meetings

Our next meeting will be Wednesday Dec 19th at 1900 hours as always at the Starbucks at 1309 North Main Street in Roswell...Stop by if you are interested...We are the 3 old geeks in camo sitting there talking non-stop. 

We see our role as essentially defensive in nature. While our armies are advancing so fast and everyone's knocking themselves out to be heroes, we are holding ourselves in reserve in case the Krauts mount a counteroffensive which threatens Paris... or maybe even New York. Then we can move in and stop them. But for 1.6 million dollars, we could become heroes for three days.

The Road

Starting on a new project---the road. 

I found a beautiful piece of base, the perfect length and width to create a road diorama. My plan is to build a German reconnaissance unit. German Reconnaissance  units were trained to be aggressive---taking and holding terrain when possible and equipped to fight enemy reconnaissance units for area dominance. 

I have so far built a Revell Swimmwagen--the only model of this vehicle available with the soft top up option...I am currently constructing a Sd.Kfz.251 Hanomag half track by Tamyia. 

The German's produced 15,000 Sd.Kfz.251's during World War Two in numerous variations--the Tamyia model i am building is the basic troop transport model..an older kit--but excellently produced. 

I have attempted several new techniques with this particular construction---first of all--I used an airbrush for the base coat paint...I am also constructing the model in stages as I have seen many modelers do in the internet. I am also attempting to build aftermarket tracks for this vehicle, rather than use the cheesy, one piece plastic track bands that come with the kit itself. I have to admit that these are extremely tough to construct. Little tiny, tiny little pieces and lots and lots of them. I'll have to advise on how this process turns out.

I am so far pleased with how the Hanomag is turning out--I am attempting to detail the interior prior to sealing up the vehicle half's---

I am somewhat undecided on what my 3rd and if there is room, 4th vehicle of the unit will be...some of this will depend on the vehicle size and the number of figures i utilize in conjunction with the vehicles. I am planning on displaying figures disembarking for action on the road and moving to the front. 

Just an update on my recent project.

Our next little get together will be Wednesday Night Nov. 21st--1900hrs at the Roswell Starbucks on North Main near NMMI. Anyone interested is welcome to join us for coffee and nerdy modeling talk.

paper panzer

Our next meeting is Wednesday November 21st at 1900 hrs. as usual at the North Main Starbucks by NMMI. Feel welcome to stop by. 

My LandWasserSchlepper project is now complete and mounted on a small base representing a defended beach. This was an interesting model of an unusual subject matter and I was exposed to much new material while researching it....photo's of the process are displayed below:

I still have to pigment wash and dry brush the vehicle exterior and once that is completed i will provide photo's of the completed model on it's base...for now, thanks for looking......

We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. 
Winston Churchill 

I like the Oz and Bruce am a late returner to military modeling--there is a vast difference this time around and the difference is the Internet and the laptop. 
The last time I had built a plastic model--there was no Internet--no means to access anything other than mail order catalogs out of the backs of a very very few modeling magazines----and reference material--what little you had access to you guarded as if it was the one ring to control them all from Mordor. Reference books were horribly expensive--and there were few...copy machines were a rarity inhabiting places of business only--

This time around at the modeling bench--is so, so different---I have a used IBM thinkpad T-42 that i use only for modeling reference...it's a seen better days...laptop i picked up for a song--but it works excellently to search for and save vehicle references, articles and to have open displaying actually archive photographs while i am modeling. The amount and quality of reference material available today on the Net even displays photographic reference of one off German experimental vehicles that never reached production. 

I appreciate the access to information and photography...and I appreciate the individuals who processed and uploaded this material to the Internet.

we're all working

Well I feel like I’ve had a productive weekend on my modeling. First and foremost, I’m just getting back into this after a 20+ year sabbatical, I had to replace everything. Tools, paints, glues, get some kits, all before I could even touch a model. That was finally accomplished last weekend, where I had enough basics to start on my first project an Academy M3 Grant tank. This will be my 1st go and I’m keeping it simple to scrape off the rust- no diorama or extensive rework, just a straight model build and basic painting, with a little weathering. (that’s the plan at least)

 I started looking over the parts and disconnecting some from the trees last weekend.  While I was working, I came to realize that I was uncomfortable working at the dining table and every time I got up, I had to put everything away. After looking around the house, I was amazed to find that I had a built in workbench in the garage, that was covered in junk, tools and house paint cans.  I spent a couple hours yesterday morning reorganizing and cleaning, and lo and behold- I have a modeling bench!

 I woke early this morning and fortified with a cup of coffee, embarked on my journey. I started by painting the exterior of the lower hull and filling and sanding some press marks.  While that dried I worked on the lower trunions.  I am amazed at the level of detail included in the new models.  I also had my first experience of a small part leaping from my forceps and vanishing in thin air before my eyes, never to be seen again….  There are many extra (?) parts included in the set, complete extra drive sprockets, for example, but not this one..hummmm.

The level of detail is amazing to me.  Bolt heads highlighted on the hull armor, fine scribing of lines and welds. They really have come a long way since my youth.  I base coated the trunions and will wait till later this week to paint the rubber on the bogie wheel rims. Baby steps..

All in all a most satisfactory 1^st day!

Fine Scale Modeler Review

 

The October 2012 issue of FSM is on the stands. I found a few great articles for those working on realistic armor dioramas in this issue. Here’s a rundown of this month’s articles:

 

How to Make Mud

Detail a Wespe

Distressing Acrylic Paints

Armor Modeling and Preservation Society 2012 International Convention Highlights

Tips for Improving Propliners

 

…and all of the standard topics.

 

I found the article on detailing the SdKfz 124 Wespe particularly useful. The author discussed several options for interior detailing along with different materials and techniques. The finished product looks great and the step-by-step instructions are helpful.

 

The simple technique for making mud was easy to follow with no expensive ingredients or tools to buy; brushes, plaster of Paris, acrylic gel and some dirt/aggregate!

FSM Insider :: Tips Database :: Model Kit Reviews :: Modeling Products Directory :: Forum :: Subscribe   FineScale Modeler Newsletter October 10, 2012 November 2012 issue on sale now! The November issue of FineScale Modeler is on newsstands now. It features 5 Workbench Reviews, as well as essential feature stories: 30 years of FSM Airbrushing & Finishing: Add good camo to the StuH42 Show Gallery: 2012 IPMS/USA Nationals Fine fixes for a big Phantom Build your own carrier deck And much more! Watch Editor Matthew Usher's video preview and see the completetable of contents. Sponsored by Dragon Models DragonUSAonline.com offers FREE Domestic Shipping on all orders over $99. At the same time, automatically EARN up to 8% in Dragon Dollars rebates on every purchase. 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We meet the first and third Wednesday of the month 1900hrs at the Starbucks in Roswell on North Main near NMMI.