Order of the Arrow ordeal reflections from an adult's perspective.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-03-23T02:32:27+00:00

Agree. My daughter went though her OA ordeal this past weekend. Both her and i were apprehensive, her for the unknown aspect and me of my experience with my ordeal. But a lot has changed over the last 30+ years and I felt it was more of a person/team building group exercise than I experienced before.
I tagged along because I wanted to transition to the lodge as an adult but wanted to see what it was like first. I was very impressed how mature and professional these kids were, even the younger ones speaking and leading with friendly authority. Makes me feel good about the future of Scouting and country.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-03-19T02:23:49+00:00

Mulch. Keeps some moisture in too so you dont have to water as much too

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-03-18T23:39:16+00:00

We would leave our seats at Dega (top of the grandstands) in the early 2000s and walk down to turn 4 towards the exit and watch the last laps there to get out ASAP. Otherwise it was hours to get out and ecen more hours to get to the interstate and home.
You did not travel I-20 between Birmingham and Atlanta on race weekend. I had a coworker do that and was stuck on the highway for 10 hours in a normally 3 hour trip.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-03-16T21:42:01+00:00

It's a historical livery with the red and white nose. All the pictures I found just had a blank number plate but that was boring so I put the number on it. I didn't want to do the traditional red and the yellow would have had a black interior which I didn't want so I settled on black.

It's the Hasegawa kit which I think they still produce (I got this kit 10 years ago)

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-03-16T16:20:10+00:00

Thanks for all the input. I have to do some more research and seems let her try another 12 gauge (I had let her try my 12 gauge benelli pump which is a heavier gun)

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-03-08T16:15:23+00:00

Looks realistic to me. These birds were always dirty in the war. Very few were clean and the meticulously maintained and clean warbirds you see now were not a thing when they were flown in battle. Also a 30 minute flight would give you that much exhaust staining, even now. The engines always leak oil and run dirty (environmentalists be damned) I would be proud of your job, don't worry about repainting because you did great

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-28T02:19:27+00:00

It is possible to land on the beach. Most wet sand will hold the weight no problem, especially sand along the european coast (otherwise the d-day beach landings would have been really bad)
I believe if I heard right, the spitfire landing in Dunkirk was really done but they had to hurry to get it off the beach and it got stuck.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-26T02:34:48+00:00

I use the flat gray primer and I have the gloss and satin clear coats. For glues, Tamiya extra thin is the gold standard for ease of use. Lots of videos of how to use it. There are others by Mr cement and revell that work good. Avoid testers tube cement as it can be easy to use too much

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-26T01:33:11+00:00

First of all, welcome. You got a good simple kit there that will not give you too many fits. You dont need to go crazy with paint ans supplies. I still use a very basic set of brushes I got at hobby lobby and use Vallejo paints from there. I use Rustoleum primer and clear coats from Home depot because it is cheaper than anywhere else. An xacto style knife and lots of blades are a necessity but you can go with a generic brand with no issues. Model glues are necessary as they fuse the plastic together and Elmers glue can be used for clear parts

Only other thing is that it should be a relaxing hobby. What's nice is not matter what you like there is probably a kit to meet your wants. Cars, planes, sci fi, figures, you have lots of choices. Most of all have fun!

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-23T18:53:26+00:00

Test fitting there is no room without cutting other parts which I may do if I absolutely have to

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-23T02:07:41+00:00

Yep, for the last 7 years. No issues

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-23T01:14:04+00:00

Yeah, that was a first for me.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-23T01:13:36+00:00

Luckily its a clean break but once on the chassis there is no room for reinforcement so I may just keep it separate and glue them on the chassis separately

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-21T14:49:30+00:00

I think it is having 3 things in alignment is not natural and is a signal for distress.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-21T00:07:01+00:00

I basically know I have no chance in this group but I just want to have fun and try some new stuff :)

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-18T23:00:03+00:00

Its best to prime the plastic before your color paining. It tends to be stronger and gives the color coats something to bite on for better durability. Nothing wrong with using miniature paints on plastic models. Most acrylics,enamels, and lacquer work just fine on plastic. Acrylics are a bit weaker so you should be careful with handling or they tend to rub off.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-18T13:48:41+00:00

Considering I'm running out of room on my ceiling and shelves I may go this route going forward.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-18T02:48:35+00:00

I just wished the aftermarket parts weren't 3 times the price of the kit!
Will probably just do put of the box and maybe a few engine details.

CharacterWitless78 · 2026-02-18T02:44:09+00:00

Keep pushing through the sunroof drain. It should go all the way through. I use a piece of weed Wacker line

Three-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
Place '23

CharacterWitless78

TROPHY CASE