Phil

Just received a very disconcerting letter from Fanhomes, that already before I even started the Batmobile66 , that delays are likely now in the model as some of their containers are caught up in the Red Sea troubles. Maybe we should had expected that anyway 😕

Thanks Chris, good of you to say so. Yes I'm a pretty old hand at plastic models, I'm fine with building them, I used to find the painting of them a chore and a bore 😴, but the Air- Brush came to the rescue eventually so not so much time spent on painting now. Thanks again Chris. Be patient for the final result though, for you may find the Mole popping up again. Cheers 🍻

Thanks Mark, TMM.😁 Yes I'm sure it will look a lot better the dirtier it is. It's a machine for drilling after all, so bound to be dirty lol. Though I'm sure Tracy Island looked after all their machines very well. Cheers 🍻

Well as promised to my friends here, the 'Mole' is complete. The pictures you will see is the finished version newly painted and decaled. I will in the course of time weather it up a bit and make up some kinda diorama, to give you guys an idea of scale etc. I used a cross section of paints from Vallejo, Tamiya, and Humbrol and not forgetting AK True Metal using brush and air-brush. The AIP kit was made in Japan, so very excellent quality pieces and mouldings. I enjoyed the build, very therapeutic and relaxing, which is different from some plastic kits I have built in the past. Cheers guys.

Just a little update on The Mole, I have started, will post a few pics of where I'm at. If anyone wishes to know the paint I'm using for the caterpillar track, it is AK True Metal, a waxed based paint which is quite expensive, but it does go far, so at a work out it's good value. I love it for it's smooth application and you can even polish afterwards if you wish, but I will be dirtying up the mole, so not much point 😂 Track is complete, just started on main body. Thank you Mark The Master Modeller. As I explained earlier here, I love Sci-fi too, hence my love of Optimus lol 😂 and nice you guys showing an interest, and I will show you all updates as I go along with the model, can't promise when it'll be, but it will happen for sure. 🙂🤞🙏

Thank you Mark The Master Modeller. As I explained earlier here, I love Sci-fi too, hence my love of Optimus lol 😂 and nice you guys showing an interest, and I will show you all updates as I go along with the model, can't promise when it'll be, but it will happen for sure. 🙂🤞🙏

Thanks notsram, yes I was a huge fan in my younger days, well grew up on Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and likes of Joe 90, but even when I reached my late teens, I was watching likes of these programs still and then of course that how I came to love Transformers, Thundercats, etc. So basically I'm a bit like Peter Pan, like a boy who never grew up 😆 of course in reality I did! But listen, we are all children at heart ❤️ and I really think it's a lovely way to be. But not even I can stop the sands of time flowing away from me.😱🤥 Reality Stinks. Keep young guys! 😹😜

Nicely done Mark! 👏

Nice pic of Optimus BIZZIO, he holding the Matrix of Leadership, it gives Optimus all his wisdom and power and I suppose his compassion too, it has been well contended for. It will be a great pose to hold him in,I will certainly give it a try. But he can't be holding the Matrix and his weapons at the same time. So a lot of experimenting to do in the near future BIZZIO! Very 😎. Thanks my friend.

I will do Chris. Cheers 🍻

Well this was a nice surprise! As my fam knew I was a Thunderbirds fanatic, one of them thought it was a great idea to buy me a 1/72 plastic scale of The Mole, one of the pods released by Thunderbird 2 on a few occasions. Look forward to the build 😉😀

Thank you for the info notsram about the binders, like the ones I got for Titanic, I can fit double the amount nigh on magazines into those binders. But sure am looking forward to starting the 66 B. 👍🤞

Hey notsram, Yeah they just took my payment too for Batmobile 66, been waiting a long time for this one. Yeah I have had as discussed bad issues too with Model Space, very bad experience actually, but like you couldn't resist Batmobile, and have a go at ET too, I'm sure it's worth every penny. Good to see you post after a while. Cheers Phil.

Good work Simon, you have weathered him down considerably! I like that! Looks authentic. As I got the delay, I might bring mine down even further.

It will be very Kool Chris. And yes I am anxious too about when it gets to starting him up, is it going to all work okay or is it not? It's a huge question that the longer I wait the more anxiety I have.😱 I'm keeping 🤞 crossed fingers for both of us Chris. Cheers buddy. 🍻👍😁

Thank you Mark A, it is appreciated 👍 Yes I just love the way it fits together and quality is beyond belief, in all my years of modelling, I really have not seen anything of this calibre as of Optimus. Cheers, Phil

BIZZIO my friend, I will look forward to seeing your pictures of the grand Optimus. Yes I will be getting the base too, looks good 👍😊 I would love to encase him too when I have him in his final pose, size and expense will play a big part in that, we shall have to wait and see my friend. And yes he is beautiful 🤩 Take Care BIZZIO and cheers. 🍻😊

Hey BIZZIO. Thank you my friend and may I say that I fully agree with what you have said! 👍 How shall we say it BIZZIO, that I would say if anyone of you have ever lifted a bag of cement, this is really one of the heaviest models I have come across in my life, and that is no exaggerated statement! Optimus as you say my friend, is Spectacular! I know we rave on about Optimus, but I would recommend this model to anyone who has an interest in large scale, very good quality mainly metal model, which is spray painted to a finish you would liken to your brand new car and I am being fully open giving this opinion as only a customer of Agora Models. And I have thanked them so many times before for having the vision to enter the world of Transformers and I won't stop 🛑, because apart from R2-D2 and the Leopard Tank, I have enjoyed every single moment building Optimus.😁 BIZZIO, where are you going to display your Optimus? Because I know he will also take pride of place in your home. And when it comess to the completion of Optimus, please let's have Megatron! Agora Models a personal beg from me lol. Thanks again BIZZIO glad you have enjoyed building Optimus too. Cheers 🍻

Hey Chris! Thank you buddy, We will probably finish about same time, but that would be good 👍 As for the batteries Chris, yes that is where I bought my six from, they tend to sell out quickly Chris, keeping you in the loop, just be aware of that. They are quite expensive, but they are officially for R2-D2 😁 I abandoned the Lazer blast marks on the body as it just didn't look real enough, but as for overall weathering, he looks perfect as I know yours will too. I know you'll know this already mate, take time on issues 95-98, especially wiring him up to the boards. Let me know how you get on. Take care and cheers buddy.🍻

Well Chris, you can imagine what's happening with my last 2 parts of R2-D2. It's not great news at moment, was expecting the parts within the past two weeks, but not a sign or sound of them 😕 They have not even taken the money yet either, so when I inquired what has happened by email, they said there had been logistical problems and they will email me when it's ready, that was two weeks ago, now fast forward to yesterday I rang them in the UK and spoke to a rep, who said that they have part 100, but not 99, I spoke of my concerns over what happened with my T-72 Tank when Model Space, did the dirty on me, so I was never allowed to finish it! She said, there is no fear of that as they have already issued orders for issues 99 to be newly made. I thought they were going to give me the excuse of what's happening in the Red Sea area at this time, but it was not mentioned. Though it may well have an effect on us all anyhow. So nothing to worry about Chris, just delay and they can't give me a time frame. But it will happen. Hope yours is not suffering delay at this time. Cheers buddy 🍻

Thank you Chris, your words are beyond kindness. Yes, the time has travelled so fast, I blink and there it is February already. I remember when you said to me Chris that it will take pride of place when it's built, you have very good insight may I say, because Optimus is going to be the centre of attention in my house. And he is heavy! Just as well I have concrete 1st floor 😂 Thanks again Chris, now gonna compose a message to you about R2-D2.

Well Guys it's finally true, the Behemoth has arisen. Optimus looks stunning with his upper legs and hips completed mostly. This was a very enjoyable pack 10, sometimes a little challenging, with especially moving the hips in different angles to show you what he looks like, but it a good strong hip, which he will need for sure. This time I actually counted all the screws and put them in temporary containers, every single different but only slightly different screws before I started, I didn't want to be caught out at the end. Everything went very well with all parts fitting great, and he looks great too.😉 I have not changed my mind on anything about Optimus, he is wonderful and a real honest pleasing feeling of accomplishment at the end of every pack! And that is what model making is about for real. Guys!

Well thank you Chris, what you said I concur with all the way, I maybe wrong, I don't know, but I believe our enthusiasm grows more enthusiasm, you amongst a few on here Chris I have really enjoyed speaking to, and don't let it be said, that a younger guy can't teach even a more senior guy new things to do with modelling, because Chris your enthusiasm is most contagious 😂 lol and I mean that in the most kindest way my friend. And you have helped me more than you can imagine, especially with R2-D2, I was just going to leave him be, but when I saw your pictures, I just had to go for it. So I look forward to speaking a lot more to you Chris and many others here who fancy a chat, basically about anything! Because I believe we do Chris lol. Cheers buddy 🍺

Do you know Chris I am actually getting quiet sad as I'm coming towards the end of R2-D2, it's a strange feeling, I had it too with the Bismarck, like a feeling of melancholia, but I'm really happy to have weathered him up, really doesn't look much different to yours, though I was using some different aging materials. I'm thinking of putting a laser gun blast mark on him, which is why a little delay in me putting pictures up, but I'm still not really decided.😏🤔 Of course it's going to be good see him up and running 🤞 and seeing what the dogs reaction is gonna be. So it was really good to get chatting to you Chris, because you helped me decide.

Patience is a virtue Chris, though time and tide wait for no man, I really enjoyed the Leopard, even with it's teething problems at the beginning it was still a lovely build. Building a tank, which is relatively still modern was innovative and what a nice piece of kit it is. I love Agoras different ways to pay plan, as long as they have you can pay as you wish, I did that with a model. Cheers. Yes Chris I saw that too, where my main concern would be, the worry of whether it would hit problems, like the Spitfire had, and yes way too long to build, not my idea of enjoying a model, I mean Bismarck and Titanic on Hachette took over two years, and Titanic not finished yet, but that will be over two years too, so three years is a def no no.😱 So how many packs do you have with Leopard now? I just completed 94-98 on R2, promise you there will be pics soon, I have weathered mine considerably, especially the body and feet. Thanks Chris for info, and Cheers.