Landlubber Mike

For some reason, I kinda lost interest in finishing these two dioramas over the past few months in part trying to decide what to do with the Opel Blitz truck and in part with the next step of painting and decals. I did turn back to them more recently as interest returned. I mentioned before that the SOL Opel Blitz kit was a total mess with fragile parts, warped parts, etc., so I broke down and bought the Tamiya kit. Wow, the Tamiya kit went together like a dream! Perfect fit, great instructions, etc. I built up most of the kit a few months ago, but then had to figure out how to modify the kit to match the picture in the towing diorama. Today I finish the modifications, which included using brass rod (round and square) and some of the wood planks from a Sol Model Opel Blitz kit. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I primed it and the various cab parts tonight, so hopefully can get started on painting it later this week. Thanks for looking in!

Looking good! You're really moving along quickly! Hope the trip was fun.

Wow Rob, you've really built up a beauty there! The white makes for a really sharp looking subject in my opinion. Great job as always! I can't believe you're already done. Did you decide on a next subject?

Looks so good Rob - the level of detail is incredible on this kit! You're doing a masterful job.

Wow that came out great! Nice job!

Those belts look really nice!

Yes, I use an optivisor, good lighting, and very precise tweezers. Still not easy!

That looks incredible Rob! That must have been a really satisfying step of screwing the tub into the floor plan. It's been interesting following you along on these MFH builds. The amount of pre-assembly part work and test fitting seems to be a big difference over your standard plastic kit. Looks like a lot of fun though!

I'm working on an IJA aircraft carrier in 1/700 that carried autogyros and reconnaissance planes - they have to be assembled with probably a dozen parts each of PE. I think I went half blind trying to finish them.

Awesome Martin, looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

Look great! Planes in 1/700 are no joke!

Montex MM48188 has masks for the spirals: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/montex-mm48188-me-410b--198914

Thanks for those pictures Martin! Interesting that the socket is on the fuselage versus the engine pods as with the Hs129. Unless planes at that time had a few different sockets?

That looks great Kevin - nice closeups! Excellent work my friend!

No clue off hand. I found a picture for my Hs 129, so maybe just try a google search? I think the Hs 129 opening was on the engine pod.

Wow, that looks fantastic Rob! Thanks for sharing your painting technique - especially with how you use the Number Five paints (and, I didn't realize that about resin and static). I'll have to look into those paints.

Nice! That will look really cool. I’m using a power cart like the one in your Tamiya set for my second Hs129. Just remember that you might need to open up a panel if you want to show it plugged in.

I have to do that myself for one of my Hs 129s. It was being towed so the cockpit and the engines were wrapped. I’ll be curious to learn from you how to do it. No pressure now!

For what it’s worth, one of my Hs 129 has the top half of the propeller cone painted a different color than the bottom. It’s been a royal pain to try and mask and get them painted. I couldn’t imagine doing a swirl like yours without a pre-cut mask.

Yeah no doubt. Thankfully I drive to work as it’s really hot out there. Would die if I was on the Metro.

Looking great! You're moving along quickly!

Martin started a Pro Modeler/Revell Me 410 buddy build about a month ago - Kevin and I are hoping to join in soon:

Looks great, thanks for posting this log. I'm a bit surprised they ship it with the 3D printing frames still attached? Doesn't seem too big for 1/32. Maybe I'll upgrade from my 1/48 I Love Kit...

Hope everything is cooperating on the fit - a really cool subject to model.

Nice to see you back. Welcome to the Commonwealth! I'm in Northern VA, but Richmond is a really nice area.