popeye the sailor

so .....yes, the sand dome is in place......so far, the brightest thing on the loco. some soot was added around the boiler door and on the floor. I'll add a touch of the flat steel a bit later. the seats were added too........the reverse bar on the table has been painted and given a dose of the flat steel. the cab parts are being cleaned up and readied for paint..........but before I do that, I'd better get that canvas door squared away, while it's the easiest. it might be harder to do when the cab is assembled and on the loco. I gathered some stuff together,.......a couple large eye bolts, a short length of really small dowel, and a piece of sail cloth..........this is the cloth that came with the Gothenborg {I still have some....quite a bit actually}. using the plastic roll as a guide, everything was cut to this width. the eye bolts were spread open a bit and slid onto the dowel, spacing them to match the pins that will fasten it to the wall of the cab. I find the plastic one a little illogical...did it go up like a Venetian blind?........did it have a metal or wood spine that it rolled up onto? not enough detail to explain it. anyway........the eye bolts were poked through the cloth at one end and super glued in place. next was to measure and get the length of the door.........it was marked out and the excess was cut off. then, it was painted with Ghost Gray. allowed to dry for a short time, it them got a brown dry brush........and then a soot dry brush {I'm almost out of the soot.......I'd better do the smoke stack before I run out}. it can't be rolled up onto the dowel.........heaven's to overlap!.......I used another piece of the small dowel to roll it up and tie it. when the ropes were trimmed and all was done, the dowel was slid out of the roll. all the while, making sure that the two pins were sticking straight out from the back. here is how it looks in place over the opening. another valve rod and knob was added to the left side of the cab, coming out of the floor near the brake lever. ....and the Johnson reverse bar was added to the right side of the cab. where the gauge is, you might be able to pick out three knobs that I added earlier........I need to find the fourth, but the admiral just cleaned the carpet, and it is likely long gone. I did notice that the dowel I was using looked to be the same diameter.............a sliver of it makes for a dandy knob

believe me gents........when all this bathroom stuff is over, I'm washing my hands of the whole sorted mess! lots of crazy movie scenes were had over the latrine........there's the scene in the movie 'Platoon'.........and who can forget the scene in the show M.A.S.H., where Major Hulahahn was exposed I'm glad that there's some movement on the General build.......the sand dome is in place and I've added more to the cab........gett'in ready to box 'er in. the front wall around the boiler is not a perfect fit....I'm not going to risk trimming it.....likely to cause a gap at the roof. I'm currently on the look out for another valve knob too thanks to all who hit the like button! welcome to the log John......it may end up not totally accurate, but I will try my best to make her look good I loved the Disney movie series they used to do.....my favorite was "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" ......or "The Adventures of Dr. Syn". my oldest grandson was interested in what I liked as a child {we talked extensively about the old horror classics}........I actually found him a book about Dr. Syn and told him to ask his father to look on you tube for the videos {I have them....most of them I think}. there was "Daniel Boone" and "Davy Crockett"....and of course all the Disney cartoon classics, folks are pay'in out the nose for these days. oh.......and let's not forget "Zorro" I don't recall one of a train though.........Herbie.......Maybe.........even Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 🎬 thanks for the good word Mark! thanks Ken.......I wasn't sure about it.......but it seemed so logical. I see a few places I missed though. I hope I did equally as good on the canvas door............I have enough for another update. and the day isn't even over yet.......although I do have to run out and get a hair cut.

hey there Sam.........you must mean my using the paint bottles to weigh down the interior, while it was drying. I was wracking my head thinking 'bout what you were referring to.......it's the only thing I can think of. just me being resourceful I don't believe I've ever tried that with photo shop. when I import something into the decal maker, it's just the image......a single layer. the background is the paper, whether I'm using clear or white. for some decals, I like to use white paper, because the white acts as a backing for the image, and I change the background to match the color I'm painting the model. it's hard to match colors that are in between the normal color spectrum. though I can change the color values, I haven't done it too much, since I don't use it enough. I should take a day and fiddle around with it......use regular printer paper for tests. I do have a photo shop program.......I'm not sure what I have in my computer......I only use it to size down my pictures. but that's what your referring to........the background {and I changed it to that color}. the one big problem I have with this decal program, is that it has a transparency issue. printers only max out at 600 dpi.......a good decal image needs to be more than that. if I were to lay a decal, printed on clear paper, on a darker color, it would disappear or hardly be seen.

you got it Sam! but with the stuff that's going on with Uber.....I dunno if I trust 'em thanks for the good word! just think though......if the changes at Wally world get any more weirder.........I'll be out the door. then I'll be look'in for a job. I learn quick .......but the commute would be a killer! thanks for the good word as well CDW.........a two seater.......yea that's weird. all I can think of is check if there was a 'roll' on the other side.......that should be a good enough hint you know........the door #1, door #2 thing ☣️ my son bought me a tee shirt ........Ed trying to empty the RV waste down the sewer. I wore it the night they were showing Christmas Vacation at the cinema. wouldn't ya know it though.......it was sold out

hello Sam........thanks for the good word yea.......I've done this to models in the past. whatever the body color is, that's what I usually paint them. ....but never silver.........it'll kill the concept of the rims thanks for look'in in....enjoy the ride

in this session, I continued with the engine and anything that I could assemble that would be painted a single color. the interior will be painted satin black, so the the majority of the bucket was assembled, and the front bucket seats. the back edge of the bucket {up the sides of the back seat} still need to be cemented.......I wanted to insure a snug fit. on the engine went the valve covers, carbs, and the drive belt w/fan and alternator. the alternator had a molded bracket.....a nice touch! I didn't bother to paint the carbs.......the air cleaner will cover them, so they won't be seen. the firewall and radiator panel were dressed out as well, since they too will be a single color. it's the blob in the center . there is the distributor, the coil, the headers, the radiator panel, and the firewall. the master cylinder, the radiator, the charcoal canister and the shroud had already been assembled. a little more was done to the engine......the air cleaner was added and the solenoid on the starter was detailed out, as I have seen in aftermarket parts. so this brings the build up to date, in what I've done so far. I've got to get some satin black.......the flat black I have is just too flat for the interior {underneath is a different story }

in between finishing the Ford sedan and the General.........the anticipation of receiving the Stagecoach.......and a few other things, I began to mess with this kit a little bit. I have to say.......this is one of Revell's better offerings! it is very well thought out.......the only thing I've found so far, is that there is no instruction placement for the horn there isn't even a locator hole for it. I'll figure it out later........ it starts with the engine.......all the parts were gathered and cleaned up. there isn't much flash to deal with.......basically, squaring thing up. I'm going to follow the paint suggestions in the kit, since it is suppose to be accurate, to depict the car, when it ran in the 1968 winter nationals. I cut the decals in two sections, so I could slip them in the glass bag for safe keeping. I do have one lament......the tires are a hard rubber. the slicks were slightly deformed, having a dip in the centers.........roughing them up was a bit of a chore. if anyone gets this kit, the tires can easily be substituted. you can buy accessory tire sets at most online hobby stores...I have bookmarked quite a few. these parts were laid out too. as you can see, I used the British Scarlet again for the engine color......makes for a very nice orange the rear differential is comprised of three parts......there were assembled prior to painting....haven't painted it yet though. the differential cover is already in place......the pumpkin was added later. the intake and the timing cover is on that strip of tape, being painted. the fuel pump is on the timing cover......I painted it as I have seen aftermarket pumps look like. with the tires roughed up, the backs of the rims were painted flat black. you see a trace of red...... it was my thought........looking at the tires, through the rim slots, you would see white from the backings. since the sides of the car is going to be red, I thought that there should be red in these slots. they look pretty good. the proof will be how they look on the model. the last thing I did in this session, was to assemble the intake and timing cover on the engine.

today's update is brought to you by......the letter 'P'.............the campfire roughing it continues after finishing the touch ups to the cab, populating it was the next order of business. now that I have the flat red {and other colors for the next big project}, the cab walls and cow catcher can be painted. I kept with the brass {gold} color for the knobs.....I didn't go nutz. the coupler box was also added. I have one knob that is still MIA........flew off the tweezers and I haven't found it yet...... errrrr, correction......I just found it while talking to you, my ocd kicked in. I thought to use the mouse pad I got for Christmas {Gibbs got it for me}, and I wiped under the shelf that holds my flat screen {clean out the dust kitties}..............and of course, it commenced the search for the knob all over again. I looked down on the carpet under my chair........and there it was........a tiny black speck! Oh JOY!!! adding more parts to the cab....the steam dome was added time to get the seats squared away......they will be needed soon. they are being finished with the paint work...they need their back cushion. there is a water level sight glass.......and the large gauge on top of the boiler. there's still a few more parts to be added before the cab walls go up. I will be adding some grunge around the boiler door and the floor in front of it, before that is done.

the work week is over........time for another update me thinks I did some work on the General today........a bit nerve wracking though since the landlord decided to redo our bathroom this past week........suppose to carry on till next week sometime. they've already been in there a week.....we're feeling the effects of no toilet and shower. it sucks! the good thing is that our younger son Kevin lives close by.......he gave us a key to their apartment. the landlord was nice though and gave us a porta-potty to use...............yea.......uhhhhhh no....the thing is a pain in the butt! I'll leave it to your imagination, as to what I have to do with it when it needs to be emptied {and please don't think of what was done in "Christmas Vacation" } anywhey..........when I looked in the camera, I found that I hadn't shown Friday's update. so......here it is. the domes are painted now, as I had mentioned earlier. they need to have the rest of their parts installed.......except for the sand dome.......it's already done. the other parts.......well, I should have given them the dip too. cleaning them scarred the heck out of them, let alone the face that I had to assemble them too. so while I was doing that, I though to do the flat steel dry brushing to the pony truck. further thinking about this, I figured that the entire lower part of the loco would likely be the same grimy mess.....so I did the lower length of the loco too. as with the tender trucks, I will be adding other aspects to the grime situation........I haven't done it yet. a few other parts were assembled and touched up.....set aside for future installations. the steam dome is finished and drying.

white is probably the worst color to paint.........and on metal no less......... looks really good!

look'in awesome ........the size is even more amazing! very well done on the tubing........that looks great too

congratz on finishing your Victory...........even the ship's name says it all

glad to hear that you finished the model Hank! she looks absolutely stunning! I will have to look in at the Model ship Forum.....I'm a member there as well. I recently acquired the Tamiya kit of the New Jersey 1:350....... the fellow who was building it past away.....it will need some touching up, but what he did on her looks good. I know that I will never do the level of expertise that you have, but your log will be a great source of information

thanks for the good word gents! glad to hear Mark......I won't add the mirrors then {saves me the work}. my thing about the glass Ken, was that it had multiple injection pin marks......thicker than most clear parts, and worst of all, the other clear parts were on sprues that were connected to the middle of the windshield / rear windows {in the center which left a big empty rectangle at the roof} it would have been better, if all the parts were separate, like the vent windows........looking into the car, the molded roof area can be seen and it looks ugly. usually, I will paint these areas, in an effort to hide them somewhat. no matter now........she's off the table.........the General is sitting on my desk now I'm starting to work on the loco........touching up my mistake and will have more on that build soon. again, thanks for following along......it's not a bad kit......it just seems like there was something missing {parts wise, ie the extra parts}. when I get far enough along with the train, I may pull out the Sox & Martin kit........from what I've seen so far, it is really a nice kit. thanks also for the likes it didn't come out as I had planned, but it still was a fun build

I see all the pictures as well.........apparently I wasn't getting the notifications that you were posting though. I've been in the forum for a while now....all the logs that I've been following have been highlighted..........but not this one don't mind my other question.....after seeing the engine compartment, there's no way you'd be able to do it. I shouldn't speak too loudly......knowing your level of experience, you'd probably figure a way to do it wonderful model.......the level of detail is through the roof! your truly a master of card

is the other spitfire the same scale as the engine? are you planning to install it?

she looks fantastic Frank!! figuring things out usually takes most of the time........the irony is, that once you get 'em the way ya want them, it's when your almost done they look good though......some really great work!

good to see you Nils..........and you bring the tidings of a new project! I'm in! clinkering is an art in itself........some of us do it without even trying {just don't fare the frame }. kidding aside..........with your experience, you shouldn't have a problem mastering it! looking forward in seeing more of your fine workmanship!

quite a family

she's ready now! after I finished posting, I added the headlights, the center windshield column, and the tail lights. I also painted the wiper arms and door handles. I even trimmed the tabs for the vent windows.....not gonna add them. I tried to get some shots of the interior. I added the gauges at the last minute.......they were supposed to be under the dash. wher I have them seemed like good a place as any painted the tail lights with some engine red so.......she really is finished. thanks for the good word

with my first wooden ship being non laser cut, I learned to scratch build from the start. a little different than plastic, but not by much. it affords so much more freedom and creativity

the evening yielded a technically finished model..........only three bits to add to it actually. again..........no side view mirrors! what the hell's up with these companies anyway?!?!?! I haven't added one {two if this was modern times} yet........I can make one easily enough. I spoke of a mural of sorts for the front grille, which is the drag version, according to the instructions. I printed an image of geisha women in full dress........they look really good, but I chose not to use them. I also found a drawn image........looks kinda sexy, but at the size I needed to use, it would have lost some detail. headlight glass is one of the additions I need to make. the center column in the middle of the windshield is another. I didn't get an interior shot........too dark in there here's the driver's side view. I didn't add the vent windows either....should have trimmed the tabs off. taken from the driver's rear, I added the same mural to the trunk lid, accented by the handle {if it was a picture of Jimmy Durante, it would have looked great} . I had flames that I wanted to add.......but in all the milling around with the program, I think I erased them in the program itself! hopefully not the ones that did survive, I was at odds where to put them........so they decorate the bottoms of the rear fenders. the tail light are not in place yet either.....they need to be painted and installed. that's basically it, for the parts left to add. the passenger rear......... the passenger front......... in the beginning, the hood would stay in the raised position. but since I trimmed the hood tabs, it won't now. I'll have to do the hum drum engine view by removing it. the undercarriage.........I had covered the outer interior bucket. no white shows anywhere. and that about covers it.........I'll post additional pictures, once I add the rest of the parts. I'm glad that I was able to pull off most of my ideas, but it misses the mark here and there. made no sense to change what I wanted to do. thanks for following along.......it must have been somewhat interesting.........I haven't had to wake anyone, now that I'm pretty much finished I didn't care for the official video........a tad offensive in my view this one's nicer.

that was an earlier photo..........I had done some work on her yesterday, and into the evening. I started this session bu cementing the roll bar into the interior and painting the dash. the seats have already been cemented in place when I painted it. detail like the pedals and window cranks were also painted. still not totally happy with the roll bar.........it really should have a brace. there is a floor shifter that will be added, but this means that the "three on the tree" has to go. I caught this after I had glued the instrument panel in place. I turned it into a directional lever the shifter is from the 283 small block accessory kit that I had bought when I built the Coke mobile. I added the dragon decal on the passenger side of the car........made sure that both sides matched. the blending between the body and fender is a bit better on this side.......I didn't bother to fix the driver's side {it's only slight and not worth ruining the decal over}. working with the interior, I kept tapping the roll bar..........I couldn't take it any longer. I got some smaller size sprue from the small collection I have and made a brace for it. the glass leads a lot to be desired....poorly molded in my view. I didn't glue it in any way....the interior will trap it in place. I added the license plates and made up a couple of Arizona tags.........they started to curl soon after, so I took them off. I'll make some at a later date. I also started to play with the decals at this point. the interior was cemented in place...... areas on the underside of the interior was painted flat black.....touch ups made along these lines. I had to let it set at this time.

OK........update time I was a bit impatient. I knew that I was off the mark, in getting an exact paint color match. I will have to live with it I guess. I wish I could have matched it.......would have been even cooler, if these were full color decals. But, as mentioned, I would have needed to have the original image, so I could differentiate the layers. imported images will only be a single layer.......altering them in any way will affect the entire image. I could have tried them on clear paper, but I sorta spent my budget, and the budget director would have killed me {that's how she cuts the budget I sprayed the decals with bonder. and tried one........I should have made the name overlay larger the body still isn't cemented in place {obvious due to lack of interior}, so I had to cut the tail and lay it on the rear fender.

the update is small, but it is significant.......the tender is pretty much done. I do have a little more paint to do on it, the wood load, and the front coupler. the trucks are in place now.......I tried to figure out a way to make them movable, but I couldn't. the display is a straight section of track, so it's really not a big deal. as I mentioned....I almost caused a lot of problems. while the cement was setting {and it had been done quite a while in advance} on the trucks, I dozed off and my head hit the tender, breaking the bond on both trucks. there's been a few times that I've scraped the bridge of my nose, as a result of dozing off. I guess you could say that I'm not a fan of sleep.......been like this most of my life. no medical problem, I just don't sleep a lot <shrug>. back in the day, it was not uncommon for me to pull all nighters on a model build......I had many when I built the United States {Revell}........even some home improvements {painting}. it's just me.......probably explains a lot when it comes to my model building . so........I managed to get the trucks back on, as well as the handles and foot steps. not the best picture.........the rest of them were worse. I dumped them and took this one of the tender, as it sits now. the foot steps are painted, but I still need to do the touch ups and suggestions from Ken. I was thinking of doing it Ken, but I wasn't sure of how they should look.......glad that you cleared it up for me I have also finished the painting on the sand and steam domes......just need to add the other parts to them. I also have a picture of some of the plumbing that needed to be assembled...... time to touch up the loco and get working on it I have the flat red!