Fitzy

Hi guys nice learning curve not to get too ambitious with 1/700 and keep it clean. I was starting to dig a hole trying to fix my errors so decided to cut it there and finish it up. Very happy with the base though Will appreciate this experience working with resin going forward onto the 1/600. Cheers

Thanks for the comments guys, I think being my first ship I have rushed the prep and assembly . The pictures have certainly highlighted my lack of parts preparation prior to fitting so I am going to step back "gently remove" the turrets and guns replacing the AA with wire and the main with either stretched sprue or thin metal wire at an appropriate gauge. The fitting of railings is a must so photo etch ordered.

Hi Guys, Well this is a number of firsts for me......First Ship (Normally Aircraft and Armour), First Resin kit (ouch) and First water base (although I have been practicing different methods for a couple of weeks) . I have ordered 3 models 1/700, 1/600 and 1/650 with the intent to utilise the 600 and 700 to develop and learn. They are all HMAS Daring Class destroyers with the intention that the 1/650 will be completed as HMAS Voyager which was tragically lost on the night of 10 February 1964 after a collision with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. This resonates with me as my Uncle perished that night on the Voyager with 81 other sailors. Understandably I want to do as good a job of it as possible and sincerely seek your encouragement, comments (good and bad) as well as any advice, tips and tricks from my fellow modellers as I progress with this project. I have ordered 1/700 and 1/650 rails, metal barrels plus a photo etch bending tool. This is the first cut with only a little photo etch for radar, antenna array and some bracing. Once assembled I undercoated with flat black to give some shading and a little depth, brushed painted the domes, radar, antenna and guns. The flaws are so evident and numerous with resin in this scale...advice?

Great work mate, especially on the rigging 1/48 biplanes really are the most challenging of aircraft to build and you have done a superb job

Thanks Jim, Having had the joy of spending time as a grunt in a "bucket" you are spot on everyone and everything was covered, but hey a second class ride is better than a first class walk

Hi Guys, This is my completed M113 to go with the Centurion I recently finished. The level of detail in this kit is amazing and some of tiny parts really tests your fine motor skills Fit was great, however the removal of flash and joins from the finer parts was a challenge. I have based my model on a Aussie M113A1 circa 1967-8 with the Resin APC crew from Firestorm models. I have ordered the RAAC M113 conversion which will add some stores and ammo crates top side in preparation for the FSB Coral diaroma. Still very novice at weathering but I am happy with my fine grey splatter to simulate chips and scratches (thanks youtube). Anyway guys I hope you like and I certain welcome advice and suggestions. Cheers Fitzy

Thanks for the great comments guys, Das Abteilung, mate those are the kit road wheels, they sure are great quality and are also rubber. I also finally ordered the AFV club resin Mantlet cover as well, Soeren .....now will have to work out how to retrofit it. I have Also received the AFV club M113 ACAV and ordered the Aussie 1968 resin conversion for the final 1968 diorama (FSB Coral/Balmoral) I also ordered the T50 turret (fitted to Aussie M113A1's after 1970) so wont be utilising on this build. Might look at another Vietnam diorama post 1970, maybe battle of Binh Ba, we'll see Cheers

Hi Guys, Well this was a bit of a build especially messing up putting in the correct gun mantlet.....and trying a number of gun mantlet cover options which all failed. Why it didn't come as an option is beyond me as finding an image with it not attached is almost impossible! Anyway that is the negative out of the way. The positives was the excellent fit, excellent detail and tooling. I added a resin crew commander and centurion gear which were both excellent quality and add to the authenticity. Weathering was applied with some brown wash and "lots" of pigment to simulate the extreme effect of the Vietnam dust which permeated everything. Once my scratch building skills improve I will add the turret bin straps and the gun mantlet cover, certainly happy to hear advice and suggestions you guys might have . Anyway will be adding an M113 with T50 turret and then look a diorama options.

Outstanding Kris that shading and weathering is superb, honestly builds like yours show what can be achieved and that really does inspire us all. Excellent mate

Hi Guys, The Valentine Mk II/IV Infantry tank. Great quality model as you expect for Tamiya. The quality and detail was faultless and the supplied crew was outstanding. I have left her pretty clean apart for the running gear like the images I see of allied armour in the western desert in that period. As you will see in the last couple of images, I have started the diorama she will call home, probably put a couple of Commonwealth Infantry advancing with her at a later date :).

Outstanding work mate, flawless and I love the subtle weathering

Superb camo looks spot on mate,

Great job mate, like the rust effect on the tracks, There are some great images of armour and vehicles in Italy which show just how wet and miserable it could get. Well done

Mate, I'm speechless bloody brilliant work, seriously the best I have seen, well done

Very nice job, excellent camouflage, shadow effects and subtle weathering, Huge fan of the desert camo especially when you get it right and you sure did.