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Research Addiction, Yet Again
Oct. 22nd, 2010 12:56 am...Or "Old And Knew: Act II".
I had to get curious again...here is an image of the Beech I tugged around with the tractor the other day. Thanks to the Reviewer Corps, I have the prospect of receiving a scale model Twin Beech, which, if I do receive it, will probably be my last model project for 2010. It's unlikely that I could convert the model in question to Turboliner standard, tho'. My websearching brought me to This Very Interesting Historical Document and that made me wonder if the airframe at our school might have a pedigree with the Firm. But alas, it appears it does not.
I would have liked to call History Detectives on this one. However, I already am one, it seems.
I had to get curious again...here is an image of the Beech I tugged around with the tractor the other day. Thanks to the Reviewer Corps, I have the prospect of receiving a scale model Twin Beech, which, if I do receive it, will probably be my last model project for 2010. It's unlikely that I could convert the model in question to Turboliner standard, tho'. My websearching brought me to This Very Interesting Historical Document and that made me wonder if the airframe at our school might have a pedigree with the Firm. But alas, it appears it does not.
I would have liked to call History Detectives on this one. However, I already am one, it seems.
Reality Checks & Weight Balances
Aug. 30th, 2010 06:55 pmWhile I was bored with not being able to adequately contact the outside world, I did a bunch of brainstorming. Tend to do that along with my research addiction.
Anyway, I have, on my hard drive, the digitized files for many of those wonderful Maly Modelarz Polish paper models, of which I've spoken before here. I have one for a Colossus-class aircraft carrier from the WW2 era. With it set to print at "regular size", the resulting model would only take nine sheets of paper or cardboard, and scale to about 1/350.
So what if I wanted a model to scale with the majority of the model aircraft I build? 1/72nd scale? To enlargen the sheet five times (350 รท 72 = 4.861, rounded to 5), I could split each sheet into twenty-five proportional pieces (5X5) making the total model 225 sheets of printout. And the model that would be built from these sheets would be...10 feet long!
With Paul Francis' shop nearby, this concept isn't outside the realm of possibility as such. It's just not particularly practicable, especially with the start of school imminent and other things coming along to occupy my mind and time.
Anyway, I have, on my hard drive, the digitized files for many of those wonderful Maly Modelarz Polish paper models, of which I've spoken before here. I have one for a Colossus-class aircraft carrier from the WW2 era. With it set to print at "regular size", the resulting model would only take nine sheets of paper or cardboard, and scale to about 1/350.
So what if I wanted a model to scale with the majority of the model aircraft I build? 1/72nd scale? To enlargen the sheet five times (350 รท 72 = 4.861, rounded to 5), I could split each sheet into twenty-five proportional pieces (5X5) making the total model 225 sheets of printout. And the model that would be built from these sheets would be...10 feet long!
With Paul Francis' shop nearby, this concept isn't outside the realm of possibility as such. It's just not particularly practicable, especially with the start of school imminent and other things coming along to occupy my mind and time.
Tags:
Useless Brainstorming With Math
Aug. 24th, 2010 01:53 amA sort of postscript to my entry about Moonliner/Mission To Mars at the Disney theme parks...
I was kind of curious about the dimensions on the scaled drawing of the Moonliner mockup and whether the theater/simulator would have fit inside. Granted, this was spurred on when I attempted to find something else on GoogleImage and found an interior picture of the theater. I'm not going to link to it here tonight, but I did notice something helpful beyond the obvious matter of the room being a cylinder (as it was on the mockup)--there were THREE rings of seats around the central visual projection screen disks.
I don't own a theater seat. But I do own a seat that is roughly the same size and so I posited that each row is probably 30~36". Since it counts TWICE when you add them for DIAMETER--the three rows would comprise at least 180" of the overall diameter of the space--and therefore the fuselage of the Moonliner. As the given measure of the fuselage on the measured drawing is only 108", then the mockup isn't "actual size"--it's a scaled model, if the theater/simulator was meant to "fit inside."
And then I look elsewhere on-line and see that in fact the mockup is 1/3rd scale.
Told you this was "useless".
BTW, my wall calendar this year was given us by a family buddy who's into big rig trucks. It's from Shell Oil and features custom trucks. One of the trucks for the summer months--was posed next to a restored TWA Lockheed Constellation airliner--and the Moonliner was visible in the background! It's still around somewhere!
I was kind of curious about the dimensions on the scaled drawing of the Moonliner mockup and whether the theater/simulator would have fit inside. Granted, this was spurred on when I attempted to find something else on GoogleImage and found an interior picture of the theater. I'm not going to link to it here tonight, but I did notice something helpful beyond the obvious matter of the room being a cylinder (as it was on the mockup)--there were THREE rings of seats around the central visual projection screen disks.
I don't own a theater seat. But I do own a seat that is roughly the same size and so I posited that each row is probably 30~36". Since it counts TWICE when you add them for DIAMETER--the three rows would comprise at least 180" of the overall diameter of the space--and therefore the fuselage of the Moonliner. As the given measure of the fuselage on the measured drawing is only 108", then the mockup isn't "actual size"--it's a scaled model, if the theater/simulator was meant to "fit inside."
And then I look elsewhere on-line and see that in fact the mockup is 1/3rd scale.
Told you this was "useless".
BTW, my wall calendar this year was given us by a family buddy who's into big rig trucks. It's from Shell Oil and features custom trucks. One of the trucks for the summer months--was posed next to a restored TWA Lockheed Constellation airliner--and the Moonliner was visible in the background! It's still around somewhere!
Today's Topic Continued
Aug. 16th, 2010 09:42 pm
For those in the world who would rather have access to a print copy and color pencils than Sponsafy.
Oh, To Be A Couple Dozen Years Younger
Jul. 25th, 2010 12:06 amJust saw This Trailer. What it looks like...
The premise is that hobby stores will have these gamepod modules with scanners that would take a scale model and extrapolate it into a playable vehicle for a Border Break-variety mecha combat game. Boy, could I go for that! I already have a few custom Gundam/Mobile Suit ideas, including the "back-burnered" BlitzMaster Gundam I'd been building for Mike Birchfield over the last couple years or so. Yes, I definitely could go for it. Probably too old tho'...unless they start some league for us old first-generation-Otaku geezers.
The premise is that hobby stores will have these gamepod modules with scanners that would take a scale model and extrapolate it into a playable vehicle for a Border Break-variety mecha combat game. Boy, could I go for that! I already have a few custom Gundam/Mobile Suit ideas, including the "back-burnered" BlitzMaster Gundam I'd been building for Mike Birchfield over the last couple years or so. Yes, I definitely could go for it. Probably too old tho'...unless they start some league for us old first-generation-Otaku geezers.
Tags:
I Just Keep Getting Hit With Stupf Lust
Jul. 6th, 2010 12:15 pmVia the CM's Corporation Website:
( Loads More Japanese Collectable Toys Behind This Cut! )
There is no such thing as "enough", alas.
( Loads More Japanese Collectable Toys Behind This Cut! )There is no such thing as "enough", alas.
My shopping-without-actually-buying habit has driven me to add the Amazon.com "Universal Wishlist Link" to my broswer's Favorites. Which means I'll be adding a lot of weird stuff to my wishlists there.
The odds of actually getting any of it is likely very low, but I have to try anyway. A Box of THIS, a few of THOSE, a couple of THE OTHERS and it adds up.
The odds of actually getting any of it is likely very low, but I have to try anyway. A Box of THIS, a few of THOSE, a couple of THE OTHERS and it adds up.
Plastic People
May. 24th, 2010 12:46 pmA study in juxtaposition...a rumor I saw on USENET this weekend brought me to THESE PEOPLE, whom I realize built a very large portion of my childhood. I didn't realize how brand-loyal I was back then.
The antithesis: THIS STORY from CBS' 60 Minutes about possibly harmful chemicals in plastics. Now, I consider myself very atypical, and substandard, as a male human being in terms of physicality and psyche. Up to now I blamed my problems on the general environment in which I grew up: I'm a child of the Rust Belt, born right next to one of the most polluted bodies of water in North America at that time, with Love Canal to the east and Cleveland (whose river caught fire!) to the west.
But what about my toys and my indoor environment?
Who do I really have to blame but myself? Maybe everyone. Maybe no one. Unintended consequences.
The antithesis: THIS STORY from CBS' 60 Minutes about possibly harmful chemicals in plastics. Now, I consider myself very atypical, and substandard, as a male human being in terms of physicality and psyche. Up to now I blamed my problems on the general environment in which I grew up: I'm a child of the Rust Belt, born right next to one of the most polluted bodies of water in North America at that time, with Love Canal to the east and Cleveland (whose river caught fire!) to the west.
But what about my toys and my indoor environment?
Who do I really have to blame but myself? Maybe everyone. Maybe no one. Unintended consequences.
Feeding The Updata
May. 19th, 2010 01:58 pm*) All-Seeing Eye just heard back from the camera repair shop in Asheville. Olympus has been repaired, with a new part, and will be shipped back. Dad is paying the bill. Need to do something nice for him for Father's Day...so I'm open to suggestions.
*) The above is also good for my Reviewer Corps project because now I don't have to borrow somebody else's camera to photograph my work.
*) Sweet Tooth adores the Russell Stover Chocolate Sauce. It on bread is too decadent for breakfast...you might get away with it on a coffee break, but only if you've done something important that morning first.
*) I just inflated a 16" royal blue balloon for Inner Child.
*) The above is also good for my Reviewer Corps project because now I don't have to borrow somebody else's camera to photograph my work.
*) Sweet Tooth adores the Russell Stover Chocolate Sauce. It on bread is too decadent for breakfast...you might get away with it on a coffee break, but only if you've done something important that morning first.
*) I just inflated a 16" royal blue balloon for Inner Child.
A Sense Of Perspective
May. 12th, 2010 01:07 amTell you the truth, there was a bit of "why should I care" in my mind when it came to NASA's Project Constellation and the Orion/ARES tests.
That went away when a buddy at the Knoxville IPMS meet Tuesday night showed me a model kit of the Constellation Orion/Artemis unit. Orion and Artemis are substantially bigger than the corresponding Command/Service and Lunar Excursion Modules from Project Apollo. Orion is designed to carry EIGHT Astronauts instead of three. So I am impressed with the ambition involved.
That went away when a buddy at the Knoxville IPMS meet Tuesday night showed me a model kit of the Constellation Orion/Artemis unit. Orion and Artemis are substantially bigger than the corresponding Command/Service and Lunar Excursion Modules from Project Apollo. Orion is designed to carry EIGHT Astronauts instead of three. So I am impressed with the ambition involved.
Making Amends And Amending Makes
Feb. 20th, 2010 04:56 pmThis afternoon was spent at Paul Francis' shop, with a side trip to that little BBQ shop in town for everybody else's lunch. Working on the Skoda car, trying to meet new buddies and reconnect with older ones, still attempting to decide on brown or blue, catching up on gossip.
Did a little research (from a Public Library hardcopy) on pre-war American cars for my Billy Joe's Boys army fluff text.
Finally got some non-depressing weather to gawk at.
Got my check from Jury Duty. Was a tad more than I expected (thank goodness) but waiting for Monday to cash it is is going to drive me crazy.
Got gifts for a couple of my real-life friends--one of them an LJ friend.
Did a little research (from a Public Library hardcopy) on pre-war American cars for my Billy Joe's Boys army fluff text.
Finally got some non-depressing weather to gawk at.
Got my check from Jury Duty. Was a tad more than I expected (thank goodness) but waiting for Monday to cash it is is going to drive me crazy.
Got gifts for a couple of my real-life friends--one of them an LJ friend.
Tags:
*) Remember that neighbor lady for whom we fixed television service over the course of the past year? Well, since then, we've replaced her washing machine, repaired one of her flashlights, put a new stylus in her phonograph...and now Dad has her toaster disassembled on the kitchen table while he figures out why the elements in the middle aren't getting electricity. He asks my opinion and I tell him that I flunked out of electrical repair in college. I tried to look up how old it is on Google and couldn't get an answer.
*) Wrote up a Doomsday Roster for my Billy Joe's Boys army for Flames of War. Basically, this is an all-out shopping list to set limits on how many pieces I could possibly need. The plan is 104 ground vehicle models plus three aircraft models and plenty of figures to represent dismounted vehicle crews and weapons.
I'm in the habit of doing this for any wargame army I invent. Of course, I won't actually NEED all of the materiel above, and can start with only six or seven vehicles and their crew figures, assuming the point cost is fair for other players.
Some of the stuff I want for my army is already included on my Amazon Wishlist.
*) Still waiting for the checks...and the Czechs...and some balances.
*) Wrote up a Doomsday Roster for my Billy Joe's Boys army for Flames of War. Basically, this is an all-out shopping list to set limits on how many pieces I could possibly need. The plan is 104 ground vehicle models plus three aircraft models and plenty of figures to represent dismounted vehicle crews and weapons.
I'm in the habit of doing this for any wargame army I invent. Of course, I won't actually NEED all of the materiel above, and can start with only six or seven vehicles and their crew figures, assuming the point cost is fair for other players.
Some of the stuff I want for my army is already included on my Amazon Wishlist.
*) Still waiting for the checks...and the Czechs...and some balances.
Tags:
*) The Hot Wheels Batwing from the 1989 Batman movie.
*) Scenemaster/Life-Like HO Scale "Coupe Cars", "Pickup Trucks" and "American Autos" so I can equip my "Billy Joe's Boys" militant force for Flames Of War/I Ain't Been Shot Mum. I also want scans of Battlefront's vehicle assembly instruction sheets so I know what "bits" I should buy to properly homologate my machines. And proper rulesbooks for the games of course.
*) The book about early Spitfires I saw at one of the hobby stores I shop at. The owner/manager of the shop is offering me a 30% discount as a local IPMS club member, so the deal looks pretty enticing...and I have the Spitfire project to build for the Reviewer Corps very soon.
*) A pair of normal walking-around shoes and a pair of steel-toe shoes for Tech School.
*) New longjohns.
*) A video camera...Radio Shack put a circular out today and one of the compact ones looked very reasonable. The public TV program Make has plans and instructions for a DIY "steadycam" rig. Very intriguing.
*) DVD four-in-one cases. All the better for consolidating my collection and replacing broken cases.
*) Scenemaster/Life-Like HO Scale "Coupe Cars", "Pickup Trucks" and "American Autos" so I can equip my "Billy Joe's Boys" militant force for Flames Of War/I Ain't Been Shot Mum. I also want scans of Battlefront's vehicle assembly instruction sheets so I know what "bits" I should buy to properly homologate my machines. And proper rulesbooks for the games of course.
*) The book about early Spitfires I saw at one of the hobby stores I shop at. The owner/manager of the shop is offering me a 30% discount as a local IPMS club member, so the deal looks pretty enticing...and I have the Spitfire project to build for the Reviewer Corps very soon.
*) A pair of normal walking-around shoes and a pair of steel-toe shoes for Tech School.
*) New longjohns.
*) A video camera...Radio Shack put a circular out today and one of the compact ones looked very reasonable. The public TV program Make has plans and instructions for a DIY "steadycam" rig. Very intriguing.
*) DVD four-in-one cases. All the better for consolidating my collection and replacing broken cases.
Tags:
Randomnity
Feb. 8th, 2010 01:17 am*) On the Super Bowl--for the first time ever I saw Peyton Manning's dark side. At a few times when he was on the sidelines watching his team try to hold the Saints, the looks on his face reminded me of Tony Perkins in Psycho and Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange. For all his "nice guy" image it wouldn't surprise me if somebody cast him as a villain in a horror movie after his football career is over.
Meanwhile, nobody can say the Saints didn't earn their victory. Yes, they DID have "something to prove"...and now we'll have to get used to them being called "defending NFL champions".
I didn't watch the Who's halftime show or more than a few commercials. I get my sister's point about the Denny's commercial with the screaming chickens. I can't remember the last time I ate at a Denny's anyway.
*) I'm starting a Google account. I used to have one, but then I shuffled it to Mum for reasons that aren't worth explaining.
*) The weather is typical February lousy. Tonight is cold...not enough to freeze the water pipes, but enough to make us miserable. I've been hitting the coffee and cocoa very hard but wish I didn't have to.
*) I'm waiting for three things in the coming mail: a package of scale model parts to review; a check from the State of Tennessee to pay me for three days of jury duty; a response from the IRS to my return. Which one would you think I'd get first?
Meanwhile, nobody can say the Saints didn't earn their victory. Yes, they DID have "something to prove"...and now we'll have to get used to them being called "defending NFL champions".
I didn't watch the Who's halftime show or more than a few commercials. I get my sister's point about the Denny's commercial with the screaming chickens. I can't remember the last time I ate at a Denny's anyway.
*) I'm starting a Google account. I used to have one, but then I shuffled it to Mum for reasons that aren't worth explaining.
*) The weather is typical February lousy. Tonight is cold...not enough to freeze the water pipes, but enough to make us miserable. I've been hitting the coffee and cocoa very hard but wish I didn't have to.
*) I'm waiting for three things in the coming mail: a package of scale model parts to review; a check from the State of Tennessee to pay me for three days of jury duty; a response from the IRS to my return. Which one would you think I'd get first?
