ssculptor

Like I said before, "announced" models are only proposals. They do not become real until the manufacturer is relatively assured that that particular version will sell enough to at least break even. The manufacturer will show the proposed models at trade shows (and other venues) and if enough interest and advanced orders are forthcoming then, maybe, the item will go into production. There are also many other factors, some internal within the company, that determine if a model is produced. The only time you are assured that a particular model will be produced is when you hold a production kit in your hands, at home, on your worktable. Until the kit is actually is offered for sale, from existing stocks, by a legitimate dealer, it's all a pipe dream.

Yes, well I have seen your work and I doubt if mine will be anywhere near as good as yours. There are (and were) a few master builders around. You and Dave Thompson were two I know of and have as friends. Or had, in Davids case. Gosh I miss him. I am sure that you will do a super job with your B-29. As for me, we will see what we will see. The main thing is getting our butts in gear and gettin a going on them. Atcha later. Stephen

Hi Larry, I have the same problem with the Guillows B-24 in 1/28 scale. For some reason I love that lumbering beast. B-17 lovers still say that the -24 wsa the crate that the -17 was delivered in. but the -24 had a greater range, and carried a larger payload. The B-24 was much harder to fly and was much more tiring to its pilots than the B-17. Maybe that was the reason the USAAF was so quick to scrap the Liberator after the war and keep the Flying Fortress on for so long after. Whatever. I am trying to get off the mark with the covering. I am sore tempted to use my tried and true method of making a light weight hollow core and then filling the thing with light weight spackle. This stuff is made with phenolic microballoons so it is light. After I have the spackle bulging out between the formers, longerons and ribs, then file and sand it down to the exact shape. Next, cover the beastie with an ultralight fiberglass cloth and hit it with epoxy, not polyester, resin. The reason for the epoxy is that it will not attack the vacuformed goodies, like the nacelles and clear parts. A final sanding and one has a very strong model. As usual; no landing gear as my airplane models are depicted as in flight, for the most part. What would really be sweet would be to convert it to the navy version, the PB4Y-2 Privateer. But then, if I am going to do that much work why not make a duplicate of the 1/32 ID Models vacuform B-24 and convert that to the Privateer. Then make vacufom parts of that. I already have the 1/33 version of the Privateer in paper card so I can use that to start. So many projects to do and so little time. As Jackie Gleason used to say about life, "How sweet it is!"

For the record. I ordered the Special Hobby 1/32 P-39 from Squadron Shop by phone (free call) on August 29. I received it today September 7 via parcel post. I can live with that. Shipping was free because I ordered over $!00 total that day. But, I did spend an extra $3 for insurance. Very important. Enjoy. I sure am. Stephen

Is that the P-51B or P-51D you are restoring?

Fear Naught, Brave one! I just received a quantity of decal paper for my printer. I will now print us sheets of the V's for Vulgaria. I may also make up sets of numbers. I'll do it in various sizes for different models. You will get the first printing. Give me a week. Stephen

I used to use the clay that does not harden. Its called plastilene and the clay powder has been mixed with an oil of some type so it never gets hard. But I have found a better material which is available at art supply stores. There is a sculptor's wax (microcelluar) which softens with heat. One kneads it in ones hand and as it gathers heat from the hand and fingers it softens. Cut it or knead it into a flat 1/4" thick slab, approximately the same contour and then fit it into the model so it takes the exact shape. Oh dear, I said "fit it into the model" I hope you do not take that the wrong way. I used to date a model but that's another story. Let it cool to room temperature and it will get remarkably hard and stiff. Yes, we men like the terms hard and stiff, but this is for a different purpose. If you are in a hurry put it in the fridge for a short while. Carefully remove it and voila, you have the contour. Use it as a pattern to cut out a plastic bulkhead (or whatever material you are using, wood, metal, compressed belly button lint, whatever). This was is not meant to be a final product. In sculpture we use it as an interm stage. Good for lost wax casting and the like. Its a bit pricy at first but since it is reusable one has to make only an initial investment of a few dollars. By the way, to get a great lump of it soft in a hurry I have placed it next to a lit light bulb. The heat from the bulb softens it right away. Try it, you'll like it. "Mikey likes it."

Matt, I was not bashing Great Models. I really like the fact that they can get me the rare kits I cannot obtain anywhere else. It is not their fault that they cannot get all they want from the suppliers. But I am happy with them for the few that they have obtained for me. I have hopes they will get the rest some day. So I am not bashing them at all. Stephen

I didn't go to the show, not did I pre-order the P-39. But I got the September flyer from Squadron Shop and I just ordered the P-39 from them. Now we will see how long it takes for SS to deliver. So far they have been very good about deliveries. I have been buying from Squadron Shop since the 1970's and I have never had any problems. As to Great Models, I usually order only rare, really hard to find resin and odd plastic kits made only in lost countries of Europe, like Vulgaria. Then six months later one will arrive from Great Models because the maker finally escaped from the Stats Polezei and made it to the fishing boat which will rendezvous with the submarine which will bring them to Great Models. Since I cannot find these 1/35 armored train models anywhere else I am content to be surprised once every six months with a rare goodie. I like surprises. How can I stay so calm and peaceful in the face of such irregularity of shipments? Because I have a five year backlog of kits to build as it is. One more or less isn't going to do much to this mountain. Its a hobby and a hobby is supposed to be for fun and amusement. At least I keep telling myself this. Maybe if I say it often enough I'll start to believe it. Stephen

All I have to say is, FINALLY! Think about it guys, how many years have we been waiting for an injected molded 1/32 P-39? How many promises, rumors, false announcements? Now we have it. Those of us who remember the P-39 from our youth finally have it. Those who like modeling planes of the USSR can make the version the Russians liked and used so much. Those who appreciate America's first major ground win of WW2, the fight for Gualacanal, will like the P-39 becaue it can so easily be converted to the P-400. All I can say it was a looooooong wait. Now, about that Val....

You are first on my list. Stephen

8/18/07 10 AM Vulgaria is for the most part a grouping of different ethnic groups who settled in the particular valley they "conquered". Each tries to retain their own ethnic identity. Although each enclave considers themselves as part of the loosely confederated country of Vulgaria they try to do things their own way. Thus each enclave developed their own variation of the national insignia, which were placed on airplanes, ships and military vehicles and tanks. Insignia: In all cases this insignia is the capital letter V. But, the V has appeared in many styles and fonts and sizes. The color of the V is almost always a Dark Purple with or without a white outline, sometimes on a white or light yellow background band. The Purple was for royalty as every person in the land claimed relationship with the royal house. Even the most recent immigrant claims some sort of blood link with the royal line. It is a rather egalitarian society. Of course, there never was a royal line. It exists only in the media, which describes the goings on as if the whole thing were real. It is the national fiction that there is one, as many people felt such a thing is necessary. Thus the people have their royals to fuss over, but at no cost to the treasury whatsoever. I prefer a rather simple script V, which I will print up on decal paper and supply to whomever wants some. Give me a week or two to get the paper and start printing. But there are many variations to the insignia. I have seen naval aircraft where the V had a shadow, like US Navy ship numbers. I have seen rather straight and severe V's, some with a white outline, some like the German cross of WW2 with broken line outline. The styles range from severe to very fancy. This has never been a problem for native Vulgarians as they are familiar with all forms of the national insignia. The diversity of insignia style has, on occasion, confused the invading hordes which gave the Vulgarian fighters an edge as they were thus able to attack first and score the kills. The purple V is located in the standard 6 places on an aircraft. The nose and vertical tail is for both unit and individual insignia, which are quite imaginative. However, many units put their insignia on the upper right and lower left wings in place of the V. The horizontal tail also has had unit or individual insignia painted on. The "flying circus" style was most prevalent in WW1, when Vulgaria fought off everybody. This diversity also applies to the color schemes of the airplanes, tanks and ships. The Vulgarians try to be creative with the colors and are always experimenting with new types of camouflage. Even school children have yearly contests to design the new schemes for the aircraft and vehicles. Paint supplies consist of whatever is handy, inexpensive, or recently stolen from the stocks of the surrounding countries. Like the Israeli's did in 1947-8, ordinary house paint was used when nothing else was available. Essentially, Vulgaria means freedom of expression. Go forth and enjoy!

About four years ago I developed a description of a mythical country in the Balkans by the name of Vulgaria. In terms of modeling it gave me an outlet for my uninhibited imagination. I told some friends about it and my friend David Thompson and I started making our own versions of the Vulgarian three engine float P-38. I sent David half of an extra Revell 1/32 scale P-38 kit and he sent me a pair of floats. We both started the project but life got in the way. David had to devote his efforts to making kits to augment his income and I went astray trying to take roads not taken in my youth. As you know David passed away recently and now I am going to finish my plane. I may also do his version. Another idea I had was the 1/32 float F-86 biplane. I am now working on both of these planes. Over the past few years other modelers in other forums have had ideas for Vulgarian planes and started their own projects. They too have stalled. Now, as to an understanding of what this project is all about I will have to give you all a brief introduction to the Hidden Country called Vulgaria. Geographically, Vulgaria is a hidden Bulgarian country which consists of many tall mountains and craggy hills surrounding various hidden valleys, deep mountain lakes, and heavily wooded forests. The topography is so contorted that the phrase, "You cant get there from here." was created in Vulgaria. However, the valleys are all connected through hidden natural caves and tunnels under the hills. Over the years they have been enhanced by the peoples who live there so travel, for a Vulgarian, is no problem. Since outsiders know nothing about these passageways they always get hopelessly lost. Politically and ethnically, Vulgaria is a number of enclaves loosely combined into one governmental entity. Over the ages all the neighboring countries at one time or another sent invading armies to conquer Vulgaria and make it theirs. All of these armies have invaded Vulgaria but none have returned. They all got so lost that they couldn’t even find their way out. So eventually they learned to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings and the fertility of the soil; and, of course, the comeliness and agreeability of the native ladies in the locale, and they ended up settling down and setting up their own little communities. They were eventually contacted by representatives of the other valleys peoples and were invited to join the government as an enclave, a Swiss-like canton. That is why the country is made up of so many different ethnic groups. The rest of the population came from the many different groups of people who escaped their oppressors in their own countries by stumbling into Vulgaria and simply getting lost in one of its fertile valleys. This includes soldiers, sailors and especially airmen who ended up wandering by, floating in and parachuting or crash landing in Vulgaria during the outside wars which bypassed Vulgaria. There were many such wars over the ages so there were many military newcomers in this manner. Also there are many highly talented and educated immigrants who were hired, enticed, lured, bribed or just plain abducted and brought to Vulgaria. Over the centuries Vulgarians have thus acquired many engineers, scientists and technicians from the surrounding warring powers and put them to work in Vulgarian universities, laboratories, factories and foundries. Working and living conditions were always so good in Vulgaria that most of these temporary workers elected to stay, settle down and raise their families in Vulgaria. When ever Vulgarian industry needed a specialist one of these methods were tried to get them. It almost always worked. The same applied to doctors, educators, philosophers and intellectuals of all types. The airplanes, as well as other armaments are influenced by the physical environment. In Vulgaria there were some long airfields, disguised as meadows and farms, but not many. There are many more shorter fields so biplanes, tri-planes, quadriplanes, etc. , autogiros and early helicopters were also found to be useful to get off the ground in such little space. There are many lakes up there in the mountains so the Vulgarians found much use for float planes and flying boats. Another reason for the great variety of types and styles of airplanes, etc. is due to the fact that not only did they take over any plane that landed, accidentally or not, in their territory but also other countries would give them entire squadrons, trying to get some influence and favors in the country. Industry: there is not too much in the way of heavy industry in Vulgaria. There is enough to produce first rate airplanes, tanks, cars, trucks, ships, railroads, etc but not in any great quantity. Thus a lot of the armaments in the Vulgarian arsenals have been either stolen, or donated by stronger powers as airplanes of the warring powers made emergency landings in neutral Vulgaria and were interred - permanently. Vulgaria’s natural barriers meant that they really did not need much of a standing army, navy or air force. But they did need some, so they would welcome any inventor or designer or crackpot who was unable to find backing in his own country. That is one reason why they have so many strange aircraft, tanks, ships, trains, vehicles and undescribables in their arsenal. Also each ethnic group had their own ideas of technology and militaria, Thus the great variety of armaments in that fair country. In later essays I will describe the colors and insignia of Vulgaria. So go forth one and all modelers and enjoy creating the aircraft, tanks, ships, armaments and all the technology of Vulgaria. All is possible and all is correct. Expand your vision, push the envelope, let your imagination fly! Enjoy! Sir Stephen, Lloyd of Auslender, B.S., M.F.A., Ph.D., LS/MFT Lord High Grand Poobah. High Commissioner of the Vulgarian Armed Forces.

OK, but I'll write it in tomorrow. It's late and I gotta go to bed. I need my beauty sleep. (the way I look that would be 23 hours a day). Stephen

If it is OK with the moderators who run this site I will relate the history of Vulgaria. That way you guys who want to have some imaginative fun creating your own airplanes for the Vulgarian Air Force can work with the knowledge of what it is all about. Waddya say, moderators? Stephen

Ok, OK allreddy. David Thompson and I had a group build going two-three years ago. We were constructing our own concepts of the 1/32 scale Vulgarian Air Force three engine float P-38's. David and I shared the same sense of humor and I sent him one of my extra P-38's and we got started. I am afraid that I got stalled. Identity crisis after retirement messed me up a bit. Then David got to work on his resin kits so he could generate some more income. Unfortunately, David is gone now and I will really miss his humor - we were on the same wave length. But now I am back, and with a vengeance (no, not the Vultee). So I will get back to making some more Vulgarian Air Force aircraft. However, this time I will not announce what I am doing in advance, I will just send photos. Problem is, most of my models end up as part of my sculpture. It is really hard for me to find time for fun when I am seeking the pleasure of making art. Another project is the Vulgarian biplane F-86. There is logic behind these designs. It is just that you have to be familiar with the culture and countryside of Vulgaria to understand it all. I have the parts together for both of these designs, it is just finding the time to build the things. I got tired of being retired so now I have several part time jobs and projects. I am as busy now as I was before I retired. I will keep in touch and if anyone wants to build from their imagination, let me know. Maybe we can get the Vulgarian Air Force back up in the air.

I believe the correct form is "Whom do you hang from the ceiling?" Seriously though, as if I could ever be serious about anything, to get what you need from your wife you should yield something to her that she wants. Good negotiating means that both parties leave the table with something that they won. So both parties feel good about the deal. You do not want residual bad feelings on her part. Remember, any outright win against one's wife is really a loss. It can only be a Phyrric victory. If you win all the battles with your wife eventually you will lose everything. She will one day up and turn on you with such vehemence you will wish you were some place safe, like on Omaha beach on D-Day. When a wife has had it with her man she can become as completely cold as a block of ice and she will never warm up again. If you can keep her happy you might be able to have a litttle happiness yourself. Maybe. The Stephen Auslender "Its your fault" theory on the difference in genders is that Adam and Eve were really intergalactic explorers flying single person space ships. But Adam and Eve were completely different because they came from opposite ends of the universe. While circling this planet they collided and crash landed on earth together. Since their space ships were unrepairable they were forced to settle down together. And men and women have been blaming each other for careless flying ever since!

Yes, that is the problem, where to display these 1/18 planes. The solution is obvious to us old timers as the most common way to display model airplanes back in the 1940's was to hang them from the ceiling. Book shelves are for books. Books, remember books? They sit on shelves. Airplanes hang from the ceiling. I wonder what happened to that most obvious method. It must have something to do with changing styles and, more importantly, letting the wife take over ALL the space in the house. The man of the house must insist on a space that is his and his alone within the house. My cousin had an upstairs room that he said was his and he decorated it his own way. His wife had nothing to say about it. Yes she nagged him about it on occasion but that is a wife's job - to nag. You really don't listen, do you? Really guys, if you let them, the women will take over control of everything in the house and deal with you like you were one of the children. Well, some guys are kinda woosie-like and they deserve the treatment they get. OK, back to displaying the models. Put screw eyes into the ceiling and hang the models from these. Or, do what I have done to avoid messing up the plaster/wallboard/whatever ceileing material. I put screw eyes into the wood molding surrounding the tops of the walls. Run braided steel wire from eye to eye and hang the models from this wire. Next problem is how to keep the wire from sagging. Well, you cannot prevent some sag. In terms of engineering, the tension necessary to have sag-less wire is infinite. So relax and just do the best you can. I secure one end of the wire to a screw eye (tie a knot if nothing else) and the other end of the wire is not tied to the other screw eye - it goes through the eye and is tied to a heavy weight which just hangs there, giving enough tension to hold the wire tight and then the stretch of the wire is automatically constantly taken up. Alternate method is to run 1 x 2 lumber across the top of the room near the ceiling and hang the models from that. There are many other ways - the problem is solvable. Go solve it. Next question, what room to use in the house? You are having a battle with your wife now so get used to it - its called marriage. Ever hear the term "battle of the sexes"? It is never ending. Compromise by giving your wife something important she wants and then you can demand what you need. Well, you might consider any room with a high ceiling. Do you have a high ceiling in the basement? atttic? garage? Those places will work. Yes you might have to do some home improvement to that room but you are making it yours. So expend the effort. What about the guys who live in an apartment and have no extra space or room? Well, you have a problem - deal with it. If you cannot solve it you can always go back to 1/72 scale. Or golf.

Thank you Kagnew and Big Kev. Much appreciated. Interesting new additions to the 1/24 scale line-up. I wrote to Vintage for info on when to get them and where and how much.

Uh, guys. If this is not a big secret could you tell the rest of us what you are talking about? What is this company that makes 1/24 scale Vintage Fighter kits? Do they have a web site? What is SAMI? Please have pity on us unenlightened ones and fill us in. Many thanks.

I congratulate you on your open-mindedness. In my not so humble opinion too many modelers are blindly following the trend to judge and make models on the basis of just A & A. Thats Accuracy and Amount of detail one can purchase to put into a model. You apparently work on models with the idea of doing what you like and how you like it. I notice also that instead of whinning for someone to manufacture a correct bomb for you to put on your model you or your friend do it yourselves. Thats called modeling!!! As Teddy Roosevelt used to exclaim when he greatly approved of something, "Bully!" Uh, Teddy Roosevelt? Rough Riders? Charge up San Juan Hill? Spanish American War? President of the USA? Oh Good Grief!

I will believe it when I see it actually for sale on the market! I saw the test shots of both the 1/32 P-51A and the Sea Fury last October at the Chicago Hobby Industry trade show. So what? The Hobby Craft Sea Fury was listed in their 2005 catalog. It is now 2007. You guys can go nuts over a promise if you want but I will not get excited until I can go into a hobby shop and touch the actual kit or get it on the internet (and not a backorder or pre-order). Until then it is all hot air. :angry:

It really all depends on what you want in a Sea Fury kit. There is a wide range in requirements among modelers. You can range from a carved wood model which satisfies guys like me, to the most obsessive rivet counter who wants as much accurate detail as possible. In between you have the modelers who like to have some detail and are quite happy with the detail level and pricing of a $50 Hasegawa kit. Fisher's expensive resin Sea Fury is selling like hotcakes. When the less expensive injection molded HC Sea Fury comes out it will certainly outsell the resin model, giving Paul a well deserved rest. Then he can start on his next great model kit. So, apparently the problem is with the modelers who want the ultimate kit; can they wait until the less expensive HC comes out? However, it is not a life and death descision. What are we talking about, a $200 kit now VS waiting for a $100 kit to come out? I am glad I do not have to make that choice. However, when that Trumpeter 1/32 TBD Devastator finally comes out, watch out and don't get in my way. I guess we all have our weak points.

I saw the early castings at the Hobby Industry Trade show half a year ago. When will this 1/32 Sea Fury kit be available? Weeeeel, I also saw their 1/32 A-36 (P-51A) castings at the same show. This early Mustang is in their 2005 catalog. It has not yet reached the dealers as a complete kit as of this date. I am beginning to look at HC with the same disbelief I hold for Craftworks (1/32 VAL supposed to be released in 2002). Gentlemen, when a new kit is supposed to released I WILL BELIEVE IT WHEN I BUY IT AND HOLD IT IN MY GRUBBY PAWS! Until then it is all HOT AIR. Bah Humbug!

Ah, another who remembers the joyful odor of the "paints" that are bad for us. I still have a can of the old laquer primer that has been banned in the USA for some years. I use it occasionally and delight in the smell as the fumes enter my nose and wreak havoc with my brain. A lot better than booze. I remember the old dope we used to use to paint our wood models back in the 1940's. Yes, always paint in the kitchen with the windows closed. The delightful odor of the fuels we used for the flying models brings back sweet memories. And peeling the dried glue off our fingers after building a large balsa flying model. Ah, sheer pleasure! No super glue for us old timers. I detest the odor of the new super glues. All they do is irritate my eyes. Phooey. Those I use out of doors or in well ventilated areas. I prefer the manly odor of polyester resin as I work the fiberglass cloth. I just bought another 5 gallon can of that delightful stuff. And the smell of Bondo! Lovely, lovely. The guys who cast resin have to be careful as the ones that are easier to cast are also the most toxic. I really cannot see any reason to kill oneself with the really toxic casting resins. There are plenty of newer ones that are much less dangerous to use. You guys do protect yourselves from breathing in the dust when sanding the resin models don't you? Strong ventilation or sand outdoors. Hmmmmm? Well, it really doesn't matter. Eating the fats and red meats at fast food places will kill you off a lot sooner anyway. May I have a side order of deep fried chloresterol with my lard sandwich, please?