PlaStix

Hi Enzo. That's great news. Thank you very much. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Ray. Thank you. I have added you to the list. Kind regards, Stix

Glad you enjoyed it but I'm sorry you are struggling now. Hope you feel better soon. I decided to stick to taking photos from the back garden. Got a few good ones, including quite a decent one of the Red Arrows. Take care. Stix

Hi Craig. That's great news! Thank you. And great pic too! Hope you had a good time at the show. Thank you V-P. Hi Marklo. We did, but we only had two M3 Lees appear in the Gallery and no Stuarts. As this is for M3 and M5 Stuarts only, I'm hoping @Enzo the Magnificent will be okay with it! I have added you to the list in the hope that the GB gets the okay from Enzo. Kind regards, Stix

Down in the GB area of the forum I have posted a proposal for a possible AFV Single Type GB. When looking through the Group Builds, that could be happening in 2024, I noticed that there doesn't currently appear to be, an AFV Single Type GB proposal. I mentioned this to modelling minion, who suggested the Stuart as a possible candidate for a STGB. In his words "it is well known, was used by lots of countries and came in a wide range of varieties". I'm going to suggest this as the M3/M5 Stuart Single Type GB, as long as Enzo the Magnificent is okay with having the M3 and M5 Stuarts counting as a suitable 'single type'. If not, it will become the M3 Stuart STGB. I have to admit I am not knowledgeable about this tank at all, so will be happily guided by anyone with more knowledge than me! Some information can be found here: https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/us/m3_stuart.php and there are a lot more places on the internet to find out more! If you are interested in taking part please follow this link and sign up to take part: It would be good to have at least one AFV STGB next year. Kind regards, Stix

Hi all. Looking through the Group Builds, that could be happening in 2024, I noticed that there doesn't currently appear to be, an AFV Single Type GB proposal. I mentioned this to Craig @modelling minion, who suggested the Stuart as a possible candidate for a STGB. In his words "it is well known, was used by lots of countries and came in a wide range of varieties". I'm going to suggest this as the M3/M5 Stuart Single Type GB, as long as @Enzo the Magnificent is okay with having the M3 and M5 Stuarts counting as a suitable 'single type'. - Enzo has let us know, below, that we are okay to have this as an M3/M5 Stuart STGB! I have to admit I am not knowledgeable about this tank at all, so will be happily guided by anyone with more knowledge than me! Some information can be found here: https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/us/m3_stuart.php and there are a lot more places on the internet to find out more! If you are interested in taking part in this GB, please let me know below. If people are interested in taking part, we will flesh out the guidelines for the GB as we go. Kind regards, Stix Sign ups so far: 1. PlaStix (Co-Host) 2. Modelling Minion (Co-Host) 3. Marklo 4. Ray_W 5. Stef N 6. Mjwomack 7. Corsairfoxfouruncle 8. Bullbasket 9. bigfoot 10. Robert Stuart 11. dnl42 12. JackG 13. sardaukar 14. edjbartos 15. planecrazee 16. Mig Eater 17. ColonelKrypton 18. diablo rsv 19. Jasper dog 20. Ozzy 21. IanC 22. badger 23. Matt B 24. Bonhoff 25. Angus Tura 26. wellzy 27. nickhenfrey 28. Threadbear 29. bull-nut 30. THEscaleSHOW 31. robw_uk 32. John Masters 33. Peter Lloyd 34. Bertie McBoatface 35. Skyf24 36. TheBeardedOne

Hi @SoftScience. Thank you for your comment and question. I use my iPad's camera. I used to use my proper Canon Power Shot camera, but I seemed to have more issues with focus, depth of feild, keeping it steady, etc.....plus the image was quite small on the viewscreen on the back. Combine the latter with my poor eyesight and I stood no chance of being able to tell if the picture was going to turn out okay! With my iPad, the viewable image is much bigger, filling the whole screen, and I find it easier to keep an iPad steady. The only issue I have, sometimes, is that the large area of the actual iPad can block some light, especially under the house lights, but the iPad can be turned so the camera lens is in different locations, when taking the photos. It might not be obvious, but most of my photos, especially of my finished builds, are taken in daylight, with the light coming from the right-hand side. I have table set up at right angles, but next to, a south facing window, in an uptairs room,. With the light usually coming from the one direction, across the model or parts of the model, I feel I'm in more control of how I want the model to appear. Having said all that, the 'in-progress' photos, above, were taken on our dining room table, where I do my modelling these days, above which, and to the left, I installed a set of small, ceiling spot lights. You may be able to see the shadows fall to the right slightly. The earlier sprue photos were taken on our kitchen table, just before I washed the sprues. The other thing I will mention, is that I try to avoid taking my photos in sunlight. I find that the brightness of the sun makes the the shadows too stark and the colours too vivid. I always try to take the photos of models on bright, but cloudy days, which seems to make the light a bit more diffuse. Another good thing about using the iPad is that I can edit the photos there and then, without having to upload them anywhere first. The editing only usually consists of cropping the image to get rid of any unecessary clutter, straightening the image and adjusting the brightness. The final thing that's useful is I can then upload the images straight to Flickr. Hope that's of some use and please let me know if you have any further questions. Kind regards, Stix

Thank you very much Keith. Thank you Phil! Thank you very much John. Thank you Simon. It is a bit of a beast!! Thank you very much Stef. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Craig. Thank you. As for the Victory Show, I'm not sure at the moment. I've been struggling with Plantar Fasciitis in my right heel since the end of last year and, what with quite a lot on at work at the moment, it's been playing up over the last month or so, so I'm not sure it would enjoy wandering around the fields near Cosby!! If it's not too painful, I may have a wander up to the area in my village that's at the end of the runway and I'll take some photos of the aircraft from there. I would really like to get some photos of the Lancaster from there on Sunday, if it does fly. I hope you have a great time. I was going to ask before, how are you doing these days? How are your post-Covid symptoms now? Thank you Volodymyr. Kind regards, Stix

Hi @modelling minion, @Dansk, @Ozzy & @IanC. Thank you all for your comments. Over last weekend, I did get all the contents of the box photographed, then washed and, once dry, I did make a bit of a start. Sorry it has taken me until now to get this thread updated. First off, some photos of the box contents. This kit was originally released in 1997 and I reckon Tamiya was really on their game with this kit. It does really look well detailed. These are the contents Tamiya included: Some closer views: Tamiya did include a figure in this set, but I won't be using it as his uniform doesn't look suitable for the desert. I have some other figures I might use. The decals: Sample of the instructions: This isn't included in the box but Tamiya do make a suitable, basic, etch set for this kit: After a couple of hours of modelling on Saturday, this is where I had got to - adding parts to the lower hull: By the end of Sunday's modelling session I had got most of the lower hull parts ready for painting: So, hopefully, over this coming weekend, I'll get some paint added to all these parts. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix

Great to see this classic kit being built here by you Ian! I'm looking forward to following your progress. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Stef. Looks like this should be an interesting project to follow. Kind regards, Stix

Good to see this one underway too. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Craig. Hope you are well. Looks like you are off to a good start on what should be an interesting build. Looking forward to following your progress. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Steve. Hope you are well. Great to see you haven't lost your touch with 1/72nd aircraft kits! Kind regards, Stix

Great to see this project is underway John. And looking rather good already. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Volodymyr. looks like you are off to a very good start already and with what looks to be a very interesting project. Looking forward to following your progress. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Ozzy. Hope you are well. Looks like you are off to a good start already. I'm looking forward to following one of your builds. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Dermot. As I said in your build thread - I reckon that is very impressive, especially in 1/72! Very impressive modelling, paintwork and weathering. Very well done. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Mipps. As I said in your build thread - I think that is an absolutely fantastic result. Your finished Leopard and your presentation are definitely first rate!! Very impressive modelling all round. Kind regards, Stix

That really is superb Rob!! Your paintwork, weathering and presentation are all really impressive!! Lovely job!! Very well done. Kind regards, Stix

Hi Simon. That turned out beautifully! Your weathering, finish, figures and presentation have all brought it to life. Very well done. Kind regards, Stix

That really is a stunning result Ed!! Beautiful modelling, painting, finish and presentation! Top marks all round! Kind regards, Stix

Hi Ian. Great result with the vintage kit!! Very impressive paintwork and finish. Very well done. Kind regards, Stix

Great to see something a little different/odd!! Looks fantastic! Very well done. Kind regards, Stix