What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

Saturday 14th March 2026

I now know why the Mach2 Douglas DC-4/ C-54 model kit that I bought off eBay was so cheap, despite the large rip in the box lid the fuselage glazing is missing and so too are the RAF WWII decals. Well at least when dry testing the fuselage halves aren't too far out of sink with each other. Just like most of the Mach2 kits there's a lot of prep and sanding to do to get something decent. Maybe changing the nose on the Heller DC-6B Super Cloudmaster and the engines to Rolls-Royce Merlins.

On the workbench sanding is in progress with the ex-Mach2 Martin SeaMaster, which looks good now that the CFM turbofans are in place. The Avro York Turbo C.3 now has a loading ramp, it's the one from the Italeri Lockheed Martin C-27J Spartan kit. So it's no longer a tail sitter.
I bought another Dapol/Kitmaster DP1 model kit and another lima class deltic, it's in running order and now I know that changes can be made to the bodyshell with a bit of PSR.

I had fish and chips for lunch with mushy peas. I haven't had that for ages,  gone are the days when I could have change from a twenty pound note for such a meal. Still yummy and very filling. Time for a nap.

[McColm]

Sunday 15th March 2026

Over in the UK it's mother's day due to the eradicate postal service down in Falmouth Cornwall even though I paid for next day delivery my mum hasn't received her card. I mailed it to her on Friday from my local Post Office in Charlton Southeast London.

On the workbench the 1/72 SJMc Electronic Flying Boxcar E.1 has undergone another engine change on the outer wings to a pair of resin Allison T56 turboprops.
The Lima ho Class 55 Deltic has been cut and shut with the various parts from the Dapol/Kitmaster DP1. This time I have been making the side windows fit by filing down the plastic, 75% of the Dapol kit fits the bodyshell if glued directly onto it.A few alterations have occurred but will be hidden once the PSR starts.
The 1/72 Boeing Vigilance AEW.1 has now got a pair of turbofan engines glued on the outer wings.
Sanding continues on the 1/72 Martin Mermaid MR.1.
I have managed to watch the first and second season of the TV series Landman on Paramount Plus. It reminds of the 1980s series Dallas although the acting is a lot better and the explanations of what goes on in the oil industry is much clearer.

More reading done from the book American Secret Projects 2 U S Airlifters 1941 to 1961. Concentrated around the Douglas C-54 and the DC-6, concepts and engine proposals.
It looks like the Mach2 kit will be needing after all but Heller parts used with almost the same engines as those fitted to the Avro Lincoln B.1 bomber. The Heller parts are a good fit unlike previous models for example the Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic, those two models are different sizes.

[McColm]

Happy Saint Patrick's day,  I'm recovering from a rough night. Haven't had one of these for ages,  very tired but still grinning from winning the 2026 Whiffery award with my FX4 Taxi Fire Tender. I think that I have the parts for the military version not quite the Green Goddess but either used on an airfield or barracks, could even be painted blue for the Royal Navy.
I don't think that I will be doing much today,  mostly sleeping and a bit of ironing in the afternoon.
The washing machine has been used during the night, more videos of the Hornby DP1 Deltic on YouTube and once the Bluetooth connection has been loaded and set, the lights work and so do the cooling fans which still turn after the power has been turned off using DCC. Not too sure what happens with an analogue setup, lights will still work but without the sound. Lots of detailed parts so something is bound to go wrong if dropped so handle with care as it's very heavy.

[McColm]

Wednesday 18th March 2026

According to the emails that I have received I'm due for a few parcels to be delivered today.

The 1/72 Heller Douglas DC-6B Super-Cloudmaster can be shortened to be the same length as the Mach2 DC-4/C-54 Skymaster, it doesn't have the rear cargo doors nor the round windows but I do have a great backstory that I can use. The Mach2 model kit needs more time spent on it and I have another use for a kitbash using the fuselage.
Lots of PSR today on my other builds and trips down to the recycling bins in-between.

Update.
The Heller Humbrol Douglas DC-6B Securite Civile water bomber has a large cargo door on the right side of the fuselage which is yellow plastic. The water tank does fit the Mach2 DC-4/C-54 fuselage which now means that the Heller kit will be the parts donor for the AC-54 Skymaster whereas the Securite Civile model will be used for AEW.
The Alan's 3D Models printed nose and rear Avro Lancasterian parts have arrived and so too is the 1/72 Italeri AC-47 Gunship Spooky, as for the Dapol Kitmaster DP1 Deltic the previous owner has assembled it and painted it as well. So naturally I have removed the running gear and one of the end pairs of seats to allow the analogue motor to fit. There's glazing missing from the quarter windows and the upper exhaust pipes have been drilled out. No name plates but baby blue with white pipework, light grey roof. I'll be adding a bit more detail and working on the other one  the DP2.
I must have changed the decal order for the MoD Dakota C3 RAF 50th Anniversary including the raspberry ripple colour scheme for the DC-3, Hunter and Gazelle.

The Ho Lima Class 55 Deltic is now a two-tone blue replica of the DP1. Careful cutting of the original bodyshell has allowed the Dapol/Kitmaster plastic panels to be installed, it could be a later version or the DP2 as I'm calling it.

[McColm]

Thursday 19th March 2026

The Airfix A08001 1/72 Avro Lancaster B.II model kit arrived,  after I had put the instructions pages in the correct order and looked up the model on Wikipedia, it dawned on me that I'd never completed one of these. Yes I have built the Matchbox Avro Lancaster B.I/III a couple of times but not recently, not since leaving hospital back in June 2021.
Since I won't be needing the guns for the ACI(AEW) build, I can use them on the AC-54 Skymaster II.

Painting on the English Electric DP1 Phase 1 has begun with red paint on the front and rear semi-circles, the running plate above the fuel tanks and the roof which is now a light grayish colour.
Whilst the paint is drying,  several trips down to the recycling bins well I have almost filled one of them up with cardboard. Lunch and then I watched the 'Sum of all fears', the Tom Clancy film
I was in all day and received an email saying that 'Royal Mail ' had attempted a delivery,  not the Airfix kit but Milliput 2 part putty at 4:35pm, well there's no card and they would still had to ring the intercom just as the Parcel Force delivery driver did.

My online aircraft games has promoted me to Squadron Leader,  the Lockheed F-22 Raptor does look good in RAF colours and I'm impressed with the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot in the maritime attack role.  Again in RAF colours. Still getting to grips with the WWII aircraft,  flying a Lancaster under a bridge for a low-level attack probably wasn't what the script intended but it worked. Got grounded by the Group Captain but there's plenty of other aircraft for me to fly.
I wasn't intending to have this week off but the lack of shifts means that a few more jobs get done around my flat.

[McColm]

Friday 20th March 2026

The pair of Novo 1/72 Fairey Gannet the three seater ASW version in 'spares or repair '. Both had the tail fins , arrestor hook and engine cowlings fitted but the wings were separate. One had the glazing fitted, so naturally I changed the engine to the Allison T56 turboprop. Which is a good fit. I did have the Airmodel Fairey Gannet AEW.3 and my intention was to convert one but I ended up using the AEW radome and fitting it almost in the same place as the illustration. The lead weights are inside the vacuform AEW radome so it's no longer a tail sitter.
The two part Milliput putty is almost the same colour as the Ho Lima English Electric DP1,  mine now has the yellow panel on one end with the Mars headlight, the clear plastic windscreen and the windscreen from the Lima loco are in place, putty is drying and the paintwork sanded down, I'll need to order some rail paint next month.

Just need to turn the heating back on.  Outside my kitchen window the A206 South Circular Road is now down to a single lane in both directions between Charlton Station and Stoneleigh Retail Park, could be something to do with the cycle lane or let's dig up the road again but you will be pleased that the new roundabout is completed.

[McColm]

Sunday 22nd March 2026

I popped into the local shops around Charlton Station and did a bit of shopping,  the hill still takes the wind out of me, having to stop for a 5 minute rest by the railings. I felt knackered afterwards. My body was telling me to have a nap but my brain was saying stay awake.
A little bit of putty on the Dapol/Kitmaster/Class 55 Deltic, well one end is the DP1 and the other the DP2 or what would become the standard end. A rummage in the spares box and I found the clear plastic windows for the Hornby old Pullam carriages. So that's the windscreen sorted and the glazing.
Sanding of the SJMc Allison turbo Gannet,  just needs a pair of underwing fuel tanks and a bit of paint.
Tea and a nap. I woke up at 7pm and checked my emails, watched a few clips on Facebook before turning in for bed.
One thing that I'm doing a lot is using a shoehorn for putting on my shoes,  they used to just slip on .
Five years later and I'm still having the after affects from the multiple pulmonary embolisms or is this old age creeping in .I'm going to be 60 in July another milestone.

[NARSES2]

One thing that I'm doing a lot is using a shoehorn for putting on my shoes,  they used to just slip on .
Five years later and I'm still having the after affects from the multiple pulmonary embolisms or is this old age creeping in .I'm going to be 60 in July another milestone.

Bah ! a mere youngster 

Must admit I've had to start using a shoehorn recently, but only for my right foot, left is fine 

[PR19_Kit]

60? Is that all? 

[McColm]

Thanks 

[McColm]

Tuesday 24th March 2026

A strange day as my Internet connection went down in the early hours of the morning and didn't connect until 2am the following day.
I have work tomorrow and for nearly the whole of April including the public holidays over Easter at Westferry Circus,  Canary Wharf in London covering the reception from 8am to 5:30pm with the weekend off.
Got a phone call from the scheduling office in the afternoon, so no whiffery but lots of reading and playing offline games plus downloads on YouTube. Odd mix and Royal Greenwich needs to be explored as there's plenty to see now I know where to look.
It's resurfacing the A206 from Charlton Station junction to Stoneleigh Retail Park roundabout, traffic is down to one lane in either direction, the regular bus stop outside my kitchen window has been suspended but there's plenty to chose from.
I also got confirmation on when my holidays start from each year and what I'm entitled to as I'm not a regular I have to acquire the hours to get the days leave, so as long as the essential bills are paid I can take unpaid leave later in the year.

[McColm]

Wednesday 25th March 2026

I got to work extremely early, so that I could catch up with running the reception desk at 15 Westferry Circus. The site is closing on the 29th April and will be converted into flats/apartments.
The regular receptionist is now working at the Diabetes UK branch in Whitechapel, I haven't been told where I will be working after the closure. The scheduling department has got me down for the Bank/Public holidays over Easter but the receptionist usually has these days off, I'm waiting for a response from the management.

[McColm]

Saturday 28th March 2026

It's the last day of winter as the clocks go forward on Sunday,  as for the next GB Operation Downfall I have a couple of builds that will need my full attention. I might have to bite the bullet and buy a 1/72 Avro Shackleton MR.3, then sand down those rivets on a cheaper kit as the Shackleton wing is a better fit than the Avro Lancaster B.2 up against the fuselage of the Mach2 DC-4 and I get to use the engines.

My blazer was delivered this morning and I have boxed up the older corporate security uniform, just need to iron my shirts for next week.

On the workbench the T56 turboprops have been removed from the 1/72 Heller Humbrol Douglas DC-6B Super-Cloudmaster and replaced with the Rolls-Royce Merlins from the Canadair North Star conversion pack,  I couldn't get the metal exhaust parts to fit after the assembly but maybe they should be inserted before the two parts are glued together. I managed to damage one and have used the shrouded exhaust pipes from the Airfix Avro Shackleton MR.2 on the outer side of the nacelles. Quite a lot of masking tape was used to glue the new engine nacelles in place,  not an ideal fit as the engines are supposed to be used on the DC-4 which are smaller than the DC-6. The build is known as the Canadair Southern Star.
 The Canadair Southern Star would have worked alongside the Handley Page Hermes in the transport role, it could have been a contender for the maritime surveillance role taking over the duties of the Avro Lancaster and Lincoln. The engines would have been upgraded to turboprops for freighter companies or as an AEW platform, water bomber,environmental management aircraft.

[McColm]

Sunday 29th March 2026

After a rummage in the spare parts boxes I think I have most of the pieces for the Avro Douglas AC.1( my version of the Avro Tudor with Bristol Hercules engines and the Mach2 DC-4 fuselage). However the name will probably change,  and the design.

Filler has been applied to the Canadair Southern Star, the il-62 Classic AEW and the Twin-engined Lockheed C-130.

After lunch catching up with emails and altered one clock, still got the ironing to do.

[McColm]

Easter Monday 6th April 2026

I have managed to upload my CV and send it to the Universal Credit people along with the updated rent plus service charges.
Online I'm playing Operation Downfall although it's on the aircraft side, I made sure that I bought the British aircraft first and I'm making my way through the Americans,  Germans,  Japanese and Russian Squadron's. Got a few ideas, but I've already started three with two nearing the primer stage. Two more won't hurt!

On the bench: the Avro Lancaster ACI 'Evens Stevens '. A joint venture between the British Royal Navy and the USNAVY, hence the American engines. To keep the RAF happy dual controls, flight enginer's position moved,  navigator and radio officer manned by the RAF. In the back three Flight Controllers from the Navy with a jump seat for a fourth crew member the maintenance officer. A tea urn and a bucket. Cooling down of the radars and avionics is through a refrigeration system which has the luxury of air conditioning for the crew.
The longer wings provides better range and with the two outer engines shut down and propellers feathered when flying an oval pattern the endurance is increased of upto 16 hours without the need for saddle fuel tanks.
 PSR has started with one of the extended wings giving me a few problems, superglue and scrap card to the rescue.

Parts from the Academy Boeing KC-97L have been found, the spare remote gun turrets and the flying boom.
The flying boom method fits into the timeline of Operation Downfall. The RAF were going to use the Handley Page Halifax, whilst the USAF chose the B-29.
I did have an idea for the Lockheed Constellation as a refuelling tanker so it might just work with a few spare parts as the KC-69A.
Further reading and the Avro Lancaster III was converted into an air-to-air refuelling tanker for the run to Bermuda using the Avro Tudor II prototype back in May 1947. The guns were removed on the Lancaster so I should be okay to use a bit of filler/putty on the nose and blank off the rear. Although I still could have a go at creating the Avro Douglas Tanker.

My attention was drawn to the Canadair Southern Star as an AEW platform using the Warning Star parts. Vacuform radome and the height finder from another model in the spares box.

Time for a nap and then the ironing.