GusMac

Stunning result Jeroen and a fitting tribute to the crew.

Nice use of the oils Bill. Gives a lovely patina and wear.

Thanks Rob. Once it's got some primer on I'll have a better idea of how good my fixes have been. There may be more sanding ahead...

Quick post-holidays update on progress... Everything went together remarkably easily. I know the Aires sets have 'variable' fit but this one just dropped in with minimal effort. The front of the pit has to be trimmed slightly to accommodate the top of the Zacto inner intake ring but it's easily done. The outer ring then went on and the fuselage halves were fairly easily clamped to shape. 2 part epoxy, a couple of 10mm clamps and overnight to set and all was well. Bit of work required with some Milliput to flush in the intake lip and the front of the canopy but sands down nicely. Windscreen has had a light coat of clear green on the centre panel and the putty lines done in light grey before final masking. Bit more work needed on the underside as the air-brake area fits poorly but some plasticard sorted it out. Similar fix required for the underside of the flaps which have a weirdly engineered 'trench' where they just don't even come close to joining up correctly. Next step is priming with Mr Surfacer 1500 which I'll do when my wife is out of the house as she doesn't appreciate the aroma!!!

Ah, sorry to hear that. Only used them once but service and price were good. Hope they can get it back on it's feet quickly.

Love the 2 lawn darts Danny and the Dottie Mae is stunning.

With ya on that Ernie.

God, that's a blast from the past. My father-in-law had an RX-7 back in the day and boy could it motor. He also had an NSU RO80 (he had a thing for rotaries!) which looked wonderful but ran like s***. Worked about once a week if you were lucky.

Welcome to the gang Peter. There's some incredibly skilful people around here to learn from and all are happy to spread their expertise.

But YOU know it's there....

Yep, we're all getting old! My old boss always said that you knew you'd been there too long when you're first response to any suggestion from the newbies was 'Nope, tried that X years ago and it didn't work because.....'. I'm at that point now and although some of them are ferociously bright in theoretical terms their practical skills are way behind. They look at a screwdriver like it's something from an alien civilisation!

The Mig Jiminez Ammo acrylics are also very good. Similar to the Vallejo and come in many 'pre-packaged' sets for particular eras, theatres, etc. Don't know how easy they are to get hold of outside Europe though?

Stunning results so far.

Unfortunately, although with Google, etc you'd think it would be easier to get things right, it seems to be the opposite! Some of it almost seems to be wilful, ie the whole Battlefield V fiasco, I've had some interesting chats with my son about the flaws in that one.

Brilliant effort to introduce yourself! Nicely restrained weathering and a wonderfully smooth finish.

44 years! I remember having that one and the 'Pink Panther' one as a kid. Think they both got destroyed in some of my back garden 'battles' at some point. Probably involved firecrackers!

Nollaig Chridheil (for anyone who speaks Gaelic) Otherwise, MERRY CRIMBO!

Very cool Jeroen. Just realised when I saw your map that I've driven through there on the way to Bastogne for the cycling.

Looks great Gaz

Just unconditional love Jeff, that's the thing with animals. The more I listen to the so-called politicians we have here in the UK, the more regard I have for animals!

Always so hard to bear this. Our cat of 19 years, Tilly, had to be put down earlier in the summer and it still gets me. We thought she was a gonner last year but a different vet gave her new meds and we got another year out of her but in the end her legs went. God knows what I'm gonna be like when one of the dogs go.

Hope you've got good gear legs Cees. Solid Milliput engines sound heavy at this scale. At least you've only got 2 not 4!

Best wishes Ivan and good luck for the move. See you soon in another time zone.

That is impressive Ivan. Presumably the asphalt on which the Leo 2 just stopped that quickly also needs replaced as well as the tailgaters undergarments!

I can see an Ig Nobel prize waiting for this one in the near future...