Category: Self Reliance
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Nieuport 24Bis – Part Two – French Silver-Grey
The colour that never stops giving. Or changing, for that matter. The FS-G pot is a standard GSI Creos bottle that possibly started life as a silver. But at some stage of the game a colour call-out asked for a duller shade and some black or grey was dropped into it. Then it got too…
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A Good Day’s Modelling
A good day’s modelling can be a surprisingly limited affair – producing only a few components for a larger model, or only a few steps in an assembly sequence. We all like progress, and rapid progress if possible, but we should also recognise when the little thongs are rewarding. A day spent making the crew…
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Making A Hobby Out Of A Job
It’s generally the other way round, isn’t it. People go along loving something they do for themselves and then someone suggests money should be made from it. The hobby becomes a side-hustle, and then a venture, and then a full-blown job. Eventually it palls and the former enthusiast comes to hate it. So they take…
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” Your Thing Is Too Long “
Say what? Oh, you mean my weblog post is too long. It goes past the limits of your patience and vocabulary and you flick away. Well flick off, by all means – this column is for the grown-ups. It is for the people who can spend day, weeks, and months on scale model kits –…
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Risk Management In Scale Modelling
The Amalgamated Fireproof Insurance Company Pty Ltd asked me to write this to help prevent modelling disasters that they might have to pay for. The risks they don’t cover – well, knock yourself out. a. Don’t model drunk. Little knives and spray guns become a lot more fun when you’re schickered, but you’ll regret it…
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General Dynamics F111 – Part Two – Library Day
Every fortnight I repair to the Cambridge Library in Floreat for an afternoon of modelling, coffee, and chocolate biscuits. As it is a public place there is no booze allowed, and I drive home clear-headed. Except if there has been a lot of cementing and painting. Fortunately 1/144 involves very little of either and the…
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The Empty Paint Bottle
In scale modelling an empty bottle that once held paint can be many things; a halt to the project, a nuisance, an additional expense…or a trophy of great significance. It indicates that you used the contents and were able to get full value. If it was half-full of sludge or dried pigment it would be…
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Bristol Type 130 Bombay – Part Three – Is It Mistrust Or Distrust?
The dictionary isn’t clear on the distinction. Either way, when I look at the design of some kits – particularly the butt joint of a thin horizontal stabiliser – I start to get sceptical. My experience of adhesives tells me that there are all too many instances when they don’t. I would not ask long…
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Get Right Back On The Horse
The iron rule of horse riding is that, after a fall that has not killed you, you get right back on the horse. This has the effect of showing your moxie to the other riders, quelling your fears, and giving you a chance to show the horse that you mean to be the master or…
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Mig 23 Flogger – Part Two – Homeland Defender
I have gotten jaded in my old age – the effect of having internet images to turn to. I no longer follow the maker’s colour call out slavishly if there is another scheme that attracts the eye. The fact that the decals may not be exactly right is of little consequence. Don’t judge me. Thus…
The Little World 