What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

Friday 21st November 2025

A productive morning on the workbench. The 1/72 Avro Shackleton AEW.3 is now looking like the stumpy MR.1 as the tail has been reduced and has a new end piece. PSR continues.
There has been an engine swap for the Fairchild Eland AEW.1 as it now has a pair of Rolls-Royce Tyne turboprops, the front ends taken from the BAC/Breguet Sidetrack AEW  ,the space replaced by a pair of Europrops (the same engines that power the Airbus A400M Atlas). Both builds are also getting the PSR treatment.
The Fairey Rotobus twin engined helicopter has had the remaining putty (leftovers from the batch I made earlier), whereas the Sikorsky Super Stallion is going down the NOTAR route.

After a bath and hair wash, I took a leisurely stroll up to the local shops, its beginning to feel like Christmas. The hard sell in Sainsburys on the mince pies counter and deals on Black Friday which for me will have to wait until December.

[McColm]

Sunday 23rd November 2025

The former 1/72 Revell Avro Shackleton MR.3 with additional parts has had a few aerials fitted and the astral dome reinstalled . Avro Shackleton MR.3 Phase V due to delays with the H.S. Nimrod MR.1 entering service.
I've used a few of the white metal parts from the Aeroclub Avro Shackleton Mk.2 conversion set on this build and on the Tri-Turbo Dakota.
Sanding on the BAC/Breguet Sidetrack AEW around the new engines and on the Fairchild Eland  AEW.1 has also taken place as to the Sikorsky Super Stallion AEW it now has the rear tail fins from a A-10 set at different angles as it was drying (sort of W shape).
The Fairey Heliplane has a three blade rotor from the Boeing  V-22 Osprey and the engines taken from the Sikorsky HH-53C painted in red for the time being but could adopt the RAE scheme.
 

[McColm]

Monday 24th November 2025

The 1/72 Avro Shackleton MR.3 Phase V is undergoing a paint scheme similar to that of WR972,RAE Farnborough 1961 (Freightdogmodels.co.uk British Testing Colours). The twin tail fins have been painted in Hataka Cherry Red along with the nose, radome and in-flight refuelling probe including the wingtips. The underside is Hataka Golden Yellow without the black stripes and the engines are also painted in yellow but this might be changed.
 The 1/72 Sikorsky Super Stallion AEW.1 has had the twin tail fins relocated and the other rotor head from the Boeing V-22 Osprey glued on.
PSR continues with the 1/72 Fairchild Eland AEW.1, the 1/72 Tri-Turbo Dakota Eagle-Eye now has a FLIR pod. Compared with the Revell Douglas Maritime Skytrain MR.1 the main landing gear looks a lot taller although the pair of Rolls-Royce Griffons do look good.
 Just reflecting on the builds completed since I moved in back in December 2021 and those waiting patiently to be finished.
I think after I have cleared some space on the workbench the cars need to be finished.

[McColm]

Tuesday 25th November 2025

I've found a small pot of Tamiya yellow acrylic paint but I think that I have mixed some red into as it looks a yellowish-orange colour and is slightly thicker than the Hataka paint that I used yesterday on WR972.
The  1/72 Transall C-162 Skyguardian AEW.1 now has ESM wingtip pods and is undergoing a NATO green paint scheme. I have the 50 years, C-130 decals that I intend to use on the tail end.
 Whilst having a rummage I came across the Hasegawa Lockheed P-3C Orion fuselage, I think that it will be able to use the Revell or Mach2 Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic wings and engines. I have no data on the twin engined version of the P-3 Orion.
Dry testing on the Tri-Turbo Dakota for a variety of AEW aerials fitted above and below the fuselage, I'm thinking Erieye and the Harlequin can have the Rotodome.
 I had another delivery from TEMU, this time a holdall, a craft set and a bookshelf end model kit  in the form of a wizarding shop. It's a wooden kit and has background lighting.
Hornby has released a cheap TT gauge train set for under £100, so a major rebuild of the 3D Hogwarts Castle Hotel or create my own out of the parts for it to run around. There's a few newish kits available for such an occasion.
 Back to work on Thursday so Wednesday will be a bit busy.

[McColm]

Wednesday 26th November 2025

An unexpected delivery of a ikaufen cordless hammer drill with two batteries, a charger, a pair of gloves with a selection of drill bits,  sockets and screwdriver heads.  Now the last time I used a hammer drill was about thirty years ago, this one is tiny in comparison and fits snuggly in the palm of my hand.  I know that I won't be using this for long periods of time due to the weight, I might get an attachment to use it as a bench drill. The batteries are charged so my plans to build a model train layout can go ahead next year.
 The 1/72 Transall C-161 Skyguardian AEW.1 has almost been painted but this ran out, so it's looking a bit weathered in places. The decals that I tried using didn't go well so a compromise. Its not finished but you know due to the roundels that the Royal Air Force flies it.
More decals have been found and a few will be used on my other builds. The Transall AC-162 Warrior Gunship is next on the list, I think that I have the missiles/bombs, to complement it. As to the Lockheed SC-130K Sea Hercules MRA.1 it needs a little bit of PSR.
I'm going to have to rearrange the hobby room and add a few shelves for all of my builds to be displayed with a soft brush for dusting.

[McColm]

Saturday 29th November 2025

You know that saying 'you can get a bus through there ' , not if you are a bus driver in a bit of a hurry at North Greenwich Underground Station. Whilst waiting for the number 108 bus to Stratford International Station there was a bump as one of the buses tried to overtake another but caught its rear on the stationary bus.
I'm starting my first night shift at the Diabetes UK Wells building in Whitechapel, London E1. Brr its cold but I have the heater on and I have managed to navigate around the PC on the reception desk. Free, coffee, tea and hot chocolate in the kitchen area 😋.

[McColm]

Tuesday 2nd December 2025

There's always bits of information that aren't mentioned whilst you are being trained on a particular site, this happened with me on Monday morning. Luckily I able to bluff my way through it asking the receptionist when she came to take over the desk at 9am.
Monday I was sleeping throughout the day.
 If you want a refund from TEMU they will send you the stickers so the item can be collected from your address or you can keep it and still get a refund but it WON'T be deposited into your bank account, you will be credited instead so that you can use it to pay for something else.
If you give the item a bad review the marketing team will bombard you with products based on the item that you bought and please check the measurements before you place an order. They're cheap and cheerful, mostly plastic based unless it's luggage or mechanical or furnishings.
I received my TEMU order this morning, the water bottle isn't leaking, the rucksack/holdall seems to be adequate, the table mats aren't corklined but since my table has been used for other purposes its not going to matter as I don't intend to invite anyone back until my flat is fully furnished.
 I've noticed that the Harry Potter merchandise is being discontinued due to the new series so I should be able to pick up some bargains for decorations for my flat. 2026 will see a push for D.I.Y. projects. Decent blackout curtains and a runner for the hall.
Two more weeks of nights at the Diabetes UK Wells, Whitechapel then payday!

[McColm]

Saturday 6th December 2025

I'm working odd hours so no whiffery for two weeks. The Revell 1/144 A-90 Orlyonok ekranoplan kit seems to be working out apart from the front engine air intakes which has been scrapped and a substitute piece found in the spares box glued on. PSR will follow. The 1/144 Lun-class ekranoplan model kit is crying out for some whiffery although it's a about 50cm long.
 The building that I'm working in makes creaking noises and there's a gap between the front sliding doors brr it's been cold at the reception desk. The Blackwall Tunnel is closed southbound and there's road works as well. The staff are friendly and don't work on the weekends but there's deliveries of parcels at all times of the night.

[McColm]

Wednesday 10th December 2025

My mum is off on a Late Summer Cruise, 21st to the 4th January. Her recovery from having a mild stroke is going well with the physio nurses popping in three times a week unfortunately the aftercare package runs out in a few days but I know that my mum will continue doing the exercises until she is back to her normal routine.
I've picked up a few extra shifts for next week at Coca-Cola on nights but there's no news on if I'm working on Christmas day or Boxing day, so it will be a big food shop on Monday 15th and I get to try out the electric oven with my new pots and pans for the vegetables.
I'm still not feeling the Christmas vibe but now I can afford some of the sparkling lights and a small fake Christmas tree, spirits will be lifted. I think during 2026 time will be spent looking around the secondhand or charity shops for those small trinkets that make a home and now I have my cordless drill the mayhem can begin but it's still a bit on the heavy side for me to lift. I think a set of weights would help to build up my muscles.
 Well if I'm off over the holidays I'll be cleaning my flat and doing a bit of whiffery, relaxing and sleeping.

[McColm]

Thursday 11th December 2025

If you are driving in the Eastend of London, the Rotherhithe Tunnel is currently closed. The East India Dock Road is undergoing roadworks and the Blackwall Tunnel is also closed south bound.
Staff at Diabetes UK Wells are having their Christmas party and there's another party going on on the fifth floor. Discretion is the key word, say no more!
 It seems that Back Church Lane is a well known short cut as it busy throughout the night.
On the wildlife front I saw a wagtail whilst waiting for the number 108 bus at North Greenwich Station.

[McColm]

Tuesday 16th December 2025

I thought that I was working today but there's been a shift change and the powers that be didn't tell me yesterday. I doubled checked this morning.
The soles of my shoes have cracks in them, this never happened when I had size 7 UK European size 41 feet, sure the heels would wear down and the odd hole but not deep cracks. My feet have swelled up to a size 9 since leaving hospital back in June 2021.
 I'll probably go food shopping after lunch to beat the queues at the weekend.

[McColm]

Wednesday 17th December 2025

Whilst it's good news for Universal as they have been given the green light to start building the theme park in Bedford but not so good if you work at one of the Trago Mills sites. Trago Mills is the type of shop where you can buy anything under one roof for the home or for your lifestyle. It always remains me of Woolworths mixed with John Lewis but with online shopping and TEMU sales have dropped. A few of the departments will be axed, the one in Falmouth has been saved.
The Falmouth highstreet has been hit hard with major stores closing, a few relocating to Truro.
Some of the stores have been transformed into flats so the residents will need somewhere to shop. Falmouth like most seaside towns relies heavily on the tourists and although cruise ships do stop more needs to be done to attract people to visit all year round.

This day marks one year of returning to work and it's ironic that I'm back working a night shift at the London office of Coca-Cola. A lot has changed at the site and some things have stayed the same. I'll get to find out about the changes tonight and tomorrow night.
I have been informed that Kingdom has lost the contract with Coca-Cola, individual security staff will be asked if they are staying or moving over to the new company. I don't think it effects me as just one less site to cover next year.

[McColm]

Saturday 20th December 2025

The rush is on to overfill the supermarket trolleys has started in Charlton Southeast London, I chose a gammon steak for Christmas Dinner with a few TV dinners, vegetables and mint ice cream whilst everyone else was bulk buying. B & M was like walking into Santa's Grotto but this time good quality plastic. The car park at Stoneleigh Retail Park was chocker blocked by 1:30pm.
Done all my washing, might do a bit of tinkering tomorrow, so it's mainly been sleeping.

I have a theme for 2026, what if the USA military had bought the Avro Shackleton Mk2 and MR.3. I'm sure anything the Lockheed Neptune or Martin P4M Mercator can do the Shackleton would have been transformed to do the same tasks.

It's back to finishing off some of the started builds.

[PR19_Kit]

Today, the last Saturday before Christmas, is always the WORST day to do any serious food shopping in the entire year!

I avoid doing so like the plague!

[McColm]

Today, the last Saturday before Christmas, is always the WORST day to do any serious food shopping in the entire year!

I avoid doing so like the plague!

The day before Christmas Eve is usually the best day for food shopping, yes I know that you can get most things online but the slots are usually booked days in advance.