Navy Bird

Thanks for that. Revell definitely have it wrong, and even went so far as to tool two hole drilling locations for mounting it on either side. The pictures that Revell have on their website of a finished model (left hand drive) show the handbrake as I modelled it (following their instruction for right hand drive). They didn't even follow their own instructions... Speaking of photos, the finished model on the front of the instruction booklet clearly has aftermarket wire wheels. Well, I'm just trying to keep up with @Fritag. Cheers, Bill

He's a wizard, a true star. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wizard,_a_True_Star Cheers, Bill

I'm back, although I'm a bit waterlogged from a water line bursting in the basement. Thank goodness that didn't happen while we were on the cruise as that would have been a real mess. I need to get into the habit of turning off the main water valve coming into the house when we're gone. Anyway, all is fixed and dry again. Whew! I managed to find a little time to do some work on the interior. First, painting the headliner: Exciting, eh? Revell picked some good spots for the ejector pins as none of this will ever be seen. The instrument panel (sans the steering wheel) and center console were then added, followed by the side door panels and the boot. Now, I assembled them in that specific order even though Revell have you add the boot first, followed by the instrument panel and then the doors. The boot, however, had some back and forth movement against its alignment ribs so there was a possibility of gluing it in the wrong position, resulting in small gaps between it and the door panels. My procedure ensured that everything matched up well. We'll see what happens when the body goes on! The rub rails in the boot are decals, and they were a bit of a pain. The decal is flat, of course, but the moulded rail has a circular cross section making it difficult to get the decal positioned properly. Especially when they are swimming around in a pool of decal solvent. Luckily, this probably won't be real obvious once the body is on. Note - the paint had to be removed from all locating pins, tabs, holes, and slots in order for all of this to fit together. The tolerances are very tight. There is an error in Revell's instructions concerning the hole you need to drill out for the parking brake lever. For right hand drive, Revell have you do what I've done here. Oops. I think this is the position for the parking brake for a left hand drive car. It should be on the other side of the console so it won't interfere with your arm while you're shifting. Speaking of shifting, Revell provide a decal for the pattern on the shift knob. Nice. I'm working on the steering wheel now, experimenting with how I want to do wood grain, assuming I want to do it. We'll see. Several of the holes in the steering wheel spokes needed to be drilled out as they were flashed over. No biggie. The wire wheels were given a base coat of gloss black followed by GSI Creos Mr. Color Super Metallic 2 Super Chrome Silver 2. Seriously, that's what the label says. Note that this paint is double super. The chrome effect is much more noticeable in real life. They are really quite shiny, but nothing like what came with the kit. Revell provide Jaguar logo decals for the spinners but they are not on yet. I managed to glue the wheels together correctly, so the wheels should roll. Now, since I don't build car models very often, what is the best way to keep these rubber tyres clean? They are a perfect dust magnet. The rubber is not tacky at all, but man, I clean off the dust (seems to require water and a micro-fiber cloth) but they don't stay clean long. It looks worse in the photos, but it's still noticeable. Let me know if you have any ideas. Cheers, Bill PS. The cruise wasn't enough. We leave this coming Saturday for a week at the beach house in Delaware. Because, well, it's there. 🏖️

Absotively. I've been using a wide red Sharpie for the USN red landing gear door edges since, well, since I wasn't so good at painting them. Works like a charm. I was bummed when my secret got out in the local club - my rep was trashed. Cheers, Bill

Very nice. Thinner is your friend. Ice cream tub inspiration is good, especially if there is some ice cream left. Cheers, Bill

Wow, the Jo-Han kits I built back in the 60s weren't like this! (Admittedly, I was buying the cheap ones...) This is an exquisite rendition and one to be proud of. Cheers, Bill

Update: I officially survived floating around the Greek isles for 10 days - even though I had the all-you-can-drink package on the boat ship. It was a wonderful trip but now I have to finish the Jaguar. Stay tuned for further progress as I start working on the interior. Cheers, Bill

Let us know how you like it. I bought one many years ago whilst in Hong Kong - paid about $50 USD. I have it around here somewhere, but I don't believe I ever used it. That seems rather typical for me I'm afraid. If I recall, mine did not come with any instructions, but I did buy some pre-cut styrene sheets. They're around here somewhere too. Cheers, Bill

Nice set of chocks, baby. Cheers, Bill

One last update before my trip - essentially finishing up the go-fast department. First, if you're going to go fast, you need to see where you be going. Conveniently, Jaguar provide a couple of litres of windscreen washing fluid mounted on the firewall. It's either that or clear blue brake fluid. You can also see that the trio of carbonators have been installed, along with the venturi chamber connecting them to the barbecue smoker. Note also that the Koni shocks are now here, complete with a tiny logo. Here is a better look: Keeping that monster six-banger cool is the job of the rather large radiator and overflow tank. Revell provide a tiny decal to add to one of the hoses - using my portable electron microscope, it looks like another part number. (I forgot to paint the other radiator hose - I'll get to that when I return.) There are some more greeblies that connect the radiator overflow tank to the carburettor manifold and the firewall. You can also see a fan assembly/heater core (I guess) over by the washer fluid. But it could be something else... Lastly, we have what likes like an on-board dairy complete with three bottles of milk complete with a space shuttle thermal tile to insulate them from the exhaust header. From the left: whole, 2% and skim. The main cooling fan is captured in-between the radiator core and a grill on the backside, complete with a shaft that leads to the engine block. And, of course, after I struggled a bit getting all that in place at the same time, none of it will ever be seen again. Oh well. On a positive note, below the fan(?) is the silver flux capacitor. Anyway, there she is for now. Bon voyage! 🛳️ Cheers, Bill

Somehow I acquired the new Arma Hobby 1:72 Curtiss H-75 A1/A2. I must have pre-ordered it, but I don't remember! Gawd, I'm getting old... Cheers, Bill PS. Great looking kit, by the way. PPS. Maybe it was pre-ordered by someone else for my birthday a few months ago - that's it. That's my story. Now I just need to find someone to back me up.

Interesting. I just typed the exact phrase (spitfire i to v fuselage differences) into Google and got a different AI summary: AI overview The primary fuselage differences between the Spitfire Mk. I and Mk. V lie in structural enhancements and modifications made to accommodate the more powerful Merlin 45 engine, improved aerodynamics, and changes to the cockpit and pilot protection. The Mk. V retained the basic shape of the Mk. I but was strengthened to handle the increased power and weight of the Merlin 45. Key Changes: Structural Strengthening: The Mk. V had a re-stressed and strengthened airframe, particularly in the engine mounting area, to accommodate the more powerful Merlin 45 engine. Engine & Propeller: The Mk. V featured the Merlin 45 engine, which was a more potent version of the Merlin XX used in earlier Spitfires. This engine also had a new single-speed, single-stage supercharger and a modified carburetor for zero-gravity maneuvers. Exhaust Stacks: Round exhaust stacks were replaced with fishtail-type stacks, which slightly improved exhaust thrust. Oil Cooler: A larger, more efficient oil cooler with a deeper housing and circular entry was fitted. Ailerons: Metal ailerons were added in May 1941, enhancing roll and overall maneuverability. Canopy: A "blown" cockpit canopy was introduced, providing more headroom for the pilot. Windscreen: Improved windscreens, including internally-mounted armored glass, were used in mid to late production Vbs. Air Filters: Vokes air filters were added, and later modified for operation in different climatic conditions. Landing Gear: The undercarriage was redesigned with stronger legs, angled forward for better ground stability and to reduce the risk of nose-tipping. Armament: The Mk. V retained the original 8-gun wing configuration (Mk. Va) or was equipped with two 20mm cannon (Mk. Vb). Drop Tanks: The Mk. Vc was the first Spitfire able to carry drop tanks The little chain link icon after each item (not shown in this post, but rather in Google) is a link to the sources used by Google AI. In this case, I don't think we can assume that the info is "made up" unless that's the case with the initial sources. Anyway, it's interesting that just a few hours later the summary has changed. Cheers, Bill

Thanks. I thought about that, but the canister just seemed so big. Anyway, now I know. I'm really looking forward to the Mediterranean cruise, as I've always wanted to visit the Aegean and the Greek isles. Having Italy and Malta in the mix as well is icing on the cake. We don't normally take two week holidays, but hey - it's only money, right? 💰 Scale Model World will be fun too. That will just be me, as wifey is doing a girls trip to Boston that same time. I know she wants to go to the Salem Witch Trials museum (or something like that) so she can get closer to her ancestors. I'll be busy today helping out my youngest daughter. It looks like an offer she put in on a house will be accepted, and I'm going to loan her some cash to help with the down payment. How I can get this accomplished in the short time before I leave on Monday, I have no idea. I have to pull it out of my portfolio, which means my finance guy has to get some of those assets converted to cash first, etc. etc. I really wish she hadn't spring this on me right now, but that's the way it goes. The real estate market here is insane at the moment - homes sell in a matter of days, at crazy prices well above what they're listed for. I'm sure this won't last forever, and I kinda wish she'd waited until the market calmed down. But you know how it is with these kids. Cheers, Bill

Two quick additions today. First, the battery: With a magnifier, you can read the warning stickers on the battery - you know the whole risk of explosion thing if you happen to uncork it while you're smoking. That kind of stuff. Plus the Lucas part number just in case I lose this one. Next up on the other side was this thing: This could be a smudge pot, but I'm guessing it's a barbecue smoker. I think a small pig would fit inside. It took five extra coats of paint for the tie rod ends to be tight enough to stay on. One side is actually quite tight and I had some difficulty getting it on completely. But there seems to be no effect on the steering. Next up are the carburettors and air filter housing which attaches to the top of the barbecue smoker. I'm trying to fit in a few minutes of modelling in-between babysitting duties. Luckily I take the baby for walk in the stroller, and my wife handles the nappies. 👶 Cheers, Bill

I'll see if I can find the old Nakamura kit of the Jaguar 8 Power Boat. Oh, you mean one of those wingy things...I remember now. Oops. Cheers, Bill