What’s new
Building at full speed
I looked at my bench and I thought it was getting really crowded. A few vacation days with a lot of time to spare and the results begin to be visible. I made the engine and all the engine bay and took care of some little details that this kit was requiring. There isn't much left to do before painting begins so I decided I needed to clear some space on the bench. I have so many tanks lying there that it will be a double win. The joys of painting something and to claim some space on the crowded bench. And I really need to start building something from the pile of kits before I loose my vision LOL.
Not only that but after seeing a couple of builds of the excellent AB 41 from Italeri it reminded me that I had one of those Italeri kits somewhere on the stash. It was not the AB 41 but the AB 43 instead that had an upgraded engine and different turret and exhaust silencer. After reading a little on the subject I found out that the intended modifications on the upgraded AB41 never materialize completely and a few changes (the engine, turret and exhaust) were put in place in some AB's. However the upgraded canon that was initially planned for this version didn't go into production.
It was the Germans that used it in Italy but there were a few that saw the light of day with the simple sand color scheme and on Italian service. It was either that or a very complex camo scheme that I really don't want to deal with. There was always the option of doing the red Polizia version from the 50's but it didn't seem quite right. It can be done as a beautiful model but I'm into military models and not into civilian after War models. Maybe next time. I'm going to do one that belonged to the 1st Platoon 1st Company "Lancieri Vittorio Emanuele II" Regiment 135th Armored Cavalry Division "Ariete" II that was in Rome during September 1943. This is why a huge pile of books is helpful. In one of them I managed to find probably the only proof that this AB43 existed in these colors in Rome in 1943. The kit is a nice one from Italeri but suffers from the same problems I found in the L6/40. Some gaps, although with better fit and better surface detail, that were solved with Tamiya putty thinned with acetone. For the price I believe it's a nice kit to have but I'm not going to do it strictly OOB. Hussar wheels, not because the tires are not good, but because I hate to think that in a few years the tires will melt down and I end up with a nice kit with destroyed tires and a Voyager PE set (the AB41 one) that included many parts I can use and above all a decent gun barrel. Again Italeri made a gun that needs some imagination to say it's the right one. Too thin and out of proportion. Everything is set for the start of the build. As usual you can follow it on the M4 Build Log and the AB43 Build Log. |
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I'm back. And back with a Dingo Mk Ib
For every model that I finish I manage to buy three new ones. With simple math it's kind of evident that I'll leave some kits to my descendants.
These manufacturers are putting out so many quality kits that is impossible to resist. What can I say.. I started to build this one and found out that two sprues were from the other Dingo variant that Miniart produces. I emailed Miniart and the following day they were asking for my address to send the correct sprues. They arrived 11 days after my first email (Ukraine to Portugal) and I have to say this is one of the best examples I can give of a good Customer Service. 10 out of 10 for Miniart! Finally, after 6 months without touching a model decided to make one from start to finish. And the Dingo was the one. Small, nice and presumably fast. It has started and you can see the Build Log here |
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Churchill Mk.III
If asked what the best looking tank of WWII was, I'm absolutely sure that the Churchill would not be in the top 10. The tank is not one of the best looking tanks that Britain designed but it was effective, well armored and contributed to the defeat of the German Forces in Europe. I was not planning to build this one but a web page from a remarkable modeler made me change my mind. Rick Lawler built an outstanding AFV Club Churchill. I looked at that build so many times that I felt the urge to build one too. I just hope I can do it as good as he did. If not, I sure hope I don't mess it badly. I'm using a pair of BESA MG's from RB model and resin petrol cans from Ultracast, probably the best I ever saw in resin. The handle is perfectly molded and there is no need at all for PE parts like on other brands (Armorscale for example). DoneThis is one is complete. Just a few details that are missing from the pictures, and to the shelf. A very slow but enjoyable build. The fact that I had to stay at home a few days helped giving this one the final boost. Hope you like it. Read the details on the Churchill MK III build Log |
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MIG USA is up and running
The man behind this initiative is none other than Rick Lawler, an excellent modeler known by many and that gave me the honor of being my friend (albeit, Internet only.. yet) I've helped Rick in this ordeal that is to setup an on line shop able to cope with all the demands of an enterprise like this. I just hope it runs well (I'll always be here to help when needed) and that it's a success for Rick and for MIG. Why don't you go there and have a look? It looks superb (LOL, talk about defending your own cause) Here it is : Mig Productions USA. |
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Sd.Kfz.7/2 3.7cm Flak 37 w/Armor Cab
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OutstandingOne of these days I bought an issue of AFV Modeller. This detailing set was advertised on the inside back cover and looking at the pictures I couldn't believe that something made in resin could look that good. Since I have a Tristar Marder III H waiting to be built I wondered if it could be a good acquisition. I remembered a blog about it that showed some limitations on the ammo tubes and opened the kit to have a look. By comparing the plastic ones with the pics of this K59 set I had no doubts and decided to order it. In this picture with the exception of the strap that holds the tubes and the small straps with buckles in each tube, everything else is resin. This says a lot about the level of this resin kit… |
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Sherman Mark Vc Firefly
I'm going to do my first Sherman. And what better choice than a Tasca kit? I bought this kit a while back and I had it in my hands many times but somehow there were always other build that got in front. This time is for real. I have all the bits and pieces needed for the build including an Armorscale barrel, Bison decals en Panda Plastic tracks. This version was the most powerful Sherman of WWII and resulted from the installation of the British 17 pounder gun. It had enough punch to knock out the German Tiger unlike other versions of the Sherman that needed to hit that tank on the least armored angles, namely the rear. The problem was that while they were trying to do that, the 88mm gun of the Tiger would blow them away easily. It's not by chance that they compared the Sherman to a Zippo. It lights first time, every time. Not a good thing for the crews… |
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Entwicklungsfahrzeug E-10
I love these German names. That big word above means Development Vehicle E-10. It was the intended replacement for the Jagdpanzer 38(t) that many call the Hetzer much to the despair of some that defend that the Hetzer was the E-25.
This tank never existed. I'm not even sure if it reached the prototype stage but sure it's cool. It's really very sophisticated and at the same time minimalist in design. The suspension could be lowered or raised to give it an incredibly low profile. It's complete, except for the last details on the figure. Have a look at the build log |
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Fiat Ansaldo L6/40
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Humber Scout Car MK.I
This is almost getting the seal of approval. I just have to find some time to paint the little details on the stowage and place the antenna to consider it complete. A very enjoyable build and a very high standard model. It was my first Bronco kit and it wont be the last Read some more about it on the Build Log |
Pz. Kpfw. III Ausf L
After the problem with the whitewash that almost made me throw it to the bin, it ended up like a pretty decent build.
The Dragon kit is superb and one of the best examples of what can be done today in plastic molds. The need for aftermarket in this kit is close to none. Even the plastic barrel is good enough to use and no one will spot the difference in the end. Read some more about it on the Build Log |
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SdKfz 11 + leFh 18I love bargains. And this one is a real bargain. The tractor and gun below the price of a Dragon Pz II? It's a very good deal if you are into these kinds of vehicles. I used the link tracks from AFV Club and at first I had some issues trying to put them together. In the end all the "planets aligned" and it was easy to finish those odd tracks. It was my first color modulation model and heavily weathered model. That's what happens when you see the Mig productions DVD's Have a look at the Build Log |
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Finally the site is up and running with all functionality. The last glitches were sorted out and the secure payment system is working flawlessly.
