Damocles

I recently got a company called Progressive Engineering Solutions to laser cut some plastic sheeting for me for a few scratch build projects. To help with the construction, Jon also sent me some laser cut ‘Corner Sections’ to be used as internal and external setting pieces when forming 90 degree corners and verticals. They are made from 6mm thick mdf and come as two parts per unit, these being inside and outside corner pieces. They turned out to be excellent little additions to my tool box, and I would highly recommend them for a load of different uses. Cheers, Chris.

Thanks folks for the comments, all i have to do now is build a kit too !. Im having great fun scratching the ground work elements, next in line is some UCB's (universal concrete bollards) and coiled razor wire wire. I will use the Accurate Armour razor wire as it is class, and just make up the brackets and straining wire). I think I am just going to stick with the mesh size as is. whilst not 100% accurate, i dont want to get bogged down trying to cut out alternate lines (tried pulling them out, and it just stretches the entire mesh). Hopefully progress will be alot swifter over the coming weeks, and I can really make progress on my diorama, complete the road surface, MARS Sangars, gate and then onto the vehicles (M-ATV and IVECO CLV Panther on the road and Toyota pick-up parked up as a QRF vehicle. Think it is time to start a seperate build thread for the diorama, now the wall sections and HESCO barriers are coming to fruition. Chris.

I ordered the Toyota Hi LUX II SCV and IVECO CLV Panther. They came in a matter of days, with an excellent service and communications from Milan, the sets where well packaged in a sturdy box sealed individual bags, with the main parts packed separately, and smaller parts grouped. Instructions come in the form of a CD with photographs showing construction sequence and some hi-res pictures of the vehicles deployed. All the parts are moulded nicely, with crisp detail and some nice photo-etched sheets, which are manufactured by Eduard. Here are some pictures. IVECO CLV Panther TOYOTA Hi LUX II. SCV MMK will be at the Euro Militaire show in Folkestone at the weekend, I am sure his stand will be well worth a look. Chris.

Cheers Warris, The mesh is a bit too tight, but just had a eureka moment, as it is a woven mesh, I might just pull out alternte strands !. Chris.

I’ve got the scratch building bug, so after a little though I am going to try and make my own HESCO Bastion barriers. I got my hands on some wire mesh fly-screen sections for the cages section and will use a combination of two types of fabric sticky plasters for the basket and top trim sections. HESCO Bastion barrier Fabric Plasters Make used Fabric Plasters Types Metal mesh applied to the ‘sticky’ side of the ‘strapping’, with the plaster cut and folded for the top trim. Note this will be done more accurately (this was just a trial) Sprayed with Crylon ‘kaki’ First Sample, bent around my Accurate Armour Resin examples. First Sample, bent around my Accurate Armour Resin examples. I gave the mesh a quick rub with a bot of wet and dry to remove the paint. The corners will have a ‘hinge’ detail applied on the next try. Total time to do this, 5 minutes plus 5 minutes drting time for the Crylon. To say I am more than happy with this, would be an understatement. Cheers, Chris

You are very welcome Mike. Chris.

Not a great picture, the pigments need blended a little, and a matt coat applied, but a little update on progress so far. This is the front outter wall section of my planned diorama, the R-0423 is the camp name. The damage to the wall will correspond with impact points on the diorama when complete, with a little smoke/ash pigment to be also applied in these areas. Chris.

My wallet is nothing more that a smoking pile of ashes !. I ordered one of each, so will hopefully have them soom and will put some pictures up. MMK are at Euro Militaire 2011, on the 17th-18th September in Folkstone. I's sure there will be some samples for review and sale !. Chris.

Came across these new releases on the PMMS. Some nice additions for modern vehicle enthusiasts. MMK Web-Site Home Page Chris.

Hi Terry, Thanks for the review on military modelling, much apprecieated. Working through mine now, so hopefully will put up some pictures of the painted and weathered units in a week or so. Chris.

No Problem at all Dave, and thanks for the PM. You are more than welcome. You may wish to give the units a quick coat in some watered down wood glue to harden the outter surface a little, they can be a little brittle to the toutch. I think I will have to go with some dental plaster next time. Regards, Chris.

Cheers folks, It certainly does work out alot cheaper than the resin alternatives, and to be honest the texture and material also lend themselves to easier and more effective weathering. If anyone is interetsed, just drop me a PM. Chris.

Finally got the masters sorted out, rubber mould made up and casting commenced. All in all, I am really pleased. Just have to let them dry off for a few more days, give them a coat of clear laquor to seal them and start the painting and weathering process. Pictures are a little fuzzy, as they are from my phone camera. This will be the basic layout for my planned diorama. Cheers, Chris.

Very good, mid you the urine smell and staining wasn't what got me, it was the other tell tale signs of boredom left behind on the matt black painted walls (and ceilings in some cases) that worried me !. There is some new movie coming out, that comes with a scratch card with smells associated with certain parts of the movie, I am just wondering if that could be applied to modelling, for the latest in '4D' diorama's. Chirs.

Regulus, The cost varied between £25.00 and £40.00 per 'project' depending upon the quantities. The RAID Shelter and RAM where one-off items, but the MARS Sangar had enough items cut to make 4 sets. The company (Progressive Engineering Solutions), were very good. This is one of the first times they did a project like this, so it took a bit of going back and forward to get the drawings right from my end. The cost also included them, re-drawing my sketches onto CAD for approval. Whilst not exactly cheap, in my opinion it was well worth it, as I have 'original' kits that meet my needs. I am only getting around to making these up now, so should have some progress shots to show in a few weeks. Buccy Mad Nothing like the smell of years old urine on a cold winter's night in a Golf or Romeo tower !. My version, will be a slightly updated version for a 'What-if' project with a remote weapons station on the roof with some modern IT/Comms gear and Air-Con for a desert environment, but should still keep the same feel. A little undecided if a rocket-cage will be applied. Heloman1 Thansk for the EMA tip, looks a good source of parts, especially 12 bottles of the EMA plastic-weld for £21.00, not bad at all. Regards, Chris.

here are some pictures I got sent from Live Resin. (I believe, parts are due out mid September). http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/d...se14/LR-012.jpg Chris.

Great work Chris, fantastic. You are setting the bar very high with this one. He's not a happy camper !, would have thought with the size of that pipe, he would at the very least have a bit of a cheeky grin !. More please. Chris.

I'm, sure the process starts with detailed CAD drawings, so I am assuming the operator simply selects a scale and sends it to Start printing. A 1/12 scale set of the '50 Cal. Would be nice also. If this is real (no reason to doubt it, as it appeared on PMMS), and they are reasonably priced, then they will be a winner !. I better start saving my pennies !. Chris.

Previews of new new "Live Resin" products, using new generation technology 3D modelling. 1/35 Scale M4's, M14, M240B, M2 '50 cal. and head / MICH Helmet. absolutely fantastic, if this is the 'future' it is very promising ! Check this link out Live Resin 3D Modelling Chris.

Salt in the wound Graeme !, I was secretly hoping know one on BM would notice, and I could keep my dignity ! It is still in the box, and im more keen now to get it started, but I'm working on the base first. Looking at the drawings, the Panda version looks along the lines of the Bronco style, and it that is the case it will be an excellent build. That said, it is certainly a good time for modern armour and figure modelllers, so I cant complain. with a Buffallo also on the way, the question what next ?, a Max-Pro or Cougar MRAP possibly (fingers crossed). Chris.

Excellent picture of the twin seater. If only Revell had give us this option too !. Chris.

Garry, Excellent pictures of the A-10's, last time I saw one of those in the skies of N.Ireland must have been 25 years ago !. Just makes me wanna go out an get the 1/32 Trumpeter kit. One thing that strikes me though !. The back-seater in F-15E LN 334, must be about 10 years old !, either that of only 5ft tall (maybe small crew, is a new USAF policy to save fuel). Thanks for sharing. Chris,

Hi Richard, Did you gave any luck with the colours ?. Chris.

Jason, Excellent work, I have one, but just dont know what to do with it, although Bronco have just announced a 1/35 plastic Buffalo MPCV. Can you suggest any good sites with reference images ?. Looking forward to the B-B1 or B-2. Chris.

Just a quick update, on the concrete finish. I have settled for the bottom right, which is the Faller Grey Roadway pait with MIG Dark wash, left to soack fo a minute and them a sponge placed on top for a few seconds to soack up the excess. As always, any comments are welcome, particularly if you think the finish and colour looks right. Cheers, Chris.