Gamera

Jim: Fantastic photos there, I hope you're not going to try to scratchbuild all those electronic doo-dads!

I hope you and Ken are feeling better.

Thankfully things seem to be leveling out here. The two choppers are close to done and I finally just went and bought a new car about three weeks ago.

Btw: welcome Matt and CN. I never got to meet Berny but he was one heck of a guy. Very knowledgeable and always ready to help out with any questions on the F-4 or other USN aircraft.

Hey Cliff,

Awesome news about your helicopters!  We look forward to seeing pictures.

You bought a new car?!  What did you get?  That had to be a stressful experience!  I am sure you are glad that is over.

Ken

mikeymize

Wow, sounds like everyone's having their share of adversities. Jim, I really feel for you buddy; that's a full plate you have and sounds like you get more support from us than those who truly should be helping! As far as your model is going I'm impressed that you've made the progress you have considering all that. I too had problems with sleep as I'm sure many of us have and finally saw a doctor. I use ambien as required and it really helped me. Sometimes we all need help and there's no shame in that!

Ken, you mentioned your planting and hopefully that'll be done before the first snowfall up there ! LOL

Very true words Mike!

Btw, I did get 300 onion plants planted today!  100 red onions, 100 white onions, and 100 yellow onions.  I hope to have everything planted by the end of the week.

Ken

jimbot58

Ken,

Perhaps one of the guests at the reception was wearing a perfume or body spray that aggravated your allergies.There was something Mom used to wear that used to about kill me! I also find I am overwhelmed by a friend of mine who has to bathe in cologne even when it just he and I are just going out to dinner, and I end up confined in the car with him. I think he wants to be prepared in case he encounters an attractive waitress or restaurant patron who desires to have him give her a tumble!

Anyway Ken, I wonder if you might know what these lights are that are present on both sides of the Voodoo?

I don't think they are formation lights as there are several sets of "slime" lights present on the fuselage and tail. I didn't look that closely at the bulbs to see if perhaps they were regular bulbs or if maybe one was a strobe and was some sort of an anti-collision light. You can see its placement just below the open rear panel on the Voodoo at Hill AFB. (I still want to go there!)

The kit does have an opening there to represent these, but I didn't want to leave them as a hole! I'm thinking to paint them white, then fill it with a drop of epoxy to be the clear lens.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Yes it is very possible that I was having an allergic reaction to all the perfume and cologne.  I am allergic to that.  I have also been having a terrible time with tree pollen this year.  It has been really bad this year.

As to your question about those lights, they are the lower fuselage lights.  That is all I know about them.

Ken

castelnuovo

Can I join with T-55 by Trumpeter in 1:35?

Hi Castelnuovo,

You most certainly can join!  Welcome aboard!    We all look forward to seeing your build.

Ken

Matt-Joachim

Hey guys this is my first group build. I am returning to the hobby from childhood. I do not know of Berny, but he obviously deserves honoring. I would like to enter my P-61 Black widow. It is in 1/48th scale and by Revell. geesh I hope this thing fits together good enough to look like an airplane!!!!

Hi Matt,

Welcome aboard!!    Sorry for the delayed welcome.  It is not my typical response time, but I have been unusually busy after my basement was flooded.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  You will find there are a great group of people on this build and we will be more than happy to help.

Ken

Jim: Fantastic photos there, I hope you're not going to try to scratchbuild all those electronic doo-dads!

I hope you and Ken are feeling better.

Thankfully things seem to be leveling out here. The two choppers are close to done and I finally just went and bought a new car about three weeks ago.

Btw: welcome Matt and CN. I never got to meet Berny but he was one heck of a guy. Very knowledgeable and always ready to help out with any questions on the F-4 or other USN aircraft.

Wow, sounds like everyone's having their share of adversities. Jim, I really feel for you buddy; that's a full plate you have and sounds like you get more support from us than those who truly should be helping! As far as your model is going I'm impressed that you've made the progress you have considering all that. I too had problems with sleep as I'm sure many of us have and finally saw a doctor. I use ambien as required and it really helped me. Sometimes we all need help and there's no shame in that!

Ken, you mentioned your planting and hopefully that'll be done before the first snowfall up there ! LOL

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

So very sorry that I have not posted anything for a few days. The word "busy" is an under statement!! I finally got my carpet installed in the basement yesterday. Now I can start putting my house back together.

The hydraulic system for my truck's clutch went out a couple of days ago. I had to fix that. Set me back $200.00.

I have also been desperately trying to finish putting my garden in.  I hope to have it finished tomorrow.

Ken

I was kind of wondering where you had been.

I know the word busy. Our hours have come back and I have gone back to working about 50 hours a week again. It may get worse as they are ready to set up a new inventory system in the warehouse. As the needed work won't be able to be accomplished during regular work hours, it's going to mean Saturdays and even Sundays to get ready. Overtime is great, but you can't spend it if you die from exhaustion!

In the mean time, the only way I find time for hobby work is insomnia, due I think to the stress I am under. I know what I need to relieve a major part of that is getting going on selling Mom's house and closing the estate. I have made my move and demanded my nephew remove himself from the house by the end of June, or I will make it happen. I have been too nice and though that isn't a bad trait, it's hurting me in the long run. Needless to say, this decision only adds to the stress level. I find working in the hobby room keeps me busy and alleviate off a little of the stress, though it's hard at times to maintain an interest.

Jim

Hi Jim,

So very sorry to hear about your insomnia.  And I can understand your stress about telling your nephew to get out of your Mom's house.  But from what you have said in the past about him and your sister, you are totally in the right.  And hopefully your nephew will do the right thing and comply with your request.

I survived the wedding reception.  Actually asked my wife if we could leave after the cake was cut.  My sinuses were completely closed up from my allergies. I had forgotten my nasal spray and was so miserable.  I don't remember the last time I had this much trouble from my allergies.

Ken

Ken,

Perhaps one of the guests at the reception was wearing a perfume or body spray that aggravated your allergies.There was something Mom used to wear that used to about kill me! I also find I am overwhelmed by a friend of mine who has to bathe in cologne even when it just he and I are just going out to dinner, and I end up confined in the car with him. I think he wants to be prepared in case he encounters an attractive waitress or restaurant patron who desires to have him give her a tumble!

Anyway Ken, I wonder if you might know what these lights are that are present on both sides of the Voodoo?

I don't think they are formation lights as there are several sets of "slime" lights present on the fuselage and tail. I didn't look that closely at the bulbs to see if perhaps they were regular bulbs or if maybe one was a strobe and was some sort of an anti-collision light. You can see its placement just below the open rear panel on the Voodoo at Hill AFB. (I still want to go there!)

The kit does have an opening there to represent these, but I didn't want to leave them as a hole! I'm thinking to paint them white, then fill it with a drop of epoxy to be the clear lens.

Jim

Can I join with T-55 by Trumpeter in 1:35?

Hey guys this is my first group build. I am returning to the hobby from childhood. I do not know of Berny, but he obviously deserves honoring. I would like to enter my P-61 Black widow. It is in 1/48th scale and by Revell. geesh I hope this thing fits together good enough to look like an airplane!!!!

jimbot58

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

So very sorry that I have not posted anything for a few days. The word "busy" is an under statement!! I finally got my carpet installed in the basement yesterday. Now I can start putting my house back together.

The hydraulic system for my truck's clutch went out a couple of days ago. I had to fix that. Set me back $200.00.

I have also been desperately trying to finish putting my garden in.  I hope to have it finished tomorrow.

Ken

I was kind of wondering where you had been.

I know the word busy. Our hours have come back and I have gone back to working about 50 hours a week again. It may get worse as they are ready to set up a new inventory system in the warehouse. As the needed work won't be able to be accomplished during regular work hours, it's going to mean Saturdays and even Sundays to get ready. Overtime is great, but you can't spend it if you die from exhaustion!

In the mean time, the only way I find time for hobby work is insomnia, due I think to the stress I am under. I know what I need to relieve a major part of that is getting going on selling Mom's house and closing the estate. I have made my move and demanded my nephew remove himself from the house by the end of June, or I will make it happen. I have been too nice and though that isn't a bad trait, it's hurting me in the long run. Needless to say, this decision only adds to the stress level. I find working in the hobby room keeps me busy and alleviate off a little of the stress, though it's hard at times to maintain an interest.

Jim

Hi Jim,

So very sorry to hear about your insomnia.  And I can understand your stress about telling your nephew to get out of your Mom's house.  But from what you have said in the past about him and your sister, you are totally in the right.  And hopefully your nephew will do the right thing and comply with your request.

I survived the wedding reception.  Actually asked my wife if we could leave after the cake was cut.  My sinuses were completely closed up from my allergies. I had forgotten my nasal spray and was so miserable.  I don't remember the last time I had this much trouble from my allergies.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

So very sorry that I have not posted anything for a few days. The word "busy" is an under statement!! I finally got my carpet installed in the basement yesterday. Now I can start putting my house back together.

The hydraulic system for my truck's clutch went out a couple of days ago. I had to fix that. Set me back $200.00.

I have also been desperately trying to finish putting my garden in.  I hope to have it finished tomorrow.

Ken

I was kind of wondering where you had been.

I know the word busy. Our hours have come back and I have gone back to working about 50 hours a week again. It may get worse as they are ready to set up a new inventory system in the warehouse. As the needed work won't be able to be accomplished during regular work hours, it's going to mean Saturdays and even Sundays to get ready. Overtime is great, but you can't spend it if you die from exhaustion!

In the mean time, the only way I find time for hobby work is insomnia, due I think to the stress I am under. I know what I need to relieve a major part of that is getting going on selling Mom's house and closing the estate. I have made my move and demanded my nephew remove himself from the house by the end of June, or I will make it happen. I have been too nice and though that isn't a bad trait, it's hurting me in the long run. Needless to say, this decision only adds to the stress level. I find working in the hobby room keeps me busy and alleviate off a little of the stress, though it's hard at times to maintain an interest.

Jim

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi again,

I am currently stuck at a wedding reception. I don't know anyone here except my wife, her son and his wife. The wedding is for a good friend of my wife's son. Since her son was moved out before I met my wife, I am not familiar with his friends. This is going to be a long night.

Ken

Sounds awkward and uncomfortable.... How many times have you glanced at your watch so far?

Hi again,

I am currently stuck at a wedding reception. I don't know anyone here except my wife, her son and his wife. The wedding is for a good friend of my wife's son. Since her son was moved out before I met my wife, I am not familiar with his friends. This is going to be a long night.

Ken

Hi Everyone,

So very sorry that I have not posted anything for a few days. The word "busy" is an under statement!! I finally got my carpet installed in the basement yesterday. Now I can start putting my house back together.

The hydraulic system for my truck's clutch went out a couple of days ago. I had to fix that. Set me back $200.00.

I have also been desperately trying to finish putting my garden in.  I hope to have it finished tomorrow.

Ken

I

jimbot58

I just watched that "D-Day 360" program and it did tell the story according to the numbers. For example, the allies threw around 150,000 troops at about 40,000 Germans. It also told the story about just how much went wrong that day, and the plan they had bell working fell apart. It was finally the efforts of a few individuals became key in the allies winning the day that day! That, and the sheer numbers we through at them.

Here are my epoxy landing lights:

I made "drops" of epoxy an wax paper. Then when it hardened, I picked a few out and painted the backing silver. Here they are attached with a bit more of the epoxy.

The real deal:

Jim

Wow Jim, those lights turned out great!! Good idea! I will have to remember that.

Ken

I just watched that "D-Day 360" program and it did tell the story according to the numbers. For example, the allies threw around 150,000 troops at about 40,000 Germans. It also told the story about just how much went wrong that day, and the plan they had bell working fell apart. It was finally the efforts of a few individuals became key in the allies winning the day that day! That, and the sheer numbers we through at them.

Here are my epoxy landing lights:

I made "drops" of epoxy an wax paper. Then when it hardened, I picked a few out and painted the backing silver. Here they are attached with a bit more of the epoxy.

The real deal:

Jim

Looks good Jim!

Yeap, been watching a couple of the D-Day specials, there was a good one on the National Geographic channel last night.

Hi again!

Made some progress on the One-O-Wonder. I actually stuck on a few decals. I started underneath, because I wanted to be sure how they would respond to the setting solutions and solvent. They actually sucked right down into the panel line with just tiny bit Micro-sol.

Wow guys! I have some other pictures to show, but I can't seem to keep my eyes open. I'll do that hopefully Friday evening. Off to catch some Zzzzz's.

Jim

Hello all! Today is June 6, which marks the 70th anniversary of D-day. The TV stations are loaded with interesting programs (mostly Public Television) and each is more interesting than the last! There are so many interesting facts to learn, it threatens to overload my brain!

Did you know that the "D" in D-Day stood for day? So it simply meant Day-Day. They weren't sure of exactly which day the invasion was to take place, so that was the name they used. The invasion was to originally to take place on the 5th, but was changed due to bad weather. Ironically, the weather was still bad the next day.

I also see that the last of the Navajo code talkers just passed away. That whole generation that fought that war is nearly gone.

Jim

Yeah, hope everyone is okay. Lucky enough here that I've never been through a nasty storm or natural disaster.

Well, I'm relieved to find out that the little town of Hugo was not hit as bad as the initial news reports made it out to be. You know how the media likes to report the news before they have the facts. They did lose a building, and a tree blew over onto a car. A lot of branches were down and there were some power outages. The police chief kind of summed it up, when the reporter asked when they planned to start the clean-up. He replied in small town sort of attitude by replying, "Well, we will probably start on that in the morning!"

More bad weather! Some folks out on the eastern plains of Colorado had a rough night tonight as a large, fast moving thunderstorm brought winds up over 100 mph, torrential rains, golf ball size hail and a tornado! Reports are just coming in of the town of Hugo being hit with reported injuries and no power.

Is it just me or does it always seem worse when it's your home state, even though it's not the town your in right now? I'm just thinking about those people right now.

Jim

Yeah, congrads on the new airbrush! You're probably better off without some insanely expensive airbrush. I've owned a Badger 350 and a basic Paasche and found they often give better results than the complex hard to clean models.

Only thing I'd say is pull out some old junk models and practice, practice, and practice! Just try to get a good feel for the brush. And if something doesn't turn out the way you want don't hesitate just to paint over it!

jelliott523

jelliott,, great news on the airbrush. Not sure if you mentioned it before but what color scheme will you be doing on the Phantom?

Mikeymize - At this point in time, my intentions are to re-create one of the F-4G's from the 190th FS at Gowen Field in Boise, ID.  I live in the Boise area and fortunately have access to the base and can get some good photos of the aircraft that they have on static display there.  Also, my uncle was an engine mechanic on them when they still flew them; now he works on the A-10 and have thought about recreating one of their A-10's as well.

As to those who asked about the airbrush:  I went cheap, basically since this is my very first airbrush purchase and I wanted to practice with one before dropping a lot of money on one.  I bought a Master Airbrush with compressor off of Amazon.  Its nothing fancy, but I think it will do a decent job for what I'm looking to do; however, only time will tell.

There is nothing wrong with inexpensive airbrushes. I bought Harbor Freight's double action set for $15 several years ago, and have used it to finish at least maybe 8 or 9 kits with it. Still going! My compressor is a badger unit I bought several years ago. I have no recollection of what I paid back then, but similar models now cost almost a couple hundred bucks. And it was one of the less expensive ones back then!

Jim

jelliott,, great news on the airbrush. Not sure if you mentioned it before but what color scheme will you be doing on the Phantom?

Mikeymize - At this point in time, my intentions are to re-create one of the F-4G's from the 190th FS at Gowen Field in Boise, ID.  I live in the Boise area and fortunately have access to the base and can get some good photos of the aircraft that they have on static display there.  Also, my uncle was an engine mechanic on them when they still flew them; now he works on the A-10 and have thought about recreating one of their A-10's as well.

As to those who asked about the airbrush:  I went cheap, basically since this is my very first airbrush purchase and I wanted to practice with one before dropping a lot of money on one.  I bought a Master Airbrush with compressor off of Amazon.  Its nothing fancy, but I think it will do a decent job for what I'm looking to do; however, only time will tell.

Jim: Wow, those are great photos... including the 'distraction'!

jimbot58

Good work on the kit, Mikey! Looks pretty damn good for a "diversion".

I did make it out today to visit the museum. It's not the largest or the best, but has some good pieces on display. One of which is the very plane I went to see!

Hello Voodoo!

One thing I didn't know before was that the Phoenix missiles were extended into the airstream to fire. I thought they were just dropped.

Inside the intake of the 101 I found all these chips. No doubt dirt and sand sucked in by the engine deflected off the wall as it curved inward to the fan. Probably wasn't real healthy for the engine either!

Alright guys, don't pay attention to other things in the photo! This is strictly a picture of an Starfighter actually parked under the wing of a B-1A bomber! Don't look to the left!

Here is another view of those Phoenix missiles extended.

Nearby was a display of a..... Wait just a moment! How did this photo get in my camera?

Ah, what can I say? Even in my 50's, sometimes the adolescent brain surfaces at times.

Sometimes there are more than planes at the museum......

Kidding aside, here I found that the landing gear of the 101 was painted white. Obviously done by museum staff as some of the aluminum color could still be seen on some of the upper areas, unseen by most visitors unless they are crawling around under the plane like me!

Last photo for the moment.

There is a wall which holds a collection of hundreds of badges and patches someone donated years ago. Managed to find this displayed there: This is for you Ken!

I did end up talking to a volunteer for quite a while, and it ended up that he was asking me questions about the Voodoo! I didn't have all the answers naturally. He saw me under the plane taking pictures and figured I must have been a nut or something, until I showed him photos of my 101 on my camera. He told me there was a modelers club that comes in early in the morning sometimes and spends hours photographing planes. He didn't know they use that information for their own kit builds!

He suggested that I could become a volunteer as they need plenty of help dusting planes, and other maintenance. These volunteers naturally have to climb in cockpits and dust there as well..... Might be interesting, but I don't know..... He said they have one person who is donating his time to repaint the markings on the tail of the F101-all by hand!

I have some other photos to share later (sorry, no more of the girl!), which has some real cool art work found on the FB-111A displayed there.

Also, very cool about the race! All I have around here now are the small 1/4 mile ovals, where you watch them go round and round and round. There are other things to see at the races though.... Dang! There goes that adolescent brain again!

Jim

Hi Jim,

Great pictures Jim, thank you for sharing!  That is a great museum that lets you get close and personal with the displays!  That is the only bummer about the USAF National Museum, everything is roped off and you are not allowed behind the ropes.  The only exception is the Research and Presidential Hanger.  There you can get up close and personal, which is really cool since that is where some very interesting aircraft are kept.

Ken

mikeymize

That's a great story Jim. I took a couple pics of a "diversion"  It gave me a chance to try out a different camo scheme. It's a Revell/Monogram that I got at my LHS for $4.99. No PE or fancy stuff just an easy relaxing build. Both my Dinah and Stuka for the other GB that I'm in are done and need only better pics than I have thus far. Not sure what's next; either an La-5 or a Sherman, Probably take a week or so off in the meantime. BTW Ken, I've included a view of the race from our seats in the first turn. Was a great day and nice to see an American guy win for a change!

Hi Mike,

Very nice seats there at the 500!  They look like the same seats a friend and I had for the Brickyard 400 for quite a few years.  We kept asking for an upgrade each year when we sent our money (always one year in advance!).  We finally got seats in the penthouse above where you sat!  They were great seats.  Even the professional photographers would come up and stand next to us to take pictures.  We finally gave them up when we lost interest in NASCAR.

Great looking pictures of your 109!  It really came out looking very nice!

Ken

Jim, those are excellent shots of the 101 that I'm sure Ken will find very cool ; I was mildly interested but found the "distraction", aka girl, to be fascinating as well! As far as that goes, if I were to take pics of all the women at the Indy race I'd run out of film or memory; it's unreal how many there were! Not sure what to do about your landing light dilemma. I'm sure someone here will chime in with a solution.