AlexN Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Interesting trip down memory lane there, Ced. Is that a "Tandy 500" BASIC computer second from top right? It looks disturbingly familiar to said Tandy device that I used to use when working in/studying insect (wasp) behaviour... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I think I remember some of those cabinets from the computer room at my dad's work in the late 1980s. The room was white and spotless, with a loud humming, and in the hallway outside, programmers smoked cigarettes. Strange to think that's all gone, never to return. Valentine's day??!! American commercialism IMHO! Mrs B knows I love her all year and I refuse to fall for the price hikes... so there! Guilty. We just bought groceries (I got us a new chest freezer [less sexy than it might sound] yesterday, and we were keen to stock it up), and went out for sushi with Winston left with my sister. Other activities may have taken place, but that's my business. They were free, however. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Hi Alex I was a bit rushed and didn't get a chance for a close look as Mrs B had called me on one of those new-fangled huge-memory mobile telephone devices to say they had finished their tour and were ready to go... I may have to go back one day for another trip. Hi PC Ah, 'machine rooms'... secure and air-conditioned they were 'special places'... there are still some around but the large spinning discs and boxes with flashing lights have now been replaced with (largely) blank and boring boxes. Ho hum. Glad to hear your day was enjoyable and that 'other activities' were involved, always good news after a shopping trip 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Bletchley used to be a training centre for NATS telecommunications staff in the 70s and I went there on a " technical appreciation " course. I'm ashamed to say I don't remember much about it as most of the time was spent in an alcoholic haze as there wasn't any sort of test at the end. I do remember that it was overheated and very difficult to stay awake after (a mostly liquid ) lunch. I hasten to add that I am older and more responsible now, I don't usually start drinking until the evening. The aeroplanes are looking good, by the way. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Next experiment was Jon's (06/24) gouache method. Blob on some random dots and then blend: ......... I think I'll leave the Spit, or use my normal washes. Hi Ced. I've had a bit of play with the dot filter technique as well - but I used oil paints over an acrylic varnish - and much (much - much - much ) smaller dots - and then brushed the dots in - using a brush moistened in a low odour solvent (like windser & newton sansodor) until they were barely visible. It seems to work quite well with colours like burnt umber, allow ochre, payne's grey and red. Still a novice at the technique but when you see what the armour boys can do with it - I reckon it's worth persevering 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philp Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Some of those looked familiar to me as well. My Dad's last base was Malmstrom AFB which was SAC Headquarters in the 70s. They had a two story blockhouse where the computers running the ICBMs were kept. Not sure if I ever got a tour but sure the computing power was less than my iPhone as well. Remember, the real holiday is today (the 15th) as it is 70% off Valentine candy day... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Bletchley used to be a training centre for NATS telecommunications staff in the 70s and I went there on a " technical appreciation " course. I'm ashamed to say I don't remember much about it as most of the time was spent in an alcoholic haze as there wasn't any sort of test at the end. I do remember that it was overheated and very difficult to stay awake after (a mostly liquid ) lunch. I hasten to add that I am older and more responsible now, I don't usually start drinking until the evening. The aeroplanes are looking good, by the way. John Thanks John The NATS training explains the slightly out of place NATS display at the Museum of Computing, another thing I had to rush past Hi Ced. I've had a bit of play with the dot filter technique as well - but I used oil paints over an acrylic varnish - and much (much - much - much ) smaller dots - and then brushed the dots in - using a brush moistened in a low odour solvent (like windser & newton sansodor) until they were barely visible. It seems to work quite well with colours like burnt umber, allow ochre, payne's grey and red. Still a novice at the technique but when you see what the armour boys can do with it - I reckon it's worth persevering Thanks Steve I've tried smaller dots to no avail (see below). Perhaps I need to do some more research... Some of those looked familiar to me as well. My Dad's last base was Malmstrom AFB which was SAC Headquarters in the 70s. They had a two story blockhouse where the computers running the ICBMs were kept. Not sure if I ever got a tour but sure the computing power was less than my iPhone as well. Remember, the real holiday is today (the 15th) as it is 70% off Valentine candy day... Thanks Phil ICBMs? Heck! Discounted candy sounds great... the trouble is they're frowned upon by the fitness brigade ( Mrs B ). There was a great show on the radio today where one of the crew had a new girlfriend who was a diet freak and was trying to convert her boyfriend... with some success. After a lecture on 'good food' from her one of the others said "I can see why you've lost weight. I've only known this woman for three minutes and I'm already having trouble keeping my food down." Eat responsibly (universal get out phrase) Anyway, you know how you see something unusual, or your thoughtful spouse does, and you think "That might come in for modelling"? Well, what about these little clips Mrs B had on a shop-bought Orchid: Grrraarrgghhh by Ced Bufton, on Flickr They're on my bench but, apart from opening and closing them making dinosaur noises I've yet to find a use for them. Watch this space. Definitely Proverbs 26:11 today with the gouache. Smaller dots this time but still not a happy result. I then used my usual Mig RAF washes on the top... Untitled by Ced Bufton, on Flickr As usual, click on the image if you can bear to see a bigger image. Note that I've reinstated the mud to go with the 'wet grass' look. I took a slightly safer route on the Spit, trying out Jaime's Vallejo 'Oiled Earth' on the white, Mig for Black on the black and Mig brown again on the top: Untitled by Ced Bufton, on Flickr The Vallejo dries really quickly so I had to use white spirit to clean off a bit. Well, perhaps dirtier than I'd intended but both are now ready for matt coat. I think I'll have some wine tonight whilst watching 'The X Files' and 'Bones'. Square eyes here we come! 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexN Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 You can never have too many dinosaurs (or dinosaur noises) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Grrraarrgghhh This made me laugh possibly harder than it should have. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philp Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Think you could use the hair clips on some really thin fuselages but they only seem to work for a specific thickness. My daughter had a bunch of these but the teeth seem to break fairly easily. I am waiting on the X Files until all 6 episodes have aired and been recorded so I can watch them straight through and now over a season behind on Bones. But Castle is on tonight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Thanks Alex - I guess you're a 'Jurassic Park' fan then? Hi PC, glad you enjoyed the growl Hi Phil I don't think the clips are going to be much use either, but they are fun and grip together in a strangely satisfying way. Little things... I hope you enjoy the 'series binge' on the X-files; I'm enjoying it. Gillian is probably one of the only actresses where my lust appreciation has grown old with me / us. Still yum, especially on those rare occasions when she smiles... Bones still maintains my interest but I've lost touch with Castle. Like many of the US series it seems to have gotten a bit 'girly' and, although I'm in touch with my sensitive side I would rather the tough guys kept theirs hidden, especially that guy on Criminal Minds! Anyway, there are some models somewhere. I've matt coated both now. I ran out of Vallejo matt after the Hurri so the Spit has been done with W&N. I think I prefer this - what do you think?: Matt coats by Ced Bufton, on Flickr Seems flatter somehow. Next step was to fit the props and clean up the empty sprues. THEN I found that the prop assembly on the Hurri needs paint. AND I chopped into my finger whilst carelessly chopping up the sprue: Doh! by Ced Bufton, on Flickr ​Future builders be warned! If, like me, you leave the props off while painting make sure you assemble all the bits. My only excuse is that this is my first new tool Hurricane. Pathetic, I know. Finally, the serial transfer on the black wing has silvered greened for some reason so that'll need attention and I need to fit the aerial wire to the Spit. Tonight is 'Star Wars with the boys' night so I probably won't be doing much more today. Except assembling the projector and sound system, if I can remember how to do it! May the Force be with you... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Well OK, perhaps I will do a bit more... and finish them! RFI here. Thanks guys for all your help, support and companionship as usual I'll have a ponder about what's next... there's a Helicopter GB going (of all things) and I have a Revell Mil-24 in the stash with no reason to build it... except... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amblypygid Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Oh, a Hind! Is that not reason enough? Bit of a change as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andymoore Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I guess there are a million & one way of addressing the decal silvering issue. Here is a link to the method I used on my very first build when I returned to the hobby. I love the weathering on these & that W&N matt coat looks the business. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 W&N matt all the way. Tried it for the first time last year and found it to be great stuff. The finished kits look good as well, Sean 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexN Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 +1 for the Hind! I have a 1/35 Trumpy in my haul, waiting like all the rest... The W&N looked flatter in your WIP photos than here for some reason - and REALLY flat at that. Excellent. Happily for me, I have a jar of it, waiting. The accursed AK et alia primers also in hand will be allotted to the armour and nothing else! Excellent results, once again, and a pleasure to watch the process. Are you sure that you didn't get your finger fanged by one of those wee dinosaurs? Better keep an eye on them. Cheers, Alex. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Thanks amblypygid - swaying that way... Thanks Andy - cellulose thinners on the shopping list Thanks Sean, very kind Thanks Alex - I'll keep an eye on those dinosaur clips 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ascoteer Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Looking good Ced.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philp Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I hope you enjoy the 'series binge' on the X-files; I'm enjoying it. Gillian is probably one of the only actresses where my lust appreciation has grown old with me / us. Still yum, especially on those rare occasions when she smiles... Agree with you there. She is actually coming to town next month for FanX which is basically a 2nd comic con type event. Still debating on whether to go to this but some great guests including 3 Doctors and River. Also a couple of Firefly alumni including Summer Glau, Mr. Sulu from TOS and Buzz Aldrin. I just might have to break down and fight the crowds this time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 Thanks Debs Thanks Phil Hard choice... Gillian v Crowds... the curmudgeon in me tries to avoid busy places now as I get cross apologising to people who bump into me (it's an English disease). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I get cross apologising to people who bump into me (it's an English disease). As a lifelong commuter, I am frequently crushed and tossed about by the thundering herds that are our crowds of people, streaming from one train station choke point to the next. I tend to say "I beg your pardon" in the same venomous tone one might spit out "I'll kill your whole family." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 As a lifelong commuter, I am frequently crushed and tossed about by the thundering herds that are our crowds of people, streaming from one train station choke point to the next. I tend to say "I beg your pardon" in the same venomous tone one might spit out "I'll kill your whole family." Are you sure you're not British? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Are you sure you're not British? I merely dare to dream. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Egbert you're already an honorary Brit as you know... not many people get given a 'nickname' by the last British Dambuster. Just back from the Yeovilton show with some goodies. I feel an Airacuda coming on... and Jaffa Cakes (damn you young Procopius, you made me do it!!) You still have time to warn me off 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Egbert you're already an honorary Brit as you know... not many people get given a 'nickname' by the last British Dambuster. How does the Home Office feel about this? How far can I take this? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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