200mm 82nd Airborne Vietnam Bust

[Richard48]

Very sorry to hear about your son my friend.Not a nice feeling,I was somewhat of a shrinking violet and recluse which stopped me chasing ladies im my formative years.I dont get involved much with the ecumenical stuff and enjoy carols on the t.v and dont visit churches.The commercial ness has ruined much of this time of year.I dont think you could beat the festive time in the 70s in my youth.Its not the same anymore and a lot of the idiots around here need a great kick up the episcopals me thinks!!!!.
Our warmest wishes to you and yours and a hug to your son from us and our furry purry friends.
Rich.

[Guest]

Cheers Richard - Son has been hugged to death. He fell into my arms coming through the door and sobbed his heart out. I don't think we've touched each other for at least five years.

The vast majority of the population of Canterbury has never been inside the cathedral, which says it all. Reminds me of sitting on a 159 bus in London sometime in the 1980s - two old ladies sitting in front of me. One mutters to the other ''Houses of Parliament.'' The other replies '' Oh is that what that is? Do you know I've lived in London all my life and never knew what that place was.''

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Sounds like you have had one hell of a day already.

I guess the bust will happen when it does, as family is always first.

Just one thing, now you have reintroduced a hug with your son, don't stop.

My father and I have never hugged, which is a shame, probably as he never did with his father.

Though my son is 30, we still hug when we meet and part every month.

It does feel right, and is worth making the effort.

I guess like every other household in the UK, you will be caught up in the whirlwind of Christmas preparation, no matter how big or small.

I shall be spud and sprout bashing today!

With a good film on the TV, it isn't a chore but part of the tradition.

Everything else is done and has been for sometime.

Enjoy all your family and have a lovely break

See you after the feast

Best regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Morning Steve.

Owen was going through his manly 'to grown up to hug' stage before this all happened. We're having a hell of a time with him - he's totally devastated. Fortunately we have our granddaughter here, who, utterly oblivious to it all, is really stoking up the Christmas spirit - seems to especially like kissing 'Gan-ga' for some reason (the tickly beard has something to do with it)..

The girls are doing the dinner tomorrow, so I'll be on baby minding duty while Katherine gets slowly drunk on the sofa.

Have a great day.

[Guest]

Hi Peter.
Sorry to hear about you son and the experience in Waterstones.
So here is a tale of Christmas woes
My mum for some reason hated me so much that I ended up in social services care.Four months later it was Christmas and I was devastated that I would not be at home for Christmas( I had not seen my mum dad brother and sister for four months).

The next Christmas after my mum agreed to let me come home for a few days was another nightmare.I arrived home on Christmas eve and all my mum could say is that she did not really want me at home as it would spoil Christmas for everyone.8am on Christmas day police came to the house after my mum had rung them to say she did not want me there.I was carted off back to the childrens home in a police car.I did not get to open any presents that day.
I was put in a boarding school and basically forgotten about by social services.Come Christmas time and the two week holiday the school was pissed off because Social services had nowhere to put me and my mum did not want me at home,so yes I spent two weeks in freezing cold school reporting hourly to a teacher in the staff room who was pissed off because it had ruined his holiday and other staff members who took it in turns to be in the school with me.This is where it gets worse,all I had to eat for two weeks was tea and toast and on Christmas day the teacher who was at the school had his family and friends bring him Christmas dinner and I was told not to bother reporting to him until nightime.No presents again that year.

The next Christmas I was homeless and it was so cold I tried to sleep in a freshly dug grave to keep the wind off me.

Tell your son from me that no matter how low he is things will get better one day and give him a hug from me and tell him I know how shit life can be.
All the best.
Ralph.

[Guest]

Oh Ralph. I don't know what to say. You poor, poor man. What a life you've had. I can only hope that things have got considerably better for you and that life is dealing you a fairer hand. Thanks for sharing your story.

My son seems to have resolved a few things in his mind and appears less distraught today. He's much closer to his mum, and she put the work in for hours last night (the fact that she's a psychiatrist is something I think he appreciates - ie that she knows what she's talking about).

I think we'll be OK for tomorrow, especially with the baby around.

[Guest]

I've managed to get this one done:



I found the knife in the spares box last night and thought it was just the thing needed to balance up the front of the jacket.

I next painted the helmet, which was time-consuming given the camo and all of the attachments. I haven't bothered with the lettering on the Marboros, as it's mostly hidden by the helmet band and I couldn't do it well enough anyway. Similarly, I've not done the lettering on the shoulder patch - I'll wait until I find a better solution than trying to hand paint it. I did add some serial numbers to the insect repellent bottle using Tamiya vehicle decals.

I then painted and added the M16, which consists of the just barrel, then made a rifle strap and straps for the helmet.

[scottie3158]

Peter,
Sorry to hear about your Christmas woes. The bust looks excellent you should be well happy with it. Have a great Christmas.

[Richard48]

Stunning Peter.Really is a cracker my friend.Definately the style of bust i think i must rejig my range to me thinks.The M16 really sets him off and the head really pushes him to another level.
Top notch buddy.Now take it easy and see if Santa brings you some modelling goodies if you have been a good lad.
Rich.

[Guest]

Scottie - And a Happy Christmas to you and yours. Things have settled down at Day Towers - son has 'sorted a few things out' with the offending young lady and seems a but happier.

Richard - Yes, actually quite pleased with this one. I could have gone on painting more detail on the helmet and gun, but as they're not really the focus of the piece I thought I'd give myself a break. Santa doesn't ever bring me modelling goodies - my family don't know what to ask for. It's all about the nipper this year anyway, which is as it should be.

[Guest]

This is a beauty Peter :smiling3:.
Have a great day tomorrow.

[Guest]

Cheers Ralph.

Have a great day yourself.

[adt70hk]

Coming on very nicely Peter. Well done.

Andrew

[Guest]

Cheers Andrew. It's finished and in the cabinet.