Loft-full

Would it be this one by any chance? (The link has pictures). http://mountainelves.com/The_Elves_Attic/Old%20Auctions/Casey_Jones_Train/train3.html

I know what you mean. I find it exasperating. When will these people learn?

Hi John, I've made some posts elsewhere with links to the PaperModelers site and their Thunderbird models. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234979592-thunderbirds-are-go-opinions/page-6 The Papermodelers site seems to have had some Gerry Anderson models removed, but Thunderbirds seems quite well represented still. Cheers, Bob

Just got my copy of the the Haynes De Havilland Tiger Moth manual from Waterstones (£12.99). Only had a chance to quickly flick through, but it seems very good, certainly at first glance. A lot of detailed close up photos too.

If you haven't got that sort of cash, even after checking down the back of the sofa, a more "cost effective" solution may be found here: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/vbdownloads.php?params%5Bcontent%5D=liberator&params%5Btitle%5D=0&params%5Btitle%5D=on&params%5Bdescription%5D=0&params%5Bdescription%5D=on&params%5Bauthor%5D=0&params%5Bauthor%5D=on&do=search&action=searchresults

You've now reminded me of the Airfix Singrays my brother and I built back in the mid 60's. Neither fared that well in the bath, though they did submerge, after a fashion.

Thunderbird models may be freely downloaded from here, though one has to register first: TB2,4 & 5, as well as the Mole and Firefly. http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/vbdownloads.php?params%5Bcontent%5D=thunderbird&params%5Btitle%5D=0&params%5Btitle%5D=on&params%5Bdescription%5D=0&params%5Bdescription%5D=on&params%5Bauthor%5D=0&params%5Bauthor%5D=on&params%5Bcategoryid%5D=0&do=search&action=searchresults They're intended to be printed on stiff paper or light card. Might not be to everyone's taste, though they might printed at a different scale and inspire some scratchbuilding in plasticard? Fireflash and Sunprobe can be found elsewhere on this site too.

Thanks Pin, You may very well have saved me a lot of bother. Mr Resin Surfacer was one of the Messrs I hadn't heard of berore. Now to see where I can get some...........

Mrs Loft-full tells me her friend, Helen Doe, has a biography of her father coming out on 15th May 2015. http://helendoe.co.uk/fighter-pilot-new-book/ Helen Doe is a professional historian and generally writes about maritime matters. On this occasion however she has applied her skills to write about her father W/Cdr Bob Doe. I'm very much looking forward to reading this book.

I think some of the links to the shop are now defunct. Try this one instead. http://soccom.co.uk/traintimes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=101

I find these boxes to be far sturdier than those sold by some of the big DIY chains. hobbycraft tend to have better prices than Staples, (though I haven't compared prices recently). Note that the hobbycraft price stickers are sometimes higher than the actual price, (almost invariably the case with the 35litre ones). I have given up buying other manufacturer's boxes as so many were found to be cracked or split whilst still on display.

I didn't know this. (It does inspire me indeed). Thanks

Yes, I should have mentioned the scale. 1/43. (Unless somebody tells me otherwise.)

Hi, Here's a selection of photos I've hastily scanned from Mrs Loft-full's photo album. TB-25J's, (well one in particular), at Ellington don't appear to have an upper turret. If you need better scans or a close up send me a message. Cheers, Bob

Pi wrote, I'd do any one of them. Which one appeals most to Pin?

Sorry I'm late in reading your post. Mrs Loft-full has some photos of her father and his friends working on TB-25J's at Ellington Air Force Base in the early 1950's. I don't think that all TB-25J's ended up looking the same, and there may have been variations depending on what people were being trained for. (I think it was navigators at Ellington). When I get home this evening, I'll ask Mrs Loft-full if I can scan some of her Dad's black and white pictures and post them for you. I'm trying to find some interior shots of the TB-25J's at Ellington, (or anywhere else for that matter), as I too have a particular one to build.

There are a few reasons for picking this particular kit: I never usually built cars. I've never built a resin kit. I don't think anyone else, so far anyway, is doing one. And finally, it was in my stash. Most of us will have come across a tin snail, but not many will have seen the 4x4 version. (These are not to be confused with the more recent Louis Barbour conversions). The Sahara was made by Citroën in the late 50's and early 60's. It had two engines, one in the front, the other was installed in what had been the boot. I don't know very much more about them other than what can be easily gleaned from the interweb. I believe there are only about 27 of them left. If anyone knows anything about them, or if one can be seen in the UK, please send me a message. This is the Vroom kit which I got secondhand some years ago. The only included paperwork I have is a photocopy of a French publication which has information about the Sahara and some handwritten notes concerning which colours should be used. There are no assembly instructions as such, mind you, it doesn't consist of that many parts. There are some photoetched windscreen wipers, vacformed glazing, chromed mirrors, steel axles and vinyl (?) tyres. So it is something of a multimedia kit. I don't suppose I'll be assembling it as is. There are a few alterations I'd like to make. But I'll research matters a little further before I commit to anything. Also, I'd like it to be weathered, set on a small base and not merely be displayed sitting on four tyres. We'll see..................

Well I've had look at some of the previous group builds and can only say I wish I had joined in earlier. Pin, There must be something that can be selected from such a broad heading that will appeal? It has to be aircraft? And naval, or marine/maritime? Can it be narrowed down to a particular period? Is it to be worldwide or something closer to the UK? .......................I hope you come up with a group build that gives me a chance to build an airship!

Yes please. - Though I think there might be a bit of a wait for the next group build slot. (Have a look at the proposed Wessex group build thread to see what I mean). If it is termed "Naval Aviation" that would tend to rule out civilian aircraft. Maybe "Maritime Aviation" would be more inclusive. "Wet Wings" doesn't sound too helicopter friendly, and If it does turn out to be "Salt Spray" then a model of my VW is in with a shout. (The perils of living rather close to the sea).

I was in Hannants (Colindale) on Saturday and it struck me how few tools there were for sale. (I appreciate one can order from the main branch and pick them up in Colindale). Contrast that with WH Smith in Croydon where they have a small Modelzone, yet there is a rack of tools. Until today, I never would have thought of visiting WHS for tools and spray paint before a leading model shop. In fact I think the Modelzone in Croydon has expanded ever so slightly. I'd be interested to know if this is a nationwide trend. I miss independent model shops, but I don't really see them making a come back. Buying on-line is OK and works well enough, but there are times when I would like to see and touch something rather than place a series of ticks on a web form.

How strange. I've just been lent a copy of this book on Saturday. .............£47 - £95 (I'll let the owner know). I'd best be extra careful.

I've just been admiring this thread, but wish I hadn't started. (The model looks like it's going to turn out great). It's just that I can't get the theme music out of my head now. ....................Dangggg dang dang, da da dada dang...........................