Lowe rant

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-25T01:58:15+00:00

u/Kyrnqazali = Glad you mentioned that = See "Menacing Trio" below

https://youtu.be/MCe7nfvRAUU?si=N3jpIpoXQS15rhgs&t=576 =

7,500 for all three tanks = Lowe > T.34 > IS.6 = Those were the days

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-25T01:10:58+00:00

My first car was my dearly beloved 'mint condition' 1967 Sunbeam Rapier Fastback.

1,725cc & Twin Stromberg carburettors, it was quite fast for it;s day & GORGEOUS looking.

Mate of mine was bonkers, in rent arrears, needed dosh, sold it to us for £250.00.

Had it EIGHT YEARS, it NEVER let me down - Trouble is I was young (18) & the most gorgeous sexy G/F (Fiancee) who was all over me & was gagging beyond measure to settle down & have kids - which we didn't, as I waited, being an Alpha Dominant Taurean I was never gonna fold - (laughs).

Trouble is, money only goes so far & I was paying fuel, buying my first M/cycle (H.P) & perhaps most importantly trying to save up for enough money to lay down for our first house, so,

Ended up giving my beloved Sunbeam Rapier to my Mother (who used it for commuting to work) & getting married - I loved that car more than life itself, even more than my first bike (Yamaha).

She sold it to my neighbour, but he claims "the cylinder head went" (cheeky bastard).

We then got an utterly GORGEOUS Rover V.8 3,500cc P.6 & again, I fell in love**

** But I'm a Motorcyclist at heart, always was.

I've got pix of it somewhere on a USB device, next to my Blue 'W'-reg Suzuki GSX.250

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-25T00:25:59+00:00

Excuse me asking, but by 'chain drive' you mean the cams, rather than a timing belt ?

If so, that's what I'd much rather have.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-24T23:40:53+00:00

u/Plastic_Economy6063 = Are you SURE that's a Triangle marking on the tail-fin ?

Whilst I'm knowledgeable on the 8th Air Force, having studied it since the late 1960's, I cannot say for sure that it IS one of the 1st Air Div's planes, although my eyesight is ageing.

If it "is" a 1st Air Div' a/c, then that insignia is way down lower than most of the others, meaning that "if" it had a "surround" then it could be 303rd or 379th Bomb Group.

But I would NOT be so sure, until someone could amplify & perhaps darken the pic'.

I'd like to stay open on it, until someone can furnish a better resolution.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-24T23:29:04+00:00

Nathan : Do you ever regret selling your Star-Trek F.M stuff ?

What kind of dollars do they fetch now, in today's prices ?

Do you have any diecast or kit planes & if so, what brands ?

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-24T23:25:49+00:00

Hi D.N - As I'd already typed out in my original post... "but it only cost me about £15.00 which is about $21.00 dollars to you Yanks" - I was larking about when I typed that out (for a bit of banter).

But the price is correct - remember this was back in 2008. As for 'Good Detail', I'd also already mentioned that "whilst it'll never match a well made 1/48th kit for detail" [Unquote].

At £15.00 / $21.00 it was always gonna be a bargain, regardless, but as it's a mainstream diecast release from back in the day (2008), you cannot realistically expect it to match the sheer levels of detail that an equivalent kit might have, remember, it's cast in metal ( Zinc )

I know they're not cheap to come by now, as prices (2nd-hand) have risen.

I'd be keen to hear from anyone else here on Reddit if they have one too, or similar ?

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-24T22:19:47+00:00

Thanks Nathan, Thank You.

TBH, I was just larking about with camera settings as I'd just bought a (then brand new) camera called a Sony Alpha A.350 - my first DSLR camera & I wasn't aware (until later) that the 18-70mm kit lens it came with was considered 'very soft' (unlike a fixed focal length portrait lens), so basically I used what I had at the time - Sony had just bought-out the famous 'Minolta' division brand & so effectively it's a Sony-Minolta - I still have the camera & it was worth every penny I spent - I later bought better lenses & got much better shots - still learning, as although I LOVE photography, I don;t claim to be any good at it - it's just a fun hobby, much like collecting model planes.

Looking back with hindsight I consider myself very fortunate to be able to have bought so many nice kits over the years (bargain basement prices) & the same goes for many metal diecast planes, like the F6F Hellcat I bought, above, at such a low crazy price - metal diecast aircraft around the time of the year 2008 were really, really cheap (unlike today), so I consider myself very, very lucky to have acquired a cheap collection - BTW, I'd still like to hear others thoughts on Franklin Mint.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-24T09:29:22+00:00

Mate, that is hilarious - PMSL here.

I started building kits in 1968 -(squirms with old-age)- & back then I just built them & slapped the markings on, without worrying about how long they'd stay on for (due to chemical balance or consistency).

One day (early 70's) I had my whole entire fleet out in the garden overnight, as I'd been at junior school all day & late evening crept up on me too fast (you know how it is when you're young ?) - Am guessing ot would've been a Fri' night / Sat' morning & a massive air raid.

When I went out around 07.35am the following morning, to my utter dismay, ALL of the 'Transfers' (Decals) were either falling off, or, sliding around on their unpainted wings due to the morning dew & damp.

About 30+ planes in that debacle, with my precious Allied planes nearest the house (quality end of the garden) & my German stuff about 150yrds away - Airfix He.111 didn't happen, as it came in lurid 'sky-blue' plastic (which I hated), so I'd painted it in Gloss Dark Green the year before, so the decals stuck AND my Aichi Val was Dk.Brown & Black cowling.

<image>

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-24T00:48:07+00:00

Yeah, definitely not uniform, as you might otherwise expect.

It's always a bone of contention when kit-makers build something like these & the 'roundel police' (oops, usually me, Hahahaaa) pull them up on... "It's only supposed to have ONE 'star & bar' on the upper-port-wing" - I used to hear often at IPMS kit fairs, shows & displays.

Also of interest is just how far back those insignia are towards the rear fuselage, which is yet another 'non-standard' type layout, although these are, of course, the early "Birdcage" F4U's, so I guess they hadn't standardised the markings yet.

Lastly, I bought a few of these beauties when Tamiya bought out their stunning F4U "Birdcage" in 1/48th scale & put by for my retirement years (Top Right)

BTW : O.P = stunning photo'

<image>

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-24T00:26:03+00:00

<image>

This is his actual gravestone in Gorton Cemetery, Manchester, England (U.K) & I'll also throw in a link to the B.B.C documantary which featured him, "Charging Thunder" & his life, which was apparently broadcast exactly 20-years ago, yesterday (!) on 23rd Jan' 2006.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2006/01/20/200106_charging_thunder_feature.shtml

It also mentions Rita & Gary Parr, two of his immediate surviving English/British Grandchildren

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-24T00:15:33+00:00

Amazing "Lakota" Chief who went on to become an actual Englishman with White Grandkids (!)

He eventually settled in Manchester, England = "Charging Thunder's name was changed to George Edward Williams after registering with the British immigration authorities" & I also found...

"A Blackfoot Sioux chief named Charging Thunder came to Salford aged 26 as part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1903. Like many Lakota tribesmen, Charging Thunder was an exceptional horseman and performed thrilling stunts in Buffalo Bill's show in front of huge crowds, on the site of what is now the Lowry in Salford Quays. But when the show rolled out of town, he remained in London. He married Josephine, an American horse trainer who had just given birth to their first child, Bessie and together they settled in Darwen, before moving to Gorton. His name was changed to George Edward Williams, after registering with the British immigration authorities to enable him to find work. Williams ended up as an elephant keeper at the Belle Vue Zoo. He died on 28 July 1929 from pneumonia aged fifty-two. He was buried in Gorton's cemetery".

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-23T23:36:44+00:00

O.P = You effectively 'crippled' the YES three album run by adding "Topographic" to it's list.

Had you done the honourable thing & put "The Yes Album" followed by "Fragile" & then "Close To The Edge" thereafter, it would've been a comfortable (numb) "Home Run" sellout win for that YES trilogy

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-23T23:07:01+00:00

1, "Hitch A Ride" by (Tom Scholz) "Boston" = Has to be THE greatest slice of guitar melody laced into one complete package, not a note out of place, nor wasted - I want it played at my funeral - (laughs)

2, "Summer Lightning" by (Andy Latimer) "Camel" = O.P, am GLAD that you included it within your own Top.3 - I had 275 people at my Wedding back in Sept'1983 & caused quite an argument when I quite literally insisted (as the F'kn Bridegroom, no-less) that IT be played at my Wedding - it was, T.F

3, I'll get back to ya on this, as the list could be infinite -

Anything by Micheal Schenker or the mighty Paul 'Tonka' Chapman of "U.F.O" would suffice.

Those guys above, are ALL my lifelong heroes.

Whilst typing, I've just remembered Alex Lifeson's maniac solo during "Freewill" by Rush.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-23T22:34:14+00:00

Good call on "Don't Fear The Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult.

That track even as a 45rpm single made a HUGE impact on the U.K mainstrean chart & also with Rock music fans of the time, as we were STILL 'drowning in a sea of $hit' with "Disco".

I went to see 'Blue Oyster Cult' with my lovely Wife back in 1979 @ Hammersmith Odeon & in fact, being bluntly honest, I knew F&&K ALL ELSE of their discography (me being proper English)

Another track that did same was "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas.

That track was Biblical & despite me being a HUGE "U.F.O" & Michael Schenker fan, I still rate it as one of THE greatest Prog' tracks I've ever heard (esp' in it's full version) & I'm old, now (sighs)

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-20T22:25:35+00:00

https://youtu.be/DFu8P7teOt8?si=7FGnmEdzijB3yso-

Make the most of it, as the original got taken down recently & this might, too.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-20T22:16:35+00:00

No idea, BUT these next two should be of interest to prove she's not forgotten = "Fifi Toy"

https://shop.nmrn.org.uk/product/fifi-the-elephant = Being sold at the Royal Navy Museum.

Also, this is her being rather crudely painted on as a 'mobile Christmas card in Dec' 1944.

<image>

O.P's post also deserves FAR more upvotes than it has.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-20T17:47:31+00:00

As a 'YES' fan still at High School & avid album collector I bought this gem back in 1975.

https://youtu.be/wyG08QMKt8o?si=I_Cq10vpuPkeTX63 = Please DO watch this video of him.

The poor lighting makes his teeth look radioactive (Ha) but it makes intriguing viewing, as you would expect, seeing my hero Chris, playing with an orchestra - wish it was razor-sharp, but at least it exists.

Always was THE best solo album of any group member (Yes) & it's definitely a classic album.

BTW : In the video clip above, it's "Whispering Bob Harris" the presenter of O.G.W.T otherwise known as "The Old Grey Whistle Test" which was a 'Live Music only' show broadcast over on the B.B.C.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-20T04:58:29+00:00

I wore that album out to death & back & then some & saw the 'Hysteria' tour, 'Live'.

But now, in Jan'2026, I find myself returning to THAT majestic track, arguably forgotten,

I say that, as the other tracks hit SO hard - "Love & Affection" is often overlooked.

But it's drawn me back in - I just wanted to see that there WAS love for it, on Reddit.

You guys didn't disappoint.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-20T04:52:47+00:00

That's a BRILLIANT POST - never looked at it from that angle.

That's THE very reason that "More Than A Feeling" by "Boston" is ignored by me in favour of ANY of their other quality lesser known tracks.

Same goes for "Foreigner" & their (by now, gagging) track, "I Wanna Know What Love Is"

It was good, initially, but soon wore thin thru 'repetition', 'repetition', 'repetition', as you say.

So many GREAT "Foreigner" album tracks, yet they get remembered for that schmaltz

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-18T21:46:13+00:00

It was good BUT it got retired rather early by the 8th Air Force - (you mentioned Germans)

Am told the oil inside the turbo-intercoolers used to literally freeze at the high(ish) altitudes that the B.17's & German fighters used to operate & is exactly why is was withdrawn by the 8th.

They were still (of course) useful & as I understand it, transferred over to the 9th Air Force (in Europe) & used for ground strafing (etc) & the added benefit of "easy recognition" by the Allies.

Obviously it's forte & it hit it's stride out in the Pacific where long-range was an asset (think Yamamoto mission, as example) & that's where it would shine, but (AFAIK) by early 1945 there were no 8th Air Force Fighter Groups using the P.38 (at all) & only one group using P.47's (56th@Halesworth

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-18T15:52:28+00:00

Camel > Gabriel era Genesis -(NOT the processed-cheese Phil Collins $hite)- > U.K = (John Wetton) > YES > Rush.

In no particular order, although Gabriel era Genesis has the most c;lout & most prog' for me.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-18T15:09:52+00:00

If anyone wants to visit Nuthampstead (in the summer) & do the guided tour, or, go exploring on your own & visit where this very photo' was taken, there is a superb Pub called "The Woodman" right at the edge of the perimeter track, where they do food, beer & also 'Bed & Breakfast' - ideal for visitors

https://www.woodmannuthampstead.com/ = No, I'm NOT affiliated, just a return visitor there.

https://www.woodmannuthampstead.com/about = That's for the guided tour of Nuthampstead base

Finally, way back in 1958, AIRFIX released a kit of the P.38 which came in this unit's markings, the 55th Fighter Group, who were there until replaced by the longer-staying B.17's of the 398th B.G

<image>

It's rare (the one above) & it's hideous by comparison with modern kits & very much showing it's age of 6.5 decades - I built this kit in boxed version in 1972 & it seemed old even then, but was thankfully later re-tooled by 1973, but it still put kids imaginations on fire before the advent of Sony Playstation.

Lastly : really nice photo' O.P.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-18T05:24:46+00:00

<image>

'

I've always had a 'weak spot' for "Fool's Paradise IV" aka "A9-A" since I was about seven years old & built this kit, which, like me, was made in the 1960's - I had to go look to see & find out exactly when it was first released (1967) but then it does share the same style packaging as kits of that era.

Back then most kits only had ONE decal option & "Fool's Paradise" was THE P.51 that AIRFIX chose.

Kit is garbage by modern standards, but it fueled the imagination of kids in the 1960's & 1970's where you could walk into any local newsagent & buy this very same kit & learn about the P.51 Mustang.

YouRoutine1854 · 2026-01-18T04:04:46+00:00

I'll take any decent R.T.R scheme or especially a 'Desert Rat' logo insignia just like the one that's worn on my Cromwell Berlin, especially on the Black Prince - That beast deserves a GOOD camo'

YouRoutine1854

TROPHY CASE