NickD

Glad to brighten a cold dull day. Nick

Hi Pascal It's worse than that... He's building a full car that no-one has ever seen from... nothing with no information apart from 7 photos, and a blueprint of the wrong version of the car using an old dremel, a file and a spoon!!!! Hi Harvey, Still enjoying seeing progress. Even for you the nipples are a new level of detail. Looking fantastic. ATB Nick

And then I read this. Outrageous. Bravo. Definitely going to take up knitting. Nick

I have long enjoyed your threads though never achieve your level largely through impatience and rushing. Your recent post gives me hope. Though if even you can struggle like this maybe the rest of us should just give up! Hope you're keeping safe Nick

Hi Codger, Glad to see you seem to be having fun with this. RvdM has said more than once that is the only reason for doing any of this. For me I just enjoy learning that it's OK to rebuild an upright with a nut, a threaded rod, some toothpick, a flat handle and a good dremel. Oh and I love the colour. Regards Nick

The detail is amazing. I'd not come across this company before. They clearly know their stuff. As do you my friend. Regards Nick

So neat as always.

Harvey, Firstly I hope you are,a remain OK in these extraordinary times. I realised something today. The excellence both of your workmanship and photography mean I usually look in wonder at details that have previously only been hazy details on grainy photographs. In doing so it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Today, just before reading Roy's post, I happened to step back and look once again at the whole car. Like Roy, it gave me a shiver. To see such a familiar shape from a novel angle was a joy. Thanks again. To you and all the others here, I hope everyone remains safe. Regards Nick

Hi Sean, Did you translate the article (Google translate is fantastic these days)? It sounds like an eventful trip. Nick

Hi Sean, Glad it was of interest. My dad always felt flying in a Mozzie was much better proposition than Beaufighters or bombers, and as a result, I think, felt a bit of a fraud. Growing up I frequently found myself reflecting on what it must have been like, as a 21 year old, to climb on board and set off in to the blue of a German sky on very long sorties, Many crews were lost, not as many as on other squadrons, but still high enough to surely have an impact on those that were left. Those of us that have not had to serve always felt, I think, that he undersold his contribution. Some of his modest stories were quite hair-raising - both engines stopped on Christmas Day 44 as they flew over a German city; he took photos over Berlin at 2000' silhouetted against unbroken cloud. I, probably like many here, feel that each build is a tribute to those who risk their lives to serve their countries, regardless of the reasons why they served or the difficulties they encountered. Watching this thread I can't help but think of my dad sitting in that seat, using that equipment, or depending on those engines. It's more than just lumps of plastic. Sorry to get heavy Regards, Nick

Hi Sean, Really enjoying your build. You've picked a variant I have a soft spot for and one people don't build very often. LR422 is of particular interest, as my dad flew as navigator in it on two occasions: 19/6/44 - 07:00 - Sylt - Rostock - Swinemunde - Berlin - Borkum - 5 hours 15 mins 10/8/44 - 11:55 - Railway Recce. Tours - Poitier - Anguoulette - Bordeaux - Santes - 3 Hours 50 mins The second flight was two days after his 21st Birthday. Thanks again for sharing and keep up the good work. Regards Nick

Dan, So are the cylindrical things at the joints grease points for the joint? Or are they something else? Nick

Harvey, I bet a whole load of armchair warriors wading in with advice is just what you want. With that in mind, I thought I'd wade in anyway. (egg-sucking alert) The only joint we have any sort of clear view of is the connection between the rear of the longitudinal steering arm and the arm out of the side of the steering box. Looking at it again, in the view from the right rear corner I saw something I hadn't noticed before. The tube appears to end in a way that I had always assumed was just an open tube. Looking at it really magnified there are 2 highlights on the circumference 90 deg apart. I wondered whether this might have been some form adjuster. Which perhaps supports Dan's comments above. Something also protrudes out of the bottom of this joint. So even after all this time, I've just realised just how complicated this detail is As this is the only information that exists, you are safe to do as you please but as the others have said, it seems likely that these joints were as exquisitely engineered as rest of the car's details (like the brake adjuster). All the best Nick

Hi Harvey, Fantastic as always. Great to see the car from new angles. This view for example just highlights for me how little structure held the wheels on. No wonder they had some stiffness issues. I just want to add some more components to make it work properly. A top wish-bone perhaps. But then what do I know. Thanks again Nick

Hats off to your ambition sir, very impressive.