MarkC

Just a small update on progress since I got home, now that I have found some time to do some modelling:- The chassis runs nicely after final tweaking of the pickups. However, some trimming of the frames to allow better clearance for both bogie and pony truck are in hand. Slow and steady there, as I don't want to remove too much. Mark

Hi John. You'll be correct in thinking that the brass A5 kit is/was Craftsman. I have one in the roundtuit pile, although it will need a few tweaks to become an A5/2, as we know. (I am also aware of a small dimensions mod too - bunker, iirc?). Have a go - what have you got to lose? Cheers Mark

I too would like to thank all those involved with the organisation & running of the show. I and my party were there on Monday - it was good to be back! Some of the gang were non-modellers,but all thoroughly enjoyed the show. York and Staly Vegas in particular caught their eyes, and I enjoyed them too. Had some great conversations with many of the layout builders/operators, and it was good to do the same with several of the traders as well. Ditto a good chat with Mr & Mrs W - aka Tony and Mo! One of my party was wheelchair-bound, but he thoroughly enjoyed it all too, being able to see most of the layouts without issue. Mark

I joined my present ship in dock this trip - spent several hours underneath. However, like most tankers, she has plenty of flat bottom, so no chance of her falling over, even without side shores... Anyway, I should be starting my journey home within the hour - my oppo is now on board; just waiting for the launch from shore to pick me up. Mark

I travel to/from ships with all sorts of model stuff in my bags - should be no problem at all. Modern scanning kit is pretty good - as are its operators. At civilised airports, of course...

Good for him 👍

It collided with a stationary dock bottom...

I think that whilst the concept is interesting, and one can see the attraction, the problem with small devices is whether or not the air pressure at delivery is steady. If it's not, then obtaining good, even coverage can be problematic.

Wishing Jesse a safe trip back "Down Under" 👍

The incident at Leith - it sounds as though she wasn't set up properly "on the blocks". Not good. Lots of injuries too - thoughts with those involved. Gibsons' "Melrose" fell off the blocks whilst in drydock back in 1991 - it was Albert's "hole in the ground" called Wear Dockyard though - those who know the NE shipping business will know exactly what I'm inferring... Mark

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-65038617 Definitely a "whoops" moment...

I think it's camera angle, thus disproving, yet again, the old mantra that "The camera never lies". Oh no - I now have an earworm... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYDy4oSegNQ Mark

There was a lot of bitumen traffic to a facility in the docks area; I believe that the main flow was from a refinery on Humberside.

Vietnam-built? The crew have my sympathies... My present office was built in Vietnam for Italian owners & operated by Italians until just before her second Special Survey, which is when my Company bought her... Mark

For specialised cover, I would agree with using a broker. However, from my own personal experience, when I met my wife, she was using a well known high street broker, and was insisting on continuing to use them as, and I quote, "I've always got a good deal, and I like the fact that there's a personal contact by having a local, known contact". Well, renewal time rolled round. She paid up for her car's cover, and I did mine. Mine came in much cheaper than hers, for a more expensive & more powerful vehicle, although I'm potentially higher risk because of my job, and everything else on the cars was the same - no commuting, fairly limited mileage, cars parked on the driveway etc etc. When she asked me to just check the comparison sites for her car, the price was almost half what she had paid, for better cover, with a major insurer... I now do both cars - some years with same insurer for a multicar policy, some years separate... Obviously not everyone's circumstances are the same; this is merely my own situation. Mark

I concur with others - shop around. Take your business elsewhere if necessary, as we've (hopefully) all been doing with our car insurance for years... Mark

Explains the sprog's attitude too - apple, tree...

They look very similar to the units, plus plain blocks for bogie, trailing truck & tender, that I bought at a show back in the late Noughties. Simple but effective. Mark

Definitely agree with Tony & Jonathan regarding specialist suppliers. Yes, there are one or two exceptions, but from what I've seen since normality started to return & shows came back, generally it's the box shifters, bric-a-brac and, if you're lucky, a bring and buy area, usually run by the hosting club to raise funds - and good luck to them for doing so. I'm scheduled to return home within the week, so roll on York Show, I say - although the wallet is already twitching and shaking... Mark

My own present ship, only 105 metres long, comes out at 4.5 feet in length in 4mm scale Mark

It's quite funny really - prospective new members are asked to answer a couple of simple questions - and it clearly states a few unacceptable responses. Often they actually quote one or two of said responses... You can play Chancer Bingo at times - gems such as:- "I understand the rules - I won't spam" "I love New York" "My friend recommend me this group" "Thank you for admin me this group" "I hate spam too" Etc etc...

I worked briefly (3 trips) for that mob in the late 80s. I can definitely see how they would go for that... Mark

Oh, definitely. And we all DEFINITELY know who will get the blame, possibly with some jail time, when a major incident happens, don't we? (Hint - it won't be the wee shoite who's sat fat, dumb & happy in their nice office, issuing edicts right, left and centre...) Many people are amazed when things fail. As an Engineer, it amazes me when things work. If it's man made, it can fail... Mark

Mmmm - EEDI values. Now THERE is a huge can of worms waiting to be opened, once we all have to run slower than designed on older engines. I can also see more & more remote monitoring of machinery too - and not just by Owners. Woe betide the Chief who uses a cup more fuel than that which some 'crat has decreed acceptable... It's good news, in the short term, for purveyors of torsion meters though... Mark

Propulsion power - yes - and if they have azimuth pods rather than traditional propeller/rudder, then yes again However, yes, windage is a huge issue, even with large bow thrusters, & stern thrusters if not azimuth equipped. If it's windy then either extra tugs would be required for berthing/unberthing, or port call might be cancelled. FWIW, the same problem is to be had with the huge container ships that operate these days. Mark