Nice day out

Went off to the Newark Air Museum on Saturday, “Tribute to the Lightning” day which was well attended, lots to see and some superb models on show. Met lots of new faces that shared an interest in Lightning's and listened to the talks given by aircrew and ground crew from the LPG Team, very informative.

The Museum shop was packed with models, model paints, accessories which would leave many a model shop way behind. Facilities were excellent and although never visited the café heard it was good value. A flypast by the Lancaster, Spit and Hurricane completed the afternoon, and all too soon it was time to head home. 

Quiet at home

My wife has gone off for 3 weeks to Canada, visiting my sister and attending a few quilters exhibitions whilst there. I have been busy painting quite a lot of white woodwork that has discoloured over the years, have just finished the hallway and all the doors and architraves which look a whole lot better now. A lot of the skirting had black scuff marks from the hoovering, so must wrap some tape round the offending area. Will have a rest for a few days before heading off on Saturday to Newark Aviation museum for a “Tribute to the Lightning” which includes talks by former Lightning pilots and a gathering of Lightning cockpit projects to look over.

Progress

Fencing panels erected after some personal injury to my self, now all wounds healing and lessons learnt I guess. Slipped on one of the rhubarb leaves whilst climbing a 1 foot wall.

 

 

 

 

Model is coming along slowly, taking my time as no need to rush it. Had the family up on Sunday for a barbecue and it did not rain, so all went well, folks had a good feed and drink and a good old natter.

Garden Fence

Have just ordered 2 fence panels and some posts, my next door neighbours property dividing fence was falling apart and I said I would put new ones up for him. Delivery tomorrow sometime, so depending on the weather will get them erected soon as.

My new model Lightning arrived a few days back and have made a start on the build, quite enjoying something constructive and will take it slowly. My LTF decals arrived the same day from Holland, very speedy delivery, so have all that is required now. I already have the same model from last years build, this one will be in LTF livery.

1:48 English Electric Lightning Model

Decided to build another Lightning FMk6 model to accompany my 5 Squadron one. This one will be an LTF XR728 with the tail code JS. As I worked on 5 Sqdn and LTF, thought it fitting that I have the pair, also that I still work on XR728 which is at Bruntingthorpe airfield, made the choice easy. Had also to purchase a set of decals for this one. Firestreak Decals have just what I wanted. I intend to make a diorama of the aircraft flight line pans and eventually have some ground equipment models. A 25kva Houchin is available although a bit pricey, but is a must have for later.

Tree felling

On Tuesday the weather being reasonable, I decided to cut down a tree in the front garden, it had been annoying me for years, not so much the tree itself, but the constant job of clearing up fallen leaves from the flower beds. Down it came, tree loppers and finally the trunk, all done by tree saw and took ages with lots cursing at how hard the job was. At last it is all down and the garden look all the better for it. Green waste bin once again full. My next door neighbour had said she was going to get one of her large conifers taken down, also outgrown and past its prime, so today, an estate car parks up outside, a chainsaw whirrs into action and half an hour later, it is all down with no effort at all. Now when the wind subsides, I will be able to get on with the rest of the garden.

Made it to Bruntingthorpe

The intention was to get stuck in on some maintenance work, but unfortunately the BBC had a film crew up there, filming a cold war documentary. The Lightning was the subject of the day. All prepped up for a fast taxi, she was towed to the far end of the runway, first time I had been up there. Performance was superb and the run went well. I think the BBC crew were amazed at the noise, speed and vibration, considering they had a car following the lightning down the runway. I believe they got some great film content and hope to see a preview sometime. The sun could have been a bit brighter, but there again Binbrook would have probably been much the same. All in all a nice day out.