Ahh, bummer, Ken! After all that work you did on those handles. Did you try running a magnet around on the floor - maybe you can find it that way - or is that metal magnetic?

Hope everything works out ok,

Russ

Hi Everyone,

I thought that epoxying those cockpit side walls was going to be a piece of cake.  WRONG!  The forward end on each side wall did not want to conform to the shape of the cockpit.  The canopy release handle (the ones that I spent all that time making) popped off of each side in the front cockpit from the stress of me flexing the side wall to make them fit.  I lost one of them.

I was using rubber bands to hold them in place but it was not working for the front end.  I had to use a clamp, but there was only room to clamp one side at a time.  And since I had already put epoxy on both sides (5 minute), I had to do surgery on the other side tonight and cut it loose so I could redo it.

I have it clamped right now and it is curing.  I think it will end up looking okay.  We will see when I release the clamp tomorrow.

Ken

jimbot58

What a day! Went to leave today to run errands, but it seems that a tree rat (aka squirrel) had gotten into my engine and chewed up the wiring! Fortunately, I was able to do the repairs myself for less that $50, and I am glad it didn't happen on a work day! I have no great love for these creatures as this isn't the only damage they have caused! I ended up power washing the engine, and sprinkled peppermint  oil all over the engine compartment as someone recommended. I am also told to try cayenne pepper and even lithium grease to keep them away! Personally, at the risk of offending some animal lovers out there I would prefer to.... I better not say it.

On the other hand, I ended up paging through the February issue of FSM and see that I am famous! Well, sort of.... In readers tips, my submission was posted about my using Silly Putty to fill and mask wheel wells and other bays during painting! Woooo!

Otherwise, I have only been getting a little time in on the project, painting and assembling the landing gear. Between extra hours and days at work, (Saturdays) and not liking to stay at home on my time off, (too much time to think about things) and pesky rodents, I find it hard to find the time for leisure.

I'll try to post some photos soon.

Jim

Pretty cool Jim!  So we have a super star in our group build!  Can I have your autograph?      That is awesome!  Have you turned in any of your finished projects?  They should earn a page in the spotlight as well!  Congratulations!

Darn those squirrels!  They are cute as long as they stay on the outside of your house, car, bird feeder, shed, etc.    I have no love for any rodents.  They can be very destructive when they get inside of any structure.

Again congratulations JIm, you deserve it!

Ken

Jim, sorry to hear about the squirrel, I complain about the neighbors cats tracking dirt all over my car when I wash her but so far they haven't chewed anything up. And I'll look for your tip in the Feb issue- congrads!  

What a day! Went to leave today to run errands, but it seems that a tree rat (aka squirrel) had gotten into my engine and chewed up the wiring! Fortunately, I was able to do the repairs myself for less that $50, and I am glad it didn't happen on a work day! I have no great love for these creatures as this isn't the only damage they have caused! I ended up power washing the engine, and sprinkled peppermint  oil all over the engine compartment as someone recommended. I am also told to try cayenne pepper and even lithium grease to keep them away! Personally, at the risk of offending some animal lovers out there I would prefer to.... I better not say it.

On the other hand, I ended up paging through the February issue of FSM and see that I am famous! Well, sort of.... In readers tips, my submission was posted about my using Silly Putty to fill and mask wheel wells and other bays during painting! Woooo!

Otherwise, I have only been getting a little time in on the project, painting and assembling the landing gear. Between extra hours and days at work, (Saturdays) and not liking to stay at home on my time off, (too much time to think about things) and pesky rodents, I find it hard to find the time for leisure.

I'll try to post some photos soon.

Jim

Everything ive been told (loadmasters, armourers, greasmonkeys etc) have all agreed. Facing backwards reduces chance of serious injury. Particularly back injuries.

Our hueys had the seating in sideways and dad always said he hated riding those seats because it screws up your balance.

Striker, you're so right about the load smashers being glorified stewardesses and boy do they hate that! I understand that the reason the seats face backwards is for increased survivability during a crash. Not sure how true that is but seems logical.

Yup, ive got my eye on a $200 set. Just a matter of putting the money together now.

Scorpiomikey

I just had 2 that pique my interested arrive the other day. But im waiting.

Eduard 1:48 BF-109E-1 Profipack

Eduard 1:48 BF-110G-2 Profipack

Im holding off till i get an airbrush.

Which of course means you will need an air compressor, filter, and regulator.  If you can, get one with a holding tank, it will give you much better performance.

Ken

I just had 2 that pique my interested arrive the other day. But im waiting.

Eduard 1:48 BF-109E-1 Profipack

Eduard 1:48 BF-110G-2 Profipack

Im holding off till i get an airbrush.

Scorpiomikey

Packed up my skyhawk. Someone cast a spell on it and now whenever i look at it i develop a strong urge to walk away from the desk. So now im trying to figure out what iw ant to finish next.

Understandable.  You have to want to work on the model to build it.  This is supposed to be a hobby for fun, not a chore.  Take your time and look for something that really peeks your interest.

Ken

Packed up my skyhawk. Someone cast a spell on it and now whenever i look at it i develop a strong urge to walk away from the desk. So now im trying to figure out what iw ant to finish next.

Son Of Medicine Man

WOW!!

This has been a long hard week!  I had to work way too much this week.  I am glad it is Friday and I don't have to work until Monday!

I found a link to a video of the show about the C-5M that you can watch on your computer if you are not lucky enough to have the Smithsonian Channel:

Ken

That is some big airplane! I've flown in them a few times - but once inside, it's like any other airliner - except you're facing backwards and the stewardesses wear pants! .

Thanks for the link, Ken!

Russ

Theyre an impressive aircraft. Get to see them occasionally during operation deep freeze.

Christchurch international airport (Harewood) is their home base during that time.

Son Of Medicine Man

WOW!!

This has been a long hard week!  I had to work way too much this week.  I am glad it is Friday and I don't have to work until Monday!

I found a link to a video of the show about the C-5M that you can watch on your computer if you are not lucky enough to have the Smithsonian Channel:

Ken

Let's try that again.  I will just paste a link to the web page where you can watch it:

http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/military-aircraft/dc-mighty-planes-c-5m-1/1706470070001/ 

Ken

WOW!!

This has been a long hard week!  I had to work way too much this week.  I am glad it is Friday and I don't have to work until Monday!

I found a link to a video of the show about the C-5M that you can watch on your computer if you are not lucky enough to have the Smithsonian Channel:

Ken

Striker8241

They sure do! Beautiful job, Ken!

Russ

Thank you Russ!  And I did find pictures where you can see the handles through the canopy glass, so I am glad I did go through the trouble of double siding them.

Ken

Gamera

Nice work Ken, the handles look great!

Thank you Cliff!

Ken

They sure do! Beautiful job, Ken!

Russ

Nice work Ken, the handles look great!

Hi Everyone,

I have the sidewalls done for the cockpit complete with the canopy release handles.  This first picture is the right sidewall:

And the next picture shows the left side wall:

The next step is to epoxy them onto the cockpit tub.

Ken

Thanks for the kind words. Even though my body's not restored to normal (whatever that is) I couldn't resist starting the MiG. I started and found I couldn't stop. It's because I wanted to rush the build so I could paint ! I used MM topside green (Russian) and underside blue also the Soviet variety. I used a light grey mix this time as I think the white was too harsh. Anyway must get some sleep but will try to post a pic tomorrow.

xradio

I want to enter the Febuary 2013 build coming up and yes I mean early Vietnam, thanks for having me.

Hi Xradio,

I updated the Second Annual Berny Memorial Group Build front page roster.  And again, welcome aboard!  The Phantom II was Berny's main aircraft while he was a crew chief in the USAF.

Ken

I want to enter the Febuary 2013 build coming up and yes I mean early Vietnam, thanks for having me.

xradio

I would like in on the Bernie build, put me down for 1/48 F4C/D Monogram early war.

Welcome aboard Xradio!    This build is getting ready to end, but you are still welcome to start here and join us on the Second Berny Memorial Group Build when it starts next month.  When you said "early war", I am assuming you are talking about the Vietnam War?

Ken

mikeymize

Hey all, got a few more pics taken on my patio since the sun finally came out. The canopy on this one was messed up do to it being a vacuum one from the spares box. The kit supplied one was destroyed by me; not  in a fit of rage but simply too much future, lol. The wingtip shot really highlights the amount of rivets on these flying tanks. Much like the Soviet IL-2, the Germans basically used these for flying artillery and they were good at what they did! From what I've read, the infantry loved these bad boys.

As I mentioned before still not operating at 100% due to cold/flu but am reading up on MiG-21 for next build.Got the Revell one and plan on getting more quality time with my Badger Great to see everyone's progress thus far, great work from all!  BTW, I think the last one is the best for the gallery Ken. Thanks.

Great work Mike M.!  I already updated the first page.  The Stuka looks great.  I would say that you broke in your new airbrush just fine.

I hope you start feeling better soon.  From what I heard on the news that flu is something else.  I normally take precautions on washing my hands often and avoid getting close to anyone when they are sick, but I am doubly cautious now!

Ken

I would like in on the Bernie build, put me down for 1/48 F4C/D Monogram early war.

Mizer:

Thanks MM, nice work there- she's got a nice war-weary look going on .

Hey all, got a few more pics taken on my patio since the sun finally came out. The canopy on this one was messed up do to it being a vacuum one from the spares box. The kit supplied one was destroyed by me; not  in a fit of rage but simply too much future, lol. The wingtip shot really highlights the amount of rivets on these flying tanks. Much like the Soviet IL-2, the Germans basically used these for flying artillery and they were good at what they did! From what I've read, the infantry loved these bad boys.

As I mentioned before still not operating at 100% due to cold/flu but am reading up on MiG-21 for next build.Got the Revell one and plan on getting more quality time with my Badger Great to see everyone's progress thus far, great work from all!  BTW, I think the last one is the best for the gallery Ken. Thanks.