Dr. Quack

Thank you @Biggles87. Like I said - you can never have too many corks - there's always an excuse to liberate another one! 🍷 Niall

Thanks @Nick_4sqn. most kind. The forward portion of the Sidewinder including the forward fins is a (difficult to describe) anodised green metallic-ish colour. I made up a mix of old Humbrol enamels using (if I remember correctly) dark green with a bit of bronze. I used reference pics from Ian Black's two superb photo journals referenced in Post 1. Very happy that you've found some of my ramblings helpful. Niall

Chapter 13 In Which Quack Glues his Fingers Together. Mrs. Q has been anxious about her beloved for some weeks. She sits, clutching his hand and stroking his beak in what she hopes is a comforting gesture. "You've really not been yourself lately, Dear," she murmurs. "It's nearly three months since your last Update post, you know." Quack sighs and nods his acknowledgement as she continues. "You missed your Great Uncle Dagobert Duck's 100th birthday last month - not like you at all." "And you seem to have lost interest in playing with your favourite My Little Pony Glue Factory." She hesitates before demurely dropping her gaze to her lap. "And it's months since we ran a bath and played Achtung U-Boat" Quack nods again in agreement. "You're quite right my Dear. I know I shouldn't let things get me down, but I was at the Scottish Nationals yesterday - the price of kits has risen by an astonishing amount - and you know my price ceiling is still one shilling and sixpence! Some of the traders there have never even seen a Groat or a thruppenny bit!" And so good people - I can now provide you with some updates, and describe some minor progress since previous ramblings. Regular readers may remember that I previously took a perfectly presentable Tornado (albeit with some mighty dodgy seams), sprayed it a rather fetching sandy pink colour, then set about turning it into a very filthy beast indeed. Since then, I have been playing around with some add-on touches. I've been experimenting with various methods of representing the fabric FOD covers so often seen over the intakes - actually my intakes looked so bad on the inside that covering them up was really the only decent thing to do! After several abortive attempts including an episode when I managed to glue my fingers together with cyano (oh, how we laughed), I finally managed to come up with a more-or-less acceptable construction made from a template of thin paper. This was laminated with tissue using diluted PVA, to provide a bit of texture. The whole piece was then folded into shape and fitted onto the intakes - I'm afraid I didn't take sequential pics of this because I really didn't think it would look satisfactory! 91 by Dr. Quack, on Flickr 92 by Dr. Quack, on Flickr You may also notice that the weapon load of Alarm missiles has been added under the fuselage - beautiful Brassin items - much better than I deserve! And from the top..... 93 by Dr. Quack, on Flickr I've also started adding RBF flags where appropriate (I think). Some RBF covers have also been made by simply shaping small sprue off-cuts and cluing them to plastic card bases with Tamiya Extra Thin. A bit basic, but good enough for my eyesight, such as it is these days. 94 by Dr. Quack, on Flickr 95 by Dr. Quack, on Flickr Underwing gubbins finally added, including Brassin Sidewinders - again, these are superb, and come with their own separate Noddy caps. 96 by Dr. Quack, on Flickr As you may notice - the electronics pods on the outer under-wing stations are covered with protective tarps - these are seen quite prominently in some photos, and were to provide a degree of sun protection. These were made by shaping pieces of thin tissue before wetting them with dilute PVA, and shaping them over the pods. Still to do the canopy (which is due to receive my signature gluey thumbprint ) and also the pitot, which broke off innumerable times and is now pretty unusable. A replacement metal one is on order. So that's it for now - we're up to date again. Thanks for keeping me going folks. Keep Calm And Mangle Plastic. Q

Thanks for the compliment @SirDrinksalot, and thanks for the colour scheme scans - hope you do a Work-In-Progress thread so I can tag along. 1/32 is probably a bit big for me - but might just suit my eyesight better these days. Best. Niall

Great! Quack who is impatient to see it wobble.

Welcome to the forums @KearneyboiMVP Craig. I note your forum pic - you a Falkirk bairn then? There are a couple of us Britmodellers in this neck of the woods. Plenty of advice readily available here - great way to get tips and ask questions is to start a Work in Progress topic and get pointers as your build progresses. Or ask a question in the relevant forum. Look forward to seeing some of your stuff. Best, Niall.

Ah........didn't realise that the entire boxing is pure whifferry. Any scheme you like then! Have fun!!! Niall

Interesting subject Alistair - I wasn't aware of a torpedo armed 190. Box art scheme looks eye catching - but tricky! Q

Lovely result as usual Alistair. The restrained weathering and fading are very convincing. Looking forward to watching the Tempest take shape. Niall.

I had an identical problem with my Granby 1/48 Tornado _ not much choice in this scale. I sent an email with pictures to Hannants and very quickly received a good quality replacement set from Kits-World. Good service after my initial disappointment. Fingers crossed for you. Niall.

Lovely conversion. and I vote Duck - well I would, wouldn't I?! Q

Excellent news. I recommend plenty of "us" time..........and put our lot on the back burner for a bit. We'll still be here. Best. Niall.

Inspired build - beautifully executed. Q

Best wishes to you and your family. I understand how draining it can be to have this happening in your close family. Thoughts are with you. Niall

Definitely better with bigger pics. Fine work. Q

Agree - great start in modelling - impressive result. Don't worry - one of the mods will come along and move it to the correct section. I placed my first aircraft build in the armour section - it's so easy to do when enthusiasm levels are running high! Best. Q

Sea King.....king of the sea and icon of the air. I'm in for this. Niall

Never tried it on anything big but it works OK for 72nd or even 48th scale. Occasionally the mask edge is a bit uneven, but then you just make another hole. Fresh clean pin is best otherwise the ragged hole expands into a big ragged mask. Fairly reliable method overall though.

....or make a pinhole in a balloon then push the nose through to the required depth - instant mask. Q

.......and thats how most of us started with the hobby. I'm very happy to see this in the catalogue - I hope it sells well and encourages the youngsters to join us. Q

Quite an eye catcher. Love the scheme. Niall

Inspiring work! Have a good break. Niall

Beautifully done - and such convincing photography too. Admirable. Niall

Such a fine result. Excellent weathering which is realistic, convincing and not overdone. Niall

Cracking Job Gromit Alistair. Makes buying the Tamiya kit a viable option, if it can turn out like this. Well done for showing what can be achieved. Niall