Westland Lynx AH-7

I have been in the progress of creating a Westland Lynx AH-7 helicopter for a while now, on and off. I thought I would post my progress so far on this great model.

Most of the paintwork is done and it's starting to come together.

New Work Bench

I have been working on my models in my computer room for a while now. I can work on my models while I watch you tube or use the computer to find references and materials. However, as i made more models and got more equipment, the room started to get a little cramped. 

I had the main room next door but that was taken up with my model railway. I had not worked on my railway for some time, it had kind of died a death. It was difficult for me to work on as my physical heath got slowly worse and, in the end, was just being used as a junk room. 

I had wanted to rebuild my railway to be more accessible and easier to work on. However, I got the bright idea to turn that room into a work area instead. 

So over the course of two weeks and with a little help from my friends, I tore down the old layout, cleared out a load of rubbish by sending things to charity or the local tip and set to work building.  

It took me a while to put things together because of my health but after many days of stiffness and pain, I had completed the bench. I rigged up my old computer so I can watch TV and do research as well as staying connected with friends online while I work.

There is space enough for two people to work as my friend Rob expressed an interest in coming down and taking up model making as a new hobby. A few more storage areas, some desk lighting, power, white boards and shelves, I have a viable work area. 

There are still a few things left to do. Removal of the old fish tank, wood that was used for the railway (out of shot) and old units that I no longer need but once that is done, I will have a perfect work bench for making my models. 

Unfortunately Covid-19 struck the UK just as I was finishing up and thus the rest of the work will have to be put on hold until that blows over. Along with too many projects. 

Deliveries are nearly impossible to get and going out for supplies is not deemed as a 'necessary trip', so progress will be light for a while.

However, this project has inspired me to create this blog, so you can all see what I get up to and see the models that I create.

Keep your eyes open for any new posts and thanks for reading! 

My Dad's Birthday Present

It's always so hard to buy things for my Dad. I'm kind of fed up buying him stout for his birthday so I had to rack my brains to work out what I was going to get him. He loves Land Rovers and collects models of them. He also used to be a postman and he's an out doors kind guy so it dawned on me, how about a post office Land Rover Diorama. I selection of a scene with a red Royal Mail Post Office Land Rover as the centre piece. First of all I had to find the right Land Rover. I found a HO (1:87) scale model and knew that would work. 

Perfect! If not a bit too clean but I will weather it later. So the idea for the scene is a 10 cm diameter circle scene with a tree. So the next thing to work on is the tree and the base to make sure it's all the right size. 

Seems to fit. Next few stages are to build it up into something recognisable as a tree on a hill. 

With the tree complete and the plaster work done. Time to flock the base, a bit of static grass too and it should start to come together.

Looking good but needs a few more foliage details. Maybe a stile, a wire fence to really make it pop.

I'm really proud of that. Now I have to weather the Land Rover it's self. Make it look a little old and used. As if the Post Office have been using this vehicle in the rural areas for a while. So with some weathering ink and pigments I managed to make the Vehicle look a little worn. 

Much better. Next, I want to populate the scene with a bit of life to bring it all together. I'm thinking a horse under the tree and a postman removing letters from a rural post box. Out come the paints and lets get to work. 

That's as Far as I have got so far but it is really coming together. I have a few more creatures to add, some sheep and maybe some smaller critters which are going to be very tricky to paint and install but I think it will be worth the effort. 

Keep checking back on the progress and this little project will soon be finished.