A belated but Happy New Year to you all. A quiet one for me, all that happened over last weekend in the shed was that fine single malt whisky was consumed.

So what’s the plan for 2024? Well, I am starting this year in the same sort of way as last year. #AU4243WIGB was a success, and my efforts were considered a good part of that by the organisers, which was nice to know. Some months later Postie knocked at the door and handed me a model sized box, which was surprising as I couldn’t recall having anything on order. The post mark was Germany, which made not remembering more remarkable. I order stuff from all over, but rarely from Germany as the postal charge is a killer. Anyway, opened the box, and it was a prize for being the MVP, my Zeke in particular being a winner.

It seemed apt that I should try and build it in the same time period a year later. I am approaching this very differently from all my previous vignettes in that I am reversing my process. I will expand on this in the dedicated build post later….but a brief glimpse

There are just two other definites fixed into the year. I must get my first helicopter completed, I started AMK’s 1/48 Mi-17 Hip last year, and had reached a point where I needed to set it aside before exasperation took over. I had really enjoyed building the interior, but was having trouble with getting the fuselage properly aligned. Next stage is decaling, which I don’t greatly enjoy. Parking it seemed wise, too much effort has gone into it to completely abandon.

The other definite build is assigned for an assumed annual 48 in 48 to raise funds for Models for Heroes. The premise being to build a 1/48 scale model inside 48 hours. I did this a couple of years ago and it was a blast. I built a Nakajima B5N2 “Kate” , inside the time with 3 hours to spare. I had managed to use a Photo Etch set in that period as well.

I had to withdraw last year because I had to work that weekend. That issue won’t arise in 2024, so as long as it is not held over Super Saturday weekend I shall be good to go. Rather predictably I have chosen another Kate, though as this is from the job lot with shot decals I need to get some aftermarket ones.

I don’t know if there will be any other group builds to get to grips with, so anything else will be as the mood takes. The donation of the rounds has rather energised the mojo for armour, though some months of slowly drying out is required before treatment.

Obviously the Christmas haul will be considered, I have heard very good things about Airfix’s Gannet, and that fuel truck is screaming out for a P-47 dio.

I am a simple man whose wallet is easily emptied by a passing fancy, there absolutely will be additions to the stash, I already have my eye on the submarine that launched the Aichi Seirans. It’s been a while since I have added to the WW1 shelf, so the Copper State Models’ armoured cars in the stash stand a good chance. I have still to get my hands on any of Ammo’s MiG-17 Frescos, but if I don’t I am pretty sure another MiG-15 Fagot will find itself on the Soviet shelf.

It’s all up in the air, it will be fun and I hope to bring you with me.