Childish frustration with plastic models isn’t unique to just kids. My confession….
Three years ago, for my 67th birthday, my gifts included a model kit of a ‘55 Chevy Nova—a semi-joke from my kids because of my constant bragging about the great car I used to drive. The box picture brought back great memories and since I was now far more mature, skilled and patient than a mere child, I accepted a challenge I hadn’t tried since a kid.
With the skill of a surgeon I diligently applied myself to my potential masterpiece, sparing nothing by way of tools, time, organizational skills, patience and wisdom. All went incredibly well until I approached the final assembly stage several weeks later……something just wouldn’t fit quite right and after a few hours of sanding, tweaking, regluing, repainting, smudging, swearing and shaking, both me and my car finally SNAPPED.
LIke Calvin, my mantel masterpiece was history after a private game of Destruction Derby.
Looks like I was right. It became a fine example of an aircraft disaster. My models usually looked okay, but little things would be off…like the wheels wouldn’t move.
To kalakini: The publish date incongruity might be right. If these were published in sequence, it would be a rare example of the Sunday comic being part of the dailies plot line. That didn’t happen very often, because the Sunday deadlines were so much earlier than the deadline for dailies.
Re smeared cockpit: if you’ve ever done a model, you know the anguish that happens when you touch any clear plastic part with the least bit of glue on your fingers. The glue actually etches into the clear plastic, smearing it into an awful mess and, need I say, no longer clear sigh.
@grazer, that can happen in RL too: a brother-in-law is restoring a his-and-her pair of cars (well, he hopes so. It may be five or ten years before he gets to hers…), but when he put on the driver’s side door, it wouldn’t open far enough. Long story short, the driver’s side door hinge was actually a passenger side hinge, only not even the seller realized. Very minor differences. About the only way to distinguish them was to put two side by side, or use the method my b-i-l did…
margueritem almost 15 years ago
Reality bites, Calvin.
bald almost 15 years ago
the canopy is probably smeared from hobbs nose prints
wolfbyte36 almost 15 years ago
where’s stupendous man now when you need him?
uma7c almost 15 years ago
love the second panel…’roger, what should i do untill then!!!!’
priceless!!!
Yukoner almost 15 years ago
uma7c, I second your comment. That panel is brilliant.
Calvin, all your problems have to do with the glue. So whatever you do don’t come unglued.
ladywolf17 almost 15 years ago
um! Houston we have a problem.
rentier almost 15 years ago
Hopeless mess!
landshark67 almost 15 years ago
Always remember your equipment is made by the lowest bidder
lazygrazer almost 15 years ago
First panel: Shouldn’t that be “cRackles” instead of “cackles”?? —Typo or another bonus joke, Mr. Watterson?
Wonderful comic. Whatta ride!
Wildmustang1262 almost 15 years ago
Hey Calvin! You already screwed that stupid model airplane up again!
green_engineer almost 15 years ago
Haha, ‘enemy fighters at 2 o’clock - what should I do until then?’ Brilliant!
GROG Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Roger. What should I do until then? Pray you don’t come unglued or shot down by those enemy fighters
jelzap almost 15 years ago
wheres spaceman spiff when u need him
3hourtour Premium Member almost 15 years ago
..ok,I liked this one…
rshive almost 15 years ago
They never look quite like the picture on the box. And if they don’t look right, can they work right?
fatima_ch almost 15 years ago
gotta love you calvin but you sure are hopeless with your hands.
madampresident almost 15 years ago
Probably should have been Pray You “COME” unglued. Then he could eject.
kalakini almost 15 years ago
Anyone know the correct date of publish for this comic?
Previous installments [of this comic series] are dated –0421 but, this is clearly –0315.
The comic is brilliant indeed!
gjsjr41 almost 15 years ago
Everything’s been said. Wonderful comic.
Madruga almost 15 years ago
“…and get the glue out of this airplane!” =D
rajagopalan almost 15 years ago
Hi calvin, try some feviquik instead of glue…
grammahotsho almost 15 years ago
What happens when the pilot needs to eject and he’s glued to the seat?
nuratiqah.diyana almost 15 years ago
the second panel is classic but calvin can always make it look good. but this strip proves smart as he is he’s still a kid :D
ben_david almost 15 years ago
Who’s Roger, and how does Calvin know it’s him?
lazygrazer almost 15 years ago
Childish frustration with plastic models isn’t unique to just kids. My confession….
Three years ago, for my 67th birthday, my gifts included a model kit of a ‘55 Chevy Nova—a semi-joke from my kids because of my constant bragging about the great car I used to drive. The box picture brought back great memories and since I was now far more mature, skilled and patient than a mere child, I accepted a challenge I hadn’t tried since a kid.
With the skill of a surgeon I diligently applied myself to my potential masterpiece, sparing nothing by way of tools, time, organizational skills, patience and wisdom. All went incredibly well until I approached the final assembly stage several weeks later……something just wouldn’t fit quite right and after a few hours of sanding, tweaking, regluing, repainting, smudging, swearing and shaking, both me and my car finally SNAPPED.
LIke Calvin, my mantel masterpiece was history after a private game of Destruction Derby.
beentheredonethat almost 15 years ago
lol… second panel …. classic how come hobbes isn’t at co-pilot? smart tiger
selma_flamel almost 15 years ago
Looks like I was right. It became a fine example of an aircraft disaster. My models usually looked okay, but little things would be off…like the wheels wouldn’t move.
wbtthefrog almost 15 years ago
To kalakini: The publish date incongruity might be right. If these were published in sequence, it would be a rare example of the Sunday comic being part of the dailies plot line. That didn’t happen very often, because the Sunday deadlines were so much earlier than the deadline for dailies.
DougDean almost 15 years ago
Re smeared cockpit: if you’ve ever done a model, you know the anguish that happens when you touch any clear plastic part with the least bit of glue on your fingers. The glue actually etches into the clear plastic, smearing it into an awful mess and, need I say, no longer clear sigh.
bmonk almost 15 years ago
@grazer, that can happen in RL too: a brother-in-law is restoring a his-and-her pair of cars (well, he hopes so. It may be five or ten years before he gets to hers…), but when he put on the driver’s side door, it wouldn’t open far enough. Long story short, the driver’s side door hinge was actually a passenger side hinge, only not even the seller realized. Very minor differences. About the only way to distinguish them was to put two side by side, or use the method my b-i-l did…
coffeeturtle almost 15 years ago
mayday! mayday!