ICM's 1/48 A-26 Invader

[keyda81]

Started this last month I believe. Just slowly picking away at it, hr here, hr there. I don't get nearly enough time at the bench as I used to when I didn't have a full time job, lol. The other issue is I was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. The joint pain, and stiffness was horrible for the last month. In my hands, wrists, shoulders, knees, ankles. I've seen a Dr, and he has me on meds, but they take 3-6 months to start working. I told him I can't live with that pain, so he put me on a low dose of steroids, which has reduced the pain to about half of what it was. So it's at least tolerable now. Gotta love health issues

Anyway. Not sure how I feel about this kit yet. The interior went together nicely. The fuselage halves were a bit tricky, but I managed.









I'm building this one as a WW2 bird. I can't think of the tail number off the top of my head right now though. It's not going to be entirely accurate either. I wanted a medium bomber in OD to go next to my B-25 and B-17 that are hanging on the wall. My old Flak Bait used to hang there, but once I built the 2nd one, which was a much better final product, it's no longer fit for the wall, and is on a shelf for better viewing. I put 95 hours into it, and don't need it falling from the wall, lol. So I have a gaping space on the wall that needs filled.

[BlackSheep214]

Nice subject! Glad to see you back on the bench.

[keavdog]

Great subject. I've yet to do an ICM kit.

I have self diagnosed myself with Palindromic Arthritis triggered by an autoimmune response. I inadvertently identified chocolate as the trigger. Never had any issues with chocolate and was a big fan and ate truck loads of it. But it is a guarantee that if I eat chocolate a few days later I'll have random extremely painful joint pain. Palindromic arthritis hangs around for a week or so but eventually goes away with no joint damage which is how I came to that conclusion.

There has been some talk of post COVID-19/vaccine related new onset allergies

Anyhow I sure do feel for you, and it's good to see you back at the bench!

[Stikpusher]

Good to see your work here again Keyda! The Invader is a personal favorite of mine as my dad was aircrew on them. I’m certainly going to enjoy watching your project of this one!

[keyda81]

Great subject. I've yet to do an ICM kit.

I have self diagnosed myself with Palindromic Arthritis triggered by an autoimmune response. I inadvertently identified chocolate as the trigger. Never had any issues with chocolate and was a big fan and ate truck loads of it. But it is a guarantee that if I eat chocolate a few days later I'll have random extremely painful joint pain. Palindromic arthritis hangs around for a week or so but eventually goes away with no joint damage which is how I came to that conclusion.

There has been some talk of post COVID-19/vaccine related new onset allergies

Anyhow I sure do feel for you, and it's good to see you back at the bench!

I love chocolate! I'd have a hard time staying away from it. My oncologist kept saying it was from the chemo. I never had any issues until I went through cancer treatment. I finished chemo on 5/6/25, and the joint pain started in July of 25. I thought initially it was because I was back at work after being off a month for my mastectomy. But it just continued. My primary was the one who decided to send me for auto-immune disorder testing. She wasn't convinced it was from the chemo. Sure enough my rheumatoid factor was elevated. RA doc started me on methotrexate, but it takes 3-6 months to work. I was in a lot of pain, and still trying to work full time. It's been a struggle. Steroids help a lot, but I can't stay on those forever. The other kicker is the hormone blocker meds the onco wants me on for ten years to prevent cancer recurrence cause joint pain. So I have a feeling a big portion of this year is going to be playing around with meds to try and keep things under control. Most days I get home from work, make dinner, and I'm spent. So it's been a struggle to get to the bench even for a little bit.

[Medicman71]

It's great to see you back at the bench with a great subject! Sorry you're going through all the health problems. I have a lot of joint pain and I was tested for rheumatoid arthritis but it came back negative. Guess it's just wear and tear from 30+ yrs of EMS.

[Duke Maddog]

I'm so sorry to hear of all these issues, I'll be praying things start improving for you soon. I'm also thrilled to see you back at the bench. I'm even more amazed that you're achieving such masterful realism despite the health issues you're facing.

[keyda81]

I always knew when I was younger something like this would happen. I always said, my luck I'll have some kind of major health crap to deal with, because I hate hospitals, needles, and taking meds. Well here I am. Lol. I couldn't count how many times I've had blood drawn in the last year or so. I had a chemo port put in, and removed, mastectomy. I'm on several medications now as well. Half of them are supplements I choose to take though. Only time will tell.

Got a whole airplane now, and some areas that need attention with the putty, sand, prime, repeat. Nothing too horrible, engine nacelles to the wings are just going to be hard to get at. I bought one of those little electric sander pens, I guess you could call it that. I'm going to give that a shot, and see if that makes things a little easier.

[Stuart]

Very sorry to hear of all the crap you've been through in the past few years, that really does suck. Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.

I'm sure the build is fab, but alas due to bloody imgur blocking the UK, I can't see it. Cool subject though.

[Stikpusher]

Your Invader is looking great! Sending best wishes your way for rapid relief from your medical conditions. My wife has lupus so I can understand the conditions that you are going through Keyda.