HubertB

In general, I would agree with you, Cees. Going for a GB that is literally coincident with a "hot" conflict is most of the time calling for trouble and political statements that should be avoided on a modelling forum. But, a lot of GB here or elsewhere have a conflict for subject, whether the conflict is 100+ years old or was only a few decades before. Pretending to avoid a GB that is triggered by a conflict seems somewhat illogical in this light. The only difference is the "hot" vs "cold" in this instance ... But, above all, we have here a country that is being dragged into an all-out war by an agressive neigbour, on spurious arguments moreover. Not everything was perfect in Ukraine in the last 30 years, especially a latent corruption that does not fit with the values of their European counterparts, and some behaviours from Ukrainians in WWII deserve scrutiny (although one could argue they were more on a revenge against the exactions of Soviet Union that killed millions of them in the 30s). They were however on a track to improve, and one would be hard-pressed to argue they wanted this war. Siding with Ukraine is a no-brainer for the vast majority of the people of the world, and for Europeans, it is also about defending values we have tried to promote for 70 years. Which is why I - but that is just my humble opinion - they deserve all the support, physical or symbolical, we can bring them. Besides our actions as citizens, a GB that puts forward the Ukrainian products and armies in these times should be just taken for what it is : a symbolic show of support to a suffering people, doing what we know to do best ... Just my Hubert

I think I have found a subject that fits the bill: 1) it’s from an Ukrainian manufacturer 2) as I did not feel like going for a foreign (read non-Ukrainian) markings subject, and wanted to avoid the AMS lock that goes very often with building an aircraft, it had to be something else than an aircraft. 3) it’s a civilian subject, and that is in line with my own obsessions. So I found this, from Miniart. It looks like the historic trams you could see in most Central and Eastern Europe, and from some pics I looked at, like some old trams in Ukrainian cities. And, even if not prototypical, I will paint it blue and yellow. Hubert

I’d have said a squadron, at least, Ernie, plus a tank brigade😁 ! May I be nitpicking and encourage you to change the title of the GB and the banner announcing it to reflect the latest rule ? Right now, my stash is a rickety pile of filmed boxes on a palet in the garage, following the move. I’ll go past my fear that everything crumbles if I touch it, and see if I can select a box that fits the bill. However, between finishing settling in a new house, going on a planned vacation in the Carribeans, and starting and following the build of a new house, and my habitual procrastination and AMS tendency, I am still doubtful I can free enough time for it 😉. Still worth kicking my a#$ around, though, because there is no worthier cause right now than supporting the people of Ukraine against an loathsome agression. Hubert

Both are actually not incompatible. Most of us have a stash, and probably all the supplies needed to go through a big portion of the said stash. So no need to spend more on modelling to participate in the GB. Anyway, I salute your generous decision Hubert

Will follow this one with interest ! great choice of kit. Vanguard is the Tamiya ( at least the latest ones) of wooden ship kits. Great research, precise engineering, and accuracy. You should really have an enjoyable time. Hubert

I just have plenty of ICM, Roden Micro Mir or Dora Wings kits in my stash, not to mention Reskit or Rexx AM. What I am missing most is the time for ANY build … Pondering this through. Hubert

So is it « All things Ukrainian GB », in which case the title and banner should be amended, or still « aircraft and armor from Ukraine » ? Hubert

I like the idea of « All things Ukrainian » better, even though, in fairness, I’d probably be unable to participate, considering my build record and foreseen activities in the coming weeks. Hubert

Previous comment removed by myself…Ernie’s comment below reminded me that I was clearly leaning on the wrong side of the rule, even if I meant to be more humorous than politic. Apologies to all. Hubert

Two Tunnans just landed on my bench, from Slovakia ... I had not realised they had such range . Not bad for a 50s vintage jet Hubert

There was a dog driving a car 😳 ? Hubert

Why Russia ? Why not just Mad Wlad and his corrupt friends, who distract Russian people by creating a propaganda war, whilst still plunging their greedy hands in the jam pot ? Hubert

AB-SO-LU-TE-LY LOVE IT ! Hubert

As usual, excellent work 🤙 ! Hubert

Got a message this morning from Jiri, apologising for the cock-up and refunding the overpaid amount. All is good for the new Fly 1/32 Sabb J-29 Hubert

Your dog’s stomach ? Hubert

If there is a kit that deserves being displayed in flight rather than with the gear down, it’s the F-22 one …. Hubert

The Saab J-29, both the B and F are available on Fly’s website. https://www.fly814.cz/1/32-2 However, there seems to be a major cockup in the ordering system, both with the VAT charged when it shouldn’t, and with the system almost trebbling the shipping costs between the order form on the site and the Paypal link for payment. Ask me how I know. Better wait that Jiri has sorted this out and refunded the sums unduly perceived before ordering. I’ll keep you posted of the status of my refund demand. Hubert

Good decision on the wires, Mike. Not only do these flat PE wires not provide any structural strength, but they also tend to react more to temperature than monofilament, and thus may sag under certain conditions. Taut monofilament is still better, if not scale accurate, IMHO. For the fine gauge you are using, only the trained nitpcking eye will see the difference anyway. I found some flat monofilament after a lengthy search, but its size make it only suitable for the largest wires of the Swordfish, and even then, it's probably toot big. Keep the great work coming Hubert

I am not using eBay that much now, mostly because my stash is more than built-up ☺️, but because international shipping costs have made the whole affait less interesting. This said, when I am bidding on an item I want, I just enter the highest price I am willing to pay, at any time in the auction, and then just let it run its course. Ebay will automatically display a higher bid until your maximum if someone else is proposing a higher price than the one currently displayed. And the first one to have proposed the same bid will win, btw. To avoid the smart a&#es that bid in the last second, I avoid bidding a round amount, and will bid with a price ending in .01, or .51 or .76, etc. If you loose to a last-minute bidding war, then, with this system, so be it. You went as far as you were ready to go. This said, I have sometimes realized I wanted an item more than I initially thought, and then placed a second, higher bid. When the max of my first bid is reached, eBay then switches to the next one. Hubert

So a vapourware company releasing a vapourware kit from another company ? What’s the launch date : April 1st ? Or simultaneously with the Trumpeter 1/32 TBD Devastator 🙃 ? Hubert

It’s amazing that kits of such price leave so much room for improvement. I used to think that Pocher were the ultimate auto kits… Not so much now … But you are making a tremendous job out of it ! Hubert

It seems like the desperate answer of an harassed boss trying to find people who want to work. The current Covid-19 breakout has a tremendous impact on the number of people allowed to work, because of the measures. I read that some 10% of the Portuguese population is asked to stay at home, either because they are infected or because they are a contact case. And, in some countries with a very developed welfare state, like France, that went overboard with the Covid issues, many people have found out they were better off staying at home than going to work. It’s particularly true for areas like restaurants or low-paid industry jobs. I have not the issue, fortunately, but many businesses I know are just desperate … Hubert

I cannot but add on to what Rob said. No primer will really adhere to the chrome. You risk some flaking of the paint very quickly. The best solution is to strip off the chrome completely (a bath in oven cleaner containing caustic sauda would do the trick), then spray everything with black (a rattle can will do well enough), mask off the rims, spray the spokes in whatever color is appropriate, and use a chrome pen for the rims afterwards. I concur on Molotov pens, but think I have seen equivalents in DYI stores. I wish you welcome here and all the best for your build. Hubert

Maybe not a big issue if this a crashed aircraft ... The engine mountings may have taken some beating and twisting in the crash process anyway, resulting in a crooked engine ... Love the detailing and finish Hubert