We have had some weather here, but nothing like you Ken. We had a couple of inches of snow and our low is expected to drop to about 11 tonight. The big concern for now, is some of the river basins have a higher than normal snowpack. The South Platte basin alone is at 145% of normal. Authorities are already releasing water from some reservoirs  in anticipation of possible flooding, esp. if we have an early thaw or a wet spring. Or both! I would hate to see that as some of the the towns hit so hard by last years floods are far from recovered. Major roads have been reopened, but smaller side roads will need to be taken care of, probably into summer.

The worst year we had was where we had something like 10 weeks of nothing but snow. It snowed every weekend like clockwork and never got above freezing in between. They quickly ran out of places to put the snow, often commandeering parking lots and empty lots anywhere they could. Streets remained snowpacked and rough.

The City Of Denver had a large unused lot near the old airport where they piled a lot of snow. This thing was a massive dirty black mountain (didn't look like snow) that took until almost the end of June to melt! The small lake it left behind was no less attractive.

Looking at the weather records, I think this was about March of 2003 where we had something around 35 inches of snow.

Brrrr! Come down to Florida, Ken! It's about 75 today with bright sunshine and a light breeze. I think our temp average for this winter so far is around 70.

I'll keep the coffee on (iced coffee, that is... )

Russ 

By the way, I forgot to mention that we are currently under a "Winter Storm Warning" again!  They are predicting between 7 to 10 inches of snow.  Then we will be back to the below zero temperatures (again!).  This week we have had lows right at zero every night except for last night.  (It always warms up for the massive storms.)  This coupled with the wind the wind chill was around 24 degrees below zero.

Really, really, really tired of snow and cold!  And they are also predicting that the month of March will be below normal temperatures with massive snow events!

I think they also said with the snow that is predicted for tonight and tomorrow, this will make it the snowiest winter ever here in Lafayette Indiana since they have been keeping records.

Ken

Hi Everyone!

I apologize for not posting anything yesterday.  I was busy making some extra cash by working on someone's computer.  And today I am working on another one.  (I have to support my model habit!    )

Hopefully I will get a chance to sit at my workbench this evening.

Ken

Hi Everyone!

Once again not much progress tonight.  I bent the photo etch around on the A-1C gunsight and glued it down.  To hold it in place while the glue sets, I used a clothes pin.

 Ken

Jim: I know what you mean. I've had my airbrush down at times waiting for parts and everything bottlenecks right there. Good luck with getting a replacement.

Ken: Wow, the gunsight looks just as good as the seat!

jimbot58

It's all looking good Ken!

I don't seem to be getting anywhere this week. First all the issues with the Voodoo. I decided to move forward with one of the other kits-I still have the cockpit parts ready. I cut some parts loose from their sprues so I could begin cementing but then discovered that my touch-n-flow solvent cement dispenser has become hopelessly clogged!

I am totally addicted to using this tool for assembly, and I can't get by without it. So it looks like building is off until this weekend, as the hobbyshop is only open the same hours I work! I used to have 3 of them, but dropped one and broke it and the other got clogged as well. Sometimes I can clear the tip by heating it, but that didn't work this time.

Guess I could finish those details on the Growler for now.

Jim

That is a bummer Jim.  I know how disappointing that must be.  But you do have the Growler to look forward to finishing.  You are so close!   

Ken

It's all looking good Ken!

I don't seem to be getting anywhere this week. First all the issues with the Voodoo. I decided to move forward with one of the other kits-I still have the cockpit parts ready. I cut some parts loose from their sprues so I could begin cementing but then discovered that my touch-n-flow solvent cement dispenser has become hopelessly clogged!

I am totally addicted to using this tool for assembly, and I can't get by without it. So it looks like building is off until this weekend, as the hobbyshop is only open the same hours I work! I used to have 3 of them, but dropped one and broke it and the other got clogged as well. Sometimes I can clear the tip by heating it, but that didn't work this time.

Guess I could finish those details on the Growler for now.

Jim

Hi Everyone,

Not much progress to show tonight.  I spent a good while researching the A-1C gunsight.  Couldn't find any better pictures than what I already had, so I will have to do with what I got.  I did glue one end of a strip of photo etch to the gunsight.  When it is dry tomorrow I will bend it around the resin and glue the other end down.

Ken

jimbot58

Well, I seem to  have made a mess of the Voodoo. Trying to follow the vague instructions has finally tripped me up! I cemented the front landing gear assembly in backwards to where the gear would swing open towards the nose of the aircraft, and not the other way.

I did too good of a job cementing it all in place, and don't think I could remove it without destroying the aircraft.

I have two choices:

I can make another attempt with one of the other kits and chalk this one up as a learning experience....

Or pick another project.

I'll have to consider this.

On a positive note, the "new" Firefox seems to be allowing necessary scripts to load now and I can again post replies in it, without going to IE.

Jim

Hi Jim,

That is sad news friend.  Shame on Revell not to give you better instructions!  I would have expected better than that.  I hope you can get it sorted out.

Ken

Well, I seem to  have made a mess of the Voodoo. Trying to follow the vague instructions has finally tripped me up! I cemented the front landing gear assembly in backwards to where the gear would swing open towards the nose of the aircraft, and not the other way.

I did too good of a job cementing it all in place, and don't think I could remove it without destroying the aircraft.

I have two choices:

I can make another attempt with one of the other kits and chalk this one up as a learning experience....

Or pick another project.

I'll have to consider this.

On a positive note, the "new" Firefox seems to be allowing necessary scripts to load now and I can again post replies in it, without going to IE.

Jim

Hi Everyone!

Tonight I worked some more on the Hoosier Hotshot's front instrument panel.  It is real close to being finished.  After the paint dries I will add Future to the last dial I finished tonight and it will be done.

Hey Mike, I don't know how much of a pepper head you are, but have you ever heard of the "Carolina Reaper"?  It is supposed to be the world's current hottest pepper!  It is rated at a maximum of 2,200,000 Scoville units!  The regular habanero is rated at a maximum 350,000 Scoville units.  The regular jalapeno is rated at a maximum of 10,000 Scoville units.

Anyway I just ordered a pack of Carolina Reaper seeds.  We will see how bad this bad boy is!

Ken

Hi Everyone,

I touched up the ejection seat a little tonight:

Ken 

Hi Everyone!

I didn't like the quality of the badge so I improved them.  The updated versions are on page 1.

Ken

jelliott523

So, I got started on my F-4G project for the build.  I've sorted through my kit to make sure all parts are there, only to discover that half of the fuselage is damaged.  Part of the center divider for the cockpit was broken off and missing from the package.  I have contacted Hasegawa US and they said they will send me out a replacement; however, it will take 4 to 6 weeks for delivery since they have to order it directly from Japan.

In the meantime, this will give me ample opportunity to go very slow with the construction of the cockpit details and work on panel lines and the removal of the features that are molded into the HSGWA F-4 that do not belong on the "G" model.

That is a bummer about your kit!    But good to hear that Hasegawa will make good on the parts!  I don't know if you know, but the F-4 was Berny's (the person this group build is honoring) favorite plane.  If you search this website I am sure you will find a lot of postings he made about the F-4.

I do remember him saying that the Hasegawa kits of the F-4 were the best ones for 1/48 scale.  Even if you do have to make modifications for the Wild Weasel version.

Ken

Gamera

Ken: Looks good again! Keep us posted on printing your own decals, some of the guys in our club do it but I haven't tried it yet.

Jim: I know what you mean, had to rip a wing I'd cemented together apart last week since it dried crooked. You'd think the instructions would be a little clearer in your case though.

And thanks for the head's up on Firefox, this is going to be fun. I was gone most of Sat. and my blasted ISP was down again Sun. night so I missed out on all the excitement.

Thank you Cliff for the compliments.  And I will be posting the results of those decals.

Ken

So, I got started on my F-4G project for the build.  I've sorted through my kit to make sure all parts are there, only to discover that half of the fuselage is damaged.  Part of the center divider for the cockpit was broken off and missing from the package.  I have contacted Hasegawa US and they said they will send me out a replacement; however, it will take 4 to 6 weeks for delivery since they have to order it directly from Japan.

In the meantime, this will give me ample opportunity to go very slow with the construction of the cockpit details and work on panel lines and the removal of the features that are molded into the HSGWA F-4 that do not belong on the "G" model.

Ken: Looks good again! Keep us posted on printing your own decals, some of the guys in our club do it but I haven't tried it yet.

Jim: I know what you mean, had to rip a wing I'd cemented together apart last week since it dried crooked. You'd think the instructions would be a little clearer in your case though.

And thanks for the head's up on Firefox, this is going to be fun. I was gone most of Sat. and my blasted ISP was down again Sun. night so I missed out on all the excitement.

jimbot58

Hi gang.

Sorry I've been quiet lately, just a lots of things on my mind.

The latest update to Firefox leaves me unable to post here, so now I have to use IE. I had to update the compatibility settings to get it to work as well. I have been a supporter of Firefox all the way back to version 3.1 or so, and even Netscape. Now it's just annoying as hell as we are up to version 27!

I've done a little work here and there on the models. Still got a few details to finish out the Growler.

Here I give a test of my cameras macro feature- this blade antenna is only about a quarter inch tall-there are a total of 4 to do.

(I am now finding Photobucket is not working correctly in Firefox as well- some of the scripts are just not working. I hope they come up with a fix very quickly. Their website suggests clearing cookies and history- I don't believe that's the problem!)

1 of 3 mirrors inside the canopy-

I am finding that the Voodoo is becoming a bit of a pain. No clear locaters for the instrument panels so I have no choice but to  install the cockpit tub in place to figure out their correct placement. It is inserted from below after the two fuselage halves are joined- unfortunately, the front landing gear bay has to be assembled before the halves are joined. The bay has the doors already attached so it is trapped between the two fuselage halves when cemented together. The instructions were too vague and I made the mistake of cementing up the bay and then realizing the gear and parts were to be installed as the sides and bottom (top) of the bay went together- I had to break apart a section of the bay to get them into place-

 

Not the best picture but I hope it gives you the idea.

Jim 

Great work once again Jim!  How you manage to do it in 1/72 scale is amazing.     

That seems like a strange way of fitting the instrument panel.  I thought Revell did a better job than that on engineering.  That would be a pain to deal with.

Ken

Hi gang.

Sorry I've been quiet lately, just a lots of things on my mind.

The latest update to Firefox leaves me unable to post here, so now I have to use IE. I had to update the compatibility settings to get it to work as well. I have been a supporter of Firefox all the way back to version 3.1 or so, and even Netscape. Now it's just annoying as hell as we are up to version 27!

I've done a little work here and there on the models. Still got a few details to finish out the Growler.

Here I give a test of my cameras macro feature- this blade antenna is only about a quarter inch tall-there are a total of 4 to do.

(I am now finding Photobucket is not working correctly in Firefox as well- some of the scripts are just not working. I hope they come up with a fix very quickly. Their website suggests clearing cookies and history- I don't believe that's the problem!)

1 of 3 mirrors inside the canopy-

I am finding that the Voodoo is becoming a bit of a pain. No clear locaters for the instrument panels so I have no choice but to  install the cockpit tub in place to figure out their correct placement. It is inserted from below after the two fuselage halves are joined- unfortunately, the front landing gear bay has to be assembled before the halves are joined. The bay has the doors already attached so it is trapped between the two fuselage halves when cemented together. The instructions were too vague and I made the mistake of cementing up the bay and then realizing the gear and parts were to be installed as the sides and bottom (top) of the bay went together- I had to break apart a section of the bay to get them into place-

Not the best picture but I hope it gives you the idea.

Jim 

Hi Everyone,

Spent most of today working on the F-84E "Hoosier Hotshot".  I am getting very close to being finished with detailing the resin parts of the cockpit:

There is an armor shield that goes in right behind the pilot's head and shoulders.  It attaches to the canopy along with some electronics.  There is some rather large stenciling on it that is not included on the decal sheet.  So I have ordered some clear blank decal sheets and I will print them myself.  This will be my first time doing this so we will see how that turns out! 

Ken

Hi Everyone!

I spent most of the day working on the F-84E "Hoosier Hotshot".  Though a majority of it was doing research.  I decided I did not like the throttle control that came with the resin cockpit.  I think I can make a better one from scratch.  So I ordered some styrene stock of appropriate sizes.

I did get some work done on the cockpit though.  Here is how it looks tonight:

Ken 

Happy Birthday Berny!   

This group build is now officially underway!

Ken

Okay folks, tomorrow is the big day!  Berny's birthday!  I hope to see everyone tomorrow!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

Tomorrow is the big day!  I hope everyone is fired up!

Ken

I have been looking at the wrong date.  The build starts this Saturday.  Sorry about the confusion!

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Tomorrow is the big day!  I hope everyone is fired up!

Ken

It is time to fire them engines up!  Only two more days!

Ken

Hi Everyone,

The clock is winding down.  Only three more days!

Ken

We are getting closer.  Only 5 more days!

Ken

We are getting closer now.  Just six more days until we start!   

Ken