popeye the sailor

looks awesome you did a good job!

Jedi mind control would come in handy right now

this is one sweet looking plane! weathering and grime is done very well awesome!

thanks.....the color is a cromate on the green side.......perhaps I can add some green to it to attain the color. according to the instructions it can be either green or aluminum. these planes were painted during the early part of the war, but by the time that the G variant came into service, the direction of painting faded along with the paint....they started using them in bare aluminum. I do have several different shades of drab.......I will make do.

here's a couple pictures from last night....... this morning, I got more done. I decided to go back to the first page of the instructions.....to the bomb bay racks. I kinda had to feel my way through it, because I took the parts off the sprues. the outer rack girders are shaped in such a way, to fit in the wing roots. sliding one in place, the assembly was slid into place to check the fit. it fits perfectly. the racks need to be glued to the girders.......only one side { the inner side} has the bomb release holders........I got scared 'cuz I couldn't find the ones for the outer racks {silly rabbit}. the racks were glued to the outer girders, once I knew the direction of the shaping. the bomb bay doors need to be installed when the rack assembly is cemented in place.....I need to split them. I tried to put the in behind the outer girders, but I saw this was wrong, due to the 1/4 inch gap in the fuselage halves. looking at the instructions, they are to be set in the open or closed position. slid in place at the moment, the assembly went back in the fuselage half.......... I also glued the tail landing gear tub in place too........again impeccable fit! closed up, the fit is very good. looking down......I felt I was being watched........ I know that look.........you want to go out.......huh?!?! a bit blurry from all the action going on........yea bud, lets go out it's really nice outside.

I'm sure that I'm not the only guilty person that has bought a second kit of the same model. the security of having built the model before and a better sense of direction are two comforting facts.........every kit of the same subject is different in some way. they can keep going with the multi variant kit.......my spare parts bin will thank them for it it doesn't matter what plane it is........B 17.........B 24.......P 51......P 47....P 40.......they all have enough subject matter, to keep the mind busy. I knew a guy that only built Lancasters......he had quite a number of these planes.......all with various degrees of difference. as mentioned, there is no indication of which example pertains to which variant...I've always found this confusing. I have done kits that tell you which is which...guess it depends on the manufacturer of the kit. I note that the wheel wells depict the interior color. I went out and bought two bottles of Zinc Cromate......but to me, it looks more yellow than green. is this the correct color? you don't need to thank me Robert......it's the evolution of the medium........and our evolution as well. I still see the dangers of it...but it's all in how we use it ....... ....and learn from it

don't be like me though.......I'm stuck in B 17 mode ...........I obey.....therefore I build. I'm going to break the chains after this one, and hit the B 25 circuit

the article in the National Geographic depicts her as a schooner....I actually like both concepts.......schooner and Brigg. that's why I'm building the two........the other part is that I'm as crazy as a loon there wasn't much left of her.......if she was found right away, they would have only found what was below the waterline. she was sailed to a remote cove and burned. I also found another article that gives the same account. other than the N.G. article and picture, I have found no other pictures of her.......just a large mural that suggests her mispelt name and nothing more. I try not to go by drawings and paintings though....too much artistic licensing and embellishment. I could go with other known ships of the same cut, but the differences would be there. wow J.........you made back to the surface! thanks for posting the link to the log....I would have done it, but I figured that if anyone was curious enough, they'd look it up. that and it's another way to highlight the past projects that have been undertaken here. there are some really good logs that never see the light of day.........heck.....even I stop and look into one when I check to see what pages my other projects are on 2013.... has it been that long?!?!?!?! that's OK....soon.........that's all I can say on the time line for the moment. last year........considering the dating......maybe TWO years ago, I bought the Revell U.S.S. Constitution...believe it or not.....$15 dollars! while building the hull frame for the Agilis, I was thinking of her fit......and I thought of cannons {I really should start the second log now} I recalled assembling the bow chaser for the United States, so I found that one and got out the parts for the one in the Connie kit. while I was doing that, the hull halves for the Connie was laying on the long table {around me.......things should NOT be lying around.........they are apt to be played with}. I found myself removing flash and later, cementing the hull together. so now it sits on the long table.....she so massive {yes....I am salivating}. I though of something that was discussed some time ago, but I have not seen anyone undertake the concept.............let's just say that I'm doing some research I did get back to the Clotilda in the evening......fixed the porthole dilemma.... I think it would be better, that I assemble the cabins with strips rather than sheet. they need to peer over the bulwarks more, thus be a bit taller. I used these eyelets on my Gundalow project.......filled in with window maker, they made excellent portholes. I have them in different sizes....in brown, white, and shiny chrome...they can be painted to match any decor. I also did a little bit more on the deck planking. I'm not bothering to do margins, so it will be a lot of creative cutting. the hold I made yesterday......fails.........not totally square 'cuz I did it freehand, and my cuts were a little crooked because of it too. I still have a habit of doing things by hand.......silly because I bought one of those choppers and I should be using it. I'll have more later

it's almost impossible to do once the model shell is closed up. I'm sure someone has been able to overcome this, but I've not read anything to confirm this. the only thing to do is make sure they are clean when the hull is closed........my big peeve too you did well in not doing the windows.......the contrast is detail. the one thing I love about this medium, is that wood is a bare canvas. it is up to you to add in the little bits that add to the looks of your model........love the black strapping and the nail rivets....and the even spacing looks superb!

I made a bit more progress on the Clotilda..........yea, I may as well call her that. that is the ship I've decided to model her as. I haven't done anything on the Agilis, although I have begun to plank the frame. confusing I know, but as I get further down the road, the fog will clear. I did start to plank the deck....I will continue with the dark planking. the mast collars, as supplied in the kit...I made one for both masts. before I go any further, I need to cut out a second hold. I'll try and keep it between the bulkheads....the forward opening, I'll just paint the bulkhead black, rather than chance mess'in her up. I wish I had done something before I glued the platform down usually, I have the cabin structures done, so I can map out the deck.......I like to plank around the structures rather than glue them on top of it. it just makes for a neater appearance. so I began to make the aft structure, using the supplied parts. the back and sides of the cabin are 1 piece, but they are die scored...you just bend them to shape the cabin. wouldn't you know it........the die cuts are not straight....the darn thing is so warped! so I scratch built one........already had another all traced out. I made sure that the cuts I was going to make were square with the bottom line.........made another front piece, but a tad wider than the kit supplied part. a little sanding is needed to further square things up, and then I can make a roof. I also began to make the hold frames. they supplied a metal piece that looks like grating, but I don't like it....so I dug out some of the grating I made for the United States. you really don't want to know how I made these.........for the curious, it can be found in the Revell U.S.S. United States build. it's likely deep in the archives, so leave a trail of bread crumbs or sawdust, and we'll come and find you in a week or so...I made these February, 2013. these look perfect.......what is seen in the picture of the magazine. started to gt busy with the planking again....... but, I could not stop thinking about the cabin. cutting out a piece of 1/32 sheet, the roof was added to it. yea....that's my 'dinty' on the roof.........darn CA was leaking! that's the first of the two holds. curiosity was starting to get at me........I recall from the picture that ........1 - the cabin doesn't look like that. and 2 - there are two cabins on deck. the height of the fore deck is another question.......where I'm using a windlass, I need to know if I should raise the bow bulwarks at all. looking at the picture.........nope, wrong direction......so I won't be using it. can't say if I will use it for the Agilis either. shouldn't be a total loss........I'll see if my idea of portholes will work on the cabin. I have a huge assortment of eyelets.......for belts, shoes, and the like. I've been able to use them for portholes and hawse holes for past projects........thought I might put a few in on this project. I really need to toss out those CHEAP drill bits! the piece is glued back in place and sanded.......I need to refine the hole now. we'll see where tomorrow takes us

WOW!!! heads or tails I guess if you want the best of both worlds, this would be the one to model it is funny you mention that...this kit will also build the Shamrock Special, but it also has the nose turret and the cockpit glass for the G variant as well. there are three different configurations for the navigation glass, and I'm sure there are provisions to lose the extra glass around the nose. the one thing that Robert pointed out that I failed to mention, is that the instructions are a bit vague, as to the change over to the different variants. it numbers steps......like 46 and 46A....what is that?....doesn't tell you anything. so I'm having to compare the model to pictures of the Memphis Bell, to be sure I don't goof up anything. the instructions show you drawings of the sprues with some of the parts darkened...likely to denote that they are not to be used {as the Memphis Belle}. thanks for the picture.......even though it made me sad. ♻️

I'm sure your wondering why I reopened this log...there is a good reason. what am I gonna do with all these parts, that I didn't use? having built the body out of wood {about 80%}, I have all these parts in my spare parts bin. why this came about?..........well, that's like asking a masked man, who he is. *footnote: that quote came from the movie 'V for vendetta'* insanity has it's virtues anyway........since I still have the tires and rims.......I will use them. all of the main body parts are here, except for the fenders and running boards. these I will have to scratch build...likely from wood......or perhaps even brass. the body was assembled except for the roof...that will go on later. it shouldn't be too hard to construct a seat.......buckboard style. the engine you see is the stock engine from the '40 Ford sedan build 'China Girl'........I'm not gonna use it. I'll do something with the original engine that came in the kit. I have a front suspension....odds and ends from the Ford kit...but I need to make the suspension and rear differential. I have no parts for this. that should be neat also, I'll need to make a frame for the body to sit on. I'm toggling between brass and wood.......I bought one of those brass assortment bags from Micro Mark, and I picked out all the square hollow tubing. the length at the very front of the pile is small and will fit inside the square stock. it can be used to strengthen a joint by sliding a piece of it in one and leave enough sticking out to slide another section over it.....weld with solder........kind of like a mending fish plate...internally {best I can describe it, I'm afraid......I don't speak metal urgy}. this is where the mad hatter's dream ended..........for now anyways. never fear.......I'm certain that another fit will hit me, and I'll pull it back out.......I have it in a small box on the lower shelf of my desk.

so......progress has been made. not real huge; just cleaning up sprue marks on parts, denoting top and bottom, and assembling a few parts that will see same color paints. of course it all starts with the wings and fuselage. after adding radio and navigation equipment on the bomb bay bulkheads, the assembly that I started with earlier was slid into the fuselage for the first time, to check the fit. I usually need to trim the edges to improve the fit, but in this case, I don't think I will need to. the fuselage closes up perfectly........the kit is THIS good! the mating surfaces on the halves are flawless, as is the rest of the kit.....again I mention how thin the plastic is.........very high precision. the bomb bay cavity, even though it is not complete, looks really good. other parts were assembled and readied for paint. I usually paint before assembly, but a lot of this will be hidden once the fuselage is joined. I hope not. the bombardier position the navigation bulkhead with equipment racks.......I failed to show the platform that joins it. there will be seating........ oh.....there's the platform in the background....the belly ball turret fits in that hole. I don't want to make the mistake as I did with the Nine o Nine........best to get the gist on the top and bottom here. there's a tiny bit more.....I'll show you when they are painted. more soon

I'm still trying to get caught up with everyone's projects......trouble is that I watch too many. I probably could if I just sat my butt down, but the table call gets really strong.........I must submit good to see you here Egilman........not too sure, but I think I started a B 17 movement my luck seems to have kept me building F models........perhaps the future might allow me to build one of the other models. the Lindberg 1:64 was a real whistle wetter for me.........I would love to do one that large. I do have a B 25 in the stash........can't wait to get started on it. I've only done a couple plastic ships.......I do have an already started Tamiya kit of the New Jersey...waiting to get into that one as well. hey there Robert......I've always love the Revell kits....their 1:96 series was {is} the finest models, in their day. I have two of them in the stash {one already started}.........and I enjoy building in that particular scale. I have to say that I was moved hearing about the crash. I've never been motivated like that before. when I was young......what did I know........I just put 'em together. but as I said before, the internet opened a lot of new doors, and the medium was moved. thanks for the link........perhaps the G variant might be here...one that will catch my eye

they did a lot of modifications to get her look'in like that............

ok.....let's get to it at the moment I'm cleaning up sprue marks....there is some minor flash. I can't believe how thin the plastic is! I'm not a huge fan of movable flaps and ailerons.........I think it depends on the subject application.......you know, what your going to do with it. the stabilizer ailerons have no hinges, so they will be very hard to give them that property. looking at the paint chart, this is going to be a complex model to paint. some can be done with airbrush, but I think a lot of it will be done with a brush. should have an update for you all soon

really nice job so far........this one almost gave you a fit, but got it to work in fine shape great ..........looks awesome!

welcome home the PE looks amazing! nicely done! really like you amp rig.........I play bass. I have a Trace Elliot 'boxer 30' amp w/bass boost. fell in love with it right away I was taking lessons at the time.........when they got them in, I had to try it. I started to do a blues progression and the more I played, the more the cymbals on the wall would rattle to the beat. so what did I do.......I turned it up!.....so much fun. best $320.00 I ever spent.

the model is coming along splendidly........looks very nice. love the hue of an old cask

looks really nice.......nicely done!

hi there.......I see you've been browsing through the back pages..........yea....that's my b-b-b-b-boat as you can see......there is magic in saving the parts panels. my one rule though is do just the hull, and fit it out by scratch building. it's been quite a learning experience. I have other projects in various stages, but my most recent, the Progress, I'd like to get back to soon. as for the Boulogne Etaples, I believe I'm ready for some paint. hard to believe that my last posting on the log has been three years.......I have other projects that are older than that. she sits in the hallway at the present time, not too far away from the main table. perhaps I can get her there soon thanks for check'in her out....and I hope you do finally get yours back on the table. I've always said that Billing's kits are good.......they are so open to ideas and detail embellishments. I got so many idea simply building the hull frame!

yea....those eye bolts........I'm gonna hold them for the day I do a 1/8 scale ship...............ahhhhhhh,,,right along with the other handful I've been hang'in onto hey......who knows, I might even have a picture to hang she's look'in good......love the deck fittings

yea......for a hearty plane like them....they were built too early. had they been build later, they might still be around. the Swoose was in the same hanger with the M.B. when she was interned for restoration...I really need to get busy on her.......she will be my third. had I not bought that Lindberg kit, the Nine o Nine wouldn't have been built..........and through her research, I wouldn't have learned about the Wulfe Hound. there are so many that are worth modeling.......and there are enough kits out there to do just that. they do make a D kit....I think you can find it at MegaHobby.

there is some camo done on these birds...it's not too dramatic. I have the Memphis Belle going at the moment, and that has some subtle camo work. if you want to try some fading on the olive drab, have a look at my Wulfe Hound build. I used three different tints of Olive drab and a 'wipe brushing' {dry brushing with a rag} of bomber tan. great job with the nose art I had the data base........I tossed it out since I only have the M.B. left to do.......then I'll likely move on to the B 25 I have in stash. I had a thought to buy an older kit of the M.B., just to see how much of an improvement was done to the molds. chances are they made new molds for the more up to date kits

...guess they didn't want to name it Jack the ripper