Zoran Srb

Coming along nicely, keep at it.

Thanks, but let's not exaggerate, I'm OK, but nothing special... BTW USS Atlanta is on a workbench, as promised...

I'm sorry, I completely forgot that you were building this one!! I mean, WOW, just WOW!!! Please don't get me wrong, Falcon is excellent, but the backdrop is PHENOMENAL !!! Since I know that is completely schrech build, sheer imagination (and execution) is mindboggling!! Once again, CONGRATS, you definitely have a winner!!!

Once again into the breach my friends... After somewhat of a long stint from shipbuilding (although I wasn't idle, there are quite a few AC and AFVs in the display cabinet) time has come to get serious again... Anyhow, Very Fire's USS Atlanta DX pack... If there's ever been a ship model that can be built OOB, Very Fire DX series (I'm guessing Cleveland, and Des Moines too), this is it. I only found a "need" to replace 28mm AA and perhaps launches with 3D printed ones (although my laziness might have something to do with that). As usual, I start with the hull. Glued nuts with the help of CA and baking soda. Also added some sprue to help with a torque of the nuts when screwing bolts. The only "issue" that I found so far, are anti-slip walkaways... They are on the thick side, when decals would do much better, but one has to work with what he has. I sanded them down to thickness of masking tape Some preshading on deck and hull... Lower hull painted Deck painted.. And the upper hull... Word of caution.. Decals have an extremely strong adhesive, so be careful. I strongly recommend not using any solvents, just water. Apply a lot of it, manouver the decal in to position, and gradually remove water, whilst manoeuvering the decal in place. Only when decal is 100% in position, only then press the decal... The upper hull is stained and weathered.. More to follow.. Cheers

I disagree. It's not so much that Pontos decks are too pale, it's more, that regardless of manufacturer, all of them are made from a single piece of wood, and that is visible. I just have one step prior to your method. I dilute Humbrol sands and lt.browns, to a very thin mixture,(usually two sands, and two browns), and "stain" individual planks randomly. If thinned properly, it will change the color of the planks slightly (it's important not to overdo it). Then I seal it with varnish-acrylic based (I use Future floor polish), leave it to dry for a few days, and apply oil-based dark grayish-brown (dirty) wash- black wash is too dark for me. In principle I don't use pure black, or pure white on my models, somehow they seem to be out of scale Here's Artwork deck for Graf Spee, just stained in different colors.

Exellent job Sir. I prefer WWII warships, but if I ever come to build a modern warship, she'll be the one... ( and perhaps one of Udaloys... )

She's a beaut. Hope you'll build many more. I have a soft spot for IJN warships, so far Yamashiro, Takao, Kagero, and I-58 are in a display cabinet, with quite a few more to come.

She is very fine indeed. She looks nice, in '42 scheme, I've built mine in '43 color scheme, it's interesting how they differ... If you choose, you can check it out...

Having built two ships with Flyhawk sets (Takao and Yamashiro), I know that they can be a little intimidating, but you can be proud of your effort, especially since this is your second ship. Well done, hope you will make many more. PS. When you use any kind of wash, make sure that you use different bases (acrylic/oil), so you'll be able to remove as much as you wish. I prefer acrylic varnish with an oil-based wash over it, but each to his own. PPS. I understand your disclaimer about swastikas, but as you pointed out, that is about historical accuracy, not about ideology, and I believe that all of us here think the same.

Well done Sir, she's a beaut!!! I especially like the colors and the overall look. I pondered acquiring her, but some time ago, Flyhawk announced her in 350th scale... So I'm waiting....

Very nice indeed. Hope you'll finish her as well as you started. Btw, did you know that the Chinese company SSmodel makes her in 350th scale as a 3D printed model?

Pontos PE is little bit thicker than Fujimi ones (and Flyhawks), so you'll (in most cases) have a second chance... Most forgiving of them all (so far) is Eduard..

Thats correct for white metal ones (steel). For brass, there is no need. If you are trying to make a curve, find something (tool handle, etc) with slightly smaller diameter then curve needed, bend around, and part will straitghen a bit, so it will fit....

If I may... If you use (any kind of) needle, CA tends to slide off, so you have to make a bigger droplet, which by itself might not be suitable. Toothpicks on the other hand soak CA. By trial, I found that stretched sprue works the best. CA doesn't slide, and by stretching sprue in various diameters, you can have different sizes of droplets, as needed. As soon as the sprue gets messed up, cut off that bit, and continue...

Regarding paints and scheme.... According to some sources last dry-dock overhaul (and painting ie http://www.combinedfleet.com/kongo.htm) of Kongo was in Sasebo, whilst the last overhaul of Fuso was in Kure. According to Model master and Tamiya (less so), there is a difference between these two grays (Kure shades are on the right). So beside paint difference, you also have a possibility of aging/ weathering them differently to avoid monotony... But generally, yes, making several IJN warships not to look monotonous, since they (in 95% of cases) are painted the same, do present a challenge....

Wow, new one!!! Great start, I'll be following this one.... Incidentally a few days ago, after a long break (been building Acs, and AFVs), I started Atlanta. As soon as I get a bit done, I'll be posting WIP. All the best, cheers

Very, very nice. That transitional period from sailships to motor-powered warships is interesting. I hope we will see more from you. Cheers!

I had this Panther for a long time, even started it a decade ago, but since it's my favorite tank, I wasn't happy with what was in the box.... One day I run on Part etched zimmerit and shurzen... So this kitty has a metal skin (the irony is that represents antimagnetic paste), and I'm quite happy with the result... (I didn't want to make VIP since its AFV in 72nd scale, and there isn't much to show) I also replaced all small bits with metal parts, made towing cable from wires, MG34 is 3D printed, I had some difficulty with too fiddly, and delicate brackets for shurzen, but I managed it somehow.... Tracks painted and ready for dirt... And voila... And, yes I know, I still cant take a photo worth of crap.... This is it, so fire away

Another exquisite piece, you did it again. Rare subject, I don't have anything against mainstream subjects (Panthers forever... ), but it's nice to see this one. Congrats, and just keep them coming!!!

She's a beauty!! I can definitely see the advantage of the 200th scale, but unfortunately, I don't have enough space (or time) for such large ships. I'll stick to the 350th scale. Congrats, great model, I really like aging/weathering, restrained but visible, just right to make her lifelike, once again, congrats!!

Btw, since Eskimo is on my shelf, can anyone collaborate is this paint scheme right? Thx in advance...

Of course, thorough cleaning of resin is a must. If I may... Spray each color with gloss varnish (I use Future floor polish-"the old formula), before masking. I found Tamiya Flexi tape (white one) the most forgiving. Then, over that paper masking tape on the edges with paper covering most of the area.... I even managed to pull the masking of Lifecolor, without damaging it.... Hope you'll fix her without much headache... Cheers

Impressive. Hope you'll finish them soon, so we can see them in all their splendor...

Wow, just an air wing is a Herculean effort, and the ship is good as well. Well done Sir, hope you will show us more. Cheers!

Really nice one, she's a beauty!! Rigging is first class, and painting and weathering are spot on. Btw your ViP was somewhat shy, would you please be so kind, and share how did you paint/aged/weathered lower hull, I really like it. Congrats, hope you treat us with more soon. Cheers