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1/35 scale S.A.F.S. Mk.III Raptor for what is my 17th completion for the year! The armor color is AKRC Egyptian Desert Sand and Tamiya Field Grey, with AKRC Russian Cockpit Turquoise as the interior color. It's weathered with AMMO enamel washes and Oilbrushers with AMMO enamel mud effects for the mud/dirt on the feet. Comments and criticism welcomed as always!

Hallo The interior kit of the T-60 tank is generally very nice to build. A few shortcomings are already there. Self-made inadequacies when sprayed components are to be glued, and due to the color, the accuracy of fit is no longer given. Etched parts that are so delicate that they can hardly be bent precisely and, because of their size, can hardly be glued. The delicate track chain, which is difficult to assemble and even more difficult to close. In all of them, however, I like the model because it is one of those little Russian tanks that are easy to forget in the collection. I'm looking for good kits for a KW and a Stalin. Who can give me ideas? Happy modelling

A build I finished a little while back but only just got around to it. It’s the academy late version with DEF barrel and fruilmodel tracks. I had to scratch build the spare track brackets as I lost the originals. Fictitious camo as I’m not a massive fan of tri tone and I liked the look of this two tone scheme. I used this as a test bed for a few new techniques. A few things I’m not that happy with such as the mud splashes and wet runs on the front but also things like the wheels and oil weathering on the top surface. I only built it as I got the tracks for a steal so had to get the kit to go with it. Anyway, onto pics: Thanks for looking, comments and criticisms welcome!

My entry is Meng's 1/35 Renault FT-17 Light Tank (Cast Turret). Plan is to finish it as a tank that saw service in 1940, to sit along side my Tamiya B1. Looks a cracking little kit, includes a interior & engine.

Dear Colleagues The Universal Carrier was a truly British vehicle. No other nation in WWII had anything quite like it. Capable of bringing up ammunition under fire, evacuating the wounded and leading assaults, it was the maid of all work for a Commonwealth Infantry Battalion. Riich make a lovely example although don't expect to complete it in a weekend! Having read the book 'Lion Rampant' about life in the 6th KOSB I had to choose this one from the Riich decal sheet. Yetholm is of course on the Scottish borders. Hope you like it? Andrew

This is the third CSM armoured car I've built and, like the two Lanchesters I built a year or two back, this one was a really nice little kit. Almost perfect fit, and plenty of detail without becoming an unnecessary parts-fest. There's a nice interior but, as is so often the case, little of it can be seen. The kit's fairly generous with marking options, although most of them are pretty similar being mainly overall dark green. The one here is a Regia Guardia car based in Turin in the early 1920's. Thanks for looking Andy

Right chaps, I'm a bit stalled on the 43, so much scratch building that i feel that I need to do build something a bit less challenging. I've selected this little beauty, one that my very good friend bought me a few years ago, Longshanks, so take a bow fella I know you've been waiting to see this get done. After my holiday to Normandy I'm a bit inspired to build something that would fit in with the trip. Next to no AM will be hurt in this build but I'll do some light scratch work just to work things in my own way. I built a Sherman back in 2016 and really enjoyed the build so this will be a second WW2 build for me. A Small amount of AM, nothing too serious (At this point), Its more so for the crew. Shall probably make a start over the weekend, Panic ye not, I'll be back on the 43 after this but I feel I need something a bit straight forward for a week or so. Regards Dan

Hi all This is Tamiya's 1/35 Schwimmwagen, finished in one of the kit decal options. Lightly weathered - and self-cleaning 'cos it's just been through a river Great fun to build, although took longer than I expected. Struggled a bit with getting an acceptable join between the two halves of the hull, but couldn't get it 100% - and it's visible in one of the picture angles. But the rest of it went together ok.

Hallo This is my second Sd.Kfz.6. This time in the pioneer version, to show more the design and look of this half track. All the half track were the backbone of the fast army movements. All was straight from the box. For painting only Mr.Gunze C range. Well, hope you like it too. Happy modelling

A quick build (after a long haul with a Tomcat). Builds very well, a sheer joy to build ... and gives you the opportunity to go all in on the weathering. Built OOB, with just a few pipes added. I really recommend this little gem. /Torbjörn

Here is my contribution to the GB, the ARL 44 heavy tank in 1/35 scale by Amusing Hobby. The ARL 44 has quite an interesting developmental history, the origins of it design started in 1943 as a tracked snow blower for the German Kriegsmarinem. French engineers secretly designed the parts with the duel intention of them also being using in a future tank design though. In late 1944 most of France had been liberated & work started in earnest on the ARL 44 with the hopes that it would be ready in time to take part in the invasion of Germany (Allied HQ at the time were expecting the Germans to put up more of a fight & that the war would take longer then it actually did). The first prototype was ready in 1946 & was fitted with the 76mm gun from the Sherman tank. It was quickly decided that this weapon was to small for use in modern combat so production was put on hold while & a new larger turret with a 90mm gun was designed. The new weapon took several years to develop but was finally completed in 1949, production continued with 60 tanks built in total. They didn't live very long though, in 1954 they were removed from service & replaced by the M47 Patton, most were scraped & some where used on target ranges. The kit comes with only four sprues, two of which are copies. The rest of the kits contains a single large upper hull, metal barrel, bag of individual workable tracks & a set of decals (there is some string to use as a tow rope too but I'm not using that). Close up of the upper hull, which is quite detailed & surprisingly sturdy. To add some colour to the kit I got AK's new modern French paint set. This is their new 3rd Gen paint that they have been advertising a lot recently, I'm curious to see if it's any better then their "old" paint. The part count of the kit is low & a dont see anything that will cause any issues, so looks like it will be a relatively quick build (famous last words 😅). It's become obligatory for me to add some 3D printed parts to every model I make though, which will add some time. For this one I'm thinking of printing the alternative ACL 1 turret used on the first prototype, I'll build the model first though & then see how much time is left & If I still feel like it 😛

Cannot remember the last time I posted a WIP thread here on BM for an AFV build so here goes: About two weeks ago as the M7 Priest build was coming to a close, I started the (very closely related) Academy M3 Lee, which I plan on finishing as a British / Indian vehicle in Burma; so far this is where I'm up to: The interior is partly built but all painted & weathered. To get to this point, I've used just two oil tones - Paynes Grey & Raw Umber - first mixed together and thinned to make a pin wash, then straight from the tube to create grime and false shadows in the corners and crevices. Also 'sponge chipped' where appropriate with the same basic acryllic mix I use for painting tracks. Next I'll assemble the interior, hopefully that can be done before the weekend. Let me know what you think, best from New Zealand, AFN. Ian.

Hallo This will be a WIP of a Sd.Kfz.6. I am posting a WIP of a halftrack, because I built some, the result was not satisfying. Many errors occurred. One major error, I have to fight with, is simple hurry, low patience, underestimating simple parts to fit. This sort of vehicle, I do now a second run, to improve my quality. For the German tanks, the half tracks and recovery tanks were the backbone of fast warfare. At every time and location. The first Sd.Kfz.6 had a Flak mounted. This one has just seats. To get a better impression of the design of this vehicle. My colors used are C40, C513, C514, C515. This three 5XX numbers are shades of the German grey. Many parts sprayed and already assembled. The parts you see are sprayed in a medium light shade and dry brushed. The get some shades more. After assembling some more parts, I will make the track chain. The decals for the dashboard and some detail painting is also waiting. I want to add rust a little, on all possibly positions. If this all is done, the other parts I will do. It takes some time. I want to prevent errors and flaws by a hurry. The kit from Trumpeter is to my opinion perfect. No complaints. Happy modelling

OK so I'll be building this oldie, first made in 1974... I managed to pick it up in a local hobby shop recently (well not very local to me these days but there's the internet and I thought in these uncertain times local shops could do with some support). Price paid (hope we don't have to include postage!)... Looking forward to building it - shouldn't be too complicated, no decals or PE to worry about and I have fond memories of building a couple of Tamiya Ford M151 Mutt kits as a kid (newer toolings though). I'll post the sprue shots, etc. once I get started (planning to try finish or at least move along my Unarmed GB entry first).

I got these 3 1/35 figures on EBay. They seem to be looking for lost treasure in Egypt to me.

First go at a WIP and I have to make it a bit of a blitz! (I'd like to get this one done before the Phantom GB starts in a mere couple of weeks.) My gear is all over the place, I don't yet have a proper bench, there are certain issues with the kit, my camera handbook remains unread, there's 106 miles to Chicago, I've got a full tank of gas, it's dark out, and I'm wearing sunglasses. Hit it! This is the Meng 1/35 British Army (but see below...) WWI Medium Tank Whippet Mk.A. It's goint to be strictly an out of the box high speed build and then a slower and more considered painting session. I'm pretty sure I can do all of the building and then all of the painting, which is pretty well unique strategy. That's the way we used to work when we were kids, no? There's no interior detail, and it's one colour all over, apart from the tracks which I will paint before I clip them on. Clip, not glue so that hardly counts as building to my way of thinking. Suddenly, I'm more confident that I can do it in the time allowed. One update per day, promise. Probably in the morning while the dog is sleeping off her breakfast and our big walk of the day. But I digress... The kit came slowly on a boat from China which saved me some money but may have given me some grief. It was reasonably packed and I've never had any problems before but look at the box. I wonder where in its thousands of miles of travel, some idiot stood on it? My local sorting office? On the last sampan out of nowhere? Whatever, it didn't look too bad until I noticed this... My apologies, the photo has gone! And so has the box, so I can't retake it! 2/8/21 "The box is bent outward, like it exploded from inside." Let's hope its not something that will give me indigestion after my stir-fry. "They musta broke the mould after they made this piece!" Otherwise, how did they get it out? Yes, I know, everyone is doing slide moulding these days but I'm still impressed with this large lump. It's detailed nicely all over and will simplify my build and keep everything on the square and level. I have astigmatism which makes it difficult to judge angles visually so that's a great help to me. The rivets are huge and crude just like the real thing. The plates have a subtle rolled steel texture. Perhaps too subtle (boring). So I might add a few dings and dents to add a bit of interest. Another photo evaporated. Probs my error, sorry. The back door. Upside down, I now realise. Side plate detail. Look at those 'U' bolts. They will look smashing under paint. And this is the piece that was driven through the roof of the box. It's tiny and by rights, should be flattened entirely. I was lucky. The other side of this idler wheel has deep holes to take the other ends of the broken bars so they will be easy to locate and repair. AS far as I can tell, this is the only other transit damage. I was very lucky but Meng helped by putting it all in a very stout box which sacrificed itself for its plastic contents. That gun's a beauty. I wont be spending days making the track as its a snap together system, similar to the Takom type which I used on a couple of MkIVs last year. An hour tops on assembly and paint it afterwards. Great. This is a mystery. The box art says three schemes are included but doesn't say what. The instructions don't mention any. There's a colour profile page which details two schemes, both British. And the decals have four, including a German Beutepanzer and a Russian version. No worries, I'm doing a British one anyway. I rapidly found the other two online and they are no more exciting than the British one. (This could be a good kit for the 'In the Wrong Hands GB??) So there I have it. I'll shut the laptop and make a start. See you in the morning. p.s. Please feel free to advise me what works well, or not, for you as readers. Are the pictures ok (new camera with the unread instructions and inadequate lighting). Too few or too many photos? Do I ramble on too much? And do please take the thread wherever you want to go, digress, talk to each other, take the mick, have some fun!

Dear comrades... This is the second tank I build.In this case this is the Border Model 1/35 Panzer IV Ausf F2, with a lot of goodies: Friulmodel tracks Aber metal barrel Voyager Model detail sets This is my first heavy weathered tank, so I'm not very convinced in some areas, but I'm relatively happy in overall 😉. This is a full album hosted in Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWqb8do

This diorama was inspired by the following picture from Panzers in the Desert by Bruce Quarrie, Patrick Stephens Ltd. It is a signals operator using a direction finding radio to snoop. Happy to answer any questions about it. Here it is - Here is the full diorama from each side. And details...

Back again with another big post-apocalyptic set up. The 1/35 Italeri M923A1 has been in a state of progress for a few years now. Modified with DEF Model wheels (correct ones) and an Eduard PE set. It was initially set to be a Iraqi 2003 diorama, but I got the idea to set it up as a wrecked vehicle in a scene based on the Last of Us 2 videogame, set in a post-apocalyptic, overgrown Seattle. Figures are from the Masterbox Danger Close set (unfortunately the camera wouldn't quite focus on them). Mix of AK Real Color and Tamiya paints. Used a Molotow chrome pen for the first time for light reflectors and mirrors. The back canopy was chopped up to look torn (if overly thick) and styrene add to show torn material. The rolled bit was made from green stuff. Vines from lead wire dipped in glue and sprinkled with Noch leaves. Calling it done, so now for the pics ^-^ Thanks for looking as always Gaz

Hi folks, After just completing my StuG for the Panzer III group build, whilst also in the process of being halfway through my entry for the A4 Skyhawk GB, I thought why not join in the fun for another GB I think this is a great topic for a GB and it offers such a vast array of options and choices. I had a few options in the stash that I considered, but in the end I decided to go for the following (cue obligatory box art shots): I thought this would make for an ideal entry to the GB - not a complex or taxing build but plenty of detail none the less for such a small kit - it's also something a little bit different from some of the usual subjects. So here's what you get in the box: Incudes vinyl tyres for one option as well as styrene tyres for another and also includes a pre-cut mask set for all the windows which is a fantastic little addition. There's also a very small PE fret (not pictured) for the number plates. Next, as you can see here - the clear parts look to be crystal clear... …and lastly here's a close up shot of the main body: The only curious thing I've noticed about the kit so far, is that there is absolutely no reference to any paint callouts except for the main body colour of the car on the rear of the box. There are no colour callouts in the instructions for any of the other exterior parts and nothing at all for the interior (very strange) So if anyone out there happens to be an expert on these little cars and can shed any light on the colours then your expertise would be greatly received. So that's it for now folks - looking forward to making a start on this at the weekend and looking forward to seeing what everyone else will be offering up for their builds. Good luck everyone - should be a good one!! Best wishes Kris

Hallo This kit is nothing special. A unique model it is. One of the first quite inexperienced designs. You may notice it on awkward solutions for easy things. As the direction indicator, mirror or search light mounting. The rear license plate mounting is a superb solution by itself. Just wondering… The kit by itself has some miracles: Holes of extra big size for pins, where no pin fits. The driver seat for instance. No holes, where pins requires a hole and so on. Maybe this is a special Dragon kit, actually, I had some of these experiences all the way long, when building amour. The age of the kit is no excuse for such errors. Anyway, I got along. Now on a Sad.Kfz.251 from ICM. Happy modelling

I started building the new Copperstate kit, the Romfell Panzerwagen from WW1. For a start this is the chassis (a big single part) with the lower segment of the steering column and the basic engine not glued yet and still without paint. The other picture show the engine, which is still wip. What I can say up to now is that everything fits very well, but there is some flash, and many injector pin marks (no idea if this is English ) on the inner side of parts. These are not nice in case you want to show doors an hatches in "open" positition.

Right then, my latest completion, the Tamiya (now) classic or old kit of the Bradley. No interior is included so it’s all buttoned up. M2A2 1 by phil da greek, on Flickr Depicted at a halt on the road to Baghdad with it’s TOW mount up & ready. The kit comes with a fair bit of stowage, enough to depict a squad inside. The aftermarket stowage is from the Tamiya stowage kit & Accurate Armour. The commander is a Mini Art figure. Apart from that the kit is out of the box. Brush painted in Humbrol enamels, 117 green as an undercoat & 096 brown in very thin coats to try & let some green show through. The main weathering colour is 110 brown. I tried some spong chipping on the bottom of the skirt but I’m undecided about the results. Finished in Winsor & Newton Matt varnish. M2A2 20 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 10 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 17 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 14 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 17 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 11 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 12 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 12 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 18 by phil da greek, on Flickr M2A2 19 by phil da greek, on Flickr Thanks for looking.

Focusing on the figures in this diorama which shows my interpretation of the invasion of Crete in 1941. A glider load of 10 fallschirmjager disembarking from a glider which has just landed at Tavronitis Bridge. 10 modified and unmodified Dragon figures from various sets with Hornet heads. My first real attempt at developing my ability to paint faces and better uniforms. Still a long way to go. 10 pairs of eyes did my head in. Sanfrandragon gave me an itch I couldn’t stop scratching regarding the glider pilot. It was bugging me so I have worked out how to slightly rearrange the figures to cater to the pilot idea and integrate him in the focus area with the other figures given he would have had to exit the cockpit and come down the slope. He is rear right adjacent to the one at the central door exit. Yes, yes, Being a bit a...ly retentive but wanted to reduce my reliance on the artistic license. Also, for those interested, the guys on the Wehrmacht Awards Forum gave me this info about the glider pilot... ”The glider pilots involved in airborne assaults, such as the invasion of Crete were drawn from transport units, such as LLG1. That is to say, the Ju52's and DFS230 gliders, and their respective crews, belonged to LLG1 or some other transport unit. When not inserting Fallschirmjäger, these units were used to transport supplies etc. The glider pilots included officers, NCOs and other ranks. Some of the earliest glider pilots were Fallschirmjäger who then trained as glider pilots, including Walter Kiess. On the ground, there was an expectation that the glider pilots would take on a combat role. On Crete, many glider pilots were involved in guarding prisoners of war.” Also, someone confirmed that on Crete, the glider pilots wore fallschirmjager uniform. Change is below...

I thought that I was being clever buying this for its size/cost ratio as something to practise on, but I see that I'm not the first to have this idea! I'm just going for a quick build so that I have something to try things like hairspray chipping on, and it certainly goes together quickly. Two empty sprues on day 1 must be a record for me. I have at least closed up the underside of the hull to stop daylight showing through the engine deck grilles. I've seen someone else on here stick a picture of the radiators and engine under the grilles, so I might try something similar. Up until now my son has only seen my Panzer I/II/III builds, so he was immediately impressed and declared it 'the best one', it certainly is imposing compared to them (but I still prefer the silly little ones). I built one of these 40 years ago and remember it being the first kit that I was really pleased with afterwards, so we'll see how this goes. I'll give it to him when it's finished because it doesn't fit in with anything else - the gun barrel alone is the same length as a Panzer I. Wasn't going to do a WIP, but I might have some questions for you all when I get my hairspray out