GordonD

https://www.space.com/joe-engle-x15-space-shuttle-nasa-astronaut-obituary Flew two of the Air-Launched Tests of the Shuttle Orbiter then two actual missions. He was supposed to be Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 17 but was dropped in favour of Jack Schmitt as NASA wanted to put a geologist on the Moon.

Speaking of "We've always done it this way" there was the story of the civil servant who had to submit a daily report on the previous day's activities to his boss. In the top right-hand corner of the page he drew a red circle. He was training his replacement, who asked what the circle signified - but he had no idea. Intrigued, they tracked down his predecessor in the job, who didn't know either. They were able to work their way back until they found a very old man who had done the job some sixty years earlier. And he explained, "It's the number of Luftwaffe air raids the previous night!"

Bill Anders, who flew on Apollo 8 and took the classic 'Earthrise' photo from lunar orbit, has died in a plane crash aged 90. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw99wj5e5q8o

At least they're not doing what Revell used to do and make the plastic fit the box, resulting in some bizarre scales.

Is it just me or does the box seem much larger than it needs to be for the amount of plastic inside?

Maybe if they'd included the demur you'd have been charged more... 😄

No, you've always been like that. But now I'm officially allowed to do it!

The banter dates back to the English Civil War. One day Oliver Cromwell was planning troop movements when one of his staff came in and said, "Oh, Oliver, I see you have some new toy soldiers!" Cromwell glared at him and said, "NEW MODEL ARMY!"

Missed this on Saturday - thanks, Enzo! I'm now at the age where I'm officially allowed to be mean and crabbit to everybody.

Good to see that you still like your toy trains... 😛

We've lost another Apollo astronaut - Tom Stafford has died aged 93. Veteran of Gemini 6 and 9, Apollo 10 and Apollo-Soyuz.

The film models were deliberately made with brown tiles so they would show up against the black space background. Offhand I can't remember if the Marines' shuttle had normal black tiles but it was only seen briefly and wasn't the focus of attention like Bond's was.

I see your Gabrielle Drake and raise you AYSHEA BROUGH!

Went into my local model shop today and this leapt off the shelf and into my arms. I tried to put it back but it seemed to be stuck to my hand. As they wouldn't let me leave the shop without paying for it, I was forced to buy it.

This was delivered yesterday: some fascinating models in there, none of which I'll ever attempt. Projects that never got off the drawing board. Available on Amazon.