Gents,

Here is a 1/35 SeaRAM-like a CIWS system on US Navy ships.  Instead of a chain gun the SeaRAM uses surface to air missiles to increase the close in defense range from 1.5 miles (or so) to 10 miles.
The RAM component is pretty much done (less decals) and the tophat is still to go.  The tophat is the fire control radar system that is mounted atop the missile housing.

The kit was okay but I have to say it is frustrating when a vendor uses photo etch for some part when a sprue/plastic part would have been just as good.
I made the deck from stryrene and added non skid around where the SeaRAM system would be mounted.  The black base was also made from styrene.

-Chris

The chassis of the 904 is coming along nicely. Most of the difficulties I’m encountering are due to the kit itself, which is NOT well engineered. The interior tub and dashboard fit is likely going to be a problem when I mount the body. The stance and ride height with the larger wheels came out better than I had hoped, so there is that!

This car is considered by many to be Ferry Porsches most beautiful design. This was the only Porsche ever made with a glass fiber body (made with the assistance of the folks at Heinkel, yes the airplane people). Despite its modest power it was highly competitive in its day, capable of 180 mph on the Mulsanne Straight!

-Ross

Hey buddy, your engine is upside down!  My latest effort is a vintage Monogram Porsche 904 Carrera GTS racer which I have augmented with the 3.2l flat six engine from a later 911. The engine and transaxle actually fit with only minimal modification to the chassis pan. The rear suspension also fit around the vastly larger engine without a lot of drama. The brake backing plates and hubs needed substantial work to accept the 15” Fuchs alloy wheels intended for the 911. The 911 also uses a staggered wheel sizing whereas the 904 used four laughably small 13” wheels.

It was while taking this picture of the engine and rear suspension glued into chassis that I realized I was supposed to PAINT the chassis before assembly!  Yikes!  One epic masking job later, the car is now Graphite Grey. This old Monogram kit is best described as “challenging” so I will see what adventures await as I begin final assembly. More photos to come

-Ross

Finished this up a few weeks ago but haven’t had much time to indulge in stuff like this. Enjoy!

-Mark

Hey gents. Reskit sent this fun item along with an order I had with them as a gift.  It’s a witch riding a AIM-9 “broom”.  Pretty funny idea.

I airbrushed the exhaust flame and smoke using AK lacquer paints. The grey on the missile was airbrushed on.  After that dried i masked off the white area and also airbrushed that, followed by the yellow and brown stripes (indicating this missile is “live”).  The metallic areas on the nose compartment were hand painted.  Gloss coat was applied and then the decals followed by a sealer coat.

The witch was entirely hand brushed using Vallejo brand acrylics.   I liked how her flight suit came out if I say so myself.  Watch out MiGs-the AIM-9 witch could be coming for you!!

-Chris

Gents.  Here is a 1/35 Dragon Light SEAL Support Craft under construction.  The kit came with no engines so I added one from Rye Field Models.  I scratch built the engine compartment, primed, and painted it with cream white after the primer dried.  I added weathering in the compartment to make it look used and dirty.   The  engine itself was base-coated black and then highlighted with various shades of metal colored paints.

I added the handle bars inside the boat’s bay and added non skid to the port/starboard skirts.  As this was a tactical boat used in Vietnam it will be green overall instead of Navy grey.    Should take another 3 or so weeks to finish up the boat itself.  The plan is to make a scene of it being dockside and under light maintenance.

-Chris