Suddensky

Made a bit of progress on this. Lots of the pics of these show they had numbers, so rooted through the old transfer sheets and found a WWII USN one from which I made a stencil for the front: And rear: A bit bright for something that's been left to rust in a field for a few decades, so toned it all down with some Flory washes: And: Abraded off the yellow paint over the rest of the bodywork and gave that some washes too: Got the wheels sorted out, I wanted that rough, degraded look with a hint of mossy rot, so it was Tamiya rubber black with a drop of white and a bit of medium green. They look a lot better than this pic now they've had some washes: Then stuck the remaining bits on, added the falling-out dials and a couple more wires, and I think we'll call it done: And that's about it for now. I've got a couple of weeks to rustle up a base of some sort and stick it in the gallery. Let's hope my entirely un-tried and un-tested ideas for the diorama aren't too catastrophic. Thanks for looking, Peter

Have managed to get a bit more done on this, but I'm a bit out of my depth as it doesn't have wings! Made some more progress with the engine, added some gubbins such as pipes, wires and spark plugs: The instructions had the engine block in black, but the reference pics show it as the same as the overall chassis and body colour, so I went with that: I wanted to simulate that look of blistered rusted decay, so used some thick rust colored paint and a couple of balck and dark washes. I'm thinking some oils leaks and streaking would be good too. Had a vague plan that I wanted the seat cushion to have split open and the stuffing been pulled out by nesting birds... maybe I should have thought that through a bit before hacking things about... The 'stuffing' is tiny bits of foam... Which in retrospect I should have realised would look ridiculously out of scale... I think I might try to pass it off as the seat having split and allowed some sort of plant growth to flourish... The dashboard is a bit plain... So I drilled out holes for what I can see is a stiff wire which connects to the engine block (choke??) and the two dials: And made a couple of instruments. I'll have these hanging down from their wires. Full disclosure, I'm not sure what sort of deterioration might have caused that to happen, but it should make things look a bit busier: I also got overexcited and couldn't wait to start on scrubbing off the yellow paint to reveal the metal underneath (Vallejo metallics Burnt Iron): Pretty happy with it to be honest: Also remembered I had these packed away in a moving box, so I'll add a couple of the battered oil drums: I was going to have it in a sort of sandy desert setting, think south-west America, as I thought it would be an easier thing to replicate, but have since come up with an elaborate and unlikely back story which calls for it to be set in the British countryside. I've an inkling that I'll be able to make a base of plaster on a bit of wood, some fencing with lolly sticks or coffee stirrers and wire, a tree or bush made from a root harvested from the garden, and a sprinkling of oregano leaves. I really want to do this using exactly what I've already got without having to buy anything new. We'll see how it goes, thanks for looking in, Peter

A bit late to the party on this one, but it's a tiny little kit so I should be fine to get it in under the wire (yeah, right). This deck tractor was included with the Trumpter 1/32 F6F-N Hellcat, which I finished years ago, and the sprue has been sitting in the cupboard just waiting for a chance to see the light of day. A bit of poking around online has allowed me to (possibly) identify the type as per the title above. I've also found the most incredible flikr album which documents the full restoration of somethig pretty similar. I'm thinking of some sort of little diorama (never done one before) with this little guy rusting away in a field somewhere, but we'll see where the rabbit hole takes us... It got some primer and a bit of yellow when I built the Hellcat, reckon I'll re-prime it then a base of dark dull steel/iron, then chipping fluid. Will stick with the yellow as a topcoat as it should show up the weathering well. A few EP holes and moulding seams to get rid of: And made a start on the engine block, another big seam to get rid of. The problem with having such great reference pics is that I'm tempted to start messing around with nits of wire and scrap to fancy things up a bit... Thanks for looking in, I promise I'll really try to finish this one. I mean even I should be able to stick fewer then 30 bits of plastic together before the deadline? Thanks, Peter

Back after a brief hiatus, during which all hobby stuff had to be tidied away so we could have the marketing photos done in preparation for possibly moving house. Have got quite a bit more done, but didn't take many pictures. Got the seat painted: And the seating area: Kept everything very simple and easy, as there will be nothing to see once the little guy's in place. Speaking of which: He fits! Although he did require some Douglas Bader-esque surgery to get under the dashboard. Got the nose cone together, it all fits rather well, no need for any filler yet, just some enthusiastic sanding. All of which has left me with a collection of bits of plastic which I really should stick together some time soon: Simply flying along with this one and having a ball. I mean I really do love a highly engineered kit, and doing scratchbuilding stuff with the cockpits and engines, and wires, pipes, but this is an absolute blast. Susan's away for the weekend, so expect more progress soon. Thanks for looking in, Peter

Now there's an idea... and look what I found:

That's really kind, thanks, but TBH I'm starting to grow pretty fond of the little guy I found in a box at the bottom of a cupboard. I've got a bit of paint on him now and he's really livening up. Besides, the paperwork's all done now, an indefinite secondment from the IJN to the RAF, and you know how it goes, if the docs say it, it's incontestable fact. Thanks, Peter

Having finally finished the Liberator: Which took a lot longer than it should, I felt it was time for a quick palate cleanser. A simple kit with no extras and no scratch. I went to ask Susan but she was on a call, so Freddie decided on this, the old Revell Hunter: My dad bought me this kit about five years ago, for - so the price sticker says - the princely sum of £14.99. Since when it has languished unloved and unlooked at in the stash. Big mistake. Huge. What a great bit of plastic! Extraordinary value for money, and just what I was looking for. The surface detail is restrained and subtle, and seems just about right. There is absolutely minimal flash, and the fit - so far - is just perfect. So, on with the wings and control surfaces, and have comitted to wheels up: I'll need a stand for this, and a driver, but I'm sure the spares boxes will provide. I looked. I was wrong. No stands, and five WWII era pilots. So I settled on this guy: maybe Japanese from a Tamiya Zero? At least he has an oxygen mask on... And builds up OK: I've not done a figure since a 1/48 F4 Phantom Vietnam diorama I did in about the forth form; so a long time ago. This should be interesting. So I got started on the cockpit. The seat has a nice level of detail, as does the tub in general: On with a base of Tamiya Nato Black: All of which seems like a pretty swift start. I really want to have this done by the end of October, but we shall see. Thanks for looking, Peter

I like the spoke idea, pretty sure I've got something suitable in the shed. In the past I've affixed a block of plastic to the inside of the kit with a nut set into it and threaded into that. There's always a way right!

There are a few Tamiya kits in the stash, I'm pretty sure they have the traditional style of stand included, so I'd just hack a hole in the underside at the centre of gravity. Although I've seen plenty of jets with one up the tailpipe (if you'll pardon the expression) which looks good. I will investigate the internet as to how to do that, I've a feeling it would involve a sturdy wooden base, some sort of rod I could bend. Metal? Heated resin? And some careful balancing.

Indeed I am, although I've just been to my box labelled 'Stands and figures' to discover it contains exactly zero number stands, and five number WWII era figures, so a certain amount of jiggery pokery might be needed.

Many thanks! I really love the bases, backgroungs and vignettes I see on here, it's a whole new skillset which I hope one day to learn. Soon!

Many thanks. Next up is this, the old Revell Hunter. Straightforward, no extras and displyed in flight.

Thanks, glad to have it done. Any kit's time on that display base is strictly limited and for photo shoots only!

Thanks! They're not the cheapest, but I think this one in particular does offer excellent value for money - in terms of modelling hours per pound (or dollar) - given how long it takes to stick together.

I'm calling this one done. There are still a couple of little bits I might add; I'm not sure about if there should be any antennae wires, or where they should go, and I might do some shading and dirt with oils and pastels on the fuselage, which looks a bit clean when compared to the wings, and I should clean up the join between the nose glass and the fuselage. We'll see. Overall, pretty happy with it, excepting the foul-up with putting the main spar in backwards; if only we were provided with an instruction booklet to follow. I think something a little smaller might be in order next, which admittedly doesn't narrow it down much. Anyway, pics: Thanks for dropping in and being part of this, much appreciated, and stay tuned for the next victim. Many thanks, Peter