ax365

Hiya Chuck. I haven't visited these parts much lately but here I am now. I'm sorry to hear that you and Mrs. Chuck had to put the brakes on your retirement trip. Bummer. Having said that, I'm thankful to hear that the intestinal blockage has cleared and it wasn't something more serious as happened to a late friend. Long story short, abdominal issues led him to a colonoscopy too late to be of any benefit. Colon cancer metastasized to liver cancer and he passed in December at age 60. I wish you good health as this issue goes forward and that there are no recurrences. I've reviewed your progress since you returned from your hiatus. I can't say much that doesn't parrot everyone else. Great work and attention to detail. I've also noticed your few 'work smarter, not harder' moments as you narrate your build. Nice! Keep up the great work. Mike

Good morning, Chuck. Sorry that I'm a little late to the party. I hope you had a wonderful summer and that you managed to put a few miles on the little roadster. The Mustang got a bit of a workout but nothing too strenuous. A few friends and family have lamented about the snow you've received already. Ack! Although it's unlikely I'll ever build an F-16, I'll be following along, as usual, as the tips, hints and suggestions you bring to the masses are usually transferable to any other build. I've benefited from your sage advice so thank you for that. Also, congratulations on the occasion of your retirement. Enjoy the next chapter of life's journey. I start year eight of it in January and to bastardize the old Canadian Armed Forces recruiting slogan, Retirement...there's no life like it. Does it feel like retirement yet or do you still feel like you're on a really extended vacation? Take care Chuck and I look forward to your updates. Mike

Another stunning build, Chuck. I've followed from the beginning but without much comment. 'The flaws are minimal.' We are always our own worst critic. Your patience and dedication to the craft are beyond words. I wish I had half the 'game' you have. I look forward to your full spread of photos. Thanks for sharing your journey with us...again. Take a breather and enjoy the top down weather. Not sure if your little roadster is out yet but the Mustang will be coming out shortly. Enjoy your summer and I await your next project. Take care and stay safe, Chuck. Mike

Chuck, There's not much more I can say other than to parrot the others who have commented on the level of detail and precision you aspire to in your build. Simply incredible. Further, welcome to the club. May you enjoy much more quality time with family, friends, hobbies and interests now that you've entered the ranks of the retired. To bastardize the old Armed Forces recruitment slogan from years ago; Retirement...there's no life like it. Enjoy your vacation and new found freedom, my friend.

I recently did two commission builds, well a build and a restoration of a previously built kit, for the widow of a CF-101 Voodoo pilot; a build for her son and the restoration for her daughter. Both kids were under 10 when their dad died. Her husband was KIFA in July 76. His body was never recovered. I supplied a Voodoo and decals from my stash to build Voodoo 061 for her son. She asked a price and I quoted her one. As I continued on with the build, I decided that I was going to do it for free as a way of paying my respect for the loss of her husband and the children's father. Long story short, I told her to make a donation to the charity of her choice to cover the prices I quoted for the build and the restoration. She made a donation the RCAF Museum in her family's name. I've also given away built models at shows rather than cart them home. I've also built many for pilots who flew the actual subject I modeled. It all depends why you're doing it and your personal convictions. To me, seeing the looks on the faces and the reactions of thanks of the people I've built for or given models away to is payment enough for me.

And now the waiting game begins. I wonder how long it will take to get from 'over there' to your neck of the woods? Guesses anyone? I wonder where the bottle neck will be? Her Majesty's postal service? Canada Customs? Canada Post? Spin the wheel. It's anyone's guess. You pays your money and you takes your chances. I'm going to take a stab and say 21 days, just for poops and giggles. I certainly hope it takes less time than that though.

Another extremely informative update, sir - as are they all. It seems like things are either perfect (or close to it) or not so good and it requires you to do some extra fiddling around. Airfix's reaction to your request for a replacement part is quite discouraging. I echo Squizzy's comment that Airfix and Hornby should be replacing that piece, gratis. Bad form, as some Brits might say. Keep up the awesome work Chuck. Sounds like the engine will be a kit in itself. Stay safe. Mike

Welcome back to the bench, Chuck. I hope you had an enjoyable summer and it's good to hear that the batteries are recharged. That show, and your recognition by the judges and fellow modellers, was quite the fine end to the summer. Congratulations to you and they're all well earned. As others have said, I look forward to more of your work during this build. Informative as always and I pick up little tips from you that I can use on some of my projects. Thank you for that. Take care and stay safe. Mike

Okay. Game on! Like everyone else, I look forward to what you do with this build, Chuck. I'm sorry to hear about the ruptured appendix. I hope you weren't in too much pain for too long. For pain and discomfort as a result of your ailment, this doctor prescribes a couple of nice, long drives with the top down when weather permits. Take care Chuck and stay safe. Mike

Good morning Chuck. I just wanted to let you know that I shared the photos of your build with my friend Des and I spoke with him on the phone moments ago. He checked his log books. Closest he ever got to 12760 was 12763. He went on to say that he was very pleased with the level of detail in your build. He said you "got the colours and stencils just right." He regaled many fine stories of his CF-104 time in the nuclear strike role but he will never tell anyone what his target was had they been given the order. Among the 50 some odd aircraft her has flown, he said the Starfighter was right up there at the top. I thought you'd like to know the sentiments and comments of a man who has 'been there and done that'. Enjoy the soon to come top down weather! Mike

Beautiful work, as usual, Chuck. You are much more patient and talented than I am. Yet another build to be extremely proud of. A friend of mine flew Starfighters with 422 Sqn in Europe. Not sure if he ever flew 760 but I know he flew 711 (after checking his logbook briefly) when he was on Course 4 at 6 ST/R OTU and that's what I'm going to build my large Starfighter as. He's 95 now. Would you mind if I saved your completed build photos and shared them in an e-mail with Des? I know he would appreciate them and the memories. I thought I'd ask your permission before doing so. I look forward to your Hellcat build. Take care and stay safe. Mike

Brilliant remedies. Happy New Year, Chuck.

Moe, They're cut from thin vinyl, not masking tape. Mike

You can try contacting Hobby House here in Ottawa. They have a very good selection of Chris' EZ Masks in the store. Chris' home/business is located just outside Ottawa in Smith's Falls. You'll have to call Hobby House as they don't have a website (in today's day and age, really?!) but you'll probably be able to pay via credit card. I don't know if they'll ship internationally but you can try. I'd offer to go there myself for you but we're in a 28 day COVID lockdown with trips outside for essential shopping, medical appointments, etc only. If you're so inclined, their phone number is 613-749-5245. Mike

Hi Chuck. Merry Christmas and splendid work, as usual. This is a C2 seat that has been deployed and on display at the RCAF Museum in Trenton. As you can see, it has the 'candy cane' handles on both sides of the seat. The handles pivot at the front during the ejection sequence as they deploy the webbing that helps keep the pilot in the seat. Mike

Apologies for being late to the party, Chuck. Life has been upside down in our home for the last couple of months so I'm finally catching up on stuff that I've missed. To quote the cartoons, "Well Mr. Magoo...you've done it again." A wonderful execution on your Tempest. Very impressive work. Another treasure to be proud of. I can't wait to start following your CF-104 build. Take care and stay safe. Mike

You're off to another brilliant start, Chuck. I'll be checking in on occasion to see what progress you've made when not enjoying your summer 'down time'. I guess it will be a bit different than our spring 'down time'. Take care of yourself and enjoy the break free from isolation. Got the roadster out yet? The Mustang will be coming out on Monday, not that I really have anywhere to go. Stay health and stay safe my friend. Mike

Sorry I'm a little late to the party but here's my mug. My friend Paul (left) and myself on the 18th green at Harbour Town Golf Course in January 17. Before I played it, every time I watched the RBC Heritage Classic and someone missed an incredibly short, easy looking putt, I'd say to myself, "How could you miss a putt like that?" Now I know EXACTLY how they could miss a putt like that. It was like putting on a tile floor. Mike

So much for working smarter rather than harder on stuff you won't see. Just funnin' ya, Chuck. You know that no good deed ever goes unpunished? That seems to have happened here. It's unfortunate that the detail was covered up but it's very impressive none the less. Enjoy your vacation and decompression time. A battery recharge is never out of order. Mike

I'm looking forward to this release as well. I have already broached the subject with The Boss. Her reply, "Go for it and have fun!" In many other circumstances, that could be interpreted as "Don't you dare!" or "Have fun sleeping in the spare room." but this time it was sincere. I don't have many vices or other expensive tastes so she was quite supportive when I said I was going to get one of these kits.

Nope but I'm 6' tall and at the time was about 260 lbs so my girth simulated the bulk of the Irvin jackets and everything else. For a big airplane, there's bugger all room inside. And the noise of four Merlins on the flight deck, and no ear protection except for foam ear plugs, was unbelievable. You could feel it in you chest. This is my friend, Mr. Bob Bradley. He completed a full tour as a mid upper gunner on a Lancaster with 576 Sqn, RAF. He proudly wears the Bomber Command Clasp on his Canadian Volunteer Service Medal.

Enjoy it, Graham. About 15 years ago, The Boss got me a one hour flight in the CWH Lancaster. I can't put into words the emotions and feelings of that one hour. One of the other guests that day was a Polish pilot with 33 wartime sorties on Wellingtons, Halifaxes and Lancasters. When he spoke, everyone listened. The entire day was a real eye opener. The 60 degrees of bank over the museum before we landed was indescribable. The turbulence we encountered during the flight ( a very windy day that almost canceled the flight) gave everyone pause to imagine what ops on a bomber would have been like...except it wasn't pitch black outside, we weren't being coned by searchlights, we weren't dodging night fighters and we weren't having to deal with flak. Just walking around inside caused one to be off balance. The I tried to imagine the smells and other sensations one might have encountered. It was a truly humbling experience. And yes; my shins lost the argument with the main spars while getting to the flight deck. One thing the veteran did tell us was that the aircraft would not have been buffeted around as we were experiencing. The combined weight of the fuel and bomb load would have made the aircraft very stable during taxi and take off. As I type this, the feelings I encountered that day come to the forefront.

Splendid work, as usual, Chuck. You've done a very convincing job on that Merlin. Mike

Great work Brad.

Very nice work Brad. I've built two of the Italeri 32nd scale Sabres (same kit, except for wingtips and slats) and you've done great justice to this kit. I have one of these in my stash and it will be an RCAF Sabre 6 ( RCAF 421) based at Grostenquin, France, 1962. Keep up the fine work. Mike