ScottsGT

So just an update on progress (now back to our regularly scheduled program) I leveled my bench as best as I could. Somehow either I built it with an arch in the middle, or it’s the weight of the paint booth pressing down over time. I think eventually I’ll build some adjustable feet for the jig so I don’t have to worry about the table droop. But I reset everything and this time I taped the vertical stabs in place and checked everything with the laser. I think I’m ready to break out the epoxy.

Yea, I got hit with the astigmatism around 32 years old. I started aging early! 61 now. I’m enjoying all the arthritis, tinnitus, ED, 5-6 bathroom trips a night, aches and pains associated with joints wearing out, muscle atrophy, slow to heal after an injury, prostate drip, eyesight degeneration, lack of stamina, etc…..Oh, and let’s not forget the spinal stenosis from surgery and back injuries 25 years ago. But it beats the hell out of feeding worms!

Dang it. Tried to add a comment and it timed out on me. But I learned years back to never trust my eyes again for straight lines. I was building RC airplanes when I got my first prescription glasses. All of a sudden wing spars and leading edges had a curvature on them. Laid my straight edge up there and it was straight. Stood back and my straight edge was curved. Damn it! It hit me like a ton of bricks. It was my lenses causing the curvature I was seeing. I use to have a perfect eye for straight lines. When I was a paint and bodyman it was almost a requirement when it came time to fixing panel lines or taping off a car for stripes. When I painted my ‘66 Mustang’s rally stripes I had to do it without wearing my glasses. The curvature was driving me insane so it was easier to look at it a little blurry while taping it off. And to make it more complicated, the ‘65-‘66 rally, or Shelby stripes are tapered from front to back on the hood and I think the back end of the car as well. Seriously, it took all day to tape those stripes out.

Yea Peter, I think I sometimes over think things. 🤡

Wow. They really cram those houses together. If one caught fire, how many would go before the fire department could put them out? I guess the upside is you don’t need a lawn mower. String trimmer and you’re GTG.

So let’s start with some pics! Since I’ve just started, not much to see. The build starts out by cleaning up the clam shell rear fuselage top and bottom and then sliding the wing halves into a spar. Getting it level is the trick. I assembled my Hobby Zone jig just for this and got a great idea to put my new laser level to use. This is just a basic mock up. Playing with the laser I discovered my bench isn’t even level. Gotta start there before I build leaning models!

Posted up the start of this in another thread, but figured I’d do a dedicated thread in the right place. Thought about putting it in the Twins Build, but I highly doubt I’ll have it wrapped up by the deadline.

Wow. What a headache.

Rog, I’m green with envy over that A-20. I’ve been patiently waiting for it to arrive here in the states. Super Hobby in Poland has it in stock as well.

Thanks Hubert! The first thing I did was work the “clam shell” fuselage before starting to fit the wings. Took a good bit of shaping. But fair warning, now you done done it! I’m gonna be bugging you for advise along the way!

I found it at Super Hobby in Poland. Cannot remember the price though.

Cybermodeler article on jig. https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/tools/hz/tool_hz_aj01m.shtml

Wait! What’s this? Is Scott taking on two builds at the same time? Yea, I started looking at the assembly of the wing and spar of the Cutlass and realized this Hobby Zone assembly jig might be the ticket! So I got busy. It’s only been sitting here 6 months in the box. Sure come with an ugly sprue. Almost done. Did some reading on Cybermodeler. Gotta glue on tongue depressors or popsicle sticks and wrap rubber bands to hold staggered wing biplanes in place along with the tail holder not being long enough. I’m short one right now so I’m holding off until I can get matching sticks. Off to find wide rubber bands….

I dread the day this happens to me. Because this means I’ll have to liquidate my builds to make room. I know the day is coming I’ll have to donate them to someone that will appreciate them. Maybe an ROTC or VFW.

Oh, and this between paint coats.

Here’s something a little different I’m working on today. It’s even model related. I welded up 6 new shelf frames for the display case. In the process of painting them right now. I mount these and place 3/16 plate glass on them. Each glass is something like 44” X 22”. This should max out the display case.

You got a spare Fisher conversion you want to donate? If so, I’m all in!

Hey! Maybe a diorama! Will have to be 1/48 though.

Two votes for Vought, so that means I have to build both? Cutlass and Crusader?

Meh, it’s not that bad.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing on the bench. Just finished cleaning up after the He 111. Now it’s decision time. Stuka? Cutlass? Me 262? A surprise from the stash?? Been itching to do that A-7D Corsair with the Zacto correction. Or the Crusader….hmmmmm…

Just an update on the Mustangs AC. Compressor and clutch gone. Just under $1800 out the door. Sadly in my younger days I could have crawled under the car and done this myself. I now go by the motto “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

Sprue Bros! Great deal. Hopefully they’re making room on the shelves for the J/K model. Click me!

My derp moment. 🤪 My sarcasm meter was unplugged at the time.

Kevin, it’s the old Revell Pro Modeler.