LDO

Hmmm looks like the photo didn’t show up. Gotta learn how to use this new phone.

I bit the bullet and ordered a 1/72 Skipjack submarine model. I think it is ideal for a belly tank LSR. Does anyone offer suitable wheels and tires or will they need to be custom made? nice shape, eh? thanks. Lee

BAC TSR-2 Another could-have-been. British tactical strike/reconnaissance prototype canceled before production. One more vote for the P-51D also. I also like it as a racer. And for elegance, the Concord. What I would give for the chance to fly on one.

There was also a Soviet spy at Avro.

There was also a Soviet spy at Avro.

This bad boy, compared to "standard" 1/35 scale. That pic is from someone else's buildup of the R/C tank. I got the much less expensive display only version. It is hard to find, but still a bargain compared to the R/C version. Can't wait to ummm...find a place to work on it.

Definitely a source of inspiration for the early Firebird. The nose, anyway.

I am a huge fan of Milliput Superfine White putty. It dries hard, but can be sanded. It can also be worked with wet tools/fingertips. Just use water, no need for solvents. To make it stick better, get it slightly wet and then press it on to the plastic. It is very versatile. I have rolled it into thin sheets and applied to to a model tank, for simulating Zimmerit; an anti-magnetic coating applied to some German vehicles in WWII. I scratched the surface with the back edge of an X-acto to give it more to hold on to, then rolled the texture into it with the lid of a paint jar. Again, I am a huge fan of this stuff. King Tiger tank in winter white Camo. Markings painted on by hand. With a test piece for practicing the Zimmerit and painting markings by hand.

The 6.5 Gibbs is a fine cartridge. Years ago, I had a full custom rifle for 1,000 yard benchrest in 6.5 Gibbs. I once put 10 shots into 6.855" at 1,022 yards with it at Williamsport, PA.

Kurt- cool old pic. Is that a Mauser? I'm looking at it on a phone screen, so the image is kinda small. Looks like it has a jeweled bolt; always a nice touch. What is it chambered in?

Bill- I'll send a PM. I would rather have a pro do it than try it myself.

It has very little collector value. Unknown gunsmith. It was a working man's custom rifle. I saw it in a classified forum and couldn't resist. I had wanted one exactly like it for a while. It has an Oberndorf style stock with raised panels by the action and a schnabel tip. Original barrel rechambered to 8mm-'06. A gunsmith has it now. Carved horn is somewhat of a lost art (would cost more than the rifle is worth). I may go with metal. I will also get a copy of that book. I wish there was an exhaustive book on FN commercial Mausers. I'm no guru, just a big fan. I have 6 rifles and 4 bare actions. One rifle is a .30-'06 built by P. O. Ackley. Also have a pair of 6.5-'06 single shots.

I have a 100 year old hunting rifle that was made from a WWI military Mauser. A dog knocked over the rifle and the buttplate cracked. It's not an easy replacement; it's a one-off made of buffalo horn. If I glue this back together and do some "bodywork" on it, could a copy be made in a material that can stand up to use in the field? Not sure if what I'm asking for is possible. Btw- I did not yell at the dog. He didn't know better and I left it out so the accident could happen. Thank you. Lee

I have one that I got for the engine, wheels, & tires. I can part with the interior. I can't think of anything I want in trade. PM your address and pay postage and we'll be cool. With any luck I can send it out on Saturday. Monday through Friday is not possible.

Scratchbuild it. I made a better barrel for a T-72 long before aftermarket barrels were available. Hand tools only, no lathe or even drill. You might find another aftermarket barrel suitable for it, then make the BL-9 brake. Just go for it.