Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Repaying my Dad, one kit at a time

 

Young Phil benefitted from a Dad who had a repository of plastic kits, many of which he was allowed to build. When I say build, I was probably about 10 or 12, and while I could stick things together, and slap some paint on them, the results weren't great. I enjoyed them though.

Needless to say, those kits helped turn me into the modeller I am today. I like to think my abilities with glue and paint have improved a bit, but we're all on a learning curve. 

One range of kits I remember were the "Those Magnificent Flying Machines" set. My Dad was into aeroplanes, and had aquired these for some reason. And he let me build them. 

Of course, time passes, and now these things are collectable. I've seen them on sale for £60 several times. We're into the buy it and stick the thing on a shelf world at that price, unless you are really keen.


But, I always felt a little guilty about sticking my way through these kits, and so when one turned up on eBay for sensible money, I snapped it up, and it became part of my Dad's birthday present a couple of weeks ago. 

Quite what he's going to do with it is a conundrum. Parker senior is not exactly short of potential projects himself, so I think this is going to be a long way down the queue! 

And no, I'm not looking to replace the rest of the set. Well, not unless I spot some more bargains...

Monday, March 18, 2024

Mind your language!

 

I'm clearing up some paperowrk from recent events, and found this from the Glasgow show. It's the instructions for the setup period.

There's nothing unusual in here - Hi-Vis etc. All pretty standard for shows in exhibion halls now. 

But tucked away, "No swearing or use of offensive or rascist language on site."

I'm all in favour of the lack of rascist language, but who's policing the swearing? And what is the penalty? 

Do different words attract different punishments? 

Sadly, we didn't get the chance to find out. Although I heard a few people experimenting!

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Rustival 2024

Rustival or bust

 How good was Rustival? Very, very good. 

Organised by three YouTubers, the idea was that less traditional classic cars would gather that the Motor Musuem Gaydon. Less E-Type jags (there were two) and more Mini Metros. 

The thing is, the classic car movement is evolving. Stuff built in 1999 is 25 years old! Da kidz are driving "vintage" vhicles that I remember being introduced, or at least seeing everywhere when I was a kid. And by this, I mean boxy Volvos. 

Indeed, I was one of the oldest people at the show. This suggests that far from fading away, classics are still popular. I enjoy reading some of the stories that are typed up and hung in the windows of the exhibits. 

Not that I could read them all. With only a couple of hours, there's no way i could taking the best part of a 1000 cars that turned up. Far more than the organisers expected, and boding well for the future. I suspect there will be more than a couple of trade stands next year. Some autojumble would be both nice, and appropriate!

Anyway, I need to chose a car to take away with me. Will it be the amphibious Land Rover? No, interesting, but too ugly. A Citoen with funky suspension? I think the DS is one of the most beautiful cars built, but no. 

It's the Toyota Sera. I've heard of it, but never seen one for real. Now I have, I want those doors!

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Saturday Film Club: ”THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE”

This one will probably allow me to appear in the Facebook Dull Men's club, but stick with it. This 1982 documentary is wonderful, and watched with the benfit of hindsight, very dated. The micro pager that appears is the same size as a modern mobile phone for example. But who would have predicted advancements in that area in the early 80s? 

More importantly, the moves to System X exchanges helped my late friend Dave win the Railway Modeller cup. As a telephone engineer, he found himself based in an exchange that has swapped mechanical switching for electronic, freeing up loads of space. In which he built his layout "Scotland Street Yard". An unexpected benefit!

Friday, March 15, 2024

Off to London

 

Time to get back on the road, after all I've had a whole weekend off this month, this time to Alexandra Palace in London. 

The BRM roadshow will be in the magnificent hall, and I'll be on the end of the stand with some modemaking for you to enjoy. 

Please bring along plenty of questions, I don't want to be lonely!

Full details of the show can be found here.