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m4hst_1

The first time I saw a model of this vehicle on a magazine the first thing I looked for was the manufacturer. It was a resin kit from Masters Productions and had a very respectable price tag. I forgot about it. With that kind of money I could buy 3 or 4 decent kits I wanted badly.

But a few months after I first saw the model, Hobby Boss announced, not one but two versions of this tractor!!

Of course I found it on my usual Internet shopping spot but other things got in the way and I just didn't order it. I found it later for a very good price on a hobby shop (the box was slightly dented) that "used" to exist on a shopping mall close to home.

Can't say no to a good bargain. Of course I bought it. When I come to think about it I can't skip a bad bargain either as long as it is a kit I want badly LOL.

Everything is set for the start of the build. As usual you can follow it on the Build Log.

Churchill Mk.III

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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).

Done

This 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

Dingo Mk Ib

dingo_0.jpg 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!

MIG USA is up and running

Finally the site is up and running with all functionality. The last glitches were sorted out and the secure payment system is working flawlessly.

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.

Sd.Kfz.7/2 3.7cm Flak 37 w/Armor Cab sdkfzflak371

Another one on the way. I just ordered this beauty with an Aber barrel for it.

I had a lot of fun building the SdKfz 11 and these Dragon offers seem very good and I'm gonna have a try with one of them. It'll probably be the only SdKfz 7 that I'll get despite the recent flood of versions for this chassis.

After carefully reading the head to head reviews between Trumpeter and Dragon version I decided for the Dragon offer. Things like the sprockets rollers ot of place on the Trumpeter kit and other accuracy issues made me decide for this version despite it's high price.

The Aber barrel is just the icing on the cake, because the plastic barrel seems really good and shows how far injection plastic has reached.

When will I build it? Well, I don't know. We'll see…

In the meantime and if this teaser enticed your appetite have a look at this in box review at ModelArmour.

k599

Outstanding

One 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

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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

266 - e10_20.jpg 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

Fiat Ansaldo L6/40

l6640_23.jpg This is my latest build. Not without some hicups but enjoyable enough. The Italeri kit is not as good as it's price suggests or up to the standard of Italeri recent releases.

The fact that it's a re issued kit must explain all of this.

Painting of the hull is complete. I couldn't stop there and I advanced to the weathering and chipping.

The tracks arrived and they are beautiful. One of the best sets of Friul tracks I ever saw. The detail on links is remarkable and it comes with a pair os replacement sprockets for the Italeri kit. And that's a good thing because there is no way that the original sprocket can be made to fit these tracks.

The link count for each track is around 82-83 links which means that a good 2-3 hours for each track are needed to assemble them.

Read some more about it on the Build Log

Humber Scout Car MK.I

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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

168 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 18

I 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

tiran_22.jpg Tiran 5

One of my complicated projects. Turning a Tamiya T55 into a IDF Tiran with all sorts of aftermarket goodies. The Tiran 5 conversion from Blast Models, link tracks from Friul decals from Bison some scratch building and several months sanding adjusting and finally painting and weathering what I consider to be one of by best models.

It wasn't a cheap project but it was worthwhile. When something goes so well together it's a pleasure to do.

Have a look at the complete build log here

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