Moments of Zen

[DogfighterZen]

Does this make me regret using these parts? No. They weren't expensive and they're not bad, just not the best. They'll do just fine for this build and if i ever get the urge to build this again, LF models will make that easier and i hope, more accurate.

That's the attitude that enables progress 

 
I admit i was a bit disappointed when i received the bits and noticed the flaws but, the Heller kit itself is an old tooling and already gave me so much work that these small details aren't enough to make me give up.
It's taking too long for me to finish a kit and i'm not happy about that cause there's so much stuff i really want to build but, life's been changing recently and will change much more in just a few months...

I find it rather inspiring to view your progress on this venerable kit. Great work indeed! 

That looks really good to me! Even the dust filters.

It's been a slow going and i think it's coming out ok compared to some builds i've seen of this kit which are simply master-level type of builds so, it's inspiring to me to know that my work inspires someone else. Thank you, gentlemen!

I do want to do more and be a more active modeller but, as i mentioned in my reply to Chris, life has been changing and soon will be changing a lot more because my wife will be giving birth to our baby girl next February!! 
After 3 failed pregnancies it's finally happening, we're becoming parents so, it's time to get stuff ready for the little girl and that also means that i'm gonna have to give up my mancave in a year or so but it's ok cause i'm going to build a new shed in the backyard and finish the attic for storage space so, i'll be having more space to build a proper modelling area and a separate music studio.    

So, while we're waiting for the baby i will be trying to do the most i can on the bench in my spare time and even begin more builds but as i don't think i'll be able to do much for a few months after she's born...  
That's fine, i'll be working for a 1/1 scale human being.

With that said, i'm sitting at the bench right now and will be working on the AL III and the Mustang may also get some attention.

 

[kerick]

A baby girl! Congratulations to both of you!
You better get to work on that shed now 'cause you won't have time latter!
We don't care how many models you build or how fast. Soon you'll have a little one to teach how to build things.

[Old Wombat]

As the father of two girls, I offer you my commiserations!   

On a less flippant note: Congratulations, Rui! 


Miscarriages can be devastating, so I offer my condolensces to you &, especially, your partner for those losses.


But, I warn you, girls can be a bigger handful than boys!

[DogfighterZen]

Thank you! We're looking forward to having her here on the outside!
I should've mentioned i'm not actually building a shed, it's more like an extension of the house in brick and mortar so i'm hiring a company to do it because it's a lot of work and it would take forever if i did it on my own.
Guy, i'm aware that girls can be more work than boys cause i have two nieces and spent a lot of time taking care of them when they were younger so i've already accepted my fate...  

Changing the subject back to modelling, i can say it was a productive afternoon as i was able to add the last details on the engine area of the AL III so, now all it needs is some paint to finish off the details and some small touch-ups to move on to the next stage, which is a coat of gloss varnish to seal in the paint work and then add markings.

[zenrat]

Congrats mate.
 

[su27rules]

Congratulations !!  

[Captain Canada]

Congratulations ! Exciting times in your life for sure !

The wee chopper looks great as well. The details around the engine really bring her to life.

[DogfighterZen]

Thank you, Gentlemen!
Although I know that sometimes it won't be easy, I am excited about the future. I am also anxious because of the past experiences so I won't rest until I have both my wife and our baby safe and sound and back home after birth. Only then will I be able to rest... or not!

Regarding models, yesterday I got good work done on the Alouette but there are still a few minor details I wanna add like the cabin door handles, a fire extinguisher that was carried on an exterior compartment on the right aft fuselage, and one antenna on the roof of the cabin that will be made of brass wire.
There are also a few spots that need paint like the front landing light and the front antenna strut.
After that is done, it's a gloss coat, decals, another gloss coat, light weathering and final flat varnish coat.
Final assembly after removing masks will be attaching the wheels, MG 151, the rear cabin door, front antennas made of brass wire, nav lights and rotors, the rear one has to be glued and the main one will be removable to facilitate cleaning and transportation to shows or club meetings.
I should also get the Mustang painted but the Alouette has been getting my full attention so, probably won't happen until i get the chopper finished.

 

[Pellson]

.. my wife will be giving birth to our baby girl next February!!

My most sincere congratulations! Also, you should know that you are extra blessed having a girl as your firstborn. They can be a handful as well as the boys, but generally, they seem to gain their wits significantly faster than their male counterparts, leading to a much smoother parental experience. At least when I compare my girls with the lads they've been in school with.. 

[NARSES2]

Great to hear the news re the forthcoming daughter mate. I'm really happy for you and your Mrs and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed 

[DogfighterZen]

Thank you, gentlemen! 
All i can say is that i agree. Boys do tend to be slower in the maturity aspect and if she takes on her mother's type of personality, i think we'll be ok but, we never know, she might be a bit like her dad and take on some type of dangerous sport...  

 

[PR19_Kit]

........she might be a bit like her dad and take on some type of dangerous sport...  

Like plastic modelling.   

[DogfighterZen]

........she might be a bit like her dad and take on some type of dangerous sport...  

Like plastic modelling.   

Well, if that's the case, she'll have a good stash waiting for her.

[NARSES2]

  

[DogfighterZen]

Well, i'm finally finishing another model this year...
Hoping that nothing gets in the way, this next weekend i should be able to get the real world PoAF Alouette done. It's now on it's wheels and ready for a flat varnish coat and final assembly.

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If all goes well, i should be able to get something done on the Mustang...