belugawhaleman

Good to know. I have some kits that'll require the "silly putty method". At least...I can't think of another way to do them, that is.

Outstanding work!

Good lord!

I got a hold of two boxes of the click together tracks when Takom still sold them. Fortunately, Takom now includes them in their MK 1 kits and in their Mk IV two in one kits. I have the Takom Mk IV in its original boxing and it came with the original multi-piece "nightmare" tracks......I tossed those...

This afternoon came a package from Sprue Brothers. This time, from Takom, came their ; WW I Heavy Battle Tank Mk.I Male (No.2031). This one can be built with or without the extended steering arm depending on which decal/marking option chosen. The kit also includes the option of installing the sponson lifting crane or not. The box illustration shows this installed. A disappointing issue with the Takom Mk I kits (there's also a Female) is that there's an issue with accuracy of the forward driver's cabin....It's too narrow according to reviews, being more like later marks of these tanks. This issue is said to be less noticeable when the tracks are installed. Oh well, Hell..can't be perfect I guess! Anyway, I had planned to buy The Female version......it has the grenade screen... but probably won't now. Anyway, it still looks like a pretty good kit...having some nice camouflage options. The early paint schemes resemble the French style with the different colors outlined in black. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/takom-2031-mki-male--961925

My God! I thought that was Jennifer Aniston at first!

Polish maker IBG also makes an Otter in 1/35 and one in 1/72.

Coming from Amazon today,......an ancient kit from Tamiya. Tamiya's Ford GPA Amphibian 1/4 Ton 4x4 truck (35336) has been around since about 1974, however, more recent boxings of this kit have included new details. These include; some new photo-etch parts, a new set of figures, some engine details that are new, and some placard decals. A quick look at the kit shows some simplified chassis (tub) detail especially the molded-in leaf springs. Otherwise, the kit seems OK, at least, it could make a decent little replica of the vehicle. As far as I know, this is the only kit of this subject in 1/35.

Coming today from Burbank's House of Hobbies came this kit from Copper State Models. It's their Lanchester with 37mm Hotchkiss Gun "Russian Service" (csm 35003). I wanted CSM's Lanchester, especially this variant, and found this one on Burbank's website for a decent price. I now have six of their kits , and they're great Little kits. I have yet to build one of them however. There's a couple of their armored cars that I still plan to buy....once I find them at a lower price that is. One is their Romfell, the other their Ehrhardt. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/copper-state-models-csm35003-lanchester-russian-service--1210570

Me too, so ridiculous....it had to be true. Like I said, I've been looking for this one forever. Not sure what I'm going to do with this thing...the primer red, most likely, the U.S. markings...possibly.... The fantasy markings, although attractive, probably not. Anyway I'm glad I found one.

Arriving today; after being "lost" in the mail for about 10 days.... A kit from Takom. Their WWII German Super Heavy Mine Clearing Vehicle Krupp Raumer S (2053) in 1/35 scale. I've been looking for this one for some time, but being a Takom kit, it was never in stock. While looking like a "What if" subject, this thing actually existed.... Well, there was one anyway. It was discovered by U.S. forces at the end of the war. This kit is Huge by the way! Takom provides a number of marking options; one in the original German primer red, an olive drab one with U.S.markings, and the rest are pure fantasy. Anyway, something different.... https://www.scalemates.com/kits/takom-2053-krupp-raumer-s--1015835

Great review...interesting subject! Thanks

Had to get a new side cutter having wrecked mine . I went with the same as before with another Tamiya SHARP POINTED SIDE CUTTER SLIM JAW (74123*2900). I was pleased with my old one and I didn't want to pay the absurd prices for a Godhand or Dspiae cutter no matter how nice they might be. The Trumpeter side cutter was a disappointment..... Leaving a small wedge-shaped nub on the part instead of cutting flush. By the way...don't cut the Tamiya parts bag staples with your side cutter!

Nor am I, but looks good. Thanks, Paul.

Hey cool!, I'll be watching!

Looks like a nice kit (looked it up on scalemates) well, it is Tamiya, after all. Hope you post a build.

Still working on my Tamiya T55a, -- on the wheels....finished up tonight. Using the Dspiae circle cutter, I cut masks for both sides of each wheel ..20 in total. It went well.....and quickly. 'Just got to figure out how I'm going to paint the tracks....then, I'll be done.

Coming today from Sprue Brothers ; this item by Takom. Their Merkava Mk.1 (2078). I never made any modern Israeli armor...except the M51.. that being a Sherman and not really modern. Anyway, Tamiya's Merkava dates back to when I was in high school....and hearing good reviews of the Takom kit, I went with this kit. It looks pretty good. It has link & length tracks and Takom provides the builder with two jigs to assemble them. These are also used to align the suspension arms... A clever idea. The kit looks well-molded and very detailed. I like the looks of this early Merkava..it's a cool-looking tank.

At one time..I ordered 10 packs of pipe cleaners 100 each from an online smokers Supply.....I still have a bunch left....more than I'm ever going to use. I since switched to using little dental brushes to clean my airbrushes. But it's nice to know I still have them.

Really superb work...While I could never dream of building to your standards, I'd like to build this kit. Anyway, I thank you for your posts! Thanks again; Paul

Some flat coat now...yes, looks better. Got ten wheels to mask and spray now.

Nice!, Years ago, I suffered from what I called then, " The P-40 Curse". That is, every attempt at building a model of a P-40 failed.. That is until I built an Otaki one in 1/48. Satisfied, I never tried another one.....That was n 1983, a long, long time ago. Truth was, there wasn't a lot of good kits available then.....at least, that was my excuse. Well, now, I just might give it another try. That kit is tempting me.....although it's a little expensive. Best of luck with yours...and please, show us your build!

Looking great Gary!

Still plodding along on my Tamiya T55a...had a disappointing day....paint finish, well, a little lumpy. Turns out I had an issue with my regulator/ water trap....it was full of calcium rich water, all scaly and nasty. After disassembly and cleaning the issue was resolved. Finish....while , not great will Look absolutely look fine after flat coating...but, I'll still know it's there. Anyway, an impromptu (crappy) picture. The decals went on great... A little Solvaset...and they really laid down. So here it is...In my airbrushed hand

An interesting looking aircraft...haven't built an Airfix kit since1984..but that one, I may look in to.