mikeymize

Uncanny how we all agree on this one! Great point Cliff about the importance of allowing different opinions without censuring others. Why must so many demand others agree with them; is a difference of opinion that threatening? I'm pretty sure man alone is not responsible for any climate change world wide anymore than man can solve the supposed dilemma alone. Seems hubristic and narrow-minded to me. Anyhow, I have completed my airplane for this GB and will post pics very soon. I've been having some medical issues unrelated to my ankle burn, which thankfully, is almost fully recovered and so have fallen somewhat behind in the model building scene. Regardless,that won't stop me from participating in our group discussions and keeping up on everyone's progress. Going to do a little reading now; doing some research on late model Bf-109's for my next project. Enjoy the rest of your weekend guys!

Hi Mike,

I am looking forward to seeing those pictures.  I hope your new medical issues are resolved soon and that they are not too serious.

Ken

jelliott523

Hey all, I'm still here.  I've had a lot of different things going on lately that has kept me away from touching any of my projects.  I am happy to announce that I finally received my replacement sprue tree from Hasegawa for the F-4G, so now I can get back on track with that.  Hopefuly I can get to trying out the new airbrush I picked up recently.  This is going to be a new venture to me so here's crossing my fingers I get it fiqured out.

Congrats on both the replacement part and also the airbrush! Forgive my poor memory, but was this airbrush an upgrade or a first time purchase?

It does seem that this thing called life keeps distracting us from our real tasks of building models. For me, after they cut our hours a few weeks back, just like that I am back to working 10-11 hr days. Then adding in commute time, it makes for a very long day. When I did sit to work on the Voodoo, I was usually too tired when I was done to photograph and post my progress. I am making some progress, though slowly.

Last weekend I had some stuff working on my mind and accomplished little, though I did make it outside to do some yard work. Believe it or not, I do enjoy it. This weekend I went out of town to visit my buddy and get some fishing in. Fishing was bad, but it didn't matter as I it was a chance to hook up with the guy I have known for 35+ years and is pretty much the brother I never had. The bad thing is it is a about a 260 mile round trip, and can be a bit tough on the wallet.... It seems that i usually end up going out his way as it's tough for him to get away with his own wife and family where he is at, and I have no family to speak of....

Besides, the fishing opportunities are pretty good where he is at, although you couldn't tell by our results this time.

Jim

Hey all, I'm still here.  I've had a lot of different things going on lately that has kept me away from touching any of my projects.  I am happy to announce that I finally received my replacement sprue tree from Hasegawa for the F-4G, so now I can get back on track with that.  Hopefuly I can get to trying out the new airbrush I picked up recently.  This is going to be a new venture to me so here's crossing my fingers I get it fiqured out.

Uncanny how we all agree on this one! Great point Cliff about the importance of allowing different opinions without censuring others. Why must so many demand others agree with them; is a difference of opinion that threatening? I'm pretty sure man alone is not responsible for any climate change world wide anymore than man can solve the supposed dilemma alone. Seems hubristic and narrow-minded to me. Anyhow, I have completed my airplane for this GB and will post pics very soon. I've been having some medical issues unrelated to my ankle burn, which thankfully, is almost fully recovered and so have fallen somewhat behind in the model building scene. Regardless,that won't stop me from participating in our group discussions and keeping up on everyone's progress. Going to do a little reading now; doing some research on late model Bf-109's for my next project. Enjoy the rest of your weekend guys!

Very valid points made by everyone.  It is amazing how we all seem to agree on this!  Just to add my 2 cents, I heard somewhere that the earth actually has a 10,000 year cycle of a reoccurring ice age.  The Earth has a cycle where the orbit moves just slightly more away from the sun which causes the ice age.  And we are supposed to be well on our way toward the next one.

Ken

Yeap, the current facts say the Earth has been slowly cooling for the last 17 years. And the polar ice caps are thicker and larger than anytime since they've been measuring them. There is in fact something like a 95% correlation between Earth's temperature and observed sunspot activity. More activity and the temperature goes up. Not much you can do about the sun so the diehards ignore it.

I too find it odd- the weatherman can't tell you what the weather is going to be next week with any degree of accuracy but they claim to predict it a century in advance.

I'm not telling anyone to believe anything I'm saying, just look at the facts and make up your own mind. If you think it's the truth fine, no issues- just don't try to ban people who disagree with you.    

Gamera

Hey Jim, hope things work out with the panel line wash there- it looks so good so far I'd hate to see you have to paint over it. 

As to this global warming BS - well it's about as much 'science' as Sasquatch and flying saucers are 'science'. When they started on this whole 'the science is settled- there can be no more discussion' garbage they proved it was a hoax. I only have a BS in biology but one of the first things you learn is that science is about the free and open exchange of ideas. You come up with a hypothesis to explain why something happens, if it fits over time it becomes a theory and then a law. If someone comes up with another idea that fits the facts better it supersedes the older idea. These 'climate change' true-believers have been blocking research papers that don't fit their agenda, firing off massive lawsuits, trying to link skeptics to Holocaust deniers (!?!) etc. If you believe something and ignore all evidence to the contrary what you're pushing isn't science - it's a cult. The people who believed the Earth was flat and the center of the solar system also loudly claimed - the science is settled, there can be no more discussion and tried to block any other ideas as well.    

I recently read a series of articles about how there are actually indications that the earth may actually be cooling! It pointed out facts such as snow in Cairo for the first time in 108 years and polar ice caps that aren't melting but have actually thickened!. There is a group of scientists that believe the Sun may be headed into a period of inactivity that may be the onset of what could be called a mini Ice Age.

Point is, that nobody really knows for sure- there is no one expert with all the answers. And politicians certainly are not experts. You can't take weather records dating back a couple hundred years and make conclusions about a process that has been ongoing for millions of years!

Is the climate changing? Possibly..... but I believe it may have more to do with that big ball of hydrogen gas burning 93 million miles above our heads and less to do with the creatures crawling around on the Earth's surface. Even the tiny bit of history we have recorded show a great deal of variation.

Hey Jim, hope things work out with the panel line wash there- it looks so good so far I'd hate to see you have to paint over it. 

As to this global warming BS - well it's about as much 'science' as Sasquatch and flying saucers are 'science'. When they started on this whole 'the science is settled- there can be no more discussion' garbage they proved it was a hoax. I only have a BS in biology but one of the first things you learn is that science is about the free and open exchange of ideas. You come up with a hypothesis to explain why something happens, if it fits over time it becomes a theory and then a law. If someone comes up with another idea that fits the facts better it supersedes the older idea. These 'climate change' true-believers have been blocking research papers that don't fit their agenda, firing off massive lawsuits, trying to link skeptics to Holocaust deniers (!?!) etc. If you believe something and ignore all evidence to the contrary what you're pushing isn't science - it's a cult. The people who believed the Earth was flat and the center of the solar system also loudly claimed - the science is settled, there can be no more discussion and tried to block any other ideas as well.    

I totally agree with both of you Jim and Mike on all points!  Climate change is bogus and it is a political invented agenda.  Also there is no replacing actually being there and seeing it for yourself when it comes to museums or historical landmarks!  But having what is available on the internet is a big help!  But unfortunately for some it has become the end all.

Ken

Some great points of view expressed by all. Agree with you Jim about the global warming scam. Or as they are now calling it "climate change" since the actual weather wasn't conforming to their theories. Makes no difference the label as long as it allows the powers that be exercise ever more intrusive government. Power does indeed corrupt. I cannot overstate the reasoning of the founding fathers with regard to this. Okay, enough pontificating. Also agree on the research aspect mentioned in other posts. The one thing I believe can't change though would be the ability to physically be in an historic area. The Lincoln Memorial or Lexington & Concord cannot be duplicated in cyberspace!

Striker8241

Lol, ain't it the truth! I suspect libraries will eventually become streaming data sites in future and museums will become 3D virtual walkthroughs. On the pro side, it will open up a lot of information and experiences to everyone instead of just those who are within driving range of a museum or library; on the con side, it will take away the physical experience of being with other people who are also interested in learning.

I remember spring snows like that, Jim, when I was stationed in Germany. Thunder snow too.  Prior to that, we were stationed at Peterson Field in Colorado Springs in 74-75 and the snowfall there was beautiful, but fortunately there were no heavy spring snows in those years. Glad I'm out of all that. On the other hand, I think I would trade you some of that snow for the 90 degree weather we've been having lately....

The snow has arrived! We are under the weather warning for about the next 24 hours! Extreme weather is not unusual here as I have seen storms like this before in May. I have seen snow in June, and one year our first snow was on Sept 1st! A couple of weeks ago we were to have a day of 90+ temps, though hazy clouds actually kept it in the 80's. We also had a night of hail and tornadoes last week, though few of them touched down and there were no reports of major damage.

Mom told me that when she first came out here in the mid 50's, that the weather was so mild, people actually were watering their green lawns.....in December! Of course, that was before they were able to invent Global-Warming, and politicians could argue as how best to protect us by applying the proper taxes......

Hi Everyone,

Sorry that I did not post anything yesterday.  Taking care of two houses can really take up my time.

In case no one caught it, yesterday was the first day of Armed Forces Week.  It runs all the way to this Saturday which is Armed Forces Day.

So I give a big salute and a note of appreciation to all of those who have served or are currently serving in the United States military.  Thank you!

Ken

Striker8241

Lol, ain't it the truth! I suspect libraries will eventually become streaming data sites in future and museums will become 3D virtual walkthroughs. On the pro side, it will open up a lot of information and experiences to everyone instead of just those who are within driving range of a museum or library; on the con side, it will take away the physical experience of being with other people who are also interested in learning.

I remember spring snows like that, Jim, when I was stationed in Germany. Thunder snow too.  Prior to that, we were stationed at Peterson Field in Colorado Springs in 74-75 and the snowfall there was beautiful, but fortunately there were no heavy spring snows in those years. Glad I'm out of all that. On the other hand, I think I would trade you some of that snow for the 90 degree weather we've been having lately....

Actually Russ, some museums are already that way!  You can go on a virtual tour at the USAF National Museum, and can get some great 3D views from within several cockpits!

But speaking of museums, I am going to visit the USAF National Museum at the end of June and stay for a full week.  On the Friday that I am there, I have signed up for a "Behind the Scenes Tour" where a limited number of people are brought to where several aircraft are being restored.  I have never been on one of those and am really looking forward to it.

Ken

jimbot58

Cool website. How did we ever model without the internet? To think our ancestors were forced to actually forced to go to museums and libraries to find this information!

Kidding aside, here I sit in wonderful Colorado, where today I mowed the lawn, and then walked for about 2 hours! Now tonight it is raining and we are under a winter storm warning, with rain turning to snow with accumulations of 4 - 9 inches of heavy wet snow. They are warning of downed trees and possible power outages! Chance of snow is at 90% right now!

Springtime in the Rockies! Speaking of the Rockies, our team is in Ohio this weekend and will miss the weather. No, I am not a big baseball fan, but it is always interesting how we can have cancelled games due to snow in the spring and another possibility in the fall if they make it as far as the Series!

In the meantime, I sit here and continue to work the F-101.

I am proceeding with the panel line wash as I had already basically committed my self to this path. I just hope it  won't interfere with the decals later.We shall see....

Hi Jim,

Yes, I agree, the internet is a great resource.  But I have found that I still need to either physically visit the aircraft I am modeling or at the very least, if there is one available, purchase a reference book.  But even then it does not always give the information I need without visiting the actual aircraft.

Wow, I feel for you Jim!  Snow!  I hate snow!  We have been enjoying some 80s finally here in Lafayette, Indiana.  But they are forecasting the highs to only reach into the 50s later this week.  Whacky weather to be sure.  Winter just does not want to let go.

You are doing a great job applying that wash Jim!  It looks fantastic!     

Ken

Lol, ain't it the truth! I suspect libraries will eventually become streaming data sites in future and museums will become 3D virtual walkthroughs. On the pro side, it will open up a lot of information and experiences to everyone instead of just those who are within driving range of a museum or library; on the con side, it will take away the physical experience of being with other people who are also interested in learning.

I remember spring snows like that, Jim, when I was stationed in Germany. Thunder snow too.  Prior to that, we were stationed at Peterson Field in Colorado Springs in 74-75 and the snowfall there was beautiful, but fortunately there were no heavy spring snows in those years. Glad I'm out of all that. On the other hand, I think I would trade you some of that snow for the 90 degree weather we've been having lately....

Cool website. How did we ever model without the internet? To think our ancestors were forced to actually forced to go to museums and libraries to find this information!

Kidding aside, here I sit in wonderful Colorado, where today I mowed the lawn, and then walked for about 2 hours! Now tonight it is raining and we are under a winter storm warning, with rain turning to snow with accumulations of 4 - 9 inches of heavy wet snow. They are warning of downed trees and possible power outages! Chance of snow is at 90% right now!

Springtime in the Rockies! Speaking of the Rockies, our team is in Ohio this weekend and will miss the weather. No, I am not a big baseball fan, but it is always interesting how we can have cancelled games due to snow in the spring and another possibility in the fall if they make it as far as the Series!

In the meantime, I sit here and continue to work the F-101.

I am proceeding with the panel line wash as I had already basically committed my self to this path. I just hope it  won't interfere with the decals later.We shall see....

Striker8241

Hey, Guys,

I came across this site that provides cutaway views of just about any aircraft you can think of.

www.flightglobal.com/cutaways

Some are quite detailed. Hope you find something useful.

Russ

Very cool website Russ, thank you for sharing!  I have book marked it.

Ken

Gamera

Striker8241

Ken,

Being as how you live in a tornado zone, you may want to set up your mast so you can lower the antenna quickly if severe weather threatens.

Russ

Very true! Or paint your name and address on it so anyone that finds it can return it to you!!! 

Cliff, you crack me up!!   

Russ, that is a great idea except it would be more trouble than it is worth.  The antenna only sells for $135.00.  And if we get winds that exceed what it can handle, I've got bigger problems!

Ken

Hey, Guys,

I came across this site that provides cutaway views of just about any aircraft you can think of.

www.flightglobal.com/cutaways

Some are quite detailed. Hope you find something useful.

Russ

Striker8241

Ken,

Being as how you live in a tornado zone, you may want to set up your mast so you can lower the antenna quickly if severe weather threatens.

Russ

Very true! Or paint your name and address on it so anyone that finds it can return it to you!!! 

Ken,

Being as how you live in a tornado zone, you may want to set up your mast so you can lower the antenna quickly if severe weather threatens.

Russ

jimbot58

Ken, you might have more channels than that as many of the broadcasters here have side channels. I don't know how many local stations you have there, so it will be interesting too see what you have.

Some of those stations are not that special- one channel offers 24 hour weather, and another rebroadcasts their last news offering. Others may be spanish as I mentioned before, and shopping channels abound! My local FOX station offers Antenna TV, which has all those I dream of Jeanie, and Three's Company episodes. May not all be the greatest stuff, but there is some variety.

More than a few people have made the switch by dropping their cable or satellite subscriptions and their customer numbers are on the decline. Maybe they will get smart and drop their prices....

Jim

.

Yes, you are right Jim.  I know for sure that the closest station has a weather channel along with their normal channel.  It will be interesting to see what I end up with.  The antenna rotor is supposed to show up Friday.  But the masts and the antenna haven't been shipped yet.  Neither has the cable.

The Bluetooth gateway for the phone system is supposed to arrive today.  If it does, I will be hooking it up and trying it out tonight.

Ken

Sounds like everyone is busy with life and away from the modeling bench, me included.  Been working the last week or so trying to put up a storage shed out back.  Luckily it's a kit as I have about zero carpentry skills!!!  Still manage to shop for good buys on Ebay now and then.  I agree, this has been a great GB experience.  We all have so much in common, yet we live in our own little bubbles with very few around us that share our passion for model building.  It's a dang shame......I'm so thankful to be able to hang out here with my model building friends!  Thanks guys for the conversation, life's lessons, and killer models!!

Here's to you, bros!!

Dave

Ken, you might have more channels than that as many of the broadcasters here have side channels. I don't know how many local stations you have there, so it will be interesting too see what you have.

Some of those stations are not that special- one channel offers 24 hour weather, and another rebroadcasts their last news offering. Others may be spanish as I mentioned before, and shopping channels abound! My local FOX station offers Antenna TV, which has all those I dream of Jeanie, and Three's Company episodes. May not all be the greatest stuff, but there is some variety.

More than a few people have made the switch by dropping their cable or satellite subscriptions and their customer numbers are on the decline. Maybe they will get smart and drop their prices....

Jim

.

Striker8241

That really is looking nice, Jim - you have a flair for bringing out detail. How you keep everything so neat and clean at that scale?

Russ

I think it's the curse of trying to be a perfectionist!

That really is looking nice, Jim - you have a flair for bringing out detail. How you keep everything so neat and clean at that scale?

Russ

jimbot58

~

Also, just an FYI Russ, I get over the air reception of HDTV through a standard antennae and wiring. The big TV (tube) can only process the standard digital signal with the low resolution picture, but it will tune in all the channels. My little TV in the man cave is a 19" class HDTV, (Flat screen) with the wide screen picture and high def signal. No special equipment needed unless you have a television that is unable to tune the digital signal.

Jim

Thanks, Jim, I didn't know that.

Russ

Jim: Gee hate to see you going back to redo stuff since it all looks so good like that!

jimbot58

Hello again all!

Just a few progress photos, or in some cases, anti-progress....

There is a danger in working two projects at once-you might get the colors mixed between the two: I painted the color of the Phantom on the splitter!

Now I need to strip and repaint the splitter plates. I don't want to paint over it as it already appears a little on the thick side.

I also been painting up details: red for those brake doors and Metalizer for the bare metal areas. I chose Stainless steel, but when I opened the bottle, there was a thick layer of nothing but sludge in the bottom. I was able to resuscitate enough to spray by adding thinner, some glass beads for agitators, and vigorous shaking. When I was done, the remainder went into the trash.

I did do some experimentation as the metallic tail section was too stark for me, so I tried a wash with water, acrylic artist paint and a few drops of dishsoap. After drying I wiped away the excess with a cotton ball and a little (ew!) saliva. I was going for subtle and think it came out ok. You can see my seam work here was not perfect, but it is on the bottom, and not likely to be noticed.

I also put some wash on the afterburner pipes to accent the lines:

I sure seem to be doing a lot of work for an out of box kit build.....

Jim

Outstanding work there Jim!  (As always!)  The wash really makes the detail pop!     

Ken

jimbot58

Striker8241

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

I spent the weekend shopping for carpet.  I compare it to shopping for a car.  All the different stores use their gimmicks to get you in and pull the old "switcheroo" on you.  Right now I will have both Lowes and Home Depot come here tomorrow to "measure" so that I can get a "real" price on the carpet.  Of course they both charge to "measure".  Even though I took great pains to provide measurements when I went to each store.  But the one I choose to go with will subtract the "measurement" fee if I choose to go with them.

Once that is done, then the carpet will be ordered.  Which they said can take up to two weeks.  Once it arrives, then the installers will arrange a time to come out and install the carpet.  Then I can start putting my "Man Cave" back together.

I went ahead and ordered the materials to reduce my cable bill.  I ordered a cable modem to replace the one I am currently "renting".  That alone will reduce my bill by $8.00 per month.

Next I ordered a Bluetooth gateway to replace my cable phone.  The way it works, it connects to my existing house phone system and allows me to use my wife's and my cell phone as the phone line.  We will be able to receive and make phone calls from our cell phones through the house phones.  That will save me about $35.00 per month.

And finally, I ordered an HDTV antenna along with all the parts necessary to make it work.  That will reduce my monthly cable bill by $140.50 per month.

The only thing left at that point will be my internet service.  And I will eliminate that when a new provider installs their equipment in my neighborhood which is scheduled for this October.  Bye bye Comcast!

Ken

It's a stressful process but I'm glad to see you're making headway, Ken. You stirred some interesting questions:

• Your cable company will allow you to use your own cable modem?
• Using your bluetooth setup, you will only be able to use your cell phones through it when your're at home?
• Your HDTV antenna - you have wireless TV's, or antenna adapters?
• You're eliminating your internet service? Or do you mean you're eliminating Comcast and replacing it with another service?

Russ 

 

If I understand correctly, the house phones would act as an extension of the cell phone? You'll have to let me know how that works out.

Also, just an FYI Russ, I get over the air reception of HDTV through a standard antennae and wiring. The big TV (tube) can only process the standard digital signal with the low resolution picture, but it will tune in all the channels. My little TV in the man cave is a 19" class HDTV, (Flat screen) with the wide screen picture and high def signal. No special equipment needed unless you have a television that is unable to tune the digital signal.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Yes you are correct on all counts!

Ken