I Can’t Get No…

The past couple of nights at the bench have been awful.

I can’t seem to get traction on anything. And it’s driving me nuts.

Let’s start with the Pz.38(t). The big 1/16 tank is painted and decaled.

Pz38t_Decals

Of course, now I’m into the tedious task of assembling the tracks. Don’t get me wrong, I really, really like the workable links Panda provides with the kit. They’re easily the best kit tracks I’ve ever used. But…assembling them is tedious.

photo 1And then there’s the tools and minor bits that I need to start painting before I can really start in on the weathering, and I just can’t get motivated.

So when the Fisher -C conversion arrived for the Trumpeter F-8 Crusader, I was really excited. The nose fit way better than the Rhino intake.

photo 2

Sadly, the cockpit didn’t fit well into the nose, and I just couldn’t muster the wherewithal to blow another several days sanding and filing and swearing. Work has been busy, and three kids are a lot work. Bench time is supposed to be about decompression, not adding to the stress.

So tonight I pulled out the sad beast that is Trumpeter’s 1/32 MiG-17F. Figured I’d get it up and running again.

photo 3

After grinding down the *$*!#(@ pour stub on the G-Factor metal canopy frame, I got the very nice AMS resin cockpit to fit. Then I started playing around with the intake nose ring and discovered that it’s off center. Not that it doesn’t fit. It’s actually MOLDED OFF CENTER.

photo 4

Seriously?

The kit does provide parts to build a radar-equipped MiG-17PF, so I gave it a shot, but come on. The MiG-17F has some damn classic lines. The PF, on the other hand, looks like a yodeling fish.

pam_mig-17pf_02

So, ugh. What now?

I feel like I need something to really sink my teeth into, and get my groove back. Something I can break into without days of cutting and sanding and swearing.

But what? I can’t figure out a scheme I want to do for Hobby Boss’ F-84. I’m worried about tackling another questionable, like the Kinetic/Italeri F-86 Sabre. I still have miles of research to do on my 1/32 F/A-18D. I’ve got my wrecked MiG-21 project, but I’m feeling that’s a very slow burn, long-term type of affair. And I’ll be procrastinating because the diorama aspect terrifies me.

Maybe I’ll just say screw it and pull out the big Trumpeter Mi-24 Hind. The only thing I’m pushing on it is PE.

 

 

Doogs

Hi there. Name’s Matt. Or Doogs, if you prefer. Since this is an About page, let’s get straight to it. I’m 30. Married. Father to an adorable little boy, beautiful baby girl, and four dogs. During the day, I’m an associate creative director at a social media agency in Austin, TX. In my free time (such as it is), I write. Or wrote. Or try to write. Historical fiction, mostly. It’s a nice contrast to the digital content and social media strategeriness that I live with every day. I also get all interested in cars, photography, technology, politics, history, movies, and knitting. Actually, scratch that last. I can barely tie yarn in a knot.

This Post Has 10 Comments

    1. Doogs's avatar
      Doogs

      You know, you’re absolutely right. The Hobbycraft manual shows it dead center and it looked that way in a few photos. There’s hope yet!

  1. Steve floyd's avatar
    Steve floyd

    Hey Doogs

    Sounds like you need a couple of beers & a holiday

    I understand and sympathise with you, that’s how I feel most the time

    Steve

  2. wjbenton's avatar
    wjbenton

    Doogs

    Drink more, model less 🙂

  3. Tim Wilding's avatar
    Tim Wilding

    I call it the Summer Slowdown.
    Get yourself something totally different, like a Sci-Fi kit, and try that out.

    1. Doogs's avatar
      Doogs

      You know, going back and looking, I wrote something very similar almost exactly this time last year. Not sure if I want to go with something like sci-fi, but maybe it’s time to pull something armor down off the shelf.

  4. Bill Simpson USA's avatar
    Bill Simpson USA

    Know your pain . Less bench time more party time

  5. Andy's avatar
    Andy

    The answer is obvious. Tamiya 1/32 P-51D

    1. Doogs's avatar
      Doogs

      Or bridge with something else, then dive into the Tamiya Corsair when it hits next month…

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