Mac the Modelling Knife

My advice? Keep blundering around like this. Great work, show us more! Mac

The pictures look a little small but it looks like you have done a great job. I am working on one of these myself that has been lying around for many years. It may be an old kit but it still looks the part. Well done, Mac

Very impressive! The tank, the figure, the groundwork, the photography etc. All first class.

Try a wash of black artists' oil over the stains. I find it can hide a multitude of sins. Well done on the decals! Also, I love the 917K on your logo. My favourite car. The planes are among my favourites too. I was at the Prestwick airshow when the Navy's 123 Sea Fury had to ditch in the sea due to undercarriage failure - very sad but at least the pilot was ok. I did a cadet camp at Scampton in '64. Watching the Vulcans taking off was memorable. Ah! Nostalgia! Five Airfix kits for a pound. Good days. Mac

Good stuff!

A nice model although the tank seems to be carrying a awful lot of water rather than fuel in the jerrycans. The finish looks most realistic. Well done. Mac

Hi Ian, It doesn't look like you need the practice. Well done! I love Tamiya kits. No matter how old they are they go together a treat. I'm working on a Stug IV at the moment. It's my first venture into PE Zimmerit and a rare diversion from my North Africa stuff. I hope my paint scheme turns out as good as yours. Mac

A very well built model and well painted. I like the weathering and chipping. I see the aerial is missing. you can always turn the aerial base backwards as if the aerial was retracted into its protective box. Otherwise, excellent. Mac

Looks like you got your £5.00 worth! Well done

Well done Scooter for tackling this oldie. The quality of the turret has triggered some response and I would like to show you my solution to the problem. I bought this model to use up a set of Bison decals and was appalled by the shape of the turret. I had a block of lime wood that I bought years ago at a woodworker show. I looked on the net for plans and photographs, made some paper templates and got carving. I got the shape I was looking for in about an hour. I then carefully shaved the details off the Hasegawa turret and superglued them on to the wooden one. After filling the grain with some Humbrol and a little sanding, the turret was ready for painting. I think it looks OK. It's not the best model I have made, but I am satisfied with it. Modellers should not be afraid to try something new. It's how we progress.

I have been AFK (away from keyboard) for a while tackling the wildlife haven that is my garden. I had a look today and stopped in my tracks when I came across your post. What a stunner!! Your praise from the other members is fully justified. Well done. I am curious about your lack of confidence concerning the subject matter. The Italian army deserves as much attention as any other of WWII. Apart from being badly prepared for the war in the desert they have a proud military history and continue to contribute to UN operations today. I once neglected to stop at an army checkpoint going into Italy from Yugoslavia and had a pistol drawn on me. One of my wife's fondest memories. But again, congratulations! Mac

Good work. A very nice model. I love the rust in the nooks and crannies as well as the stains. You also understand that some mud on vehicles is dry and some is wet. But then, we Scots are familiar with mud and rust. I'm not so sure about the bands around the fuel tanks. They seen to contrast too much with the tanks themselves. Otherwise an excellent model. All the best, Mac (South Lanarkshire)

OK you lost the chance of a quick profit but looking at the pictures, you're a winner anyway. I love all the different shades evident in the model. Mac

Good Stuff!!

An excellent model, beautifully photographed. Congratulations Mac