iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 1h

More renovations trackside too. Station still looking a bit sad and faded.

Model railway station and side buildings.

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Yesterday’s work - almost all of the paving has now been replaced, and all looking much more even. Still need to replace a few of the chimney pots and the more faded parts of the Scale Scenes station print-outs.

Model railway town with cardboard buildings

0191

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

A bit of repair work on the old layout to get it ready for my @pimoroni.com Tiny FX station announcement project. Covering my faded home-printed stuff and the older kit pavement with new Metcalfe paving sheets.

0130

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Three fire engines, three scales: Airfix 1/43 Land Rover and 1/32 Dennis, alongside Ace’s 1/72 Unimog.

1333

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Obligatory model and box photo. Great old kit - go and get yourself one on eBay. #HistScaleModels

Airfix 1914 Dennis Fire Engine kit and box (c. 1979)

1717

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Embarking on my next WW1 build - this time in 1/72 scale, with a Roden Type B bus. I’ve also got various Airfix figures I hope I can adapt for the driver and passengers.

0241

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

My two #Airfix fire engines together - 1/32 scale Dennis and 1/43 scale Series 1 Land Rover - both with light and sound effects provided by @pimoroni.com Tiny FX.

2 Airfix fire engine kits with illuminated lights

1373

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

My fire engine again, with the remotely controlled lighting and sound effects in action (sound on). You can find out all about the tech in my latest video if anyone wants to give something similar a go: youtu.be/DxHClpoQMJc

6435

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

My vintage Airfix Dennis fire engine is finished - complete with lights and sound effects provided by the Tiny FX controller in the back. 1970s kit with 2026 tech. #HistScaleModels

Airfix 1914 Dennis Fire Engine kit with illuminated headlights

Rear 3/4 view of Airfix 1914 Dennis Fire Engine kit

3565

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Patiently waited overnight for the clear epoxy to dry in my 3D printed sidelights. Now they can be fitted along with the final details.

0200

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Already thinking about my next @pimoroni.com Tiny FX application, and I’ve got an idea for the model railway, but need some of the bits from the old layout that have been languishing in the shed. Quite a lot of repairs needed to my old Metcalfe buildings and faded home-printed surfaces.

0180

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

For some reason, the number plates aren’t on the decal sheet, but printed as part of the instructions to cut out and glue on. As well as being too faded to use, I thought LF 1914 was a bit suspect as a real plate, so I’ve made my own, with a little nod to the Tiny FX’s #RaspberryPi processor.

Airfix fire engine instruction sheet with number plates

Vintage Airfix fire engine kit with “RP 2040” number plates

0200

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Nearly finished, with just a few details outstanding. Would be nice to get it done by the weekend, but I’m definitely not going to rush it at this stage. #HistScaleModels

1624

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Figure painting in progress. Lots of brass and facial hair!

Painted firemen for vintage scale model kit

3362

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Made a start on my fire crew. Trying to keep the shading and highlights really subtle. The blue should look great against the brass.

0230

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Still a little way to go, but I've added a bit of light weathering on my Airfix WWI fire engine - and I've finally finished the video for the remotely controlled lighting and sound effects: youtu.be/DxHClpoQMJc

Airfix WWI fire engine with working headlights and IR remote control

2393

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Still quite a bit to do - especially painting and adding the crew - but first assembly is looking good.

2423

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

1914 Dennis fire engine nearly ready for assembly, progress slowed somewhat whilst sorting an ongoing family crisis. What it has reminded me is that the calming certainties of modelling can be a real balm during situations like this.

1292

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Lining the fenders has been something of a task, but worth it.

Red fire engine fenders, lined with brass

0180

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Horn sound effect now added to the @pimoroni.com Tiny FX and headlight brightness adjusted. Not too daunting a bit of code for a relative novice like myself - mostly just rewritten from one of the supplied examples.

Model fire engine kit and Tiny FX with remote control

Micropython code for turning the functions on and off

0161

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Popped into the Warhammer in Bath yesterday to pick up some paints for the firemen. Not quite the usual gruesome names, but ‘Stormfiend’ does still sound a bit worrying.

Model WWI fire fighters with blue paint tubs

0400

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It be #TalkLikeaPirateDay, and appropriately I’ve managed to swap the plug wires over to switch the polarity of a shorter JST cable for my @pimoroni.com Aye Arr remote control.

Pimoroni Tiny FX with IR remote control.

0151

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I’d forgotten the fire engine had a horn as well as the bell. I’m going to have to find a suitable honking sound effect for that too. #HistScaleModels

Airfix fire engine kit parts and instructions

0250

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

First headlight test. LEDs on about half power, which is probably about right.

Scale model vintage fire engine with illuminated headlights

1392

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Headlights done. Tiny FX LED dots fitted and epoxy resin glazed lenses attached.

Small headlight assemblies for scale model fire engine

0250

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Headlights ready for assembly, with two-part clear epoxy resin having been carefully added to the insides of my 3D printed rims, and left flat to cure overnight.

Brass painted headlight parts for vintage fire engine kit

0160

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Today's focus has been on packing the electrics under the bodywork of the Airfix fire engine, so I've designed a mounting plate, with battery holder and recess for the IR receiver stick. The Tiny FX going on the ledge at the end.

CAD for battery holder and mounting plate

0110

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Perhaps unsurprisingly I have run out of red paint. More on order for the top coats. #HistScaleModels

2504

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

More progress on the electronics for my vintage Airfix fire engine kit, with headlights drilled out and LEDs fitted for the @pimoroni.com Tiny FX that will go in the back. And I’ve managed to program it so the IR remote can not only turn them on and off, but control the brightness too.

0151

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Progress today: nice shiny silver bonnet (Vallejo Chrome) and a first coat of Mr Hobby ‘Character Red’ on the bodywork and ladder carriage. Hole drilled on top for the IR remote sensor.

0341

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Work underneath the fire engine today. Tiny FX and speaker just squished in to make sure everything fits for now. Plus, bottoms of headlights being drilled for the LED wires. I still need to organise room for a battery holder in there somewhere.

0141

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

First test fit of fire crew and ladder. Such a good kit in spite of its age. #HistScaleModels

2512

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Wheels fitted, with nice shiny brass hubs. Got to keep up appearances, even if there is a war on. #HistScaleModels

1403

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Anyone who struggles with wheel painting, get yourself a DSPIAE circle cutter. Absolute game changer.

3170

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Absolutely love it! Hasn’t taken long to get the hang of setting it up and adjusting for perfect circles.

2160

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

And a coat of primer for my fire fighters. Not quite sure what’s going on with the driver’s hand, but hopefully all will become clearer when they are in place.

2180

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Fire engine chassis suitably weathered. Details picked out with some washes, then an overall coat of Vallejo engine grime.

Airfix 1914 Dennis fire engine kit work in progress

0291

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Got myself a new tool. I think I might need a bit of practice setting it up right.

290

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I decided to glue in some metal rails in the gap either side of the ladder. Added advantage of straightening the slightly bendy plastic of the carriage guides. #HistScaleModels

Ladder assembly from Airfix fire engine kit

0280

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Ladder assembled. The 3 main sections now slide nicely after quite a bit of sanding, but I’m not 100% sure how they are meant to fit into the carriage guide rails as there seems quite a large gap on either side. #HistScaleModels

Ladder section of Airfix 1914 Dennis fire engine

0342

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Managed to program the @pimoroni.com Tiny FX for my Airfix fire engine kit to turn the lights on and off, and ring the bell (sound on).

1140

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Many ‘do not cement’ parts of the ladder mechanism. Something tells me this isn’t going to be that easy to get it all working smoothly. #HistScaleModels

0211

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Tea infuser cages worked a treat for washing my smaller 3D printed resin parts along with the bigger bits.

3D print resin wash station bucket with tea infusers containing small parts.

Tea infusers containing small 3D printed resin parts.

0100

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The very small parts of my 3D printed Bond Aston Martin conversion (patersshed.com/products/jam...) are a pain to wash before curing, so I’ve got myself some tea infusers to keep them safe in my Elegoo Mercury wash bucket.

0150

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Important lesson learnt! Just because cables look the same, doesn’t mean they are the same, and it turns out you can’t use the @adafruit.com 3pin JST SH cable instead of the @pimoroni.com one as the polarity switches. No damage, just got really hot.

Pimoroni Tiny FX with JST SH cable connecting IR remote

Adafruit JST SH cable with coloured wires

1100

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Delivery from @pimoroni.com destined for the fire truck kit. I’ve found a program that can toggle the LEDs using the IR remote. Now I need to work out how to ring my bell sound effect.

Pimoroni Tiny FX with lit LEDs and IR remote control.

0141

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Nicely detailed, the old Airfix chassis is quite complex, so quite a bit of loose fitting before committing to glue. #HistScaleModels

Airfix WW1 fire engine kit work in progress

1330

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Progress being made on my 1914 Dennis fire engine. Chassis parts coming together, and no longer a speck of the red plastic to be seen.

1271

Pater Practicus @paterpracticus.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

And PatersShed.com is open for business!

Hand packaging 3D printed parts for converting an Airfix kit to James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5

2246