Tales from the Basement Lab by AndrewR

[AndrewR]

Good work with the Hurri, Andrew - I, too, am not much impressed by Airfix's over-engineering in places. And, as you so rightly point out, that part C1 is just a stupid mistake, pure and simple..... Still, the surface detail is quite impressive, provided you haven't had to sand most of it off curing seam issues....!

Fortunately, the seam issues were relatively minor, although I fear that the wingtips may still look a little rough!

But they certainly need to slacken off on the tolerances a little.

[ShaunW]

A great build analysis of the new tool Hurricane Andrew. As you may recall, I hit a lot of very similar problems when I built the NT Lancaster - most of the fit issues in that kit were caused by detail that can't be seen. Very frustrating and is exactly the sort of thing that will put off youngsters or adult newcomers to the hobby - they will, not unreasonably IMHO, expect a shiny new modern kit to almost build itself.

Vampire is looking good and I've just started to follow the Eurofighter (sorry, but for some reason I can't yet bring myself to use the Typhoon moniker, I'll get used to it in time no doubt) build in the whiffer section.

[AndrewR]

A great build analysis of the new tool Hurricane Andrew. As you may recall, I hit a lot of very similar problems when I built the NT Lancaster - most of the fit issues in that kit were caused by detail that can't be seen. Very frustrating and is exactly the sort of thing that will put off youngsters or adult newcomers to the hobby - they will, not unreasonably IMHO, expect a shiny new modern kit to almost build itself.

My sentiments exactly.

Vampire is looking good and I've just started to follow the Eurofighter (sorry, but for some reason I can't yet bring myself to use the Typhoon moniker, I'll get used to it in time no doubt) build in the whiffer section.

I think of it as the Eurofighter, to keep from confusion with the real Tiffie

[AndrewR]

More rigging on the HMS Victory.



I added some extra bits on the bowsprit, this needs painting and a few rigging lines adding.

The Eurofighter jet intake got stuck together, and the seams smoothed.

[AndrewR]

I also found some alternative decals for the Hurricane. These are from the Xtradecal "History of 1 Sqn" set. The aircraft has aluminium undersides with one wing black and the other white.

[ShaunW]

Great work with that Victory rigging Andrew - must be a bit of an eyesight test, I must say The 1 Sqn scheme looks good for the Hurricane, I'm a bit of a fan of the early war black/white wing undersides and that's the first time I've seen a Hurri sporting that very WW I looking tricolour on the rudder.

[AndrewR]

Great work with that Victory rigging Andrew - must be a bit of an eyesight test, I must say The 1 Sqn scheme looks good for the Hurricane, I'm a bit of a fan of the early war black/white wing undersides and that's the first time I've seen a Hurri sporting that very WW I looking tricolour on the rudder.

I have incredibly short sight, but working close up doesn't present a problem, funnily enough.

The 1 Sqn markings are a bit of serendipity;I was rummaging through the decal file looking for Sea Fury decals

[AndrewR]

Underneath the Hurricane!


Today's modelling has been thrown into confusion by younger son's medical condition. He was supposed to fly to see his epilepsy specialist in NYC this morning, but had 2 seizures in the night, so can't fly until seen by a specialist here first. Argh

[ShaunW]

Very striking underside to the Hurri Andrew. Poor Andrew the Younger, that sounds really awful and I hope all goes well for him.

[AndrewR]

Very striking underside to the Hurri Andrew. Poor Andrew the Younger, that sounds really awful and I hope all goes well for him.

He is tired this morning, but managed a hearty pancake breakfast. But we need to see a specialist before we can get on a plane to see his other specialist! He has 2 forms of epilepsy, one of which is very rare and so he needs the top chap in NYC. The other is the one that happened last night. Very unfortunate, especially for older brother who was going along as a special treat :-(

[AndrewR]

A Eurofighter cockpit tub with Eduard Zoom photoetch enhancement.

[AndrewR]

Meanwhile a slightly less sophisticated cockpit for the PM Sea Fury!



The ejector seat om the Eurofighter has had proper seat arms added, and a few stripes here and there to make it slightly better than before.

[AndrewR]

I am pleased to announce a full recovery for Penelope Penguin, who has had a new beak grafted on this afternoon. A team of surgeons laboured for over a minute in this delicate operation. Tissue donation from a friendly octopus was much appreciated

[ShaunW]

Penny looks well chuffed. The octopus less so and perhaps a little less friendly. Did they tell him exactly what he was letting himself in for?

[AndrewR]

Penny looks well chuffed. The octopus less so and perhaps a little less friendly. Did they tell him exactly what he was letting himself in for?

It was basically a toenail clipping. Except an octopus doesn't have toenails


The tub for the Eurofighter is complete.



It turned out nicely with the Zoom photoetch.