Revell's 1/144 Trinity House Lightship no. 90

I finally got it. Are you surprised that I got a ship?

Personally, I was surprised that I got a ship because, never did it cross my mind that I would be surprised that I got a ship. Sometimes, I surprised myself that I was surprised because I got a ship.

Why I got it was also another mystery which I could not even remember. All I could remember what that it was gone when I wanted it. This ship, which has been sitting on the shelves of Hobby HQ for years, unsold and even looked at, was gone when I really, really want it.

 At first, to me, its just a red ship. All I was interested in, was how to light up the light beacon. That's it. But when I Googled for more information, I realised that this particular noble ship has a sad history.

On November 27th, 1954, the Lightship South Goodwin broke from its anchors in the winds of 80Kmh and broke on the Goodwin Sands. All eight crews perished save one, Ronald Murton, who hung on for eight hours until rescue arrived.

So, after that fact, I really wanted it. Alas, when I arrived at Hobby HQ, Mr. Low said someone had already bought it....

Luckily for me, he had a spare kit in the storeroom!!!
This kit was first issued by IMA (International Model Aircraft Ltd) under the FROG label in 1960 with a 1/110 scale. Then the company went into receiver ship 1971 and was acquired by Dunbee-Combex-Marx. Some of the molds ended up in Russia and so, they were produced under the Novo Brand name. For this particular model it was acquired by Revell.

The parts are all here since the box has not been opened before. Mr. Low and I checked it and I think he was very interested too. This is a ship that has no propellers. It was towed and the diesel engine inside was used as a generator for electricity.

It is very rare to see this note from Revell. As stated, the model kit is from FROG.
Its a small gesture but to a customer like me, I am very happy to get such notes as this not only tells me why the model kit is unique and also, address some of its possible shortcomings.

Note the bigger plastic ring on the left. This is, I think, the 60's method of detailing the 1/144's scale railing when Photo etch technology was not available. Then again, in the 60's this is the only way to mass produce the railings and also, this is not a problem for kids at that time.

This is the size of the Lightship's beacon which is the main reason I wanted the ship. Right now, I have no idea on how to replicate the light effect. If I used LEDs, the effect is there but the degree of its rotation is very limited and also, looks faked. I am thus going to look into motors.

For a 1/144 (or 1/110?) this is a very big ship. Its longer than a foot...

The size of the beacon. Although it looks big, I 'm afraid I might have ditch it and use something better but this all depends on how I solve the problem of it rotating.

I was surprised at these black railings because they are not solid plastics but rather, soft ones...

The answer became quite clear when I read this part of the instructions. You are meant to bend them like so since (I repeat) photo-etch technology has not been invented yet.

Ah, the support structure to the lighting beacon. For some reason, it looked very appealing

Again, this is how it would look once assembled. Nice

New shop

Not some new Restaurant with Wifi nor a Cafe with Wifi, but an Internet Cafe with no Wifi. Expect either a lot of customers or well, front page news.

Once you get bored surfing, go up and do some gluing

New Boxes

As I was passing one of the electronics shops today, I went in for an 'update' look-see. And I was not diappointed because they have some new project boxes for sale. These are handheld types which from the looks of it, feels more comfortable compared to the normal square ones.

However, knowing these are made from China is not a problem. The problem is where in China they got it from and how was the quality. Still, when I have some extra cash, I'll get one and test it out.

The prices for these are between RM5.00 to RM15.00 give or take.

Yep, I have my sights set on these and somehow, I expect it to slide out too...

The Patch

This came in while I was out. This was for the F-117 Group Build which I will be given a set of decals in exchange for the one which I cannot use from Kenny. OK, lets try this again.

Me have one huge decal (The Last Flight American Flag) which me cannot use for Cold War Group Build. Kenny have decal set which has Cold War design which me can use. We going to exchange decals.

So, using the amazing powers of my failing eyesight, I have managed to track a cloth patch which is used in that Wing. This is the 37th Fighter Wing (formerly 37th Tactical Fighter Wing) and the squadron is 416th (I am not sure what this all means and in this case, I am usually wrong). This is where the F-117A planes were first used and their target was to drop two  2,000-pound Mark 84 LGBs (Laser Guided Bombs) (aka The Hammer) bomb NEAR the Battalion 2000 barracks located in the Rio Hato Airfield. Yep, a stunning wake-up call.

When I first held this envelope, my memories quickly stirred and straightaway, I know that this does not contain any model kit or electronics parts... Yes, believe in the power of observation of the common Joe.

They do not have the '37th Tactical Fighter Wing' but the '37th Fighter Wing'. Close enough but well, I am still not happy. Then again, time is not on my side.

Revell 1/72 NATO Pilots

Hokaaaay, I have a few minutes of free time yesterday and so, I took some quick pictures of the package which I got from the BIG Post Office some time ago. This is a 1/72 scale NATO Pilot figure set from Revell. When I 'introduced' the WWII Pilot set and Ground Crew to Bruce at Hobby HQ a month ago, I was quite impressed with the quality and detail. So much so, I got one on the next shipment.

But there was something missing from that set which are proper pilots. And so, as luck would have it, I saw this on eBay and quickly placed an order as soon as I located one that was being sold at a ridiculous price even when compared to over here.

At first, when I saw these figures, I thought they were made from those soft plastics which I seriously hate. But these are actual plastic which you can cut, glue and paint. And so, with the NATO set, I was quite chuffed.

As usual, these wonderful little things come in well... one sprue.
I must lower my expectations because in these times, packages do not come in gold plated boxes, generous multiple sprues and personally handed to you by Ms.World wearing an F-14 Pilot G-Suit.

Some of the poses are very very nice. The folding arms guy would need some work to make him more 'civilian', though. Shame I could not use the Pilot figure so I will have to resort to using the WWII and cut off his head...

Still, this will be very useful when and if, I build a 1/72 Modern aircraft.
Maybe.

Laziness muddles yur Blain

When I saw this, my thoughts were:

"I'll just use the fill some water into the dish and use the bowl again. No need to wash both until she comes back and finishes her meal..."

Which was lazy thinking because normally, I would wash all the bowls, plates and utensils after the girls have eaten and then, would I re-use them. If needed. But not dirty ones. Its like someone wrapping your take-away with newspapers, the same ones they used as toilet paper.


So, that lazy thought that crept into my mind was an indication that I am getting sloppy. Because if I were working and all that, this would never have happened. Too bad there is no such mirror in reality which tells you when you're slipping or on a roll...

Sometimes, I find that washing is quite pleasurable.
Slippery by pleasurable. Why?
I am not sure.

What is so smart?

Once, it was the age to own a SMART car. It was all the rage. I shows you're Environmentally Friendly and all that kook. Why? Because it uses recyclable plastics, the whole car can be recycled, uses less fuel and only sits two. So, you can have your Mercedes-Benz and still feel good about it.

What a load of crock.


 
Remote Control driven SMART at 70KMh crash test

 
SMART vs Mercedes-Benz

I tell you what the SMART car really is for.

Showing off and telling people you're very very 'smart'

Its gone but who cares?

After coming out of Central Market (Pasar Seni), I used the Jalan Sultan route to get to the Federal Highway and I was shocked with what I saw. Some of the buildings have already been demolished. They were literally in the path of the new controversial LRT Project.

This is one part of the street where KL literally grew and to many Generations, their memories are there. Now, some would lament the unavoidable future while some would be glad to move away. However, to the rest of us, we do not care so much since we did not grow up in this place nor owe them anything. And so, alas, like those 'its not happening to us' syndrome, no one cares. Once in a while, when we see the street or read the article, we would just say stupid things like, "I used to go there for so and so things.", "So sad that stall is no more, those [you stuff] are delicious." or even, "Feh. Who cares?". The a few seconds or a minute reminiscence and that's it.

If you were to ask around, people might respond with, "So what? What did they (owners) do for us?" or even, "What? They think we owe them, meh?".

This Sky is suddenly so bright even in this gloomy sky

Its a bit disorienting since that familiar landmark is gone.
Then again, who cares?

So, its gone. Like me, who cares?

Would I get any benefits if its still around? No!
Would I get money from it? No!
Will it help me? No!

Trip to Central Market

Sometimes, there are reasons unknown which causes little accidents/incidents and when you try to recover them, you are rewarded with something beautiful. Take today's case for instance. There was a package delivered to me a few days ago but because there was no one in the house, the mailman left a note stating that they will hold my package for a week before proceeding to the next stage.

And so, I need to go to the BIG Pos Office (because they stamped 'Pejabat Pos BESAR') which is located next to Dayabumi. Normally, I can pick them up from Brickfields which is nearer but eventually, everything went back to that RM3.50/hour place. And I have to time it so that I can still come back and take Kaelyn to school, buy lunch, take them back, etc.

The Parcel Collection area has been going through a big renovation since months ago and its now waiting for CF. Once it is operational, it would make the experience more pleasant. But somehow, walking through the back-door, where you can see all the mail & parcels being sorted, it felt like home. (No, not my home but more like my room before I got married. You can imagine various stacks of Books and CDs and stuff, all arranged in weird categories), Perhaps, I should order some big packages stuff and not answer the door when the mailman comes...

And so, all the way for this package just because no one was at home.
OK, I was taking my Dad to leave his car at the Workshop.

The Sky is cloudy and everything seemed grey.
Exactly like a normal day in UK.
The colourful mural was opened to youngsters to showcase their creativity, and sponsored by Dulux.

I parked at Central Market, which costs 50 sen less.
Here, you can see a lot of people 'waking up'

I am not sure if they slept here since there were some doing this...

Whoa... someone eating Nasi Lemak with sambal!

Some 'things' for the Malaysian Lantern tourism Festival over the weekend. This is from Taiwan.

I think they're using felt or someting as the surface was not affected by the drizzle

Queen Monarch
by Cheong Yong Shiang, Ser Kai & Chen Kok Kheong

The remaining exhibits all locked up. Some were quite nice, though.

Panoramic shots
OK, you need to click on to the pictures for the large panoramic shots to take in all the well, stuff.

The Murals

Left side of the Central Market

Right side of the Central Market.
You can see Han frozen in carbonite...

When you go up close and personal, its a bit scary...

LEFT HAND DRIVE only

First time I've seen this problem with a Left-Hand drive vehicle. It pays to have a passenger after all...

The poor guy had to come out of his car to get the ticket in the rain. Also, this nearly prompted the Security Guard to come over to see if they could help. Very very embarrassing.

Mr. Colour's Gun Chrome

lts amazing what a little airbrushing can do. I was at ICW and asked rayloke to help me get a  metallic tone which is neither too bright (shiny) nor too dark. So, he recommended Mr. Colour's Gun Chrome. I was about to ask more on the Alclad and the those Super Metallic series but I think they're too bright in the end.

I was quite happy with the Humbrol acrylic silver although it was too bright (which I would darkened it with a coat of black) and by accident, my thinner damp finger spoiled the surface when I touched it. The thinner cruelly took out the silver.

And this pushed me more to thinner based paints and away from acrylics. I was told they have more 'persistent' coating and gives a better effect. Being somewhat of a dumbass, I do not understand it but I do feel that its better than acrylics, even Tamiya's. But I'll still use them for washes though.

This is nice because its actually mixed with some black

I was so excited with it, I forgot to prime the part but then again, if I did, the grey primer might make it brighter.

The girls's new Train

Grandpa has helped to clear the 38 year old swing swing and all of a sudden, the girls were very busy. What were they doing, I had no idea but eventually...

Presenting the new refurbished swing!

Just so that you know...

It even has an on-board entertainment system...

More speaking, please!

These came in the Post today. And I might say, its a bit too late as they're supposed to be used for a few projects before September. Then again, its not their fault but mine because I should have given some leeway for shipping times.

It was pure luck that these were being sold in a set of four at a very ridiculous prices!

At first, I thought it was the **censored** but I was wrong

These are the 2.1Watt mini rechargeable speakers which are very loud. I once tested it in a busy restaurant and the sound was clear and well, loud. It has a USB cable for charging plus a key-ring. But I do not like the black rubber-like coating since from experience, they will become sticky and gooey after some time.

On the left is my RM39.00 speaker while the right is more than half that price. I am not too particular about the pros and cons of these speakers since I am going to take them apart anyway. What I needed was the speaker and its amplifier. The charging unit plus the battery will be thrown away.

Little Fairies

Playtime for the girls. Its a great idea for them to run riot outside the house before dinner and well, homework. Tends to let go of the stress developed and also, afternoon sleepiness.

We have successfully minimised their Computer and TV access so, there is no excuse not to run like a screaming headless chicken all over the place...

Unfortunately, NERF guns are out.

Just for today, they're Fairies, not Angels, mind you.

The NERF 35-Drum Mag

I now have ANOTHER Nerf 35-drum Mag. Why, I am not sure but I just like the design. From different angles, it just looks like any Sci-Fi plasma container, a rotating thingy with lights and so on. 

But to store NERF darts? No way, Hose. It's bulky. I mean, its a great idea as far as carrying loads of ammo is concerned but its very bulky. One lad complained that they have problems when it comes to shooting from a barrier. But he won't sell me his, though. Still, on a Raider, it was the nest solution as you need to fire away lots of ammo within the shortest time (a method called slam-firing, which is only possible with this model and now, also the Elite Rampage and Pyragons)

This is how the drum looks when inserted correctly in your NERF blaster. It should be facing you so you can tell how much darts are left in the drum.

This is how the drum looks when your target sees it. They cannot see the amount of dart left and it should be that way.

Tried it on the Longshot. Bulky.

Tried it on the Longstrike. Bulky

Tried it on the Recon. OMG bulky.

Tried it on the Barricase. Oops... Barrricade's not ready yet.

Vege treasure in Puchong

I cannot resist petai. Eventhough my Wife has warned me that its not good for the Gout. But... but... when I see it, I just wanted some.

Just a little bit. Yeah, there goes my diet too.

And so, it was at this corner lot, at the second traffic light AFTER you turn in from the main road and before the IOI Business Centre. I forgot the name but its banners were plastered all over the place.

Dad wanted to try this new shop just across the workshop in Puchong. It turned out to be a Vegetarian foodstall. And so, later, I went out to buy some friend chickens for Dad to 'balance' his Lunch.

You can go to Google.map and type in the following coordinate:
3.041151,101.625389
and hopefully, it will give the same result as above.

Kaelynn's Friend

While waiting for Kristine's school to be over, Kaelynn spotted her classmate. And so, being the alert and smart girl, she told me about her and then, asked my permission if she could go over and speak to her. I said, 'OK' and also gave her two Ringgit for her to buy some ice-creams for herself and her friend. Then she came back and asked if she could bring her friend over to the ice-cream man as her friend could not decide on the flavours.

I said OK, since the school is not over yet and there were no traffic.

Kaelynn helped hr firend to choose the flavours

Being the ever careful Host, Kaelynn also made sure her friend did not soil her uniform with the melting ice-cream.

Once they have both finished their ice-creams, Kaelynn also helped disposed her friend's empty ice-cream stick. Note that this is not a camera trick but Kaelynn is very much bigger than her friend.

One thing is, I am very sure Kaelynn was very very happy because she could take her friendship up by a few levels. She is getting a bit popular in her class now.