Wagons Ho! -- An Update. . .

Most of the wagons and carts are now mostly assembled although there are still a few tiny bits and pieces to cement together on the two wagons in the background next to the Humbrol enamels and the two wagons in the foreground.  In addition, the two open-sided hay carts, drawn by the oxen, are due to have their 'ribs' (for want of a better term) cemented into place.  That particular step should be a huge pain in backside, so I'm avoiding it at the moment.

The pontoon and supply trains are taking gradual shape.  Since a brief adolescent foray into Revell plastic model car kits 3+ decades ago -- I went through a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray phase with I was 11-12 years old.  Farrah Fawcett Majors' "Foxy 'Vette" in silver-gray plastic anyone? -- I had forgotten how you've got to assemble multipart models bit by painstaking bit.  Which requires holding your breath, of course, as you carefully glue a few tiny pieces into place and back gently away from the painting table, so you don't disturb anything.  

And then, you must then go away for 24 hours or so, returning the next evening to continue with another phase of assembly.  Since even instant bonding super glues and gels take a while to cure and set fast, and that's if you don't get a minute wagon axle or something stuck fast to your eyelashes in the meantime, it's taking several days to get all of this stuff assembled for subsequent base coating, painting, glossing, and limited terrain treatment of bases.  However, I must admit that I am enjoying the journey for the most part.  

So, here is where things stand currently.  I have been, these last few days, interspersing work on another Norwegian to English translation of an essay by the late author Stig Saeterbakken (first draft finally wrapped up a short while ago) with the various stages of wagon and cart assembly.  A little cementing here, a little translation there, and so on, and so forth, ad infinitum.  Don't you just love Latin phrases?  

Thus far, things have gone reasonably well, and you'll notice very few superglue induced fingerprints on any of the parts.  That has, in turn, meant that the anticipated muttering and cursing under my breath has been minimized.  Jeeze Louise!  If I'm not careful, this could become a habit.  In any case, time for another late afternoon mug of coffee I think.

-- Stokes