The Golden Rule.

What is the golden rule on scale modelling? Some may say to have the best build they can achieve. Other will say to actually finish their kits. There are many reasons why anyone would take up this hobby but ask yourself, what is that real reason you went into scale modelling?

I have been working on plastic kits since when I was a teenager, and for the life of me, I could only think of one reason why I did it. I enjoyed it. I have always loved building things, learning new techniques and getting amazed with the results. It helped when I have a group of friends who shared this hobby. As we grew up, it became a passion. I continued to build because I enjoyed building, especially when the kit is from a favourite topic I follow. Of course when it came to a group build, I do get intimidated when I find out a master builder is participating. But that pressure became fun later on as I push myself to improve on my skills and techniques. Ask me 35 years ago if I dared to cut up a fuselage, or butcher a perfectly molded expensive kit, and you would see real horror on my face. Today I don't even hesitate putting the saw to cut her up.

The joy I get differs today from when I was a youth. I no longer build as freely as I did before due to my career, other commitments and age. And I do get satisfaction encouraging others, helping them to get their desired kits, trying out newer techniques, being part of a team to develop this hobby. But sometimes what I also see out there really pains me. Rivet counters, people who criticizes others due to accuracy issues, and people who blatantly kill the hobby with their over zealous and arrogant comments or posts in forums, blogs and FB. They are not doing anyone any favours, and only serve to segregate themselves from everyone else. And whenever politics comes within groups, instead of working together to help grow this already shrinking tradition, they find gratification glorifying themselves or playing victims. If I was a new comer and I see these sort of behavious, it would certainly put me off participating or contributing to the hobby. I guess some people are truly blind to this as all they want is to garner support no matter what the outcome is.

I've had my share of run ins with these group of people, and every time when I get frustrated, I ask myself why do I still continue with this passion. Hence the golden rule - because I still enjoy it. There is no limit to how creative one can get to produce something one have visualized in his/her mind. It is personal, it is gratifying, it is also an escape. And I refuse to let anyone tell me otherwise, after all, it is a personal choice. I get to enjoy the fruits of my passion, not them.
























So don't get disheartened whenever something negative happens to you. Always remember your own golden rule - why did you get into this hobby. Reconcile your feelings, and look ahead. Never ever let anyone steal this passion away from you. It's your escape from reality, your chance to see your own achievements, and getting your own satisfaction. No one has the right to take that away from you.

My Tribute to Leonard Nimoy.

On the 23rd of February 2015, I received news that Leonard Nimoy was hospitalized after complaining of severe chest pain. My heart sank. I identified myself with Star Trek after the starship Enterprise, and of course, with Mr. Spock, the logical half human/half Vulcan Science Officer who also served as her First Officer. Yeah, when I was young, I was almost like him, in character at least - black is black and white is white. And I had tried to emulate his persona as he was always cool and composed (except when he had been compromised), knowledgeable and intimidating. He will always be Spock despite having Zachary Quintos to replace him as the iconic Mr. Spock. Then I received news on 24th February that he was recovering well. That was indeed a relief - until the morning of 28th February 2015 when I opened FB and saw tributes floating my news feed.

I remembered staring at the screen for a moment, then quickly went to all the news portals for verification. My heart sank further when I found out it was true. The man who had literally created the Vulcan culture and impressed millions of fans, was truly gone. It was a blow, a similar feeling I had when I found out that DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barret Roddenberry had passed on. I told myself that that was life. Everyone had to go one day, but yet my heart ached as the very show that had inspired me to become who I am today, were losing people to death.

Suddenly my hectic month of February was quickly forgotten, and I was filled with grief. I thought it was "Illogical" to feel this way as Spock would say, since I know not the man, nor was I a friend. I was only his fan, Hence with a heavy heart, I have decided to include a little tribute to Mr. Nimoy in my blog, my way to let him know I grateful I am to him and his persona for creating a little excitement to my life during my youth.

I have collected a few series of tributes via FB to highlight here, again my way of saying Thank You. Farewell Mr. Nimoy, and may you find eternal rest and peace. I have been, and always shall be, your fan. You have lived long and prospered, and may your journey be without incident.

More after the jump

Part 3 - Orbiter's Aft Main Engines/OMS/RCS pods and Fisher Models & Pattern's Upgrade Set

The Orbital Maneuvering System, which is made up of two Orbital Maneuvering System engines and all of their related hardware. One Orbital Maneuvering System engine is housed in each of two Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS)/Reaction Control System (RCS) pods attached to the top aft end of the Orbiter.

The system consist of hypergolic liquid-propellant rocket engines used on the Space Shuttle. Designed and manufactured in the United States by Aerojet, the system was used during launch to produce supplementary thrust and on-orbit to provide orbital injection, orbital correction and the spacecraft's deorbit burn.[2] The OMS pods contains a single AJ10-190 engine, based on the Apollo Service Module's Service Propulsion System engine,[citation needed] which produces 26.7 kilonewtons (6,000 lbf) of thrust with a specific impulse (Isp) of 316 seconds.[3] Each engine could be reused for 100 missions and was capable of a total of 1,000 starts and 15 hours of burn time.

These pods also contained the Orbiter's aft set of reaction control system (RCS) engines, and so were referred to as OMS/RCS pods. The OM engine and RCS systems both burned monomethylhydrazine (MMH) as fuel, which was oxidized with dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), with the propellants being stored in tanks within the OMS/RCS pod, alongside other fuel and engine management systems. When full, the pods together carried around 8,174 kilograms (18,021 lb) of MMH and 13,486 kilograms (29,732 lb) of N2O4, allowing the OMS to produce a total of around 1,000 feet per second (300 m/s) of delta-v with a 65,000-pound (29,500 kg) payload.

The Reaction Control System, which is made up of thrusters fired to help the Orbiter achieve a precise orbital path or perform changes in its position, and all of their related hardware. Thrusters are located at the forward end of the Orbiter and in each of the two aft Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS)/Reaction Control System (RCS) pods.

The RCS contains a total of 38 primary thrusters and 6 vernier thrusters. The forward RCS array contains 14 primary thrusters and two vernier thrusters. A total of 12 primary thrusters and two vernier thrusters are housed in each of the two OMS/RCS pods. Below are a few reference images of the main engine with her OMS/RCS pods.

Each RCS thruster burns a combination of monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide liquid fuel. Each primary thruster can produce a thrust of 870 pounds, while each vernier thruster can produce a thrust of 24 pounds. The RCS thrusters can be fired in a plethora of combinations depending on the specific mission requirements.

More after the jump.

3D Supergirl Returns

Here is something I saw and had to highlight it here, a magnificent 3D rendition of Supergirl. Normally I'd keep stuff like this at my Facebook page but the rendition shows a sub-assembly of a figure kit. Though I'm not sure if this one will end up as a kit, if it did, I'd get one if she was in 1/4 scale. It's done by jwillust at zbrushcentral.com

No harm keeping your fingers crossed on this one. Here's more images:

More images after the jump.

1/12th scale space shuttle cockpit cutaway

Found this from Facebook - a magnificent replica of the Space Shuttle build by John Geigle, a one off model specifically done up for the Mubarek Museum of Science in Egypt. This is not a kit but we sure wish it was. Enjoy the following images from his album.

More after the jump.