belugawhaleman

Been working on one of Andy's big Shermans . Really not much to show yet...working on the suspension units and lower hull. Now, is it me or does Takom always have the maximum amount of sprue connections per part as possible? I mean, get out the nippers, x-acto knife, and sanding sticks......It's Takom! Sorry, just venting, really...it's part of the hobby! It's been about a week and I'm still on step four. Well anyway, the kit is pretty cool and I'm glad I'm building something for a change. Well, shown is one of the six suspension units. They don't actually work, they oscillate a bit, the shock doesn't telescope nor do the volute springs compress. It would be cool, I think, if the aftermarket would provide working replacements. Shown is an example of one of the units. I'm really looking forward to some more time to work on this kit! Paul

I have no Spitfires in my stash Kotare or otherwise.... Better get one soon!

Outstanding build! Most impressive.

Finally, my order from Kitlinx came today.. Ordered on Oct. 17 delivered Today, Oct. 31......better than expected, really considering. The kit is fine...I'm pleased I was able to find it. The kit is Takom's Mk. V male/female 2 in 1 (No.2076) 1/35. Next ,coming from Amazon is a kit from Trumpeter it's their; PT-76 Amphibious Tank Mod. 1952 (No.00379) 1/35. I found this on Amazon for under $30.00. Was surprised to see it there. I already have the Friulmodel tracks for it in my stash leftover from a failed build. Another Item that was delivered today was apparently stolen; A wallet. The package containing the Trumpeter model kit had been torn open but the thief apparently wasn't in to model kits.

I only ordered from this time because I saw a kit in one of their collections that I couldn't find anywhere else. I knew I was taking a chance with them!

Nice John, maybe not a Mustang... Next time, perhaps a 1/32 big Brewster Buffalo next time?....Well, kidding really, but why not?

hey, cool...floats...never knew that variant existed!

Looking great Ron! I just started work on a big Sherman...I think I'll do the Panzer III after that. Not likely to do the detail work you are known for...I'll be happy just to finish the kit!

No pictures yet, but I'm working on one of Andy's big Shermans....the Korean war/ late one ...doing marking #3 korean war model with the most Late updates. Got a lot of the hull done...cool, mostly nice fit...and best of all, It's big! Anyway perhaps some pictures later...a bunch of gray plastic! It's been a long time since I've built anything....I've been in a kind of a slump with health problems... And new responsibilities hindering my building time. Building today has really cheered me up and I hope to show some building progress instead of just my purchases....Although, I DO love collecting kits. Finding oop kits ( especially Takom) is a a pleasant pastime. You may have seen my Kitlinx post. Well, the purchase , was from a collection. Of a kit I've been chasing down for a while. That is a Takom "2-in-1" WWI Mk IV kit that's been out-of-stock everywhere for some time. Well, thanks; Paul I've added a picture of the Kitlinx kit.....hope I'll actually get it. Cool kit...love the post-war freikorps markings...might try to do this.

Great looking build! I'm liking the PZL more and more with each build I see finished! Paul

Well, they actually shipped the kit almost 10 days after ordering! Who knows what I'll get...will I get the kit I ordered or, perhaps a small wooden duck and a hand full of gravel ? We'll see. Anyway, will I order from them again? I doubt it. I think , considering my past experiences with Kitlinx, I got off easy. With Kitlinx you have to be aggressive..... Emails and Phone calls. Incidentally, you can get Loics voicemail from the Better Business Bureau website.....just saying. An interesting browsing experience there. https://www.bbb.org/us/ut/sandy/profile/model-supplies/kitlinx-llc-1166-90024059

Subscribed....

Please share with me your opinions regarding the supplier Kitlinx. I've been having problems with a recent order. Listed as "Ready for immediate shipment" this item was ordered on the 17th. Still hasn't been shipped. After a number of emails back and forth, I decided to give customer service a call. Well, I spoke with the representative... She was helpful...to a point. She said she would call me back. After waiting a half hour...no call back. I tried customer service again....recorded message that they were closed despite it being two hours earlier than their closing time. Well, I gave up and went on a errand. An hour after returning... I got that call back. A cheerful representative said that the item had been shipped. Cool..friendly conversation and thanks Followed. But in reality... Only a shipping label has been created and after 24+ Hours later the item hasn't made it to UPS. Now, my bad...I've had problems with this outfit before...I told the representative this. It was only because the Item is a hard to find kit available from no other supplier that I ordered it from them...I also told the rep. this. I'm guessing that the shipping status will be "Label created" for days. She, the representative, stated that the topic will be "Brought up with Loic", and the the order will be " Given priority " Well, I hope so....but I have my doubts.

Amazon; A lesson. I recently made a purchase on Amazon; no biggie, just a Masking set for Tamiya's 1/48 A-1H Skyraider by Eduard. Pressed buy not giving it a thought. I forgot about it for a while, then I thought ; " where is this thing?" Well, checked with Amazon and I saw that it was being handled by something called Inandout and they would provide tracking. They did eventually but I could not find a way to use the number provided. I eventually used an international tracking website and found it was being sent from Switzerland! I live in Waukegan Illinois! This Inandout is an Austrian based product distribution business. So watch before you click on Amazon.....

I'm surprised by how many armor kits that Tamiya now makes in 1/48! Haven't built any myself but I'd like to see one built.

Sad to hear about the Mercedes. My father purchased a 450 SL new in 1974 along with a 450SEL sedan. The SL , we had into the late '80s It was the car I drove all through High School and college... Great fun,great car. We eventually sold it to a collector from Atlanta Georgia... was sad to see it go.

Hey Rob, love the Nissan Skyline...great "Mad Max" looks...but especially because I've been a Nissan fan and owner for more than 30 years. My last Nissan, a '97 240sx has finally given up the ghost after many years of service...I bought it new in '97...it only failed due to body rust...I live in Illinois where the only thing available in quantity is road salt. Poor, poor, beloved, Lovely car..RIP. Anyway, always glad to see that you've purchased new kits, because I Know We'll soon be seeing a great builds! Thanks; Paul.

Thanks, I'll try adjusting the set screw on my Trumpy cutters.

Got some nippers from Amazon today; From GodHand, their GH SPN 120 Ultimate cutters. I've heard a lot of good things about these. I was pleased to find out that they are Japanese made and not Chinese and they look very well made. They are also very sharp. They have the single cutting blade with the other being the "anvil" surface. I've had good luck with the Tamiya cutters I have. The Trumpeter cutters refuse to cut flush.. mine leaves a little wedge behind...don't know why..Bad alignment I suppose. The Xuron cutters I have are great for thicker plastic. These GodHand, well we'll see. Haven't tried them yet.

Must be a big Sherman. Looks like T80 tracks there.

New video from Andy's: Das Werk large-scale 1/16 German Puma.

I think SOLMODEL resin makes one. I might be wrong

Yes! In 1/16! That would be cool! I would also like to see a large-scale Char 1b bis!

Thanks Harv...good to have you back! I hope you're doing well.

A big haul ( for me) of kits came today! First, from Takom is their French Heavy Tank St Chamond early type. (No.2002) in 1/35. These kits, the early versions, are getting hard to find. Hobby Boss makes some but I don't know much about those. Next; is another Takom kit in 1/35. Their M29 Weasel (No.2167). Man! This kit is tiny! Oddly it includes link & length tracks when the actual vehicle used rubber tracks similar to the Ontos. Next; from Das Werk, is their Schwimmwagen Trippel SG 6/38 (DW 35012) in 1/35. I knew I was going to get this kit when it was announced. It's odd-looking appearance appealed to me. Last; from Border, is their IJA 28cm Howitzer Russo-Japanese War 1905 (BT-030) in 1/35. Another odd subject. My first Border kit, it looks like Decent kit. I've added a picture of an actual Trippel .....See what I mean? Odd-looking!