Minicraft 1/144 USAF KC-135A

[LyleW]

Ahhh, sitting in front of the fireplace, cup of coffee....Okay...it is a space heater, but I drew flames on it, and I already drank the coffee. I have suddenly remembered why Minicraft are not my fav kits. Soft/soapy plastic, lousy sprue attach points in a lot of places, flash on tiny parts. But hey, it is still fun, right?

This is a disaster waiting to happen, look how tiny the attach point is on the nose gear!



I'm not sure this is enough weight, but I hesitate to add more.



Here are a couple of sprue attachment points on the wings...

[LyleW]

I really feel awkward posting by stuff given what is being posted by others with real talent. Been away far too long. . . not that it was much better. Anyway, I slung some glue today. Used the good, old Testors red tube and some Tenax 7R (I bought 4 bottles when I found out they were going away). Sort of looks like an airplane - at least like the craft in the movie Airplane.





Now, if I can get out of this chair and walk, I may be done for the day. Knees are really stiff right now.

[Medicman71]

Those stupid reinforcement ribs on the back!! I hated those things. I sanded mine off. A lot of KC-135's had them on the inside.

[speedgraflex]

I feel awkward... not the right word... at least for me, I feel there are incredibly talented folks here and you are part of the group, too. I am still fairly new here, but I see talent blooming all over the place and I wonder if I am going to have that moment, too. However, I love making models, and I do know how to take photos and I have something to say about my work... and I know you do too, and believe you me, your voice is a good one... and your work is good, Lyle... and your choices are always, always full of genuine care for building plastic models. Plus you are rescuing unwanted kits... that’s potent stuff.

[jkim]

I don't think talent is any indication of worth when it comes to sharing on SPAM. It's all about the passion. We love building plastic model kits, period.

I remember this conversation that I had during one of my Central Asia mission trips. It was with a young lady from Atlanta who loved to dance and was teaching dance to the youth in the town of Ushtobe, which we were visiting. I was commenting on how much I admired her dancing. And she said to me, "You know Mr. John, I'm really not that good at dancing. You may think so but that's because you are not a dancer. I'm not good." And I said, "Does it matter? You love dancing right? You're passionate about it aren't you?" She nodded and I told her that it was the same with my photography. I think I suck at photography but it doesn't matter. I love doing it and as long as you love doing something, it is worth doing AND it is worth sharing with others.

[Stikpusher]

Very well said John.

[LyleW]

I feel awkward... not the right word... at least for me, I feel there are incredibly talented folks here and you are part of the group, too. I am still fairly new here, but I see talent blooming all over the place and I wonder if I am going to have that moment, too. However, I love making models, and I do know how to take photos and I have something to say about my work... and I know you do too, and believe you me, your voice is a good one... and your work is good, Lyle... and your choices are always, always full of genuine care for building plastic models. Plus you are rescuing unwanted kits... that’s potent stuff.

Thank you for the kind words.....Means a lot. Everyone here is so supportive of each other. Biggest reason we are who we are. Now, I like the old, unwanted kits. Some are really cool and interesting. Most are cheap. When it goes south, it isn't a 100 dollar kit. I just need to build more, more and more quickly.

[LyleW]

I don't think talent is any indication of worth when it comes to sharing on SPAM. It's all about the passion. We love building plastic model kits, period.

I remember this conversation that I had during one of my Central Asia mission trips. It was with a young lady from Atlanta who loved to dance and was teaching dance to the youth in the town of Ushtobe, which we were visiting. I was commenting on how much I admired her dancing. And she said to me, "You know Mr. John, I'm really not that good at dancing. You may think so but that's because you are not a dancer. I'm not good." And I said, "Does it matter? You love dancing right? You're passionate about it aren't you?" She nodded and I told her that it was the same with my photography. I think I suck at photography but it doesn't matter. I love doing it and as long as you love doing something, it is worth doing AND it is worth sharing with others.

True words! I have always had this "unique" ability to progress to a certain point, never where I want to be, and hit "the wall". I could be extra average at many things. Flying, however, I did excel at (even with one eye) while I still had my medical certificate. As Stuart said the other day, and I paraphrase, I know how I want it to look, but the translation to reality just falls short....weathering, scratching details, etc. My hands just kind of laugh at me and say, "watch this". But, for the first time in a couple of years, it is fun again and I'm having a good time.

[KennyX]

Hot dig Lyle you got yourself an airplane!!



YEAH BUDDY!

I always like this stage, when you got your fuselage sealed up and wings attached, and itnfoeant have a lick of paint or primer on it yet. That’s a great stage to be in. And it’s awesome to see this bird all sealed up!

[LyleW]

Thanks, Kenny.....and the fit is better than I expected so far.