tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56469576920248963692024-03-14T06:13:16.592+13:00Colonel O'Truth's Miniature IssuesCreative musings from a small-minded old soldier...Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-71597849879050769012023-07-10T05:59:00.000+12:002023-07-10T05:59:05.722+12:00Undercrag City - Episode Five<p> </p><p>Hi, All!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oTVNkUgwcKbiy1jnxP4ADHgUj1PiKOFXxK487-D8IiLK5MtRUlHeBqJn2qwTIAjiId5fsvZf2cdNi6IS9HU8e-qRM9LxBrcCFpg5PS10VU_fL_OeqXyDpy6MpOwc0LNtZrQQwHMuwlbn8CCDc2H-IoCvXMcetqnErTW7OPbEGvUBi6iGz6cc156io9k/s1841/IMG_3701.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="1841" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oTVNkUgwcKbiy1jnxP4ADHgUj1PiKOFXxK487-D8IiLK5MtRUlHeBqJn2qwTIAjiId5fsvZf2cdNi6IS9HU8e-qRM9LxBrcCFpg5PS10VU_fL_OeqXyDpy6MpOwc0LNtZrQQwHMuwlbn8CCDc2H-IoCvXMcetqnErTW7OPbEGvUBi6iGz6cc156io9k/w640-h594/IMG_3701.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Just a quick note to let you all know that episode five of me new YouTube venture is up and running!</p><p>Click here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezrmr6eJnH0&t=180s" target="_blank">Episode Five</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID8-WdqRVx9K87S205mGPcYzJvFmliuw9BYv8LDcUWC92X2DVyXkD5z8NIeMD_FiMrQBQ-3e1UpvxBAeRU6rRJbtYSsXbU-EK4EwHY5OTjcadl8q5wib-ZhVMeaVORS6gebhPdGYJ98uoHX0ZzNT2K99SdQh_Dl6R0ud8IFRXD5yOrA8jXajsXs54U-U/s2643/IMG_3468.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2091" data-original-width="2643" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID8-WdqRVx9K87S205mGPcYzJvFmliuw9BYv8LDcUWC92X2DVyXkD5z8NIeMD_FiMrQBQ-3e1UpvxBAeRU6rRJbtYSsXbU-EK4EwHY5OTjcadl8q5wib-ZhVMeaVORS6gebhPdGYJ98uoHX0ZzNT2K99SdQh_Dl6R0ud8IFRXD5yOrA8jXajsXs54U-U/w640-h506/IMG_3468.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p>In this one, I begin the construction of Undercrag Eastgate, complete with a working portcullis, all in teeny-tiny 10m scale!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinantQwiIz6e4HEUubVNDuoKcFX0GZB1WxJFyyXb7tRhtJx_Iy3fZuVVKNsX1riWN4UJwFRSgGgBeO3MM3L24l2jLif72k9FnLRcOq07ch3oN1SZMllDuswvMQ3koyFNcktzSaokUCrMuIn4oz4J534bphUyRDg55vT7LIG9Vi7YbcLHrYAJy3FIr3hs/s2048/IMG_3624.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinantQwiIz6e4HEUubVNDuoKcFX0GZB1WxJFyyXb7tRhtJx_Iy3fZuVVKNsX1riWN4UJwFRSgGgBeO3MM3L24l2jLif72k9FnLRcOq07ch3oN1SZMllDuswvMQ3koyFNcktzSaokUCrMuIn4oz4J534bphUyRDg55vT7LIG9Vi7YbcLHrYAJy3FIr3hs/w480-h640/IMG_3624.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p>I hope you enjoy it and see you soon!<p></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3kRWDkottXIzAJadAAcElVwgChACnyrKcLlL3BWQr2r47FGB75eXKGj2znAxa4ZvE7mUL5NfyxgrpkKuBLj1uSF58E59IekfoKbongZUfPmccV-r-i3dQylZpOorTP7shQlDb2CU0Vb6FiRbQdPKU87Aq8UeGlZ5nttqPWwqKIfqKRFx8JCL8is3rmo/s1959/IMG_3627.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1604" data-original-width="1959" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3kRWDkottXIzAJadAAcElVwgChACnyrKcLlL3BWQr2r47FGB75eXKGj2znAxa4ZvE7mUL5NfyxgrpkKuBLj1uSF58E59IekfoKbongZUfPmccV-r-i3dQylZpOorTP7shQlDb2CU0Vb6FiRbQdPKU87Aq8UeGlZ5nttqPWwqKIfqKRFx8JCL8is3rmo/w640-h524/IMG_3627.JPEG" width="640" /></a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>All the Best!</p>Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-37523729504329043932023-06-27T04:46:00.001+12:002023-06-27T04:47:10.117+12:00 Undercrag City - Episode Four<p><br /></p><p>Hi All!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekESb8yxlOap-76a8-38k3VvNn3pD05UNvF69Q3I-aByY-1TtVWFwnNaDfhe5UIa5BJwldukKIGrNidhvb3-JzYr-3EwiGlwpaKXDNgndudSaXKOqWVMfNj_x4zH7nM3VMlLhd3Wv90-4Nbbt23kdK23Xh7y0pCd3JOIxsO7d9_z7yQZxr__lxzRZ0g4/s1280/Constabulary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekESb8yxlOap-76a8-38k3VvNn3pD05UNvF69Q3I-aByY-1TtVWFwnNaDfhe5UIa5BJwldukKIGrNidhvb3-JzYr-3EwiGlwpaKXDNgndudSaXKOqWVMfNj_x4zH7nM3VMlLhd3Wv90-4Nbbt23kdK23Xh7y0pCd3JOIxsO7d9_z7yQZxr__lxzRZ0g4/w640-h360/Constabulary.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've just put up a new video on my YouTube channel! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AECzAzrQLY"><b>Episode 04 - The Constabulary</b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8YyweX28-8oRxOu3nY31D4BqQwoSF7997qEDAXYYdMt_6TG1Lig9nLtCKa36_97Ub5E8qn_UqdgYqv4jsKzpLG0iZ02eqE2lmms7flOJ8xP-7ix1OaJuncEcsvUuuF5PgsdHLuHEbigBRDOQCKENx0b2Lm3aUaqaPD6pmN0TdNQljUwxd6XXqt70DRI/s3020/IMG_3519.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="2282" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8YyweX28-8oRxOu3nY31D4BqQwoSF7997qEDAXYYdMt_6TG1Lig9nLtCKa36_97Ub5E8qn_UqdgYqv4jsKzpLG0iZ02eqE2lmms7flOJ8xP-7ix1OaJuncEcsvUuuF5PgsdHLuHEbigBRDOQCKENx0b2Lm3aUaqaPD6pmN0TdNQljUwxd6XXqt70DRI/w485-h640/IMG_3519.JPEG" width="485" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I can see the pub from here!"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one covers the building from start to finish of the Constabulary and the House of the Captain of the Guard, complete with my technique for wobbly rooftops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyuJwYkqkMCXz50XCCTjHwXVOIynjiPbizOqv5rJE75zmk3PmTkSgT4YubXTUNLoCzc7uCs-h345YdFWXUEbLYrjFcjxsWKPgS0yfasA0xJKrC3R7BSTiN0NZTfc0iXbeU0ZjFstLzxSxNlcDRh8TeLBYiGm491IwKRXcDdi-yp7VVnR9jqqOxIA7nsk/s4032/IMG_3529.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyuJwYkqkMCXz50XCCTjHwXVOIynjiPbizOqv5rJE75zmk3PmTkSgT4YubXTUNLoCzc7uCs-h345YdFWXUEbLYrjFcjxsWKPgS0yfasA0xJKrC3R7BSTiN0NZTfc0iXbeU0ZjFstLzxSxNlcDRh8TeLBYiGm491IwKRXcDdi-yp7VVnR9jqqOxIA7nsk/w480-h640/IMG_3529.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the absence of rivets, there are plenty of individually glued roof tiles, hand-drawn stones and of course, working lighting....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnddQDPddcdp_Ql7cDWb0HToyrTdbHMDBkA5YZBSO4kcCYg6ahMtozwVNpCaUC5vyMRBz4uu6bszX677sJGPzTm3lThBC1REJZdD7cUzax9N-Ci5noxIPm0CQRWE7ewxRBQOt4diTIOGNhnY1jlwOetIQNrl1AURhP9Sh5vZROze2qiednyNXCgNaPrQ/s3493/IMG_3544.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2697" data-original-width="3493" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnddQDPddcdp_Ql7cDWb0HToyrTdbHMDBkA5YZBSO4kcCYg6ahMtozwVNpCaUC5vyMRBz4uu6bszX677sJGPzTm3lThBC1REJZdD7cUzax9N-Ci5noxIPm0CQRWE7ewxRBQOt4diTIOGNhnY1jlwOetIQNrl1AURhP9Sh5vZROze2qiednyNXCgNaPrQ/w640-h494/IMG_3544.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you enjoy it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All the Best!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-61414799257326259262023-06-16T07:37:00.009+12:002023-06-16T07:40:30.371+12:00By Jove! I'm In The Talkies!<p> Hi, All!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-ZrKL5o7n9qRuKlOPSvtTgX5v3Yka1F51bKJVjRuM6mI1UXAL3vKjgNa-ggOEfkVn7eAJA7Vr954CuzJ4diqi300NwNDw2LAiLW0GA2SFw_OkK5MmtkrW-KC0Qv7J-PwxlKbA_A6STAt_3LDN1rU1-WHvH5jeq75W54EolJW3qd1DdWPoG3Dbt17/s2016/IMG_3702.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="2016" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-ZrKL5o7n9qRuKlOPSvtTgX5v3Yka1F51bKJVjRuM6mI1UXAL3vKjgNa-ggOEfkVn7eAJA7Vr954CuzJ4diqi300NwNDw2LAiLW0GA2SFw_OkK5MmtkrW-KC0Qv7J-PwxlKbA_A6STAt_3LDN1rU1-WHvH5jeq75W54EolJW3qd1DdWPoG3Dbt17/w640-h498/IMG_3702.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Undercrag - Eastgate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I know... I know... I've been absolutely terrible at keeping this blog up to date in recent years, but rest assured I am still creating!</p><p><br /></p><p>Some of you already follow me on Instagram - and thanks you for that! </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/colonelotruth/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Colonel O'Truth's Miniature Issues on Instagram</span></b></a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I am now pleased to announce that last night, I launched my YouTube channel, featuring the first three episodes of my latest project: a 10mm scale fantasy city, named Undercrag.</p><p><b><span style="color: #0000ee;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ColonelOTruthMiniatureIssues" target="_blank">Colonel O'Truth's Miniature Issues on YouTube</a><br /></span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I'd love to see you all on there - so please, pop in and say hello!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyTT5tnDBNW1rE6aG6BsBYzd7y_LVk_1H_c32KIeUx5U3zXqhMGoL8aOHi_V7vd6dfr-ieHMIMuUpmy7fakdGOpFh1VBcpLdueKBdz9JFz3EtUzvZNBpwGFKEZN05MErR_bEb7qmbAd0QJbqnpJbPxuPEI4rCIVa9r_nFD0Qr0psXan7k1O4X9fBS/s1973/IMG_3889.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1973" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyTT5tnDBNW1rE6aG6BsBYzd7y_LVk_1H_c32KIeUx5U3zXqhMGoL8aOHi_V7vd6dfr-ieHMIMuUpmy7fakdGOpFh1VBcpLdueKBdz9JFz3EtUzvZNBpwGFKEZN05MErR_bEb7qmbAd0QJbqnpJbPxuPEI4rCIVa9r_nFD0Qr0psXan7k1O4X9fBS/w640-h516/IMG_3889.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Undercrag - East Street at Dusk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Tea and crumpets all round!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3ADxn65Tm2EfRyB-mjLynwqm2ZCVwI98HZ_i1ikisLo_XW195e27_qZTMMZr-Uc8Ear285hpCE0gpV9NK1hRzpqzJLT-cQoqE2rvCg3nbPISCIy2HkguEJKyUmB0LyvZBEW08JDQmSKlXq94JF9bYCpwGR3IDr_KHNT0_MXofI8EhfAlUg4bYagM/s1841/IMG_3770.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="1707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3ADxn65Tm2EfRyB-mjLynwqm2ZCVwI98HZ_i1ikisLo_XW195e27_qZTMMZr-Uc8Ear285hpCE0gpV9NK1hRzpqzJLT-cQoqE2rvCg3nbPISCIy2HkguEJKyUmB0LyvZBEW08JDQmSKlXq94JF9bYCpwGR3IDr_KHNT0_MXofI8EhfAlUg4bYagM/w594-h640/IMG_3770.JPEG" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Undercrag - Northwatch Tower</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p>All the Best!</p>Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-65830667803800162572021-07-04T17:57:00.000+12:002021-07-04T17:57:06.753+12:00More Sub Standard Creativity!<p> </p><p>Hi All!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVTnhL0PBdAZuXRJMNbZhyfnPKtqJ_uSVMa2cmcV6xGBMgMtTjoyKAUz4SqWdjICELKR7DemPJTj7TPS6jGEGTe7gTZUiJ3mPw22JlDjO5kFylLQPDViavjtOZkjLe8IT51rr6AtnbO0/s2528/IMG_0771.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="2528" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVTnhL0PBdAZuXRJMNbZhyfnPKtqJ_uSVMa2cmcV6xGBMgMtTjoyKAUz4SqWdjICELKR7DemPJTj7TPS6jGEGTe7gTZUiJ3mPw22JlDjO5kFylLQPDViavjtOZkjLe8IT51rr6AtnbO0/w640-h314/IMG_0771.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see where I'm going with this one? </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This week I am continuing with the submarine-type-theme thingy that began in May. It seems I can't get away from them!</p><p>No sooner had I finished my <a href="https://colonelotruth.blogspot.com/2021/05/that-sinking-feeling.html" target="_blank"><i>Nautilus </i>commission</a>, than another challenge came my way! "Colonel, old bean," came the cry, "I have a new challenge for you!"</p><p>"A new challenge?" I replied, "That sounds like a new challenge to me!"</p><p>And so it was.</p><p>Thusly it was that I embarked on a new challenge. </p><p>Over the next few posts I shall endeavour to keep you all informed, entertained and otherwise engaged as I embark upon building my versions of none other than Thunderbirds 2 and 4, complete with a removable pod in which the former shall house the latter!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjvMFtbpSW2WZayc8mA_9gOC3Au694LQYBhWIZeJmPRUo6nN6Lp_ikE9j6NaNNs3P-6NeyeyDKzUMuSu1uxDWu6K6NEKA0EED6mk7KKPM1uA4agPF2xMpPzGQS1gJQTQABBG4u9yebOQ/s2048/IMG_0772.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1897" data-original-width="2048" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjvMFtbpSW2WZayc8mA_9gOC3Au694LQYBhWIZeJmPRUo6nN6Lp_ikE9j6NaNNs3P-6NeyeyDKzUMuSu1uxDWu6K6NEKA0EED6mk7KKPM1uA4agPF2xMpPzGQS1gJQTQABBG4u9yebOQ/w640-h592/IMG_0772.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goggles - the obvious choice when building a submarine!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEeZezyu-k3qYB0yjolWPg3a5y9ROmCRiNM1Z01PgZ-ycFwp3CjeDRfBYyIS7SEEzE1H1hefKJ_xHvF4zbyr-XLIGlghb9uKI2OfVbq1H30oMzflFKQZlAn0G5maW8OAOcbJCJe0PCXE/s2048/IMG_0773.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEeZezyu-k3qYB0yjolWPg3a5y9ROmCRiNM1Z01PgZ-ycFwp3CjeDRfBYyIS7SEEzE1H1hefKJ_xHvF4zbyr-XLIGlghb9uKI2OfVbq1H30oMzflFKQZlAn0G5maW8OAOcbJCJe0PCXE/w640-h462/IMG_0773.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A singular gog, side view.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The first stage in this challenge, I decided, was to design and build Thunderbird 4, which in turn would dictate the size of the pod, and ultimately Thunderbird 2. So without further ado, I had a good old rummage around, in search of submariney bits and bobs.</p><p>I wanted this piece to have a clear-fronted cabin so that I could show the interior details and (possibly) a pilot. After various, "Hmmms," and "Haaaahs," I decided the only reasonable course of action was to build the thing around a lens from a pair of swimming goggles. Obviously.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4l4d9G5i-66-1MXzjFzZzI9Qneaqp6pwvq4gakYJ4dxslKgO3wXMHQHweIpkEYetBVMFR6WBSk_LFhWIa-SZnh06jeFLSTSovk_tPifRY163NtRVjeemfKNTy2qpUQW_aZGIdGjTWQ2E/s2048/IMG_0802.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2048" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4l4d9G5i-66-1MXzjFzZzI9Qneaqp6pwvq4gakYJ4dxslKgO3wXMHQHweIpkEYetBVMFR6WBSk_LFhWIa-SZnh06jeFLSTSovk_tPifRY163NtRVjeemfKNTy2qpUQW_aZGIdGjTWQ2E/w640-h618/IMG_0802.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gog and some other bits!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpg2elKmQ7mGQdjjUV3TeuBazgLf0ldIvdPD_Z98lA-ejI96QnDinvS7ENt6gGpJK61kpHeL38p_h6RnyX4wwyJalxk_cSC7SZq2DV0fPkMU1irtpCPUqRC2EMyVoFKoS7inFcr0rWsM/s2048/IMG_0807.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1798" data-original-width="2048" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpg2elKmQ7mGQdjjUV3TeuBazgLf0ldIvdPD_Z98lA-ejI96QnDinvS7ENt6gGpJK61kpHeL38p_h6RnyX4wwyJalxk_cSC7SZq2DV0fPkMU1irtpCPUqRC2EMyVoFKoS7inFcr0rWsM/w640-h562/IMG_0807.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieces of the gog were cut away, and a basic frame was built.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Having <strike>mutilated</strike> neatly disassembled the goggles, I grabbed a few old bits and bobs and started to put together a basic framework, which would help me gauge the overall scale of the project. This machine needs to make sense as a one-puppet sub, without getting so big that it would result in Thunderbird 2 being absolutely enormous.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu4KhBLQ-aONv6yWHeCqZ9qIir13L3tqI3XveFgVg2VH8_16dPdbtHVyT7WCtVMMNDlHfE1a9XDnbupz3lwkoagzaCDvUasLZXGv-44L_Q5VE2ybGuCz_dgeIAQHQKc6HockuBi-7wcU/s2048/IMG_0812.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2039" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu4KhBLQ-aONv6yWHeCqZ9qIir13L3tqI3XveFgVg2VH8_16dPdbtHVyT7WCtVMMNDlHfE1a9XDnbupz3lwkoagzaCDvUasLZXGv-44L_Q5VE2ybGuCz_dgeIAQHQKc6HockuBi-7wcU/w638-h640/IMG_0812.JPEG" width="638" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thin card is added as a base for more details.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIvZ684V79LuiarM9s4i3ThBM7hArb2ykLuUWb1UnF-k0pZvBcxJD4bmZHM_KXUz0jH05SsFQM3cjZ6C_dlnBleRCjqGhkvJPf9wzCAyOHQeWoILbQB1BdxEMH9uRPuCQ412NuYlLGho/s2048/IMG_0815.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIvZ684V79LuiarM9s4i3ThBM7hArb2ykLuUWb1UnF-k0pZvBcxJD4bmZHM_KXUz0jH05SsFQM3cjZ6C_dlnBleRCjqGhkvJPf9wzCAyOHQeWoILbQB1BdxEMH9uRPuCQ412NuYlLGho/w640-h480/IMG_0815.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fin is constructed from plastic board, a superglue lid and a bit of tube.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The next thing was to give some thought to a fin, and also how to detail the interior. Just like with <i>The Nautilus</i>, it is necessary to detail and paint the interior before closing it in to work on the rest of the vehicle. Of course, this will soon have to include a pilot before I can go any further.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi9C9v9bf8ms82iHcfKe_p7GsuojIImdSA_oeu5gAcPZ5i9NEdfxr0-6xhJnTFuQ7OV57IUQ9JfGI_VubOQeWUX3Z-eA9tSwWxtyMdzpIIP3FHNno_kImL2iVIyI2mdId6nM5yzW_giA/s2048/IMG_0816.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1646" data-original-width="2048" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi9C9v9bf8ms82iHcfKe_p7GsuojIImdSA_oeu5gAcPZ5i9NEdfxr0-6xhJnTFuQ7OV57IUQ9JfGI_VubOQeWUX3Z-eA9tSwWxtyMdzpIIP3FHNno_kImL2iVIyI2mdId6nM5yzW_giA/w640-h514/IMG_0816.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cabin interior begins very simply.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErXpdBjn4rNsEJtcWWiEydZlsR5MWgJ2OM5y8n6EtrfALR2fziAnDVUwBCj-9JHK86365psYi3KwGuHUp69ozFHN7b3v_O5xO2Is4fiouVtXHP2G3oypX8Qe4m_6Weu96UmmfbLbtQY8/s2048/IMG_0818.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErXpdBjn4rNsEJtcWWiEydZlsR5MWgJ2OM5y8n6EtrfALR2fziAnDVUwBCj-9JHK86365psYi3KwGuHUp69ozFHN7b3v_O5xO2Is4fiouVtXHP2G3oypX8Qe4m_6Weu96UmmfbLbtQY8/w560-h640/IMG_0818.JPEG" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As details are added, the canopy is checked in place. And yes - there are rivets! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The cabin details were constructed very quickly, from card offcuts and bits of plastic tube, with a nice big ring-thingy from something or other that looked perfect to adorn the center of the dashboard. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VSQVfdYr66rTHKz6ALp_sTaVlg0VwF1rR518rwUe8wtF4SdkqPeWdkBEwttTZge-MM-fiCXWAo_DgN7JB1ehFXfUnwBXVgeCDFWPIotFneg2_3p-LM6A6zMOa7KvkmK6VXtd-Q-0LYE/s2048/IMG_0819.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1871" data-original-width="2048" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VSQVfdYr66rTHKz6ALp_sTaVlg0VwF1rR518rwUe8wtF4SdkqPeWdkBEwttTZge-MM-fiCXWAo_DgN7JB1ehFXfUnwBXVgeCDFWPIotFneg2_3p-LM6A6zMOa7KvkmK6VXtd-Q-0LYE/w640-h584/IMG_0819.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cabin details, painted. Note the addition of a guitar-string conduit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Once the cabin was detailed, it was painted and a window frame was added to the outside using plastic strip and greenstuff. The inside of the gog was also painted wherever it was not intended to be clear but could be viewed from outside.</p><p>Finally, the canopy was slightly trimmed here and there until it fitted in place nice and snugly!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0NMhjHvXuPN2-I5HmR5h0jIcU4Pu8PyN4CV0lUqYIun8peanHfWpVMplWGZ2PqoWxHpfTMqbbdrWiqwToq4hNJCSpi2WFrrJ8h3x6c80ZGcm-L99RWGXH-YgwLptc-HtuhzttEIbVL4/s2048/IMG_0820.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1784" data-original-width="2048" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0NMhjHvXuPN2-I5HmR5h0jIcU4Pu8PyN4CV0lUqYIun8peanHfWpVMplWGZ2PqoWxHpfTMqbbdrWiqwToq4hNJCSpi2WFrrJ8h3x6c80ZGcm-L99RWGXH-YgwLptc-HtuhzttEIbVL4/w640-h558/IMG_0820.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not bad so far! Note the plastic press-stud details and the big brass ringy-thing!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWzE2WlrfvGnpUB8zEXQrmjIsG3faNJ7chOubwiTy520ilnZ_GRf5IiKO7wd3TbTTlsqEsX9t-LRU0HzVYaddVP_wiR5-Z3Bgrz1igd4eRPuGr7W0itmoRKQ08cep19t8ibPvMPX986s/s2048/IMG_0821.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWzE2WlrfvGnpUB8zEXQrmjIsG3faNJ7chOubwiTy520ilnZ_GRf5IiKO7wd3TbTTlsqEsX9t-LRU0HzVYaddVP_wiR5-Z3Bgrz1igd4eRPuGr7W0itmoRKQ08cep19t8ibPvMPX986s/w640-h480/IMG_0821.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side-view. Lots of work to do on the underside!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLUqYlWrY2LX6k05zpWRoO_lktP_YjOUFDxIRLwCdU1EeqvIqr4IlEK9rtyXDKYhmQ9-Xg0IVwHKhlgLAzL0oKYj868_srQVlYA1kHTlNUnXWu7dqBVe1Gy6D49i0r5k5tMO2qQl8r-U/s2048/IMG_0822.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1885" data-original-width="2048" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLUqYlWrY2LX6k05zpWRoO_lktP_YjOUFDxIRLwCdU1EeqvIqr4IlEK9rtyXDKYhmQ9-Xg0IVwHKhlgLAzL0oKYj868_srQVlYA1kHTlNUnXWu7dqBVe1Gy6D49i0r5k5tMO2qQl8r-U/w640-h590/IMG_0822.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thunderbirds Are Slightly Go-ish!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All in all, not a bad start to what looks like being a fun project! I shall keep you all updated as I progress of course, and I shall also post the odd piccy on Instagram, for those of you who follow me there!</p><p>And, just in case you thought I had forgotten...</p><p><b>Rivet Count: 18 !</b></p><p><br /></p><p>All the Best!</p>Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-26267557384300564992021-05-31T14:54:00.000+12:002021-05-31T14:54:44.697+12:00Riveting Recollections!Hi, All!<div><br /></div><div>As followers of this blog know only too well, I have something of a riveting problem. That is to say, my creations tend to have a disturbing number of hand-cut and glued rivets.<br /> <div>So, I thought it might be fun to to take a look back at some of my creations over the years, and list them in order of their rivet counts! </div><div><br /></div><div>Therefore, without further ado...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f9MaZmqwxEpUVN02aJEEuIsMgxUBm24K5p2JOWCZczq9pLf0RMkQb1GHZDuySJdOYTo208nNsjpnAe4mGOnq_fLw6HpXMwGoxmLd_v1op-MhW0uxmqkbOQwmENG9gr2gYT4CL_DCxT4/s1600/Thomson+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f9MaZmqwxEpUVN02aJEEuIsMgxUBm24K5p2JOWCZczq9pLf0RMkQb1GHZDuySJdOYTo208nNsjpnAe4mGOnq_fLw6HpXMwGoxmLd_v1op-MhW0uxmqkbOQwmENG9gr2gYT4CL_DCxT4/w640-h414/Thomson+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomson Tank Engines. <br />Completed May 2012. Rivet count: 485 (each!)<br />(SOLD)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhUDjorSZZZSDs6q0HjNfWCnkR2leRKSHXRkaIbFxVxWtItHFODFqnbJC8DdBNeT8ME-PhHCxfLi-7EKXeKTxwhTTutTvpo4JCWaJ31qbyDhhjJoX-dQRQxdsIS3SCwaPkGdivqCpBfQ/s1600/Bazalgette01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1225" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhUDjorSZZZSDs6q0HjNfWCnkR2leRKSHXRkaIbFxVxWtItHFODFqnbJC8DdBNeT8ME-PhHCxfLi-7EKXeKTxwhTTutTvpo4JCWaJ31qbyDhhjJoX-dQRQxdsIS3SCwaPkGdivqCpBfQ/w490-h640/Bazalgette01.JPG" width="490" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bazalgette Light Armoured Perambulatory Contrivance. <br />Completed June 2012. Rivet count: 505<br />(SOLD)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkazcs9uthmctX1FWBmWdfeTgqgbr-StDT6E9rmewCOJhoK2PGCtLjprsU0u8fu65ls45Wm3TtxVmjfdR248lLuSTVBYkAhIE78ET5n99B5Ebf2s2gn6Fa41OtNnvKeY3iZq1eGnkGtlA/s2048/Nautilus+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1721" data-original-width="2048" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkazcs9uthmctX1FWBmWdfeTgqgbr-StDT6E9rmewCOJhoK2PGCtLjprsU0u8fu65ls45Wm3TtxVmjfdR248lLuSTVBYkAhIE78ET5n99B5Ebf2s2gn6Fa41OtNnvKeY3iZq1eGnkGtlA/w640-h538/Nautilus+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nautilus. <br /> Completed May 2021. Rivet count: 843<br />(Commissioned piece.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xZACkPSInm_llSQZqzH9Vv5UeqNJFdhDiObY2FHIummcNmW8WTg15kv0t2JFQoZFmZ7rU8xuy8tLYs22OVJFFYjcbuNvFyrNTFxzYwZsiwMHUlS-7qgZi7kPTLEX8nq2JCR7pjcb7F0/s1600/Rocket+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1162" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xZACkPSInm_llSQZqzH9Vv5UeqNJFdhDiObY2FHIummcNmW8WTg15kv0t2JFQoZFmZ7rU8xuy8tLYs22OVJFFYjcbuNvFyrNTFxzYwZsiwMHUlS-7qgZi7kPTLEX8nq2JCR7pjcb7F0/w464-h640/Rocket+01.JPG" width="464" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocket Ship.<br />Completed June 2015. Rivet count: 881<br />(SOLD)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4uN9PTem2rYEpEYonp8xsDFTuNTXA8uvekKnutt2XPTnSPuDuZAAYXd6rYH-e3fn_RwW23iXUeNoSLIbVt0XZo0Z401_gin5L6Otyj93Y2XfYAWNr23iGUPWyFT5DKfmrE3WFHOIUiE/s1600/raygun+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4uN9PTem2rYEpEYonp8xsDFTuNTXA8uvekKnutt2XPTnSPuDuZAAYXd6rYH-e3fn_RwW23iXUeNoSLIbVt0XZo0Z401_gin5L6Otyj93Y2XfYAWNr23iGUPWyFT5DKfmrE3WFHOIUiE/w418-h640/raygun+01.JPG" width="418" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor Shandy Tanglefoot's Over-compensatory Death Ray of Doom.<br />Completed February 2013. Rivet count: 1,158</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc9bl-a5pLu3fmkX1m3XQb40DG_pJcPND1PJTsS_UX00Xl6enhpAYtWlHrYlaoIgEpVvnC9ZQ7wdLloA4TOwfUvUFPnYWeJJKoSe69Gfbj2Cw3dGH9R9EtplwxArAMoG_f-TTYEWgp6Q/s1600/Stargate+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1600" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc9bl-a5pLu3fmkX1m3XQb40DG_pJcPND1PJTsS_UX00Xl6enhpAYtWlHrYlaoIgEpVvnC9ZQ7wdLloA4TOwfUvUFPnYWeJJKoSe69Gfbj2Cw3dGH9R9EtplwxArAMoG_f-TTYEWgp6Q/w640-h526/Stargate+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam-powered Star Gate.<br />Completed January 2019. Rivet count: 1,389<br />(SOLD)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ1ADl0o8XnBvXS54cVOx7sRXZSJ0ot0yLjpH2lI_c292CiGxT-E59JjXVj-OIffFUFD9Ao4ijoQ4mJ-xl5sIyKPhFjl3GK8o9ValfHvwH3uGxJV5MTmVqYNY69ggVbhKVLxQtati_uo/s1600/Airship+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ1ADl0o8XnBvXS54cVOx7sRXZSJ0ot0yLjpH2lI_c292CiGxT-E59JjXVj-OIffFUFD9Ao4ijoQ4mJ-xl5sIyKPhFjl3GK8o9ValfHvwH3uGxJV5MTmVqYNY69ggVbhKVLxQtati_uo/w640-h342/Airship+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airship.<br />Completed December 2018. Rivet count: 1,866<br />(commissioned piece)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW7I-nqnMLAPEps8wwTWZkVhLW4mq4Qz4J4R_ElywkdFiFIgbVWMNIdsXkcMelYgikzeyrRpnpQHm7uv61JAIaOLTwPeHdXV0RLnP5WMKUHmUj0yRbaWcnqpfwreweWzyychs9NK9elo/s1600/Gargantua+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="1600" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW7I-nqnMLAPEps8wwTWZkVhLW4mq4Qz4J4R_ElywkdFiFIgbVWMNIdsXkcMelYgikzeyrRpnpQHm7uv61JAIaOLTwPeHdXV0RLnP5WMKUHmUj0yRbaWcnqpfwreweWzyychs9NK9elo/w640-h632/Gargantua+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMSW Gargantua.<br />Completed March 2012. Rivet count: 3,630</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaKuRy15Ju7kxO78Nw0zSklBkWEFdBCzpsgZ46afh1ZEkLrb6caRJlCRmMPft9G7s4w_2VPjyUOXl0HuprHfVjY9jb57SUjzc_WHhXd0gtPNsChsCtRUjkBEFnOc1xACmW60E_1EwH-Y/s1600/Giant+walker+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaKuRy15Ju7kxO78Nw0zSklBkWEFdBCzpsgZ46afh1ZEkLrb6caRJlCRmMPft9G7s4w_2VPjyUOXl0HuprHfVjY9jb57SUjzc_WHhXd0gtPNsChsCtRUjkBEFnOc1xACmW60E_1EwH-Y/w640-h422/Giant+walker+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile.<br />Ongoing since December 2012. Rivet count so far: 13,767</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you enjoyed this brief trip down memory lane. Please browse the older posts of this blog for more about all of these monstrosities and feel free to ask questions! </div><div><br /></div><div>All the Best!</div><div><br /></div><div>(p.s. I am now also on Instagram! Follow me there!)</div></div>Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-9683939848607010582021-05-30T11:20:00.004+12:002021-05-30T11:20:59.486+12:00That Sinking Feeling...<p> </p><p>Hi, All!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7Dp-l72bGtX2K4BgvnHCZwxYtr5z3hMFgFel4PvxZHti_wVYN-VAI2HfxtBzg5QlA_T7vvXmeYNwKrtBJGyfxKPqPWDuaITFjzLxB7KTjF4DHARa6VAIryMF3R8ekk5Qjx1Fq1K9bic/s2048/IMG_E0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1721" data-original-width="2048" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7Dp-l72bGtX2K4BgvnHCZwxYtr5z3hMFgFel4PvxZHti_wVYN-VAI2HfxtBzg5QlA_T7vvXmeYNwKrtBJGyfxKPqPWDuaITFjzLxB7KTjF4DHARa6VAIryMF3R8ekk5Qjx1Fq1K9bic/w640-h538/IMG_E0653.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming atcha from the depths of me 'obby room...</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Once again I find myself writing to you after something of a long break, but here I am... hale and hearty with many a rivet!</p><p>I recently received a commission to build my version of The Nautilus from Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. "Hmmm..." I thunk, "Sounds like the ideal opportunity to build my version of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea!"</p><p>And so, with a song in my heart, a snorkel in my mouth and glue on my fingers, I set about building my version of The Nautilus from Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea...</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG5371njX2X85vaFxjfgYBwaNIocS374bpGBWignoywQBidjzakhwQ1P-llHxbMERHSKbShAp56GHmc4v2erigFtvJfJhRSahy94_zs0orkvoFThRuQJZVSehkCjyaTmKOlYtqP0Pgts/s2048/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1609" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG5371njX2X85vaFxjfgYBwaNIocS374bpGBWignoywQBidjzakhwQ1P-llHxbMERHSKbShAp56GHmc4v2erigFtvJfJhRSahy94_zs0orkvoFThRuQJZVSehkCjyaTmKOlYtqP0Pgts/w314-h400/IMG_0466.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old test pots, a cotton bobbin and a heat sink form the beginnings of the vessel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In the time since my last post, not only had I not done much model making, but I had also moved house and set up a new hobby room. Consequently, I had lost track of what bits and pieces I had. So began an epic rummaging session, aided by two kittens. The results... paint pots, a plastic wine glass, cogs, guitar strings, a cotton bobbin, garden irrigation components and a heat sink from a light fitting.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb_tADq_0lyYAIgKqlDZZcaFu9_4JobEGfhIwBXKXQdf90vjwlL5vYgFzbLHicOUsemvB3HaiLFu9n2TPsHtqONSBa0gNpuVFEmu0F7JC9S4t83IEyz9W_hYbABiN844LOJcn9_qBzJk/s2048/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb_tADq_0lyYAIgKqlDZZcaFu9_4JobEGfhIwBXKXQdf90vjwlL5vYgFzbLHicOUsemvB3HaiLFu9n2TPsHtqONSBa0gNpuVFEmu0F7JC9S4t83IEyz9W_hYbABiN844LOJcn9_qBzJk/w300-h400/IMG_0539.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardboard panels, irrigation bits and some nuts are added...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The basic structure of the vessel was the easy part. I wanted something a bit more interesting than just a tube, but being a submarine, the model needed to look streamlined. I very quickly glued together a few components to give me a starting point, and then started adding details.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHwvC33pC09Guh0Fx-tgCHHiqxUHwDYmiYA2PGFxWEpmsw3t5WEsa6LhTN8ULPqA-9fRUudE-I8vZHiGqJjaiDdBs0Z4B5m1nuH4owevvVXiA9a7BhCGJLrdwaGTzepP7YxX_WCb_pq8/s2048/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="2048" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHwvC33pC09Guh0Fx-tgCHHiqxUHwDYmiYA2PGFxWEpmsw3t5WEsa6LhTN8ULPqA-9fRUudE-I8vZHiGqJjaiDdBs0Z4B5m1nuH4owevvVXiA9a7BhCGJLrdwaGTzepP7YxX_WCb_pq8/w400-h359/IMG_0536.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Nemo is created in his chair using bits from plastic soldiers, lots of Greenstuff, plastic board and an old cog.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI3tWCYUM3dAfw-Jpm59SlbRGnYn91rycDJ0X2Xu7h-DWGDXjkExSDpVkjEshfvAt2J9zfZ0ixycVQkMrMF0j91tYho5iGVvXOyd7AnEuKLQQxnHuKsmMhmxDga4zqaycX2MOa9wGleE/s1920/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI3tWCYUM3dAfw-Jpm59SlbRGnYn91rycDJ0X2Xu7h-DWGDXjkExSDpVkjEshfvAt2J9zfZ0ixycVQkMrMF0j91tYho5iGVvXOyd7AnEuKLQQxnHuKsmMhmxDga4zqaycX2MOa9wGleE/w360-h640/IMG_0525.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basic bridge is tested for it inside the wine glass.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrY7D_xbDahJtyLKf1cDnc7cT6rcXbWwOuIA2GDKkByEmaoaK9QFIBWZz5sZKWUGyAkfwfg0kgBmXosUONE4GCvptW0fmr98F3o2HC7yw4F4AZ09V9hSViYzAUxUVhh5MwQJOvHbsl44/s2048/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrY7D_xbDahJtyLKf1cDnc7cT6rcXbWwOuIA2GDKkByEmaoaK9QFIBWZz5sZKWUGyAkfwfg0kgBmXosUONE4GCvptW0fmr98F3o2HC7yw4F4AZ09V9hSViYzAUxUVhh5MwQJOvHbsl44/w480-h640/IMG_0547.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details are added and the first rivets are placed!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>A vessel is nothing without its captain, so I decided early on that I would be including Captain Nemo, and that this would necessitate a clear canopy of some kind, along with a detailed interior. Fortunately for me, I had some plastic wine glasses whose diameter was a perfect match for the paint pots!</p><p>I started Nemo off with a plush-looking chair for comfort and built him up from there using <span style="text-align: center;">bits from a plastic Mahdist (Perry Miniatures) a British Line Infantryman (Black Powder Miniatures) and lots of Greenstuff. I also built him a control panel, into which the rods I had him holding would neatly fit when everything was ready.</span></p><p>Then I turned my attention to the bridge, where most of the work and detail would be. I started this with the lid from another test pot and a basic cardboard structure. Planking was added using a piece of pre-stained and detailed balsa I had left over from building Leadwood City years ago. The whole thing had to be gradually shaped to fit snugly inside the wine glass that would eventually form the canopy.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0nE_kSN4CyPB6NoiZL6BzdJzqkq76NPmswDU9wHNN9zNVmH1AfVjTHLX64NMlLIOHdllvyrQ3BE7c3UzCotFBH85BHlI-wjYmeXufCcnkgwbTjgXjLK9dYwunn1QNFfdnpjafbFmp2I/s2048/IMG_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0nE_kSN4CyPB6NoiZL6BzdJzqkq76NPmswDU9wHNN9zNVmH1AfVjTHLX64NMlLIOHdllvyrQ3BE7c3UzCotFBH85BHlI-wjYmeXufCcnkgwbTjgXjLK9dYwunn1QNFfdnpjafbFmp2I/w597-h640/IMG_0589.JPG" width="597" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished interior including guitar string conduits.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzUSQOhdB68226fIR5UDamIrU-iBj-AxYqOMAKYVx59EKSbsRMtNofm1UM3VYjLw-z87Ni_dg-RPKzlB143pNs_ghkB64AX79tmb2KJymutc7f0AMPvATnNYea4_m_cpCqAPYEa652to/s2048/IMG_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzUSQOhdB68226fIR5UDamIrU-iBj-AxYqOMAKYVx59EKSbsRMtNofm1UM3VYjLw-z87Ni_dg-RPKzlB143pNs_ghkB64AX79tmb2KJymutc7f0AMPvATnNYea4_m_cpCqAPYEa652to/w640-h462/IMG_0594.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wine glass is sealed and detailing the outside begins.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All of this had to be painted before it would be sealed inside the wine glass forever so that I could work on the rest of the machine. This involved adding paint and details to the inside of the wine glass to give a solid appearance - if I had only focused on the outside of the glass the end result would have been less satisfactory.</p><p>...And then it was time for the rest of the vessel...</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXx_WfI24bqPmPPdxcrwyBJFF2vkH42Yngo1GGFeivR-pNXjUbVfbBIhx2sXb80VEpo3eFKti2fBSXed9aQ28MIyloAmkyz-Pstyc5vUlZsQkhqXZ2GoysE201Lm-qCFuZg-dzmtT_Ws/s2048/IMG_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXx_WfI24bqPmPPdxcrwyBJFF2vkH42Yngo1GGFeivR-pNXjUbVfbBIhx2sXb80VEpo3eFKti2fBSXed9aQ28MIyloAmkyz-Pstyc5vUlZsQkhqXZ2GoysE201Lm-qCFuZg-dzmtT_Ws/w640-h480/IMG_0613.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle stoppers and bits of junk are added, and the bridge section is glued to the main structure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLqCBPzHxkjWobnm4ng5Y-776GWG-8KBB4gWNDQYRGkhlmf-_lFaGu_lxHh27nU-P-oOG2vdf05KRMYH7K06D-1zqBSon9B_cEFkc3ZvcQpqY2PlSA_9eCuZeAXpEpFiPT5MH8z723rA/s2048/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLqCBPzHxkjWobnm4ng5Y-776GWG-8KBB4gWNDQYRGkhlmf-_lFaGu_lxHh27nU-P-oOG2vdf05KRMYH7K06D-1zqBSon9B_cEFkc3ZvcQpqY2PlSA_9eCuZeAXpEpFiPT5MH8z723rA/w640-h480/IMG_0614.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge, in place at the fore of the sub!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I wanted the sub to have a fish-like quality, so a big dorsal fin was cut from plastic board, and additional streamlining was added to the engine at the rear. Here, the basic flatness of the cardboard fins was disguised using thin strips of card to bulk-up the outer edges like a T-girder. of course, there would later be rivets!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyD0SaDHu_enf7hyphenhyphenBJfJ8uli6_6wgHC0AaiuZ8cD_kTJgk-Eg-UexNDhrOD8GdBqeHbKsHvR1ypqbi-b9rDe67fuZRIaxmEx4Sr6ub49DaFfHSj13EYAhv1zaRlOmcU_QEijuEpoGhUM/s2048/IMG_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1696" data-original-width="2048" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyD0SaDHu_enf7hyphenhyphenBJfJ8uli6_6wgHC0AaiuZ8cD_kTJgk-Eg-UexNDhrOD8GdBqeHbKsHvR1ypqbi-b9rDe67fuZRIaxmEx4Sr6ub49DaFfHSj13EYAhv1zaRlOmcU_QEijuEpoGhUM/w400-h331/IMG_0595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardoard fins are slotted into the heat sink. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8i7Kp7Z_TZbgnlL-oXVW2KLwvK5CEKkwJFTZcX9_Tp16dpDrnkk_iPyuDC57s82hdGCggV8AsbJgU3xTuemcjCv0ndTkslMI7L2R7fT009V6fkRTunsAbgqFgmlwb8cp8ZHcpohxk_I/s2048/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8i7Kp7Z_TZbgnlL-oXVW2KLwvK5CEKkwJFTZcX9_Tp16dpDrnkk_iPyuDC57s82hdGCggV8AsbJgU3xTuemcjCv0ndTkslMI7L2R7fT009V6fkRTunsAbgqFgmlwb8cp8ZHcpohxk_I/w400-h300/IMG_0612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail is added to the fins.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeKJxR2zeMed1CDedgYmKDqRZria9cDIi51tJaftX6ctGFY9NJvrRvUG2_Q9QOX-urMzfWlcE8ni4Y8MZIScpBqtymc6KUfdfA-rxbfoVBBCWpxtjrn2Koppo6OoEQJlMqiIewOHqJ-Y/s2707/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2707" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeKJxR2zeMed1CDedgYmKDqRZria9cDIi51tJaftX6ctGFY9NJvrRvUG2_Q9QOX-urMzfWlcE8ni4Y8MZIScpBqtymc6KUfdfA-rxbfoVBBCWpxtjrn2Koppo6OoEQJlMqiIewOHqJ-Y/w640-h274/IMG_0611.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to look like a thing!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I also added a great big mean-looking spike to the sub's nose!</p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63MgQkCwWWC52-Yb2aXo1kb7CoPu8r37wpfuUA59dk8dZ6wZ_V9pLK-dk2MVHPxGXk5NzW09dsTgVxKnPOnttsTaECjrqYDnnJuxX1N9Q7fuMLHAjuFUiBpZ8-j8xvB3p9Xnh5bw3w44/s1079/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1079" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63MgQkCwWWC52-Yb2aXo1kb7CoPu8r37wpfuUA59dk8dZ6wZ_V9pLK-dk2MVHPxGXk5NzW09dsTgVxKnPOnttsTaECjrqYDnnJuxX1N9Q7fuMLHAjuFUiBpZ8-j8xvB3p9Xnh5bw3w44/w400-h339/IMG_0615.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spike!</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>And then it was time to think about a base to mount the whole thing... and to start adding RIVETS!</p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadi_x64-3c5u7UWdHIQwp9m2pwoIHN2-pX_8hheolItTbHklgnTMun8YzHwso2-0XtAvKSGgi8JSfTl_uG3js1T4dtKzcH_zluBnpk2Ptiq8h-4mNX-mG-hlnDjNJqLjwprUzs9fyB-o/s2048/IMG_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="2048" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadi_x64-3c5u7UWdHIQwp9m2pwoIHN2-pX_8hheolItTbHklgnTMun8YzHwso2-0XtAvKSGgi8JSfTl_uG3js1T4dtKzcH_zluBnpk2Ptiq8h-4mNX-mG-hlnDjNJqLjwprUzs9fyB-o/w640-h478/IMG_0616.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed and detailed structure before painting, balanced on its supports.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><br /></p><p>The base is just a simple piece of MDF board, with brass rod shape to look like some sort of wavy plant, while supporting the model's weight. This was then built up using DAS clay and detailed using shell-like beads, plastic aquarium plants and a toy octopus.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDODQ0vdfdMJaNXWB0PGcs-tL9mNdUaHKsZYLDHIKjrCvCsjcEChrqRIbWCBdOL9kpCTi_Jv5bxjWuZv3CK_TOXpWpXAZHAHKYyrIqDyn3-chGPlHGGthrYGMorVQeR7KMF00t0XEQT-E/s1920/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDODQ0vdfdMJaNXWB0PGcs-tL9mNdUaHKsZYLDHIKjrCvCsjcEChrqRIbWCBdOL9kpCTi_Jv5bxjWuZv3CK_TOXpWpXAZHAHKYyrIqDyn3-chGPlHGGthrYGMorVQeR7KMF00t0XEQT-E/w225-h400/IMG_0621.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The canopy is masked</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_YCyXTLuW5uhn5kzu0qVcJKCl-DKREp5ygRv4GLiJQClJOpDaaC1YmgzZhimof_qyBYZfOpxJRL_ujiw96HXtDWRPRecRbOUBFucvSKfPkwBpbvfSfIMGJXvxwRT-TgqX4TUTeaHu48/s1920/IMG_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_YCyXTLuW5uhn5kzu0qVcJKCl-DKREp5ygRv4GLiJQClJOpDaaC1YmgzZhimof_qyBYZfOpxJRL_ujiw96HXtDWRPRecRbOUBFucvSKfPkwBpbvfSfIMGJXvxwRT-TgqX4TUTeaHu48/w640-h360/IMG_0622.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole model, undercoated.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVqNlG8faMbVghCuk5kjFtk1TRri8UpR9j8_QgIbbKUY3oOejZtb3tADcBiiDjek4bPWHWJjqrvV8D4joH3o87wQ4tdgPtQl1D4j7vN0tYBVbg1ekduX5wKqrxzDdOaaiaedMTDNpEag/s1920/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVqNlG8faMbVghCuk5kjFtk1TRri8UpR9j8_QgIbbKUY3oOejZtb3tADcBiiDjek4bPWHWJjqrvV8D4joH3o87wQ4tdgPtQl1D4j7vN0tYBVbg1ekduX5wKqrxzDdOaaiaedMTDNpEag/w640-h360/IMG_0623.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting begins!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH_4B1CS8PBm9MK1BA-GNzW7lvWsWiQmGxql4S897qCXqYnoSd8cVkAlSZe5OAa7b3vz3MiFqst0DrtkWahVK-9g1KsN5wsk1dMp8BL9MQgFy7JLXBLK3pyiyPUuQw3ZnRFMie8DDtxM/s2048/IMG_0624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1899" data-original-width="2048" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH_4B1CS8PBm9MK1BA-GNzW7lvWsWiQmGxql4S897qCXqYnoSd8cVkAlSZe5OAa7b3vz3MiFqst0DrtkWahVK-9g1KsN5wsk1dMp8BL9MQgFy7JLXBLK3pyiyPUuQw3ZnRFMie8DDtxM/w640-h594/IMG_0624.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The textured base and vessel together. Note the plastic seashell beads.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I started painting the model by masking off the clear canopy and spraying the whole thing black. A generous coat of a nice greeny-blue colour was applied, followed by grimy looking ink washes and dry-brushed highlights. The copper parts were tidied up and washed with chestnut ink. The steel was just left black then dry-brushed with a gunmetal metallic paint.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEzBKF01wAVziW6Kz-MZvp1I9DIhYxRayBNk27ckagZr2iJm9L_dMBBGEbxsHhYCIUm_GrUrVWcVZ0xzHytZyM2KM1B5M4DPNmxjat65cT9MdwfrAmBTdHXeFIJCf1e0XAMDDTcfgZcI/s1237/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1079" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEzBKF01wAVziW6Kz-MZvp1I9DIhYxRayBNk27ckagZr2iJm9L_dMBBGEbxsHhYCIUm_GrUrVWcVZ0xzHytZyM2KM1B5M4DPNmxjat65cT9MdwfrAmBTdHXeFIJCf1e0XAMDDTcfgZcI/w349-h400/IMG_0630.JPG" width="349" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd like to be... under the sea...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Finally, the painted toy octopus was added to the base and a few more guitar string conduits were added to the sub. Et, voila! Done!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtdx_oQVvZt2KuTnkc6EUOqyltj9zBFzUs9_7WiShmzV7tLTyrLZaB_F-jgPUSFTDmADa-aTPQgnQiQHNfw9XJHCisnsZeCxuzsb382A5y3VCruDAdSCRMCiqoaaRAjqYB2Q7oLGTqNo/s2048/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtdx_oQVvZt2KuTnkc6EUOqyltj9zBFzUs9_7WiShmzV7tLTyrLZaB_F-jgPUSFTDmADa-aTPQgnQiQHNfw9XJHCisnsZeCxuzsb382A5y3VCruDAdSCRMCiqoaaRAjqYB2Q7oLGTqNo/w480-h640/IMG_0647.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSC1iIzmvnFzpxIPgNntGZDU_qrsQP0r2vNZj16yLUtM3XNzz9PCU46TS21nUK5csQ8_voJWq5PI1eQXpZEGF1RmWflwLz6IKV51nqvgbsd6nI6uZgyEno1USP3dwnkzMotjajoSAyaQ/s2048/IMG_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSC1iIzmvnFzpxIPgNntGZDU_qrsQP0r2vNZj16yLUtM3XNzz9PCU46TS21nUK5csQ8_voJWq5PI1eQXpZEGF1RmWflwLz6IKV51nqvgbsd6nI6uZgyEno1USP3dwnkzMotjajoSAyaQ/w612-h640/IMG_0657.JPG" width="612" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMnq3yx1-r-QNimOUGpmvwGfoAoxeDsLKgxsgsR3VBHWDhp_v77nRVfEEW2Nf3-oYYe0zAvnhCir7iEH2nnw1Tdrhfpf2ikuhjjXuWP_olD4yTM-wRKgNQn7M-ZHxp6A_BHbNhu2j4wU/s2048/IMG_E0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="2048" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMnq3yx1-r-QNimOUGpmvwGfoAoxeDsLKgxsgsR3VBHWDhp_v77nRVfEEW2Nf3-oYYe0zAvnhCir7iEH2nnw1Tdrhfpf2ikuhjjXuWP_olD4yTM-wRKgNQn7M-ZHxp6A_BHbNhu2j4wU/w640-h608/IMG_E0656.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYvOHXLv2s7bzQiZn3N3sNz0SlNLBzUlnKtTf10VHu-FDlYEeVG36qYBbvdMyptqapHd0Aqak-HLS_GSjTcE4MOkFTITaigPt_N_jctiMhEQjcQudpjsoHyvNu5-tkUJXU9Hj3ibt0Kg/s2048/IMG_E0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="2048" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYvOHXLv2s7bzQiZn3N3sNz0SlNLBzUlnKtTf10VHu-FDlYEeVG36qYBbvdMyptqapHd0Aqak-HLS_GSjTcE4MOkFTITaigPt_N_jctiMhEQjcQudpjsoHyvNu5-tkUJXU9Hj3ibt0Kg/w640-h474/IMG_E0655.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilqbg856T7-ZeQC9FahddZI8Jmgns8WuaRMhonF1ppZrqwdtffHmawYfSphmEkdCDAIWR7Bmm7CDARObaMb53qyBvGHNr42MTzn3UcS49hL_vfc56Efacz3adIWFIYYsdIk5wrpy_UtE/s2048/IMG_E0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilqbg856T7-ZeQC9FahddZI8Jmgns8WuaRMhonF1ppZrqwdtffHmawYfSphmEkdCDAIWR7Bmm7CDARObaMb53qyBvGHNr42MTzn3UcS49hL_vfc56Efacz3adIWFIYYsdIk5wrpy_UtE/w640-h456/IMG_E0651.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And in case you thought I'd forgotten, the RIVET COUNT for this one is 843!</p><p>Another commission is already on the way. Until then...</p><p><br /></p><p>All the Best!</p>Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-50303902332580448982020-04-22T20:02:00.004+12:002020-04-22T20:02:59.365+12:00A Blast From The Past!Hi, All!<br />
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A few days ago I received an email from a splendid chap named Nate, who inquired about an early creation of mine: namely, <i>Pantagruel.</i><br />
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As you may know, Pantagruel was the first Steampunk/VSF creation I made, and was the predecessor to the <i>HMSW Gargantua</i> and the (ongoing, possibly forever...) gigantic walker, <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEqMyFXP4ymStB4lqGJD8ShnVPcr3hdey76TqQ6Kv68B3h8PcQazUd5IFwlzcyYv9x-94htPbppFv9RBcHDECqmR-94PWBxDZGlM_71glDdMi8nAx6E6gFeqhVEvJ513zii2aBoi7fvI/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEqMyFXP4ymStB4lqGJD8ShnVPcr3hdey76TqQ6Kv68B3h8PcQazUd5IFwlzcyYv9x-94htPbppFv9RBcHDECqmR-94PWBxDZGlM_71glDdMi8nAx6E6gFeqhVEvJ513zii2aBoi7fvI/s640/IMG_0057.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pantagruel! Still puffing along, after all these years!</td></tr>
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Anyway, Nate asks whether I can go into a bit more detail about the construction of <i>Pantagruel</i> and provide some better photographs, as the ones I have previously posted are, in his words, "a bit fuzzy"...<br />
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After I'd wasted half a glass of damned good Cognac, what with spluttering indignantly over the 'fuzzy' remark, I politely replied and said I'd see what I could do. So without further ado, I shall hereby attempt to provide some clearer insight (<i>and photographs, </i>Nate!) of the aforementioned walker!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gyrocopter's eye-view</td></tr>
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This project was the first very detailed model I had made in a long time, and I learned a lot during the process: I had to use several different adhesives; I used wood stain on balsa for the first time (which was absolutely essential knowledge when I came to build Leadwood); I had to have the patience to finish numerous components before assembling them, and I rediscovered my love for inventorisioning and creativising, and such like.<br />
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<i>Pantagruel</i> is essentially just a boat with a boiler and smoke stack, on legs. The boat part was the easy bit, being constructed of thin card (for strength), with balsa sheet applied to inside and out, to give the illusion of planking. This was 1mm balsa, scored with a traditional HB pencil into 4mm wide planks. Nails were dotted in, along with joins where I wanted them, before the balsa was stained with water-based wood stain. This was applied heavily but immediately wiped off with a rag. When dry, a fairly heavy coat of sand-brown paint was dry-brushed across the grain. You can find out more about this technique in my early posts about Leadwood and the tutorial I wrote for constructing wild west buildings.<br />
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The reinforcing ironwork (in green) was created from brass sheet - acquired from tubes of tomato paste! It was cut and/or scored with a knife and the rivets were dotted in with a blunt pencil (note that a sharp pencil will go through...) This is great stuff, which can be easily smoothed, shaped, cut...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3ZDjgiVjfakbdoLgeJUcdvYG80oSsyTvqd2Ch1ghF-vGjTmMMuhZIHMeN6Girh2ndpGoReN2BQ23nAcnRElfJSxfzRKU-axXqvHGKlZcHk5F59QoCJP1iV0dFUX19ML-Gq3mOO0My4I/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3ZDjgiVjfakbdoLgeJUcdvYG80oSsyTvqd2Ch1ghF-vGjTmMMuhZIHMeN6Girh2ndpGoReN2BQ23nAcnRElfJSxfzRKU-axXqvHGKlZcHk5F59QoCJP1iV0dFUX19ML-Gq3mOO0My4I/s400/IMG_0074.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eat more Italian food! It's good for your hobby!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9l2n573mcjuYeGhmq3NrPWGgSFsEIIMCZWCNadUqu1sieKnA8ThSzvlC6eoB0qbNXw8AU2SQX6dm2NcJSLKBcuz9h_VQjADbfI0OWG6sRPlAyjfSbFzLOJuBEBd1CGNmmYEpc1e4BXo/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9l2n573mcjuYeGhmq3NrPWGgSFsEIIMCZWCNadUqu1sieKnA8ThSzvlC6eoB0qbNXw8AU2SQX6dm2NcJSLKBcuz9h_VQjADbfI0OWG6sRPlAyjfSbFzLOJuBEBd1CGNmmYEpc1e4BXo/s640/IMG_0062.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boiler and hip details.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I3IvAqyII260jkfxFmsxC7t0oDygm-9Q4D5jT2cptH46BjtQ15SKdbiFn8QXo_e0ubYDSozccRYAVfEG4zhuizI6Z0BJ5yz7hU2QzHouDDVw_NOkzdqc3VQIWuSWYV4kVmDem9dbbiM/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I3IvAqyII260jkfxFmsxC7t0oDygm-9Q4D5jT2cptH46BjtQ15SKdbiFn8QXo_e0ubYDSozccRYAVfEG4zhuizI6Z0BJ5yz7hU2QzHouDDVw_NOkzdqc3VQIWuSWYV4kVmDem9dbbiM/s640/IMG_0068.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire box, bell, gauges and other what-nots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YZymXvJ7ym-9S9KupBd2BmHv1H9syq35yTUWjzvgEtqIIobxk0OOTg2vWgqij0vqy4cXhhR-LgjRd5q9_USPAA-EFfUTFL4j8aYXSo1SkM_f_t5gbd4K2icu6nzIDMON4-BXT-A_IU8/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YZymXvJ7ym-9S9KupBd2BmHv1H9syq35yTUWjzvgEtqIIobxk0OOTg2vWgqij0vqy4cXhhR-LgjRd5q9_USPAA-EFfUTFL4j8aYXSo1SkM_f_t5gbd4K2icu6nzIDMON4-BXT-A_IU8/s640/IMG_0064.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driver's controls and coal bunker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The boiler was constructed from a battery and parts of a permanent marker. The flashing at the bottom of the smokestack is more brass sheet, while the firebox is again part of a marker pen, with detail added in thin card.The smaller components are bits of irrigation thingummies from a hardware store. The bronze-looking display with the gauges is a piece of thick cardboard with slices of plastic tube glued on. The gauges were painted white and detailed with a fine black drawing pen. The driver's display was made in the same way, with levers added made from bent dress making pins. The coal is just grit, glued onto a card backing and painted a slightly shiny black. Finally, the sort-of-filigree design at the rear and sides are cheap bits of jewelry from a craft store.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzeJ4YGKxUVWGikkg7Iqcfb3icIwQj1uo_spPsUCJJeGST3XsTxpQsTYezIlEn-Ey1o1hGrwiu7WfACZZFw5oEAajANAtqYBLb_FHU4j-Nsm9wrHvrZ3sD18X4axhE-nwSRWUoB1wdu8/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzeJ4YGKxUVWGikkg7Iqcfb3icIwQj1uo_spPsUCJJeGST3XsTxpQsTYezIlEn-Ey1o1hGrwiu7WfACZZFw5oEAajANAtqYBLb_FHU4j-Nsm9wrHvrZ3sD18X4axhE-nwSRWUoB1wdu8/s640/IMG_0060.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My magnificently adorned rear end!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The 'hips' are two halves of the lid of a plastic medicine bottle, adorned with more irrigation parts and decorated with the same jewelry bits as the rear of the boiler. The bell also came from a local craft store (about $1 for 12 or so) and is mounted on a bent dress-making pin.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd_NTm4YL2mwup51h3cCW7OsRaETxT98vlBLTtBKx1Ti27B8CndFibEDrvh6wRC0t_rPYGgL2gluBm7_C0qpyGSjQ7AEGosKTXHCIsjRWNG8k6OxLjnts59OdYDO5JZrjlMyGAhIRE_I/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd_NTm4YL2mwup51h3cCW7OsRaETxT98vlBLTtBKx1Ti27B8CndFibEDrvh6wRC0t_rPYGgL2gluBm7_C0qpyGSjQ7AEGosKTXHCIsjRWNG8k6OxLjnts59OdYDO5JZrjlMyGAhIRE_I/s640/IMG_0067.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hip, upper leg and first piston...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now for the legs and feet...<br />
<br />
The legs and feet are made from thick (6mm) balsa wood. They were cut into their component shapes and detailed with pencil as noted above, before being stained and highlighted. As you can see from the <b>NOT AT ALL FUZZY </b>photographs, they are actually pretty rough, as I hadn't developed the patience to sandpaper all the tiny things... Again, reinforcing details of brass sheet were added.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1c1Dkco9dS9uN426mI4BvsEjVGUmr7yQ8jA_gH4WaMvwcrW3X0-ff0mvCQEq507LxFM6eRoDauJ57E3ayn73R409hvOrXVbXlRjgNJ9DBcD-RpbrdiuNPqhs2h6VDEqnRYYjr-roTlo/s1600/IMG_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1c1Dkco9dS9uN426mI4BvsEjVGUmr7yQ8jA_gH4WaMvwcrW3X0-ff0mvCQEq507LxFM6eRoDauJ57E3ayn73R409hvOrXVbXlRjgNJ9DBcD-RpbrdiuNPqhs2h6VDEqnRYYjr-roTlo/s640/IMG_0065.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left foot, ankle and lower pistons. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All of the various pistons were planned and made from plastic rod and tube. Each had to be kept as an adjustable component until I was sure I had the legs in exactly the right positions. Then the pistons were glued and painted, before being permanently attached to the legs. Each one has an inlet valve near the top that would later be plumbed-in to a guitar string conduit, and an outlet valve near the bottom. More about the guitar strings shortly...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdaGhTUFNSzIasbyp9GVnyX0WI6DzG8t796uXO6SOBAYuqHGC8RvER0hJbsuDvcIMu956ZJa-OLang5EsYOy-189MKtumYs3m5ojniH92NoBGbZhPIcMIpCGoJKrAipWg5cCMHk7yLoY/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdaGhTUFNSzIasbyp9GVnyX0WI6DzG8t796uXO6SOBAYuqHGC8RvER0hJbsuDvcIMu956ZJa-OLang5EsYOy-189MKtumYs3m5ojniH92NoBGbZhPIcMIpCGoJKrAipWg5cCMHk7yLoY/s640/IMG_0070.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a sense of scale, the base is made from two CDs. A clear plastic rod supports the body.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you can see, the model's weight is actually taken by a clear rod which is firmly attached to the underside of the body. This was largely due to my poor planning and over-enthusiasm, and something I gave a lot of thought to in subsequent creations. <i>Gargantua</i> for example, is solidly free-standing. With <i>Pantagruel</i>, the legs were pinned to the body with long nails which pass through the upper legs and pistons into the hip assemblies. This is not a robust arrangement and could have been done much better.<br />
<br />
The very last details were the conduits. These were made from old bronze-wound acoustic guitar strings, which look great in my opinion and do not need to be painted at all. Each of these had to be cut to the right length for its particular place, and shaped with pliers to look right. This is fiddly work, as they retain a bit of spring and can easily damage the model once glued into place, as they can pull it apart again.<br />
<br />
Finally, a note about adhesives and paints:<br />
<br />
The following glues were used:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>PVA (wood glue) for gluing card to card, texturing the base, and gluing grit into the coal bunker. DO NOT use cheap PVA (sometimes marketed as 'School Glue') - it isn't worth it. Spend a bit more money on decent aliphatic wood glue - a little goes a very long way.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Superglue for gluing non-porous materials to other non-porous materials (i.e. metal to plastic). Feel free to use cheap superglue! I do.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Balsa cement. For balsa. Obviously. This is amazing stuff to work with. There is no better alternative.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Araldite / epoxy. For gluing brass sheet to Balsa, and securing nails through the balsa joints (legs). Stinky and horrible. I've always hated it, but it really does a good job.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Polystyrene cement. Used to be commonly referred to as 'Airfix glue' when I was a lad. For gluing styrene plastic tubes (pistons) and other details. In combination with styrene plastic, probably my favourite medium to work with. Use the liquid form with a little brush, not the stuff that comes exploding out of a tiny tube and ruins your work.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Paints:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Most of my machines are painted using test pots of acrylic house paints. In this case, paints and wood stain by Resene. There is a massive range available in your local paint store, at a fraction of the price of hobby/miniature paints, and I have yet to experience any real advantage to paying for the more expensive (and tiny) pots. Back when I made <i>Pantagruel</i> the only expensive paints I owned were metallics, but even these are available (and they are good!) from my preferred range now.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I also favour acrylic artists' inks for washes. As followers of the blog will know, I colour creatures and people this way, rather than paint, but for machines they are really only used to 'dirty up' metal colours. With <i>Pantagruel</i> this took the form of a bit of chesnut brown ink on the bronze bits.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaEykcOR7XUIBfSxGtMaZh3pOZ2LS4jlIKYxAROHROvdgmxP6bp37fI8PPFwoQaSarV2k3vmH-9YVHrP306WtFCQB79BEhv4sKHKryb7WEj1WXH0HBYUe54lzcYUO47ZEclX8okeB16I/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaEykcOR7XUIBfSxGtMaZh3pOZ2LS4jlIKYxAROHROvdgmxP6bp37fI8PPFwoQaSarV2k3vmH-9YVHrP306WtFCQB79BEhv4sKHKryb7WEj1WXH0HBYUe54lzcYUO47ZEclX8okeB16I/s640/IMG_0073.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Just some of me previous creations, safe behind glass!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
So there you go. I hope this episode has been informative and helpful!<br />
<br />
For what it's worth, there's a Mark II version of <i>Pantagruel</i> on the old drawing board, and I'll be letting you know how that goes! In the meantime, I have hundreds of tiny goblins to paint, a castle on a dinosaur to finish, a wizard's tower to complete, the ongoing life-sapping concept that is <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile </i>and God only knows what else!<br />
<br />
<br />
All the Best!</div>
Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-42722152581912851232020-04-15T13:24:00.000+12:002020-04-19T19:18:58.185+12:00Scaling It Back A BitHi All!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK854KhIVgw3SZMo_XqqtyNLDM6gjh2_RcWB_Pbzftkv4uNS-bxkpvOcDOqpg2lRDLXIuYbdFCBfWyJOSEQDIrbbfUg2jM7JjmfxDOC4CkVZF7YdHGzYw5H4kHGhz4f8tzgEIDbmJxT_4/s1600/IMG_3328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK854KhIVgw3SZMo_XqqtyNLDM6gjh2_RcWB_Pbzftkv4uNS-bxkpvOcDOqpg2lRDLXIuYbdFCBfWyJOSEQDIrbbfUg2jM7JjmfxDOC4CkVZF7YdHGzYw5H4kHGhz4f8tzgEIDbmJxT_4/s640/IMG_3328.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in doubt, add a dinosaur!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's taken me a couple of weeks to get around to this post, what with all this Covid-19 lockdown thingummy whatsit. Rum deal, eh what!<br />
<br />
First and foremost, I hope you are all well and that things aren't too bad for you, wherever you are!<br />
<br />
That said, on with the blog...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VKv3ATRLFILkMfyhmdmwuXv84sDUO0Mo7c9OGpjtUIk5CMTcJk7daSXdl3B_nvGErsqYjHm0PcBc3TUmdXNZG3TdvCCUlCiSgTBoEFk-slwnEjyObbXQ7T7UAfUl6iHaxbajckZChp4/s1600/IMG_3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VKv3ATRLFILkMfyhmdmwuXv84sDUO0Mo7c9OGpjtUIk5CMTcJk7daSXdl3B_nvGErsqYjHm0PcBc3TUmdXNZG3TdvCCUlCiSgTBoEFk-slwnEjyObbXQ7T7UAfUl6iHaxbajckZChp4/s400/IMG_3319.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cheap, 'orrible plastic dino! What could be more Colonel O'Truth?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you may be aware, my posts have become something of a rarity over the last couple of years, so it was with some trepidation that I approached the old dusty boxes and shelves of model making supplies and whatnot and took stock of what I had...<br />
<br />
Not much, as it turns out! Certainly, with no way of getting hold of new materials, paints, adhesives and so on, large projects like my immense walker and other VSF/steampunk machines were going to be something of a problem! So what to do?<br />
<br />
The answer, I decided, was to think small.<br />
<br />
Years ago, I began collecting 10mm fantasy miniatures and even went so far as to post a bit about them on this blog, but I never really got very far with them. Now, however, seems the perfect time to get back into this subject - after all, in such a small scale creations can bloom from off-cuts and little bits and bobs, with no need for large volumes of paint, glue and so on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinghVJXMZB7LNjgv0CJworBNSPv9A-sTwu7GvC_0CiylbMomDN4LboQ1YAIdFkvqfgojFv3uHmTQfIieRNx1r48vJzEAmmiaKopnrYktYN7Mltgm4Zq6m1XYjQ5jsCxv9CX9rCQ08SGwI/s1600/IMG_3605+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinghVJXMZB7LNjgv0CJworBNSPv9A-sTwu7GvC_0CiylbMomDN4LboQ1YAIdFkvqfgojFv3uHmTQfIieRNx1r48vJzEAmmiaKopnrYktYN7Mltgm4Zq6m1XYjQ5jsCxv9CX9rCQ08SGwI/s640/IMG_3605+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ikkle tiny orcs and bad guys! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have quite a lot of orcs already painted, but they're all rather predictable - warriors, archers, wolf riders, etc. Lovely models for sure, but a Colonel O'Truth army needs a touch of weirdness. And 10mm is the perfect scale for thinking big while staying small.<br />
<br />
Obviously, I needed a goblin castle on the back of an enormous purple ankylosaurus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PfQz3UrKzPeCtqWWpYDhuIZVBLqLwtid3akB3OjiICxl_Ody6sW98CYDkavAcP4X9QKPNQ7e-IvLYns2xWq5a2rAAafzbmeTl58T0Fn4PET4DRW8iFDbISab3L3VW1JlQX-ozRXtTcM/s1600/IMG_3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PfQz3UrKzPeCtqWWpYDhuIZVBLqLwtid3akB3OjiICxl_Ody6sW98CYDkavAcP4X9QKPNQ7e-IvLYns2xWq5a2rAAafzbmeTl58T0Fn4PET4DRW8iFDbISab3L3VW1JlQX-ozRXtTcM/s400/IMG_3320.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">White undercoat is applied, and a rough shape for the castle is tried out on the monster's back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsGCf33t_5iXJZdH4itUBEUhoJ5I0Lff92HjKIWRzt5efzNkMABGu0mL1rY3f14livzfnAH32ER0i0uFFkWxRNns2Oeyx5uHzeQgBvYTvp7F91z60ihJ04Y7PJvQ1oWl5PKcfhhZ6WVw/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsGCf33t_5iXJZdH4itUBEUhoJ5I0Lff92HjKIWRzt5efzNkMABGu0mL1rY3f14livzfnAH32ER0i0uFFkWxRNns2Oeyx5uHzeQgBvYTvp7F91z60ihJ04Y7PJvQ1oWl5PKcfhhZ6WVw/s400/IMG_3321.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A brown ink wash is applied...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJ1PhPq4XBXlGGpFY6Cd1aw-pG1bItc_qo1ad-w-D8eIv-9TTSvlGo0VkDZx29qli2zWl6ROJgRbHvFRGw_50PkUcr9-INyg_EOjx0KRjzmsLCFAwHOEeGwqyBVB096Efp-mh_mdr6_4/s1600/IMG_3322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJ1PhPq4XBXlGGpFY6Cd1aw-pG1bItc_qo1ad-w-D8eIv-9TTSvlGo0VkDZx29qli2zWl6ROJgRbHvFRGw_50PkUcr9-INyg_EOjx0KRjzmsLCFAwHOEeGwqyBVB096Efp-mh_mdr6_4/s400/IMG_3322.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The whole model is dry brushed with pale beige/brown</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
The first thing to do was to get the cheap plastic dinosaur looking good. For this, I applied my usual ink-wash and dry-brush technique, starting from a white undercoat and brown all-over wash. And in between drying times, I would also start designing the castle...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNle4RARmcBdzFIuFny_OKmDM4sPW8DBiIGPJa5ZVbig7su0ljmArpgz_006F-dpHiAS9F2dSFQWS2t7VIVpuuizDc7yLLMyIm3D78ZkxJ2lXd9Wjn9oGCo4qQhV144w7lKTivNpzJ08/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNle4RARmcBdzFIuFny_OKmDM4sPW8DBiIGPJa5ZVbig7su0ljmArpgz_006F-dpHiAS9F2dSFQWS2t7VIVpuuizDc7yLLMyIm3D78ZkxJ2lXd9Wjn9oGCo4qQhV144w7lKTivNpzJ08/s400/IMG_3332.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginnings of the castle. The whole thing is only 40mm wide.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCI39b2maW2yFklJinFKT0KDTpXSS1Xh2vfwrx7yizcjOatAS6NjA_9rQAD9xTKVReMNlgkjeIoqztGzwZFOo-CDQ1AAAQxINvtrhgsFtgwhkDxe133VYrJj5MQn3OZcU3nRFuvwifOM/s1600/IMG_3329+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCI39b2maW2yFklJinFKT0KDTpXSS1Xh2vfwrx7yizcjOatAS6NjA_9rQAD9xTKVReMNlgkjeIoqztGzwZFOo-CDQ1AAAQxINvtrhgsFtgwhkDxe133VYrJj5MQn3OZcU3nRFuvwifOM/s400/IMG_3329+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The finished paint job on the ankylosaurus...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Azw6H-FhfoVhWBqYraG9VtgLH8cKYrcefvIYsaujYObQ_pMsgJfiH4bX_Ve1tomBHLImIiJvPbxPXaYMOd6ik0MSLTySWY3_mWicGNO6MBcHxsioauiKq2-baIzcuGXLxKE9LpVSgBE/s1600/IMG_3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Azw6H-FhfoVhWBqYraG9VtgLH8cKYrcefvIYsaujYObQ_pMsgJfiH4bX_Ve1tomBHLImIiJvPbxPXaYMOd6ik0MSLTySWY3_mWicGNO6MBcHxsioauiKq2-baIzcuGXLxKE9LpVSgBE/s640/IMG_3337.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The evolving castle on the back of the beast!</td></tr>
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<br style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;" /></td></tr>
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The castle started to take shape a bit at a time, using nothing but off cuts of plastic board and cheap card. The intention here is to get a bit ridiculous... The final model will have some rather fun details I'm keeping to myself for now.<br /><br />
Once the structure of the castle was ready, I started to add stonework with greenstuff. Again, I have a limited supply of this stuff, so working in very small amounts is important.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj408mBwlU1POreWRvRN54_Bufxu_7pnh64lYExnBcPN22EhxA7TlDkJ8U4Aws8ppL5pivwyxH0fkGIWMSR5YVJqCLoAVF_Zan9Rs9PFsmbCA4qGp0pa3FdAJDXRTR6zEx7qZd4iCe41Os/s1600/IMG_3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj408mBwlU1POreWRvRN54_Bufxu_7pnh64lYExnBcPN22EhxA7TlDkJ8U4Aws8ppL5pivwyxH0fkGIWMSR5YVJqCLoAVF_Zan9Rs9PFsmbCA4qGp0pa3FdAJDXRTR6zEx7qZd4iCe41Os/s400/IMG_3609.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The castle structure. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPyMZLv8TBMiumpa-l_foEKeF-AWcaouQu4V2X74h_cdUOPZd_PcbgtYcg9lQN0p85vihs5inTOgWDQN8DmIZGAicID9-RiObYBVlPaKShDDSyij9PNgqemXLpJa9apAXJjenBmfQXgY/s1600/IMG_3608+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPyMZLv8TBMiumpa-l_foEKeF-AWcaouQu4V2X74h_cdUOPZd_PcbgtYcg9lQN0p85vihs5inTOgWDQN8DmIZGAicID9-RiObYBVlPaKShDDSyij9PNgqemXLpJa9apAXJjenBmfQXgY/s400/IMG_3608+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Greenstuff details are added...</span></td></tr>
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<br />
While this was all going on and copious amounts of coffee were being consumed, I was also giving some thought to what kind of terrain I want for this lot. After all, fantasy is the perfect genre for getting weird, using bright colours, and having fun. So why stick to traditional hills, woods, and so on for the table top? I mean, why not make a mountain out of a plastic skull?<br />
<br />
And so began the construction of a new modular fantasy tabletop...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAAyuCva8nvvectAd8W_OFAeqioFbOpP4lBk1sG545sWNX23u3EugYnUWOaNFGKtD5EEz4Zv01A3HdZh0n91nGiE9ayAQIBNnwVCJIvi7Z_SVDQPfuxZppilfV-lVtKXV1gMGtxI4fjw/s1600/IMG_3613+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAAyuCva8nvvectAd8W_OFAeqioFbOpP4lBk1sG545sWNX23u3EugYnUWOaNFGKtD5EEz4Zv01A3HdZh0n91nGiE9ayAQIBNnwVCJIvi7Z_SVDQPfuxZppilfV-lVtKXV1gMGtxI4fjw/s640/IMG_3613+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orc archers atop a skull mountain...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
More on that subject later...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIsVEj7FIy2Xw18_TYfWIyn8nWuvsLpLa7EUXD9yPniL7ty-6PEYhdC3E4A5TiXCS8vGtKC6O_z_i2BnUe_8eTz3EQi0iVyHC8xEiATGAaQ-Vt4qnQAfHWEZc6mXrQy4cK5B3X41rGCE/s1600/IMG_3615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIsVEj7FIy2Xw18_TYfWIyn8nWuvsLpLa7EUXD9yPniL7ty-6PEYhdC3E4A5TiXCS8vGtKC6O_z_i2BnUe_8eTz3EQi0iVyHC8xEiATGAaQ-Vt4qnQAfHWEZc6mXrQy4cK5B3X41rGCE/s640/IMG_3615.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The goblin castle takes shape!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Anyway, I think I've made a pretty good start on this one! There's plenty still to do on the dinosaur, some pretty cool terrain taking shape which I'll share with you soon, plenty of models to paint and lots of ideas for oddball fun elements - all without the need for heaps of new materials. And rest assured, there's more steam powered madness on the drawing board!<br />
<br />
Keep watching, folks! Stay safe, and see you soon.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg5XioWlQmeGZSfSbG1D_OAVq-JS5o55TJWrMg0wGeFMipoXEeNwvLpjfjCwfTMSTg1iiJ83r1gIEcaJLgoBvZVfkdSXTzSCsOjG4h5R9tngUCo12HOSa_fJ1-q0VN8GkedhUUbOd27o/s1600/IMG_3612+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg5XioWlQmeGZSfSbG1D_OAVq-JS5o55TJWrMg0wGeFMipoXEeNwvLpjfjCwfTMSTg1iiJ83r1gIEcaJLgoBvZVfkdSXTzSCsOjG4h5R9tngUCo12HOSa_fJ1-q0VN8GkedhUUbOd27o/s640/IMG_3612+%25282%2529.JPG" width="580" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one part of the new table top... More soon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
All the best!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-59251074539876954732020-03-22T09:09:00.000+13:002020-03-22T09:11:17.880+13:00What Ho? Here Come The Nasties!Hi, all!<br />
<br />
I know it's been a while but I thought I'd tweak the old moustache, don the monocle and sally forth to the blog to send you all a message of goodwill.<br />
<br />
Trying times, what?<br />
<br />
For those of you already locked away from the world, I hope you have plenty of glue, paint, rivets and whatnot to keep the creative juices flowing! I know I do.<br />
<br />
I have a few projects in mind now that the possibility of rather too much free time is looming - and as things develop I intend to get back into old habits and keep you all up to date.<br />
<br />
Hoping to hear from all you chaps and chapesses with your own projects too!<br />
<br />
Until such time as we chat again, please take good care of each other, keep your spirits up, and I wish you all the best!<br />
<br />
Yours very sincerely,<br />
<br />
Colonel O'TruthColonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-36292546069853849942019-08-12T15:03:00.004+12:002019-08-12T15:03:58.297+12:00I'm invading Old Blighty!Hi, All!<br />
<br />
Wouldn't you know it, but I'm heading to Merrie Olde England for a few weeks!<br />
<br />
And since I have family in the Newark area, I thought I'd pop me head in at this year's Partizan Wargaming Show and take bit of a look around.<br />
<br />
So if any of you spiffing chaps and chapesses are going to be there and you'd like to say hello, drop me line at ordersforthecolonel@gmail.com<br />
<br />
Tally ho!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-84684599793469952432019-03-02T13:54:00.000+13:002019-03-02T13:54:45.823+13:00Remember This?Hi, All!<br />
<br />
I'm finally getting to grips with Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzDcr081HXq2VQewE59AeBS1bH5DtiYB_IWFOzoiIfSwFoGpj5YMCQaXT_53CAUVNUC34ZqWB2boTGqZEwsTmglHmaXtcy0M88M3EaO2VWiDOEjdkrNJ4KOuTmWYJQUjHt2UGsx-blCo/s1600/IMG_1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzDcr081HXq2VQewE59AeBS1bH5DtiYB_IWFOzoiIfSwFoGpj5YMCQaXT_53CAUVNUC34ZqWB2boTGqZEwsTmglHmaXtcy0M88M3EaO2VWiDOEjdkrNJ4KOuTmWYJQUjHt2UGsx-blCo/s640/IMG_1751.JPG" width="498" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The monster is back!</td></tr>
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<br />
When I last reported on this monstrosity, I had started work on the chassis for the entire machine. And that's more or less where I stopped for around three years!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju0pkowbgSdEhtIsKZpxOHz8J6ESJcTJdAg3cbI0r04KuzLNcaFCnFhCVsoVQ5Ny4RoHg-yoTSh4HQ67LgZGf6m8ojTb5dM4oV3s6ICVXWc2t_qAUXdcKq1Yy2h_wwNF0QzFFRXNTLR0/s1600/IMG_1737+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju0pkowbgSdEhtIsKZpxOHz8J6ESJcTJdAg3cbI0r04KuzLNcaFCnFhCVsoVQ5Ny4RoHg-yoTSh4HQ67LgZGf6m8ojTb5dM4oV3s6ICVXWc2t_qAUXdcKq1Yy2h_wwNF0QzFFRXNTLR0/s640/IMG_1737+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden struts are added after ripping away previous work,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway, I'm glad I took the break because now that I have returned to it, I have so many great ideas, and a fresh enthusiasm - which is definitely required when contemplating rivets in their tens-of-thousands!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80vheXfkRgwTZbsErh35nYH-J5OBYaJNI_FhxQt-UEMb6CvTYl-32wjCc80oiRK8Ox3722UKE96XaByM08yvtwA66VyATCHcQ53AdvC2I71WkZVDZgr32D8cumlMz9nUP8lT4y51Saf0/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80vheXfkRgwTZbsErh35nYH-J5OBYaJNI_FhxQt-UEMb6CvTYl-32wjCc80oiRK8Ox3722UKE96XaByM08yvtwA66VyATCHcQ53AdvC2I71WkZVDZgr32D8cumlMz9nUP8lT4y51Saf0/s640/IMG_1744.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The underbelly is gradually constructed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Upon digging the chassis out of my spare room, I found it was a little warped. I also realised that the foamcore structure I had constructed was going to be too bulky and, frankly, boring. So I opted for tearing the whole structure apart, reinforcing the MDF boards and starting again.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI-NzV2oNzJyNEia1BM2xkxGThtK5QiryxOfY8KKU3sy2ml8KbXnBGoppTxrUuDJBlpHidzgWfFi9d66KNFjT1aJxBg6Ayo0VbeITvhzpyEJqoXciQJI2TV6QATIWHB0a05wJfUWngbU/s1600/IMG_1749+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI-NzV2oNzJyNEia1BM2xkxGThtK5QiryxOfY8KKU3sy2ml8KbXnBGoppTxrUuDJBlpHidzgWfFi9d66KNFjT1aJxBg6Ayo0VbeITvhzpyEJqoXciQJI2TV6QATIWHB0a05wJfUWngbU/s640/IMG_1749+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More shape is added...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It will be necessary to build, detail and paint the entire underside of the machine before continuing with the upper decks. So for now, I'm working 'upside down', which is challenging.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip43JBk-qrOFf4ixY9PSOK4jxhcPOUsCSqolPA8aoBZe_pSKn8uqDtU2hd-PrZvnHRLYiaCuZ9ltf6QgEBK0gubuXkaYpdTDsBGLgo_3OcyqD-_N0umuwsWQYaIEEkO5MK0XrWtTqZqAs/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1600" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip43JBk-qrOFf4ixY9PSOK4jxhcPOUsCSqolPA8aoBZe_pSKn8uqDtU2hd-PrZvnHRLYiaCuZ9ltf6QgEBK0gubuXkaYpdTDsBGLgo_3OcyqD-_N0umuwsWQYaIEEkO5MK0XrWtTqZqAs/s640/IMG_1750.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brackets are in place and will eventually be used to secure the legs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Steel brackets were screwed in place and glued with epoxy for permanent strength (I'm taking no chances on these ever working loose!) as they will be used to attach the six legs of the machine and will essentially be responsible for supporting the entire weight of what promises to be a pretty heavy model!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnwbhr_flXuHmkTKys9tw74zAJ85p4Fa-MWHdRuFLdSeGaZL5sQiKFGXg7TEz2paEfFk5zd-eO9k2fcchl6KnLTR3YTT9NLJqaIESrv1FvNRmNU9coDyJb431dYzHa58aK7KYtxshRG0/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnwbhr_flXuHmkTKys9tw74zAJ85p4Fa-MWHdRuFLdSeGaZL5sQiKFGXg7TEz2paEfFk5zd-eO9k2fcchl6KnLTR3YTT9NLJqaIESrv1FvNRmNU9coDyJb431dYzHa58aK7KYtxshRG0/s640/IMG_1743.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curves from straight lines! Maths, innit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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An interesting little technique I hit upon was in the construction of large curves where the two sections (main section and engine section) meet at a hinge. I often draw my curves freehand, but these were too big and needed to be calculated more precisely. I remembered having fun at school as as kid, drawing curves across an X and Y axis with a ruler. With a little careful calculation, I was able to adapt this technique to get the desired shape. Clever, if I say so myself!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5akeAylcK5iXHMtNLRS28N4UeUedTx2ROwc_8yHHMD6keQtN3Mmq5WfqTNzOQiSA-0EPAXYtPk6bo_vy1kxNO7kZ6VYqe1GOUS-_vcPm8d5HLOqv8_Zp88u5Hm7isocNcPee67Vtm-oA/s1600/IMG_1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5akeAylcK5iXHMtNLRS28N4UeUedTx2ROwc_8yHHMD6keQtN3Mmq5WfqTNzOQiSA-0EPAXYtPk6bo_vy1kxNO7kZ6VYqe1GOUS-_vcPm8d5HLOqv8_Zp88u5Hm7isocNcPee67Vtm-oA/s640/IMG_1747.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice curves, madam!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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With the structure taking shape, it was time to add more flickery LED lighting so that I could start closing the lower decks in in preparation for detailing and painting. I ran brass rods through part of the machine as a main circuit and soldered wired LEDs to these as needed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqo5FDBjviEzJ8A03Q5WkLvb89PLMMghmyT0l8cNYckANCG7wWw1_kGh-j8HUYZLRlKA4UhJL942QeETppOSe914DmW8zHRl7JzvSZsDBsG7EZFq8so0zTovViRsWyRCtQo4kNQs2ks-A/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqo5FDBjviEzJ8A03Q5WkLvb89PLMMghmyT0l8cNYckANCG7wWw1_kGh-j8HUYZLRlKA4UhJL942QeETppOSe914DmW8zHRl7JzvSZsDBsG7EZFq8so0zTovViRsWyRCtQo4kNQs2ks-A/s640/IMG_1753.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portholes are drawn and punched.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM8-lObko6YwBFkduvnK8rRVUPpCVG6EOa89QyUiDpsiIxS1jY6qXsuQLOR2sA1gZ2zZEWEaqPelrFxB-mnpASBq4G3P1zUL55mCvEmozWfxldCdaOzeUEtOe1YqxRBOHannIbNxdLS0/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM8-lObko6YwBFkduvnK8rRVUPpCVG6EOa89QyUiDpsiIxS1jY6qXsuQLOR2sA1gZ2zZEWEaqPelrFxB-mnpASBq4G3P1zUL55mCvEmozWfxldCdaOzeUEtOe1YqxRBOHannIbNxdLS0/s640/IMG_1754.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first LEDs and portholes in place. Remember - you're looking at this upside down!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For the outer hull, I have decided to work mainly with card rather than plastic - representing a huge cost saving! Portholes were punched out and backed with lightly sanded acetate as with the rest of the machine so far.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oVnBwYu9iRowasyYpqMlpBsfDkpPDYuaSS0DkCnQaTAHoKkgrO7gvS952EDcYMbu8JPje4WDzZK9QPmQ8Yxo88T61OfIWqBT3gO0HpON_F4ozsIEMoHC_GyQxG2UNN3UY8KbHMr21TM/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oVnBwYu9iRowasyYpqMlpBsfDkpPDYuaSS0DkCnQaTAHoKkgrO7gvS952EDcYMbu8JPje4WDzZK9QPmQ8Yxo88T61OfIWqBT3gO0HpON_F4ozsIEMoHC_GyQxG2UNN3UY8KbHMr21TM/s640/IMG_1755.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inner workings...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfWiMtcZ6Za7wXbGB_rAmqwhAwBHhO469W4kiBVu6Wv5msdExuJI3ItChb9myNr1LgX2X7tquiauvhPClv4Mkjyx7yaXLqrbi8q32lXSOB0JA3GIKIg8aU2_UyazSFjzzu2viGX6ygeg/s1600/IMG_1756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfWiMtcZ6Za7wXbGB_rAmqwhAwBHhO469W4kiBVu6Wv5msdExuJI3ItChb9myNr1LgX2X7tquiauvhPClv4Mkjyx7yaXLqrbi8q32lXSOB0JA3GIKIg8aU2_UyazSFjzzu2viGX6ygeg/s640/IMG_1756.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lowest deck starts to look, well, decky...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So there you are for now! As you can see, there is a tremendous amount to do but I feel enthused and inspired! Watch this space!<br />
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All the Best!<br />
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<br />Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-54614865223891965812019-02-02T08:20:00.000+13:002019-02-02T08:20:16.616+13:00Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na...Hi, All!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D2UwRoVeZi-J4Fe-lalIbaVUvPAnTWxtxAHGRjeSQrdZ8ykmS2gM8PexGEwhCmvZ5ft-Ij3S6AXz-OweZW6I8hl4X5UxIxj9SAgo0qQK06LApc8NjM-cfGU32rnOzR3oxiGMVhlyTg4/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1084" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D2UwRoVeZi-J4Fe-lalIbaVUvPAnTWxtxAHGRjeSQrdZ8ykmS2gM8PexGEwhCmvZ5ft-Ij3S6AXz-OweZW6I8hl4X5UxIxj9SAgo0qQK06LApc8NjM-cfGU32rnOzR3oxiGMVhlyTg4/s640/IMG_1723.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dark Knight! A splendid chap!</td></tr>
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I've been away for a few days, indulging my other creative passions with a bunch of insane musicians, so I thought today I would just do a quick post to show you something I worked on as a commission a while back.<br />
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A friend of mine is a teensy bit obsessed with Batman and he asked me to make a Colonel O'Truth version of the Batmobile.<br />
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How could I refuse?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19j_ySB7IYVEuulBFEFT9Irwg3gwh0s2Y-oDzKhkzQgGYroSctkt2Okglu9-GnUV58P6M_P7Gj5rLmJtFpBqDpST128HRKTtxrIt6RC3jxxKHiHqRpfNVkmfnQaCcxjp2TiGkhtAEf9Q/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="960" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19j_ySB7IYVEuulBFEFT9Irwg3gwh0s2Y-oDzKhkzQgGYroSctkt2Okglu9-GnUV58P6M_P7Gj5rLmJtFpBqDpST128HRKTtxrIt6RC3jxxKHiHqRpfNVkmfnQaCcxjp2TiGkhtAEf9Q/s640/IMG_1728.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A basic chassis is made from bits and pieces... (not a good photo! Sorry!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-yqTmYc9tggxJLQ-UiApJkyoVJttAxOjeC-FvViAkGRShy_zgvAVCudtrQCSZS7wXWKEdVaz9RZuYsFEE4nZNYAg7j9Ry2WGK1zUvEi6yRFI2Rs9XLyTXRAkA3Ugco4twbpN1oVI6sU/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-yqTmYc9tggxJLQ-UiApJkyoVJttAxOjeC-FvViAkGRShy_zgvAVCudtrQCSZS7wXWKEdVaz9RZuYsFEE4nZNYAg7j9Ry2WGK1zUvEi6yRFI2Rs9XLyTXRAkA3Ugco4twbpN1oVI6sU/s640/IMG_1722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The work in progress, almost completed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Made from plastic board offcuts, bits of junk, brass foil, model wagon wheels and a converted cowboy miniature. Sadly, I did not take many photos of the building process, or keep a rivet count! What was wrong with me?!<br />
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Anyway, here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBdL5Ohlxw4aJkAaeSJNMy1K6o1OB4INUWAJtMhwjXOc_LR29TnWSzHG1fzi7kjbJXkf2KYFLld0sYg6ISkfqDyYP32jpU2fNgq7P9e0f9QHnrzmSkiHFhbxLZi_7AMncUF_8lnSM8gk/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1234" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBdL5Ohlxw4aJkAaeSJNMy1K6o1OB4INUWAJtMhwjXOc_LR29TnWSzHG1fzi7kjbJXkf2KYFLld0sYg6ISkfqDyYP32jpU2fNgq7P9e0f9QHnrzmSkiHFhbxLZi_7AMncUF_8lnSM8gk/s640/IMG_1727.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34d28ah-p2x60AG6JvaduDl8RaV9_5TV-DqsvuRJp7Q-b5mOzg8xE-RD7_cOSbuT9-D3xMLrAIUwtNj_pQcTiEeQTxgPs7W99yeL71DS7OZyuu2xX-9ngBNG55kKhL0yxAJPxcrXk2cE/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34d28ah-p2x60AG6JvaduDl8RaV9_5TV-DqsvuRJp7Q-b5mOzg8xE-RD7_cOSbuT9-D3xMLrAIUwtNj_pQcTiEeQTxgPs7W99yeL71DS7OZyuu2xX-9ngBNG55kKhL0yxAJPxcrXk2cE/s640/IMG_1724.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Hope you like! More soon!<br />
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All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-75461177117762901882019-01-16T20:37:00.001+13:002019-01-17T06:41:11.293+13:00Opening New Doors...Hi, All!<br />
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Before I get started on today's post, let me take this opportunity tell you that I am now on Instagram under "Colonel O'Truth's Miniatures" for those of you who would like to follow me. I shall be posting lots of pretty pictures on a regular basis!<br />
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I hope to see you there.<br />
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Anyway, on with the Stargate project!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlmfDWEYQPiYhxJeLRIZWo7Vm8SmYvWVLBybTC2XbzIQS05PPG23olLg2xYMxG6KWXH9YBQdFET95QYSZl6-mUqLycc0EcSjL62fANyNFXd5dby79SfYcOKKSEPLtn_FBYzgDYAzjzi0/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlmfDWEYQPiYhxJeLRIZWo7Vm8SmYvWVLBybTC2XbzIQS05PPG23olLg2xYMxG6KWXH9YBQdFET95QYSZl6-mUqLycc0EcSjL62fANyNFXd5dby79SfYcOKKSEPLtn_FBYzgDYAzjzi0/s640/IMG_1681.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to see where this leads!</td></tr>
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At last, several days later than I planned, my steam powered Stargate is complete! And I'm very happy with it, I must say!<br />
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When last I spoke at you, I had completed the main elements of the layout and was moving on to the finer details and smaller parts.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLMGHp5d_TJe80CvKWoV61-Pwv5CLFGLq6qBWpYwH1L9quEzxuDi2FAuwWCANMvGCuWLoNI7dUbYhffx2F2Ws2HFFXQz9gbxFa90RwGzWIuIEq4ml8JAqnkII2hHIuHRI3F6GTLx_-Os/s1600/IMG_1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1600" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLMGHp5d_TJe80CvKWoV61-Pwv5CLFGLq6qBWpYwH1L9quEzxuDi2FAuwWCANMvGCuWLoNI7dUbYhffx2F2Ws2HFFXQz9gbxFa90RwGzWIuIEq4ml8JAqnkII2hHIuHRI3F6GTLx_-Os/s640/IMG_1587.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first banister rail is added. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ4LObtHuIDQHJlRda3NUMYw4JkunW0QnMXVKkWPcwiNgSy2X5Cv8Jwx0StrvNwomULk3ZQbX3mcAqMK7cekBSep9XIJlegp1dHCiase0B2HdVxCJ0kFpcOxz_Q668Q_rjcfn0lLS6uI/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1537" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ4LObtHuIDQHJlRda3NUMYw4JkunW0QnMXVKkWPcwiNgSy2X5Cv8Jwx0StrvNwomULk3ZQbX3mcAqMK7cekBSep9XIJlegp1dHCiase0B2HdVxCJ0kFpcOxz_Q668Q_rjcfn0lLS6uI/s640/IMG_1600.JPG" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both rails in place and painted!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The first of these was the banister rail for the stairs. These I made from brass rod, with loops of plastic tube to connect to the uprights I'd already attached to the stairs. This was a relatively simple task but it really made all the difference when it was done!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vtbELG6yc91BLgu8AAmKLd_HWqsxwxISLYUIlj_h7N-wnoWRwt3OWkK2687J4L7AAEpy6mcYEnkneBwVgYjuyObpfNi9YeHJyuv9v2842iiigwz5Z7gFZdiqJ5Guw9INTCOcZG2n3AA/s1600/IMG_1590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vtbELG6yc91BLgu8AAmKLd_HWqsxwxISLYUIlj_h7N-wnoWRwt3OWkK2687J4L7AAEpy6mcYEnkneBwVgYjuyObpfNi9YeHJyuv9v2842iiigwz5Z7gFZdiqJ5Guw9INTCOcZG2n3AA/s640/IMG_1590.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The controls... A bit boring, I felt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The stairs done, I turned my attention to the control mechanisms. I admit, I had been putting these off as I really wasn't sure about the design I'd begun. No sooner had I started painting them than I realised they just looked a bit boring. And then it hit me...<br />
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"Magnets!" I shouted, scaring the cat. And lo, it came to pass.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9qYmp9_YZq01Pg53mFKBdEmETqZ-fvV7xv05HqwBYJ4C4uOF35HxN41kpeYHcbr_fij8KYX8ThLeQtwWeQ2aPDin-oyZy0LfTJgH-L5Tlo7aZUz6o4vi-Fqzge1iZVQoD9Q91ITw2D8/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="1600" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9qYmp9_YZq01Pg53mFKBdEmETqZ-fvV7xv05HqwBYJ4C4uOF35HxN41kpeYHcbr_fij8KYX8ThLeQtwWeQ2aPDin-oyZy0LfTJgH-L5Tlo7aZUz6o4vi-Fqzge1iZVQoD9Q91ITw2D8/s640/IMG_1624.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnets are made from plastic board (and patched with green stuff where I made a wrong cut!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv9tpxBidzICQrxFExcAhNi5P8VpeU7vPcoWxIfeagyD9z8_AkMkMtdGxP5BfBYybmYD04RS1f8Hv1SrcQTPvecSCEJAo-QnFHQpnqleJcKbfKZuhQ3c8eKLMRf8K-o49DoARSq535BU/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1600" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv9tpxBidzICQrxFExcAhNi5P8VpeU7vPcoWxIfeagyD9z8_AkMkMtdGxP5BfBYybmYD04RS1f8Hv1SrcQTPvecSCEJAo-QnFHQpnqleJcKbfKZuhQ3c8eKLMRf8K-o49DoARSq535BU/s640/IMG_1625.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivets! More rivets!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2gYjE2QHPBpRvrCqZot_iXDGo3p16jjIoh2CtIj2WNGBBOyUvyp-VCPRZ7PRnrNd6_NptCb7CNR8_v7MvLtC0F5X7wr1Cgt8grdqbKZSuWiw5E4p5SePml7cPttCPT_5LGWKoomNBuI/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2gYjE2QHPBpRvrCqZot_iXDGo3p16jjIoh2CtIj2WNGBBOyUvyp-VCPRZ7PRnrNd6_NptCb7CNR8_v7MvLtC0F5X7wr1Cgt8grdqbKZSuWiw5E4p5SePml7cPttCPT_5LGWKoomNBuI/s640/IMG_1639.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished controls, with guitar string cables.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I fashioned a couple of magnets in the same style as the ones I made for the Faraday Galvanic Field Gun, oh so many years ago! This also gave me the chance to add more rivets!<br />
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As I mentioned in my last post, I also wanted to add a coal bunker, and I wasn't happy with the base for the model, so I cut and detailed a new base from yet another discarded old vinyl record and a sheet of 5mm foamcore.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZdc4Ww-KCKQUf8RSk38ILuisNgn82rBz0sJF0NLacCvK2WAp62iI12iAEwmhmVIMpzxmQDijsnfRxN557c97N95W9-cbLyHr2m4xriJhtW1ReKMD2T6yQD1qGzCuDFTnmD_ZcSYPPrg/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1600" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZdc4Ww-KCKQUf8RSk38ILuisNgn82rBz0sJF0NLacCvK2WAp62iI12iAEwmhmVIMpzxmQDijsnfRxN557c97N95W9-cbLyHr2m4xriJhtW1ReKMD2T6yQD1qGzCuDFTnmD_ZcSYPPrg/s640/IMG_1626.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basic parts of the coal bunker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuMblAEkFqL-CiMDUlvMeyg41TPN3qEpGKYB5Jrq8RUHKplCqU3Az4KQuJHBQUlbMf3ehWuixLYshgOP4S3ZK-nWve8y3IV2fQEyp0mwEgIfE2yixSfuoEKO8Yx1psC8VCXg5_woBr-s/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuMblAEkFqL-CiMDUlvMeyg41TPN3qEpGKYB5Jrq8RUHKplCqU3Az4KQuJHBQUlbMf3ehWuixLYshgOP4S3ZK-nWve8y3IV2fQEyp0mwEgIfE2yixSfuoEKO8Yx1psC8VCXg5_woBr-s/s640/IMG_1629.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very small shovel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GqZ5WXOoGUI22Wg3m1EqXzKNN3evKJQvNRyUoiKMQLckDgP7wvw5AxZmq4wpKFstOnnS0v8m6AcSOM92gpF5YQb9m9IqjH3p_4XxolKznQEoZW_wIYPfZGegIwLDFDE7bBlbsYaKCkM/s1600/IMG_1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1600" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GqZ5WXOoGUI22Wg3m1EqXzKNN3evKJQvNRyUoiKMQLckDgP7wvw5AxZmq4wpKFstOnnS0v8m6AcSOM92gpF5YQb9m9IqjH3p_4XxolKznQEoZW_wIYPfZGegIwLDFDE7bBlbsYaKCkM/s640/IMG_1632.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished pieces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The coal bunker was really quick to make from a few off-cuts of plastic board, some scrunched up tissue paper covered with glue and gravel and lots of rivets, of course! I also had tremendous fun making a teeny tiny shovel to finish off the scene.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWzex81f5NteAYxsjUljSSIACElSsh323G1rJMA3roX5y8blFiH7UrcE-dQi9qS7RqwFNSt9WHm8ZqUVz3aG-A2lstx1V1_MbR53XrFbQVqc3hdV1UkDKdTFxHOyySV36UxyOqSNRaFE/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWzex81f5NteAYxsjUljSSIACElSsh323G1rJMA3roX5y8blFiH7UrcE-dQi9qS7RqwFNSt9WHm8ZqUVz3aG-A2lstx1V1_MbR53XrFbQVqc3hdV1UkDKdTFxHOyySV36UxyOqSNRaFE/s640/IMG_1684.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished coal bunker fills an empty corner of the base nicely.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, there was also a little bit of remedial work required. I had glued the Mysterious Shimmery Portal Bit into the gate with superglue, which had slightly frosted the acetate sheet with fumes. This would not have been too bad, but the accidental frosting allowed the ink wash on the green paint to bleed into the MSPB. Ugly. So I made a fresh MSPB, cut out the old one and replaced it using blobs of PVA. This is fine as it only needs to hold the (very light) acetate in place.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWNIgHhmtd5ubVQXQo4OiRUZuNN9AkSGhh3AWQhyq5PNC2ggAdguxtIuEvVCuyryfL4QpyaNleJiTs5t0-LY8ZO7sUMREo0tOvSArKRiC6Zv2KqW0wnzXCpyiOf3Gn-lqhqXSAQTl6vw/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWNIgHhmtd5ubVQXQo4OiRUZuNN9AkSGhh3AWQhyq5PNC2ggAdguxtIuEvVCuyryfL4QpyaNleJiTs5t0-LY8ZO7sUMREo0tOvSArKRiC6Zv2KqW0wnzXCpyiOf3Gn-lqhqXSAQTl6vw/s640/IMG_1599.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spoiled MSPB (left) and its replacement (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And suddenly, I was ready to put it all together!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIG6g_MZJVoNv8g2myy5k6WcjrlfRMwRRSri6lSnCUebcoFfW8TS-EIeRQ0qqjrFyqU6bauDGIFRQgUEmhI8JA6-yHYZL9Tc9TcnsY_zoyvdcjNm6tVlNSkG2NQwc4vospFNl1D3_41A/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIG6g_MZJVoNv8g2myy5k6WcjrlfRMwRRSri6lSnCUebcoFfW8TS-EIeRQ0qqjrFyqU6bauDGIFRQgUEmhI8JA6-yHYZL9Tc9TcnsY_zoyvdcjNm6tVlNSkG2NQwc4vospFNl1D3_41A/s640/IMG_1673.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice big fat cables are added!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once the main pieces were glued down, I added more guitar-string cables, along with some brackets I'd made to secure the cables to the ground. (Four rivets each! Adds up quickly!)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeJOp2plGMI9eLBDUgSCDXjHLamhVQ58qwncMyZe2J0BwT5f3Fy4UC7qf-kGuETne6CzGDxbHhs865Bhz-pi5VrDjyBwZSNHFCjzr4LoYBLIIvpUIZqrYIXvlyLGLoyCiwKs22NU9YQA/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeJOp2plGMI9eLBDUgSCDXjHLamhVQ58qwncMyZe2J0BwT5f3Fy4UC7qf-kGuETne6CzGDxbHhs865Bhz-pi5VrDjyBwZSNHFCjzr4LoYBLIIvpUIZqrYIXvlyLGLoyCiwKs22NU9YQA/s640/IMG_1685.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cables and brackets link the controls to the rest of the machine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Et, Voila! Who knew making a doorway between the stars was so simple?<br />
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Final <b>Rivet Count </b>for this beauty:<br />
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<b>1,389 !</b><br />
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So with that all done, here are lots of nice pictures for your enjoyment! See you soon for my next creation, and of course the return of <b>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEqiNE5e_IhDz8Shl5dnVRUzeqZgl8O_3IOWQ37WZVfIeZP89i2m0OVMWPQLM3pBnByPUuW0RCochYVe1pA8ir_DtBrhZeANKi43WlRLOY2CxC1i6SmLZgOYwSNnaMPaHnRjY0JR-3b0/s1600/IMG_1666+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1600" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEqiNE5e_IhDz8Shl5dnVRUzeqZgl8O_3IOWQ37WZVfIeZP89i2m0OVMWPQLM3pBnByPUuW0RCochYVe1pA8ir_DtBrhZeANKi43WlRLOY2CxC1i6SmLZgOYwSNnaMPaHnRjY0JR-3b0/s640/IMG_1666+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwZgnCupjt_99Xz3EcSNKu1L6KrNMIu9Tt4w8bgSzXBLIjD_V5fDHzZmhbLvqmPMVGHmHeHHiHPyfYrWQI7l3Wg6yZFYluKY0RuzUgDBPCBH5Kz7JH3lxOChUAAFpOVSsSPuHuTocj5g/s1600/IMG_1667+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="1600" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwZgnCupjt_99Xz3EcSNKu1L6KrNMIu9Tt4w8bgSzXBLIjD_V5fDHzZmhbLvqmPMVGHmHeHHiHPyfYrWQI7l3Wg6yZFYluKY0RuzUgDBPCBH5Kz7JH3lxOChUAAFpOVSsSPuHuTocj5g/s640/IMG_1667+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-38282611194016026772019-01-09T19:41:00.000+13:002019-01-09T19:41:12.020+13:00Stairway To...Hi, All!<br />
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A bit of an update on my steam powered Stargate project for you today, before I knuckle down and try to finish it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbKWJ5O4zq_StEr8290IVytQTKYGlE7GtmFUBtX1_DVuwm-xN0LncbNPG2lx0hpOEidkFWtnL60cixLQhd5xvXbw6P2U_SMphpWcfIl_hDmjqyLlc6I6nTkwGGjr065mQIXrSWAxvtwk/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbKWJ5O4zq_StEr8290IVytQTKYGlE7GtmFUBtX1_DVuwm-xN0LncbNPG2lx0hpOEidkFWtnL60cixLQhd5xvXbw6P2U_SMphpWcfIl_hDmjqyLlc6I6nTkwGGjr065mQIXrSWAxvtwk/s640/IMG_1540.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boiler, pipes and chimney, almost ready for final construction!</td></tr>
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The last several days I've been getting the various components painted, in a (failed) effort to knock the bugger off before reality set in and I had to return to work!<br />
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Sigh... Didn't jolly well happen, did it? Oh, well. On with the post!<br />
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As you can see, this job has been fairly heavy on the green paint. I wanted something that looked heavy, and for me, nothing says "Victorian machinery" quite like a good dirty green paint job with plenty of brass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mIrWk2ExLRJ1fnmKxI5XTyGsEXKWSrZsCLWmYCyDFR95Xuo3QrS1WLRDAY4siZDeJyYEDw-WXmC-0bw7gdGpPzmJxpmnIn3Y2KTqUTBsZ210VrjVBc7FzLe8WdWHuQa5a9X9JEehgCw/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1600" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mIrWk2ExLRJ1fnmKxI5XTyGsEXKWSrZsCLWmYCyDFR95Xuo3QrS1WLRDAY4siZDeJyYEDw-WXmC-0bw7gdGpPzmJxpmnIn3Y2KTqUTBsZ210VrjVBc7FzLe8WdWHuQa5a9X9JEehgCw/s640/IMG_1451.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: 1 coat of green, 2 coats, and with a dark wash.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2_pl_N3mu8YK7TvwyWIVArvBIkdkwx5ZQMajXlbHeKoSMlwsx9oN1cvKt_ywxkBkZ4epnUW3JLXmfgjk4xyGkE4NIFldpPR3KwzRnLVbmROzAT7SbcQSp0XcQ_0j8tdNqGQjYCtXiHg/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2_pl_N3mu8YK7TvwyWIVArvBIkdkwx5ZQMajXlbHeKoSMlwsx9oN1cvKt_ywxkBkZ4epnUW3JLXmfgjk4xyGkE4NIFldpPR3KwzRnLVbmROzAT7SbcQSp0XcQ_0j8tdNqGQjYCtXiHg/s640/IMG_1452.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic green on the stairs and the Stargate.</td></tr>
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The process here was very simple. First, I painted practically all parts green, which required two coats as I didn't bother with an undercoat. Since this is essentially a terrain piece rather than a perambulatory wotnot, and therefore won't be handled a lot, I can get away with it. I wouldn't normally recommend it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rrJm4bmKbThWOfHm0uDrRukVv_5L2ECPIqWzSHVi8AQYTEJoYwQJFiQ7w1722EtOhm3Z59sMEZo6PNWMjlnk_oN86Uai_2tCko2xWFhrsZIlPDAc2Iqs7A2dglN_0qDRRpdzbjL9Lzc/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rrJm4bmKbThWOfHm0uDrRukVv_5L2ECPIqWzSHVi8AQYTEJoYwQJFiQ7w1722EtOhm3Z59sMEZo6PNWMjlnk_oN86Uai_2tCko2xWFhrsZIlPDAc2Iqs7A2dglN_0qDRRpdzbjL9Lzc/s640/IMG_1453.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark wash on the plinth, and highlight on the chimney.</td></tr>
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Having allowed the green to dry, each component was washed with a mix of 1 part black ink to 3 parts rust ink, and 8 parts water. This in turn was highlighted with the original green again. Of course, I could have highlighted further with a brighter green or even yellow, but I want this to look really solid, grimy and imposing. The metalwork will add brightness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YpQ_iZ1fU4l5Yy62H1M_ZyQvv0k5S3DB9qYXsPj7BhvzWBrgJkSl0Jt2jkEC50mkLl0xBClps-eznskpPO8bXgT85y1GltV4mEQ4U4nDICN0TjuhiaTy-3vQmni4vGWbTypgU49cXdM/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1585" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YpQ_iZ1fU4l5Yy62H1M_ZyQvv0k5S3DB9qYXsPj7BhvzWBrgJkSl0Jt2jkEC50mkLl0xBClps-eznskpPO8bXgT85y1GltV4mEQ4U4nDICN0TjuhiaTy-3vQmni4vGWbTypgU49cXdM/s640/IMG_1546.JPG" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished plinth has plenty of brass and copper components to add interest.</td></tr>
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Brass area were painted gold - again two coats - and then washed with a nut brown ink. Black areas were painted black (two coats) then lightly highlighted with dark grey, followed by a very light dusting of silver. There are also a couple of small copper components - but there will be more about the copper when I finish the gate itself.<br />
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I also started to add my favourite extra bits - guitar strings as cables. These were carefully bent into shape with pliers and glued with just a tiny drop of superglue at each end. The bronze looks gorgeous and doesn't need to be painted at all. There will be plenty more on the final piece!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQhqQn9HCJtCLM2V2f3Vz6a4ldU3qu8GAPsXk4LQBg8rSeQL6xuifd44SS8uFSAPtG73S5gW4LaKoWUDLgs8ZpuJftOcfT0NTH8gpKH0QYNxTXpJf4NYvCgLRhuYulv0A7Y1rHXCxbnI/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="1600" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQhqQn9HCJtCLM2V2f3Vz6a4ldU3qu8GAPsXk4LQBg8rSeQL6xuifd44SS8uFSAPtG73S5gW4LaKoWUDLgs8ZpuJftOcfT0NTH8gpKH0QYNxTXpJf4NYvCgLRhuYulv0A7Y1rHXCxbnI/s640/IMG_1547.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze wound guitar strings are added.</td></tr>
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The stairway itself and the mesh walkway were painted separately then glued together. Only now can I start putting the hand rails together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY_DRTlcmmuxnqnucm3Y-bIqgcjMTKL3iZMu0GTB_QTi4gsgMWMDXNqraZybdoCqk3U8hXCkbr27jg1bLm4SwOVFwcR9VWToq22717_xtPPaREHcusgzaUxmpN_XA5jvrnzrivwtFdUE/s1600/IMG_1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY_DRTlcmmuxnqnucm3Y-bIqgcjMTKL3iZMu0GTB_QTi4gsgMWMDXNqraZybdoCqk3U8hXCkbr27jg1bLm4SwOVFwcR9VWToq22717_xtPPaREHcusgzaUxmpN_XA5jvrnzrivwtFdUE/s640/IMG_1552.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rather like my little brass circle details!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgyCBjBibtpNBCEhxXMuODtKivRs_fMgyisZw5pVgFpC2EI17F0oPe8P9VAGyeWm6cUacSf5h-1wbdABdAcGG0U87IQfFs5sqUBqBeIDc_-HRmd2U2VsUUgtKckdin4EDgnGPDjLfH9Q/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1101" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgyCBjBibtpNBCEhxXMuODtKivRs_fMgyisZw5pVgFpC2EI17F0oPe8P9VAGyeWm6cUacSf5h-1wbdABdAcGG0U87IQfFs5sqUBqBeIDc_-HRmd2U2VsUUgtKckdin4EDgnGPDjLfH9Q/s640/IMG_1554.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for hand rails.</td></tr>
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With the main components ready to glue into place, I will now turn my attention to finishing the Stargate and controls, and the handrails for the stairs. I also want to add a coal bunker for the boiler, and I'm not happy with the base - so that will have to be redone before the final construction can be completed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePwIseV5EVHP69EcpspmmPpal44GduigOVuv9AIjrRp1fy-2J26OfHZSdUMcI7I1VfWRBhjOw3EBpfBIs1W9VOCsUv5MA_M38WOTeNYoWAejpwzTH4vY1v2JuKfxwUa_MNOvPFvRYXH4/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePwIseV5EVHP69EcpspmmPpal44GduigOVuv9AIjrRp1fy-2J26OfHZSdUMcI7I1VfWRBhjOw3EBpfBIs1W9VOCsUv5MA_M38WOTeNYoWAejpwzTH4vY1v2JuKfxwUa_MNOvPFvRYXH4/s640/IMG_1559.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boiler and chimney</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt4_r6fymA1Z5xLRkMHnSiRbUa5oj0lQ-q3PQa2zleu1aPfPR2beoS3Bs6VWtOag8ygnpZ1aUX16AJb2eEyTwFOqeP-eDBBDCWzgtAUZl-5lR5sFuoQmU8xfOsUElR-cmO9guqaXZ-T4/s1600/IMG_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1600" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt4_r6fymA1Z5xLRkMHnSiRbUa5oj0lQ-q3PQa2zleu1aPfPR2beoS3Bs6VWtOag8ygnpZ1aUX16AJb2eEyTwFOqeP-eDBBDCWzgtAUZl-5lR5sFuoQmU8xfOsUElR-cmO9guqaXZ-T4/s640/IMG_1561.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boiler and chimney again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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All in all I think that's looking rather splendid! More soon!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx4i0WTkxD4XA4MBwbmUeUiDhRUVTQ_CbEvjV5aZc9aoMMhlaZZ1citbHqZkp39gT__a0gZ_XzbaPbF4AAVsw9thXKeL-9Gf2s4WfyOPAd04aUxc22TncW2UyNQ1a7HBNjOLiIpIhZW4/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1486" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx4i0WTkxD4XA4MBwbmUeUiDhRUVTQ_CbEvjV5aZc9aoMMhlaZZ1citbHqZkp39gT__a0gZ_XzbaPbF4AAVsw9thXKeL-9Gf2s4WfyOPAd04aUxc22TncW2UyNQ1a7HBNjOLiIpIhZW4/s640/IMG_1548.JPG" width="593" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to finish this beast!</td></tr>
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All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-41788114080677172502019-01-05T16:24:00.000+13:002019-01-05T16:24:23.197+13:00Putting It All On The RecordHi, All!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFChkxMz3XMd7r5aTUpV0N_qOFGRXh1qriT5TViELXGW8WWsVIlmpWIEdFPqvWoGHTTdWrHvm75Tz_ALNAReBX3YN5_BxMJ_ewV0VgT_GfynQsiibn2azxi9UhqDCzIfR28K8RyNu2DQ/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1443" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFChkxMz3XMd7r5aTUpV0N_qOFGRXh1qriT5TViELXGW8WWsVIlmpWIEdFPqvWoGHTTdWrHvm75Tz_ALNAReBX3YN5_BxMJ_ewV0VgT_GfynQsiibn2azxi9UhqDCzIfR28K8RyNu2DQ/s640/IMG_1442.JPG" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The full setup for my steam-powered Stargate.</td></tr>
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A bit of an epic post for you today, as I've been rather busy since my last post! All of the components are now complete, festooned with rivets and ready for painting. So... Without further ado...<br />
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The Stargate piece is made up of a number of components: the gate itself, the plinth for the gate, the chimney, the engine, steps and walkway, a decorative base, some pipes, the control mechanisms and the Mysterious Shimmery Portal Bit. Each was built and detailed separately.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-Thhp-s4HvTWHjFvbaz-8EkVS0LScSfmib5UK2JU_Ty2y0-dvHwE_1RRMs8fSsUl6kDJ33Q5r-ik5QDb0cs-TTQnI1E0-cDgS-G6sDxGZduuudfLA5LPxU0EIFY0EHY31-eQzvhat1k/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-Thhp-s4HvTWHjFvbaz-8EkVS0LScSfmib5UK2JU_Ty2y0-dvHwE_1RRMs8fSsUl6kDJ33Q5r-ik5QDb0cs-TTQnI1E0-cDgS-G6sDxGZduuudfLA5LPxU0EIFY0EHY31-eQzvhat1k/s400/IMG_1408.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A record is cut to shape.</td></tr>
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In order to get things arranged properly, I had to plan the layout and build a base for the model. As with previous projects, I opted to use an old vinyl record I picked up at the local tip, however I decided this time to cut it into shape, rather than having a great big circle. This was far easier than I expected - a few scores with a sharp knife and the vinyl broke apart very neatly.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPehhmeFph5QXvaZyc8d_GeXATFqFsTgL7X4HAdZTUljvQ6O8K4rqG5C_Jgsv451z1IrVDSqtBxDgW-wCDq3fpb2uVr0zgO9mGqmPpRwmPY7Tu63joBlk4gyW6ByTbeiiZRx8iDji2fE/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPehhmeFph5QXvaZyc8d_GeXATFqFsTgL7X4HAdZTUljvQ6O8K4rqG5C_Jgsv451z1IrVDSqtBxDgW-wCDq3fpb2uVr0zgO9mGqmPpRwmPY7Tu63joBlk4gyW6ByTbeiiZRx8iDji2fE/s400/IMG_1409.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details are hand drawn into foamcore with the paper removed.</td></tr>
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Having cut the vinyl, I overlaid it with a piece of 5mm foamcore board, marked out and cut around where I wanted my main components, then peeled off the paper on one side and proceeded to draw stonework by hand with a soft pencil. Finally, the edges were shaved at an angle and the whole outline coated with PVA and grit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm0BpZIlV7WiNyQzZBRuXF-1mHvhb_tvBYJtG_PSCuE5IMMVnrUrHA51gI5T5ZV0Bg4TvfdcPRzlvjpwkYwtfLAxgsqKdFxOFmoyjxWTLZkSDg61ELdKKevRJzz0jk2LZHRMEk5-j3Bk/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm0BpZIlV7WiNyQzZBRuXF-1mHvhb_tvBYJtG_PSCuE5IMMVnrUrHA51gI5T5ZV0Bg4TvfdcPRzlvjpwkYwtfLAxgsqKdFxOFmoyjxWTLZkSDg61ELdKKevRJzz0jk2LZHRMEk5-j3Bk/s400/IMG_1400.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A framework is made from plastic board.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiFNQfecvPwJjuZbxOWcz5FxCTsZLXlsHQROe_5LWtGlLvea38UNHp0hxnRRCkwwHmcKizKes5yMNSpqTHdb-Az859Z-qUWIkuJvcbOsbts3SJv4vuxdhqEXaiNU8Z85-k7MXq7fJLHo/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiFNQfecvPwJjuZbxOWcz5FxCTsZLXlsHQROe_5LWtGlLvea38UNHp0hxnRRCkwwHmcKizKes5yMNSpqTHdb-Az859Z-qUWIkuJvcbOsbts3SJv4vuxdhqEXaiNU8Z85-k7MXq7fJLHo/s400/IMG_1401.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steps are laid using balsa spacers. </td></tr>
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For the stairs and walkway, I used 4mm strips of plastic board to build a framework, then carefully laid in steps using balsa wood offcuts as spacers. These will not stick to the poly cement I use, and so can be pulled back out again easily. A top layer was made separately, incorporating a piece of fine wire mesh. The various parts will be painted before assembly.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0ZblG_fAN0JhV3u8ynklr4cmNUUTIUiwqbmBs0UhLwfR0MKQi-VKbX_uHC3iwRxthic2fBfviu1zOCG1H43ENZjQoYoE9WpmbvJ0U29xSKhWWlRVVB1qPSSTigLuj7kh5UFcORqytU8/s1600/IMG_1421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0ZblG_fAN0JhV3u8ynklr4cmNUUTIUiwqbmBs0UhLwfR0MKQi-VKbX_uHC3iwRxthic2fBfviu1zOCG1H43ENZjQoYoE9WpmbvJ0U29xSKhWWlRVVB1qPSSTigLuj7kh5UFcORqytU8/s400/IMG_1421.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steps and walkway before painting.</td></tr>
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A new item that was required was the control mechanism - I had actually totally overlooked this as I began this model! So, I went for a bit of a rummage, gathered up a handful of likely looking bits and bobs and started gluing things together. It took only a few minutes to complete but I reckon with a coat of paint and some wiggly cables the controls will look great - they even have a spinny thing!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkgNxC2IBpRjV5aA6zbhQvxWQR1oBqFi3WzEyIt2ToNgv7mIDmA9GcCUGHbgueTfxAs9Z1gQl9kQPT5O4E0yGmOOCRVCAROntDcEqBjtdINodOldEknyit0mE-9eQLkt8zzHail1bjK4/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1600" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkgNxC2IBpRjV5aA6zbhQvxWQR1oBqFi3WzEyIt2ToNgv7mIDmA9GcCUGHbgueTfxAs9Z1gQl9kQPT5O4E0yGmOOCRVCAROntDcEqBjtdINodOldEknyit0mE-9eQLkt8zzHail1bjK4/s400/IMG_1422.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A watch mechanism and various bits and bobs make up the controls.</td></tr>
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Up until now, I had not paid much attention to the gate itself, and this turned out to be a bonus, as I happened upon some stoppers of a type I had used before in a local craft store. "Those doohickeys, Colonel," I told myself, "will make ideal zappy-coil-thingumabobs!" And so they did...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXOiVU31hQ0a7FaW9Nd1qU3iz_sSlI-XM6BRG_70mnda5QQvuBsbDVOpVTgX188tShy8gEV-jgAQOD6w1fkw3Vm42EgRMrH8N00gzldBhyI0tYCLrx-hxTtWj46xZjYy_8JLj6iwR4hM/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXOiVU31hQ0a7FaW9Nd1qU3iz_sSlI-XM6BRG_70mnda5QQvuBsbDVOpVTgX188tShy8gEV-jgAQOD6w1fkw3Vm42EgRMrH8N00gzldBhyI0tYCLrx-hxTtWj46xZjYy_8JLj6iwR4hM/s400/IMG_1428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gate and bottle stopper doohickeys.</td></tr>
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"But what about that Mysterious Shimmery Portal Bit?" I hear you cry. Well...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhYkEtLwVrsXp_ye7V848vUc4yQWFEc0Po1Xuyj2cKrByhU4JVbENiyZPbljvhUbqVK_ZNtnAUnOvrlKF2TAbLF3TCG3yaJTwGXJIBGr21OxmsCGd5dUCiYON_HusvPLUaR2086HU3IQ/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhYkEtLwVrsXp_ye7V848vUc4yQWFEc0Po1Xuyj2cKrByhU4JVbENiyZPbljvhUbqVK_ZNtnAUnOvrlKF2TAbLF3TCG3yaJTwGXJIBGr21OxmsCGd5dUCiYON_HusvPLUaR2086HU3IQ/s320/IMG_1415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acetate and gunky stuff, while wet...</td></tr>
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The MSPB was great fun, and really easy! I started with a sheet of plain acetate film, onto which I drew a larger circle than would eventually be needed, just as a guide. I then generously smeared this with Woodland Scenics Water Effects, added a couple of drops of gamma green acrylic ink and stippled the mix using an offcut of plastic. I did this on both sides of the acetate by lying it over the hole in a roll of masking tape.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFPALwojLGVM6AQ0kZ5IdZYrYf9wPqfRvEJ2b-Z1I-RPrE4y-jB0MoQVF_hs4jFSqud6QSx0saOPb1A6NRZyWhdGpH1sPafN0PqX0nG6-vModHsKJzpU9NlNs7RJhHrqQvNg8GhJikDQ/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFPALwojLGVM6AQ0kZ5IdZYrYf9wPqfRvEJ2b-Z1I-RPrE4y-jB0MoQVF_hs4jFSqud6QSx0saOPb1A6NRZyWhdGpH1sPafN0PqX0nG6-vModHsKJzpU9NlNs7RJhHrqQvNg8GhJikDQ/s320/IMG_1417.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and after drying.</td></tr>
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Now I have to say, Woodland Scenics Water Effect is amazing stuff! I used the same bottle I used for the river in Leadwood eight years ago and it was still perfect! Also, despite saying on the bottle that it dries in twenty four hours, I hung my sheet of acetate on the washing line in the sun and it was done in an hour. The end result was fantastic!<br />
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I had to glue the MSPB into the gate now, rather than after painting, as I want it to be inside the mechanism, with other details on both sides. To ensure I got it right, I cut a card template first as a test fit, then cut the acetate to match.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKjoZYehMHsC2YX1lN7sSDm31zu2cF6NbfRiTU0QRy4ilTQru5ZPXja7R-k6LLJalJjEuS7JXD-ZdLKgZjfs8VFZzrZmVYaGn6g1ZoFVBsZOxYcoh9rOhyGdRNi4w8T0Vy29tXShvX8w/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1600" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKjoZYehMHsC2YX1lN7sSDm31zu2cF6NbfRiTU0QRy4ilTQru5ZPXja7R-k6LLJalJjEuS7JXD-ZdLKgZjfs8VFZzrZmVYaGn6g1ZoFVBsZOxYcoh9rOhyGdRNi4w8T0Vy29tXShvX8w/s400/IMG_1440.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gate, with the MSPB cut to size and glued in. Doesn't that look spiffing!</td></tr>
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And with that, it was time to start cutting rivets!<br />
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I won't bore you with the details, but here are some pretty pictures...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FzI2UdjxDK62kWbZuF25A7UcGFBzs6XKg0uGu5Z50YdIj9NxIT4DkmtiBFfUsvpZh41aZNJ1SzvNR8mpeKgDel9gPq1i1TPgxmQA9E9thLre529eC0RLrBpT73zh4Zkf3z2K0OBcErA/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FzI2UdjxDK62kWbZuF25A7UcGFBzs6XKg0uGu5Z50YdIj9NxIT4DkmtiBFfUsvpZh41aZNJ1SzvNR8mpeKgDel9gPq1i1TPgxmQA9E9thLre529eC0RLrBpT73zh4Zkf3z2K0OBcErA/s400/IMG_1425.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plinth for the gate: 270 rivets. Note that I removed some cardboard panels to provide a stronger bond when I finally glue the gate down.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeJpnfH4uGBM7S6q0LNYRoCDsH17pKGYuT0-qMB67kdLuVvP0wZxAK7cHPQsSdLp96sTv2UCs_OSILzVtzv-ojGBIJRMrXdKz4uOMrB7k2wlb82AD5feh95CIgThBNdxJwJg1_nty2D0/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeJpnfH4uGBM7S6q0LNYRoCDsH17pKGYuT0-qMB67kdLuVvP0wZxAK7cHPQsSdLp96sTv2UCs_OSILzVtzv-ojGBIJRMrXdKz4uOMrB7k2wlb82AD5feh95CIgThBNdxJwJg1_nty2D0/s400/IMG_1426.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The engine: 223 rivets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSd7it5qPDkpfMbn_tBCKc32LQ-gKyk9pgg2eGtg6nUyrY6nE-GA1NA8rC5sAVIqNXryzBRiy2AyVNtJqRglt_VkQQJAd5wBqIrNeIOHkLXEpWeBp_6AIhgbFMi9KqxuS1WQIB9yNT1c/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="911" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSd7it5qPDkpfMbn_tBCKc32LQ-gKyk9pgg2eGtg6nUyrY6nE-GA1NA8rC5sAVIqNXryzBRiy2AyVNtJqRglt_VkQQJAd5wBqIrNeIOHkLXEpWeBp_6AIhgbFMi9KqxuS1WQIB9yNT1c/s400/IMG_1430.JPG" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chimney: 278 rivets. Various bits have been added since my last post.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqiDRVJx_IsO4Oq7wzOD8lcYX7LwbvQYqJdCFFOPBHJTUppdz37YbWoCVCIh2ItxRX3Z8M0wy0ewfyjmK7DU-NhbiDQmZJWCc1dqbF02BmntStSJLjLRfdga33810Qua3POKB_wUA56Y/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqiDRVJx_IsO4Oq7wzOD8lcYX7LwbvQYqJdCFFOPBHJTUppdz37YbWoCVCIh2ItxRX3Z8M0wy0ewfyjmK7DU-NhbiDQmZJWCc1dqbF02BmntStSJLjLRfdga33810Qua3POKB_wUA56Y/s640/IMG_1444.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivets abound!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS_qfFwFLRdXhUmFDJFbFuzTi1Zt1uhXvy_fCqWkM6PxYCExRhyphenhyphenM8f866359RCF0aOYSe5fCKjpSV47O6-0U8VPdiIHWyM4p64bGCjYxjESBz58QhU485lelbxLWgKPp-CjsdeucxrPc/s1600/IMG_1445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1346" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS_qfFwFLRdXhUmFDJFbFuzTi1Zt1uhXvy_fCqWkM6PxYCExRhyphenhyphenM8f866359RCF0aOYSe5fCKjpSV47O6-0U8VPdiIHWyM4p64bGCjYxjESBz58QhU485lelbxLWgKPp-CjsdeucxrPc/s400/IMG_1445.JPG" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The engine again, and the rear of the gate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxb_jQoN8UYReRLN4aIGomemuToH40bJpxSCso2e3RUe0ZmKqwrw-bNTokqvPyILZE7SrMYzBqO8Vklj1XnJ9Ekhx4sI0wyJ3sXkEhM-tYx2VJIoOOiuOqkkrwlAeChfABW2HEWqv0B4k/s1600/IMG_1447+%2528Edited%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="640" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxb_jQoN8UYReRLN4aIGomemuToH40bJpxSCso2e3RUe0ZmKqwrw-bNTokqvPyILZE7SrMYzBqO8Vklj1XnJ9Ekhx4sI0wyJ3sXkEhM-tYx2VJIoOOiuOqkkrwlAeChfABW2HEWqv0B4k/s640/IMG_1447+%2528Edited%2529.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1-loHIgszlLuG3cCxV0GNI7ltm73OcFNDm1omISMxTSydZS201q35iYRAKheYXwUvgbW6dhmNJTGRWZ9TmYbL-NeyadM2ie8wByGTlmrJDJgtERMoy5RKJKhh4oqha1iq73br1jPFNc/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1479" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1-loHIgszlLuG3cCxV0GNI7ltm73OcFNDm1omISMxTSydZS201q35iYRAKheYXwUvgbW6dhmNJTGRWZ9TmYbL-NeyadM2ie8wByGTlmrJDJgtERMoy5RKJKhh4oqha1iq73br1jPFNc/s400/IMG_1443.JPG" width="368" /></a></div>
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After quite a few hours, the <b>Rivet Count</b> for this creation stands at:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1,317 !</b><br />
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And so there you go! I'm ready to start painting! See you soon!<br />
<br />
All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-8994436816497074982018-12-31T13:56:00.000+13:002019-01-01T10:43:33.231+13:00Boiler's In The BagHi, All!<br />
<br />
Since it's the holidays, I've had plenty of time to progress with my steam-powered stargate project.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIuqIcVlg-07wWyKLCmcGdP9PUFgUqbyYCl-sM8tVAOY_qXjUfagihXyU6NdkAS4XP5cAi4WaNP2b1bqWlAtKHM1K8N9ozUb_Hruwbu2LUpBorB460fx86DH7YIABqsFTCfwCSdfMJYA/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIuqIcVlg-07wWyKLCmcGdP9PUFgUqbyYCl-sM8tVAOY_qXjUfagihXyU6NdkAS4XP5cAi4WaNP2b1bqWlAtKHM1K8N9ozUb_Hruwbu2LUpBorB460fx86DH7YIABqsFTCfwCSdfMJYA/s400/IMG_1398.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam powered stargate, starting to take shape...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Having made reasonable progress on the gate itself, I shifted my attentions to the boiler and chimney. And, as I've been out of practice for a while, I referred back to my earlier <a href="http://colonelotruth.blogspot.com/2011/06/full-steam-ahead.html">HMSW Gargantua</a> project from time to time...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzPFPb-Qv38HiT7i6d1Qa6wYpwz3UU_BnhVCBgJNHFHRz2tzILpRJmkdFCNZFCtBr4RNbXbA9tY9ccgIxMNBK6QZoPZYMJxVcXX9sj7kqHqpEHKCaZ_DtTPxuyWsVwDbwqK9jWxEpxYk/s1600/P2090014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzPFPb-Qv38HiT7i6d1Qa6wYpwz3UU_BnhVCBgJNHFHRz2tzILpRJmkdFCNZFCtBr4RNbXbA9tY9ccgIxMNBK6QZoPZYMJxVcXX9sj7kqHqpEHKCaZ_DtTPxuyWsVwDbwqK9jWxEpxYk/s320/P2090014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boiler from HMSW Gargantua.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The boiler is a real back-to-basics model, made from the old classics of a cardboard tube (from Christmas wrapping paper) the lid of a wine bottle and various scraps and off-cuts. It's important when working with rough materials such as these that you keep in mind the end result, as things can look pretty scrappy until the paint goes on. It's easy to get disheartened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOKlzuFPLQCbu8u-JGJCcNJqNVNum27O71vAF7SJdoHvjGyqXdZv299Q7hNX5L8-Pdeca0bLx4lNEx7mUFzL2q0uT2clDpjbr10oLUTvNpKzUkMVG4Bk_RLhM20NVyvp0u636EtSmRgs/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOKlzuFPLQCbu8u-JGJCcNJqNVNum27O71vAF7SJdoHvjGyqXdZv299Q7hNX5L8-Pdeca0bLx4lNEx7mUFzL2q0uT2clDpjbr10oLUTvNpKzUkMVG4Bk_RLhM20NVyvp0u636EtSmRgs/s400/IMG_1379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A base of scrap card, a piece of cardboard tube and a bottle top. Hi tech indeed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMggGMszxDDIlB3U4W4w_hicwaVBHGbuAam90wKQ9nSgRAoqRk8ZoAXLQB2rXKuy6Ayd_FmROYfq94vC3Eb3t6YEFmc1PZuKsnLFV9xKc4f48fodcnK5FuXAmWCvk3wslGYOmy3Bt7x08/s1600/IMG_1380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMggGMszxDDIlB3U4W4w_hicwaVBHGbuAam90wKQ9nSgRAoqRk8ZoAXLQB2rXKuy6Ayd_FmROYfq94vC3Eb3t6YEFmc1PZuKsnLFV9xKc4f48fodcnK5FuXAmWCvk3wslGYOmy3Bt7x08/s320/IMG_1380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A framework is quickly put together.</td></tr>
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"Chin up, old chap," I said to myself, "See the shape - not the materials!" And sure enough, it started to come together.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjxyOVflCHwqZJPCI3OXCpzofWA8IzMme4aVxFxxG0XvHridpmVWF02q4oyAEDAMqDEFYzJcy_M2n-5VUI_W9kp3QSi3PUP-dkUVCKNJa2wPGP__rk5AGGyJ_-ARyLLRP8pY0cvEFwis/s1600/IMG_1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjxyOVflCHwqZJPCI3OXCpzofWA8IzMme4aVxFxxG0XvHridpmVWF02q4oyAEDAMqDEFYzJcy_M2n-5VUI_W9kp3QSi3PUP-dkUVCKNJa2wPGP__rk5AGGyJ_-ARyLLRP8pY0cvEFwis/s320/IMG_1382.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basic structure. A red button joins the furnace to the boiler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxVtMG4uU9yU1vwQ9iOSEDZNhyphenhyphenKx8EVLXObxiXrvqHttPZ4lejl1pCBDBdu2nOBUPqXm9ZAFjv0hnkcvaw619TFxeQvKJ2750Icsuujbq-PHd5DqouJmnrEHbTeMA0Qoupflps2IYig0/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxVtMG4uU9yU1vwQ9iOSEDZNhyphenhyphenKx8EVLXObxiXrvqHttPZ4lejl1pCBDBdu2nOBUPqXm9ZAFjv0hnkcvaw619TFxeQvKJ2750Icsuujbq-PHd5DqouJmnrEHbTeMA0Qoupflps2IYig0/s320/IMG_1383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details start to be added. Another stone base is fashioned from card.</td></tr>
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As I was basically making a modified version of the Gargantua boiler I'd already invented, this piece wasn't particularly taxing. Indeed, the danger was that I found myself rushing it - and I may yet add more details. Of course, there will be plenty of rivets!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRp_lCL-z247VPUVd90rFkxibBP-XkLFYc1cv1rfbTYxmrVVAc74myaUoXCc1y53phkmSjXnAIiZ1cLMnY75EHuqHTH7c0UOHBz89loed8hj9qDXTnnF8pI98FVASMU59EbtpDk664Eo/s1600/IMG_1397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRp_lCL-z247VPUVd90rFkxibBP-XkLFYc1cv1rfbTYxmrVVAc74myaUoXCc1y53phkmSjXnAIiZ1cLMnY75EHuqHTH7c0UOHBz89loed8hj9qDXTnnF8pI98FVASMU59EbtpDk664Eo/s400/IMG_1397.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main boiler details in place. I may still make changes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVF5CV6AJ1CL1Z87iweD-P3PSZnUy-nR_ASUW7qh_utE59lDsAnuV-HakkFBJKgcsGcUpXcaXSL-Hf2WvHo0togFhqcZ7OjjoU1zGvu2gcvf6agDF4sfVsb6tkcVxeNtDEGMe5UY3u9c/s1600/IMG_1404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1600" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVF5CV6AJ1CL1Z87iweD-P3PSZnUy-nR_ASUW7qh_utE59lDsAnuV-HakkFBJKgcsGcUpXcaXSL-Hf2WvHo0togFhqcZ7OjjoU1zGvu2gcvf6agDF4sfVsb6tkcVxeNtDEGMe5UY3u9c/s400/IMG_1404.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Additional details are added.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Finally, having reached an almost-done point, I set the boiler aside for a bit to come back to it later. I find that this is a very useful practice, as you tend to notice small errors and areas for improvement when you come back with fresh eyes.<br />
<br />
So the chimneys got some attention...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdX_tNHXVR1pxWrAarWKcFNK1OBvkfxOv1VZvq2u1Lgy8KiYoS6C1OazmFcHOmhZsFkj8RqjcMAOdm-UaSRG5b93vJf7C-1r0KoO1RpVkfg-5_sikj7ahxFhLdH5e8JKLaRkTgl5Mzoc/s1600/IMG_1387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdX_tNHXVR1pxWrAarWKcFNK1OBvkfxOv1VZvq2u1Lgy8KiYoS6C1OazmFcHOmhZsFkj8RqjcMAOdm-UaSRG5b93vJf7C-1r0KoO1RpVkfg-5_sikj7ahxFhLdH5e8JKLaRkTgl5Mzoc/s400/IMG_1387.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details are slowly added to one of the chimneys, which is mounted on a plastic board block and cardboard stone base.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Firstly, I decided that although the effect of two chimneys 'framing' the approach to the gate was quite cool, it wasn't right. The machine only needs one chimney. Also, the candlesticks were just a little too curvy in places.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DMO3lW-7FxR2GIsLNO9_VTCDWfJfmUls8sadqYIFlYmaBtyk40yWurg66WHJLPHj3jfOrHD7Fftb8ZHt6WGG7fl9Pu1N1FiXMlJCL_rEgWOXhd1O6DigkA1y9a9cYby1kwj6TIhbm30/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DMO3lW-7FxR2GIsLNO9_VTCDWfJfmUls8sadqYIFlYmaBtyk40yWurg66WHJLPHj3jfOrHD7Fftb8ZHt6WGG7fl9Pu1N1FiXMlJCL_rEgWOXhd1O6DigkA1y9a9cYby1kwj6TIhbm30/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masking tape fills the curves...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So I ditched one candlestick, and carefully filled in some of the curves on the other, also adding some banding in places, using slim strips of masking tape wrapped around and around until the desired thickness was reached.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIqFMtdwryyFz2X2qscBov5KyXdKINCINOo6tFofYwqqsI8OKOYFX-pfUZPYItAKEXGnBFZ6mYrEHKAPGoThqIBv68ZIlREK-1T5mD6ulPVjA425rxdfJMcWsq9VDLGA154MJ38_bj3k/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIqFMtdwryyFz2X2qscBov5KyXdKINCINOo6tFofYwqqsI8OKOYFX-pfUZPYItAKEXGnBFZ6mYrEHKAPGoThqIBv68ZIlREK-1T5mD6ulPVjA425rxdfJMcWsq9VDLGA154MJ38_bj3k/s400/IMG_1392.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to look much better!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had also built blocks for mounting the chimneys. these are supposed to be iron, but the detailing I'd added so far wasn't right. So I needed to make a few changes. Simple 4mm strips of plastic easily changed the appearance to something more machiney.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5vfaSH0X_zx-sJTSmcvqJdi91fk44Nz4kxGhVpOLmCXDUSFW8Z1PYCZTVCJp_vA3-PQtCdMlfvEwpyDcZbDlA29R7fllwAZ6m_lXnMiGYqRlG3QekyVm2n84YAXvCoTIiLAr5kJb00A/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5vfaSH0X_zx-sJTSmcvqJdi91fk44Nz4kxGhVpOLmCXDUSFW8Z1PYCZTVCJp_vA3-PQtCdMlfvEwpyDcZbDlA29R7fllwAZ6m_lXnMiGYqRlG3QekyVm2n84YAXvCoTIiLAr5kJb00A/s400/IMG_1405.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun with this one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So there you go for now... Next up are the stairs and walkway that will lead into the stargate, more work on the gate itself, and of course, plenty of rivets!<br />
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All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-44250318585107752442018-12-29T15:25:00.000+13:002018-12-29T15:25:18.670+13:00Step Inside...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi All!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_WCPoAdBe0_2iR5blV4U006VgEcqohCFXo30mcT2A5x8c-JFRVj2jsRZWKhiWiys3aSHWH7Xsl9xKb1ONx7eRKQ8o5w8n9XruqCv4ru2pQVd-BJYTH6ToIci-HZVsLTkQ8zMmB7eEZ0/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1600" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_WCPoAdBe0_2iR5blV4U006VgEcqohCFXo30mcT2A5x8c-JFRVj2jsRZWKhiWiys3aSHWH7Xsl9xKb1ONx7eRKQ8o5w8n9XruqCv4ru2pQVd-BJYTH6ToIci-HZVsLTkQ8zMmB7eEZ0/s400/IMG_1354.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candlesticks and a great big copper thingummy? This modern technology stuff is truly baffling!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Since I appear to have come out of retirement, I thought I should dig through my various boxes of accumulated bits and bobs, to see what I could find and get going on a new project.<br />
<br />
And blow me down if I didn't find a big coppery magnety transformerish thingumabob.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnmHvObzClHmFrM7hoaXp1IY8pBOIo2jaKHwxMWWhIPCpTD8qGSl4FEPf2Pgidc1SUL9JURKiCR8CvR0hTCWKcFFj80zkD9tYm36BunwGNXN22Yw6dc2yxmrkvKtdY2kJ4Z1__k6HB9s/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnmHvObzClHmFrM7hoaXp1IY8pBOIo2jaKHwxMWWhIPCpTD8qGSl4FEPf2Pgidc1SUL9JURKiCR8CvR0hTCWKcFFj80zkD9tYm36BunwGNXN22Yw6dc2yxmrkvKtdY2kJ4Z1__k6HB9s/s400/IMG_1350.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Mark XII thingummy. Obviously.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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"Gadzooks!" I exclaimed, "It's a miniaturised steam-powered stargate! I wondered where that had gone..."<br />
<br />
And so began a new build...<br />
<br />
For this set-piece, I will be creating the stargate itself, a couple of chimneys, a boiler, a plinth for the gate and a stair and gantry. And a plethora of tubes, pipes, cables and so on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGrgfwr_5TEb0LnKXC1buxvz0i0RkdvtApqQyv4XjCe09xXi7bp69YMM8cjSqLzMxTtEZ0hNR2lDHxJRoeuY4Sj8tEyjazkncOMwpSS0bL5KKf-298W66AGb30meezwsug8heXAoH2tM/s1600/IMG_1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1297" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGrgfwr_5TEb0LnKXC1buxvz0i0RkdvtApqQyv4XjCe09xXi7bp69YMM8cjSqLzMxTtEZ0hNR2lDHxJRoeuY4Sj8tEyjazkncOMwpSS0bL5KKf-298W66AGb30meezwsug8heXAoH2tM/s400/IMG_1369.JPG" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rough layout is mapped out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I shall start with the gate and plinth.<br />
<br />
The thingummy on its own is a fantastic bit of work, with loads of iron and exposed copper - but the plastic insulation, dirty string and bits of insulated wire had to go. This took half an hour or so. What bits of plastic I couldn't remove were then hidden behind strips of black card.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvIF3FYea-FYZxCP6O2Dv5m9YBuNMwugWe4XibKSs4-nlezqRPYthHeeWs1Y17vWAtfdz2e8gdYZ0btj2N4VAIxvRMWyY5y3GkYTE2wcAnXnWIcdT_Y1K_Aikqlfx7UH84CabcTQ98BA/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvIF3FYea-FYZxCP6O2Dv5m9YBuNMwugWe4XibKSs4-nlezqRPYthHeeWs1Y17vWAtfdz2e8gdYZ0btj2N4VAIxvRMWyY5y3GkYTE2wcAnXnWIcdT_Y1K_Aikqlfx7UH84CabcTQ98BA/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic insulation is removed to expose the copper beneath.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhkxtcSbtXsfxnjY523aA8wj_XD3xK8Xt2ty5poB5q-S_vaPe_ZEckONcVVzlnFVTzM8FO2RLAA83cBa5DWc3aNySD9hJoW7gE5zec_DANxwhovX9Q_T7cZMOZ9LejhNWVoC12cqDmv0/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhkxtcSbtXsfxnjY523aA8wj_XD3xK8Xt2ty5poB5q-S_vaPe_ZEckONcVVzlnFVTzM8FO2RLAA83cBa5DWc3aNySD9hJoW7gE5zec_DANxwhovX9Q_T7cZMOZ9LejhNWVoC12cqDmv0/s320/IMG_1363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plinth begins.</td></tr>
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The plinth is a lid from a clear plastic box, adorned with bits of card and plastic board. This makes it strong enough to take the considerable weight of the gate. I gradually added details such as loops to anchor cables to the gate later on, and cut a stone base from some thick card.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPkKy45XB1y6MvVxOTG-nZ6omVeWSzITu4mRpyVnIXu1LXoDKusOzhk9lTR9iA-TE3vLzZA1HMmExARqknT1IdnqHQ53aMRR74GovfYvL2A7WK_C9BTTbuxrwvMkNTTrv_rrJ8l0OZ5Q/s1600/IMG_1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPkKy45XB1y6MvVxOTG-nZ6omVeWSzITu4mRpyVnIXu1LXoDKusOzhk9lTR9iA-TE3vLzZA1HMmExARqknT1IdnqHQ53aMRR74GovfYvL2A7WK_C9BTTbuxrwvMkNTTrv_rrJ8l0OZ5Q/s320/IMG_1371.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stones are cut randomly, freehand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznRPfkzvkd-hjuPEuispYWgrOrG8a_kSrUN4M8VQwFQC63IpyvkLd_tWG4r7PisdDTn3p0da1vzW4ALh_lWF7tlR22gNOwYbObz5CMCnVbCD8QCdXMDsKNsdDqeb-Kvd0GRop1LfUfy0/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznRPfkzvkd-hjuPEuispYWgrOrG8a_kSrUN4M8VQwFQC63IpyvkLd_tWG4r7PisdDTn3p0da1vzW4ALh_lWF7tlR22gNOwYbObz5CMCnVbCD8QCdXMDsKNsdDqeb-Kvd0GRop1LfUfy0/s320/IMG_1372.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plinth and base.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUgmomWsLyPdWYC8MgN1KJbZYrCeLiVVARZP4mfgNrvoe3ti_0jiZ3plwyeHtDfKCJFpQC5XzUG5-mWpSZIyUElrRQFU6bcVdp9qaxgQUaWKYTNPyFUv9D19R3H8OjS2j9Rn6AhzKrRs/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUgmomWsLyPdWYC8MgN1KJbZYrCeLiVVARZP4mfgNrvoe3ti_0jiZ3plwyeHtDfKCJFpQC5XzUG5-mWpSZIyUElrRQFU6bcVdp9qaxgQUaWKYTNPyFUv9D19R3H8OjS2j9Rn6AhzKrRs/s400/IMG_1373.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loops on the plinth and stargate will be joined by cables later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As I was working on the plinth, I was also adding panels to the outside of the gate - rivets will of course be applied later! I also created a circular framework for the rear of the stargate, as the copper wire on this side was a little dented and damaged from removing various electrical components.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DpdbcWUV8Q_oGbDvwLHCXaxW7Z61px-d5nE1EjBAzkqC5Zq1X-Ma-0E5IrpATeA5c2UAFj_fgv_rMIFmnQ4TSalXynOUcmlGL-SUfAzmb0ln4csC1XlLcKHAa5XE5Uskr_SegnDp4e8/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DpdbcWUV8Q_oGbDvwLHCXaxW7Z61px-d5nE1EjBAzkqC5Zq1X-Ma-0E5IrpATeA5c2UAFj_fgv_rMIFmnQ4TSalXynOUcmlGL-SUfAzmb0ln4csC1XlLcKHAa5XE5Uskr_SegnDp4e8/s400/IMG_1374.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panels of black card are added.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1K5LJn9EwDdf9bviRaC8kjxfMLd54wDuCl652TznDWtmS2VjrgKgBVJZVqv1ZV5V0r-CDdz4_Cr3CVbyJTiQaCnG8DgNbFITJc2hHxxjeVa3WnP2awplqAbX1eXZKejI3rxksYXB7tA/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1K5LJn9EwDdf9bviRaC8kjxfMLd54wDuCl652TznDWtmS2VjrgKgBVJZVqv1ZV5V0r-CDdz4_Cr3CVbyJTiQaCnG8DgNbFITJc2hHxxjeVa3WnP2awplqAbX1eXZKejI3rxksYXB7tA/s400/IMG_1375.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plastic frame is quickly constructed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So there you go for now... I'm heading back to the table to carry on with this one! The gate should be done fairly quickly and I can move on to the other components. Watch this space!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76Clpu667czn1YMwpygkX1j9tBIC4tElrCcSYTFutmPo5OUtZPXQ4EETkAI7p41q8dlYQBAX4YBX75tErQG_Ah6u4V20MrOJAFLQyw5zj1X2xU8qQXr8b9o7tXyzoWxkpxGhovNyfot8/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76Clpu667czn1YMwpygkX1j9tBIC4tElrCcSYTFutmPo5OUtZPXQ4EETkAI7p41q8dlYQBAX4YBX75tErQG_Ah6u4V20MrOJAFLQyw5zj1X2xU8qQXr8b9o7tXyzoWxkpxGhovNyfot8/s400/IMG_1366.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What an exciting pile of discarded rubbish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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All the Best!<br />
<br />Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-78335983859565492432018-12-27T17:14:00.001+13:002018-12-27T17:14:38.404+13:00Still Floating Around...Hi, All!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ7yU3lAxLBeorz2v2t7go_4uyGExZoHkqDTDZzQ0WyIDMISH7fntYc4CIjZDPGcLgQyUilGBNgQOW00kQTD4hH6-WnIw-px5PneW2gRBSAgwggUzVCM8O-1uCGB7epkXd74fviSzIdA/s1600/IMG_1307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ7yU3lAxLBeorz2v2t7go_4uyGExZoHkqDTDZzQ0WyIDMISH7fntYc4CIjZDPGcLgQyUilGBNgQOW00kQTD4hH6-WnIw-px5PneW2gRBSAgwggUzVCM8O-1uCGB7epkXd74fviSzIdA/s640/IMG_1307.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Returning slowly, but in style...</td></tr>
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Remember me? Good grief! I thought I'd take a short break from all this blogging stuff and I'll be damned if it didn't turn into three years!<br />
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First of all, let me thank everyone who sent emails and inquiries over the last couple of years regarding my whereabouts, health, etc., or expressing their wishes that I should continue with my creations and this blog. I hope my latest piece will satisfy you all!<br />
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"Oh, get on with it, Colonel," I hear you cry...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMbaQ2q4SHFNnxit2iwZbjV1Z6GcpxTtCADagBncwyhlJpcmWmWyIyC-eLY2erMhmkccDAEuVzWF5k6HVXddrg35kNYePf58bT6OV8PU1wqcej5_u74Mf4fqh8mzGWCW8vmkVZPKWnTI/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMbaQ2q4SHFNnxit2iwZbjV1Z6GcpxTtCADagBncwyhlJpcmWmWyIyC-eLY2erMhmkccDAEuVzWF5k6HVXddrg35kNYePf58bT6OV8PU1wqcej5_u74Mf4fqh8mzGWCW8vmkVZPKWnTI/s400/IMG_1067.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concept sketch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Just like most VSF/Steampunk enthusiasts, I had often toyed with ideas for an airship of some description, but it was always just another idea on the list until a friend commissioned me to make one for him. "Rivets and stuff?" I mused, "For money? Good Lord!"<br />
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So dusted off the old tools, replaced all the paints that had turned to plastic in their pots, and got on with creating.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AqiRdJTqdBDTFVqEClanmhH0k4GJPaTJDFTN6diNoky3ztVGCtquypNigrghHSPcsTtWnyyOWZeLKJbrx4HI3Qdzacu_-gFAevWuT_5SbJSTe9SkgKwxto9JxQ30Dmy6NVwa0I-lIrc/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AqiRdJTqdBDTFVqEClanmhH0k4GJPaTJDFTN6diNoky3ztVGCtquypNigrghHSPcsTtWnyyOWZeLKJbrx4HI3Qdzacu_-gFAevWuT_5SbJSTe9SkgKwxto9JxQ30Dmy6NVwa0I-lIrc/s320/IMG_1069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two steel light shades provide the main structure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The first question I had to address was how to make the balloon - how big, how to get the right shape, and also because I'm incapable of keeping my mouth shut if an idea is trying to get out, I'd suggested that, "Wouldn't it be great if I built lighting into it too...?"<br />
<br />
Bloomin' idiot!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRrIJuXRQrQSp8e9QssBQtd8X6dZ5tSA4G1_RyWTMCsOqqjYQQts0QYX-VM9T0d2yWK9L22WTueoGMBlieej4r1fhXjDaH6NyQ-Tzady1n8jXXqdN-Uy-bySofQyvrjzATVrWmMf47iU/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRrIJuXRQrQSp8e9QssBQtd8X6dZ5tSA4G1_RyWTMCsOqqjYQQts0QYX-VM9T0d2yWK9L22WTueoGMBlieej4r1fhXjDaH6NyQ-Tzady1n8jXXqdN-Uy-bySofQyvrjzATVrWmMf47iU/s400/IMG_1096.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic board completes the shape, while a nice chunky computer fan adds a rear propeller.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDpn0uV0cSlb6ItdWuJ5aGIM5IRw-tH1ZzLR3hL5Uz0aZZ9EONKIneUJqtZrdbAF1QW7FGICryNbD__FrXuERGkGmAFzVnz7W8Haw1P9kAiQSRu6RVfRoDu1lQvuj0DvT4aNOkW1GuJs/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDpn0uV0cSlb6ItdWuJ5aGIM5IRw-tH1ZzLR3hL5Uz0aZZ9EONKIneUJqtZrdbAF1QW7FGICryNbD__FrXuERGkGmAFzVnz7W8Haw1P9kAiQSRu6RVfRoDu1lQvuj0DvT4aNOkW1GuJs/s320/IMG_1125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low voltage wires are installed to hang the model from, as well as providing power to hidden LED strips. A broken LED lamp and a golf tee become the nose cone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I looked at various options and finally settled on two light shades joined together, exactly how I had created the rocket ship in my last post. However, this combination alone wasn't quite right as it didn't really allow for large cabins/gondolas, etc., so I added a collar of plastic board in between them. A big fat computer fan (no, not Nigel...) was added as a propeller. The base of a broken LED lamp became the nose cone.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDCE-xysgF3mtjF8CD6Vqt_SHSVWLEkbZMeY-uTbIqLVNTezmaylVBKdZcGmBB-VxQU9rzvyGxhQ_DNEkQ10DVRxMKhnEyRsXBnbWgGuTQIb5yGYGWENK1soQGbzWEmCqu9ZyqXZ3tGQ/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDCE-xysgF3mtjF8CD6Vqt_SHSVWLEkbZMeY-uTbIqLVNTezmaylVBKdZcGmBB-VxQU9rzvyGxhQ_DNEkQ10DVRxMKhnEyRsXBnbWgGuTQIb5yGYGWENK1soQGbzWEmCqu9ZyqXZ3tGQ/s400/IMG_1179.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side gantries are constructed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now it was time to add the interesting bits.<br />
<br />
I started with the side gantries, which I constructed from plastic board. The wood work was textured using heavy sandpaper, then planks were defined by scoring/scraping with a knife held at 90° to a straight-edge. Ping-pong balls were cut and poked through holes in the end panels to create domes, and finally the port-holes were made from disposable contact lens cases.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hd0Zjma4qLeTixGo1LGEHgWjlqI30Yngwh7cz6dRbKYBcZFib-IY9FjAQ4SdwmrWzKOp5_VDu94Ox3YE45ws2JIOJNLAs5GqFtnmB0PRgs9tDQ_Oc7FeURpf87qLa-_yKGPlyc5NFCs/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hd0Zjma4qLeTixGo1LGEHgWjlqI30Yngwh7cz6dRbKYBcZFib-IY9FjAQ4SdwmrWzKOp5_VDu94Ox3YE45ws2JIOJNLAs5GqFtnmB0PRgs9tDQ_Oc7FeURpf87qLa-_yKGPlyc5NFCs/s400/IMG_1184.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let there be light!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had wired LED strips in place earlier. The gantries were laid on over these and... OOPS! Everything glowed! Planks, metalwork, the lot! I realised that it would take far too many coats of paint to cut out the light that was diffusing beautifully though the white plastic - so I poured myself a wee drink, took a breath, and pulled it all apart again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jUqwfpQiyU2mtGEjlNSuRHWIz_Ca20f1YM3c8_9hA3rSmlM7fVtnzAgyDglFuYXPlsiXLUSIwguINOmcTHU3QktFtu6OtlRFqCKexhX90toR0wQ2lFJl8srCbwySVeH0JsSYSZ22eNY/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jUqwfpQiyU2mtGEjlNSuRHWIz_Ca20f1YM3c8_9hA3rSmlM7fVtnzAgyDglFuYXPlsiXLUSIwguINOmcTHU3QktFtu6OtlRFqCKexhX90toR0wQ2lFJl8srCbwySVeH0JsSYSZ22eNY/s400/IMG_1249.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basic structure complete and card bands glued on. As you can see, light is still getting through in some areas at this stage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Oh, well. It's a learning curve, innit?<br />
<br />
The answer was to line everything with black card. Or, in the case of the bits I hadn't built yet, to make them from card first, then finish them with plastic. Windows were made from acetate sheet, frosted by sanding it with very fine sandpaper.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AzvCzRFU_oTeknErZmTdbAI4eHPaS-XO_JyyfBxNVWp3b9KuI7yPn0U-Ndx5zVF3Mu4LtCrtuuvDj3_SdcvwYG9R1WTmtcJOJEXV9vfUfeZov1JasaOTA43bluDOD04h8XyU-p6UzQI/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AzvCzRFU_oTeknErZmTdbAI4eHPaS-XO_JyyfBxNVWp3b9KuI7yPn0U-Ndx5zVF3Mu4LtCrtuuvDj3_SdcvwYG9R1WTmtcJOJEXV9vfUfeZov1JasaOTA43bluDOD04h8XyU-p6UzQI/s400/IMG_1253.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivets! Rivets, I tell you! Hahahahahaa!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After that, the rest of the construction was fairly straightforward - and it wasn't long before I was gluing on rivets! Just like old times...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeF_m9UGO45w7DNQq7T0-xgF-pvG388AfvJLL9q3krqi4l9aMRJXeCeHqBp8pJ5CN7rMn2Z0obHzLCi1_lPX3Tw3FSF6OGOKhDzpzPt9a8JOk0ukkIYE4Fn1ivrSUX8ABNFL21rkON3Q/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeF_m9UGO45w7DNQq7T0-xgF-pvG388AfvJLL9q3krqi4l9aMRJXeCeHqBp8pJ5CN7rMn2Z0obHzLCi1_lPX3Tw3FSF6OGOKhDzpzPt9a8JOk0ukkIYE4Fn1ivrSUX8ABNFL21rkON3Q/s400/IMG_1262.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bridge provides a nerve-wracking means of moving between the fore- and aft- gondolas...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlnthkCI16spsmH7VENGz0cwPU0P6RKwyNdcvt7XjqgO8DxOdvznFYWWpcSS3IgaTpoCbQe3zubVQGMplXuvt_zeH9Qd3lRw5e8Fs8wbitmJW73rHsvLzts4kp3A6ES-JeVsw0Rm2ksA/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlnthkCI16spsmH7VENGz0cwPU0P6RKwyNdcvt7XjqgO8DxOdvznFYWWpcSS3IgaTpoCbQe3zubVQGMplXuvt_zeH9Qd3lRw5e8Fs8wbitmJW73rHsvLzts4kp3A6ES-JeVsw0Rm2ksA/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The model starts to look nice and solid with the generous application of rivets...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ud3wmjpSUVnaSvcF_WyBbzHWl965CGWDwdzso0ZSK9k39KVyTX5pmLZ8tkhZnsMw9pSMGlaggcYzWPV7zm98-7t0JFTN99ydjU0UsHwZhoagozx7c1rcNxUbOOX-GPkPK8YVNrk8ekU/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ud3wmjpSUVnaSvcF_WyBbzHWl965CGWDwdzso0ZSK9k39KVyTX5pmLZ8tkhZnsMw9pSMGlaggcYzWPV7zm98-7t0JFTN99ydjU0UsHwZhoagozx7c1rcNxUbOOX-GPkPK8YVNrk8ekU/s400/IMG_1270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhat comically small wings provide a means of steering the vessel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXScxtqqzVw8CBg-mNgPmt8hoJTiAWbdMMDtW18jk1Id-61yh6zC1UktCfZcP9FVpZzvS8dfLVTmQA8p95XNPxHsOALs8xjTYKQP-aKHfl5PYHPWEBFcNMtCNg535yT1ZZmFNGWoOI6h8/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXScxtqqzVw8CBg-mNgPmt8hoJTiAWbdMMDtW18jk1Id-61yh6zC1UktCfZcP9FVpZzvS8dfLVTmQA8p95XNPxHsOALs8xjTYKQP-aKHfl5PYHPWEBFcNMtCNg535yT1ZZmFNGWoOI6h8/s400/IMG_1271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bottle cap adds an extra touch to the rear propeller.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Needless to say, this took some time... Until, finally, I was ready to start painting the bugger!<br />
<br />
I didn't want to use dark, heavy colours for this one, and I knew I wanted lots of copper. So I started with a brown undercoat everywhere, then applied base colours for wood, copper, steel and canvas.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVSdcq5Izog-dXKF9MT0WxekZOAF0sQA552nXRfmkzi11Y-yU_CwG-dKCBB2kwBwMvi2foaBz1m8cE3XGlVFSz2VP-Oj1q0OY4UOW7Jk_010GdXfHWWyjQlH4AFW7MgH8JHZ_D74RKv4/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVSdcq5Izog-dXKF9MT0WxekZOAF0sQA552nXRfmkzi11Y-yU_CwG-dKCBB2kwBwMvi2foaBz1m8cE3XGlVFSz2VP-Oj1q0OY4UOW7Jk_010GdXfHWWyjQlH4AFW7MgH8JHZ_D74RKv4/s400/IMG_1277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base colours go on. I'm not bothered about tidiness at this stage. Everything can be fixed later and windows will be scraped clean. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRY9kKO6ZLnTtoDaaT9iecHBPmhgtcm2ENJWwiXyDQKVhScrTYShDlyAp8Z86rxXw7fEuwdamoP1Hp81_wKlkwjhiO-1nSFK2I36hQVSL0fN18umnfazigAHMNawKxduxuZ-TUwQV1q4/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRY9kKO6ZLnTtoDaaT9iecHBPmhgtcm2ENJWwiXyDQKVhScrTYShDlyAp8Z86rxXw7fEuwdamoP1Hp81_wKlkwjhiO-1nSFK2I36hQVSL0fN18umnfazigAHMNawKxduxuZ-TUwQV1q4/s400/IMG_1288.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood tones were finished first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aOqlyJ-wd22oXiDVo4E8p1sR8Xtk6nuYyiIHgjPp-fGXPP7X7wm4HUAZsOu0x6qZUTikahphqpccGxuE7ZxcLrt6gdlA7wC6WUrhemCT17fCWjHOvY2lS3aA5bGmA4cP9JtUtYV3IZ8/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aOqlyJ-wd22oXiDVo4E8p1sR8Xtk6nuYyiIHgjPp-fGXPP7X7wm4HUAZsOu0x6qZUTikahphqpccGxuE7ZxcLrt6gdlA7wC6WUrhemCT17fCWjHOvY2lS3aA5bGmA4cP9JtUtYV3IZ8/s400/IMG_1294.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper is tidied up, the windows are scraped clean, and the model starts to look finished!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I admit, I started to get a bit excited at this point, as it really started coming together. I was particularly pleased with the wood tone.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY_G-8NZIz9PNJKb6ZjpUoEwAFr5Qvf6bRgC5uKIxM9Oa1XnJ_bZ0JkzzdnK7lEZVr_-x63CNpDuatyrmpSOtiCtb8YsalLiIPJgzwHnXdYqlrMLyKVT-Fl6q2hZ2s9Drhp734Db3Asg/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY_G-8NZIz9PNJKb6ZjpUoEwAFr5Qvf6bRgC5uKIxM9Oa1XnJ_bZ0JkzzdnK7lEZVr_-x63CNpDuatyrmpSOtiCtb8YsalLiIPJgzwHnXdYqlrMLyKVT-Fl6q2hZ2s9Drhp734Db3Asg/s400/IMG_1304.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once the painting is done, handrails are added to the bridge...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cavukO4_RuZbBCPLbyK087iquWc_xExQuwFJJW9a9XFV78prqElqN9i6PUSo6O_Hxj7wP8aHvg9GTcSppuDFzp1dg7dbfyedK0rlJjHLKr_nKidtx0ftAk2T5vVKyNlpP4etU4064AQ/s1600/IMG_1305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1258" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cavukO4_RuZbBCPLbyK087iquWc_xExQuwFJJW9a9XFV78prqElqN9i6PUSo6O_Hxj7wP8aHvg9GTcSppuDFzp1dg7dbfyedK0rlJjHLKr_nKidtx0ftAk2T5vVKyNlpP4etU4064AQ/s320/IMG_1305.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and the rear balcony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5zmV6TRreKqQ3hYMJOoOgH0sD74q3LIQKfeOBbiKDkha1cjkzncjrwBKIh5OZeZyMNz_XA0sWDZ2_7ZdXmj6NycET2HMiWFe1i4axgl8FZpGtyp8ltXWOUIoI7I2QAnbytyhLRXunso/s1600/IMG_1306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5zmV6TRreKqQ3hYMJOoOgH0sD74q3LIQKfeOBbiKDkha1cjkzncjrwBKIh5OZeZyMNz_XA0sWDZ2_7ZdXmj6NycET2HMiWFe1i4axgl8FZpGtyp8ltXWOUIoI7I2QAnbytyhLRXunso/s400/IMG_1306.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey and silver highlighting gives a nice feeling of weight to the engine block.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Once all the colours were on and mistakes corrected, I finished off the woodwork by washing with dark brown ink, then highlighting with an almost fleshy sand tone. The copper paint was generously daubed with chestnut ink. This was messy, thank to the rounded shape of the balloon - every stray drop ran for miles! Consequently, the canvas had to be painted and repainted until it was nice and white.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkG2DnYmeNXYC1NBjIu1On-xjrAueCwM3PNWsbFuRgyKGw0WH2DoX2qO_MgST-cGnKjkUEWiKtI3JDOt11T7LxwgBU-PBPm0FhG6FHeHI3ak685CR5F1RJQs_3_g6j66tjZmYhYhhCPlI/s1600/IMG_1335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1600" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkG2DnYmeNXYC1NBjIu1On-xjrAueCwM3PNWsbFuRgyKGw0WH2DoX2qO_MgST-cGnKjkUEWiKtI3JDOt11T7LxwgBU-PBPm0FhG6FHeHI3ak685CR5F1RJQs_3_g6j66tjZmYhYhhCPlI/s320/IMG_1335.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nose cone detail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Very interestingly, the constant painting, repainting and highlighting of the canvas actually resulted in a rough canvas-like finish! An accident? Or sheer genius? Hmmm... Probably the former!<br />
<br />
And all of a sudden, there it was! Done!<br />
<br />
Rivet count on this fine fellow..<br />
<b>1,866 !</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPaZxgEMGYGBUG9TomJ-sT4oW5pdmOp9cW5em0HjZGDAZZFqjXmPzBQ-BsLaF6DTNSwpsN27xXJqmzfvMeggUjlw9o8bK-GrJqCsw-AF87CFSWCwQBBoJF9lZEO6cPdNeuKUCozgY860/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPaZxgEMGYGBUG9TomJ-sT4oW5pdmOp9cW5em0HjZGDAZZFqjXmPzBQ-BsLaF6DTNSwpsN27xXJqmzfvMeggUjlw9o8bK-GrJqCsw-AF87CFSWCwQBBoJF9lZEO6cPdNeuKUCozgY860/s400/IMG_1309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atmospheric, innit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYuVQlxRSBXOU8cO1FH_vdO5kggQLSvU4yewaEiOq9kwLCc3GfSF_MI62jcmEDifZ-O94gjARQTcyoNVcdVQWWVNTJYrWL-lSBK0knM561EhFAKE_zt0tyNm-4P1H3fgnsD_geoWxIzE/s1600/IMG_1334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1477" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYuVQlxRSBXOU8cO1FH_vdO5kggQLSvU4yewaEiOq9kwLCc3GfSF_MI62jcmEDifZ-O94gjARQTcyoNVcdVQWWVNTJYrWL-lSBK0knM561EhFAKE_zt0tyNm-4P1H3fgnsD_geoWxIzE/s400/IMG_1334.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light through the small windows in the cabin doors nicely illuminates the bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9aULhCraOGfIGzKy-lE7I-DpBBL7242r2n-9mPVsr5Klggp1wYvAQf-x4HMzWVbOVeuJH91HTRUDiKyjjy8Ov9M8CGI-odON7bXHH5Kfn4QYSdvkoKczu2rLOIRbC_egXNveRsdTvak/s1600/IMG_1320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9aULhCraOGfIGzKy-lE7I-DpBBL7242r2n-9mPVsr5Klggp1wYvAQf-x4HMzWVbOVeuJH91HTRUDiKyjjy8Ov9M8CGI-odON7bXHH5Kfn4QYSdvkoKczu2rLOIRbC_egXNveRsdTvak/s400/IMG_1320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear balcony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJAIDWg3rVBz23IYmP_1lH7ZrnOMGewK3-kecTd-dBtnMnJ6bGYFyZ5p4sPcAQ4BZ6jdywcXv4nK86MAzeeaf1xHHinf-nYaVOZStWz-Q0Hsz4swiNRZZSmEDBLcGwUS2_Rgrr07NEoY/s1600/IMG_1330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJAIDWg3rVBz23IYmP_1lH7ZrnOMGewK3-kecTd-dBtnMnJ6bGYFyZ5p4sPcAQ4BZ6jdywcXv4nK86MAzeeaf1xHHinf-nYaVOZStWz-Q0Hsz4swiNRZZSmEDBLcGwUS2_Rgrr07NEoY/s400/IMG_1330.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night flying!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22WI0IBmG0bWKqBKIREfUSzdugq0ZIYzrH6m4PeBLw5Lwq0em0wow_G90ZNfzLi9btu8spyzsHAPy-3en8z4eH1oMWmuDt3CsYJxk5N8IwXq_xtZji0d5cCl8C3tdQKtptfbV8_CBYX0/s1600/IMG_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="1600" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22WI0IBmG0bWKqBKIREfUSzdugq0ZIYzrH6m4PeBLw5Lwq0em0wow_G90ZNfzLi9btu8spyzsHAPy-3en8z4eH1oMWmuDt3CsYJxk5N8IwXq_xtZji0d5cCl8C3tdQKtptfbV8_CBYX0/s400/IMG_1310.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wish I owned one of these...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnKHMPYeHhubZBIQMX8DABFZI-_rn34_ZdRLDoLLgT4s7-LUed_VBmXFshQ3sW6RW4OGm_Oz37Xy6XEwTsEFGqLP8FWAgr2e5Oy_fbjg20tWbN7q_UZIi52pe4x5RuJu5nGuiKQLjmos/s1600/IMG_1316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1600" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnKHMPYeHhubZBIQMX8DABFZI-_rn34_ZdRLDoLLgT4s7-LUed_VBmXFshQ3sW6RW4OGm_Oz37Xy6XEwTsEFGqLP8FWAgr2e5Oy_fbjg20tWbN7q_UZIi52pe4x5RuJu5nGuiKQLjmos/s640/IMG_1316.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing away to new adventures...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope you've enjoyed this post! I'll try to bring you more in the not-too-distant future!<br />
<br />
All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-45496994268694176682015-06-20T14:30:00.004+12:002015-06-20T14:30:57.402+12:00To Infinite Tea... And Biscuits!Hi, All!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy1AvodMz9VZv8j8ww0YsKzSMJ2WCtYK4mGRkbLhFRgVvdRo1KNvqFGhriBDFdYGJ-AAgN5KrE9VCbxkwc1GY6clQzIE3Zd8SVlvpAPedZbTBdL-s628-kHnPxO7993t_54apHYjHS9w/s1600/header.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy1AvodMz9VZv8j8ww0YsKzSMJ2WCtYK4mGRkbLhFRgVvdRo1KNvqFGhriBDFdYGJ-AAgN5KrE9VCbxkwc1GY6clQzIE3Zd8SVlvpAPedZbTBdL-s628-kHnPxO7993t_54apHYjHS9w/s400/header.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing the Empire to the stars!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Has it ever occurred to you how much a plastic wine glass looks like half of a steam-powered rocket ship?<br />
<br />
Me too!<br />
<br />
With this in mind, I recently decided to prove the resemblance...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gLObnPAyJap6JQkkOl_9rvJyO-ZEyKLfedmlUl6bvJycGUpX8Ot27gDJd59C6KZu6jBu7XSAKcWtOnRxCEWoHtnt_ZNr0uLvnO4ZvowIEaoD8myeGSCoT8WXvNIHappSzZ5WcrfiEyc/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gLObnPAyJap6JQkkOl_9rvJyO-ZEyKLfedmlUl6bvJycGUpX8Ot27gDJd59C6KZu6jBu7XSAKcWtOnRxCEWoHtnt_ZNr0uLvnO4ZvowIEaoD8myeGSCoT8WXvNIHappSzZ5WcrfiEyc/s400/01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine goblets with removable stems - this feature proved very handy in handling the model as it took shape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My junk projects usually evolve from useful/interesting looking bits I've spotted. Howver, in this case I actually went out looking for plastic wine glasses of the right proportions. And as luck would have it, I found them - on special! Cheap is good.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnE-gMt3I_ApOVgt_TBoelNpVLcDw2NjfWbqxa4_5StrC5Fq33KewS1ylFk-ph7jujiWkRgeVaEX4Y7rmgYvnrnRNcJxvpWs1VPpdYn8QiHJKM0uMZfvqmnItTiYWddw2Z66GSa8mCqg/s1600/02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnE-gMt3I_ApOVgt_TBoelNpVLcDw2NjfWbqxa4_5StrC5Fq33KewS1ylFk-ph7jujiWkRgeVaEX4Y7rmgYvnrnRNcJxvpWs1VPpdYn8QiHJKM0uMZfvqmnItTiYWddw2Z66GSa8mCqg/s400/02.JPG" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The goblets are glued end-to-end and strips of card are added as the first details.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had been wanting to make a somewhat <i>Flash Gordon/Trigan Empire-esque </i>rocket ship for a long time, but since this is a mostly VSF blog, I felt I should endeavour to produce something in keeping with the rest of my creations.<br />
<br />
Hence the rivets.<br />
<br />
And chimneys.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4scIjOp4m080SVHFJM_mVLc1Blt2RcZdBQVfsYND1tD1KTyRLUYTiD4ukDVd7clpV0rrPzqgNO9wQ4FipF2lhy_rGm1rjiuG51dwnN8L2O7C6V7q56Rq3pGxIgnpZtPG-XUQC7HDSPvM/s1600/03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4scIjOp4m080SVHFJM_mVLc1Blt2RcZdBQVfsYND1tD1KTyRLUYTiD4ukDVd7clpV0rrPzqgNO9wQ4FipF2lhy_rGm1rjiuG51dwnN8L2O7C6V7q56Rq3pGxIgnpZtPG-XUQC7HDSPvM/s400/03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mock-up fin is made from card to fit the curve of the rocket, before using it as a template for three plastic ones. Note the spotlight reflector used to create the thruster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpNqmwCRtDFJXhJQ4rz-6THaLSGHVcFjOWfzm2-8ZjxAXyar7dqfFIoOMmM1izWCfwPHkC0DOCYpiOnMS0qq0ntYc9CsZyhpuAm4BMUwa-1-4DIid2xt60UMHB2RAaPFj1YlfLiwJhh0/s1600/04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpNqmwCRtDFJXhJQ4rz-6THaLSGHVcFjOWfzm2-8ZjxAXyar7dqfFIoOMmM1izWCfwPHkC0DOCYpiOnMS0qq0ntYc9CsZyhpuAm4BMUwa-1-4DIid2xt60UMHB2RAaPFj1YlfLiwJhh0/s400/04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fins are stamped with holes to create a Victorian iron-work look, then lined with plastic strips to add bulk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was actually a very simple build, although curves can be a
bit of a challenge. All the usual <i>O'Truth</i> techniques came in
handy - decorative hole punches, thin strips of card lined with
rivets, portholes punched out of plastic - I've talked about all of
these before, so I won't bore you.<br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 409px;">
<colgroup><col width="409"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="409">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lM9CqaKVWStdU7Ul9o1dUCbbp429ylgvaiu8wiHBl8PLs-7KpeR_DdOC_lmRbAIbVfA8uoN3tlVvxXmOkqmRAbjEE0MkQSLaBCKyks9PHTOhULDcV3_oKPYDwlMirG8h2x_jj-yRraw/s1600/05.jpg"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="396" name="graphics6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lM9CqaKVWStdU7Ul9o1dUCbbp429ylgvaiu8wiHBl8PLs-7KpeR_DdOC_lmRbAIbVfA8uoN3tlVvxXmOkqmRAbjEE0MkQSLaBCKyks9PHTOhULDcV3_oKPYDwlMirG8h2x_jj-yRraw/s400/05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="409">
<div align="CENTER">
Slovenly Bob loiters by the rocket as rivets are
gradually added.</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br /><br />
<br />
<i>"So why did it take you so long to finish, Colonel?"</i>
I hear you mutter. Well, stop muttering please. It's rude.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
In fact, the most testing part of this build was actually the
painting. And it was all my fault.<br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 302px;">
<colgroup><col width="302"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="302">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqI-IKrAePylnTf0ozppKp7gxToRaCy5eqUubbBNi-St2FaqO6B5bJGHKEP-0zdY8kApa9LPKE0xuEMPmHRAO8q8Nc0cYBkOf5DS-DpKvsfB-nsLGv5zxanUggLGcfvvyMIEXujSTutLs/s1600/06.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="400" name="graphics7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqI-IKrAePylnTf0ozppKp7gxToRaCy5eqUubbBNi-St2FaqO6B5bJGHKEP-0zdY8kApa9LPKE0xuEMPmHRAO8q8Nc0cYBkOf5DS-DpKvsfB-nsLGv5zxanUggLGcfvvyMIEXujSTutLs/s400/06.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="302">
<div align="CENTER">
A hatch is detailed from little scraps of
plastic.</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 468px;">
<colgroup><col width="468"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="468">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP64CCP3XsimyEbHEDZwxiuVRtHGsY-wQtdkUA2w2NgMrjVi-DIbm4xYXmjUpN0M2HlyrVk_j3S5MkzEUNJlpOJj7gEk0ZzpH2t2r7kDf2fWUIvWp2wgvWwYXNFZK4Nsxaygfd0XxoTf0/s1600/07.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="400" name="graphics8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP64CCP3XsimyEbHEDZwxiuVRtHGsY-wQtdkUA2w2NgMrjVi-DIbm4xYXmjUpN0M2HlyrVk_j3S5MkzEUNJlpOJj7gEk0ZzpH2t2r7kDf2fWUIvWp2wgvWwYXNFZK4Nsxaygfd0XxoTf0/s400/07.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="468">
<div align="CENTER">
Beads and styrene plastic tubes form the rocket's
chimney-style exhausts.</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br /><br />
<br />
I made a number of mistakes which just ended up taking ages to
correct:<br />
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I undercoated in a light grey.
This meant that the copper I wanted to use looked really watery and
thin, even after three coats. In the end, I had to paint all of it
out with brown paint and do it again. Should have known better!</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I tried doing the main green with
ink. This just doesn't work for Victorian machinery, whereas paint
gives a nice solid feel - and so I had to repaint the whole thing.
Also should have known better!</div>
</li>
<li>I kept buggering up the red and white on the Union Jack
bas-relief motif. Just because I was getting frustrated by now.
'Nuff said.
<br />
</li>
</ul>
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 642px;">
<colgroup><col width="642"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="642">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHQCY1H93DF5U9InmtryFNAL-BTpEbp9PYuMmaFoInZbkNt8dfH-V0pMu-vOqTvniPhQXeirDVgFyYqOm2pXwwLD6mlkzxCG1BpDL5CBYBUQ-b2gdBi_K8nh0tZKWkg66Uy78HswMQiE/s1600/08.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="249" name="graphics9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHQCY1H93DF5U9InmtryFNAL-BTpEbp9PYuMmaFoInZbkNt8dfH-V0pMu-vOqTvniPhQXeirDVgFyYqOm2pXwwLD6mlkzxCG1BpDL5CBYBUQ-b2gdBi_K8nh0tZKWkg66Uy78HswMQiE/s320/08.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="642">
<div align="CENTER">
A Union Jack is fashioned in bas-relief from
0.5mm plastic board. This is then bent into shape to fit the
curve of the rocket.</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 642px;">
<colgroup><col width="642"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="642">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pbPfQ8hO147ns7iRgX8Q7BglK2yeMzjhZ7QHuneMvlOJKHw5y5qYFBh1DE0Seton_k42so9JQXeYnIrcO1DkQCX0leYa5_4YAh22UpA0KLgkUvs0UrACpYYWtNKAadBD-bGr9HDs1M8/s1600/09.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="640" name="graphics10" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pbPfQ8hO147ns7iRgX8Q7BglK2yeMzjhZ7QHuneMvlOJKHw5y5qYFBh1DE0Seton_k42so9JQXeYnIrcO1DkQCX0leYa5_4YAh22UpA0KLgkUvs0UrACpYYWtNKAadBD-bGr9HDs1M8/s640/09.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="642">
<div align="CENTER">
Scraps of card and offcut plastic form interestin
extra panels to break up the smooth lines of the rocket a little.
lots of rivets are added. I also finally settled for a bead, half
a ball-point pen and a cocktail stick to create the nose-spike.</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
Anyway, frustrations aside, I am very happy with the final result,
and I can tick off another design idea that's been rattling around in
my noggin for ages.<br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 351px;">
<colgroup><col width="351"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="351">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nJzRM-HI7jR_SgnBNUCcy1xeEiOpwWe3yKDLoAnxV7wKoJYfySR2GHNlljEAMFbmvXtAFl69OvycRZKZVJti6jGIz8D3xN-CEmNEOxKk7aV6iALGvJsc0LTTVJpOG12rIzQzDeZeEWU/s1600/11.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="400" name="graphics11" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nJzRM-HI7jR_SgnBNUCcy1xeEiOpwWe3yKDLoAnxV7wKoJYfySR2GHNlljEAMFbmvXtAFl69OvycRZKZVJti6jGIz8D3xN-CEmNEOxKk7aV6iALGvJsc0LTTVJpOG12rIzQzDeZeEWU/s400/11.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="351">
<div align="CENTER">
UGLY ink... At this point, I was getting a little
grumpy.</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
Oh, yes... I suppose I should report that the <b>Rivet Count </b>is
<b>881 !</b><br />
<br />
Not bad...<br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 636px;">
<colgroup><col width="636"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="636">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSCfPjpJmRRE6ElMx7l-nYQCMvGxhzJa5SRyRsWfNIS5iyjQBNzOEqw7pL-lapqhxTmzLctmJjUfJTD8-r4g_FwRM_2Gwjh2La6X91xGvu2eXvbPz6PDAzZeRpiwry7-f6npsH563OyU/s1600/IMG_3624.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="640" name="graphics12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSCfPjpJmRRE6ElMx7l-nYQCMvGxhzJa5SRyRsWfNIS5iyjQBNzOEqw7pL-lapqhxTmzLctmJjUfJTD8-r4g_FwRM_2Gwjh2La6X91xGvu2eXvbPz6PDAzZeRpiwry7-f6npsH563OyU/s640/IMG_3624.JPG" width="347" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="636">
<div align="CENTER">
The finished rocket (finally!) lands among alien
ruins somewhere in the deep reaches of the Empire.</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 564px;">
<colgroup><col width="564"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="564">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbHXn-6tZZgEt6zJj6qkft-1799TD6jl56BCJLzJZMg1qiwiFSBLyFe7Zf9LOTT36Y-6glcqBq9wsx2VVqAGRZI7qmVGNn8doE-SiWlUoC1IVNuN3rDTwZl05GEOG6TvQnqOdAacgeTE/s1600/IMG_3621.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="640" name="graphics13" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbHXn-6tZZgEt6zJj6qkft-1799TD6jl56BCJLzJZMg1qiwiFSBLyFe7Zf9LOTT36Y-6glcqBq9wsx2VVqAGRZI7qmVGNn8doE-SiWlUoC1IVNuN3rDTwZl05GEOG6TvQnqOdAacgeTE/s640/IMG_3621.JPG" width="464" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="564">
<div align="CENTER">
Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe leads his
intrepid shok troopers into the unknown!</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
So there you go. I'll be back to work on <i>Lord Smudgington
Smythely Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing
Vacational Domicile</i> soon, but in the meantime I have a rather
nice card table I need to recondition (adding a chess board for good
measure), a rock album to release and a few games of skittles to
enjoy on the skittle board I built last week...
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 415px;">
<colgroup><col width="415"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="415">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlMvRx_Twj5Liu1EGClAzRNbnu6PPUABW0bjZFHKAL4FSOB6ZYwV6hauf5RX7ROSeYQ7XFzvrdm2CXYktiVPLkYZuMk1e0tjVioQG9iGBAlRRD4DaKfHq2FKBvLOZyNPk-c8RwD60ug8/s1600/IMG_3635.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="640" name="graphics14" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlMvRx_Twj5Liu1EGClAzRNbnu6PPUABW0bjZFHKAL4FSOB6ZYwV6hauf5RX7ROSeYQ7XFzvrdm2CXYktiVPLkYZuMk1e0tjVioQG9iGBAlRRD4DaKfHq2FKBvLOZyNPk-c8RwD60ug8/s640/IMG_3635.JPG" width="403" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="415">
<div align="CENTER">
"What do you mean, they've never seen the
Union Jack before?!"</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br /><br />
<br />
Thanks for bearing with me, folks!<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 230px;">
<colgroup><col width="230"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="230">
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZHxiM3mUNdglbfpkGTzPPiRoT5d5cColt-4lp6c9kC9-6tmjwsPys7QdixAXSWyOF2t8khO5TolpFsIxPu9v15sJLTXmFRO2ZDgZLA737UnuFLb1WsA9w1q2tkeyI4AY-jAZnk1Ak8k/s1600/table.JPG"><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="400" name="graphics15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZHxiM3mUNdglbfpkGTzPPiRoT5d5cColt-4lp6c9kC9-6tmjwsPys7QdixAXSWyOF2t8khO5TolpFsIxPu9v15sJLTXmFRO2ZDgZLA737UnuFLb1WsA9w1q2tkeyI4AY-jAZnk1Ak8k/s400/table.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="230">
<div align="CENTER">
Anyone for skittles?</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
<br />
All the Best!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-27232497678094182822015-05-05T19:57:00.000+12:002015-05-05T19:57:03.151+12:00Hangin' Out Around The BackHi, All!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dU9qETR0Zo041ADhHmT0CIrtKC5naM6lsDFGKekO8HMqhkgD26MIURsPW-I2inVfhl9q8tcLuvZj3i8ty8J-6PCE4rkTpDA_Tp-6_O2diTZTQhgWDenQkxdfoaQezdOZkE2NKEv3F0s/s1600/IMG_3593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dU9qETR0Zo041ADhHmT0CIrtKC5naM6lsDFGKekO8HMqhkgD26MIURsPW-I2inVfhl9q8tcLuvZj3i8ty8J-6PCE4rkTpDA_Tp-6_O2diTZTQhgWDenQkxdfoaQezdOZkE2NKEv3F0s/s400/IMG_3593.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally! A nice, safe balcony!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I've finally got around to finishing a few more of the bits of <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile </i>that I've been putting off.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ1jv3NAdEfE8YGcF93A4pMk6gRuD2Clo1W3pK1RPsC7rSB1wmyewvTk3lAK32iq1obhY7x2Bhz4iBpFpBQh8Sd22y8VIGXpjh896pCfqyf3C3qyMCvzIUzJ0XBYAb2FwbQWvvj1Px3M/s1600/IMG_3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ1jv3NAdEfE8YGcF93A4pMk6gRuD2Clo1W3pK1RPsC7rSB1wmyewvTk3lAK32iq1obhY7x2Bhz4iBpFpBQh8Sd22y8VIGXpjh896pCfqyf3C3qyMCvzIUzJ0XBYAb2FwbQWvvj1Px3M/s400/IMG_3424.JPG" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are gaps! Gaps, I tell you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For some time now, the unfinished rear wall of the engine room has been bothering me. Because of the way I constructed it, with the engine protruding out of the back, closing everything in neatly and making it all straight and tidy was going to be a bit fiddly.<br />
<br />
So I did other stuff for a bit. Well, over a year, actually!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEgCTB4Z9xBGGgyU2SbIhdpcwmG0xKmO5VsTpgLQfCLG6qHbqANT4Mr2cPSCosnqtB7zaFHvpnLghPRYliz5jvW64oeOXE4QSvbN6cmjOMPHtpX5-9_swfIZah5TZx8Kjes7S0H1ZEMY/s1600/rods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEgCTB4Z9xBGGgyU2SbIhdpcwmG0xKmO5VsTpgLQfCLG6qHbqANT4Mr2cPSCosnqtB7zaFHvpnLghPRYliz5jvW64oeOXE4QSvbN6cmjOMPHtpX5-9_swfIZah5TZx8Kjes7S0H1ZEMY/s400/rods.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brass rod is detailed to anchor the wall against the engine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWCh-SosZOu4J-6dTn6eQO1-NMJEVtNk8U8emvXWJqqP4Yi-sMmHjBjOHnyaV4StKhz9vldp9B7AlAr9ItyuJhyphenhyphenvsgr1DtBLxtlBLU_byrofLfTcQK1CN9SlUMnoKKSJbl0vMr49FP1k/s1600/IMG_3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWCh-SosZOu4J-6dTn6eQO1-NMJEVtNk8U8emvXWJqqP4Yi-sMmHjBjOHnyaV4StKhz9vldp9B7AlAr9ItyuJhyphenhyphenvsgr1DtBLxtlBLU_byrofLfTcQK1CN9SlUMnoKKSJbl0vMr49FP1k/s400/IMG_3429.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unpainted brass assembly is tried in place - the wall straightens out nicely!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As you can see, the wall needed to be straightened, anchored against the engine, balconies attached, and a capping placed along the top. The capping serves to disguise the still slightly wiggly wall, and also provides a straight edge for the removable barrel vault roof to line up against.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpf3nFLIWbhBWyb5qLDPgpFl7BJZ4VfEZizepya2coEMnHReK_vXk40HYhpr-9LsDJwmmxhx6gdJKNYn2R0O_U5z4JsgTvm61z-u_Uk8TJ7UifuaIMZpMAsHmyEl9Oe5RM2AePjmAcoQ/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpf3nFLIWbhBWyb5qLDPgpFl7BJZ4VfEZizepya2coEMnHReK_vXk40HYhpr-9LsDJwmmxhx6gdJKNYn2R0O_U5z4JsgTvm61z-u_Uk8TJ7UifuaIMZpMAsHmyEl9Oe5RM2AePjmAcoQ/s400/IMG_3438.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The painted anchor pieces fit beautifully! Now for the rest... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In order to anchor the wall to the engine, I needed something strong and rigid, so I decided to use square brass tube, to which I added plastic details, shaped to fit against the engine details.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyW6i_PCLvNXSxb3fJV_ZHvVl8jTbOSEkzLBWaQypytZqucr2nyLV2fpYKn6_XyyLoefG5i0vOvTZKtmHcTuXXlbOJb7p836mzpIDLmz9Bmyv23xu3y47d0cENPmgYB3E9yTJwA47hLo/s1600/IMG_3432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyW6i_PCLvNXSxb3fJV_ZHvVl8jTbOSEkzLBWaQypytZqucr2nyLV2fpYKn6_XyyLoefG5i0vOvTZKtmHcTuXXlbOJb7p836mzpIDLmz9Bmyv23xu3y47d0cENPmgYB3E9yTJwA47hLo/s400/IMG_3432.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And gaps on the inside, too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmnoZKAbyqH36dC0pvkEm3GOG7GNPNjWyiXBQabVM4D5IQxmJmjYfddnqBIUufOUH1tRhqed0OkT9MtieKakWx99Gst6M79l2q0na6o1qPpKsDY3gmZ1nEQimMnBgQ665iLNfS_8xPfE/s1600/back+trim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmnoZKAbyqH36dC0pvkEm3GOG7GNPNjWyiXBQabVM4D5IQxmJmjYfddnqBIUufOUH1tRhqed0OkT9MtieKakWx99Gst6M79l2q0na6o1qPpKsDY3gmZ1nEQimMnBgQ665iLNfS_8xPfE/s400/back+trim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple strips of plastic are dotted with rivets and fixed in place to hide the gaps. Note that these do not match - my engine is a whole millimeter off-centre!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once the wall sections were nicely (mostly) straightened out, the capping was added, and the balconies were constructed. This was all pretty simple stuff really, if a little time-consuming.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzQpFocEqHmhnOnhpL3SAXPR6Iibr4yGXVTP9d0wpitjR9Gfp7Gd9n_rRnIkinNPYcCyVxzpkv1d1GGIHKYlgLBb2cFgaS9Lspt52WX0sR0x0yE4fpzUW19CkrxeXn6s-InTQCYQ_FIY/s1600/IMG_3579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzQpFocEqHmhnOnhpL3SAXPR6Iibr4yGXVTP9d0wpitjR9Gfp7Gd9n_rRnIkinNPYcCyVxzpkv1d1GGIHKYlgLBb2cFgaS9Lspt52WX0sR0x0yE4fpzUW19CkrxeXn6s-InTQCYQ_FIY/s400/IMG_3579.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The capping (unpainted) in place above the wood-effect balcony. The wood grain is visible from below as well as above.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwZy0d9rhM7v1ZJgPFLu5OCDZn94LhZUwNgXLk80_ZOU6d8DqO63AVM7vXQj9B_pA4Ea54neLe8c7Zyn_FEbjrN-iJL6_bjB74JQjMu1IAE7X70b4dLeAlGr-PBEzkN2sa379-ZnabTc/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwZy0d9rhM7v1ZJgPFLu5OCDZn94LhZUwNgXLk80_ZOU6d8DqO63AVM7vXQj9B_pA4Ea54neLe8c7Zyn_FEbjrN-iJL6_bjB74JQjMu1IAE7X70b4dLeAlGr-PBEzkN2sa379-ZnabTc/s400/IMG_3578.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The capping runs the full width of the engine room. Both balcony floors are now in place. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The balconies were 'floored' with plastic rather than the balsa I've used for the other deck areas. This enabled me to keep the floors thin, without losing strength or making them fragile. The wood grain effect was achieved by dragging coarse-grade sandpaper in one direction only along the plastic. Planks were then outlined by scoring with the side of a sharp knife.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2xTU1WgPafuMT-vImuANC9BTSK8mUAvUpgPe08jezCraHdvHoQIfmENOzIbrLTBIc0XDN-J9YxYef3bPFne2yyTFW6K9hTtmZwrp9pHplmm-YFmH7Ka-VnrgYMIhupC9Y2CSmKWpFcM/s1600/IMG_3582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2xTU1WgPafuMT-vImuANC9BTSK8mUAvUpgPe08jezCraHdvHoQIfmENOzIbrLTBIc0XDN-J9YxYef3bPFne2yyTFW6K9hTtmZwrp9pHplmm-YFmH7Ka-VnrgYMIhupC9Y2CSmKWpFcM/s400/IMG_3582.JPG" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edges are constructed and detailed to fit around the balcony floors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWFn6TOYHL6keP-glTv4nRXj2NGvw3MdF3165iMi1DU1Ns_i-wk4VFoG8xO9lWcjx_cwaIVb_Vzda6CBRpkhmA8q-WqxeSrbkLLkfp8l-rBuOQkkQ92QVjh37x6G-3rVYPyO-TL5bnZ0/s1600/IMG_3588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWFn6TOYHL6keP-glTv4nRXj2NGvw3MdF3165iMi1DU1Ns_i-wk4VFoG8xO9lWcjx_cwaIVb_Vzda6CBRpkhmA8q-WqxeSrbkLLkfp8l-rBuOQkkQ92QVjh37x6G-3rVYPyO-TL5bnZ0/s400/IMG_3588.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the edges in place, the hand rail is built. Note the now painted capping, complete with rivets!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once the flooring was in place, edge pieces were build and painted separately before gluing them in place - ensuring that the distinction between wood and iron remained nice and clean. A hand rail was then added as with so many other parts of the model!<br />
<br />
This stage of the model required a few rivets to be removed, but overall the count increased by 198...<br />
<br />
Bringing today's <b>Rivet Count </b>to...<br />
<br />
<b>13,767!</b><br />
<br />
Not bad, if I say so myself.<br />
<b> </b><br />
So there you go. The engine section is very nearly done - just a few ladders and bits and bobs to add before I move on to the chassis for the entire machine! Exciting!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned, folks, as I shall also soon be bringing you a steam powered rocket ship!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTpvnk_ukV5MS2U1DN3OAQofQi8W9a2s0_nCa-GBTlLtM4qL_DAI9565jEPouYEg8feI-tF8wcPySibelp08sBkxPXzOV_G2yqWuTI9OTJnGrYlliGxRD-nyi-fjdu_3-8PUnrzIayWM/s1600/IMG_3590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTpvnk_ukV5MS2U1DN3OAQofQi8W9a2s0_nCa-GBTlLtM4qL_DAI9565jEPouYEg8feI-tF8wcPySibelp08sBkxPXzOV_G2yqWuTI9OTJnGrYlliGxRD-nyi-fjdu_3-8PUnrzIayWM/s400/IMG_3590.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My rear end. A sight to make my mother proud!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All the Best! <br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-2110530258984055942015-04-21T20:49:00.001+12:002015-04-21T20:49:40.951+12:00Steaming Up Me Cranium!Hi, All!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YbMJpguEzR7gyYIyHqLUOgtL6dPXLuy67LHW-LxzQ1QaxoNXdsgL_0VoZ2t1UCl2VuR_0xySrjo1UBSDYMnvdjE0yg9P7PYixHT6zNbpT3JLGHuY-oNdhs4E8hqq7x32dczcYDF2NUM/s1600/A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YbMJpguEzR7gyYIyHqLUOgtL6dPXLuy67LHW-LxzQ1QaxoNXdsgL_0VoZ2t1UCl2VuR_0xySrjo1UBSDYMnvdjE0yg9P7PYixHT6zNbpT3JLGHuY-oNdhs4E8hqq7x32dczcYDF2NUM/s1600/A.JPG" height="400" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nefarious Doktor Nefarious with his Battle Tri-Skull...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yes... I know I said I'd do more on <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile </i>in time for this post, and I have... But it's not particularly exciting stuff to talk about as yet, and I wanted to mess about with my skull for a while.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82z85GtmLvZL4hZUfHiH8FpFJMfoQbTy6aKkkcY3G3grSXAtma7gNfwiNEBQ0Ax-EuFc83VLD8c0XWKZxvRcZce7Je4LwablIgjnjdNcE-qvF5n8DzWI-ywHxhqJpJ84FhlJAhUixowg/s1600/B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82z85GtmLvZL4hZUfHiH8FpFJMfoQbTy6aKkkcY3G3grSXAtma7gNfwiNEBQ0Ax-EuFc83VLD8c0XWKZxvRcZce7Je4LwablIgjnjdNcE-qvF5n8DzWI-ywHxhqJpJ84FhlJAhUixowg/s1600/B.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfectly ordinary skull.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I picked up this resin skull as part of a ghoulish tic-tac-toe set being sold off cheap, and immediately recognised its potential as yet another <i>Nefarious Machination of the Nefarious Doktor Nefarious!</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
Well, it's obvious. Innit?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzNoIW8yQLy_6MbCuDYrl1nXhz6S9vqOnHNSNKJ0_grP1t4xv6DAaqRRiaupyZ6kQgpzOYkZKqjqNYnSUmDQgkSA0rfZUKbeiqJn7XODSq2T_-jSEqkvlO6YhHJ-4lG34e4bFDBINvUc/s1600/C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzNoIW8yQLy_6MbCuDYrl1nXhz6S9vqOnHNSNKJ0_grP1t4xv6DAaqRRiaupyZ6kQgpzOYkZKqjqNYnSUmDQgkSA0rfZUKbeiqJn7XODSq2T_-jSEqkvlO6YhHJ-4lG34e4bFDBINvUc/s1600/C.jpg" height="235" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> (Left) The components are selected. (Right) A wooden bead is split in half to become the front wheel. Styrene discs punched out during other projects are glued to buttons to create wheels. Tubing is used to shape a chimney atop a pink 'boiler' bead. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Racing home with an enthusiasm to put the finest of pigeons to shame, I set about a-rummaging. And in moments I had a useful pile of beads, buttons, bits and bobs before me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPJ_KCPa_YJCkL5eKydLyqMlktPAhBVJAwPi2aWGWECIMgMX18x3RhkyVSVJTS1fx3uPU-Ov6tLess1ezvJIOsKhSS4dAgtOa7tCGAIY_3ParRujmF488hFzjwoEdaPetoudlrACHUOI/s1600/D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPJ_KCPa_YJCkL5eKydLyqMlktPAhBVJAwPi2aWGWECIMgMX18x3RhkyVSVJTS1fx3uPU-Ov6tLess1ezvJIOsKhSS4dAgtOa7tCGAIY_3ParRujmF488hFzjwoEdaPetoudlrACHUOI/s1600/D.jpg" height="146" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The holes in the buttons are filled and sliced clean before an axle is added, followed by square-cut tubing and finally beads as cylinders and boiler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you can probably tell, this project was a quick one. I usually intend my side projects to be fast builds, but often get carried away. It was nice to see something come to completion with so little effort.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVHgz9pyPsmykhC8iOaf6X2G9v1IvzMumuC6-SqJd8WNodrmPuob-PMDqs00MFSG2bzSEO2S1NnFDf7fFQXsSW4_i3N1Mq7InUFkQ7iL0P07qlDMjwI6B2B09Fa-EdV3zIhP0Tvl5n0M/s1600/E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVHgz9pyPsmykhC8iOaf6X2G9v1IvzMumuC6-SqJd8WNodrmPuob-PMDqs00MFSG2bzSEO2S1NnFDf7fFQXsSW4_i3N1Mq7InUFkQ7iL0P07qlDMjwI6B2B09Fa-EdV3zIhP0Tvl5n0M/s1600/E.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brass nut from a guitar string makes a pretty creepy mechanical eye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDCH9k5DPX-pRyHaaYHiMzGAqCsc-l8ZWoUGPydEuTv80hlyZwIeEpDHNMvpYiayb8cJSQX4yw3FWAX8_krlKxAm3oM-cG_rPdQP0q5f7scYuOyu8hztmeQqcPCAAM9LLnsp05KsuCmc/s1600/F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDCH9k5DPX-pRyHaaYHiMzGAqCsc-l8ZWoUGPydEuTv80hlyZwIeEpDHNMvpYiayb8cJSQX4yw3FWAX8_krlKxAm3oM-cG_rPdQP0q5f7scYuOyu8hztmeQqcPCAAM9LLnsp05KsuCmc/s1600/F.jpg" height="157" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1.2mm round rod and a slice of 3.2mm tubing are used to create a Gatling gun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUst27G6GHaDY9cn_oRxUEfZ01iz7qXAs3bIj6axs2cMZ0AY0rpfpaAYfwfZXGC5LP_AIwSqbdjI8MfSwux_yBbH0oq7SzXyGpXROFgCpZKCF78QmgxPj76wIVM_4N9uxSg8CY8LQfGlk/s1600/G.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUst27G6GHaDY9cn_oRxUEfZ01iz7qXAs3bIj6axs2cMZ0AY0rpfpaAYfwfZXGC5LP_AIwSqbdjI8MfSwux_yBbH0oq7SzXyGpXROFgCpZKCF78QmgxPj76wIVM_4N9uxSg8CY8LQfGlk/s1600/G.JPG" height="400" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gatling gun is added, as is thechimney - and the model is almost complete.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Of course, rivets had to be added - fifty of them.<i> "Fifty, Colonel?"</i> I hear you exclaim, <i>"Piffle! A mere trifle!" </i>Well, yes... but I'll make up for it, I promise.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vOiRY4GvtoiwezIVS7aGUSEl3COn9-NyoGGftZoAIvMV1G1KEwTRlUa0QfqgZ9THL1Q_LPgPNLMEIl_Rz4KYsO1ybJ-TxqFUg1AJzT4p1q8CMztZDP2G85KerAIRZ6dX0ByIK4KTahk/s1600/H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vOiRY4GvtoiwezIVS7aGUSEl3COn9-NyoGGftZoAIvMV1G1KEwTRlUa0QfqgZ9THL1Q_LPgPNLMEIl_Rz4KYsO1ybJ-TxqFUg1AJzT4p1q8CMztZDP2G85KerAIRZ6dX0ByIK4KTahk/s1600/H.jpg" height="400" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished Tri-Skull. Scary, huh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally, I opted for a nice rusty-looking ink finish, contrasting with gunmetal and brass...<br />
<br />
...But then...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf49tK_noVHVG0eol0UF6SZZ_MgvTe8XSWb5Pvcds_8PSnqawsW27VzMjm-an3k1TfMUXLKId0ztaismFGw8mDQdHzGY27YO5vkdubrP4ffH7ot9ZDFBO2Ua3Tc8icJzbB12pbVlXFD7U/s1600/K.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf49tK_noVHVG0eol0UF6SZZ_MgvTe8XSWb5Pvcds_8PSnqawsW27VzMjm-an3k1TfMUXLKId0ztaismFGw8mDQdHzGY27YO5vkdubrP4ffH7ot9ZDFBO2Ua3Tc8icJzbB12pbVlXFD7U/s1600/K.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior Skull, Senior Skull and General Skull-Duggery. (sorry!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I thought I ought to do a few more...<br />
<br />
...With Officers...<br />
<i> </i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgftpluk_L54gxk5_tIA0gS-sDJ-ROU3UgIGKEPRz3U4l6vd9Wi3bGlqHQU1LnD8CcqMkN75Txlkw4XRId9l_h-h0oOl-eU_ApKrpR9BTlmHm2DMZN89rxiisxSHgR8dCxXuUmNnYWec/s1600/I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgftpluk_L54gxk5_tIA0gS-sDJ-ROU3UgIGKEPRz3U4l6vd9Wi3bGlqHQU1LnD8CcqMkN75Txlkw4XRId9l_h-h0oOl-eU_ApKrpR9BTlmHm2DMZN89rxiisxSHgR8dCxXuUmNnYWec/s1600/I.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior Skull - His spikes are the ends of toothpicks, mounted in pieces of narrow plastic tube. A multi-facetted bead is used for his eye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-JzgQVmaMOprfKngOtC_lSJpvjOeIy5vYw8VdZZS8OEhypwdsBsg5LQXjSpdgpG-slFQuMgs3ENEuSnUxMyyY9XLr6YapavmVWy4aTbaIg2eXfHy3n3R1Mf0L_5zIecxEdCB-WMl5RU/s1600/J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-JzgQVmaMOprfKngOtC_lSJpvjOeIy5vYw8VdZZS8OEhypwdsBsg5LQXjSpdgpG-slFQuMgs3ENEuSnUxMyyY9XLr6YapavmVWy4aTbaIg2eXfHy3n3R1Mf0L_5zIecxEdCB-WMl5RU/s1600/J.jpg" height="208" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fearsome General Skull-Duggery! I used greenstuff to sculpt the tusks, a piece of guitar string for the conduit, bits of plastic rod and tube for the bolts, half a small plastic press-stud for the monocle and beads and plastic tube for the blaster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i> </i><br />
<i> </i>...After all, ten heads are better than one!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypg9-6LpdUfM3IhJJfFUanWtTfoJQaQ0_fmcgQommwvWBFVF1ngMnc1HJeTV18mVWM3ifO0JcnzSEeUMWceJm4s2Ra0aTKCrh7zhkq_h_Tl1w08CD0J7gZEvMVqbOpSznRSB_Otpj_Hs/s1600/L.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypg9-6LpdUfM3IhJJfFUanWtTfoJQaQ0_fmcgQommwvWBFVF1ngMnc1HJeTV18mVWM3ifO0JcnzSEeUMWceJm4s2Ra0aTKCrh7zhkq_h_Tl1w08CD0J7gZEvMVqbOpSznRSB_Otpj_Hs/s1600/L.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Skull-Duggery, The Nefarious Doktor Nefarious and Slovenly Bob inspect the troops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I can't wait to watch these wreak havoc on the battlefield!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYW8MLtlSUzekmsiOgKig-jXG80UO4zXm73Phw-8XHnsJR1yguBDZvVlAmQNtd-JG9dodu1ssCgciETwYeZtgBeDY9fpvYYbD06Tq3Ya4KPdPIe1oNGM7n7TmY7T0PhiXNodvLnaeFg4/s1600/M.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYW8MLtlSUzekmsiOgKig-jXG80UO4zXm73Phw-8XHnsJR1yguBDZvVlAmQNtd-JG9dodu1ssCgciETwYeZtgBeDY9fpvYYbD06Tq3Ya4KPdPIe1oNGM7n7TmY7T0PhiXNodvLnaeFg4/s1600/M.JPG" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tri-Skulls... Chaaarge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So that's it for this little quicky. More on <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile </i>soon! I promise!<br />
<br />
...and there's another side project on the way... <br />
<br />
All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-66043533641311200362015-04-16T21:56:00.001+12:002015-04-16T21:57:04.349+12:00I Spy With My Beady Eye...Hi, All!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzL89CLzqio9NAe-W6d8EfTbH_yXkaecdLMrPgM3_9ivbpGgDqWtocH4hx5W_9-c3QnW1Hd6-2pjfEe3nYDbIo2lV2PTzLK8qyDkSfnCCxiwXALSfGg5rQN5xg4VD8iYNebzRw6SO9BI/s1600/A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzL89CLzqio9NAe-W6d8EfTbH_yXkaecdLMrPgM3_9ivbpGgDqWtocH4hx5W_9-c3QnW1Hd6-2pjfEe3nYDbIo2lV2PTzLK8qyDkSfnCCxiwXALSfGg5rQN5xg4VD8iYNebzRw6SO9BI/s1600/A.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nefarious Doktor Nefarious surveys the ruins of Ah-Pul-Sh'Napps with his towering automated bodyguard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Coming from a long and proud military heritage as I possibly do, I often find it impossible to resist the urge to rummage through boxes of brightly coloured plastic beads.<br />
<br />
If any of you are Sandhurst men, I'm sure you understand...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBQHe8-B7Nj97CcxZFsARRE0bFzbb9LPDIJoYtBCO6LdJJ9kENQfFhJmprcQW4IakAYSxISl7LG5gS_n66C_-Q8eHLXDPtwnKVF1a28LmsK6ujKrs3KAXxJzRNPSqNYVNXok1xbkmN3I/s1600/b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBQHe8-B7Nj97CcxZFsARRE0bFzbb9LPDIJoYtBCO6LdJJ9kENQfFhJmprcQW4IakAYSxISl7LG5gS_n66C_-Q8eHLXDPtwnKVF1a28LmsK6ujKrs3KAXxJzRNPSqNYVNXok1xbkmN3I/s1600/b.JPG" height="231" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beads, Sir. Dozens of 'em.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway, I was cheerfully rummaging away the other day, intermittently humming <i>'Rule Britannia'</i> and having a delightful conversation with myself about the shocking price of cheese these days (as one does) when I gasped in astonishment!<br />
<br />
"Gasp! I'm astonished!" I gasped astonishedly, "That there pink beady-thingy looks exactly like the torso of one of those late nineteenth-century steam-driven self-motorvating legionnaries what gave our lads such a hard time!"<br />
<br />
And of course, I was right. Keep reading - I can prove it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YjKKxRJppzzq-wK0PomaceHq7wsQRk4MilTP0_OHZm7Y8tRYVKhY0ReCZC2aSHDRVQ-COMmaUU9DOVi6PDSmzhBs0er7Uc5mcDM1kQo-eVDiUqxm5KLG-fYaRQ_LqBfo3-ij8CptPFg/s1600/c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YjKKxRJppzzq-wK0PomaceHq7wsQRk4MilTP0_OHZm7Y8tRYVKhY0ReCZC2aSHDRVQ-COMmaUU9DOVi6PDSmzhBs0er7Uc5mcDM1kQo-eVDiUqxm5KLG-fYaRQ_LqBfo3-ij8CptPFg/s1600/c.JPG" height="400" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'torso' beads are trimmed into shape to create a neck line, and abdomen and hip beads are attached. Neck pins are shoved into heads...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And so, I present to you another of <i>The Nefarious Machinations of the Nefarious Doktor Nefarious...</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>The Legion of Steam-Driven War-tomata!</b></i><br />
<br />
(not to be confused with your salad.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHpUOiqJDEc_YSXq0YjRCNDdJ8wcq68d9PrL-xfHDduBMBPcba8guSIWMLEpNi9qfFawMacioZmAOUx-jOKKojNgMDTgUis54-f51hpcLJwLLKC08BskLfUbrYYgfxt4aDjMPHITE25I/s1600/d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHpUOiqJDEc_YSXq0YjRCNDdJ8wcq68d9PrL-xfHDduBMBPcba8guSIWMLEpNi9qfFawMacioZmAOUx-jOKKojNgMDTgUis54-f51hpcLJwLLKC08BskLfUbrYYgfxt4aDjMPHITE25I/s1600/d.JPG" height="400" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3.2mm square tube is cut to create leg sections, jointed with tiny round beads.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This little gang was a nice distraction from <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile </i> (more on that very soon) and were also super cheap to create.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRg_0w2lkjCcdv2uwxxPRIQpiSEuuv8TlmM-RbA4PDzg6AQ5nUtfYXoR7mR9UeAKyCTaaf-qeBjv47ipcakXg7y4oj11wJIq3VLRvQN0r2ONrF3OIi3K08lLGEKys8wyXjFGUDaIn-O0/s1600/e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRg_0w2lkjCcdv2uwxxPRIQpiSEuuv8TlmM-RbA4PDzg6AQ5nUtfYXoR7mR9UeAKyCTaaf-qeBjv47ipcakXg7y4oj11wJIq3VLRvQN0r2ONrF3OIi3K08lLGEKys8wyXjFGUDaIn-O0/s1600/e.JPG" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trangular sections are cut from square tube to create the feet. The squad is glued to washers, with packing under some feet to support action poses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you can see, I used little round beads for all of the joints. By so doing, I gave myself limitless options for poses. I wanted the unit to look dynamic and active - not your typical rigid robot-soldier poses.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT6k9sHjzkrjvGqEIDQYZKw2HAZGhw-S9GZ2xTNkK75roNDL0_zMRSZ5lm8m9DTn0vBWtgy4vZ8YMNVbJmX3vF9Fm8UyHIIqj5MBScDFEHmv2DcGZ5_mMfnrhC1wRiM6oJ8_uiaNWL8k/s1600/f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT6k9sHjzkrjvGqEIDQYZKw2HAZGhw-S9GZ2xTNkK75roNDL0_zMRSZ5lm8m9DTn0vBWtgy4vZ8YMNVbJmX3vF9Fm8UyHIIqj5MBScDFEHmv2DcGZ5_mMfnrhC1wRiM6oJ8_uiaNWL8k/s1600/f.JPG" height="400" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivets and rods are added to 'flesh out' the legs. The same detailing will be added to the arms. The hips are armoured with plastic tube.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJFlx5q3MgO_DouSy5AMeE22tAx_20WEZBU1LxJvYm3zZYep_uHQewsMAn1pz4jg-zcv7Gu4AhUgdNI6Dy62_XG0-zqPpo_cVZm_xa6FH_NRNWhK75UqWs0KYY21thRUfqfXA2VxPOR4/s1600/g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJFlx5q3MgO_DouSy5AMeE22tAx_20WEZBU1LxJvYm3zZYep_uHQewsMAn1pz4jg-zcv7Gu4AhUgdNI6Dy62_XG0-zqPpo_cVZm_xa6FH_NRNWhK75UqWs0KYY21thRUfqfXA2VxPOR4/s1600/g.JPG" height="312" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arms are added, and shoulder armour is cut from round plastic tube.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
These were fast and fun to build, although making ten of them for the sake of fielding a full squad was almost a drag at times.The lengths of plastic rod lining the arms and legs were the trickiest and most time-consuming part but they really bulk up the models.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HZQXnhUJ_VFGSwjHd22LW2gG0SGSSU62bGJ0n3hvimo8-GbTBiDbVwI2gIcEA9mxrmXLUCGh3vZ_P_GN00lwfOec73Px8VBZC0-pM7yexTH3MuxhvNV_gO411r4htyj7E1F9RWorMDc/s1600/h.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HZQXnhUJ_VFGSwjHd22LW2gG0SGSSU62bGJ0n3hvimo8-GbTBiDbVwI2gIcEA9mxrmXLUCGh3vZ_P_GN00lwfOec73Px8VBZC0-pM7yexTH3MuxhvNV_gO411r4htyj7E1F9RWorMDc/s1600/h.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray guns are put together from 1mm plastic rod, diamond-shaped beads and tiny rouns ones. Model-making doesn't get simpler than this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDVqaFnO4ei-8vgTazB8jYc45jPYpdj3Fyj0Rd_GoecOyu3lbZBmn8qL1EkLcV169cUQdzKtm_O6eyZ3_NUDiEqrV5nNQfv-DQy5gbPZAiN6NS5p7eR68R2rRUUfWzXLoSHEfofUHPIk/s1600/i.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDVqaFnO4ei-8vgTazB8jYc45jPYpdj3Fyj0Rd_GoecOyu3lbZBmn8qL1EkLcV169cUQdzKtm_O6eyZ3_NUDiEqrV5nNQfv-DQy5gbPZAiN6NS5p7eR68R2rRUUfWzXLoSHEfofUHPIk/s1600/i.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Hands' in place. The models are almost finished.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I wondered about hands, and decided to go for a simple claw on one arm and ray gun on the other. After all, these are supposed to be Victorianised Retro-Robots... Whatever those might be!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhle07BSlHeG7SRhkaViAk39Uhc2A9IN0l-MyV4xrAaUnsi0ia3Ht-26TCgyK3gQCWUK07_SIuoZwIOWeVLfrqoaf_XzkhdYfX1XkNo_dIpxl5xohPcOOyrGNammS0J8bUhfcq6OaJdreo/s1600/j.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhle07BSlHeG7SRhkaViAk39Uhc2A9IN0l-MyV4xrAaUnsi0ia3Ht-26TCgyK3gQCWUK07_SIuoZwIOWeVLfrqoaf_XzkhdYfX1XkNo_dIpxl5xohPcOOyrGNammS0J8bUhfcq6OaJdreo/s1600/j.JPG" height="400" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A finished War-tomaton, ready for painting. The crest on his head is a slice of plastic tube, cut open and stretched into place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibioY-cWsbL7yiHGkF8uVLaHd64LNX1ev9-Cp0vN_XgQeSKiNFRjvhom2-WjP0TbPHd0PeQ7nwqmRS67LGaYeKZXYSN9CzV7huqTHk5ojLwm2Qd2RZPxNcTQtkRslf3G9i5_EgmSauwjw/s1600/k.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibioY-cWsbL7yiHGkF8uVLaHd64LNX1ev9-Cp0vN_XgQeSKiNFRjvhom2-WjP0TbPHd0PeQ7nwqmRS67LGaYeKZXYSN9CzV7huqTHk5ojLwm2Qd2RZPxNcTQtkRslf3G9i5_EgmSauwjw/s1600/k.JPG" height="307" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centurion (note ribbed shoulder and diamond-emblem on his head); NCO (round emblem on head); and Legionary. The chimneys (and boilers) were made from plastic tube and a tubular bead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I think these do rather well as 1960s-style robots with a VSF twist anyway. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4DPxDgFxdAtsA7_e_DNJlvKaJEmIudrDFwDKNKweB6dDtdrV73m93_r-9irhGVsN8eSSSMmrf4nf1f6JxhdOwNJVc6WMI7IC-sc6Ss9PjOCDfDAnX0UW80AflH5ZCURpHhek_yi0j4g/s1600/L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4DPxDgFxdAtsA7_e_DNJlvKaJEmIudrDFwDKNKweB6dDtdrV73m93_r-9irhGVsN8eSSSMmrf4nf1f6JxhdOwNJVc6WMI7IC-sc6Ss9PjOCDfDAnX0UW80AflH5ZCURpHhek_yi0j4g/s1600/L.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Centurion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP_SyLHBI1uvRvz2VND82ecdCam2QRrXqIm39Tf1GoaW6hyphenhyphen5ocHqPHTSoNomELfXjNycJzQfxSExiWncoXOhZa3kSUEqhz-rbSWJL5uP8ZzpHT-ZeY2tzWWFIqjeGi1Aco6kr_wahKRY/s1600/M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP_SyLHBI1uvRvz2VND82ecdCam2QRrXqIm39Tf1GoaW6hyphenhyphen5ocHqPHTSoNomELfXjNycJzQfxSExiWncoXOhZa3kSUEqhz-rbSWJL5uP8ZzpHT-ZeY2tzWWFIqjeGi1Aco6kr_wahKRY/s1600/M.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NCO (left) and Legionary (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The finished unit was given a simple paint job of copper with gold details, green eyes and red ray guns. Easy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiIca-g0AOwCKWD_rNQvPizzEf75B9b8QPgdzx8BhqnmrIGmzyHVNydmMt3YOK0x4bijqW-6F97XfWiyIPnmUsXkKH17Zdnx3SHylIMHr4D6kcvgB28nSO1p-AeOFXFn7i1nkOmmRJ60/s1600/x.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiIca-g0AOwCKWD_rNQvPizzEf75B9b8QPgdzx8BhqnmrIGmzyHVNydmMt3YOK0x4bijqW-6F97XfWiyIPnmUsXkKH17Zdnx3SHylIMHr4D6kcvgB28nSO1p-AeOFXFn7i1nkOmmRJ60/s1600/x.JPG" height="195" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed unit, ready to smash all who stand in their way!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So there you go: Fast, Cheap, Simple and Dangerous!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KI3TVn0PKnNSUV-oOCgHeLTcad7-I3xI_SXN9PTsf6rvG6TZg_gz3WZIcBny1sDnrOtvfGB2dZS5UYUBb51k93qXYp0E_DhKeLki4JQy89QC8Nef8AlkvZio_Dzctd5F1QTgHfGqKt8/s1600/Z.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KI3TVn0PKnNSUV-oOCgHeLTcad7-I3xI_SXN9PTsf6rvG6TZg_gz3WZIcBny1sDnrOtvfGB2dZS5UYUBb51k93qXYp0E_DhKeLki4JQy89QC8Nef8AlkvZio_Dzctd5F1QTgHfGqKt8/s1600/Z.JPG" height="295" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nefarious Doktor Nefarious leads his warriors to assured victory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next post: More on <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile </i>(... I'm really getting bored of typing that...) and <b>TWO </b>more super-duper-secret side projects coming soon!<br />
<br />
All the Best!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-58551708711703103292015-04-05T22:22:00.000+12:002015-04-06T20:24:09.076+12:00Lions to Port!Hi, All!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcn4s3ypN345RnUwSAdpMAKN6VvxxOFsHtevQ81reUDZLfnUxY8FDSUauH5v3s0_yHX40E8j5rCFKWDp9aj3K7eG3sT3gYd1V06b86Ga2nMPdxHMT0dbqtLztZpqiCLvBZp0y3c9G2Tqs/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcn4s3ypN345RnUwSAdpMAKN6VvxxOFsHtevQ81reUDZLfnUxY8FDSUauH5v3s0_yHX40E8j5rCFKWDp9aj3K7eG3sT3gYd1V06b86Ga2nMPdxHMT0dbqtLztZpqiCLvBZp0y3c9G2Tqs/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The port-side mid-deck is completed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Over the last two weeks I have been slogging away at the port-side mid-deck galleries of the engine room section of <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile.</i> And what a slog it has been!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BZseKjwApFldqTuECaXBgnkaBq22B82TE1I7WDkdFfB1CTqCR0J0IJZOzxoclZPKUliCNc1Zj93Q4fhsVyX4ZgbimmInZIRirPHRq-8qOrzAtc8MQvvzhX9zE12lJni_4uFRchyphenhyphenfZy4/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BZseKjwApFldqTuECaXBgnkaBq22B82TE1I7WDkdFfB1CTqCR0J0IJZOzxoclZPKUliCNc1Zj93Q4fhsVyX4ZgbimmInZIRirPHRq-8qOrzAtc8MQvvzhX9zE12lJni_4uFRchyphenhyphenfZy4/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" height="190" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As with the starboard side, the entire support structure is cut out, to be replaced.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As I mentioned in my last post, I decided to try building this part as a single piece, in order to keep things looking consistent, straight, coherent and so on... What I hadn't accounted for was the massive amount of work this would entail.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGKfR80kU4QASSkAvMiHSC9pKQhSax8jJYpq3sIwqUUo1jQeHFMRMBjcA2ozHiMHZR8P7qB20z6SqxTibvRfxORIXYGPex5oukACwznnRPXGc3Ue5uKEmAaCzILvHdGNyxR-JiquVyP0/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGKfR80kU4QASSkAvMiHSC9pKQhSax8jJYpq3sIwqUUo1jQeHFMRMBjcA2ozHiMHZR8P7qB20z6SqxTibvRfxORIXYGPex5oukACwznnRPXGc3Ue5uKEmAaCzILvHdGNyxR-JiquVyP0/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG" height="400" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The for'ard section is design with an arch to echo the bulkhead-buttresses of the main deck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRQIKt9ehUIHuM3On4uP55WgE18a2tA58oIAFNjWr473TkAB9tSycoE3QOXT4Be3UWnsDvQ15NVyCHrUKSo_7ZzF9vBreu9bcfPK1OPpA_ti25kxYyRRmcjgNI-n9_puCJoPKwFgdnz0/s1600/IMG_3367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRQIKt9ehUIHuM3On4uP55WgE18a2tA58oIAFNjWr473TkAB9tSycoE3QOXT4Be3UWnsDvQ15NVyCHrUKSo_7ZzF9vBreu9bcfPK1OPpA_ti25kxYyRRmcjgNI-n9_puCJoPKwFgdnz0/s1600/IMG_3367.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking the construction against the model,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Somehow during the last two weeks, I have been unable to find it in me to embark upon another fouteen hour stint of rivetting, soldering, painting and muttering to myself, hence the lack of a progress report until now.<br />
<br />
I think I may return to a schedule of bite-sized pieces!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffxpJCCqGJ7ld6SqnhbTXjoomUsuyl_jFKZi6b4vwKek3fXm-cY7LNrzfso3MB8DzL9fCWqlF_-UWg1b86iwQ08TrpYozfisXGQnbK7a9Xlmv_NUbqZIsTNTINi06CnX0MI6S98jswNc/s1600/IMG_3370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffxpJCCqGJ7ld6SqnhbTXjoomUsuyl_jFKZi6b4vwKek3fXm-cY7LNrzfso3MB8DzL9fCWqlF_-UWg1b86iwQ08TrpYozfisXGQnbK7a9Xlmv_NUbqZIsTNTINi06CnX0MI6S98jswNc/s1600/IMG_3370.JPG" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blank ceiling is cut to act as a guide when aligning the mid-deck to the deck above. A ladder will descend from above, all the way to the lower deck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway, somewhat later than I had hoped, I have now completed this stage of the model, and more significantly, I have almost finished the engine section. I will soon be moving on to the mansion! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zk9oOxv20tk6skm4TQlrAfDJUt3TEYdEM8eXcGJMGCeNBlaVoWJRn41IdC8VKikkifpXCQ-yZxyqNqO2xiUy0Vg7bE0BdhXBOuLKPO7PEYV3ZKIaebz9_-rf1h4HcuLjOzGwjrKGfP4/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zk9oOxv20tk6skm4TQlrAfDJUt3TEYdEM8eXcGJMGCeNBlaVoWJRn41IdC8VKikkifpXCQ-yZxyqNqO2xiUy0Vg7bE0BdhXBOuLKPO7PEYV3ZKIaebz9_-rf1h4HcuLjOzGwjrKGfP4/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" height="400" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shaft starts to take shape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When I designed this section I wanted to keep it similar to the starboard side, but to add a couple of new elements. There were also game-play considerations such as access to all areas from the main deck. I thought it might be nice to see light coming up from below through a shaft with a ladder, so I set myself the task of dropping a ladder from the top deck all the way down, with visible floorboards and a hidden light source at the bottom. Another ladder will eventually link to the rear area from above.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v7NJHWVsb5or0buYVMsXiTpMEzn4rbPsWpmc-sFxnqq0VWdAtfn58X5_m5NRK2dVZcn4fn95EtD5AwCb9PKTmlYwihqwQVLXh9zuE_9SjYpRRdfJT-mmT95W3_DtCg-jEa3SODs2S8g/s1600/IMG_3374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v7NJHWVsb5or0buYVMsXiTpMEzn4rbPsWpmc-sFxnqq0VWdAtfn58X5_m5NRK2dVZcn4fn95EtD5AwCb9PKTmlYwihqwQVLXh9zuE_9SjYpRRdfJT-mmT95W3_DtCg-jEa3SODs2S8g/s1600/IMG_3374.JPG" height="337" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large array of pieces had to be constructed, detailed and riveted before piecing together the whole 'kit'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKxlLzmgYdxYu4yCW29X3_1Nvmg_H8N-0IomSjaS-vgAeC2oBavzBUr9u_lH9ukp_21LelRg4fTF69Cw3zo5K0YiTUefObmuVVRs-EtHbFSSei7lF7bWGsr6uzldI3MWfx7EtuHK2Roo/s1600/IMG_3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKxlLzmgYdxYu4yCW29X3_1Nvmg_H8N-0IomSjaS-vgAeC2oBavzBUr9u_lH9ukp_21LelRg4fTF69Cw3zo5K0YiTUefObmuVVRs-EtHbFSSei7lF7bWGsr6uzldI3MWfx7EtuHK2Roo/s1600/IMG_3373.JPG" height="210" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear port mid-deck gallery, ready for assembly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was very handy to work with a lot of pieces at once, in that I could constantly check that everything was going to fit properly, but it was a lot of work! When it came to the rivetting stage, I really had to push myself to keep going!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdjKP53r_Cqh_Pvg9V8R9LXDh_wC4B4n7Di2iQ6-SdH3lBHVnzRH10hVGZ59PgIlBM1pzI3jpfcx9d8J5xsua4udPziPtJqbzku8nula17ZrSDNPbEoPN8KjjpKrGVtgp3n5SUckKlAc/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdjKP53r_Cqh_Pvg9V8R9LXDh_wC4B4n7Di2iQ6-SdH3lBHVnzRH10hVGZ59PgIlBM1pzI3jpfcx9d8J5xsua4udPziPtJqbzku8nula17ZrSDNPbEoPN8KjjpKrGVtgp3n5SUckKlAc/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The for'ard section, pre-rivetting...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQqO9QM8z8GYyLGx7E8ElCc5kk5EPthxpKQtS_f-cXFksZs6L7sp5rwG2McrHQBMPlbkgLS8_Px55RX51S9fXAiOIzWffTG48qWErkJ2p60707X72M7sBJ2FfiD6VoYN7piwuFgRWsww/s1600/IMG_3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQqO9QM8z8GYyLGx7E8ElCc5kk5EPthxpKQtS_f-cXFksZs6L7sp5rwG2McrHQBMPlbkgLS8_Px55RX51S9fXAiOIzWffTG48qWErkJ2p60707X72M7sBJ2FfiD6VoYN7piwuFgRWsww/s1600/IMG_3398.JPG" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and after painting. Ceiling, hand rails, lamp post and ladder have yet to be added.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then there were the lights... This piece added thirteen concealed LEDs and three working lamp posts, and I really hate soldering! There is now a huge amount of wiring hidden in this model. If it ever breaks down, I will not be able to fix it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pXE4WIhuB8P_VMSPm3427sikQpxxkYluSWmeGpNKjrXD-b-PAQydBC1XwR11yE0QESwrUmOI4yhzE6dpBF69jnFvonK58IDq-gdxVDxrsM7aJw5A4Yyx8gd4BRMF-xfMBJoA0xt-H44/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pXE4WIhuB8P_VMSPm3427sikQpxxkYluSWmeGpNKjrXD-b-PAQydBC1XwR11yE0QESwrUmOI4yhzE6dpBF69jnFvonK58IDq-gdxVDxrsM7aJw5A4Yyx8gd4BRMF-xfMBJoA0xt-H44/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" height="101" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished ceiling. The holes for the ladders had to be precisely checked against the deck above.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The whole assembly was unified by building the ceiling as a single piece, to which I glued the finished components, working upside-down. When all the wiring was done, the finished section was put into place and the ladder was dropped in. Finally, a frame and hand rail were added around the top of the ladder. <br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr3B3k3dmCotruuPJ35eDcxgGLCcN5PVhdxQ1WdqUCP15-qlUM8U7Uu-1jxhDhGTUwuJRl0imgMOc5Q1XCiqUEtCBUlp9gLNx9GZUr4gBlNj4ytD3gQV9d3cKJPBX-s8dN7DX5AAe7Go/s1600/IMG_3415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr3B3k3dmCotruuPJ35eDcxgGLCcN5PVhdxQ1WdqUCP15-qlUM8U7Uu-1jxhDhGTUwuJRl0imgMOc5Q1XCiqUEtCBUlp9gLNx9GZUr4gBlNj4ytD3gQV9d3cKJPBX-s8dN7DX5AAe7Go/s1600/IMG_3415.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished deck, in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
And there you go. Simple, innit?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0pNQh9TBtiz3h7_JZMVN-GnNoeFeBd-Nvu7U8CMu6t0yilRd2pNCzX3paeulrqSWbhuHvAHZNo_JFL1lDIGs4o1atLhHfDrWNVHDVtaHzoJ8xfiOaF9-3xvheSBN80LTA9_UX7LdlYc/s1600/IMG_3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0pNQh9TBtiz3h7_JZMVN-GnNoeFeBd-Nvu7U8CMu6t0yilRd2pNCzX3paeulrqSWbhuHvAHZNo_JFL1lDIGs4o1atLhHfDrWNVHDVtaHzoJ8xfiOaF9-3xvheSBN80LTA9_UX7LdlYc/s1600/IMG_3408.JPG" height="376" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladder drops away through the decks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWLhp9PABR6bLzKRFwI1R-z5geOxnZ0Dg4RVO9EDVKCZ0FpgvOCqrIjhsd9jQttPDrvlPreW78V_-0hbkTxevPLmjF0mDnXLC6lUV0keMiwXj0cKu3ii83nKFwVA73MaIvu820h5RQhY/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWLhp9PABR6bLzKRFwI1R-z5geOxnZ0Dg4RVO9EDVKCZ0FpgvOCqrIjhsd9jQttPDrvlPreW78V_-0hbkTxevPLmjF0mDnXLC6lUV0keMiwXj0cKu3ii83nKFwVA73MaIvu820h5RQhY/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" height="355" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gas-lamp glow illuminates the depths of the vessel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Which brings me to the <b>Rivet Count:</b><br />
<br />
In this section, I added a total of <b>891 </b>rivets to the model, bringing the total so far to:<br />
<br />
<b>13,569 !</b><br />
<br />
Not bad. Looking forward to the twenty-thousand mark now!<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbY1Ec17Gleab3PAQpKIdYpaZECINYQjEcTOXagxEimgVwxjWUe_tvspl16bwFNOc9eA0Yx_pBaL-b-fI_9ade8H7Lg3gb9fiUaqU-sCutNmajLzGbMVwY3Bml6eA8Bhk5xWuvUNDfCRI/s1600/IMG_3411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbY1Ec17Gleab3PAQpKIdYpaZECINYQjEcTOXagxEimgVwxjWUe_tvspl16bwFNOc9eA0Yx_pBaL-b-fI_9ade8H7Lg3gb9fiUaqU-sCutNmajLzGbMVwY3Bml6eA8Bhk5xWuvUNDfCRI/s1600/IMG_3411.JPG" height="370" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The for'ard gallery by lamp light.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOnqIBIpX6ouCg7KN2IfFtEgutNnnRknRx_30vEfTLXOxCdLnn4hfBH_r7_FxAmFtd49MchCEfyeJ3ZeSeMNyGBv7OiAwBzGA6__t4h5uyDvng5SkPPyoO5BTKqwdmPyinChB-zfef8Q/s1600/IMG_3416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOnqIBIpX6ouCg7KN2IfFtEgutNnnRknRx_30vEfTLXOxCdLnn4hfBH_r7_FxAmFtd49MchCEfyeJ3ZeSeMNyGBv7OiAwBzGA6__t4h5uyDvng5SkPPyoO5BTKqwdmPyinChB-zfef8Q/s1600/IMG_3416.JPG" height="400" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main deck is starting to look quite busy now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQE5QxzSXBL6i0vgBPBLCKNIWnZEeqtZBQ8eCP3EP0E1-lJIEdATBS6ARMmLJcdsUu3Jw-xGg1mNRj5XaB6uWFc-myCnssg14mUX7cDSe_2xhJTrnpI9HgbrNqkD7Fr16D67oXWURJqg/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQE5QxzSXBL6i0vgBPBLCKNIWnZEeqtZBQ8eCP3EP0E1-lJIEdATBS6ARMmLJcdsUu3Jw-xGg1mNRj5XaB6uWFc-myCnssg14mUX7cDSe_2xhJTrnpI9HgbrNqkD7Fr16D67oXWURJqg/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear section, still waiting for a ladder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSpiSf3gw1XdHUkhyphenhyphenUCfebn3_-uwGoCwh4XaQX7P28keYNc1tXWb440-u2AWhFH6ZYvU2l-hB-kTE91BMDxCKpRNs2ODeHNIeXke_15evkG52MnXKjo9LsBlB2zhqsn71fDpaQzcaCpY/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSpiSf3gw1XdHUkhyphenhyphenUCfebn3_-uwGoCwh4XaQX7P28keYNc1tXWb440-u2AWhFH6ZYvU2l-hB-kTE91BMDxCKpRNs2ODeHNIeXke_15evkG52MnXKjo9LsBlB2zhqsn71fDpaQzcaCpY/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladder casts pleasing shadows against the bulkheads, while yet another hand-made lantern cheerfully flickers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>"But why <i>Lions</i>?" I hear you think...</b><br />
<br />
Well, calm down and I shall tell you.<br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYiZLVpEfGp_ES1nrOygUtmyJliX08vxmfvexovD9s7o4uNXDCtEQqohvp4MudfaTEJrgWvfk-xOwMyQDCw9wBpPrT6pcYR3nwGPeqFAmgHiNnFQYhDXi2W63mtXuGTC4VowdVNya408/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYiZLVpEfGp_ES1nrOygUtmyJliX08vxmfvexovD9s7o4uNXDCtEQqohvp4MudfaTEJrgWvfk-xOwMyQDCw9wBpPrT6pcYR3nwGPeqFAmgHiNnFQYhDXi2W63mtXuGTC4VowdVNya408/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" height="400" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Nefarious-looking armoured vehicle joins the ranks of the <i>Wutha-F'Kahwi</i> tribe...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got a bit distracted during the last couple of weeks, possibly out of the need to do something relatively quick, simple, silly and entertaining. And it's been quite a while since <i>The Nefarious Doctor Nefarious </i>and his <i>Wutha-F'Kahwi</i> allies caused any trouble...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FPHXmZQ4aVGAXT5bomkVdWIQOsNHKQxkWR3Ozyi1DFArDhIcHKRXfg0TcW-rzjd9NywiIMW4i_5VY19vRZfcR2kJf33BiOJYr_NsOSB4dK8kXBSgcstyEulQWWeYyMaXgg3DoZRWfPQ/s1600/IMG_3392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FPHXmZQ4aVGAXT5bomkVdWIQOsNHKQxkWR3Ozyi1DFArDhIcHKRXfg0TcW-rzjd9NywiIMW4i_5VY19vRZfcR2kJf33BiOJYr_NsOSB4dK8kXBSgcstyEulQWWeYyMaXgg3DoZRWfPQ/s1600/IMG_3392.JPG" height="400" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lions: They look like cannons really, don't they?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had found in a local crap shop a soft orange plastic lion's head that looked like fun. With cheerful abandon, I shoved a length of tube down its throat, punched a hole in its cranium and proceeded to turn it into mobile artillery.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39j9zX_31K5NYuLTsIPftTnz6VuQPiry-76yGVRBQ7PEehoY86WEJ11aG5teUh2t9kK68SQ7wTzhuKUXjyDooG-Y_5Aco_R-uYm2KAOyzZaU5qYusPSF7guDXMdHpY-JZgc9y2C0mzRs/s1600/IMG_3394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39j9zX_31K5NYuLTsIPftTnz6VuQPiry-76yGVRBQ7PEehoY86WEJ11aG5teUh2t9kK68SQ7wTzhuKUXjyDooG-Y_5Aco_R-uYm2KAOyzZaU5qYusPSF7guDXMdHpY-JZgc9y2C0mzRs/s1600/IMG_3394.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An eccentric-looking tribesman with looted and decorated pith helmet, goggles and telescope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Why not?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPHba8l9CQXGo3DRvgBFuMVdYCiEP8iaETxEBh00ssSQvPwmOxCm2581ehq58HXwFK6fwU-Osj0jpKBuczKaa9B0iRRp2-z-RtjCbiTwaO02C5QGJ2jFHDQj7LbdLHlyZRb1bNjXRJ3Q/s1600/IMG_3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPHba8l9CQXGo3DRvgBFuMVdYCiEP8iaETxEBh00ssSQvPwmOxCm2581ehq58HXwFK6fwU-Osj0jpKBuczKaa9B0iRRp2-z-RtjCbiTwaO02C5QGJ2jFHDQj7LbdLHlyZRb1bNjXRJ3Q/s1600/IMG_3400.JPG" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heavily riveted vehice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_u16UvaCCXIhil5mcADR117obtKpNJStMggEa6DmUWEZrl0pxz2MDtDae6wdD3AcOL35wXiPU6Lr453Tg0c5rGzfWhh0WrnEg2tsyGhGwr5i33X3m-2pmyP_pnwYK7VICt4yPuUmugw/s1600/IMG_3418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_u16UvaCCXIhil5mcADR117obtKpNJStMggEa6DmUWEZrl0pxz2MDtDae6wdD3AcOL35wXiPU6Lr453Tg0c5rGzfWhh0WrnEg2tsyGhGwr5i33X3m-2pmyP_pnwYK7VICt4yPuUmugw/s1600/IMG_3418.JPG" height="400" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boiler and copper chimney complete the archaic look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sadly, somewhere along the way, I have managed to delete all of the build-progress photos I took, but here are the results. The chassis was made from plastic board off-cuts, around a wild west pencil sharpener wagon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YcyvFxLqfV0sGYh5QSoAejzlDht-TUMC9qJQSQfO5Sn-bGrlQOekj2pwDxBSGTBEsT-vu3E-_qAktwnYwgbygEVLIKni7IikmDghjSrbKr4y93KK6bHu16BdEAa2FoDuo0Kfoogod_k/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YcyvFxLqfV0sGYh5QSoAejzlDht-TUMC9qJQSQfO5Sn-bGrlQOekj2pwDxBSGTBEsT-vu3E-_qAktwnYwgbygEVLIKni7IikmDghjSrbKr4y93KK6bHu16BdEAa2FoDuo0Kfoogod_k/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" height="400" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cheap plastic lion's head turned out rather well, I think!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This little beast is the latest creation of <i>The Nefarious Doctor Nefarious: </i>given by him to a local <i>Wutha-F'Kahwi </i>chieftain in order to further destabilise British rule on the Lost Continent. Or that's my excuse, anyway.<br />
<br />
Boasting only 391 rivets, it's just a little fellow - but I hope you like it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1Rc6WrqfvqxIl7ntKFxrH7NWzNTHX5_2_MEC8MwzcS-76Eepe9QMZiMOzTBNLDU2scw-bn9fikU88gFgdN5D8eOjQaCftq1EYIEdtQLTvUjuHCWHC4lsNNfuP5Vmm1W9QE1jaInxW9w/s1600/IMG_3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1Rc6WrqfvqxIl7ntKFxrH7NWzNTHX5_2_MEC8MwzcS-76Eepe9QMZiMOzTBNLDU2scw-bn9fikU88gFgdN5D8eOjQaCftq1EYIEdtQLTvUjuHCWHC4lsNNfuP5Vmm1W9QE1jaInxW9w/s1600/IMG_3404.JPG" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wutha-F'Kahwi advance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway, that's all for now!<br />
<br />
All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-61234970041887089302015-03-23T21:11:00.000+13:002015-03-23T21:40:59.969+13:00Rivets To Starboard!Hi, All!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02gkIo_6KcjEuzeXWZVja0vvDgkHThA3odKBFwO0bT4LtXVtqY7C0X0A4zN91OXkIHWfB1oKrZm4_DR1ALPtmqEV9FSPrVETBd0AFrRmW6PCC7vL-bz0w8C-M0k3Ojd9Zoy8-UEpIHUI/s1600/IMG_3351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02gkIo_6KcjEuzeXWZVja0vvDgkHThA3odKBFwO0bT4LtXVtqY7C0X0A4zN91OXkIHWfB1oKrZm4_DR1ALPtmqEV9FSPrVETBd0AFrRmW6PCC7vL-bz0w8C-M0k3Ojd9Zoy8-UEpIHUI/s1600/IMG_3351.JPG" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A peaceful evening on board <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vactional Domicile</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
When one dives into any project with little to no forward planning and a vague intention to invent as one goes along (as one frequently does - well, this one anyway!) one runs the risk of creating a lot of work for oneself.<br />
<br />
Doesn't one?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9wCrnAegydPrGZ2zvj6rl0TpjJCHeQxQidjN7sJklOBC-rpc_9DlkKQYEMLSjvu5AXvSEhVRCeytYMMviJf4MaKau9C6dSZ3p7lc7YME3GvqeIWgOuFWtF7AbyZ00e9JWyChh6Tvqgs/s1600/01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9wCrnAegydPrGZ2zvj6rl0TpjJCHeQxQidjN7sJklOBC-rpc_9DlkKQYEMLSjvu5AXvSEhVRCeytYMMviJf4MaKau9C6dSZ3p7lc7YME3GvqeIWgOuFWtF7AbyZ00e9JWyChh6Tvqgs/s1600/01.JPG" height="190" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire starboard side is pulled apart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So it is with <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vactional Domicile.</i><br />
<br />
In particular, one suffers a constant onslaught of new and better ideas, which one attempts to incorporate, potentially resulting in a lack of design consistency and the occasional wobbly bit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOGlYim8XxFFnRXszqg8UXCHjKAXcqLDuQ_qx24fRl5x2L2RCO9SaG-OzfLvfrqeXIzSBMt7cVtO8ymh9mntiaFpLVzHfH1_I_9lNjA7vxl47VvQVjHqHGcuTTKmUlUzrPw85gXWkIu8/s1600/02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOGlYim8XxFFnRXszqg8UXCHjKAXcqLDuQ_qx24fRl5x2L2RCO9SaG-OzfLvfrqeXIzSBMt7cVtO8ymh9mntiaFpLVzHfH1_I_9lNjA7vxl47VvQVjHqHGcuTTKmUlUzrPw85gXWkIu8/s1600/02.JPG" height="196" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The engine section is glued to its board and a basic cardboard blank is fitted to the leg bay.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So it's a good job one doesn't really care. Nevertheless, some of you out there might (and probably <i>should</i>) so please feel free to learn from my haphazard and eccentric approach to miniature engineering.<br />
<br />
I meant to write this blog post last night, but following a fourteen hour session of cutting, gluing, soldering, painting, wood-staining, photographing and of course rivetting, I could take no more. My apologies for not putting in the effort!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgqgb38LItNFPeWoX-2E39z-NljByW6folTjzt6N2DC2R22_Yo3s7mbn5_XMJVzpRk3HOaxBxffR3SwMlRQ2EPX1j_8iwwn6rmMMNnW0Ed6VRdzc568n27avGuI2spd-BLjw9uBcWrps/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgqgb38LItNFPeWoX-2E39z-NljByW6folTjzt6N2DC2R22_Yo3s7mbn5_XMJVzpRk3HOaxBxffR3SwMlRQ2EPX1j_8iwwn6rmMMNnW0Ed6VRdzc568n27avGuI2spd-BLjw9uBcWrps/s1600/a.jpg" height="215" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holes are cut for ladders (later) and marked against the ceiling pieces of the mid-deck sections below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I realised that having made the decision a week or two back to open out the mid-deck section, the support structure I had previously built from foam core because it is lightweight, strong and relatively cheap would no longer do the job. Being thick, it was too bulky to even remotely accurately represent scale, and it would not provide a crisp, clear line to the hull.<br />
<br />
It had to go.<br />
<br />
So, with jollity, coffee and a big knife, I hacked my vessel to bits, then realised I had removed all reference points, front to back, up to down, starboard to port... "Oh, whoops," quoth I.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ7T5E1NxUInC-vDAvJ6zh25O25SnE-RLdWoGA6ajPqWnmU9tB3KkL-0A_EryV6INX3PqyFEhfTnKNKPwAzg8Bb_I_N-YS3ZNC0sUbX2mjDOx5erEZTgIvMrxjLn3bRdxwYLhABQyjwM/s1600/IMG_3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ7T5E1NxUInC-vDAvJ6zh25O25SnE-RLdWoGA6ajPqWnmU9tB3KkL-0A_EryV6INX3PqyFEhfTnKNKPwAzg8Bb_I_N-YS3ZNC0sUbX2mjDOx5erEZTgIvMrxjLn3bRdxwYLhABQyjwM/s1600/IMG_3313.JPG" height="217" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New sections are built and tried in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fortunately, I had not yet glued the engine room to the base board I had cut to eventually sit on top of the whole-vehicle chassis. (The keen eyed and pedantic amongst you will note that I previously, incorrectly, referred to this as a 'fuselage'. Please shush.) This meant that I was able to create a 'blank' compartment for the leg bay (where the leg will eventually go - get it?) and then restructure the entire starboard side around this. It also meant that I could turn the aforementioned base board around, effectively moving the leg bay backwards, to where it looks more fitting.<br />
<br />
So it wasn't all bad.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvkrPYLPj1CfpxVHPqK7hk-_8y9i6tXpStTuLeVtYxbtmpwJBL3sx4wWKnqInuxsCQWWGRIW6Mq5HFBAQ5cXiIW2mOMpBHyx883_ylsViIRggVWNeUafj0SawrEt__TsqMQv3mWihmCs/s1600/IMG_3315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvkrPYLPj1CfpxVHPqK7hk-_8y9i6tXpStTuLeVtYxbtmpwJBL3sx4wWKnqInuxsCQWWGRIW6Mq5HFBAQ5cXiIW2mOMpBHyx883_ylsViIRggVWNeUafj0SawrEt__TsqMQv3mWihmCs/s1600/IMG_3315.JPG" height="161" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two pieces are joined with a bridging piece, giving greater rigidity and linear accuracy than if I was to continue building a section at a time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thus, although I had planned to construct just the rear-most starboard mid-deck section, I actually found myself rebuilding the entire starboard mid-deck as a single piece. Port will soon follow the same process.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH3yPNY0NkRQ4n_ixQu9t9H80hu9NByYaZHP7Le5saJRnrZYPwWlWUl9CuE5RAvo9vEM_yJBvCTVhepFo38nYkd7ao3w_Bp68tyDlABnqt0Wr_5AJ57ep3ptmuKZJsmClMOkoJV8jukI/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH3yPNY0NkRQ4n_ixQu9t9H80hu9NByYaZHP7Le5saJRnrZYPwWlWUl9CuE5RAvo9vEM_yJBvCTVhepFo38nYkd7ao3w_Bp68tyDlABnqt0Wr_5AJ57ep3ptmuKZJsmClMOkoJV8jukI/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" height="400" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lamp-post is inserted into the painted piece, after first applying a balsa floor.</td></tr>
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<br />
I am confident that in so doing, I will achieve cleaner lines, greater strength, and better consistency of design.<br />
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So there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGbWcFccH8eqMUuqn2Ba_bwoi_oIJs09LP1YzKWxnx94dPnaL9K-y9pX3813Vk8qK2pL1OCAcou_0z2rTAZEbbnZT3oJJ_5Li8vegtv08rDA1DAy-V3y3d2Oc8kA5fXXHzjAi4BuBhHE/s1600/IMG_3322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGbWcFccH8eqMUuqn2Ba_bwoi_oIJs09LP1YzKWxnx94dPnaL9K-y9pX3813Vk8qK2pL1OCAcou_0z2rTAZEbbnZT3oJJ_5Li8vegtv08rDA1DAy-V3y3d2Oc8kA5fXXHzjAi4BuBhHE/s1600/IMG_3322.JPG" height="135" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished piece, ready to insert. Lanterns have been wired and glued-in. Frosted acetate 'glass' is behind the portholes to catch the light of concealed LEDs within the model.</td></tr>
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<br />
The various parts you see here were constructed as previously described in earlier posts, so I won't bore you. Needless to say, there will be a lot more of this kind of repetitive work, so I'll do my best to keep you all entertained with pretty pictures!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6clYGEYQOaHBsPZIj5U_kfTaBIVXLbuiMTcEhGT0lhM-cWVp9NvzLe-1dkFMRLuvD3QMO9iXiJ5My1FP5F5QCbUdopO4Gk83aaGSzBHxDMovYINKuxiFx1Odwt-QMaw8qBzdzyjcy2Y/s1600/IMG_3331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6clYGEYQOaHBsPZIj5U_kfTaBIVXLbuiMTcEhGT0lhM-cWVp9NvzLe-1dkFMRLuvD3QMO9iXiJ5My1FP5F5QCbUdopO4Gk83aaGSzBHxDMovYINKuxiFx1Odwt-QMaw8qBzdzyjcy2Y/s1600/IMG_3331.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear section, in place. LEDs have been installed in the lower deck, in preparation for later.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwQA1By-wkUb5oXsTgD0i-1TtZLerpji16PElIFsJbsZlK5Yf8JkeR9B345tvl10KjXoqrFveDSCa5YgujSONCjkxKymzd1IZnx2VbbCxbSs5tCDh3KRY6j_EwUWZiJT1y4JHwlFFDyo/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwQA1By-wkUb5oXsTgD0i-1TtZLerpji16PElIFsJbsZlK5Yf8JkeR9B345tvl10KjXoqrFveDSCa5YgujSONCjkxKymzd1IZnx2VbbCxbSs5tCDh3KRY6j_EwUWZiJT1y4JHwlFFDyo/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward. The cardboard blank in the leg bay will eventually be hidden.</td></tr>
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<br />
But before the eye-candy, the <b>Rivet Count!</b><br />
<br />
I have added a total of 559 rivets this week, bringing <i>Lord Smudgington Smythely-Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vactional Domicile </i>to...<br />
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<b>12,678 rivets!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy0mNShxP72OFaGXR9NSMVs2RtpSwCc66rhM3Pen8H-cFk5GrqSfnibTWWFIvnzYDQznVzCQ_GGaJvs_yj57FVSf5GN-g2gdYVz91IlLcDdRg9XzsxY20uNucqdovR2Nf_WKvGtlJR5M/s1600/IMG_3347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy0mNShxP72OFaGXR9NSMVs2RtpSwCc66rhM3Pen8H-cFk5GrqSfnibTWWFIvnzYDQznVzCQ_GGaJvs_yj57FVSf5GN-g2gdYVz91IlLcDdRg9XzsxY20uNucqdovR2Nf_WKvGtlJR5M/s1600/IMG_3347.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not content to take my word for it, an over-zealous officer starts counting...<br />
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And... as a nice numerical aside, Colonel O'Truth's Miniature Issues has just passed 150,000 hits! So a huge thank you to all you splendid chaps and chapesses!<br />
<b> </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FZI6P0L3KlanGTKrRStZsLQ7XdbMQ7mL2ithRYzgIQcAtsA6j0YMqXbDx29Maywq1THx7gfuiW9F-55eLd62spfClIOgxo8voV6_Hw2VMaSnA-rZ_-raxH6sGznflv0qZ5_6FiWo0hA/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FZI6P0L3KlanGTKrRStZsLQ7XdbMQ7mL2ithRYzgIQcAtsA6j0YMqXbDx29Maywq1THx7gfuiW9F-55eLd62spfClIOgxo8voV6_Hw2VMaSnA-rZ_-raxH6sGznflv0qZ5_6FiWo0hA/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The starboard side so far.</td></tr>
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<b> </b><br />
So without further ado, here are some more nice pictures! Huzzah!<br />
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Next week, I'll endeavour to make a good go of the port side mid-deck, and I'll be discussing the remarkable similarities between giant severed lions' heads and late nineteenth-century steam-driven artillery.</div>
<b></b><br />
All the Best!Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646957692024896369.post-87685533016611164512015-03-16T00:14:00.000+13:002015-03-16T00:14:28.064+13:00Making Life ComplicatedHi, All!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznzdZce1NFl9KHcQ32qPa53r-kJs96fS1lWdXIsCt0MBR1q0oVgkfPSefcok4r6EwZFC6kKd3gc0nj1brZBkvQfDYuDeKNYaSdZ8XtyHCT1NGCOy0YR7sv0BmpxTQtcFMZuSeef3Lp-k/s1600/Top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznzdZce1NFl9KHcQ32qPa53r-kJs96fS1lWdXIsCt0MBR1q0oVgkfPSefcok4r6EwZFC6kKd3gc0nj1brZBkvQfDYuDeKNYaSdZ8XtyHCT1NGCOy0YR7sv0BmpxTQtcFMZuSeef3Lp-k/s1600/Top.JPG" height="395" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeeves sneaks away to the engine-section-starboard-for'ard-mid-deck gallery for a swift tipple...</td></tr>
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I have had something of a busy week with <i>Lord Smudginton Smythely Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile </i>this week, putting in around twenty-three hours of work this weekend alone!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVWAWb3T7NXn0QqMgXOnTqa5YQTOVgcDqfNS8m_FOApqS2E6SF1JctVeLCCgdAfxQpvyUHYWUE5RUB_ZT6khMD72GP898K6jpISoM_voNQqQbD8k-Or4v4-gC_zpBNnYjVfajZMTc6dA/s1600/Arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVWAWb3T7NXn0QqMgXOnTqa5YQTOVgcDqfNS8m_FOApqS2E6SF1JctVeLCCgdAfxQpvyUHYWUE5RUB_ZT6khMD72GP898K6jpISoM_voNQqQbD8k-Or4v4-gC_zpBNnYjVfajZMTc6dA/s1600/Arch.jpg" height="400" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear gable is built and fixed into place.</td></tr>
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It all started innocently enough, working on a couple of the items I had resolved to finish - namely, the rear-end gable of the barrel vault roof, and four little ladders for various parts of the engine room. But then I went and got ambitious...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYnwY3lNEJVOb6ikFNJMdnT5WygTqIv3fXY5MfZZ-J9WT0ePotVu3VPzk3Qd_pNPvezHk8ZAPRKgpNLkEx8XnKsj5AmfQmO0gffOp7kdmRbdxOiyTLQG7BHHL61Y6tFYE7ROvGQ1uzzM/s1600/ladders+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYnwY3lNEJVOb6ikFNJMdnT5WygTqIv3fXY5MfZZ-J9WT0ePotVu3VPzk3Qd_pNPvezHk8ZAPRKgpNLkEx8XnKsj5AmfQmO0gffOp7kdmRbdxOiyTLQG7BHHL61Y6tFYE7ROvGQ1uzzM/s1600/ladders+1.JPG" height="320" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladders are constructed from plastic strips, marked at intervals for regular spacing of the rungs. And a little hatch - for later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwhegJoDn3H1ZFf6FmF7kbfq0eqaEEQVWlXfwn77EGr6Tgqdu9Ce9tIicEmoq0b_LBNNB4nbSUJXlSnNgKaNw7u1uUxwv7tcVs_ScFSHpGufKGOzGXZpINnN1mIpaCf2lDOSWWOyGbdk/s1600/ladders+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwhegJoDn3H1ZFf6FmF7kbfq0eqaEEQVWlXfwn77EGr6Tgqdu9Ce9tIicEmoq0b_LBNNB4nbSUJXlSnNgKaNw7u1uUxwv7tcVs_ScFSHpGufKGOzGXZpINnN1mIpaCf2lDOSWWOyGbdk/s1600/ladders+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unpainted ladder is checked in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I just can't help myself sometimes.<br />
<br />
I won't go into too much detail about the barrel vault gable here - it was constructed in the same way as the one I discussed in last week's post. This new one is slightly less ornate, lacking the decorative discs and boasting only 193 rivets...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9svl6HjfPtiDhBP0Qy0V_W2EjbEEiw_fmSRe7YdwyNp5saRR2TioddfGzFA0tyQ1VCh8jVzzi4JNKAIpoO8KDQ-eE7owBr2KHKe9-kO8KgiVh0ywJfdkR6LYjb8ZAg7JAohQWc8jKaI/s1600/Ladders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9svl6HjfPtiDhBP0Qy0V_W2EjbEEiw_fmSRe7YdwyNp5saRR2TioddfGzFA0tyQ1VCh8jVzzi4JNKAIpoO8KDQ-eE7owBr2KHKe9-kO8KgiVh0ywJfdkR6LYjb8ZAg7JAohQWc8jKaI/s1600/Ladders.jpg" height="400" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four finished ladders in their final positions inside the engine room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The ladders were simply constructed from 2mm strips of plastic board and 12mm lengths of rod. Each was checked in its position to ensure fixings were at the correct heights, before painting them and gluing them in place - the work of maybe an hour or so. They can be a little fiddly at times.<br />
<br />
I also started messing about with severed reptile heads. After all, it's been lovely weather for it...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxtfm05GpvOPsHUp5jZ1HxAYtzwiOXkQpk3prfZj9ZkNWE322r9d3gQ_USC586bO81VPXgBx8k-Mw9moxfYMTRJkXyndzboks20A7U76ymzSxSH0QIrddJFZWfOiOVnT3Gq5Ee8jFrCM/s1600/Heads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxtfm05GpvOPsHUp5jZ1HxAYtzwiOXkQpk3prfZj9ZkNWE322r9d3gQ_USC586bO81VPXgBx8k-Mw9moxfYMTRJkXyndzboks20A7U76ymzSxSH0QIrddJFZWfOiOVnT3Gq5Ee8jFrCM/s1600/Heads.jpg" height="400" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first of many trophies are prepared for display.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have decided that a large portion of the mansion section will eventually house a trophy room, full of Lord Smudgington Smythely Smythe's bizarre souvenirs from his many foreign jaunts <i>(see also 'pillage'). </i>The first of such treasures are three huge reptile heads, which His Lordship's trusty manservant Jeeves has lovingly scrubbed clean of plasma burns, stuffed and mounted on wooden plaques. All of these began life as horrible cheap plastic toys, at maybe a couple of dollars each. Amazing what a lick of paint can do!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKq1nUVdAxsWxRUlFr135wRzR_QkEr2XYuU8_w3-g_zhEQ8km0ZYImlX1ViVABMw4NAhsxxl4SVp1SNvxqHpdgCQRvF1i4E8FQKb24oLmdeBCXRjsKO4qffxIgM2dQG2a24YY2H2R8QY/s1600/Corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKq1nUVdAxsWxRUlFr135wRzR_QkEr2XYuU8_w3-g_zhEQ8km0ZYImlX1ViVABMw4NAhsxxl4SVp1SNvxqHpdgCQRvF1i4E8FQKb24oLmdeBCXRjsKO4qffxIgM2dQG2a24YY2H2R8QY/s1600/Corner.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The starboard corner is aggressively modified.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And then, I had an idea.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCk2vDeqQz_gZg8IHNmMrfL8MrKLaecVHVuwRcGQDBUWmcyXwAeS-K0p4po-mXRf8bZoBkVD79L3nfjb4MHVRglhMQApuqqcXeiK9GLrD8CkUk-E3jO8ffgBFU8JbMEQ9pAYhjXDoNNg/s1600/Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCk2vDeqQz_gZg8IHNmMrfL8MrKLaecVHVuwRcGQDBUWmcyXwAeS-K0p4po-mXRf8bZoBkVD79L3nfjb4MHVRglhMQApuqqcXeiK9GLrD8CkUk-E3jO8ffgBFU8JbMEQ9pAYhjXDoNNg/s1600/Gallery.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mid-deck gallery is designed and pieced together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I mentioned last week that I wished to add further detail to the deck section in front of the engine room, and also that I had decided that a row of portholes to depict the mid-deck was simply not enough detail. I have resolved, therefore, to depict the outer-mid-deck sections as open galleries with handrails to match the top deck. Doors and portholes within these new details will be lit from behind, hinting at further goings-on deep inside the vessel.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sz9r5xuvMayd7a0kEmV0E0f7a5FI4rmsT1Kf1JfZKy3y4R2uG0SBIG9SH5svBstBOIIWYrzrpoBsZ4Q78btFjjRD3b2Taxxf4Nf2dvUR2PWTgIA4t3QF2ZFFVfounkdLUEP3YFv7Jb0/s1600/Hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sz9r5xuvMayd7a0kEmV0E0f7a5FI4rmsT1Kf1JfZKy3y4R2uG0SBIG9SH5svBstBOIIWYrzrpoBsZ4Q78btFjjRD3b2Taxxf4Nf2dvUR2PWTgIA4t3QF2ZFFVfounkdLUEP3YFv7Jb0/s1600/Hole.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hole is cut through the top deck, checked against the new detail below, and a trim is built for the edge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I started with the Starboard front edge of the engine section, and decided to link it to the the top deck with a stairwell. This gave me the opportunity to add more pretty brass hand-rails!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBye8JCYAJN_9eGW08IZD3vpgUbJ5I75nO_HJn86LAA_S-NoYlL3jfSfddFp80pUE2tTUL8U6v6koAKClb7vpL3ecxmUwYswdAxRY4kfU6qX-4lM_18cGBPxmUTTXoYCNLceYZoFrDD8/s1600/gallery+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBye8JCYAJN_9eGW08IZD3vpgUbJ5I75nO_HJn86LAA_S-NoYlL3jfSfddFp80pUE2tTUL8U6v6koAKClb7vpL3ecxmUwYswdAxRY4kfU6qX-4lM_18cGBPxmUTTXoYCNLceYZoFrDD8/s1600/gallery+4.JPG" height="207" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gallery - riveted and painted, waiting for a roof, hand rail and lamp post.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During this process there was a lot of checking, rechecking, modifying the existing model, rearranging, checking again... and a little bit of grumbling. Particularly when it came to soldering the LEDs. I hate soldering.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsNJvpG0m6-i7a_1qHhwGtBBUCH5pRnAA8B1tpoPFOyMKj2MeZ-vum69wVEVzfT8qyQAF2_ilYoz4uHER1ikVXlgw0w7LfzR_RM3xv3td2N0yPmst7tYYxEts6xoGiPEXbBsREfQLabA/s1600/Stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsNJvpG0m6-i7a_1qHhwGtBBUCH5pRnAA8B1tpoPFOyMKj2MeZ-vum69wVEVzfT8qyQAF2_ilYoz4uHER1ikVXlgw0w7LfzR_RM3xv3td2N0yPmst7tYYxEts6xoGiPEXbBsREfQLabA/s1600/Stairs.jpg" height="160" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs are constructed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The walls, hand rails and other details all follow the same configuration as those of the top deck, so it was a good job I'd noted down measurments such as porthole sizes and heights from floor level and so on in my trusty notebook. There is a lot more of this to come!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX0TkhlFOC2h1GSw6OG3mjWiAVT7ymatnBtK6gA_hcB4LUR9RfdbzQEXEtZWFIyjVj_htLM1upYl-5ELHWUcucZOP2bwUPceia08uFCAGWaIEJ-nH7Bv-Rtb7Ugio0qEPuOafgB8Q9GE/s1600/gallery+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX0TkhlFOC2h1GSw6OG3mjWiAVT7ymatnBtK6gA_hcB4LUR9RfdbzQEXEtZWFIyjVj_htLM1upYl-5ELHWUcucZOP2bwUPceia08uFCAGWaIEJ-nH7Bv-Rtb7Ugio0qEPuOafgB8Q9GE/s1600/gallery+6.JPG" height="351" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unpainted stairs are checked in place. They also have to be checked against the hole in the ceiling. I have yet to add the lamp post.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In building the stairs I had to be precise. I decided to set them at an angle of 45 degrees because it's fairly simple to work with. I planned and cut all the components at once before gluing anything, and was careful to make sure it all sat properly. One thing to be aware of with this kind of thing is that the stairs should not be made to the height of the deck alone - they have to also take into account the thickness of the ceiling and distance to floor of the deck above. This in turn effects the horizontal length of floor space required. These stairs ascend 56mm, and therefor take up 56mm of length on the floor.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOPgKMUv5ZZue42iU0qVr2Sjx6Bffz4GcGGAfESG-6tH2tmoLdOGdqSDyk74vTUlLiAg-ZhAzD4iYzNSjTSx_keMNhFo7Z-U6x7ktUj36Ry7EnL7UMR1tjwXWMqfKE1NJC2oo9SlQff0/s1600/Stairs+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOPgKMUv5ZZue42iU0qVr2Sjx6Bffz4GcGGAfESG-6tH2tmoLdOGdqSDyk74vTUlLiAg-ZhAzD4iYzNSjTSx_keMNhFo7Z-U6x7ktUj36Ry7EnL7UMR1tjwXWMqfKE1NJC2oo9SlQff0/s1600/Stairs+B.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The painted stairs and trim with hand rails added.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's not as complicated as it sounds. Promise.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWNMqDafSoIVgnZjNCL4qTOFMXRJ7QOVh5a4xSmopTq8nhSzUi8HLEhq_QH0YXm7fRhhwYoO0gH7c5GZVDEsTh8BtrIaSYo4ny9eck-Iyg9c52QbhfhCMLc7FawKnAW0XZkpQ0h9U3Xg/s1600/Ceiling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWNMqDafSoIVgnZjNCL4qTOFMXRJ7QOVh5a4xSmopTq8nhSzUi8HLEhq_QH0YXm7fRhhwYoO0gH7c5GZVDEsTh8BtrIaSYo4ny9eck-Iyg9c52QbhfhCMLc7FawKnAW0XZkpQ0h9U3Xg/s1600/Ceiling.JPG" height="400" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling is cut and detailed. A miniature structural I-beam helps to add stability - for real!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Where it got a little tricky was when I got to the ceiling. As the mid deck is now open, the ceiling is visible, so a detailed piece was needed. This meant that the gallery had to be painted and finished, the stairs glued in place in the correct position to correspond with the upper deck, the ceiling added, the required electrical wiring soldered and tucked away, then the whole thing positioned under the top deck, and finally the trim put in place... And by this point my hands were shaking, following the consumption of over two litres of coffee...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvX719B0HYfYFr1LUn9_rND4SD3Sg_NRPihsWqsiUr9XuA9ZFus7tNZ435ulOWSZ4e4Lmb9xFkVlXxQI5aOwe2yraZdGvTI_imYTGLNoqXFXPSkIdu56-D00trbSveWu1FHKCYwI2V-o/s1600/construction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvX719B0HYfYFr1LUn9_rND4SD3Sg_NRPihsWqsiUr9XuA9ZFus7tNZ435ulOWSZ4e4Lmb9xFkVlXxQI5aOwe2yraZdGvTI_imYTGLNoqXFXPSkIdu56-D00trbSveWu1FHKCYwI2V-o/s1600/construction.JPG" height="321" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The enclosed mid-deck gallery, about to be put into place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...And suddenly, there it was... Done!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinBmrafOlejVSdIAOGSbVvuiIMbH87i1njO7O0rLRLRTaj3yOhPmXFNEvSkXCIrr3DTviGB67ML_0p_ljjF_uUS6NQyBSU-xAG9YHJQEgJR3RlU7i0rIaUyBvontNFc0AEuSoRGt7tg8/s1600/stairs+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinBmrafOlejVSdIAOGSbVvuiIMbH87i1njO7O0rLRLRTaj3yOhPmXFNEvSkXCIrr3DTviGB67ML_0p_ljjF_uUS6NQyBSU-xAG9YHJQEgJR3RlU7i0rIaUyBvontNFc0AEuSoRGt7tg8/s1600/stairs+6.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All in place and looking great! From above.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have to say, I am absolutely thrilled with how this bit turned out, and rather than being daunted at the prospect of more such pieces along both sides of the vessel, I am looking forward to seeing it take shape. It's a lot more work than a simple row of portholes, but this kind of creativity, design and challenge is what this hobby is all about for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrGekKWKBvpArKajXm6dDubqu8Ap1P764ynK3Yx8eObBUhpqn1VTdGJjerSKEMqXUj-gVBE_a6OkVzxuLF18HZVLDelVrcpp0h5t1_VSnwPvjxayZm4rSl0mmJ3jUigzFW9TOVeUxgt4/s1600/shot+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrGekKWKBvpArKajXm6dDubqu8Ap1P764ynK3Yx8eObBUhpqn1VTdGJjerSKEMqXUj-gVBE_a6OkVzxuLF18HZVLDelVrcpp0h5t1_VSnwPvjxayZm4rSl0mmJ3jUigzFW9TOVeUxgt4/s1600/shot+1.JPG" height="640" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top deck by night, with a glimpse of the mid deck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlxtepEPLcpBPh1Y6_Jge_472mYBtOTXbmr2QwFUhSkpsURKMg5SSywnu0GVrtPNq9kM-G6QqIfCZsj6UY4PptJtfTHvc6-MTmziEcKf1iRu1pnjMGKM-N-jDaskG1QoKzn-Qfn-6_2Q/s1600/shot+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlxtepEPLcpBPh1Y6_Jge_472mYBtOTXbmr2QwFUhSkpsURKMg5SSywnu0GVrtPNq9kM-G6QqIfCZsj6UY4PptJtfTHvc6-MTmziEcKf1iRu1pnjMGKM-N-jDaskG1QoKzn-Qfn-6_2Q/s1600/shot+2.JPG" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gas lighting illuminates the stairs. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So once again, it's time for the <b>Rivet Count!</b><br />
<br />
This week I have added a nice pile of 802 rivets, bringing the total so far to:<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>12,119 !</b><br />
<br />
I now expect the final count to easily exceed 50,000... Trying not to think about it...<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZEMrGW1TGSYgjjHqRJiohb6birD_RtbiVdUI2-VV61wbRUdaHiURpPvz6EmVPTMe8Fo6ADvbAfGvW3IT6CxVbbiY1bDSuPUBwjcAGg9lwyaesNrTKtaK4eaZJtaizOuYMIkEtmEzRKM/s1600/shot+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZEMrGW1TGSYgjjHqRJiohb6birD_RtbiVdUI2-VV61wbRUdaHiURpPvz6EmVPTMe8Fo6ADvbAfGvW3IT6CxVbbiY1bDSuPUBwjcAGg9lwyaesNrTKtaK4eaZJtaizOuYMIkEtmEzRKM/s1600/shot+3.JPG" height="640" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All is peaceful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b>As an aside, I have been asked to show sketches of the final project. So here is a recent one.<br />This is a concept only - as I have shown in today's post, I am designing this monstrosity as I go, and anything could happen!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy9jPW1g0nojbMluXCeQ8bnYREf7VyC4Jsgmp2WPHEdwDCDAzCHJ2ipxtJt3XiggO2NbfpB2Qo3pKbOBEmQppkc2xeaclA7QAmrxAbp1cAKwowmomK9RnEykwAH0-LGZeuep5ozd4tm0/s1600/sketch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy9jPW1g0nojbMluXCeQ8bnYREf7VyC4Jsgmp2WPHEdwDCDAzCHJ2ipxtJt3XiggO2NbfpB2Qo3pKbOBEmQppkc2xeaclA7QAmrxAbp1cAKwowmomK9RnEykwAH0-LGZeuep5ozd4tm0/s1600/sketch.JPG" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lord Smudginton Smythely Smythe's Hydraulically-Motorvated Sextupedal Land-Traversing Vacational Domicile - </i>concept. </td></tr>
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Wow - this has been a long blog post! It's time for my beauty sleep!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCf4dx3TlwJoMbF50PQX5DpN_d0X8ZegXCJM8DKRqY9Myi7of_6hOgw3_XJeJ9XIiSWBUocH2dHyRSiAClzlk6LdtzE76nTf7qXYKlO1jUW0oUaq1RctwI2rL6pjmd4naxO1gEoIl_3E/s1600/shot+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCf4dx3TlwJoMbF50PQX5DpN_d0X8ZegXCJM8DKRqY9Myi7of_6hOgw3_XJeJ9XIiSWBUocH2dHyRSiAClzlk6LdtzE76nTf7qXYKlO1jUW0oUaq1RctwI2rL6pjmd4naxO1gEoIl_3E/s1600/shot+4.JPG" height="400" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An officer takes his ease in the glow of a lamp post.</td></tr>
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Much more to come - thanks for reading.<br />
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All the Best!<br />
Colonel O'Truthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731907825527012393noreply@blogger.com32