Fixing the problem required completing removing both rear landing gear and reversing them. What you cannot see are pins that extend from the cross member into the well box. You also cannot see the heavy glue bond connecting the base of the struts to the well box, which is connected to the wing spars. Removing the landing gear caused them to fall apart and the gear boxes to tear, causing the lower surface of the wing to tear, and also torquing the entire wing framing. The model was not crushed in anger. It was dead and needed to fit into the trash can.
To build another, I would need to order another copy of the model, along with a canopy, from Poland, then spend another 200 hours building it. That is not going to happen. I accept that about one in 4 card models end up in failure but even my patience has limits.
Over the years I have lost a fair number of card models to various disasters. A dog ate a beautiful model of the Admiral Graf Spee–the hull was perfect. About two thirds of the way through a BAC Lighting, I catastrophically ruined the fuselage. An 80% complete F-16 went into the trash because the wings torqued. A 90% complete Ju-87G-2 Stuka was lost because the wings did not fit the fuselage. A Harrier GR.1 spontaneously fell in half because the kit provided connecting strips were too thin. There have been others. With each disaster I learn how better to avoid a disaster. The lesson of this model, one I had forgotten, was to never, ever trust the instructions of a card model. Have reference photos ready from the start.
So sorry to see that, it was really looking good! Better luck next time, Doug!
This campaign is over at this point, but unfortunately a real one is just beginning. My thoughts are with all my friends and acquaintances in Israel. May you all be safe and may those taken come home.
I suggest this campaign be re-opened, due to the events of the end of Yom Kippur and the Sabbath…if for anything to witness the use of all the vehicles that will be seen in the coming months in defense/offense by the IDF and showing our support. I suggest for another year.
Thanks for the suggestion, Jack, but I agree with Tom. Perhaps when it’s all over, we’ll start another IDF campaign. But for now, the hurt is too fresh for this. Don’t worry, I am keeping a close eye on events.
Just came back from a month’s overseas holiday, to see the post I meant to put up here still on my screen awaiting me pushing the ‘Reply’ button! C’est la vie.
Anyway, here is my Nagmachon entry - better late than never. I am going to do more weathering once I have added some groundwork to the base now I am back.
I guess that I missed the end date… oh well, still plugging along… this one sat on the sidelines for awhile as I worked on some other shorter time deadline projects, but now I have resumed work. My biggest thing was trying to figure out the IDF configuration that was changed from the original TOW Jeeps sent to the IDF. After pouring over the few photos that I could find, I am going with an early/mid configuration, and this is where I’m at now.
I had to alter the missile stowage racks, the MGS rack was cooled with a seat, a machine gun pintle point is being added to the dash, and most of the radio and external stowage being reworked.
In a day or two I should have it all together and ready for basic paint…
