06/24

More brilliance. And seemingly inexhaustible patience. Presumably by the time you do the Jag(s) (or whatever comes next) you won’t bother with a base kit any more, just build your own on the printer entirely from scratch?!?

Steady progress on Frankentank, Igor and the final bog standard T-55 A T-55A by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr “Igor” by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr T-55A, Frankentank and Igor by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

More PSC T-55 silliness, Frankentank and Igor… Frankentank first, using the engine and transmission from the Italeri version, with a Czech built rear engine deck from the Revell, and work in progress “open” drivers hatch. Frankentank and Igor by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Frankentank and Igor by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr I did briefly contemplate adding wiring to the engine, but as you can see, it’s barely visible so for now at least, sanity prevails. Igor meanwhile, is a VT-55A a Czech built ARV used by the East Germans among others. Conversion bits by S and S models, bodging by me: Frankentank and Igor by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

The Revell parts continue to disappoint, requiring an inordinate amount of clean up. Nonetheless, the KMT-6 fitted T-55A continues to evolve: Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr It looks the part at the head of the first platoon. Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

Revell and PSC kits. The Revell kit has been a disappointment, lovely details but poorly moulded, massive seams and divots in parts. So much so I’ve decided to scrap it and use the mine plough parts on one of the PSC chassis. I’m sure the more talented among you will feel this is sacrilege but I get too little hobby time to waste it on something I’m not enjoying. 1:72 scale T-55 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 1:72 scale T-55 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 1:72 scale T-55 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr The poor quality can be seen on the “thing” on the rear plate, it was misaligned, so not square, and both sides has substantial hollows. The reinforced glacis was cut out and then sanded like one might a resin part.

T-55A and T-55AM2B - Plastic Solider Company quick builds, nice and robust for gaming, lacking a little in detail (the coax sight and gun probably being the most egregious omissions. Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr One or two simple added details, a turret bin on the AM2B and some replacement handrails on the -55A, I remembered to slave the Searchlight to the elevated barrel. The gunners hatch lacks any interior detail, so I’m waiting on some filler to harden to sculpt into something vaguely appropriate.

M163 VADS Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr The gun and turret are pretty poor, few details added but more to do.

Wee Friends M577 and M113 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr The khaki plastic bits are spares from an Italeri M163, shots in primer/MERDC base colour to follow.

Something simple, the PSC T-55AM, a lovely straightforward build. Maybe not the most detailed, but suitable cannon fodder for gaming. In the background, three Wee Friends/Friendship Models resins, a BRDM-2, an M113 A1 and M577A1. Had the chance to catch up with Ian Hanratty of Friendship at Claymore 2022 today, and pleased to learn he is slowly re-releasing the ex-CMSC range. Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

If the 99 Luftballons ever drifted over Berlin, then the Gatow Chippies might have taken a look. Early days, but thinking about how to improve the old Airfix kit. 1:72 Airfix Chipmunk T.10 by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr The seats are intended for the Airfix Gladiator, but I think once there’s a floor, some sidewall gubbins and sticks, they should look the part. I imagine the belts are all wrong, but with the canopy on, who will know…

Mother hen and three chicks. Or something 😉 Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

The three Zil-157s are finished, ready for paint. Well almost, I need to find a way to make six consistent wing mirrors. Zil-157 convoy by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Zil-157 convoy by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

In true 06/24 fashion, I have a grand plan, which I’ll probably fail to complete, but ambition is all. So my current mix of builds and buys is as follows: UK (BAOR and others) In hand On order Beaver 1 Bedford MK 2 Bedford MK Refueller 1 Challenger 1 1 Chieftain 4 Chipmunk 1 Gazelle 1 Harrier GR.3 2 1 Harrier T.4 1 Landrover 101 2 Landrover 109 4 Landrover 88 1 1 Lynx AH.1 2 Samson 1 Scimitar 1 Scorpion 1 Stalwart 2 Trailer 1 3/4 Ton G.S. 1 NATO In hand On order A10 1 Biber 1 Gepard 1 Leopard 1A5 1 M113A1 1 M163A1 1 M60A3 1 MBB Bo.105 2 UH-60A 1 Warsaw Pact In hand On order BM-21 1 BRDM-2 1 BTR-60PB 2 3 T-55 2 1 T-72 1 1 Zil-157 3 Civilian In hand On order Beetle 1 1 Islander 1 Porsche 1 Skyvan 2 I’m trying keep the scale inconsistencies to a minimum, but to some extent it is driven by finding what I consider to be the best available representation – so the Bedfords are the Airfix/JB Models version, I have both the S&S and Butlers versions but they don’t convince in the same way the JB version does. So long as they are consistent with each other, the fact that they are slightly out of scale with the Landrovers (for example) isn’t immediately obvious. Having said that, I’m trying for 1:72 where possible - not that this is always straightforward – there is an easy diecast source for Landrover Lightweights in 1:76 for example, but these might look odd alongside the 109s, so I’ve got an S&S example, and one on order from Air Graphics. The 101s, by contrast, look fine, perhaps because the shape and proportions are so different in real life as well.

The Omega/ICM Zil captures the pugnacious look of the real thing, but the kit betrays it’s origins in a total absence of locating pins, and the most vague instructions. I’ve spent a lot of time looking at photos of the real thing but ultimately there has inevitably been some guesswork as well.

A little progress on the third Zil, before the football Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

I’ve not done much modelling of late, having been distracted for several years by toy trains, then moving house, a new role at work and loads of other excuses. As part of the house move, I got rid of a lot of the stash, since it became painfully evident that even if I could retire tomorrow, I would never build it all, and that I was, in fact, a collector of boxes and part-built kits, rather than a modeller. Alongside that, I’ve had a growing interest in wargaming - painting up and playing solo Five Parsecs games. What’s all that got to do with anything, well I’ve also had a long-term interest in “cold war gone hot” type scenarios, based on the crises which happened in my youth. I’ve decided to combine my interests (apart from the toy trains!) and build/play some form of solo RPG/wargames campaign set in a fictional engagement across the inner German border in the 1980s. To that end, I’ve started acquiring, building, and fussing about with various 20mm/1:76/1:72 scale miniatures, models and so on. (Note that, in common with all 06/24 builds, none of these are finished yet!) This thread is just to track these – it’d fall foul of some rule somewhere, since I model flying things and ground pounding things with equal ineptitude, and without firm distinctions. So I've stuck it in here (which will still be wrong!) Also, some of these are diecasts (albeit I usually take them apart and tweak them.) So, sit back, put Major Tom or 99 Red Balloons on the Walkman, and take trip back to the 1980s that never were with me… by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Harrier GR.3 wip by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr After by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Bedford MK/MJ by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Bedford MK/MJ by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 1:72 scale Zil-157 models by Omega K/ICM by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 1:72 scale Zil-157 models by Omega K/ICM by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr 1:72 scale Zil-157 models by Omega K/ICM by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

Hmm, good question. I suspect the figureheads will depend whether paint gives them sufficient character or not. I can always claim the Jarl wanted all his fleet to look similar… I presume you’re then referring to the gallows rather than the kona mitre box? I’ve subscribed for a kickstarter for a border reivers minis game, and a gallows seemed a suitable (if macabre) terrain piece. Rescue the captive sort of game.

Progress stalled while a new floor was installed in my study, and at the same time I got promoted which has meant work has been busier than normal, so my energy and time for modelling has diminished. Nonetheless, I did manage to get a base coat of paint on last weekend, and last night found and ordered some figures who I hope might make suitable crew for the waterline versions. Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

I switched - the black ones are the “ghost” boxing and my eyesight struggles when gluing black on black, so I adopted the “contrast” approach (plus it gave me an excuse to buy more 😉)

I may have got slightly carried away… Fleet by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr from left to right, full hull, beached, and then two waterline versions

I’ve looked at a lot of books and pictures and there seems to be a mixture of interior styles on reproduction ships & boats, so I’m happy enough that there is room for reasonable doubt. For example: https://pin.it/ZJWcJ1X

28mm figures vary from close to 1/48 to 1/64. As an average, somewhere in the 1/50 to 1/56 range is about normal. Perry and Rubicon are more or less true scale at the 1/56 end, whereas the more caricature figures from Warlord etc have approximately 1/56 height but closer to 1/48 heads, hands and feet

Today I have been plugging the unwanted oar holes - made easier by the convenient fact that the holes are a tight push fit for 2mm plastic rod: Plugging away by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Plugging away by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Meanwhile the sails continue to progress, the "white" ones coloured with tea to give an aged/homespun feel: Sails by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

I suspect it’s little more than tacky glue really, but it’s sold as a way of stopping fabric fraying. It certainly seems to remain flexible, and hasn’t stopped the fabric paint for the stripes from taking, so I’m reasonably happy.

Untitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Masts are 6mm Bamboo knitting needles, yards will be wooden skewers. The cocktail stick oars are just placeholders - as the model scales at 1/64 not the 1/50 its marketed as, I shall be using every other oar hole to give room for actual 28mm Vikings to swing a cat/row a boat. Sails by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Sails are from a sheet of cotton, treated with "fray stop" glue, I may well paint stripes on a couple to see how it looks.