Bennygman

A truly amazing collection. I can't decide what I like best, it's kid in a sweetshop time! Steve.

No2 Definitely Belfast - looks like some guns are missing though. Steve.

Thanks guys, nothing like a bit of encouragement to keep me going when next peering at a tiny bit of metal. Next etch job should be the scarff rings and guns on the Walrus! Gary: I take no responsibility if you decide to build a ship, that must be a conversation between you and your eyesight! Steve.

Yep this is a genuine concern guys. I had it happen to me with a tin of 'high speed silver' a month or so ago. The paint spatter wrote off a pair of glasses - thank **** I wasn't wearing contacts that day! Great paint, but do be careful with the metallics. It must be to do with a chemical reaction of some sort - the remaining paint was fizzing away for about twenty minutes afterwards. Steve.

Speaking as one shipwright to another, I suspect this will end up looking rather special. Good luck, Steve.

Thanks for the link Paul, although some of the pics in the ATF gallery make it look even more intimidating . I have a cunning plan involving brass rod 'pins' to make the attachment of the railings easier, which may or may not work, but in my mind's eye it's a winner. I realised I didn't post a box pic' so here it is in all it's glory... This week I've mainly been sending myself blind assembling 1:600 scale cranes and pom-pom guns! Hopefully they won't look completely pooh once painted . Technically I believe I should use the 8 barrel ones in company with the large aerial arrays on the masts, but I think the four barrel ones have assembled much better. Assuming I don't stuff the aerials this will have a non-prototypical fit, but should look the business (he said, optimistically). Hopefully I can start getting some paint onto the decks this weekend. Steve.

Weather permitting I'll be there on the Saturday. It's been a great show the last couple of years. Steve.

Maybe we should arrange some desserts for when they've finished their entrees? I know, Steve.

To quote Clint Eastwood, "what we got here, is a failure to communicate" . Life in the idea yet? I'd have no problem with it being just South of Stevenage. Steve.

Very nice. I particularly like the Lansen shots - it'd be nice to see it over here for RIAT again some time. Steve.

That's a pity, it might have been good. Good luck with Barnet. Steve.

Any further thoughts on a night for this chaps? I'm already booked for Friday, and I need to know which day I can go and see Indy IV Steve.

Thanks Phil, questions to follow very shortly! Well, so much for the pre-start shots. I got all carried away and here's where we are at the mo'... Nothing much is glued here, just taped and placed in position so I can get an idea of the seam work required. The front of the bridge looks a bit gruesome! I plan to paint in layers (decks?) and assemble the finished units so the fit need to be right at this stage. I couldn't resist assembling the beautiful little WEM catapult ... It's a lovely little thing, but will hardly be seen once the ship is assembled. Here's the hole cut in the deck ready for it... I'm thinking I might cut back the rear deck a mm or so to try and give a view of the girders under the cat', seems a shame to have it completely hidden. Now, questions for the ship experts out there (which compared to me is just about all of you ) 1. The painting instructions and box art suggest the gun decks should all be wooden, but there's only 'planking' texture on the main deck suggesting that the others should in fact be steel - any ideas? 2. Any suggestions how to attach etched railings? I'm thinking it's a good idea to have a fold at the prow rather than trying to join two sections, but apart from that I'm trying not to think about it too much. To be honest it scares the willies out of me! Hope you enjoy the pics and any suggestions are very gratefully accepted. Steve.

Pray that she never gets into dressage - my girlfriend does that, and you haven't seen dull until you've been. Only women could invent a sport that involves seven hours of ancillaries and only ten minutes of actual competition! Nice work Darius, your build speed vs. quality ratio never ceases to amaze me. Steve.

And one from me, make doubly sure the parts fit properly before doing any painting - and then double check again. This will apply especially to the sidewalls which will probably need to be thinned down and possibly the fuselage halves will need this too, in order for everything to fit in. I've not used Heritage resin, but based on my experience of Aries and CMR (two of the best) don't assume anything will fit until you've seen it for yourself. Oh, and wear a mask, resin dust is nasty stuff. Steve.

Sounds good - not Friday 30th though - off to see Springsteen at the Emirates stadium that night. Steve. PS Kev' - it's only about 3 miles North of Stevenage (though admittedly not a wonderful journey from Harpenden).

Suits me too - right on my doorstep. Also happy to travel a bit further once a month. Steve.

Hi Neil, How about initially finding a quiet pub somewhere so's the interested parties could meet to discuss the way forward? I've no idea how much a hall or similar would cost, but pub bars tend to be free as long as we buy drinks. Longer term you're right though - need space to show off models and all that. Martin: I was going to be at DX, but a couple of cancellations (B-17 and especially the Swordfish) have persuaded me to save myself (and my wallet) for Biggin. Steve.

Ah! - even more clever than I thought Steve.

Poor you -what a chore! Steve.

I mused on this idea a while back but doubted (with some justification) my ability to organise it, though I'd be happy to assist with the 'admin' if necessary. I'm in Baldock, so Stevenage is pretty local. If we're talking once a month then St Albans and the like would be fine, and I could be persuaded to go 'via' Hitchin . Prefer not to go to Luton if at all possible though. I think its a good idea, Britmodeller N. Herts or somesuch? Who knows, I might even finally get to meet Mental again. Steve.

Fault with the national markings? you're gonna have to spell that one out to me. Love the chipping and oil stains; just the kind of subtlety I regularly fail to achieve. Steve.

Very good! I've taken a few shots of empty pans and aprons (airfield ones before the comedians turn up ) with a view to doing something like this. What I like is that you've got the lighting and perspective spot on, it's easy to miss that when doing composites like these. One small point struck me. In the excellent HR F-16, the F3 Tonka behind looks like it should have a fin somewhere (or maybe just hidden by the '16?) Great stuff. Steve.

Ok, in a rash of patriotic fervour I decided to get down my Belfast kit and the etch I bought at SMW2006, opened, looked at and then put away (trembling). Hopefully the Gb (GB Gb?) will be the incentive I need to get on with it. Now the fun part; I've never built a ship before. Actually that's not quite true, and I've actually built this kit before; about 30 years ago, along with 'Ark' and 'Fearless'! It would be more accurate to say that I've never built a ship since I've been concerned about the outcome. Could be a right laugh this one, but whether it ends in triumph or disaster, it'll be shared here. I'll put up some pics at the weekend to show the pre-start position. Steve.

Yessir Boss, I'm on it boss! Realistically though I'm only going to be there one day, probably Sunday - is that too much of a nuisance? Steve.