BlrwestSiR

It was. Went together nicely following the instructions.

I've been home for a couple weeks now after my triple bypass surgery. Last week I made it back to the bench but I've been finding it a bit of a struggle to stay focused. Part of that is I'm easily tired which is not what I expected. Everyone says it's normal after major surgery but I've no reference so it's kind of new to me. Which is a good thing I guess. Anyways I started working on a resin Zero kit I have. I thought it wouldn't be too bad. The parts count was low and it seemed simple enough. I ran afoul of trying to do the chipping needed for the finish and having to use wire to peg the individual fingers. Setting that aside, I started on a Hasegawa 1/32 Stuka G2. The problem I ran into there was I have too much AM and it was dragging me down. I started working on fitting bits but trying to make all these bits fit was too much. Maybe down the road... So that led me to this kit. There's a couple reasons for this choice. 1- It has almost no rigging 2- I don't have any AM for it so it'll be 100% OOB 3- It should go together (hopefully) without hiccups. Unless they're self induced. 4- It has almost no rigging So here's the box contents. And here's where I've managed to get today. I've painted and started assembling a number of cockpit bits. Painting around the brass fuel tank isn't 100% perfect but I'm happy with it. I know there will probably end up being some faults and possible corner cutting on this build but I'm fine with that. I just want to feel like I'm enjoying things and not getting bogged down. The interior is primarily NMF so I'm just using Matt aluminum for that. I haven't come across any wood that needs to be done so that's an added bonus. A big thanks to Ernie who sent this kit to me last year as part of the Christmas raffle. Carl

The Hasegawa one in 1/32 is quite nice. I have it in the stash and was going to start building it but I have way too much AM for it and I want to do a simpler build at the moment. The later variants of the Trumpeter kit are supposed to be ok as well. There's an issue with the gun pods in the G version supposedly. Someone with more knowledge will hopefully come along and confirm or deny that. Carl

I've just started on it but I'm enjoying it so far. It's going to be OOB which is what I really need at this moment. I tried to build a simple resin Zero kit but got bogged down trying to do chipping. So i switched to a Hasegawa Stuka but it has way too much AM that needs attention.

Sign me up and I'll find something to gift as well. Carl

Ernie, please put me down for entry and I'll try to find something to contribute as well. Coincidentally, I just started on the kit I won last year from you. Carl

I can't believe it's been only two weeks since my bypass surgery and 10 days since I got home. I'm back to picking the boys up from school so 6 blocks total which I started today. According to Google Maps, it's 800m one way. Thankfully it's flat in both directions and not uphill. Well, except for maybe the step at our front door. It's the distance my physiotherapist wants me to be able to cover at this point so I guess I'm doing ok. Just need it to warm up a bit.

I'm doing well Jeff. I run out of energy a bit sooner (ok, a lot sooner) than usual so I don't push myself or anything. My wife is keeping an eye on how much I do so I don't overdo things. She's even taking the trash out and shoveling the token snow we got yesterday. The biggie is not lifting anything over 10 lbs. Which means I won't be working on the Lanc or B-24 any time soon. It just feels kinda nice to be at the bench. Even if I'm not accomplishing huge things. Carl

Been randomly gluing parts together. Thankfully they're at least from the same kit. Carl

For me, F-14A Tomcat would be hands down #1. P-38 Aichi Seiran Carl

Glad to hear from you Martin. Carl

Looking forward to this. Ill try to get the decals out to you as quick as I can John. Carl

John, you need sheet 32005m from Aviaeology. It may be OOP but supposedly they were going to reissue it. I'm planning to do Hairless Joe so if you want the decals for one of the other aircraft, let me know. Carl

The Tamiya kit has a correct gear bay so doesn't need a conversion set.

In 1/32 I've only built the Dragon one. I built it using Jerry Rutman's correction sets but in CHP markings. I've got the Tamiya D/K release in the stash to get to one day, probably as an RCAF 'Stang. Carl

Nice start Bill. I was looking at the gear inserts and the kit ones look to be ABS rather than regular plastic. I think I'm still going to get the brass ones though. Carl

I was looking at the B-24 this afternoon. How far are yiu going to take it Bill? I'm thinking I'd do it almost OOB with just a couple add-ons so I don't get too bogged down. Carl

Couldn't believe how stressful it was flying the pitot on. Going to have wait a bit longer me thinks before doing anything more at the bench. A couple more pics. Carl

That is truly a wall of dials. Are you sure that's not thr reactor control room at Lawrence Livermore or something? Carl

Mine would be a 1/32 CF-100 done by Tamiya or ZM. But I'd settle for a 1/32 Cf-105 from either one. Carl

I'm slowly going out for longer walks as part of the physio schedule they have me on. In fact I went and got some grapes at the grocery but that was all as I'm not allowed to carry anything over 10lbs. Carl

Sue and think we'll have a BBQ (probably in the spring) to thank everyone that helped us out and get through this. So maybe a little brisket then, something to look forward to sharing and show our appreciation to our neighbours and colleagues.

Made it home safe a few hours ago. The boys were with my sister so I didn't see them until after dinner. They were happy to see me and then claim dibs on my side of the bed. I'm in the den as it's closest to the bathroom. Honestly, it was just great to get home. One thing I hadn't realized was that it was my mom's 72nd birthday too. It got a bit lost in the chaos of my predicament. Thankfully they did something simple to celebrate it at my sister's place. Guys, thanks for your company through this along with the advice and laughs (thankfully no popped stitches. Yet). It was worth it being able to check in and read the new posts. I still haven't seen the bench yet. Maybe in the coming week. We're still figuring out what to make foodwise and coordinating getting the boys to school and home. Hopefully it won't be long until a sense of normalcy (ie chaos) returns here. Thanks again, Carl

Good news is I'm discharged from the hospital. I just need to survive the drive home with Mr parents. Wish me luck. Carl

Very true. I'd been thinking about this even before the heart attack. Especially with the 4 engine heavies that we have sometimes accumulated.