Gamera

Glad to see you made it home fine Jim. We ended up getting about six inches of snow overnight but it's supposed to hit about 40F/ 4.5C today though the weekend so hopefully it won't stick around too long.

I primed the Hellcat last weekend but it dried kinda on the rough side so I sanded her down with some fine grit sandpaper last night. Hopefully I'll get to painting her soon. I was going to road-trip with some guys from our club to a IPMS show this Saturday but we'll have to see what the weather does.

Anyway here's the Wildcat- still lacking those two friggin' decals... 

I think the Hellcat looks great!

I too, also get the gritty finish when I spray flats. I don't know what paint you are using, I use MM paints. I read of a builder (in FSM I believe) who buffs his flat paint smooth. Don't recall what he used, but I decided to try it with my usual Colgate cavity preventive toothpaste (white stuff - no gels) and an old t-shirt to buff the paint. I allowed the paint to cure for several days and then buffed it out. The finish ended up very smooth, but still looked flat. In fact, I thought it looked more true-to-scale. I also find my gloss went on easier as it didn't have to try and level itself over the grainy finish.

I of coarse rinsed and scrubed it down with a soft brush before going forward.

The author claimed he put decals down over this, but I wasn't sure, so I used a clear gloss anyway.

I've only tried this on the A-10 so far, so I wouldn't call it a tried-and-true method yet.

I should also mention that I had to be very careful of edges and raised detail, as I buffed through the paint to the bare plastic. Some touch up was called for.

Jim

Thanks for the advice Jim. I was using Alclad white primer here and I think I was spraying it from too far away so the paint was slightly dried when it hit the model. I just hit it with a bit of fine grade sandpaper and it's smooth as silk now.

I saw a demo a show a few years ago with a guy who claims he never sprays gloss varnish on before decaling. He just buffs the flat paint to a semigloss and then puts the decals down on that. I keep meaning to give it a try since his results looked fantastic.

Well, another truly wondrous day! Briefly: snowy commute to work was horrible, very busy hectic day, migraine  that the aftereffects are going to linger into tomorrow, lost my phone somewhere in the warehouse (calling it didn't work, which tells me it's either broken or in a place that the network won't connect) nearly 2 hours in the Verizon store buying a replacement (of course I didn't have insurance!) There were several families ahead of me who were buying phones and tablets for the whole gang! I had no choice but to wait as I have to have a phone! It was nearly 45 minutes after they closed before I got out of the door!

Also sad at the passing of Leonard Nimoy. So many of the old Star Trek gang are gone now, including Deforest Kelly, James Doohan, Majel Barret, and of course Gene Roddenberry!

Well, still not feeling well, so off to bed!

Jim

Hello friends!

I wanted to start this morning by announcing that my morning weigh-in 2 days in a row has me under the 300 pound mark, so I am making it official as a loss of 25 pounds!! (So far!) Woo-Hoo ! 

Don't mean to go on and on about it, but I am trying to encourage myself to continue this direction! At times I feel like I'm trying to kick a drug addiction, or quitting smoking all over again! Even now, I have this impulse I'm fighting to get up and root around the fridge for something to eat. 

My goal when I started was just to lose weight, but now I would like to see if I can at least return to the 250 mark! That's where I was many years ago when I was biking a lot, and belonged to a gym. My knees, though not 100% feel much better and I am considering digging the bike out for spring!

On to other things:

I did manage some time in on the A-10 last night, adding more decals and painting on the landing gear and doors.

The one in the upper left is actually a 3 part decal. I'm going to add the 3rd sometime today.

Still so much to do on what was originally an out of box build!

Well, yesterday I was a bit out of it as I was still feeling the after effects of the migraine Friday, and today I start with another one! I am loading up on caffeine to combat it.

Lastly, I wish to say that I am the Papa of 6 new additions to my home! I got some fish for the recently re-vamped fish tank, though I am dismayed at today's prices! 22 bucks for 6 tiny fish too small to even eat for a snack!

Well, in the mean time, maybe I can get another walk in before the next round of snow hits sometime today!

Jim

Hey Jim, hope you're feeling better soon, and congrads on losing the weight. And congrads on the new fish! The A-10 is coming together quite well.

Not much done here, went to a show yesterday and managed to win a 2nd and 3rd place. And found this electronic P-40. I had one as a kid back in the early '80s - it had a small electric motor to spin the prop and the guns lit up with a push button. Gosh I wore the darn thing out from 'flying' it around the house and yard. I still have most of the parts but still very happy to find another kit!

Gamera

Lol Ken thanks but that's the Wildcat- I lost the two small '2's that go on each side of the cowling. I found some in the spare decal drawer but nothing quite the same. If I don't find them soon I'm going to assume I threw them out with the used scraps of decal paper and just go ahead and improvise.

The Hellcat is still in white primer. Hopefully I'll get the white belly painted sometime soon.

Sorry about that Cliff.  It does look like the wings are low like the Hellcat in that picture.

Ken

jimbot58

Hello friends!

I wanted to start this morning by announcing that my morning weigh-in 2 days in a row has me under the 300 pound mark, so I am making it official as a loss of 25 pounds!! (So far!) Woo-Hoo ! 

Don't mean to go on and on about it, but I am trying to encourage myself to continue this direction! At times I feel like I'm trying to kick a drug addiction, or quitting smoking all over again! Even now, I have this impulse I'm fighting to get up and root around the fridge for something to eat. 

My goal when I started was just to lose weight, but now I would like to see if I can at least return to the 250 mark! That's where I was many years ago when I was biking a lot, and belonged to a gym. My knees, though not 100% feel much better and I am considering digging the bike out for spring!

On to other things:

I did manage some time in on the A-10 last night, adding more decals and painting on the landing gear and doors.

The one in the upper left is actually a 3 part decal. I'm going to add the 3rd sometime today.

Still so much to do on what was originally an out of box build!

Well, yesterday I was a bit out of it as I was still feeling the after effects of the migraine Friday, and today I start with another one! I am loading up on caffeine to combat it.

Lastly, I wish to say that I am the Papa of 6 new additions to my home! I got some fish for the recently re-vamped fish tank, though I am dismayed at today's prices! 22 bucks for 6 tiny fish too small to even eat for a snack!

Well, in the mean time, maybe I can get another walk in before the next round of snow hits sometime today!

Jim

Way too cool about the weight loss Jim!  Congratulations!  I just weighed myself and as of this morning I too have lost 25 pounds!  I am exercising at lunch time then hit the swimming pool after work.

Great job on the decals!  They look good!     

Ken

Gamera

Hey Jim, hope you're feeling better soon, and congrads on losing the weight. And congrads on the new fish! The A-10 is coming together quite well.

Not much done here, went to a show yesterday and managed to win a 2nd and 3rd place. And found this electronic P-40. I had one as a kid back in the early '80s - it had a small electric motor to spin the prop and the guns lit up with a push button. Gosh I wore the darn thing out from 'flying' it around the house and yard. I still have most of the parts but still very happy to find another kit!

Congratulations on the placement in the contest!!!  Way too cool.  And also great score on that kit!!

Ken

Congrats on the weight, hang in there.  Wife lost 187 lbs with change in diet over 2 1/2 years, long ago, and diabetic.  I'm trying to get rid of the 30 I put on after heart issues 4 years ago.  Put it on at 10 a year for the first 3 and can't get it off, but my exercise and walking is next to nil due to the issues.

Nice job on the decals.  She is getting there.

Well I started the Indy last week and totally forgot that it was part of this build, so to remedy that, I'll catch y'all up. Here's a pic of the bagged parts, I went ahead and purchased a PE kit ($40, ouch, almost he price of the kit) and I'm am going to populate the decks with wee little PE sailors. Since they are flat and 2D, I'm going to apply a touch of white glue to add a little depth, I hope I don't end up with a bunch of fat little sailors. I also plan on displaying it in moderate to heavy seas, and 1945 measure 22 paint referencing the "Camouflage Instructions - Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, Destroyer Escorts, Assigned to the Pacific Fleet." C-S19-7(631) of 26 February, 1945.).
I was thinking about placing 2 torpedo wakes heading for the starboard bow, but thought better of it. This is supposed to be an honor to the ship, not a time freeze just prior to it's horrific demise. 

Next day's post.

I have the hull together and the deck on. Tonight I'll spray the deck color, according to the 1945 Measure 22 stats "Apply Deck Gray (20) to decks and other horizontal surfaces exposed to weather.". 
I am pleased with the look and the fit of the kit so far. It has been outstanding.
The kit is longer that I had expected. You see it pictured on a TV tray.
I an waiting for the PE set to arrive from Australia, and getting the house ready to go on the market tomorrow, I will continue to work on her later this week .

 Steve

Ship camouflage 1941 - 1945

Looks pretty neat Steve, always wanted to do a ship model but keep being scared off by the sheer number of tiny parts.

Gamera

always wanted to do a ship model but keep being scared off by the sheer number number of tiny parts

Yeah, there are a few. It's the repetition of AA guns that get monotonous.
I envision her looking something like these ships built by Kostas Katseas when I'm done.

Roma                                                       Sharnhorst

modelcrazy

Well I started the Indy last week and totally forgot that it was part of this build, so to remedy that, I'll catch y'all up. Here's a pic of the bagged parts, I went ahead and purchased a PE kit ($40, ouch, almost he price of the kit) and I'm am going to populate the decks with wee little PE sailors. Since they are flat and 2D, I'm going to apply a touch of white glue to add a little depth, I hope I don't end up with a bunch of fat little sailors. I also plan on displaying it in moderate to heavy seas, and 1945 measure 22 paint referencing the "Camouflage Instructions - Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, Destroyer Escorts, Assigned to the Pacific Fleet." C-S19-7(631) of 26 February, 1945.).
I was thinking about placing 2 torpedo wakes heading for the starboard bow, but thought better of it. This is supposed to be an honor to the ship, not a time freeze just prior to it's horrific demise. 

Next day's post.

I have the hull together and the deck on. Tonight I'll spray the deck color, according to the 1945 Measure 22 stats "Apply Deck Gray (20) to decks and other horizontal surfaces exposed to weather.". 
I am pleased with the look and the fit of the kit so far. It has been outstanding.
The kit is longer that I had expected. You see it pictured on a TV tray.
I an waiting for the PE set to arrive from Australia, and getting the house ready to go on the market tomorrow, I will continue to work on her later this week .

 Steve

Ship camouflage 1941 - 1945

Hey Steve,

That looks like a massive project!  I agree with Cliff, too many small parts for me.  But I am sure it will fantastic when you get her finished!

Ken

Those are awesome Steve! I guess actually it's not really the many plastic small parts that put me off as much as it seems you have to add a pile of PE like railings etc to a ship model these days just to get her up to snuff.

Yeah, I bit the bullet and ordered a PE set for $40, which was the best price I could find for the "medium" set. Unfortunately, it is coming from Australia, so it may take a couple of weeks.

The kit' did't come with rails and the plastic Radar, cranes and catapults just didn't look good. Oh well, I really want to do a good job, and I have a year. Besides, my wife won't complain that I built this kit too fast.

I remember building Revell's USS Missouri when I was a lad. I think it was a fairly simple kit, even for a 12 year old.

modelcrazy

Yeah, I bit the bullet and ordered a PE set for $40, which was the best price I could find for the "medium" set. Unfortunately, it is coming from Australia, so it may take a couple of weeks.

The kit' did't come with rails and the plastic Radar, cranes and catapults just didn't look good. Oh well, I really want to do a good job, and I have a year. Besides, my wife won't complain that I built this kit too fast.

Sounds like a lot of work, but I am sure it will make a big difference on how it looks.

Ken

jimbot58

I remember building Revell's USS Missouri when I was a lad. I think it was a fairly simple kit, even for a 12 year old.

I don't remember all of the kits I built as a kid.  I may have built a battleship, just don't remember.  I do remember building a huge submarine.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

I remember building Revell's USS Missouri when I was a lad. I think it was a fairly simple kit, even for a 12 year old.

I don't remember all of the kits I built as a kid.  I may have built a battleship, just don't remember.  I do remember building a huge submarine.

Ken

Hmmmmm, I walked around on the USS Wisconsin a year ago- I believe she's the same class as the Missouri. Only battleship I ever built was HMS Hood (motorized), I did the USS Yorktown (not-motorized), a Lindberg minesweeper (motorized), and U-boat from some Japanese company with a motor and 'diving action'. It was sealed up and watertight and everything. 

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

I remember building Revell's USS Missouri when I was a lad. I think it was a fairly simple kit, even for a 12 year old.

I don't remember all of the kits I built as a kid.  I may have built a battleship, just don't remember.  I do remember building a huge submarine.

Ken

I remember that one as it sat on a shelf for years in the basement. I also remember a carrier, but not much about it other than it was an earlier one before the angled decks were used. Something from the WWII era.

I have been blessed (or cursed) with a fairly decent memory, I guess.

Jim

Well gang, today has been a day...

First, I took a half day to go and speak with my attorney to see just where I stood with what needed to be done and where I stood with my sister. Without going into all the details, I found that things aren't nearly as hopeless as I had thought and there is really not a whole lot that needs to be done! I was very much relieved and reassured!

When I got to work, I was informed by a coworker that my missing phone had been located!

However.........

My hope was that I could remove the MicroSD card and save the photos. Unfortunately, the card was cracked in half and unusable. There were photos on it of Mom and the little dog i had to put down, and I regret losing those.

There are some things that do bother me about this: The damage seems very severe for even a forklift accident, and why was it found in a trash can? I don't suspect the guy who found it. If he had been the one who did it, he could very well have seen to it that it was never was found.

However it happened, two things are clear: this person is a coward for either a deliberate act or or someone afraid to admit an accident. The other thing is they can't be too bright! If I tried to cover up something like this - you can bet this thing would have never seen light again!

Jim

jimbot58

Well gang, today has been a day...

First, I took a half day to go and speak with my attorney to see just where I stood with what needed to be done and where I stood with my sister. Without going into all the details, I found that things aren't nearly as hopeless as I had thought and there is really not a whole lot that needs to be done! I was very much relieved and reassured!

When I got to work, I was informed by a coworker that my missing phone had been located!

However.........

My hope was that I could remove the MicroSD card and save the photos. Unfortunately, the card was cracked in half and unusable. There were photos on it of Mom and the little dog i had to put down, and I regret losing those.

There are some things that do bother me about this: The damage seems very severe for even a forklift accident, and why was it found in a trash can? I don't suspect the guy who found it. If he had been the one who did it, he could very well have seen to it that it was never was found.

However it happened, two things are clear: this person is a coward for either a deliberate act or or someone afraid to admit an accident. The other thing is they can't be too bright! If I tried to cover up something like this - you can bet this thing would have never seen light again!

Jim

Hi Jim,

Good to hear that you are all square on anything to do with your sister.  Reassurance is a good thing.

Sad to hear about you losing those pictures.  Sounds very suspicious about how the phone got crushed.  Does your facility have any security cameras?

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

Well gang, today has been a day...

First, I took a half day to go and speak with my attorney to see just where I stood with what needed to be done and where I stood with my sister. Without going into all the details, I found that things aren't nearly as hopeless as I had thought and there is really not a whole lot that needs to be done! I was very much relieved and reassured!

When I got to work, I was informed by a coworker that my missing phone had been located!

However.........

My hope was that I could remove the MicroSD card and save the photos. Unfortunately, the card was cracked in half and unusable. There were photos on it of Mom and the little dog i had to put down, and I regret losing those.

There are some things that do bother me about this: The damage seems very severe for even a forklift accident, and why was it found in a trash can? I don't suspect the guy who found it. If he had been the one who did it, he could very well have seen to it that it was never was found.

However it happened, two things are clear: this person is a coward for either a deliberate act or or someone afraid to admit an accident. The other thing is they can't be too bright! If I tried to cover up something like this - you can bet this thing would have never seen light again!

Jim

Hi Jim,

Good to hear that you are all square on anything to do with your sister.  Reassurance is a good thing.

Sad to hear about you losing those pictures.  Sounds very suspicious about how the phone got crushed.  Does your facility have any security cameras?

Ken

They do Ken, but only Sr. management has access to them. My concern is that I don't have much to go on here and if I go to them with my suspicions and I'm wrong, then what do I create? I think for now, I just need to be careful and watch my back, in case I do have someone who bears ill will towards me.....

Jim

Well at least that's good news from your attorney, hopefully this nightmare is coming to an end.

Sucks about your phone and the photos on it though. Reminds me I really need to back up mine. Guess the culprit could have done it on purpose, I'm just wondering if it was some clod who ran over it by accident and just tossed it in the trash because he just didn't give a @##@. As the saying goes don't attribute sometime to malice when it can be explained away with plain outright stupidity.    

Ken,

Put me down for a Monogram 1/32 Panzer IV.

Gamera

Well at least that's good news from your attorney, hopefully this nightmare is coming to an end.

Sucks about your phone and the photos on it though. Reminds me I really need to back up mine. Guess the culprit could have done it on purpose, I'm just wondering if it was some clod who ran over it by accident and just tossed it in the trash because he just didn't give a @##@. As the saying goes don't attribute sometime to malice when it can be explained away with plain outright stupidity.    

I do now have a witness to what happened to the phone - it was an accident, but the person who did it remarked to my customer, "I don't care, as long as it wasn't mine!". I understand it was an accident, but the callousness of this person galls me! This person no doubt saw me that evening as I searched the area in vain for it.

I bear no ill feeling towards this person for the incident, as I was the one who dropped it through my own carelessness! I'm just disappointed that when you work with a crew of less than a dozen people, you would hope there would be some sense of comradeship or something. I know in reality, that most people would rather twist that knife in your back, but still you always hope.

 You would hope for the same from your real family, but you know how I feel about that... but I won't go there!

Jim

Nomad53

Ken,

Put me down for a Monogram 1/32 Panzer IV.

Interesting scale as 1/35 is more common. Be interesting to see it come together!

Jim

Nomad53

Ken,

Put me down for a Monogram 1/32 Panzer IV.

Welcome aboard Nomad!    The roster has been updated.

Ken

jimbot58

Gamera

Well at least that's good news from your attorney, hopefully this nightmare is coming to an end.

Sucks about your phone and the photos on it though. Reminds me I really need to back up mine. Guess the culprit could have done it on purpose, I'm just wondering if it was some clod who ran over it by accident and just tossed it in the trash because he just didn't give a @##@. As the saying goes don't attribute sometime to malice when it can be explained away with plain outright stupidity.    

I do now have a witness to what happened to the phone - it was an accident, but the person who did it remarked to my customer, "I don't care, as long as it wasn't mine!". I understand it was an accident, but the callousness of this person galls me! This person no doubt saw me that evening as I searched the area in vain for it.

I bear no ill feeling towards this person for the incident, as I was the one who dropped it through my own carelessness! I'm just disappointed that when you work with a crew of less than a dozen people, you would hope there would be some sense of comradeship or something. I know in reality, that most people would rather twist that knife in your back, but still you always hope.

 You would hope for the same from your real family, but you know how I feel about that... but I won't go there!

Jim

Hi Jim,

Yes, that is sad.  Just like you said, it was an accident, but it would have been nice if the person showed some remorse for what had happened.  But at least the mystery is solved on what really happened.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

Gamera

Well at least that's good news from your attorney, hopefully this nightmare is coming to an end.

Sucks about your phone and the photos on it though. Reminds me I really need to back up mine. Guess the culprit could have done it on purpose, I'm just wondering if it was some clod who ran over it by accident and just tossed it in the trash because he just didn't give a @##@. As the saying goes don't attribute sometime to malice when it can be explained away with plain outright stupidity.    

I do now have a witness to what happened to the phone - it was an accident, but the person who did it remarked to my customer, "I don't care, as long as it wasn't mine!". I understand it was an accident, but the callousness of this person galls me! This person no doubt saw me that evening as I searched the area in vain for it.

I bear no ill feeling towards this person for the incident, as I was the one who dropped it through my own carelessness! I'm just disappointed that when you work with a crew of less than a dozen people, you would hope there would be some sense of comradeship or something. I know in reality, that most people would rather twist that knife in your back, but still you always hope.

 You would hope for the same from your real family, but you know how I feel about that... but I won't go there!

Jim

Hi Jim,

Yes, that is sad.  Just like you said, it was an accident, but it would have been nice if the person showed some remorse for what had happened.  But at least the mystery is solved on what really happened.

Ken

Agreed!

Well, today I have the usual housework to catch-up on and I also plan to take the computer off line for a bit to perform some minor upgrades! That new DVD writer is going to work much better inside the tower rather than sitting on top of the desk where it's been sitting for weeks. Not sure why I needed a second one other than it was on sale..... (isn't that what a spouse would say when explaining a new coat or shoes?)

Maybe this evening I can finally get back to the hobby desk! Those decals are getting so close on the A-10!

Jim