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GVoakes

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Posts posted by GVoakes

    This is a real joke...... Resurrecting a dinosaur, the new anti-F-35

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Steve,

    Saw the video, i must say, apart from the 'Defender'', you have to give credit to the guy for his warplanes restoration jobs. I found his restoration of the only japanese ZERO brought back to flying conditions extremely impressive, even though it took those 2 guys 5 years and where they did the job (in that old small wooden hangar on a farm). You had to have a lot of guts (and money) to go dig out a Zero out of a lost small jungle island in the Pacific with only the help of a 6 locals and a few machetes... I wonder how much the whole enterprise did cost him (plus the shipping cost for that Zero back to Canada).

    Don't give him too much credit. First off, it's not the only flying Zero in the world, but it is the only early model Zero capable of flight. Secondly, very little is original, as after 40+ years in the jungle, there was not too much that could be reused. While Diemert started the restoration, it was ultimately completed by a group of US restorers in Minnesota. I knew someone who was working on the restoration, and it was fascinating to listen to him talk about the restoration process...

    Grant

    This is a real joke...... Resurrecting a dinosaur, the new anti-F-35

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Steve,

    Saw the video, i must say, apart from the 'Defender'', you have to give credit to the guy for his warplanes restoration jobs. I found his restoration of the only japanese ZERO brought back to flying conditions extremely impressive, even though it took those 2 guys 5 years and where they did the job (in that old small wooden hangar on a farm). You had to have a lot of guts (and money) to go dig out a Zero out of a lost small jungle island in the Pacific with only the help of a 6 locals and a few machetes... I wonder how much the whole enterprise did cost him (plus the shipping cost for that Zero back to Canada).

    Don't give him too much credit. First off, it's not the only flying Zero in the world, but it is the only early model Zero capable of flight. Secondly, very little is original, as after 40+ years in the jungle, there was not too much that could be reused. While Diemert started the restoration, it was ultimately completed by a group of US restorers in Minnesota. I knew someone who was working on the restoration, and it was fascinating to listen to him talk about the restoration process...

    Grant

    Tokyo hobby shops

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    so in tokyo are it prices cheaper there than they are hear in the U S or are they the same minus shipping cost

    It depends - I found some good deals on Tamiya kits when I was there in 2009. Also, some Japanese manufacturers (Fine Molds) were slightly better priced (although still expensive). Factoring in shipping costs, I came out ahead. Italeri, Revell, etc. were all much higher priced.

    My main focus was not on kits as much as it was on aftermarket accessories that never make it across to us, or are only available trhough companies like HLJ.

    Tokyo hobby shops

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I'd love to go. Definitively on the list. I also want to see a ballgame there.

    Go! You won't regret it. I'm hoping to head back in a year or so, and spend significantly more time there than I have before. So much to see and do(and new restaurants to try out as well!).

    One spot to add if you have the time - Yasukuni Shrine. Japan's main war memorial and a really interesting historical museum. Thought provoking and sobering at the same time, and a chance to see some actual hardware (A6M5, Type 97 tank, Kaiten, etc...)

    G

    Tokyo hobby shops

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    There is also a Tamiya outlet store close to Shimbashi station. Great for finding all things Tamiya, as well as kits that they bring in (such as Italeri). If you're time is limited, then Akihabara is definitely the way to go. When I was there in 2009, I made the trek down on a Saturday night - shops were in open, place was packed, and the neon was amazing! Pricing was reasonable at that time - not sure what it may be like now.

    Now I'm craving a cold beer and some Yakitori...

    Last flight of the Battle Carrier Shinigami

    in Sci-Fi Modeling

    Posted

    Very Cool! I've been watching Yamato 2199 (although I need to do some catch up) and have toyed around with picking up a couple of the new kits they have coming out. Did the Bandai Yamato back in the day (~ 1981) and would love to take a crack at the 1/350 scale kit they have out.

    I would definitely be interested in a WIP thread!

    Nasa Pre-Group Build Warm-up

    in Real Space Modeling

    Posted

    I'm thinking a Gemini Titan stack - picked up the 1/72 RealSpace kit a month or so ago and want to get going on it, but have held off to clear off some of the other projects that are on the bench. With luck, I'm heading back to KSC in a few weeks so I should be able to get some more reference pics (I'll have to figure out what I didn't photograph the last time I was there).

    Of course, all bets are off if someone releases an injected mold 1/48 scale Saturn I SA-5.... (one can dream, right?)

    Zero experts needed

    in Props

    Posted

    The majority of pilots did not use kill markings. If there were any on the aircraft, it was usually for the number of shootdowns that the airframe or unit had, not the individual pilot, as they tended to focus more on the group/ unit than on the individual.

    Heading to Japan! Some tips?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    To add to what AX 365 and Razgriz have said:

    - Want to eat cheaply and local? Try the convenience stores (7-11, Family Mart, Lawson)

    - Transportation - use the subway. Get one of the Pasmo/ Suica cards, charge it up, and go explore.

    Some other areas to explore:

    Asakusa - Large temple and shopping area. Very much a tourist area, but one of the places most everyone goes to just to say they've been there. Exploring the stores on the side streets is interesting, as many specialize in traditional arts and crafts (pricy, but better than buying a load of cheap tourist stuff).

    Sengakuji - burial place for the 47 Ronin. Easily accessible by subway. If you're at all interested in Samurai, this is one of the places to go. Nice museum explaining everything as well.

    Defintely check out Akihabara.

    Weird family Christmas traditions

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Christmas Eve, my wife and I go for Sushi. Started ~ 20 years ago after we had both worked Christmas Eve. We were on our way home, passed our local sushi place, and decided on the spot that neither of us wanted to cook when we got home. Since then, we have gone out or, on those few Christmas Eves when my wife had to work (she's a nurse), we ordered take out and ate at home before her shift.

    Important Election News

    in Test Post Clubhouse

    Posted

    In a last minute political maneuver Obama is claiming to have sent Seal Team 6 into British Columbia to kill Chad Kroeger.

    Well, that gets my vote!

    Except I'm Canadian, so it doesn't count....

    Still, I approve of this! Any chance they can take out Celine Dion as well?

    Prometheus -- save your money

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Actually, Shaw did recover David's headless body as well (you can see her lowering it to the utility vehicle from the crashed ship). So, maybe she used a staple gun on him (I'm sure that damage will buff out). :D

    Well, if there's one thing that I learned from the movie, its that staples can fix anything!

    That, and stomach surgery is not as painful as everyone makes it out to be!

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