The past couple of nights at the bench have been awful.
I can’t seem to get traction on anything. And it’s driving me nuts.
Let’s start with the Pz.38(t). The big 1/16 tank is painted and decaled.
Of course, now I’m into the tedious task of assembling the tracks. Don’t get me wrong, I really, really like the workable links Panda provides with the kit. They’re easily the best kit tracks I’ve ever used. But…assembling them is tedious.
And then there’s the tools and minor bits that I need to start painting before I can really start in on the weathering, and I just can’t get motivated.
So when the Fisher -C conversion arrived for the Trumpeter F-8 Crusader, I was really excited. The nose fit way better than the Rhino intake.
Sadly, the cockpit didn’t fit well into the nose, and I just couldn’t muster the wherewithal to blow another several days sanding and filing and swearing. Work has been busy, and three kids are a lot work. Bench time is supposed to be about decompression, not adding to the stress.
So tonight I pulled out the sad beast that is Trumpeter’s 1/32 MiG-17F. Figured I’d get it up and running again.
After grinding down the *$*!#(@ pour stub on the G-Factor metal canopy frame, I got the very nice AMS resin cockpit to fit. Then I started playing around with the intake nose ring and discovered that it’s off center. Not that it doesn’t fit. It’s actually MOLDED OFF CENTER.
Seriously?
The kit does provide parts to build a radar-equipped MiG-17PF, so I gave it a shot, but come on. The MiG-17F has some damn classic lines. The PF, on the other hand, looks like a yodeling fish.
So, ugh. What now?
I feel like I need something to really sink my teeth into, and get my groove back. Something I can break into without days of cutting and sanding and swearing.
But what? I can’t figure out a scheme I want to do for Hobby Boss’ F-84. I’m worried about tackling another questionable, like the Kinetic/Italeri F-86 Sabre. I still have miles of research to do on my 1/32 F/A-18D. I’ve got my wrecked MiG-21 project, but I’m feeling that’s a very slow burn, long-term type of affair. And I’ll be procrastinating because the diorama aspect terrifies me.
Maybe I’ll just say screw it and pull out the big Trumpeter Mi-24 Hind. The only thing I’m pushing on it is PE.
Doogs Models 
Unless I’m misunderstanding your problem, it looks like that nose-thingie on The MIG is supposed to be off-center : http://www.maquetland.com/v2/images_articles/mig17f_3v.jpg
You know, you’re absolutely right. The Hobbycraft manual shows it dead center and it looked that way in a few photos. There’s hope yet!
Hey Doogs
Sounds like you need a couple of beers & a holiday
I understand and sympathise with you, that’s how I feel most the time
Steve
Doogs
Drink more, model less š
I call it the Summer Slowdown.
Get yourself something totally different, like a Sci-Fi kit, and try that out.
You know, going back and looking, I wrote something very similar almost exactly this time last year. Not sure if I want to go with something like sci-fi, but maybe it’s time to pull something armor down off the shelf.
Know your pain . Less bench time more party time
The answer is obvious. Tamiya 1/32 P-51D
Or bridge with something else, then dive into the Tamiya Corsair when it hits next month…
Either way, a Tamiya 1/32 kit is the way to go. Load up on baracudda goodies and eduard photo etch and go to town on it. That’s what I’m doing and loving every minute of it:
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234937289-tamiya-132-p-51d-passion-wagon-brush-painted/
Haven’t updated that in a while. Should have it finished soon though. Will also be going in a local museum, so gives me extra motivation to do it.