AJohnson

I have started a nice easy "Non-ship" build while I am waiting for the garage to warm up and I can return to making sawdust with my HMS Sparkler build.  My health has not been brilliant this last couple of months, so being out in the cold garage is not appealing at the moment.

I got this one off FleaBay reasonably priced and intend to build in OOB with the exception of some P.E. seatbelts.  This might be something of a quick build, as I have started it this weekend gone and it is just flying together -just what the Doctor ordered! 😁

I have built Airfix's 1/72 version of this and there are many similarities between the kits, and both go together well.  I won't say anything about the Defiant, as a great discussion on the Defiant was included in Andy's @realworkingsailorexcellent build log of the 1/72 version here:- 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/33924-boulton-paul-defiant-mk-1-nf-by-realworkingsailor-finished-airfix-172/#comment-965615

I'm going to finish mine in the colours of No.2 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, based at Hatfield Woodhouse, South Yorkshire in September 1940, for no other reason it was based in my home County of Yorkshire and the squadron code "KO" were the maiden initials of the Admiral! 

A few pictures of the kit contents and the progress made on the cockpit.  I have now moved on to the mini-kit of the gun turret.

Andy you are making great progress. I have built this one a couple of time, once as a NF Mk.1 and then. Mk.IV the first was fine as the bomb bay was closed up for the gun pack, but as you have found my Mk.IV I did with open bomb bay and found the same issues. Lots of surgery and filler!  🤣

You are over the “hump” looking forward to seeing your Bolly take shape! 😀

Welcome to MSW from North Yorkshire,

What a great achievement Rob, your Erycina looks really good. 

On 1/10/2025 at 8:02 AM, Rinkhals said:

Hahaha... Gents you are not going to believe this, but I have just finished a contract for the boiler upgrade on the TSS Earnslaw for her owning company  RealNZ. This "refit" took place at Frankton on Lake Wakatipu (which is a burrough of Queenstown) - Central Otago and the owners' hand was forced, this came about as a result of political pressure from The New Zealand Green Party who made a big stink over her coal emissions which "polluted" the air over the lake. The boiler is now no longer coal fired but now runs on diesel.

I will be going back on her next month so if anyone has any questions about her, just ask and I will do whatever I can to get the info for you.

 

https://www.realnz.com/en/experiences/day-cruises/tss-earnslaw-lake-cruises/?_gl=1*35rtw9*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiAp4O8BhAkEiwAqv2UqI1kOJzSdKJdG4Nz_MimKUQEkYdw066sypNrRUACHE5XThhrZTbtXBoCSrYQAvD_BwE

Oh wow, that is interesting, I did build the Earnslaw model reviewed here. I know we have to look after the environment, but can't imagine the carbon footprint of the diesel is that much better than leaving Earnslaw as she was.  Does that mean the same for all Steam Trains one day, converted to diesel or batteries?  They just won't smell the same!  😞

Looking really good Richard, I'll be pulling up a chair.

Thought I better update this log, as it has been neglected a bit.  Unfortunately a combination of my health; another trip to A&E/emergency care 😷 and the cold weather mean I have not been able to get the "messy" stage of this build done.  I use the garage as my workshop and this time of year it is a bit too cold for me to use.  I have a space heater, but it is excellent at blowing all my sawdust about as well, so not much fun.  😆

So being the lightweight I am, I have retreated indoors to play with a card model!  🤪

Fear not as soon as the sun starts to climb North again and things warm up, I will be back. 🤞

Very neat Chris, have you stained the wales or painted them, they look good.

Funnily I have just made the opposite trip to you, paused my Sparkler for a trip into Card Country.  Not had time to set up a log though.

Airfix are a world away from where they were in the 1960’s & 70’s, they now use lidar scanners of the real subjects for their templates, so combined with CAD and modern mould tech, you know it will be good. 
However some of the “old school” knowledge and research has lapsed with the passing of the old guard.
This kit is a case in point, Airfix used a Bolly as the scan template, so among other issues the shape of the engine fairings behind the nacelles is of the Bolly; more fulller and rounded than the Blenheim, so at least for this build that is a plus!  😁

Another example is their recent 1/72 Mosquito I did a build log on here a while back. Airfix used a post war Target Tug version for their template and faithfully recreated the target towing equipment at the end of the bomb bay and most heinous of all they also scanned and included the museum stands holding up the undercarriage so the tyres didn’t deflate. That lot all needs filling and or sanding off! 
All nit picking, “rivet counting” comments I know, but as Andy does with his builds, a little research can still pay off in these high tech times. 
 

Welcome to MSW! 

All the best to you also Rob for 2025, your Erycina is coming along nicely. 

Very nice looking model Andy!  

I will follow this one with interest, love dreadnaught and ww1 era vessels   

8 hours ago, king derelict said:

Thank you very much Andrew. I have Illustrious lined up with a box of PE to add. I may be overreaching.

Your Sparkler looks a lovely kit

Alan

Thanks Alan, I have lost my mojo with it a little, not helped by another visit to hospital, but will return to it one day. 

Congratulations Alan, a fine looking model!  

Congratulations Mike, your Alert looks fantastic, the sails really bring it to life. 

Good to see the updates Mike and intrigued to see what you are doing about the sails. 

Good to see you back! 

That stern looks very neat Dan 

Merry Christmas to you Kevin! 🎄

That looks really good Alan, I have a couple of old White Ensign Models subjects that are mixed media and I always shut the box again when I look inside. 😆  given your fine Galatea maybe I should give them a try!

Welcome to MSW!  

Looking very tidy Dan. 

Welcome to MSW! 

That is indeed very busy looking Alan!