biggtim

Trust me, John, I've put a LOT of time into trying to track down Tim Skelton to ask that very thing. I had hoped to acquire the rights to the Rutman stuff he sold, but I just can't find the guy. Tim

It's finally ready! Here is a link to the instructions, please email me if you want one at bnbresindesign@gmail.com. Cost is 22 USD plus shipping. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M9pMx27GIi-XLGdyY2gBcb9uO1UG0zHs/view?usp=sharing Please allow a week or so for me to get everything cast and shipped (some of these parts are very tough to do!). Teaser photo:

I've spoken to John about them already. In fact, he's the reason I added the extra tie-down channel. I think he want something bigger (wider) than that, though. unfortunately, these do not lend themselves to extension in the other direction very well.

As most of you know, I've had printed WW2 US Carrier decks available for some time in 1:32. I recently tried a very expensive experiment, and used one of the 3D masters that I made for my own use to make a mold, and I've successfully cast a resin copy of it. So, if that is of interest to any of you, I'm willing to offer them as a special order item only. Here she is: Each base will come unpainted in gray resin, and will include enough brass PE strips from Tom's Modelworks to complete the kit. This thing is 13" x 13" (330mm x 330mm) and about 1/4" (6.35mm) thick, so it will not fit in a pressure pot. As a result, there may be some small bubbles in the surface, but a coat of paint or primer will likely fill them up (you can see them in the previous pic. I've also added an additional tie-down channel to one end so multiple bases can be linked end-to-end to form a single long base if you like. So, here's the rub - due to the cost of materials, I will not be keeping any of these in stock. I'll make them to order, and I'll have to charge 55 bucks plus shipping for each one in order to cover my cost and make a little for my effort. Shipping to the continental US should run about 12 bucks for one base. It's a lot, I know, but I kind of did it as an experiment, and figured someone out there might want one. So, let me know, and thanks! Catalog has been updated - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UqWGz7vIYi1CVEFtd9-zBzSdFlzNx3eu/view?usp=sharing Tim - bnbresindesign.com

I don't wonder, Peter. I'm convinced no one does. 28 miles? I would drive there and buy it in person rather than trust the mail. The only decent hobby shop I know of anymore is 2.5 hours away, and I have driven there many times.

I hear you. I had a package go from Minnesota to Florida before making it's way back to me in Washington State. Quite late, I might add. Or there's the flat rate package I sent to an ebay customer on the east coast. The package arrived with a hole in it, and completely empty. They delivered an empty #$@!^%&$ box!!! And of course, even though it was insured, they told me there was nothing they could do for me. I loathe them so much, but I have almost no choice but to use them.

Looks like I may have a line on what I needed, thanks!

Would anyone be willing to scan some pages from their Tamiya F4U-1 Birdcage kit instructions for me? I do not have the kit, and I need some info to finish up the instructions. The conversions are ready to go otherwise. If you can, please email them to me at bnbresindesign@gmail.com. I need the equivalent pages to these examples from my F4U-1A instruction book, just for the Birdcage version: Thanks! Tim

Once, that I can recall.

That's great, Jerry, what a cool thing! Crazy to think that some of those kids will be able to remember knowing you. I am 54, and if my paternal great grandfather had lived long enough for me to know him, he would have been at least 120! Tim

That's pretty cool that you are young enough to get to know your great-grandkids! My great-grandparents were all dead before I was born (some may have died when I was very small), due to very large generation gap in my family. My paternal great-grandfather (yes, only one great) was born in 1850 and died in 1899......69 years before I was born. My own grandfather was born in 1894, so there was no chance my kids would have gotten to meet him. I envy you, Jerry! Tim

Really glad to see Eli back at it!!!

That's a good question! I did find this on a quick search: https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2015/07/post-war-eastern-tbm-variants.html. I didn't have time to read it thoroughly yet. It looks like the TBM used 3 different types of radar pods, one of which was very similar. Some apparently used the APS-3 radar, some used the APS-4, which is the same one used on the -2 Corsair. The obvious issue would be the wing shape. Each pod fairing would have to be redesigned for the plane type it was going on, though this pod could probably be adapted to fit that type of plane. Something to add to the list to investigate when I'm not so buried.

I believe his website is long dead. I use FB to contact him.

UPDATE: 21 September - I have successfully upgraded the antennas with 3D printed parts, and am now working to model and print the control box as well, which should be pretty simple. I will not ship any new sets for a week or so to give me time to include both new parts. The price for new sets will go up to 25 USD to cover the extra cost of materials and special packaging. I will be offering the 3D printed upgrades to anyone who already received their sets for the difference in cost (3 USD) plus tax and shipping. If you've purchased a set and would like the upgrades when they are ready, please email me at bnbresindesign@gmail.com. Thanks! TIM

Not if I ever wanted to do it again......

If it makes you feel any better, I was working on that F4U-5N conversion last night, and I put some thin CA on a part and got too much. It ran into a hole I did not want it in, so I blew a quick puff of air into the hole to get it out. It came out all right, and landed on my lower lip! At least I had the foresight not to close my lips at that moment, or things could have been much worse. I had to sand my lip to get the crap off. I quit for the night after that. Tim

No. It's just that we're all abnormal together.

Sounds like a possible source of some of Roy's financial woes, eh?

As a matter of fact, I am planning to do some Vietnam era matting at some point. Would you rather have them as individual panels, or as a premade base? The "truss web" style is much easier, obviously, but less interesting.

Thought I would post a bit about the new work design work I've been doing for those that are not on LSP. F4U-2 radar conversion for the Tamiya F4U-1A or D kit - first set of remastered parts cast very well, with the the exception of the T shaped antennae for the bottom of the fuse. Those little buggers are very fiddly and break easily, so I need to do some more work on that. Question for all of you: would you be interested in the -2 conversion with just the radome, radar screen, exhaust flame shrouds, and small cowl scoop (which is what was in the original from AMS) WITHOUT the two T antennae? You'd have to fab your own antennae from plastic rod or wire. If that is acceptable, then I can have them ready to go as soon as I write up some new instructions. If you'd rather have me include the antennae, then it will take longer. Let me know what you think. F4U-5N conversion for the Trumpy F4U-4 kit - I copied the original parts I borrowed from Ray Peterson this weekend, and started cleaning up the firewall piece. I also printed a new cowl ring from the models supplied by Jumpei Temma - turned out great!!! Should make a really nice master, once I can figure out how to deal with those dainty little grille bars in the intake openings.... Still a very long way to go...

You are not alone, Mark. My mojo left me about 3 years ago, and didn't really return until we picked up the AMS Resin stuff and I started working on new projects for that. Now I spend way too much time doing that stuff! Take a break and enjoy doing something else for a while. Tim

The Other Site, meaning LSP. If you're a Star Trek fan, it means The Original Series. 🤪

I would I would love to see that, Hubert!!

Ouch!!