Category: Uncategorized
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The Stash – Part Two – When The Time Comes…
Ah, but when does the time come? Answer me that… If we admit first off that we have a stash of unbuilt models we can proceed. The model stash may be actual kits, homebuilt kits, scratchbuild ideas, or piles of raw materials. It may contain dead models from long ago ready for revision or cheap junk…
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The Exact Thing Or Just The Thing…
If you are going to make a model of something – whether it is an aircraft, a car, a train, or a house – you are going to have to answer some unasked questions. Exactly who asks these and what your answer should be is up to you… a. Why am I building this? Dive…
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The Little Workshop – The Hanging Motor
When I was training as a dental student we encountered something in our first two weeks at university – two weeks before any other students even started – that has remained with me ever since – the hanging motor. I’d never seen one before but the utility of it became immediately evident. The motors came…
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Impatience Is Better than No Patience At All
Hurry up and read this essay – I want to get on and write more. Come on, come on…move your eyes faster…Sheesh… And get on with that model. You’ve had it for over a week and it’s still not done. The box says it’s quick to build…and who are you to make the manufacturer look…
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Was You Ever On The Congo River?
Blow, Boys, Blow!* I have just had the thrilling experience of talking with someone who has personal knowledge of RCAF Wet Dog in Alberta. It’s the closest contact I have had so far with this legendary BCATP airfield. I met the chap at the IPMEX show yesterday – the plastic modellers convention held at Cannington…
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Nakajima ‘ Kate ‘ – Part Six – Hold My Coffee…
It’s the sober version of ” Hold my beer…” but you can get into just as much trouble anyway. I have a plan. So, you’ll reflect, did Ludendorff ( and didn’t that work out well…), but I hasten to add mine is peaceful and productive. And it revolves around something that revolves around. Okay, enough preparation.…
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Nakajima ‘ Kate ‘ – Part Four – The Basic Structure
Or ” When Does An Airplane Start To Live? ‘. Okay. You’ve done the interior painting. You’ve stuck on the instrument decals. You’ve decided whether or not you’ll spend an extra month trying to put in photoetched seatbelts, pilot’s clipboards, and spare chewing gum dispenser ( US aircraft only).* Everything that could be sub-assembled and…
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Nakajima ‘ Kate ‘ – Part Three – The Sub-Assembly
I once wrote that there are always some areas of model building that are a chore – something we approach with a groan and leave with a cheer. And it’s different for each modeller. Well, the same applies to certain stages that are a real pleasure. Oddly enough, for me it is completing sub-assemblies. It’s…
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Nakajima ‘ Kate ‘ – Part Two – Realistic Manufacture
The new Airfix model kit is sitting drying in the warm workshop as I write. I’ve done the washing of the parts, scanned the decal sheet and instructions, and done a preliminary check of the parts. I’m delighted with what I’ve found. Or not found…no polyurethane blocks with miniscule parts to be sawn free and…
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If It’s Worthwhile Doing…
It’s worthwhile doing badly. Then looking at what can be improved, and doing it again. This was the unfortunate story of Ploesti, but that was also a tale of the baleful effects of listening to authority when you know you’re right. The other thing to consider is that if something is worth doing, it’s worth…
The Little World 