Weekend Goals and Accomplishments

[digger303]

It looks very clean and presentable. It would have been a huge job to clean up.

[Twokidsnosleep]

It looks very clean and presentable. It would have been a huge job to clean up.

Thanks, and it is not done yet… moss
I had to repair my wheelbarrow today as the wood handle had rotted at the end and it let the wheel drop off, mid driveway full of soil.
All the way away from the tools in the garage so backs and forth trouble shooting how to get a fix done
I have been putting off tearing down the wheel barrow and replacing the rusty stuff and replacing the wood….so I had this coming

Trying to get the Baron’s wheels re-spoked this weekend too

[digger303]

Fixed this little eyesore. Maybe not the most attractive fix, but the birds have something and it was better than before so until I can think of a better fix this is it.



It's where the the excess water from the aircon system goes.

[Tomcat64]

We've been away with Mrs Tomcat's folks on Crete for a couple of weeks so just getting ourselves sorted out & all the washing done

Here's a couple of quick phone shots - I'll put up some more once I've had chance to tidy things up a bit

[digger303]

We've been away with Mrs Tomcat's folks on Crete for a couple of weeks so just getting ourselves sorted out & all the washing done

Here's a couple of quick phone shots - I'll put up some more once I've had chance to tidy things up a bit

Nice and tranquil looking....lucky beggar.

[Twokidsnosleep]

A less than stellar couple of weeks for me so far less modelling time.
It seems I have tweaked my knee and am having mobility problems. A medial meniscus tear is most likely as I had a minor one on my right knee a couple years ago. Supposed to rest, ya like I get to rest
So I am rotating icing when it is acute and heating when I can. Trying to not take too much medication but seem to need the anti-inflammatories. Reduced activities as much as possible.

This is a knee wrap with an ice circulating pump and an ice bath resevoir. It focuses the cold on the knee where you need.
Works well but you are anchored to a chair and an elevated leg…not conducive to modelling
It is getting better though

[Tomcat64]

A less than stellar couple of weeks for me so far less modelling time.
It seems I have tweaked my knee and am having mobility problems. A medial meniscus tear is most likely as I had a minor one on my right knee a couple years ago. Supposed to rest, ya like I get to rest
So I am rotating icing when it is acute and heating when I can. Trying to not take too much medication but seem to need the anti-inflammatories. Reduced activities as much as possible.

This is a knee wrap with an ice circulating pump and an ice bath resevoir. It focuses the cold on the knee where you need.
Works well but you are anchored to a chair and an elevated leg…not conducive to modelling
It is getting better though

Ouch mate Very Ouch

Take it easy and rest up - hope it eases up soon

[Tomcat64]

It's a long weekend over here and we extended it further by a couple of days as it was Mrs TCs birthday on Thursday so there has already been cake involved in the weekend which is always a bonus.

Yesterday we headed out to play with the 1/1 scale trains






Today has been mostly spent in the den, and tomorrow very much depends on what the weather chooses to throw at us.

[Twokidsnosleep]

It's a long weekend over here and we extended it further by a couple of days as it was Mrs TCs birthday on Thursday so there has already been cake involved in the weekend which is always a bonus.

Yesterday we headed out to play with the 1/1 scale trains






Today has been mostly spent in the den, and tomorrow very much depends on what the weather chooses to throw at us.

[DRUMS01]

Life is coming full circle for me....

For those who remember that I got pick-pocketed a couple weekends ago, my wallet has came home through the mail, but without the cash money of course. At least the returned wallet had my credit cards, drivers license, military and Government Retirement ID's, Car and Medical insurance cards, etc.. I was especially happy for was my retirement coin from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimental Commander (not something you can just pick-up anywhere).

Friday, I coordinated with our local disabilities organization, who was having a large cookout for around 60 severely handicapped friends, to provide motorcycle rides in my bike with a sidecar. With the proper permissions and helmets in hand I took over 35 individuals on rides. I honestly believe it was far more rewarding for me than them as their joy and excitement was contagious.

Saturday, in preparation for our Memorial Day holiday honoring those Veterans who gave the full sacrifice, I was out placing flags in a couple large cemeteries with other members of my local American Legion Unit.

Today I arrived at Church at 06:30 for band rehearsal and then later performed at 09:00 and 11:00 before returning home to take my lovely wife out for our 39th Anniversary meal (just us two).

Tomorrow I am honored to wear my uniform again to become part of a color guard and rifle detail at several cemeteries over a 20 mile radius.

I think I can call this a wonderful weekend indeed. Cheers to all and hope to be posting more modeling stuff soon.

Ben

[Twokidsnosleep]

Life is coming full circle for me....

For those who remember that I got pick-pocketed a couple weekends ago, my wallet has came home through the mail, but without the cash money of course. At least the returned wallet had my credit cards, drivers license, military and Government Retirement ID's, Car and Medical insurance cards, etc.. I was especially happy for was my retirement coin from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimental Commander (not something you can just pick-up anywhere).

Friday, I coordinated with our local disabilities organization, who was having a large cookout for around 60 severely handicapped friends, to provide motorcycle rides in my bike with a sidecar. With the proper permissions and helmets in hand I took over 35 individuals on rides. I honestly believe it was far more rewarding for me than them as their joy and excitement was contagious.

Saturday, in preparation for our Memorial Day holiday honoring those Veterans who gave the full sacrifice, I was out placing flags in a couple large cemeteries with other members of my local American Legion Unit.

Today I arrived at Church at 06:30 for band rehearsal and then later performed at 09:00 and 11:00 before returning home to take my lovely wife out for our 39th Anniversary meal (just us two).

Tomorrow I am honored to wear my uniform again to become part of a color guard and rifle detail at several cemeteries over a 20 mile radius.

I think I can call this a wonderful weekend indeed. Cheers to all and hope to be posting more modeling stuff soon.

Ben

Oh that’s great news all around
Sometimes Karma comes back the right way to those who deserve so

[digger303]

Life is coming full circle for me....

For those who remember that I got pick-pocketed a couple weekends ago, my wallet has came home through the mail, but without the cash money of course. At least the returned wallet had my credit cards, drivers license, military and Government Retirement ID's, Car and Medical insurance cards, etc.. I was especially happy for was my retirement coin from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimental Commander (not something you can just pick-up anywhere).

Friday, I coordinated with our local disabilities organization, who was having a large cookout for around 60 severely handicapped friends, to provide motorcycle rides in my bike with a sidecar. With the proper permissions and helmets in hand I took over 35 individuals on rides. I honestly believe it was far more rewarding for me than them as their joy and excitement was contagious.

Saturday, in preparation for our Memorial Day holiday honoring those Veterans who gave the full sacrifice, I was out placing flags in a couple large cemeteries with other members of my local American Legion Unit.

Today I arrived at Church at 06:30 for band rehearsal and then later performed at 09:00 and 11:00 before returning home to take my lovely wife out for our 39th Anniversary meal (just us two).

Tomorrow I am honored to wear my uniform again to become part of a color guard and rifle detail at several cemeteries over a 20 mile radius.

I think I can call this a wonderful weekend indeed. Cheers to all and hope to be posting more modeling stuff soon.

Ben

It's good to hear even the pickpockets have a bit of a conscience. Glad you got all the important stuff back although I guess the credit cards would have been cancelled and you have to wait for new ones to arrive.
You have a very busy giving weekend.....

[Twokidsnosleep]

We are off for this week as a small summer ‘rest’. Up to the mountains we go,Sun Peaks to re-supply daughter working here and
do some clean up and renos.
No modelling capacity up here at all
I am still trying to recuperate my knee despite the chiro who seems hell bent on keeping me in agony after his sessions


Cozy cat therapy


Not really very restful as I have way more stairs in this townhouse to negotiate than at home. I am on reduced dog walk duties, but
We are painting a storage room that was wisely tendered out to a local guy build….cause I could not do it.

He did great from a taped floor plan




To a paint ready built room


And then wife and I painted it up to match. Gotta work on that door lock

[digger303]

Having a bladder tube taped to your knee isn't going to help

Nice place you have though.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I have four days off this weekend, two days with therapy appointments for my knee
The home project is this Gazebo that some dork ran into with a golf cart where my son works, so he was allowed to disassemble and take it home. It is all aluminum.



The metal posts are over $100 each to replace. A gazebo like this is in the $2K range easy.
So my job is to straighten the bent supports and re-in force them.
I have bent them internally to become straight and made some metal straps to wrap around the wounded parts of the bend.
Then will fill the inside with some twinned 2x4’s just for a bit of extra strength insurance. Paint the whole shebang black

The ultimate goal is to get to something like this form


Will do some photos of the bends and the strapping.
Too hot and I had to order some self tapping screws

I did some SciFi sig work on the Scarif gate and will do some more Black Pearl rigging tonight
Now time for drinks..whiskey sour

[digger303]

Be amazing if you get all the kinks out.
Looks like 2 posts damaged ? $200 ? still cheap in this day and age.
Best of luck.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Be amazing if you get all the kinks out.
Looks like 2 posts damaged ? $200 ? still cheap in this day and age.
Best of luck.

I got the kinks out but it is aluminum so tears, thus the extra reinforcement
You know how $200 turns into $600 or $800 really quickly; I would rather fix what is there.
The amount of weight isn’t large so my planned modifications to the legs should hold it up enough

[digger303]

Be amazing if you get all the kinks out.
Looks like 2 posts damaged ? $200 ? still cheap in this day and age.
Best of luck.

I got the kinks out but it is aluminum so tears, thus the extra reinforcement
You know how $200 turns into $600 or $800 really quickly; I would rather fix what is there.
The amount of weight isn’t large so my planned modifications to the legs should hold it up enough

It's just not the weight to consider , but the amount of force wind can exert too.
Normally if a repair was to be made at a shop it would be to cut a piece out and weld a section back in or weld a flat plate over the top.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Be amazing if you get all the kinks out.
Looks like 2 posts damaged ? $200 ? still cheap in this day and age.
Best of luck.

I got the kinks out but it is aluminum so tears, thus the extra reinforcement
You know how $200 turns into $600 or $800 really quickly; I would rather fix what is there.
The amount of weight isn’t large so my planned modifications to the legs should hold it up enough

It's just not the weight to consider , but the amount of force wind can exert too.
Normally if a repair was to be made at a shop it would be to cut a piece out and weld a section back in or weld a flat plate over the top.

With wood posts internally they should withstand the sheer force
Also sheltered areas with house and large hedges around
Aluminum is hard to weld as far as I believe

[digger303]

I got the kinks out but it is aluminum so tears, thus the extra reinforcement
You know how $200 turns into $600 or $800 really quickly; I would rather fix what is there.
The amount of weight isn’t large so my planned modifications to the legs should hold it up enough

It's just not the weight to consider , but the amount of force wind can exert too.
Normally if a repair was to be made at a shop it would be to cut a piece out and weld a section back in or weld a flat plate over the top.

With wood posts internally they should withstand the sheer force
Also sheltered areas with house and large hedges around
Aluminum is hard to weld as far as I believe

Nah thats a bit of a fallacy. True you need to know what your doing, but Gas Metal Arc Welding/ MIG will do the job. Looks a lot neater when done. Got any welders boiler makers on the client list

[Tomcat64]

Weekend Goal: Go to Air Show

Weekend Achievement: Went to Air Show

I'll post up a full thread in the Museums & Shows section when I've worked through my photos, but here are a few of my highlights from Friday

CF-188A - Scott's tax dollars in action - it's the 100th anniversary of the RCAF/ARC this year so there was a large Canadian contingent


F-15QA - The latest evolution of the F-15


EAV-8B - Wonderful to see a Harrier doing its thing


And I don't remember the last time I saw an F-4 in the air so this was great to see a couple of Greek airframes fly in

[digger303]

All really lovely photography.
Good to see the Canadian f-15 showing a spot of speed. Do you know where the other one was....
Those Harriers are a amazing machine even now after all these years. I do wonder if the Ukrainians had a couple of squadrons of these what havoc they could cause. Not needing the smoothest of runways or the longest.
Thanks for sharing

[RangerNeil]

All really lovely photography.
Good to see the Canadian f-15 showing a spot of speed. Do you know where the other one was....
Those Harriers are a amazing machine even now after all these years. I do wonder if the Ukrainians had a couple of squadrons of these what havoc they could cause. Not needing the smoothest of runways or the longest.
Thanks for sharing

I suspect the Ukranians would be truly inventive if they had Harriers. However the training program would have to be a lot longer than for the F16. They are having enough issues converting from Soviet/Russian cockpits as it is - simple things like the Artificial Horizon that work the opposite way around. Add in the Harriers rather unique flight abilities......

[Twokidsnosleep]

Surprised the Canadian aircraft held together


These are Trudeau’s new ones:

[aur0ra145]

I'm off this week, so a lot of projects have come up!

1. Get FiOS (Fiber Optic Internet service) installed. I've had it with my normal ISP. Spent several hours trying to get through to their tech support to find out they, ISP wide, will block ports from port forwarding. So essentially, I couldn't run a local game server because of them no matter what I did on my end. This should also reduce cost by $45 a month, and be of the same speed I was using. Thence, I had to buy my own router for use with FiOS, I got an awesome one, evidently they are up to a 6 GHz connections for WiFi in addition to 2.4 and 5 GHz.

2. To maintain lightening fast internet I may need to wire my home for LAN. A lot of this will depend on where the FiOS guys install the box. I'm told they will need to auger my yard to lay the lines. Personally, I don't care if they need to dig up part of the yard to install FiOS. That's how much I dislike the current ISP. I am worried that the techs/booking service for installation is mistaken in thinking my home is already wired. I think they may need to tap a line off of where ever the major line is. I've lived in this house for over 5 years and haven't ever seen them lay lines for the FiOS. I'm very interested to see how the installation goes. I'm a small bit worried FiOS will be slower that what I have now. As of writing this, my internet speed tests at 526Mbs down and 40Mbs up speed. FiOS claims 740 down and up. We will see.

3. Watch all the Star Wars shows that I missed while I was gone the last few months.

4. Enter the Sci-Fi SIG!

5. Start on an armor and/or aircraft kit.

6. Resist urge to buy extra stuff for modelling.

7. Learn the F-4 Phantom II in DCS. I bit the bullet and upgraded my gaming PC to 128GB of RAM (from 32GB) to run the module at peak fidelity. Excessive? Yes probably, though it will be many years before I upgrade again. Also added another 4TB of storage via a SSD. Additionally, I have a 2TB NVMe though that may be a bit excessive to have 10GB of internal storage on this computer.

[digger303]

I'm off this week, so a lot of projects have come up!

1. Get FiOS (Fiber Optic Internet service) installed. I've had it with my normal ISP. Spent several hours trying to get through to their tech support to find out they, ISP wide, will block ports from port forwarding. So essentially, I couldn't run a local game server because of them no matter what I did on my end. This should also reduce cost by $45 a month, and be of the same speed I was using. Thence, I had to buy my own router for use with FiOS, I got an awesome one, evidently they are up to a 6 GHz connections for WiFi in addition to 2.4 and 5 GHz.

2. To maintain lightening fast internet I may need to wire my home for LAN. A lot of this will depend on where the FiOS guys install the box. I'm told they will need to auger my yard to lay the lines. Personally, I don't care if they need to dig up part of the yard to install FiOS. That's how much I dislike the current ISP. I am worried that the techs/booking service for installation is mistaken in thinking my home is already wired. I think they may need to tap a line off of where ever the major line is. I've lived in this house for over 5 years and haven't ever seen them lay lines for the FiOS. I'm very interested to see how the installation goes. I'm a small bit worried FiOS will be slower that what I have now. As of writing this, my internet speed tests at 526Mbs down and 40Mbs up speed. FiOS claims 740 down and up. We will see.

3. Watch all the Star Wars shows that I missed while I was gone the last few months.

4. Enter the Sci-Fi SIG!

5. Start on an armor and/or aircraft kit.

6. Resist urge to buy extra stuff for modelling.

7. Learn the F-4 Phantom II in DCS. I bit the bullet and upgraded my gaming PC to 128GB of RAM (from 32GB) to run the module at peak fidelity. Excessive? Yes probably, though it will be many years before I upgrade again. Also added another 4TB of storage via a SSD. Additionally, I have a 2TB NVMe though that may be a bit excessive to have 10GB of internal storage on this computer.

I think what your going through with FiOS is what we call NBN. We also are going through the same process and being a small out laying town are one of the last to get it. I'm 2 mile from that town and I can't get it on and I have 3 fibre optic cables all passing through our property. It's funny that as customers in that town ( parents ) they also don't know when they are getting connected even though the box is now on the wall. Sometime next year is the gossip. I rely on a mobile connection for my internet and as such I don't have access to a lot of movies and the like because my data package is too small.
Pc's can never have too much storage or memory and the graphics card as big as possible. I upgraded when grapghics cards where horribly expensive ( 2yrs ago ) so I had to dial that specification back a tad. I'll probably upgrade it in 18 months time then keep it as is until it dies.

[Tomcat64]

All really lovely photography.
Good to see the Canadian f-15 showing a spot of speed. Do you know where the other one was....
...
Thanks for sharing

Cheers mate - ref the Canadian F-18 (they call it a CF-188A for some reason) the display jet failed after its practice run on Thursday which is why they flew the grey one on Friday! They got the display bird fixed for the weekend tho... so that's Scott's entire defence over here

[digger303]

All really lovely photography.
Good to see the Canadian f-15 showing a spot of speed. Do you know where the other one was....
...
Thanks for sharing

Cheers mate - ref the Canadian F-18 (they call it a CF-188A for some reason) the display jet failed after its practice run on Thursday which is why they flew the grey one on Friday! They got the display bird fixed for the weekend tho... so that's Scott's entire defence over here

Did they sub in a ex space shuttle pilot...

[aur0ra145]

All really lovely photography.
Good to see the Canadian f-15 showing a spot of speed. Do you know where the other one was....
...
Thanks for sharing

Cheers mate - ref the Canadian F-18 (they call it a CF-188A for some reason) the display jet failed after its practice run on Thursday which is why they flew the grey one on Friday! They got the display bird fixed for the weekend tho... so that's Scott's entire defence over here

Broken jets? A tail as old as time. Must have been a bad one for the demo to default to the backup.

[Tomcat64]

Broken jets? A tail as old as time. Must have been a bad one for the demo to default to the backup.

Yep there seemed to be a higher failure rate than usual this year... the Danish team brought two F-16s over and they both failed (one on arrival and the other after Friday's flying display) so they flew in another bird to display at the weekend.

[aur0ra145]

Soo, I've been pretty much out of space to display models for a while. Over the last week I found a few "mods" for my Ikea display cabinet to render more shelves to display things. The shelves themselves are made out of a acrylic and I sort of wish Ikea had made the whole thing out of acrylic instead of glass. I fear that if I ever have to move house, this display case will be a casualty.



The two new shelves.

[digger303]

Almost filled to overflowing already.

[DRUMS01]

Well everyone, it's me....

As you can tell I haven't been modeling much lately. I've been real busy, just not modeling. Around three months ago I was elected the Vice Commander of our American Legion Post. While it is an honor and privilege, it is also very time consuming to do correctly. So what have I been doing within our Legion Post? Well, not much other than finalizing a revised of our constitution and by-laws. Renewing our articles for non-profit and tax exempt status with our State and Federal Government. Creating several different recruitment materials and brown shoeing them around the communities. Attending and chairing weekly meetings at the Post, county, and district level. working at a strategic level to integrate our post into city, district, and state activities. Performing civic duties to further the Legion and Americanism on our city, county, and state. Attending training seminars, creating a Facebook page for our specific post (American Legion, Heath Post 771). Playing administrator for the Post Facebook content and contributors. Performing more color guard and honor guard duties at ceremonies and funerals. Working with the city on the reopening, dedication, and renaming of our city airport; to include an all day event this Saturday. It will include National, State, county, and local dignitaries. There will be a fly in of several vintage military aircraft to include a B-25 and a Vietnam Huey helicopter. There will be several experimental aircraft, a vintage car show (over 150 vehicles), military static displays, etc. etc. It is going to be a very happening place this Saturday. Though I will be very busy, I will do my best to capture some nice photos to post for everyone to see.

Outside of the American Legion, I'm also very involved in our churches contemporary christian church band. We have been practicing to make a recording of several songs. I'm not sure how soon it will be available to the public, but the official recording begins next Wednesday with me playing the percussion parts. I'm invigorated as its been several years since I was in studio recording.

This week we cleared over 200 ft of creek bed and spring run-off area then added over 48 ton of rap rock. The is limestone in 6-18 inch chunks to line the spring and creek beds on the property. I'll add some photos of that once I'm totally done.

Health wise I found out that I have a blood disorder called Polycythemia Vera, which is a somewhat rare form of blood cancer. It's when your bone marrow creates far to much red blood cells. I'm told that there is no cure, but many people live decades with it while others can be effected in months. I don't feel any different just yet other than extreme tiredness. I have several more treatments and then we will know a little more about the severity of it for my situation. I'm not really worried about it and will just do what the doctors tell me to do, as it is what it is....

Believe it or not, I have started on something modeling, a based for my recent completed bridge layer tank. I took to task the ideas you all suggested and have started a based that will have the tank, figures, roughly use and neglected cobblestone road, a destroyed bridge, and more. I'll add a build string on that soon too.

I guess this is enough to show I'm still around, just not on here as much as I used to be. Life goes in cycles and I will be back as soon as I get our Legion post running more proficiently and with more active members.

Hope to be posting with pictures something soon. Take care everyone!

Ben and Jarrod

[digger303]

Well everyone, it's me....

As you can tell I haven't been modeling much lately. I've been real busy, just not modeling. Around three months ago I was elected the Vice Commander of our American Legion Post. While it is an honor and privilege, it is also very time consuming to do correctly. So what have I been doing within our Legion Post? Well, not much other than finalizing a revised of our constitution and by-laws. Renewing our articles for non-profit and tax exempt status with our State and Federal Government. Creating several different recruitment materials and brown shoeing them around the communities. Attending and chairing weekly meetings at the Post, county, and district level. working at a strategic level to integrate our post into city, district, and state activities. Performing civic duties to further the Legion and Americanism on our city, county, and state. Attending training seminars, creating a Facebook page for our specific post (American Legion, Heath Post 771). Playing administrator for the Post Facebook content and contributors. Performing more color guard and honor guard duties at ceremonies and funerals. Working with the city on the reopening, dedication, and renaming of our city airport; to include an all day event this Saturday. It will include National, State, county, and local dignitaries. There will be a fly in of several vintage military aircraft to include a B-25 and a Vietnam Huey helicopter. There will be several experimental aircraft, a vintage car show (over 150 vehicles), military static displays, etc. etc. It is going to be a very happening place this Saturday. Though I will be very busy, I will do my best to capture some nice photos to post for everyone to see.

Outside of the American Legion, I'm also very involved in our churches contemporary christian church band. We have been practicing to make a recording of several songs. I'm not sure how soon it will be available to the public, but the official recording begins next Wednesday with me playing the percussion parts. I'm invigorated as its been several years since I was in studio recording.

This week we cleared over 200 ft of creek bed and spring run-off area then added over 48 ton of rap rock. The is limestone in 6-18 inch chunks to line the spring and creek beds on the property. I'll add some photos of that once I'm totally done.

Health wise I found out that I have a blood disorder called Polycythemia Vera, which is a somewhat rare form of blood cancer. It's when your bone marrow creates far to much red blood cells. I'm told that there is no cure, but many people live decades with it while others can be effected in months. I don't feel any different just yet other than extreme tiredness. I have several more treatments and then we will know a little more about the severity of it for my situation. I'm not really worried about it and will just do what the doctors tell me to do, as it is what it is....

Believe it or not, I have started on something modeling, a based for my recent completed bridge layer tank. I took to task the ideas you all suggested and have started a based that will have the tank, figures, roughly use and neglected cobblestone road, a destroyed bridge, and more. I'll add a build string on that soon too.

I guess this is enough to show I'm still around, just not on here as much as I used to be. Life goes in cycles and I will be back as soon as I get our Legion post running more proficiently and with more active members.
Hope to be posting with pictures something soon. Take care everyone!
Ben and Jarrod

I was only wondering today what you two guys were up to as you've been a bit quiet lately......Now I know

Sorry to hear about those worrisome health issues I can only hope they won't impinge on your life as it is now.

Look forward to another posting as you get that dio together.

[digger303]

My goal this weekend is to get the rigging finished on my Camel. It's not a big goal, but it's been hard to push myself to do it.
In the yard I've got to get the sand all cleaned up from the bottom of the pool. Yes my sand filter developed a hole and it sucked all the sand out and spread it all over the pool bottom. You would think it's easy to clean up....just suck it up and it will go straight back into the filter...Noooo it won't at least not all at once. It's a bit at a time job with constant cleaning of the pump filters and dragging the hose out to dump the sand out that accumulates and sinks it to the bottom whilst reducing water flow....uuuugggg. It's been a long drawn out process, but I've probably got it down to the last few kg's.

[aur0ra145]

Well everyone, it's me....

As you can tell I haven't been modeling much lately. I've been real busy, just not modeling. Around three months ago I was elected the Vice Commander of our American Legion Post. While it is an honor and privilege, it is also very time consuming to do correctly. So what have I been doing within our Legion Post? Well, not much other than finalizing a revised of our constitution and by-laws. Renewing our articles for non-profit and tax exempt status with our State and Federal Government. Creating several different recruitment materials and brown shoeing them around the communities. Attending and chairing weekly meetings at the Post, county, and district level. working at a strategic level to integrate our post into city, district, and state activities. Performing civic duties to further the Legion and Americanism on our city, county, and state. Attending training seminars, creating a Facebook page for our specific post (American Legion, Heath Post 771). Playing administrator for the Post Facebook content and contributors. Performing more color guard and honor guard duties at ceremonies and funerals. Working with the city on the reopening, dedication, and renaming of our city airport; to include an all day event this Saturday. It will include National, State, county, and local dignitaries. There will be a fly in of several vintage military aircraft to include a B-25 and a Vietnam Huey helicopter. There will be several experimental aircraft, a vintage car show (over 150 vehicles), military static displays, etc. etc. It is going to be a very happening place this Saturday. Though I will be very busy, I will do my best to capture some nice photos to post for everyone to see.

Outside of the American Legion, I'm also very involved in our churches contemporary christian church band. We have been practicing to make a recording of several songs. I'm not sure how soon it will be available to the public, but the official recording begins next Wednesday with me playing the percussion parts. I'm invigorated as its been several years since I was in studio recording.

This week we cleared over 200 ft of creek bed and spring run-off area then added over 48 ton of rap rock. The is limestone in 6-18 inch chunks to line the spring and creek beds on the property. I'll add some photos of that once I'm totally done.

Health wise I found out that I have a blood disorder called Polycythemia Vera, which is a somewhat rare form of blood cancer. It's when your bone marrow creates far to much red blood cells. I'm told that there is no cure, but many people live decades with it while others can be effected in months. I don't feel any different just yet other than extreme tiredness. I have several more treatments and then we will know a little more about the severity of it for my situation. I'm not really worried about it and will just do what the doctors tell me to do, as it is what it is....

Believe it or not, I have started on something modeling, a based for my recent completed bridge layer tank. I took to task the ideas you all suggested and have started a based that will have the tank, figures, roughly use and neglected cobblestone road, a destroyed bridge, and more. I'll add a build string on that soon too.

I guess this is enough to show I'm still around, just not on here as much as I used to be. Life goes in cycles and I will be back as soon as I get our Legion post running more proficiently and with more active members.

Hope to be posting with pictures something soon. Take care everyone!

Ben and Jarrod

Wow, you seem very busy!

[DRUMS01]

As promised, here are some photos of the yard work (48 ton of large stone for the creek and spring feed)







Just a couple photos from the local airport dedication and renaming

The fat one pulling the cover off is me






























Nothing to show on the diorama base just yet. Works been started just no photos.

Talk soon!

Ben

[aur0ra145]

Cool! Some very neat aircraft there!

[digger303]

Great pic's, I was most curious about the Corsair and the folding wing. I've always been interested in how that works and how they lock it in place. I'm I can guess , but that's not the same as seeing it yourself or actually knowing.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Oh that is awesome!!!
Planes and cars

[aur0ra145]

Goal this long weekend is to get serious about building my Bolt Action backlog. We'll, and to clean the house and stuff.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Convalescing up in the mountains for part of this weekend
Have the daughter and the cat to bring back home from their work in the mountains summer
Knee got a steroid injection last Saturday and is less painful but my muscles are screwy, weak and fatigue quickly. So not much outside house projects tackled, rather modelling where I can sit and be productive.

Been flying along on a figure build in anticipation of September sig start…having fun and learning stuff, can’t wait to show it all.
I will have another partially started figure as a second build to do when things are official.
The Sci Fi project is progressing too with just a few things to figure out before it falls together.

[Tomcat64]

Well... it's been a while but here are a few photos from last Monday (a holiday here in the UK)

The village of Aldbourne is just 20mins from where we live and hosted companies of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne during WW2 and as such, it also featured in the UK-based episodes of Band of Brothers. Last weekend they hosted their VE Day 80th anniversary gathering which was supposed to over the full three days, but in the end turned out to be just Saturday & Sunday so when we turned up on Monday morning there wasn't much going on

In any case one of the re-enactors was good enough to chat & pose in his jeep for me and we grabbed some shots of the vehicles that were still around as well as the village itself - hope you enjoy them

[digger303]

Thank you for sharing the experience via the pic's.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Great pics Neil
The last post was me in August last year making the 300 Movie figure and whining about my knee
So more to whine, i finally have a knee replacement surgery on June 16
Have to travel out of province and pay for it myself.
Don’t talk to me about the great Canadian medical system
Hoping to get back to being myself soon

[Tomcat64]

Great pics Neil
The last post was me in August last year making the 300 Movie figure and whining about my knee
So more to whine, i finally have a knee replacement surgery on June 16
Have to travel out of province and pay for it myself.
Don’t talk to me about the great Canadian medical system
Hoping to get back to being myself soon

Ouch

Crumbling medical services appear to be a common theme at the moment.

At least you're booked in now; I know several people who've had knee or hip replacements and have had a completely new lease on life once they've been through the op so hopefully this'll sort you out too once it's done

[digger303]

Great pics Neil
The last post was me in August last year making the 300 Movie figure and whining about my knee
So more to whine, i finally have a knee replacement surgery on June 16
Have to travel out of province and pay for it myself.
Don’t talk to me about the great Canadian medical system
Hoping to get back to being myself soon

Ouch

Crumbling medical services appear to be a common theme at the moment.

At least you're booked in now; I know several people who've had knee or hip replacements and have had a completely new lease on life once they've been through the op so hopefully this'll sort you out too once it's done

Got a friend who had both a hip and knee done.
A possible side effect of hip replacements is getting a hernia, which is more prevalent in women. Unfortunately he got one and as this is all done under the public system he is still waiting to get that fixed and it's very painful every movement causes a new gasp of pain. Still not urgent enough to get one moved up the line of people waiting for surgery.
I'm afraid government run systems are never the quickest.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Great pics Neil
The last post was me in August last year making the 300 Movie figure and whining about my knee
So more to whine, i finally have a knee replacement surgery on June 16
Have to travel out of province and pay for it myself.
Don’t talk to me about the great Canadian medical system
Hoping to get back to being myself soon

Ouch

Crumbling medical services appear to be a common theme at the moment.

At least you're booked in now; I know several people who've had knee or hip replacements and have had a completely new lease on life once they've been through the op so hopefully this'll sort you out too once it's done

Got a friend who had both a hip and knee done.
A possible side effect of hip replacements is getting a hernia, which is more prevalent in women. Unfortunately he got one and as this is all done under the public system he is still waiting to get that fixed and it's very painful every movement causes a new gasp of pain. Still not urgent enough to get one moved up the line of people waiting for surgery.
I'm afraid government run systems are never the quickest.

It is said Hips are easier to recover from for some reason than knees
I expect quite a bit of knee pain as this already can spike and hurt pretty bad
I can’t wait another six to nine months to get this done in system by god who knows. I need it planned booked and done so I can recover and get back to work and to get back to life . Have had a pretty shitty year now with this pain and loss of mobility and activities.
I have been hoping to exercise out the need for surgery but the pain and immobility say otherwise.

[RangerNeil]

Bad news on the knee - hope you get sorted soon.
I've torn the Manuscus (sp?) in both knees and was scheduled for surgery a few years ago. Went in for the pre-op assessment to find the original consultant had left and the replacement told me I was too old for the operation to be cost effective and sent me back to the GP with a request for steroid injections. They make life bearable for a year or so then need doing again....

[digger303]

Bad news on the knee - hope you get sorted soon.
I've torn the Manuscus (sp?) in both knees and was scheduled for surgery a few years ago. Went in for the pre-op assessment to find the original consultant had left and the replacement told me I was too old for the operation to be cost effective and sent me back to the GP with a request for steroid injections. They make life bearable for a year or so then need doing again....

Age discrimination if I ever saw it.
Unless your as old as my dad when he got told once your over eighty the risks of not coming out of the aesthetic are too high.