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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Jan 25, 2020 21:22:32 GMT
For the now much higher costs/prices .... the quality of most kits and accessories have also "improved" dramatically too .... simply because the market demands it. "IF" one wants/expects quality .... then .... one has to pay for it Paints and undercoats (etc) aren't too badly priced though .... and paints (along cements, fillers, glass papers, and tools too) are also mostly now very high quality products (since a lot of stuff marketed during the 60's, 70's, and 80's .... particularly in regard to paints .... was simply a recipe to ruin one's kit) and are now "custom matched" to the "actual shades" employed by various forces, and within various regions, around the world too .... and often right down to various period campaigns as well .... AK PAINT SETS (catalogue .... 2X pages)ak-interactive.com/product-category/paints/paints-acrylics-paints-for-modeling/paints-acrylics-sets/AK PAINT SETS (shade chart )ak-interactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/A4-AIR-CHART.jpgAK SOVIET TNK CAMOUFLAGES WW2 (example)US ARMY/MARINE CORPS GREENS WW2 (example)AK LUFTWAFFE CAMOUFLAGES WW2 (example)AK RAF CAMOUFLAGES WW2 (example)AK IJN CAMOUFLAGES WW2 (example)Airbrushes (including compressor equipment) are "EXPENSIVE" .... but "ESSENTIAL" .... as nobody hand brushes a model anymore .... except in regard to the application of weathering and detailing products or other fine detailing that can't easily be addressed per air brushing. By far the best kits now are those produced by ARV, MENG, TAKOM, TAMIYA, TRUMPETER .... and also some of the ACADEMY and HOBBY BOSS releases too since in some cases (in regard to armor subjects at least) "some" of (but not all of) these are none other than original TAMIYA releases under licensing. A lot of the AIRFIX stuff is just re-hashed/re-leased "60's/70's "rubbish" by today's standards (a new box now with a pretty picture but no work applied to improving the kit parts or their detailing .... they just produce'em to sell'em .... to keep a past famous brand name alive sadly it seems) .... although their/AIRFIX's latest releases, and re-tools, of the past several years (mostly WW2 aircraft) "are" actually very good indeed .... because they have to be now in order to appeal to today's market. HASEGAWA are OK .... but .... the market doesn't like having to buy separate armament sets (which can be almost as costly as the kit itself) to facilitate what should be provided within the box as part of any kit subject (the like of MENG included everything one needs within the box) .... a stunt that even AIRFIX have employed in the recent past too unfortunately. DRAGON can be "a bit of a risk" .... though their recently retooled stuff is quite good/much better. HELLER are OK ..... despite their age. ITALERI can be "hit or miss" .... too many instances (even now) of inexcusably badly fitting parts and even decals that don't fit the intended kit surfaces (such as was the case with the VIKING build presented within another posting on this thread). REVELL ("Germany") are mostly quite good .... but .... I/we tend to avoid their early US/and often ex-MONOGRAM produced subjects simply because they don't meet our expectation/s for the price/s being demanded. And .... ZVEZDA can be "a wee bit of a risk" (sometimes) too. Some of their stuff is really "quite good" though (as per the T-28 featured within this thread) whilst some of their earlier stuff (acquired from other producers and under license it seems) can be appallingly bad too. Even so .... a bad kit can usually always me made into something "VERY NICE" .... if one has the necessary skills .... and which also often requires one to be something of an engineer as well as "a plastic surgeon too. And even a good/expensive kit can still be "screwed up completely" by someone whom lacks the knowledge, experience, skills, tools, and accessories .... and above "THE PATIENCE" to be able to do a decent job. Plastic modelling is "fun" and "enjoyable" for most .... and often even quite "challenging" too .... but .... it can also be "intimidating" and even "disappointing" for others. Like is the case with most things in life .... one can only get out of it/plastic modelling what one's prepared to put into it .... something that can probably even be applied to FS as well Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Jun 6, 2020 23:16:09 GMT
Jim completed another one yesterday .... as follows .... ZVEZDA 1/35 SD.KFZ.184 "FERDINAND", Schwere PZ.JG.ABT.654, "Operation Citadel" Kursk, Russia, July 1943.Some of ZVEZDA's kits (particularly their early stuff .... usually marketed under manufacturing licenses from other kit producers from around the world) have had a repution for being "problematic" .... HOWEVER .... this particular kit (like that of their Russian T-28 also .... as is presented within PP3 of this thread) is one of "their own and more recent productions" and (like is the case for their T-28 also) goes together "SUPERBLY" as follows .... As usual this latest build has not omly been completed using "custom matched" German armor colours for both the period and campaign it represents .... but .... has also been weathered using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, and oils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate dirt/grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and corrosion type weathering/wear. A particularly enjoyable build .... and one that really redeems, and well as confirms, the name of ZVEZDA (from their earlier reputation I mean) as a producer of "quality plastic kits". A recommended kit .... truly Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Oct 7, 2020 22:06:14 GMT
I've not presented anything on this thread for a wee while. Its not because work's stopped .... because it hasn't .... BUT RATHER .... "other priorities/circumstances" have recently intervened ANYWAY .... Here's the latest "3 builds" completed by Jim ..... as of the last presentation within this thread .... and as of up to a couple of days ago .... 1: TAMIYA 1/35 RUSSIAN T-72M1Whilst the above T-72M1 is "a large kit" when completed .... the following 2 subjects are "IMPRESSIVELY LARGER" .... 2: ZVEZDA 1/35 2S19 MSTA-S (named for Russia's Msta River) RUSSIAN 152MM SELF PROPELLED HOWITZERILLUSTRATED BUILDING REPORT www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=63128#203: ZVEZDA 1/35 KOALITSIYA (Coalition) 2S35-SV RUSSIAN 152MM SELF PROPELLED HOWITZERILLUSTRATED BUILDING REPORT www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=63350#33AND FINALLY .... an appreciation/comparison of both the MSTA and KOALITSIYA "together" .... As usual .... each subjects has been enhanced using an assortment of weathering washes, powders, and oils "to enhance detail" (literally turning the plastic into the artists canvass) and give everything that/our preferred "in service and used in the field" appearance .... These latest builds are focused on a "Russian Power" theme .... perhaps hilited by the following classic .... "SONG OF THE VOLGA BOATMEN"www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PwtbbZooZAPerformed live by the Red Army Choir during 2011 .... "SONG OF THE VOLGA BOATMEN" (performed live by the Red Army Choir during 2011)www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-qz4Icl3_QNot sure but I think a large part of the above Red Army Choir contingent were wiped-out in the prang of a Tu-154 during 2016 .... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Russian_Defence_Ministry_Tupolev_Tu-154_crash.... Walter will probably no more than me. Just for the sake of interest and its having been referenced to. The 2,300 mile Volga River is of particular significance to Russians. In Russian folklore it's regarded as the countries pride and lifeblood .... a mother, mistress, and beloved comrade to the nation and as such has historically become the subject of many legends. The song of the Volga boatmen is a reference to the physical strength of Russian boatmen hauling their barges upstream and against the river Volga's current .... hence it's commonly featured within productions focused on Russian "power and might". Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Oct 27, 2020 3:42:45 GMT
Finished today by Jim .... is this "BIG BEAST" of which "only 1 example" was ever produced by the Russians .... 1/35 TAKOM Soviet SMK Heavy TankAs always .... this subject's been subjected to an assortment of weathering washes, powders, and oils "to enhance detail" (literally turning the plastic into the artists canvass) and give everything that/our preferred "in service and used in the field" appearance. Scale plastic modelling isn't just about building a kit .... it's also about being educated and learning in the process too, so, given the "rarity/uniqueness of this particular subject here's a little about it/the SOVIET SMK Heavy Tank .... Not sure what's up for construction next .... but believe you me .... we've no shortage of options available to us Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Dec 25, 2020 20:45:11 GMT
Been a while since I last presented anything (FDE editing and pre-release testing along with website update related work/organization does tend to impose), but, Jim's scale modelling has been ongoing since my last presentation. Got 3 new ones to present this time .... each of which have been completed, by Jim, since around August .... the last of which was finished just a few days ago .... and then a quick review of everything completed during this 2020 year. Each of these builds has not only been completed using "custom matched" colours for both the period and operations they represent .... but .... has also been weathered using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, and oils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate dirt/grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and corrosion type weathering/wear. 1. TAKOM 1/35 T-14 ARMATAThe first TAKOM build I've presented .... and which was a particularly pleasant build with very few, if any, issues having been encountered .... A couple of detailing images .... .... and an illustrated progress report of this entire build .... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=64684#302. ITALERI 1/48 F-14A TOMCAT - VF-1 WOLF PACK SQUADRON USS ENTERPRSE 1974I'll start by saying this particular kit was commenced much earlier this year, but, side-lined "a number of times" due to "constant issues" encountered throughout its building and which took an incredible about of time, energy, patience, and resource to satisfactorily resolve. It's not the first time we've encountered such .... and much worse too .... with ITALERI kits and which, for us, and even as experienced as we are, is a frustration that's ultimately now evolved into "a turn-off" .... and to such an extent that our large collection/stash of kits was recently purged of its ITALERI content .... which was "sold off" in preference to suffering the aggravation of building. If kit manufacturers intend to successfully appeal to the international modelling community today, then, they need to dispense with the deplorable habit of repackaging and marketing old kits with poorly fitting parts (and in some cases badly proportioned and equally poor quality decals too) in order to generate their revenue .... or .... people (most of whom expect better today) will simply avoid their product/s altogether. AIRFIX's slowly been doing this .... by retooling, and improving, a number of their older and popular releases .... but .... it seems this's something ITALERI's "yet to start doing" .... at least this's true in regard to "our experiences" with a number of their kits that we acquired, and which were subjects that originally appealed to us, prior to encountering the issues we've so repeatedly experienced with their products. Word travels fast throughout the international modelling community .... regardless of language .... but .... I think it's fair to say "the sour taste of poor quality lives long after contentment with any more economic product alternative has been savoured". If model manufacturers intend to remain successful today, then, its not enough to simply repackage an old (and often deficient) kit .... simply because that subject might then be of more economically appeal. Offer a decent kit to start with .... and such might entice people to then buy more of that brand later The majority of modelers around the world want, and expect, something decent for their hard earned money .... and more-so given the fact that kits aren't cheap. ANYWAY .... despite the fact this particular kit, with its poor fitting, fought Jim (not a particularly good idea even on the best of days) all the way out of the box .... he fought back with equal vengeance too over many weeks and a reasonable result was eventually achieved, but, not without a lot of otherwise unnecessary frustration/aggravation having been endured and which ultimately diminished the enjoyment of this particular build. A little historical information concerning the subject of this aircraft subject .... VF-1 was the first Navy fighter squadron to receive the F-14A on July 1st 1973 and was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE. Their first operational cruise began in September of 1974, and which saw its first combat sortie take place while providing air cover during the evacuation of US personnel from Saigon, in Vietnam, during operation "Frequent Wind" of April 1975. And a little history concerning the WOLF PACK squadron that operated this particular aircraft subject too .... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighter_Squadron_1_(United_States_Navy)3. TAMIYA 1/48 MIG 15 BIS ("manOT") - PLAAF (Chinese) Korean War 1951This MIG 15 kit was a typically snug fitting, and clean, TAMIYA build .... although the general consensus of opinion, throughout the international modelling community, is the wing sweep of TAMIYA'a MIG 15 is in excess of what it actually should be (apparently it assumes more of a MIG 17 type wing sweep). Mr TAMIYA-san seems to have "screwed up" there, but, other than that it's not overly noticeable .... to the extent a blind man would certainly be very content 4. AND LAST BUT BY NO MEANS AND LEAST OF ALL ....A review of all builds completed by Jim throughout this difficult/frustrating 2020 year. www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=66156&view=thumbsMark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Jan 18, 2021 7:48:20 GMT
A "basic" review of the evolution of scale plastic modeling (based on the AIRFIX contributions to this hobby) from the 1960's until today. Here's he 1972 AIRFIX kit line/catalogue representing the period I came into this hobby. It's interesting to note the CONCORDE kit in its "original prototype form" and all of the old airline period liveries within the civil aircraft section of this 1972 caltalogue too .... how both machine and commercial brandings have evolved over time. I still have most of/all of the AIRFIX aircraft, both WW2 and classic ships, and tanks range from this era .... and still in their original packaging too though their decals will, by now, be "way past their use by date" .... 1972 AIRFIX CATALOGUEwww.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZSr-3bx9fMAnd here's both the 2020 and current/2021 AIRFIX catalogues/kit lines of today .... many of which have been "re-tooled" (although AIRFIX is, unfortunately, still releasing many of their original/classic kits in repackaged, but, completely unmodified form and which can ("by the standard of today's production and moulding techniques" as produced and marketed by the like of ACADEMY, AFV, HASEGAWA, HOBBY BOSS, MENG, REVELL (Germany), SVEZDA, TAKOM, TAMITYA) be a bit of a nightmare for even the most experienced of modelers. Even so .... it's respected that AIRFIX, despite this mild irritation, still represent "the best/most easily affordable" (given kits are no longer cheap) value for money today. 2020 AIRFIX CATALOGUEwww.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jd6py5polY 2021 AIRFIX CATALOGUEwww.youtube.com/watch?v=WzLBr1XGFJ8AND here's something by the modelling master himself .... the one'n'only James MAY (from "TOP GEAR" fame) .... presenting his views of modelling today and as only he, himself, could ever possibly do .... www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZmXD5bqRTYwww.youtube.com/watch?v=k_5k9D5h2BYwww.youtube.com/watch?v=M_vRI9EThNMMark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Mar 15, 2021 18:53:56 GMT
Been a while since I've presented anything within this thread. "Other developing priorities as well changing personal circumstances" are the reason/s for this .... BUT .... since the last presentation 2 new projects have now been completed as follows .... AIRFIX 1/48 ENGLISH ELECTRIC CANBERRA B (1) MK.12 .... 14 SQDN, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Based at RAAF Butterworth, "Operation Confrontation". Malaya, April 1965. www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=66788#31TRMPETER 1/48 GENERAL DYNAMICS/CONVAIR F-106 DELTA DART .... USAF, 159 FIS, 125 FIG, Florida ANG, circa 1970's/80's. www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=68730#27Both of the above are quite large kits. The decals accompanying the CANBERRA kit have been acknowledged/internationally as being "problematic" .... SO .... "better and more authentic" after-market options were procured from elsewhere and a later (1960's era) camouflage based RNZAF livery applied to this kit instead of the boxed natural metal (late 1950's/early 1960's era) version. Having lived within 4 KM of RNZAF Base Whenuapai all my life I vividly remember these aircraft throughout the 1960's and until their retirement and replacement with A-4 SKYHAWK's during the early 1970's. Whist this kit is quite good, and went together well, 2 minor issues became apparent with it and which future builders of it possibly need to be aware .... 1. For a 1/48 scale kit it lacks detail that should, and perhaps could, have been implemented into it. What's provided is "adequate", but, isn't really "up the the standard/s of what one expects of a 1/48 scale kit today, however, this particular kit offering is also "the only" 1/48th scale EE CANBERRA currently available, so, beggars can't easily be choosers. 2. The kit recommended nose weighting is "somewhat below" actual requirements. Although a weight and balance assessment was made during construction, and which is how this particular discrepancy was discovered, and an attempt made to correct this .... the weight of the wing tanks were "just sufficient" to tip the COG in favour of what the model naturally wanted to do .... hence the tail stand that was scratch-built (although not entirely out of place .... as these aircraft were supported by such during some phases of R/W ground operations) in order to resolve this particular issue. Adding additional weight will risk straining the kit supplied landing gear (after-market market and stronger metal landing gear are probably a better solution .... if available) due to this models "unusually heavy weight". Each of these builds has not only been completed using "custom matched" colours for both the period and operations they represent .... but .... have also been weathered using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, and oils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate dirt/grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and other types of weathering/wear in order to create Jim's "desired in service type appearance". "NOT SURE WHAT's NEXT"Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Apr 3, 2021 22:05:34 GMT
Fresh off Jim's plastic surgery bench comes another completion .... as of a couple of days and as follows .... TAKOM 1/35 M3 GRANT (medium tank) .... this one being based on a vehicle operated by an "unidentified unit" within British 3rd Royal Tank Regiment based in North Africa during 1942. "IF" .... anyone's interested they can follow the full (and illustrated) build per the following link .... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866This's the most recently tooled .... and probably "by far the best" .... version of M3 GRANT/LEE series vehicles (TAKOM actually produce 3 of each of these .... both the GRANT and the LEE configuration .... each featuring both early, middle, and late production modifications/differences. In comparison with the 1970's TAMIYA 1/35 production .... these TAKOM toolings are, by virtue of the fact they're much more recent toolings (by a now equally reputable kit producer) "by far superior" to the TAMIYA production and which is over-scale (tolerances re scale proportions not being as fine then as is the case now) as is evidenced below .... Scale comparisons between the 1970's tooled TAMIYA (right) and the 2017 TAKOM tooling (left) of the M3 GRANT in 1/35 scale .... As usual .... this latest build has not only been completed using "custom matched" British armor colours for the period and campaign it represents .... but .... has also been weathered using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, and oils, and detailing pencils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate dirt/grime, dust, chipping, scratching, corrosion as well as weathering and wear, and detail enhancement/s. Successful use of these products is an "acquired art" .... as applies to anything plastic modelling related .... and result in a much better finish (based on our own preferences .... other peoples preferences may differ we appreciate) than is possible per a good raw build. Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on May 23, 2021 7:14:06 GMT
Another one fresh off Jim's plastic production line .... as of a couple of a few ago and as follows .... ACADEMY 1/45 MIG-21MF "Fishbed" J, Unknown Squadron, Black 28, Former Soviet Airforce.Progressie build and commentry may be viewed here .... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=70833#24As always .... this latest build has once again not only been completed using "custom matched" Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily/Russian Air Force colours for the period deployment it represents, but, has also been weathered using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, and oils, and detailing pencils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate dirt/grime, dust, chipping, scratching, corrosion as well as weathering, wear, and other detail enhancement/s. Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Jun 20, 2021 1:23:54 GMT
A couple more straight out of Jim's plastic surgery clinic .... as follows .... REVELL (Germany) 1/48 IL-2 STORMOVIK, Unknown Squadron, Russia 1944FULL PROGRESSIVE AND ILLUSTRATED BUILD REVIEW ....www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=72551#25This particular build was purposely scratched, chipped, and dirtied a little more than normal in order to give it that well used/in-service battle worn finish .... and which, according to contemporary records, is precisely how these aircraft quickly appeared on the front. One shouldn't think the camouflage pattern on this aircraft is obscure either .... since again, this how these aircraft were painted by the Russians (often with brooms rather than brushes .... these guys/the Russians were apparently "as rough as guts") resulting in a pattern less aesthetically appealing (not that they were intended to be in any way appealing anyway) than those of classic RAF and LUFTWAFFE aircraft of the same period. Zen vee also haff anuzza vun .... deise vun .... ja .... TAMIYA 1/35 Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.D, Invasion of France, May - June 1940FULL AND PROGRESSIVE AND ILLUSTRATED BUILD REVIEW ....www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=73287As always .... both of these latest builds have been completed using "custom matched" Russian and German colours for the period deployments each represent, as well as additional weathering using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, oils, and detailing pencils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate the desired dirt/grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and corrosion effects .... along with other detail enhancement/s too. Not sure what's next Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Jul 20, 2021 21:14:23 GMT
A couple more recent completions by Jim .... which I've not had time to present until now .... "BOTH" of these being extensions to the last posted PANZER III build theme and with still more PANZER sub versions to follow .... as follows .... 1/35 TAMIYA Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.N, 8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division, Tunisia 1943Progressive build report in illustrated form .... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=73419#91/35 TAMIYA Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.L, 1st Company, s.Pz.Abt. 502, Russia 1942Progressive build report in illustrated form .... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=73571#40Of note and in regard to the Panzer III & Panzer IV .... the smaller Panzer III (with its long 5cm high velocity main gun) was designed to be the main anti-tank tank unit in the German armed forces during the early war years and which was more than enough to deal with most adversaries that it encountered, whereas the larger Panzer IV (with a shorter low velocity 75mm main gun) was assigned the role of close infantry support. The shorter barreled main gun lacked the power to penetrate armor, but, made up for this with a higher explosive charge which made it more suited to engaging dug-in infantry positions and less protected opposition vehicles etc. However, on encountering the Russian T-34 and its larger cousin .... the KV-1, neither the Panzer III or IV was capable of reliably taking on either of this particular Russian armour or knocking them out successfully head-on .... unless attacked from the rear. Therefore, the turret of the larger Panzer IV was modified to accept a longer (higher calibre) 75mm main gun which was more suitable in regard to taking on the Russian units until the German Panzer V (Panther) and Panzer VI (Tiger) could be produced. The turret of the Panzer III was too small to successfully modify, so, it was these vehicles were then relegated to the role of infantry support, with some units being fitted with the shorter barreled 75mm used on the Panzer IV (Panzer III Ausf.N) etc. In a further modification that was applied to the small Panzer III hull .... the turret was removed entirely and the tank was converted into the highly successful (and very potent) Sturmgeshutz series of fighting vehicles, armed with a fixed main gun of 75mm and even upto the heavy 10.5cm howitzer! As always .... both of these latest builds have been completed using "custom matched" German colours for the period deployments they each represent, as well as additional weathering using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, oils, and detailing pencils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate Jim's preferred/desired dirt/grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and corrosion effects .... along with other detail enhancement/s too. Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Oct 28, 2021 0:44:41 GMT
Been a while since I did this last, and given we're still progressing wityh "OPERATION DISASTER RECOVERY" here, it may be a while before I do so again .... if at all. Some of Jim's latest builds of the past few months .... TAMIYA 1/35 scale .... Sd.Kfz. 142 Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G (Sd.Kfz.142/1) Frühe VersionFULLER PRESENTATION www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=73571&view=listA crisp and painless build due to TAMIYA's typically good engineering TAMIYA 1/35 scale .... M4 Sherman - Early Production C Company, 756th Tank Battalion, 5th Army Italy - February 1944BUILD ROGRESS .... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=74741&view=listThe particular thing about SHERMAN's is being "the most produced" US (if not allied) tank .... some 49,234 units having been produced between 1942 and 1957, and seeing service in all of the following conflicts .... - World War II (multiple campaigns) - Indonesian National Revolution - Greek Civil War - First Indochina War - 1948 Arab/Israeli War - Korean War - Cuban Revolution - Revolución Libertadora - Suez Crisis - 1958 Lebanon crisis - Nicaraguan Revolution - Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 - Six-Day War - Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 - Yom Kippur War - Lebanese Civil War - Uganda/Tanzania War - Iran–Iraq War .... there's absolutely no shortage of versions to represent and build, in kit form, given so many modifications were applied to these vehicles throughout its production and service life. Paraguay retired 3 SHERMAN's from its Regimiento Escolta Presidencial during 2018 and which marked the end of service of the final SHERMAN tanks remaining in use anywhere in the world. Quite an impressive vehicle .... with an equally impressive service record. ITALERI 1/48 scale .... Panavia Tornado GR.1 Royal Airforce Tabuk, Saudi Arabia January 1991 - Gulf WarBUILD ROGRESS .... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=75569&view=listThis particular kit was (unfortunately) another example of ITALERI's inability to properly measure the fitting of their decals in 1/48 scale .... so common among many of their kits and "a reason" why we recently purged (sold off) most of our ITALERI kit stash. This one we couldn't seem to get rid of though .... despite discounting it in order to try'n better appeal to someone .... SO .... we were "stuck with it" .... and what one's stuck with obviously ain't gonna sell .... therefore it was built .... successfully ... albeit not without issues and it becoming a reminder, if not justification too, as to why we won't, by personal choice, be investing much more money in ITALERI offering's. Once again, it was found that many of the decals were were over-sized in relation to the scale of he kit. The shark mouth in particular caused a few problems in that when centered over the cheek guns; the mouth on both sides sits about 4 - 5mm too high, and which then throws everything else off. The decal for the completed sorties (bomb markers) on the left of the nose was way too large to fit, so it had to be trimmed off one column of bombs from the left side and then two rows from the bottom in order to force it to fit .... for acceptable (to us) presentation. As it is, it's still over-sized in comparison to everything else and in regard to what it should have been. While not unexpected (of ITALERI .... as stated earlier within his thread_ this, and other issues too, seem to be common among many of their kit offerings. Given the cost of kits today it's "disappointing" and extremely "frustrating" .... to say the least Again .... all of these latest builds have been completed using "custom matched" colours for the periods/deployments they each represent, as well as additional weathering using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, oils, and detailing pencils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate our preferred/desired used/in service appearance featuring accumulated dirt, grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and corrosion effects .... along with other detail enhancement/s too. Mark AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Dec 20, 2021 4:35:29 GMT
Gotta find something to do during COVID lock downs .... and more-so given we've just undergone some 117 days of such restriction/s, so, what better opportunity could there be than to exploit this situation in order order to perform a bit of "plastic surgery" Latest 4 builds .... at the rate of (roughly) one per month. .... 1/48 scale TAMIYA Republic F-84G Thunderjet, 58th FBS, Daegu, South Korea - 1952This one's "quite a coloutrful bird" .... Illustrated & Progressive Build Review.www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=78712&view=list1/35 scale TAKOM T30/34 U.S. Heavy TankTowards the end of WW2 the US Army requested a new design for a "Heavy" tank to better match, and combat against heavier German units (such as the Tiger 1, King Tiger and Jagdtiger) that were being encountered on the battlefield. On 1st March 1945, the T29 was proposed to fulfill this requirement, with an initial production run of 1200 units. The T29 was based upon a lengthened version of the T26E3 chassis, but would feature heavier armor protection, a more powerful engine, and would be armed with a 105 mm main gun in a massive, heavily armored turret. By April 12th 1945, this initial order was revised to 1152 units due to the conflict in Europe obviously drawing to a close, before being scrapped entirely by the wars end; with the exception of 8 already assembled units which were intended for post war testing. Developed at the same time as the T29; the T30 Heavy tank was virtually identical, but was armed with an even more powerful 155mm main gun, of which two vehicles were produced. The final variation of the T29 concept; the T34 Heavy Tank (not to be confused with the Russian designed T-34) mounted a 120 mm main gun, which was based upon the US M1 anti-aircraft gun, to further increase the armor penetration capability in much the same way as the Germans had done with their very potent 88 mm gun. Extra armor plating was added to the rear of the turret to act as a counter weight for this heavier armament. Ultimately, the vehicle would not go into production due to the design being deemed too heavy for practical use in the field. A surviving example still exists in the National Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia. This's "A BIG BEAST" as the following comparison of it among earlier presented (within this thread) 1/135 scale US armor should clearly indicate .... Illustrated & Progressive Build Review.www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=77661&view=list1/35 scale TAMIYA Panzerkampfwagen V Panther Ausf.D, 7th Company, 52nd Panzer Battalion, 39th Panzer Regiment, Kursk - July 1943.Illustrated & Progressive Build Review.www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=78309&view=list1/35 scale TAMIYA Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. H, 2nd Panzer Division, 3rd Panzer Regiment, Russia - Summer 1943As always .... each of these latest builds have been completed using "custom matched" colors for the periods/deployments they each represent, as well as additional weathering using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, oils, and detailing pencils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate our preferred/desired used/in service appearance featuring accumulated dirt, grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and corrosion effects .... along with other detail enhancement/s too. Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Mar 7, 2022 2:26:59 GMT
Time to get back into some "serious plastic surgery" for 2022 Firstly a quick pictorial review of the 2021's builds .... as follows .... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=79597&view=thumbsStarting 2022 with a bit of an "Atlantic Splash" .... REVELL: 1/144 scale U-292 Type VII/C 41 (1943)FULL BUILD REVIEWwww.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=81970#16REVELL: 1/144 scale U-2518 Type XXI/Elektroboot (1944)FULL BUILD REVIEWwww.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=82185#19Each of these latest builds have been completed using "custom matched" colors for the periods/deployments they each represent, as well as additional weathering using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, oils, and detailing pencils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate our preferred/desired used/in service appearance featuring accumulated dirt, grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and marine corrosion effects .... along with other detail enhancement/s too. Mark C AKL/NZ
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Apr 27, 2022 4:22:29 GMT
Been a while since I presented anything new .... just had other priorities although the plastic surgery has continued at home here and as follows .... REVELL (Germany) 1/48 Scale LOCKHEED VENTURA MK.II, RAF # 487 New Zealand Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk, August 1942A little historical background concerning the aircraft type and the squadron represented .... This is "A VERY BIG" kit .... BUILD PROGRESSwww.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=82797&view=listTAMIYA 1/48 Scale SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK.I, RAF # 92 Squadron, Croydon, May 1940Once again a little historical background concerning the aircraft type and the squadron represented .... BUILD PROGRESSwww.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=65866&p=albums&album=82427&view=listAs usual .... each of these latest builds have been completed using "custom matched" colors for the periods/deployments each represent, as well as additional weathering using a combination of pigments, powders, washes, oils, and detailing pencils produced by a variety of suppliers in order to simulate our preferred/desired used/in service appearance featuring accumulated dirt, grime, dust, chipping, scratching, and corrosion effects .... along with other detail enhancement/s. Mark C AKL/NZ
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