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Hello chaps and ladies. Thank you for many very kind messages. I'll reply to all, really lovely messages, very soon. We're fortunate to have such a dignified and kind forum. Mike's ethos 👍. All the best (OB) TT

Hello friends 👋 It has been some time. I hope that you are all well, or at the very least getting along fairly tolerably well. I have missed you all. I think maybe most of my followers/friends here know that my recent almost annual attempts to get back into modelling, into regular posts, have not worked. Short spell of normality: silence. The Internet is a place where one’s data and words are harvested and used in the strangest and most mystical ways, therefore I was previously reluctant to explain a lot. However, now a person involved in what is being referred to as the largest scandal in NHS history, I have waived my rights to privacy via my lawyers, for the class action. This was my choice. I’m no spring chicken any more, there aren’t that many of us old bleeders left (I’m not swearing here), so I feel fine writing about it here. Around 40 years ago, along with around 2500 or so other Haemophiliacs, other recipients of blood based products; I copped for a couple of very nasty infections. Ones that can kill and have killed many. I’m one of the U.K. ‘survivors’. I have been sort of ‘stuck’ in Australia. Following what was intended to be a far shorter trip; my health, related to my Haemophilia and liver infection declined and I ended up stuck here. There are far worse places to be stuck. I have been very kindly looked after, especially following my move to the lovely and friendly, very civilised city of Canberra. The capital city. A couple of years ago the U.K. government finally opened an inquiry into the way so many became infected by blood products. Shortly after that I asked a U.K. lawyer to represent me in the class action currently underway. Writing a witness statement spanning almost 40 years has been a harrowing and demanding task. At over 10,000 words, thanks to the help of my kind and supportive wife, to the help and support of some members of Britmodeller past and present, to a wonderful team of lawyers and a wonderful team of Haemophilia and liver nurses, doctors, support workers, counsellors and a superb GP, the support and help of my home MP in Argyll in Scotland and more; I am almost there. Also with many thanks to the support and kind words of an old academic friend of mine; Prof. Danny Dorling, currently of Oxford University. Reading thought provoking books by Danny and others, researching all kinds of things, from conflict history to geopolitics and social geography (I’m a geographer by the way, it probably shows 😉), Audiobooks, encouraging emails and text messages have kept me (fairly 😉 ) sane and determined. I went on a kind of targeted chemo/anti viral medication last November and that appeared to be the point at which my get up and go for model making, for most leisure pursuits, got up and went. However, it appears to be working 😊. Moreover, I saved enough Virgin Velocity points (92,000) make the journey to the U.K. in a few weeks time, at the end of October. This will be in time to attend a few days of Inquiry hearings in London, ponder whatever the B word throws at us on Haloween and to enjoy Guy Fawkes night too. In model making terms, I appear to have branched out into restoring old die cast and tin plate toys; trains, aeroplanes, automobiles, motorcycles and so on. My plastic modelling interests have really narrowed down to ‘Golden Age’ aviation and most things from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. I also appear to have acquired a piano, another guitar and number of classic cars in need of a little love and attention; all British or European, although my Australian built 1973 Ford Cortina Mk III with a 200 cubic inch engine and three speed manual gearbox doesn’t quite fit the classifications. The others are Audi, Rover, Mercedes. SAAB, Volvo, Peugeot, Simca and so on. I will need a few quite large shipping containers and an old barn to move this lot to the U.K., hopefully Scotland, and keep them safe, protected from the elements. Should anyone wish to meet up for a chat, cup of tea and so on; I will be in London the last week of October, Oxford the first week of November, then Birmingham, then Glasgow and Argyll. Please send a message if interested, it would be lovely to meet up with anyone. I hope to more carefully heed the advice of a friend from my last attempt, and slowly ease myself back into some model making and sharing of experiences; rejoining the good people on this great forum again. Have a great weekend TonyT

a step in the right direction, today i re-homed the stash. It’s just getting too damp in the cellar and a number of decal sheets have been lost. Now summer holidays are out the way and set up for Christmas is done I hope to get some modelling done.... wish me luck! Rob

I feel the need to tell you all I actually built something today, in fact that’s not accurate! Somethings! they are nothing special but I got them buttoned up... not my finest work but fun! I’m back in the game!!

Happy Christmas to all of Britmodeller! My life is greatly enriched by all of you and our wonderful shared hobby of buying kits, putting them safely away, and idly speculating about building them.

My greatest achievement as a father so far: I've taught my twenty-one-month-old to exclaim "By Jove!" Next: introducing him to pink gins.

Only just noticed, but some days ago, my Ever Evolvin' Dio WIP surpassed 70,000 views. At least 50k of those were me I suspect lol.

Ok. Erm. A lot happened. 34,000 km. Starvation. I went a bit bonkers; 129 continuous days alone. I ended up on the ABC National news as the second news story at peak time on a Saturday at 7pm on the 7/11. Any numerologists out there? it was the first time that I had seen my wife in 7 Months. Way before and during, @JOCKNEYliterally helped keep me alive as always has @AlexNand treated my very stressed and overwhelmed wife like the 15/16 Scottish Princess she is. I think that he may not be here; I was dreadfully torn as a friend that I care about a lot; a better friend, I assure you, a person like me could not imagine, had popped over onto another forum. I had and still have mental health issues. I am Compus Mentis. Not the hardwiring, the data. Some stuff needs filing away or to be deleted; taking up too much space on the hard drive. We must start talking about this fella me lads; the ladies are often better at it than us. I tried to hide my weaknesses and pride led to a big fall. Anyway, sadly I can’t promise anything apart from; give the forum masses of publicity as other media sources, on your island, well I don’t know yet. However, Mike may not wish for that, it could create too many hits and we don’t want server meltdown. Not blowing the trumpet here. I’m ashamed by the 2 and a half minute piece. I had been advised to make it about me, but I don’t like doing that; so I just really don’t like it. Now 22 Million people know me as the bloke that arrived in a wheelchair, sounds like a Pom and laid in his own 💩 for three weeks 😔 . Being recognised in public (and hospital) for this, is not fun. I was 129 continuous days in agony, haemorrhaging, liver playing an unfair game and starving in the end. Lost about 4 stones; 124 kg. I’m out a bit there because I’m still a bit out of it here, now back in Australia. Modelling wise; I’m in need of the help of you people to help get me going again. It’s thanks to @Mike that I am alive. That my stepkids have had a Stepdad and still do. That my wife was able to see the home of her ancestors. You should have seen her smile. You must know how good it feels when you just know that the love of your life is happy? Really happy? Model making, learning how to write again, use computers again, even commmunicate, take photos;,This forum honestly saved my life. The fact that some rifts have happened whilst I was sick; it was awkward as the bloke in the other place; a whole load there saved my life too. What an awful few years it has been for so many; and now Covid-19 has thrown everything, even my marriage, into touch. Alone, in the bath, looking for my old mates; see if I can learn from you again to get on my Own Two Feet and get model making; give back. I have missed my mates here. Very concerned that you’re all safe. TonyTiger66 🐯 I can email a link to @Mike of the video, phone going flat in the bath 🛀 too hot today 🥵 cold water 😃🤣. Love and peace and all that xx

Sunday tickets to Fairford booked for the kids and I, their first proper air show! Rob

Yay it worked!! Thanks for the hint @modelglue

What a lucky guy I am, my lovely girlfriend surprised me with an airfix b-17 for my birthday! Now I just need space and time to build it!

I'm not dead. Just very sleepy.

It's 4.31 am on ANZAC day. I'm at the Australian War Memorial. The Reading of letters from those at Gallipoli has just begun. It's extremely moving. Of course these men volunteered for service, to aid the wider empire. Many travelled for weeks, a couple of months, just to be mown down by machine gun fire in their first few steps of the landing. I thought it an appropriate time to leave a note here on Britmodeller. Best regards TonyT

Hello everyone and a belated happy new year! I hope to be lurking around on fantastic BM again. A mere 505 notifications to catch up on ! Yours truly still a bit 'blurgh' so if I'm type slow with replies, my apologies . Thoroughly looking forward to catching up. All my 'thread WIP's' are packed in boxes, so I may have to start something new. I only have three resin kits with me, so it looks like being one of those. I've not completed a resin one yet (he said, as if he has actually completed any I/m in the last decade ), so it'll be fun trying (I hope). Happy modelling and here's to 2017 thoroughly kicking 2016 into oblivion for good! All the best The Frostie Muncher (thanks for that Miggers ) 🐯

I last won the day in January.... nearly a year ago! Wow I better pull my finger out.... merry christmas everyone, I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow and you get lots of models under the tree! Rob

Hello everyone, It was tricky, but I made it. Back in the U.K.. Attended the infected blood hearings in October. Persuaded SingaporeAir not to charge me £600 to bring a wheelchair over. Managed to pick up the by now ancient Volvo 940 Estate, get it through the MOT, taxed, tested. Insurance was a monumental faff. One that matched the rather Nordic long story telling name of the company I used. Now settled in a nice spot in Dunoon. A little bird told me that @Scimitar may live here too. I’m not sure if there are any other Scot or adopted Scot Britmodellers nearby? Please get in touch if so. It literally nearly had me pushing up the daisies, the relocation, but recovering now. No tools, paints, brushes nothing. My wife and family over in Oz for. Christmas. Like many of us; I will most likely be alone and mainly bedbound. The latter part may start to change in the new year; the Involuntary separation from my very loved wife; a challenge. She did send a couple of nice little Dekno resin kits over. Modern, lovely quality Dekno. I will need a razor saw, knife, cutting mat, all the essentials. So close to Christmas and after the vast expense of the move; a bit tricky. However; I will have a look in the boxes and online and consider the most economical and rapid way to get modelling. It will help beat the “missing my wife and step kids at Christmas” blues. Hello @TheBaron, @Beard, @Beardie @CedB @Procopius @perdu @Nigel Heath @Pin @Romeo Alpha Yankee @thespadgent

Thank you for the kind messages back in August. You’re a great bunch and BM is superb. Thank you Mike. Absolutely the best community on the Internet. Two months have flown by. Another short stay in hospital. Then my wife and stepdaughter did amazing work packing books for study, inspiration, to help my own writing, masses of medication. Clearance letters for vast quantities of very valuable clotting medication arrived just 3 days prior to departure. a380’s on the two Long hauls. Perhaps the civil aviation modellers and staff here can tell me why the older A380 was far more comfortable than the newer one? Cheap seats on both, but utterly agonising on the second one. I have a fracture in my right elbow and Spinal work that cannot be effectively addressed in my remaining practical working lifespan (unless I win the lottery or crowdfunded *a lot*) in Australia, so in many ways, this was a civilian medevac. These Osteo issues are regular NHS work here. I have never been so happy to hear British trains and be drenched by British rain, to breathe in the cool air, full of Carbon Monoxide or not. Suit and symbolic yellow tie provided for the hearings by the lovely people at Haemophilia ACT. My first new nice pair of shoes in 13 years provided by careful saving. Entire flight paid for myself by extremely mindfully collecting 90,000 Virgin Velocity points over an 8 year period and $85 in cash. Quite proud of my tenacity there ! Currently in London recovering from the long haul. Off to the hearings on Monday. Fleetwood house. I’ll be the portly chap in charcoal suit, tan Oxford style Hush puppies 👞 and a yellow toe, in a wheelchair sometimes, walking stick other times. We had to concentrate on books and medication (30Kg of books). Thetefore, sadly, not *one* single kit, paintbrush, knife, pot of paint here with me 😢. I tried to bring some vintage Shuco clockwork cars to refurbish, but they have apparently been posted back to Australia, in the same box as my old computers. ‘Too many batteries’ apparently. All dead as dodos; I just wanted to keep the moulded shells to try and re-cell. If anyone has any ancient PowerBook 500 series batteries, please let me know. I need to get data off of those machines. Only place my Masters degree and one old book I started in 1991 (transferred from Amiga) exist. Oxford next to meet a valued good friend, then the midlands to pick up the trusty Volvo 920 Estate. The AA wouldn’t insure it as they say it’s too old and a ‘Classic’. A classic car company rep almost died Laughing when I tried to insure my life beloved brick through them as a classic. Still don’t know where to go to get it insured. Got to get it done very fast. Flew through its test after years of inactivity. Winscteen wipers, a battery, handbrake adjustment. Job done. They don’t make them like that anymore (stop sniggering you at the back, it may be ugly but I love it). Im off North of the border to live near Dunoon for a bit after the hearings. Would love to hear from nearby Britmodellers. Any advice on good local GP’s most welcome. I’ll be mainly reading and writing and having my body repaired bit by bit, but a Britmodeller is a Britmodeller. Nothing. To. Build. Alone, A bit skint 😔 If anyone has anything unwanted in 1/72, let me know. I will buy or send swaps. I mainly like aircraft pre 1970. Above all 1930’s to 1960’s. I like submarines and WWII Arctic Convoy ship is too. Vac form, resin, plastic, any old thing. Unwanted paints, brushes, scalpels etc also welcome. I’ll be as skint as a skint thing until late November, so all unwanted/second hand stuff welcome and will be lovingly built. Look after yourselves. Keep muddling. Can’t wait to get to Dunoon 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⛰. All the best TonyT

Not dead, just devoid of mojo and overworked.

I’m in Duxford! 😃

Introducing the latest member of the Biggles87 family. This is Blanche who we adopted about 10 days ago, when her previous owner had to move to an apartment and so did not have a garden for her. She's eight years old, is very affectionate and is getting on well with our other two girls, although she's not sure about the horses and thinks they should be barked at regularly. John

"But now it begins to appear that a number of things which were supposed to have been finished are coming to life again, as such things do, on occasion: good and evil, the gods and the evil spirits of greed and bestiality. I do not know if the end of the world is at hand, as Dostoyevsky said. But this I do know, that these are years of a turning in human affairs…" —Friedrich Percyval Reck-Malleczewen, c. September 1941

Hello all, This public post function is useful My second attempt at this post as I can't find an 'edit' button. Thanks for the nice messages following the last message folks , makes a big difference. Just a quickie; after a few weeks of being a 'day patient' for various clinics, right now I'm an 'in patient'. I have to say that this Canberra hospital is very good. I could probably write a bit of a guide on 'hospitals of the world' albeit limited to Europe, Scandinavia, the U.K. and the Commonwealth. I'll give this one a food rating tomorrow. It's 3.18am and I have sampled their 'pesticide free' tea, and can vouch for it. I personally gave up on 'Anthrax Blend' long ago, it was making my hair a little brittle . I just wanted to apologise for the lack of comments on the Group Build and threads I follow. I'm allowed a mobile phone in here, and there's not a lot to do, so I may be able to catch up now. If it goes quiet, please send me a PM, as they appear in email, and I'll scribble something back. My Spitfire and Jak 23 are more advanced than the threads suggest, I've just been too tired to tackle the photos and text, but it will happen. The Jak has suffered with Alclad black gloss coat 'crazing'. I'm sure that I put it on too thick. That product takes patience (and a good respirator ). The Spitfire is in camouflage now. Many difficulties with spraying acrylics, and big differences in shade for the sane colour, from different manufacturers. Not good if one forgets with which manufacturer's paint one sprayed on e.g. the first coat of 'Medium Sea Grey' . I also resorted to a hybrid 'spray, then hairy stick' approach, to try to get a bit of depth, make it look realistic. I didn't resort to that because my airbrush work was abysmal. At all. Cough. Happy muddling folks and I hope to be around more soon to watch people making satellite catching aircraft, record breakers, lightnings, unusual early submarines, Spitfires, all manner of Glosters, De-Havilands and more. Apologies again for the absence. All best regards TonyT

Apologies to all; I'm a little absent from BM at the moment due to a glut of routine but time consuming hospital clinic appointments at the moment. None for a while, then many all at once, reminds me of South West Trains when I lived in the U.K. Different clinics; rheumatology, haematology, maxillofacial etc. At least things are getting done, but it leaves me a little worn out; affects the old modelling mojo. Neverthless, I do like to share the odd internet find. I have been looking for a sturdy old Volvo. I've had many, it's an affliction. They are very good tools, nonetheless. This advert for one at quarter of a million dollars caught my eye, then gave me a very good chortle. I think the picture with the Smörgåsbord and Martini is my favourite. The full description is rather marvellous too. I feel the seller may be as tired of the usual Evilbay fare as many of us are: http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/272642208302 Best regards TonyT

Hello all, In the absence of other 'Social' networks that I would feel happy using, I think this BM personal activity feed suits me just fine . "Suits you sir"! This week I have been mostly unpacking boxes. My aim has been to try to establish a new modelling/study/Mancave area. As of this evening, it looks diabolically bad, but at least all the boxes are unpacked: I've put these pictures here as, for my own sanity, I need to build something. If I focus on that, I'll clear the bench (self psychology going on here). The thing is, understandably, I'm overwhelmed by all the kits. I had alluded to this a little before. I have a few ideas but; looking at this pile of sh... , sorry, kits, does anyone have a request for any of them? I'll go along with it and do a WIP. My brain hurts just trying to decide. All the best TonyT

Hello people, I wasn't sure if, or where to write this, but I thought; "Be sociable, why not?" . After two months of hiatus, Mrs. T and I finally moved into our new home two weeks ago. We were sleeping on the lounge floor until two days ago, when a very comfortable mattress was finally purchased from a certain Swedish outlet, also well known for splendid low cost meatballs with lingonberry jam and gravy . I normally don't like the stuff from this outlet, but my opinion is changing. Rapidly. Sleeping on the floor with sunburn and no furniture can do things to a man's psyche (and his lumbar 2/3 ). I have been extensively testing the mattress (behave, you at the back), for the last 48 hours, mainly studying the back of my eyelids at the same time. It is a wonderful thing, the 'Hyllestad'. Both firm and springy at the same time, it is only for use on one side, with no unexpected lumps and a 25 year warranty (just how I like my women, in fact ). I send my wholehearted thanks to Sweden, above all to Ingvar Kamprad 🇸🇪. "Kompakt leeving" indeed . Nice . Modelling should soon recommence after a very long break. Here are some pictures of the current state of the 'second bedroom' aka 'The New Mancave'. I'm very pleased with this space. The iMac will be on the same desk/bench, so spray painting will have to be tackled mindfully. Polite suggestions regarding organising this set up are very welcome . This is not "dim", the other way up it's "WIP" : Glad the Starsky and Hutch mirror didn't get broken, priceless it is, priceless (and tasteful): There's s nasal hair trimmer in there somewhere. Very important . Here it is again,near a book with a pertinent title and a cover that may bring back memories for many of us: Here's hoping I can dream up some half decent models in this room, and get all these boxes empty asap. Happy modelling in whatever is your cave or space, feel free to share pictures of it here . All the best TonyT

Spitfire builds really are a powerful force for good in this world.

You know how sometimes a kit yells " build me! " when you open the box, well that happened to me a few days ago with the Airfix 1/48 Folland Gnat. I think this will be the one to get me started again, I have already built several of the sub-assemblies, and am looking forward to painting the cockpit soon. I probably won't do a WIP because apart from the fact that there have been a couple of others here recently, I still can't post any photos on Photobucket and am having trouble getting onto Flickr, due to a problem at my end I suspect. I will post an RFI when I get the problem sorted ( I must admit I havn't really tried yet ) hopefully in the near future. John

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Miami-bound in February for work. Zika ahoy!

Wishing all fellow BritModellers a very happy Christmas ! I didn't compete a model this year, but got quite close with four; two LaGG 3 an I-16 and a UTI-4. It was fun trying and great BM friends made the year very special, a lot more fun and really helped with modelling encouragement and advice . Everything is packed now ready for a change in location South, to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. The move happens on the 27th. Happy Christmas, eat, drink, be merry and I hope Santa has put something special in your sock! All the best TonyT 🐯

Merry Christmas to all my model buddies. I wish you all the best, may you have the smiles you have brought me this past year.

Just won a 1/72 B-24H, hard to find! More importantly, it will enable me to build one of the 734th BS's Liberators in which my great-uncle flew and present it to his children. I won't be correcting the kit's many shape errors, but man am I gonna have a rough time with the markings.

Miss Bennett meets the North Gloucestershire Regiment (28mm work in progress). Not yet convinced they merit a thread of their own. Miss Austen and the North Glos regiment by jongwinnett, on Flickr Miss Austen and the North Glos regiment by jongwinnett, on Flickr Miss Austen and the North Glos regiment by jongwinnett, on Flickr Miss Austen and the North Glos regiment by jongwinnett, on Flickr Miss Austen and the North Glos regiment by jongwinnett, on Flickr

At this point, I don't even think 2016 deserves a Spitfire build from me. I'll build them in 2017, as top cover for all the good things that are gonna need to break on through.

I no longer feel anything when I cut parts off a kit. What monster have I become Oh Lord?

My daughter has just recited a story about Winkie the wonder pigeon.... She even gave me the date the Beaufort bomber crashed in February and the miles that the poor bird flew! She said she knew I would love it so has been saying it in her head until I got home! What a great thing after a crap day! I have only just come back and she stayed awake just to tell me... Legend

Feeling quite chuffed at the moment. i’ve Just finished my 4th build of the year ( F-51D in RFI ) even if two of them were started more than 15 years ago. Now on to the Airfix Hunter. John

After six years I think its time for a new profile photo in honour of the new Top Gun movie and the demise of Mad Magazine as we know it,it was a staple of my teenage years!

"Approximately seven minutes after the attack had begun, I noticed a single Spitfire arriving over the base at 2000 feet height in a port turn. Three Fw 190s were just coming in to strafe. The Spitfire, marked ZF-P [and] piloted by F/Lt. Chojnacki [of 308 (Polish) Squadron] noticed these enemy aircraft and while still in the turn fired at the rearmost from about 800 yards range, [shooting the Fw 190 down almost instantly]..." --Sgt Strobel, 308 (Polish) Squadron, recounting events of January 1 1945. Flight Lieutenant Waclaw Chojnacki proceeded to engage four more Fw 190s at once, drawing them away from the airfield, but lost his life doing so. Shortly after Chojnacki was shot down, 308 (City of Krakow), and 317 (City of Wilno) squadrons returned to the airfield from their fighter sweep and shot down twenty-six more Fw190s, effectively annihilating II/JG1. Chojnacki is buried in Grave IC1 in the Polish War Cemetery in Lommel, Belgium, a thousand kilometers from home. http://www.polishwargraves.nl/lom/0575.htm

The Pz.IV STGB area is now open for business down in the GB section. You can start your build threads now - but not your actual Pz.IVs yet! The kits can be started from Saturday December 15th.

That was a nice suprise,just had the BBMF Dakota over at just a couple of hundred feet beautiful!

Tony we hope you are OK Please come and tell us Bill

Currently on a coach to Edinburgh to see my mate and just had a low fly over by two typhoons (at a stop around the Peak District) they must have known I was here

A Vote! What to build! I know now I have unfinished work I should really just finish, but my head is not in that place right now.... so here are some options for a quick build. - airfix spitfire mk XXII (race scheme as I like it more than the silver) - airfix dauntless - hase p-38 - airfix mustang p-51d (RAF option off the med fighters sheet) - academy p-40, (either with the tiger on or cresswell's AC) the choice is yyyyyyyoooouuuuurrrss.... Rob

Will one of you take a note and remember to remind me in about November of 2017 that no matter how sweet Mrs P has been, I DO NOT LIKE Michigan (or her mother, at all, but best not to mention that bit) and I do not want to go, and definitely not for ten days?

I know a few of my BM compadres are Moon spotters, Eclipse people and skygazers, astronomers. The Super Moon is here tonight in the Southern Hemisphere already. I only have the iPhone and the moon really is ludicroudly bright. Here is a rough picture so those a few hours behind me know what they're looking forward to: Any advice on how I could have taken a better pic with the phone is welcome, but I hope it gives an idea of how bright it is . Best regards TonyT

My first attempt at raising a GB! 'In the navy' GB has a a buoyant ( ) reception so far. basically you get to build ANYTHING Navy... What's not to like!