life is fleeting at best hence, to make the most of it at all times possible, good and or bad.

Your brother,

Toshi

I am well aware of the issue that FSM forum is for the purpose of modeling, yet I'm sure many other modelers will concur, model making is a very personal endevour.  I feel when we can share in each other's accomplishments and failures, we all can learn from one another of whom and what the other individual is all about.  In truth, there is really no such thing as a failure, as long as we learn from our mistakes the so called failure becomes extinct at best, a learning curve if you will.

Continuing on with my Mitsubishi Zero build, I have two issues to bring into the light.  I broke my rear retractable landing gear and one of my small retractable cover plates for the main landing gear snapped off.  I can fix both of them hence I will not loose any sleep over them let alone waste any time nor energy in becoming upset at best.  Now that I'm at this juncture of the build, I'll be taking a long lunch break, only to return and mask my canopy. Once that's done, I'll attach the canopy to the fuselage with Testors clear parts cement and then utilize Tamiya Liquid Laquer Surface Gray Primer G.  Here is the Zero's top and bottom photo picture after I added putty and cleaned it up a bit.  Thank you forum members once again for your support in my efforts, trials, and errors.

Toshi

Movable wing flaps.

Its hard to realize that we are not alone. We are numerous, but depression makes is so damn hard to feel like there is any connection at all. To anything or anyone. So why am I surprised to know that my own grief is something that would be common in reality?

I'm on death watch here at my mother-in-laws house right now. Multiple organ failures, cancer, strokes, and heart attacks, yet she hangs on to enjoy life to the fullest each day. If that is not inspiring I don't know what is.

She will be severely missed. She's helped me to become a better man by calling me on my BS and expecting me to do what I say I'm going to do and holding me to every bit of it. She's one of my very best friends and I'm holding myself back so hard right now because I've been through this before. I lost a brother to suicide, Two Grandfather's, my favorite Uncle, and my friend Bruce, who despite being a crotchety old bastid to everyone else, loved to just hang out and talk to me as an equal.

I've seen them all go.

Modelling and family is holding my pieces together. I almost took myself out over this last Christmas. I was alone and there did not appear to be an end to the pain. I took a lot of allergy pills and took my chances with waking up. Next day my Dad came and picked me up. So here I am. Fixing what was broke to the best of my abilities with support.

I'm just hoping the scales are not knocked out of balance again with the latest string of events. But every day is new and every new day has its troubles and victories. One freakin' day at a time. Dang right about that.

Okay. This is not on topic, right? Lets get back to this terrific build. I want to see more of it.  :)

Stay strong Mike. We're all here for you and I'll be saying a few for you friend.

Thanks Andy. I will never turn that down. Faith is something I do have.

Now, to quote one of my all time favorite movies; "stay on target" lol

M. Brindos

Now, to quote one of my all time favorite movies; "stay on target" lol

Right you are Mike! Now if Toshi would just hurry back from lunch and show us some more great work! LOL Enjoy the break Toshi, you've earned it

Rooster 513, I second that motion!

Toshi

To Rooster513,

I'm back from my extended lunch, I was also watching History Channels Tank Battles in the Ardennes!  Now on to my masking of the canopy.  The only issue I have with the Tamiya mask is that it is not pre-cut.  I have to cut the masks out myself although they are marked.  It just makes it that much more of a challenge.  You know me, I live for challenges!  Here I go.

Toshi

Not pre cut?? That seems like a half-assed attempt at making customers happy.

Yes, I must agree.  I had a difficult time with my very first Tamiya 1:32 P-51D Mustang mask, hence I hand painted the canopy.  This time around, as such a PITA as it is, I'm able to get as close as possible.  See below for the outcome.  It is a pre-prep for the primer, I have to get ready and pick up Mrs. Toshi from work and have dinner.  I'll prime after dinner when things somewhat cool down outside.

Toshi

To Lawdog114,

I'll look that up now.  Yes, MENTIS is in Stow, Ohio.  It's on Marsh Road right behind Swensons.  There's a Hobby Lobby approximately 1/8th of a mile from MENTIS, that's where I get my models and model supplies from.  My son lives in Cuyahoga Falls, not too far from the giant chimney that's a radio broadcasting tower.  Wow, what a small world it is.

Toshi

I tip my hat to you for the work you did with that not-pre-cut-mask, Toshi. Admirable work.

I probably would have bought pre-cut masks after I saw those.

Thank you Greg for the glowing review in regards to the masks for the canopy in of which I had to cut out with a razor.  As I mentioned earlier, the Tamiya 1:32 P-51D Mustang was my first non-pre-cut canopy mask that I had to tend to with miserable results.  Of course I ended up painting the canopy free-hand.  With some practice, although not perfected yet, I was able to take it thus far.  

Greg, thank you so much for your support, you don't know how much this means to me.  

Toshi

To my fellow forum members, 

Here is the Zero in it's primer stage, next step is to AB the XF-76 IJN Gray-Green.

Toshi

The primer is the Tamiya Laquer Gray Liquid Surface Primer G.  I really like the coverage of this primer as well as the extremely ease of use, not to mention the ability to quickly dry in it's place and hold it's form.  I then sanded the Zero with 1200 grit wet sandpaper to get it to bite on the next coat of Tamiya XF-76 IJN Gray-Green.  This is the first time I'll be utilizing this very unusual and unique color.  So far I AB a small area just to see what it looks like, I was not disappointed at all.  You be the judge.  

Toshi

Wow Toshi, That's really starting to take shape now.

Thank you modelcrazy, it's getting there.  Much to do over the next several days but I shall continue to move forward.  Thank you for following this thread my friend, it's greatly appreciated!

Toshi  

I tried and I tried.  I attempted to highlight the panel lines, a lot of it was lost due to sanding.  On my next build, I'll learn how to re-scribe lost panel lines.  What's there though has turned out really well.  At least I now understand the conceptual idea of the process.

I really am enamored over the XF-76 IJN Green-Gray.  It's about as authentic as you can get.  If not, at the very least, I just love the unique color quality and the way it presents itself in the light spectrum.

Next step?  AB the rest of the attachment parts XF-76, assemble, assemble main landing gear, assemble engine, spray clear coat, decals, and seal.

Toshi

This kit has stunning detail. You are doing a bang up job on this one for sure. Great work, Toshi!!

BK

Toshi: Looks great! She's really starting to look like a Zero now.

Mike: Ouch, that blows to hear about all the losses in your family. I hope things straighten out soon.