Airfix SEPECAT JAGUAR GR1 1/48 by Smithy

[Smithy]

Perfection is elusive!

Oddly enough, the fit of the canopy was perfect. I always worry about canopies, so fragile, so unforgiving. I should give Airfix credit for the general fit of parts which so far has been foolproof (apart from where I’ve managed to play the fool ).

 

[Smithy]

And I like your attitude on enjoying what goes well. I had a few things that made me cringe on my current build, but once I finished they seem to disappear, going mostly unnoticed. So if a large enough percentage of things look good, then the finished model will look great. And you will be the only one who notices all the flaws.

I’ve been thinking about this part of your post Dean. That last sentence suggests my problem. I notice all the flaws and tend to ignore what’s good, so my judgement is distorted and harsh. I’m a hanging judge, and not just of my models.

I really need to give myself, and others, a break. We all are doing the best that we can, with what we have, wherever and whenever we find ourselves. I would like to be kinder and more tolerant because otherwise I might turn into a grumpy and bitter old hermit as my old man did. (I suspect he showed me how to be so judgemental in the first place.)

So, all things considered, that cockpit has turned out extremely well. All without the expense of calling in the aftermarketeers, too.

Well done me!

 

[Smithy]

I’m stormin’ along now!



I painted the main u/c bays. I used Dean’s tip about dry brushing and painted the white cables and black boxes in the regular way. A few placards topped it all off. The photo only shows the more interesting parts.



I hope you can see the glint of the steel hydraulic pipes. They were carefully brushed with Humbrol Enamel ‘steel’ paint which can be polished after it dries. It’s so good, they stopped making it. lol.



They are now installed in the fuselage which has been closed up and glued. This was a very good day on Smithy’s workbench.

 

[Dean62]

I’ve been thinking about this part of your post Dean. That last sentence suggests my problem. I notice all the flaws and tend to ignore what’s good, so my judgement is distorted and harsh. I’m a hanging judge, and not just of my models.

I really need to give myself, and others, a break. We all are doing the best that we can, with what we have, wherever and whenever we find ourselves. I would like to be kinder and more tolerant because otherwise I might turn into a grumpy and bitter old hermit as my old man did. (I suspect he showed me how to be so judgemental in the first place.)

So, all things considered, that cockpit has turned out extremely well. All without the expense of calling in the aftermarketeers, too.

Well done me!

I’m my own worst critic too, but I focus on the glass being half full.
Cheers!

 

[Dean62]

I’m stormin’ along now!

View attachment 557644

I painted the main u/c bays. I used Dean’s tip about dry brushing and painted the white cables and black boxes in the regular way. A few placards topped it all off. The photo only shows the more interesting parts.

View attachment 557645

I hope you can see the glint of the steel hydraulic pipes. They were carefully brushed with Humbrol Enamel ‘steel’ paint which can be polished after it dries. It’s so good, they stopped making it. lol.

View attachment 557646

They are now installed in the fuselage which has been closed up and glued. This was a very good day on Smithy’s workbench.

Nice! I’m going to call you Stormin Norman!

 

[Smithy]

I’m my own worst critic too, but I focus on the glass being half full.
Cheers!

One time I asked the waiter whether the glass was half full or half empty. He said it was the wrong size glass.

 

[Smithy]

I’m my own worst critic too, but I focus on the glass being half full.
Cheers!

One time I asked a pessimist whether the glass was half full or half empty. He surprised me at first. He smiled and said it’s half full … of poison.

 

[Smithy]

Airfix, you done good. The ‘flatpack’ fuselage goes together like it’s supposed to.

 

[Smithy]

I’m my own worst critic too, but I focus on the glass being half full.
Cheers!

If you ask me whether the glasses are half full or half empty, I’ll say it’s time for another round.

 

[Smithy]

Dietary note.

For a few weeks now, I have been cutting red meat from my diet, and increasing the number of variety of vegetables that I eat. The idea was to reduce cholesterol. However, I have now discovered that I have not been consuming anywhere near enough protein, and that a lack of protein can cause problems with memory and cognition. So it may be that my silly mistakes on the Jaguar, and some odd memory lapses in the last couple of weeks may be nothing more than a dietary deficiency. Long-term lack of protein can also cause muscle shrinkage and weakening of the bones!

I had no idea how important protein is in an older person’s diet until this morning so I thought I’d pass the information on to you guys.

 

[Jimsky]

Dietary note.

For a few weeks now, I have been cutting red meat from my diet, and increasing the number of variety of vegetables that I eat. The idea was to reduce cholesterol. However, I have now discovered that I have not been consuming anywhere near enough protein, and that a lack of protein can cause problems with memory and cognition. So it may be that my silly mistakes on the Jaguar, and some odd memory lapses in the last couple of weeks may be nothing more than a dietary deficiency. Long-term lack of protein can also cause muscle shrinkage and weakening of the bones!

I had no idea how important protein is in an older person’s diet until this morning so I thought I’d pass the information on to you guys.

Dietary note response

Sounds like you’ve cracked the case, mon ami, your brain is simply staging a protest and demanding a ribeye or porterhouse/filet minion ASAP. Cutting red meat is all well and good… until your neurons start waving tiny “Feed Us Protein!” signs and your muscles file a missing-person report.
Seriously, though, glad you figured out what’s going on. A proper amount of protein is essential, especially as we get older. So, yes...For medical reasons, I recommend that you immediately administer one (1) steak of your choice, medium-rare, with strict monitoring of cognitive improvement afterward. Purely scientific, of course.

Take care, and keep us posted: both on your health and on the Jaguar’s recovery!

 

[RussF]

Fish and poultry are protein and are not considered red meat. A nice salmon filet would do the trick. Then there's tofu of course.

 

[Smithy]

Dietary note response

Sounds like you’ve cracked the case, mon ami, your brain is simply staging a protest and demanding a ribeye or porterhouse/filet minion ASAP. Cutting red meat is all well and good… until your neurons start waving tiny “Feed Us Protein!” signs and your muscles file a missing-person report.
Seriously, though, glad you figured out what’s going on. A proper amount of protein is essential, especially as we get older. So, yes...For medical reasons, I recommend that you immediately administer one (1) steak of your choice, medium-rare, with strict monitoring of cognitive improvement afterward. Purely scientific, of course.

Take care, and keep us posted: both on your health and on the Jaguar’s recovery!

Steak pie and mushy peas in a proper pie shop this lunchtime, peanut butter in my breakfast porridge, butter beans and bacon etc for dinner and sausage sandwiches for supper. That’s a start anyway.

 

[Smithy]

Fish and poultry are protein and are not considered red meat. A nice salmon filet would do the trick. Then there's tofu of course.

Indeed. I’ve been eating fish and poultry, just not enough of them. It’s merely a misunderstanding of the quantities required. Eggs cheese wholemeal bread. There are many protein sources available now I know what I need. I’d even consider a spoonful of soy protein powder in a stew but tofu? I think it’s the name that puts me off. It reminds me of that awful, slimy substance that grows on unwashed feet.

By the way, I’m not avoiding red meat for any ethical reasons. I’m trying to cut my cholesterol, that’s all.

 

[Dean62]

Indeed. I’ve been eating fish and poultry, just not enough of them. It’s merely a misunderstanding of the quantities required. Eggs cheese wholemeal bread. There are many protein sources available now I know what I need. I’d even consider a spoonful of soy protein powder in a stew but tofu? I think it’s the name that puts me off. It reminds me of that awful, slimy substance that grows on unwashed feet.

By the way, I’m not avoiding red meat for any ethical reasons. I’m trying to cut my cholesterol, that’s all.

My doctor said my cholesterol was a little high, so I bought a rowing machine and also increased my protein to support muscle since I’m killing my arms and legs on the rowing machine! When you get older your muscles will atrophy if you don’t do some kind of exercise to build muscle or at least maintain what you have. In addition exercise increases good cholesterol which in turn gets rid of some bad cholesterol. And finally the ideal cholesterol level has been reduced twice since the 60s from 300 to 240 to 200. The latest is to push statins! I will never take them! They cause muscle and memory loss…geez! And your brain needs cholesterol. So be careful how low you try to get your cholesterol.

Ps - protein can be had from dairy, nuts, poultry, fish, beans, etc. Red meat is one of many options. You can eat the others 5-6 days a week and have your red meat 1-2 days a week.

 

[Smithy]

statins! I will never take them.

My feeling too.

ps I hit my protein target for the day AND stayed under my calorie allocation too. As I said, it’s a start.

I’ll be back on the Jaguar soon, it’s been a very busy day today.

 

[Smithy]

Back to business, big cat business!



Seams are the ratlines of plastic kits. Getting them neat and tidy is sometimes a little tedious but if you don’t, the whole model looks awful. The long seams along the curved spines of aircraft are the most prominent, but wherever they are, it’s essential to tidy them up as much as possible.



This is after my first pass with 600 grit wet and dry paper. Note how the white powder waste material accumulates in the panel lines. That must be cleaned out before painting. I use a soft plastic toothbrush which won’t scratch the surface but will dislodge the dust.



Some of us use commercially made standing sticks. These are expensive, and because of that I believe there is a tendency for people to use them for much too long. When a certain percentage of the abrasive grains have fallen off not only is this sandpaper less effective but it leaves scratches which are hard to get rid of. My cheaper alternative is to wrap wet and dry paper around an eraser. These can be cut to whatever shape suits the job and the little strips of sandpaper can be replaced as soon as they show signs of wearing out.



All done. After the 600 grit wet and dry used from side to side, I polish out and scratches with 1000 grit used backwards and forwards. I then use a paper towel to remove any water and finally polish with material from a pair of tights, that’s pantyhose to you Americans. It does not remove any material but smooth the surface perfectly as you see.



Next I fitted the fin. It rests in a nice socket which conceals the joint and makes for a strong connection. Nevertheless, there is a little slack in the joint and it was necessary to arrange this set up so that I could persuade the fin to be vertical. I cannot trust my eyes alone but need a visual guide.

But there I will have to leave it until the glue sets firmly. At this rate of progress, I will be painting at the weekend. Exciting!

My enthusiasm for modelling seems to be returning, thank goodness. Yesterday I even bought an Airfix magazine. In it, I found this picture.:



Now, isn’t that a beautiful aeroplane? I think I might treat myself to one of those for Christmas.

 

[RussF]

Some of us use commercially made standing sticks. These are expensive, and because of that I believe there is a tendency for people to use them for much too long.

Agreed. I make my own by gluing sandpaper to craft sticks with CA. The large tongue depressor size, medium popsicle size and small flat wooden coffee stirrers. Plus, they can be cut into any shape you desire. Boxes of 1000 of each cost less than one package of sanding sticks and you have any grit you want.

 

[Smithy]

I make my own by gluing sandpaper to craft sticks with CA

Same, except that I use wood glue.

Sometimes I need a hard sanding stick and sometimes I need something flexible for getting around the curves, that’s when the eraser comes in handy.

 

[Dean62]

Looking forward to paint. That’s when the model comes alive.
I have some hobby sanding files, they look like thick nail files.