D1fuN0

Man Alan..... Second bike I owned was a red GS400E... Brought a big smile to my face, looks good so far Mad Steve

Very Nice Ian, I think you doing ok

You get room service... WOW!!! Clearly I booked the wrong package when I ordered my hobby room, my room service remote seems to be broken

Morning Chaps Ohhhh, electronic locks on the hobby room.... oh wait, that wont work, I don't have a door Come on, you can all just SEE your better half's face if you have an electronic lock on your hobby room. They'll think there's naked serving wenches and all sorts in there

That is such a cool thing Laurie. Unfortunately, Mrs Mad Mk1 was not forthcoming with the babies, and Mk2 already had ready made ones when I met her. The girls always called me Steve, and I was actually wondering whether I would ever here that word spoken to me, but on the day of the adoption we went outside after it was all finished to a coffee shop, and the two them sat down next to me and asked if they could call me Dad now. I burst into tears and cried like a little girl... Man that was the happiest day of my life

Admiral Puff (Sah!) There may be a solution AP in Slot Car bodies Check these guys out www.pendleslotracing.co.uk, I know they do a whole load of old British car bodies that you can modify. Failing which, have a google around to see if anyone hasn't possibly already made a resin body for the Super Snipe. Last option, But in 32nd scale I'd say its a bit of a stretch but you might be able to find a Die Cast body for one Hope that helps Steve

Hiya Glynn, thanks Oohhh Atherstone, where me favourite chippy was Yep its going to have Garage decals, have some left over from something else. My second Pioneer, the Thunder models one, is going to be a fairground one too

Thanks Gorbs I have no idea yet, have to see if i can fit it in my cabinet

Afternoon Chaps You know there are those kits that once you get them, you have to start on them immediately and everything gets pushed aside... This was one of those. I have been looking for one for ages, and this one literally fell into my lap courtesy of a friend, so bonus This is an EPIC kit, and HUGE!!, just a tad over 40cm long. Makes up in the usual way, Ladder Chassis, Engine, Cab and Rear and when all that's stuck together its got some weight to it too The kit is quite well detailed as it comes, and the only detail I added was wiring on then engine and engine bay area. The engine is quite a serious piece of equipment... Chassis built up and then weathering started You can build the cab up first and get it painted before putting the insides in. Its a bit fiddly but it can be done. The Mustard Yellow was mixed up using Tamiya Lemon Yellow (X8), Dark Yellow (XF60) and a smidge of Flat Green (XF 5) and the Chassis is Red (X7) and it all just came together after that.... The back of the truck is quite a sizeable build in itself and the tarp comes as 5 pieces. I'm not completely sold on the idea of the Tarp cover, and i'm in the process of actually building a couple of wooden boxes for a load for it. The rear dropsides are painted Medium Grey XF20 and weathered with Flat Earth XF52. The decals need to be cut to fit into the panels, and not just put down the sides like the instructions suggest. I stripped all the chrome pieces for the bonnet and front end down in bleach and later covered them in Bare Metal Foil so that all the chrome would match, Hope you enjoyed Mad Steve

Afternoon Chaps There's always been one model that has been on top of my wish list since I was a kid... A Scammell Pioneer. The old Airfix kit was modified a couple of times to make a Pioneer, but it was just too small for me, and seeing as I was just getting into 35th scale, that's what I wanted. Had to wait a couple of years for it to happen, but eventually both Thunder Models and IBG released one in the last couple years. Obviously I had to buy them both, and decided to start with the IBG one, simply because its the first one I got on a recent trip to the UK (Dorking Models) Why a civilian version?. Well, on a smallholding on the road to Bedworth just outside Nuneaton theres a Pioneer in a field that has been there for years and is being 'restored' and that's in civilian colours, and also my grandfather had a 72nd scale one he converted on his model railway layout years and years ago, that I still have. IBG's kit is very complex, very fiddly and is not an easy build, but man what a kit. I have read that there is quite a lot of detail missing, but there certainly is enough to keep you happy and I wasn't that bothered about it The taking the plunge moment - I was not sure about a civilian version, so I just went for it. Colour is Tamiya Yellow XF3 and Clear Orange X26 mixed up. The Interior will eventually be painted Khaki XF49. A little bit of weathering sprayed on (Flat Earth XF52) and the wheels made up. The tyres are excellent, being molded in such a way that there are no mold lines, but care must be taken as they are handed, and its a bit of a mission to get them apart when you realise you've done this at half midnight and all you want to do is go to bed Okay, whizz forward a bit and this is where I am at the moment... I think the chassis had a slight curve in it, because it was actually one hell of a mission to get the cab to sit right, and when I did eventually get it right, I had to remove the radiator assembly because the bonnet wouldn't fit properly. In hindsight, ignore the instructions about fitting the cab, and fit the bonnet to the cab first, then fit the cab, then add the radiator. There is still quite a bit to do too finish it off, as well as building a couple of tow bars to fit in the back and add a newspaper and couple of other details in the cab, and finish off the base. Just a note, in the pics it looks serious YELLOW!!, but its actually not quite a bright, Camera makes it look quite the Noddy Car Will post more as I go along All comments most welcome Mad Steve

Mrs Mad has been trying to convince me for about the last 5 years that we REALLY need a jet bath. Its like a bath with 10 nozzles, like a mini jacuzzi. I've basically just given up on all the cons she's trying to pull about getting one and told her if she wants one then buy one and get it fitted. I'm expecting a really cool jet bath in the next month EDIT - Mrs Mad was peering over my shoulder when I posted the above, and confirms that the jet bath does indeed have 10 nozzles, but ours will have a extra one in it. Took me a while to click she was talking about me

Well its photo's like that, that might get someone called an a**e Hope a badger poo's in your hot tub

Afternoon chaps I tell you what, its a fair bit nippy daan sarf in Africa Bottom... Awoke this morning to rain and a complete unwillingness to move from my lovely warm bed, but its DIY week so one must and all that. It did warm up a little, but it certainly is getting a bit nippier now, so I think the fire shall be lit shortly and a nice cup of coffee...

Well I've never been, as one might say, a slim and trim chap. I have an issue with my Metabolism which has something to do with the kind of Epilepsy I have (when the doctor tries to explain it, it makes my head hurt ) However, the Vrau and I have decided to get a bit healthier, (she has her own issues, Lupus and everything that goes with that) so we're actually a right pair really, but It can only do us good

Ta Vinnie I am surprised at myself for not caving in and sneaking off for a sneaky one I mean, I actually used to like smoking, sitting at me modelling desk having a smoke etc and its actually true what people say in that you have to change your living style to avoid lapsing (Only place I smoked in the house was the modelling room) Down side is Ive picked up some weight, but Ive started walking to get a bit more exercise

Morning Chaps Thanks Vinnie & Steve Yeah, its a bit of a struggle, but one that seems to be diminishing as the days go on. There are those moments that your brain just screams SMOOOOOOKKKKEEEEEEEEE.... but instead of reaching for the fags i go outside or to the shops or something. You so right Steve about smelling other people that smoked but the nice thing for me (apart from all the health twaddle) is I my modelling desk isn't covered in fag ash from the ashtray anymore

Morning chaps Well winter is coming, leaves are starting to turn brown and fall all over the place (and in the pool ), birds flying off for their summer hols, that palpable chilliness in the air in the mornings and evenings and last night we even had a fire going But, That's not why I'm happy Couple of months ago I started weaning myself off the smokes, and just having the odd couple of puffs of the Ecig. Today I can report that this is now my 7th week without a cigarette and surviving on just a couple of puffs a day on the Ecig. Considering I have zero willpower (don't you just hate those people that announce, I'm quitting!, and then do ) I am quite proud of myself

Woohoo Yeah, you go you devil

absolutely fantastic Jorgen!!!!

Morning Chaps First, a little background blurb... Every year at our Nationals we set each other little Challenges for the following years competition. These could be anything from build a Heller Car Kit, or an F1 car, Mclaren, you name it. You basically have a whole year to get your challenge built, (but still some fail ) Last years Nationals was no different, and a challenge was laid down with this... The Instructions were simple, Go Ape! So, what do you do with a 12th scale Monkey Bike? One idea smacked me around the head and shoulders quite vigorously (more on that later) but my mind did drift along the lines of maybe doing a chopper, or converting it into something along the lines of Harley WLA from WW2, or maybe even a tuk tuk . But the kit went in my car, back to Joburg to worry about later.. But that niggling little idea wouldn't go away.... I was a bit hesitant about it. The kit was supplied after all, and if you go chopping it up, there's no back up if you fail.... But hey, you never know until you try..... and so the Monkey Speeder bike was born I've kept the upper frame, seat, tank and handle bars from the kit, the rest is scratch built, using pieces from all over the place, tanks, bikes, cars, you name it, and the odd bit of photo etch thrown in for good measure There is still quite a lot to get done, and I've only just painted the frame Semi gloss black, but i'm actually quite proud of my efforts so far. Its actually quite liberating building as you see fit, not to a prescribed set of instructions.... So now the painting begins... To be continued... Mad Steve

Afternoon Chaps Well, tomorrow is my darling Wifes 50th Birthday... I'm sure most of you are within my realms of undertanding when I say, I just don't know what to buy her anymore. She's generally a simple soul, doesn't really want much... (but when she does... ) Thankfully, she also has a good sense of humour, so when she says 'surprise me' I do, for example,couple of years ago I bought her a Darth Vader figure and 9 Imperial Stromtroopers Anyhoo, This morning she pipes up, before she went to work, she wants one of those really posh(?) Microwave/convection grill things, you know those all singing, all dancing jobs that can fit a cow in them and has pretty lights and sounds and cleans itself. So, after much travelling around and credit card abuse later, I bought her this huuuuuge LG thing that's like the size of a tv She's such a simple dear, I love her very much... Can wait to see the look on her face tomorrow when she opens her card and finds 2 tickets to Paris in June

I know, its terrible man, TERRIBLE... Had to put a cardie on today, couldn't go for a swimmies.... Edit - ok actually thats a lie, i just couldnt be bothered to go out the back and switch the pool heater on

Not again Gorbs, didnt you just have one the other week

Afternoon Chaps Its actually quite cool here in Joburg, barely hitting 16 Deg C and its been raining most the day... Can tell the seasons are beginning to change down here in the sarf part of the globe

Morning Maybe the wheels & tyres from a Tamiya beetle?