It’s been a while since I finished a model but I finally managed to wrap up this A5M trainer. It sat on my shelf for many months while I worked up the courage to modify a canopy for the rear section. And by then I forgot how I mixed the orange color so I wasn’t able to get a perfect match. Regardless I’m happy with it.

The kit started as a standard A5M by Sweet. It was turned into the 2 seat version using a conversion kit from RetroWings. The resin fuselage fit the wings pretty nicely but has noticeable lines down both sides. I regret not taking more time to sand them down but it’s fine.

Because the Sweet kit doesn’t have decals for the trainer version, and RetroWings didnt provide any, i had to make my own. I used some scans from a 1/72 kit and modified them for what i needed. They ended up being pretty thick and didn’t respond well to MicroSol, but it was good practice.

Its not something ill ever take to a show, but i didn’t try to make it a show piece.  I think it looks great just sitting on my shelf. I’m trying to get back to building just for fun and not for perfection, but boy is that hard when you go to shows and see what people are capable of.  Really makes me want to push myself, even though I’m perfectly content with results like this.

Hi gents,

After going through three other figures and deciding after getting them done that they just did not “fit” the scene.  This figure from Airborne Miniatures finally worked.  The base is all one molded piece and was painted with AK lacquers with weathering from pastel powders, oil based washes, and Vallejo weathering products

The figure’s smock was based painted with lacquer but after that everything else was hand brushed with acrylics from both the AK and Vallejo family of paints.  The straps on the rifle and anti tank weapon are foil strips.  

The helmet in the mud puddle under the tank came from one of the three figures I tossed ahead of the figure that finally fit.  The muddy water is the AK puddles product.

-Chris

Hey Gents!

Woodys auto salvage yard diorama has been a real success and fan favorite. BUT! I didn’t like some parts of it. The truck and flatbed just didn’t look right. There was a car that wasn’t believable. I removed them and re-thought how it could be improved.

Moebius just released a Ford Tow Truck! I built the truck and a 1941 Plymouth Coupe along with a 1948 Ford convertible. I weathered each of the vehicles accordingly. Rust and Crust is just my game!

I scratch built new light poles and lights for the yard. I used cedar tree branches and plastruct with Just Plug lighting.  It looks much more believable! I added an American flag to go with the Arizona state flag on the building.

Last but not least I had a Woody’s plaque made and attached to the baseboard.

Scott

Hey gents it’s been a while since I shared a build.
Latest endeavor AMT International 4070a COE with AMT post dry trailer.

Pretty much box stock build with the exception of the Bud wheels on the cab by Chad Kennedy, and the Bud Wheels on the trailer by KJ Humphreys! The rig was weathered up using AK weathering enamels airbrushed. This rig is part of my large diorama idea. There’s a phone booth coming, along with a 1970 Ford police car. Stayed tuned!
Cheers!

Scott

Hey Gents,

This is a bit long winded, but here is my latest. It’s a Mack R700. The trailer is a Mobius 53’ smooth side that I added the reefer option to. No real problems with it and I’m pleased how it turned out. The truck on the other hand, well, it gave me fits from the beginning.

I stretched the frame 2” and that went smooth. Then time to fabricate the hinges for the hood which is a resin piece. Didn’t notice at the time, but it is a horrible casting. The front isn’t square which makes sense why I had issues getting the hood to line up correctly. Also noted that one wheel well is 1/8” longer than the other. Ugh!

Powering through because it’s the only one I have at this time, I mocked up everything else and soldiered on. After fab work was completed, time for paint. Hahahahaha! Didn’t wash the sleeper or the hood well enough and the paint didn’t stick. Had to strip and scrub the crap out of them before paint would stick. Totaled 3 times before paint stuck.

Moving onward, started assembly when I noticed some small runs in the paint. Sad. I only have enough for touch ups and being old Model Master, I can’t find anymore. So I tried to hide as best as possible. Then I noticed the front wheels weren’t even in the wheel wells. Scott to the rescue! He suggested that I relocate the front axle slightly and success!! Thank you to Mr. Saylor!

Chad came through with parts for me. I used his air deflector, fuel tanks, wheels and air cleaner. Thanks again Chad, great pieces!

All in all, this build tried my patience but I think it turned out well for what it is. If my builds continue to be this much of a headache, I may rethink this hobby!! Hahahaha. Anyway, hope y’all like it.

Jeff

Hi gents.  i visited Frontline Hobbies on 16 March.  I picked up a 1/48 Academy F-4J in USMC livery.  Ooga ooga.  I saw Chad’s detail products for sale and Christian pointed car detail stuff from a seller in Virginia (see picture). Christian said that product line was a big thing for car modelers – so now you car guys know Christian has them.

Christian asked how to get the club to come to his shop like we did en masse last year.  I suggested he run a contest in the fall that we would judge.   He said he could use his whole 2nd floor for it.  I opined it would help both of us-him with exposure and business and us with an opportunity to get some new members.   Welcome your collective thoughts on this idea.

-Chris

Kit: Polar Lights 1/1000 Klingon Bird of Prey.  Wings were based coated with Tamiya “German Green”, fuselage was Humbrol “Interior Green” Individual panels were painted various shaded of green with the under wing “feather” panels were painted Red-Brown. Entire kit was clearcoated with Alclad Aqua Clear, decals applied (used some from my K-Type Gaming Miniatures Decal set), then a wash of AK Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles was applied. I also added some Grey and Black Wash is spots to accent some of the details in some areas. Tamiya Semi-Gloss clear sprayed over this and then set out to paint the metallics and clear areas. Brush painted the wing weapons and engine areas with Tamiya new Lacquers. Coated the Engine panels with Clear Red and Clear Yellow from Gunze. I used Tamiya Weathering Powders to accent many of the panels and add depth to the metallics.

The kit itself was simple but ill fitting. It has 2 build options: Cruise or Attack. I picked the Cruise option. The scheme was something I just created. Every photo of the filming miniatures was different because of the changes made over the years and the lightning. Frustrating to replicate a specific ship used in a movie or Episode. So I just went for the “look” and tried out some new-to-me techniques.

-Mark

1965 Daytona Contintental
Car 72 Pole Sitter/3rd Place overall. Bob Bondurant Ritchie Ginther

After Ford’s disappointing 1964 racing season running it’s Ford GT with zero wins and never finishing a race, the cars were handed over to Shelby American after the Nassau Speed Weeks in the Bahamas. They had about 8 weeks to prepare for the next race. Extensive testing led to many changes to these cars, from the suspension geometry, wheels, tires, and improved cooling to the new paint job and wider fender flares. It worked, as the two Ford GTs, Chassis 103 winning overall, and this car Taking the Pole and finishing 3rd overall. These two cars would go on to a class win at Sebring a few weeks later, then a swing thru Europe racing at Monza & Nuremburgring before being retired.

Kit is a 1/43 Resin kit by Starter of France. It is one of their early kits, so the fit is marginal, detail a bit lacking and poorly fitting photo-etch. Tires look more at home on a Pro Street Car than a mid-1960s sport car. Car is painted the correct Guardsman Blue with the Black Interior and Dark Blue seats. A mix of kit decals and ones from my spares box. The clear parts have yellowed badly. Sun bleaching could get it out nor any replacements could be found.

-Mark

Hey all,

Here’s my latest build. Definitely not going to outdo last year, going kinda slow. Started out as a gift from a fellow member that I decided to play around with.

Started out as a 1967 Shelby GT350. Now, the GT350 had a 289 which wasn’t a bad little engine.  But I decided to upgrade it to the mighty 427!!!

I added as much under hood detailing that I could muster. I made the headers using solder and some shrink tubing.  Added items like a starter solenoid, ignition box, an electric cooling fan and a wired distributor. I plumbed heater hoses, fuel lines to the carburetors and added wiring for starter, alternator, cooling fan, main harness and ignition box.

I painted it in the Testors color shift paint which goes over a gloss black base coat. An unforeseen problem showed up that I didn’t expect. The body gaps and angles at the seems are all highlighted in white. I attempted to repaint with the same outcome, so I left it alone. It looks kinda cool, but I’m sure judges won’t like it.

I added some small details like wider rear tires, aftermarket wheels, traction bars and a tachometer. All in all I’m happy with the way it turned out.

Jeff