Propulsion compulsion

Yes, it might seem I've suddenly veered off course, but as much as I love aircraft projects, I do harbour a love of all seagoing craft and armour, too. Recently I was thumbing through the new Airfix Model World magazine and there it was. The U-boat Type XXVIIB Seehund - an ICM minisub. It called out to me from the page - 'build me!' So imagine my surprise when my wife gave it to me as an early Christmas present. I must have been even louder in my enthusiasms than I thought.


When I was ten, I was given a small, tin-plate, clockwork midget submarine for my birthday. It was fitted with a downward angled bow plane. As it entered the water, it went straight down to the bottom, then promptly returned to the surface. It did this till the spring ran out and then you wound it up again. It made my birthday. I think fifty years on, it's partly this nostalgia that gives the ICM kit such appeal.
(Picture courtesy Vectis.co.uk)


I made a start last night. The parts are nicely rendered, especially the hull. It's only small, being 1/72 but so appealing.


If you want to see more, stay tuned. If subs are not your thing, the next aircraft project is right round the corner. More later.

Getting a Life

I've often heard model-building described as a lifesaver, but I think in my case these days it's more true than ever.

Last April I was feeling a bit rough, and had to go into hospital for a few days for 'tests' - never a good word, is it? It took a while, but eventually I was diagnosed with cancer, in my upper gastric area and pancreas.

It sounds terrible, but I've been reassured that I'm in no imminent danger. It's a very rare form, called neuroendocrine cancer, and it's referred to as 'indolent' - which means it's very slow-growing, and I've probably had it for many years. It was still a shock though, to both of us, and naturally you turn to something for comfort and escape, and for me, that meant modeling. I'm having treatment, and don't always feel 100 percent, but nothing has kept me from the bench, and kit-bashing has been one of the two things that has saved my sanity and I do believe, has relieved some of the stress and actually improved my health.

The other thing is the friendship and support of my friends and clients on the internet. I haven't wanted to mention anything about my health, but I felt it was time to share this information. I have always felt a bond with my fellow modellers, and without exception I have met only enthusiastic, loyal and generous people in this internet incarnation of my career. I hope I haven't let anyone down over the last few months - I have slowed down a little, and treatment takes up a a chunk of my time now and then, but the escape into a gripping magazine article, a really engrossing kit and a chance to share the result on here has contributed no end to keeping my spirits high and giving me a goal to aim for when times are hard. I've got a full diary, and it would take a lot more than a few rogue cells to keep me from my job. Everybody has problems, health issues and in this climate, work stress. I hope you too have a way to escape your worries and lose yourself in something you love.

And, as always, more on this later.

Phil

Many a good tune......Monogram's P-61 Black Widow

You may think it's an outdated kit from the seventies, but the old Monogram kit does have plenty to recommend it - plenty of open panels with detail and the cockpit/nacelle is superb. It has raised panel lines, yes, and the parts are heavy, but hey, they fit. And of course, it's the only game in town.


This particular build will feature Quickboost resin engines and cowlings, a wealth of Eduard colour etched parts, and if that isn't enough, how about powered props, interior landing gear and navigation lights, all working. And there will be sound! A sound box containing a recording of Pratt and Whitney engines will play at the start of the program. Some people prefer static models, others like the interactive sound and light that dioramas can provide.


Projects like this don't come along every day and it will be worth checking back to see how this one develops. The electronics for this diorama have been out together initially by Clyde Sasaki - if you're interested you can see more on his site at http://www.dynamicscalemodeling.com/

I can't see there being a new P-61 kit in this scale for some time, but I can't help wondering what it would look like in 1/32 scale.

More on this soon.

...Then they all come at once!

Inspiration for me comes in several forms - seeing a model that someone has done a top job one, a detailed article in a magazine on something I fancy, or a really top-notch kit.

This year, though, I've not quite felt that buzz too often. Work seemed a bit routine for a while, but then suddenly in the space of ten days, there have been new arrivals and commissions that have provided new motivation and pleasure. Have a look at this fantastic selection:


One item in particular gives me special pleasure. The Eduard Royal Class set which includes a pair of FW 190's, an Iron Cross replica and a small fragment of a fighter that took part in the battle of the Ore Mountains. This was a present from an appreciative client in New York. Truckloads of inspiration! Now I just need some time to get to them.