rbrown7713

Three strands represented petty officers and senior seamen, and two for second class seamen and firemen. A single strand was used to identify a seaman or fireman third class or coal-heaver (not a very popular rating). The three strands were retained by the Navy when the display of rank went to the upper left arm. Bob.

I will have to dig a little deeper. Bob.

Petty Officer, E-4 pay grade. One red stripe on the sleeve. Three white stripes on the neckerchief. Bob.

I am sure Christian that everyone loves to see your work, so keep posting, you are amazing. Bob.

Wait for coming attractions. I am working on becoming an artist. What I am learning about myself, is that I should stick with trains. I made a drawing of a cat, not bad, but then, I am trying acrylics, and that is the point that I am realizing that I am not an artist, but I will keep trying. I am trying to reproduce a Vermeer, girl with the pearl earring, a work in progress. This is funny, the more I get into the girl with the pearl earring, the more it looks like my ex wife. I wonder what that is about. Bob.

Oh sure, you want me to run my trains again, OK, wait for the video. There is a video of the T1 on youtube running channel: omiateeful

Yes, also the lever that one lifts to disengage the coupler also works realistically. They even have pins on the clasps on access doors that has to be lifted to access. Just about everything on the prototype is represented accurately on the model. Bob.

Thanks Chuck. If anyone can get a hold of one of these FAM cars they would appreciate the detail. It is like holding a full size one in your hands. You pull on a chain and all of the clasp brakes actuate. Amazing. Also this one has a complete kitchen with sinks and ovens. Again, amazing. Bob.

Thanks, I am just happy that there is no damage, These brass cars are difficult to repair sometimes. Bob.

Well, I did it again, couldn't resist. Paid 1600.00 for it, not bad considering it was 3200 new. Some of these cars, I only paid 450 for because they were damaged, but this one has no damage. Now I have six of these FAM cars, looks nice behind my T1. I will run these again someday. Bob.

When I bashed the LGB Amtrak Amfleet passenger car from 1:29 to 1:32, I cheated as I didn't change the length, was only about .750" difference, so I just changed the height. Yes, going the other way, I would take the height of the model and times by 32 and that gives you the prototype height. Then take the true height and divide by 29 and that will give you the height of the 1:29 model. I am saying the same thing as the other contributors. It's easier to go from 1;29 to 1:32 because you are removing plastic, rather than having to construct a piece to enlarge it to 1:29. This is something that I would never do myself as I am strictly 1:32 Bob.

By the way, I marvel at your work and models, and thank you for sharing your secrets. Bob.

Yes Christian, I was a pilot, with 2,000 hrs. flown in the Army, 1,120 hrs. in Nam. I was a CW2. Last 2 years, I was a primary instructor pilot at Fort Wolters Texas 1969 and 1970. Here is a picture after an 8 hr. mission in 1968. I'm the one on the right. And you were an accident investigator, very good. Bob.

Christian, I have about 50 hours in a Piper Cub, close in design to the L4, if not the same. I have many hours of pleasure in that aircraft. And this is what I flew in Viet Nam, in fact this Huey is from the same company that I flew in, Little Bears, 25th Aviation battalion, noted by the white little bear on the nose. Bob.

You crafty devil you, brilliant.. Bob.