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Post by nito74 on Mar 20, 2024 2:25:16 GMT
Great work Duke, Tupolev's are going well. Robert E. Lee is looking amazing
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Post by bwilt on Mar 20, 2024 7:35:50 GMT
Tupolev, Bear, Badger, those are big, even in 1/72..
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Post by JEFF on Mar 20, 2024 13:06:38 GMT
What a batch of things.
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Post by Paul B on Mar 20, 2024 15:10:48 GMT
Excellent wingy stuff Duke, really looking forward to seeing the Macchi in colour
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Post by dukemaddog on Mar 21, 2024 20:21:30 GMT
Thank you all for the awesome replies guys! I'm slowly making progress so stay tuned!
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Post by dukemaddog on Apr 6, 2024 3:24:04 GMT
Well, it's been nearly a month since the last tour, so we are due. As there has been quite a bit of progress during that time, this will be another two-part tour due to the extensive amount of things to show. So, all aboard the trams for the latest tour! The Hangar is the first stop as always and here is where the majority of the progress has been. Starting in this first bay, we have some Russian ordinance. This was a short run kit that I got in the Distressed Kit Auction some time back. These finally got some paint on them and since the stand to the flying one went on walkabout, we modified one to hold it: Not too shabby... In the next bay is a project that got started because of all the white we were spraying on the Concorde. so, while I had the white out, we shot a white on the fuselage of this Canadian Otter to get a jump on it: Now on to the next bay, we have another started project; something that had been crying out for me to start. This is the Eduard Profipak Israeli S-199. The cockpit sans instrument panel was started first: After that the basic fuselage was assembled: Then we completed the rest of the fuselage and slipped the cockpit sub-assembly inside to dry fit so we could see how it fit: Looking pretty good so far. Next we worked more on the Italian Macchi C.205. The canopy went on after some more sanding had taken place: The the canopy was masked; it was easier to do it while installed on the aircraft: Next stop was the paint station, where this got the undercoat. Once it was dry, we masked it off for the upper coat: The upper coat went on after that: Followed later by the darker green splotches since we still had that color in the color cup after spraying the T-34: Moving along, we got some more progress done on the two Reapers (that I mislabeled as "Predators") shooting a base coat of Light Ghost Grey over them both: Once that was dry, a gloss coat was sprayed and we got the decals down on the British Reaper: I'm waiting for word from my nephew to see if he knows a particular drone he's flown the most so I can model it. Now for the larger stuff. In this bay we have another attempt at shooting a gloss coat on the Concorde: I was not satisfied with the joint between the tail and the main fuselage. However, to facilitate things we did what I should have done long before: we built the stand that came in the kit: Now this is much easier to maneuver without having to touch it and dirty up the white! It also made it easier to add the additional Mr. Surfacer to try and smooth out the troublesome joint again: Moving on while that dried, we have in this next bay both of the T-16 Badgers under construction. Both cockpit modules had the clear parts masked off to prepare for paint: The engines were added to the main fuselages of both planes and the main fuselage halves were cemented together. You can see one of them had already got the cockpit module attached: Afterward, the other cockpit module was attached and the wings were installed on both planes: Later their first color went on. I'm not exactly happy with this shade and I may re-shoot another one....or not: Now for the next big model, we go to this next bay where the Tu-95H (also mislabeled as the "Tu-142) is being built. I wasn't happy with the way the inside nacelle on one wing was sitting; there were too many large gaps along the nacelle and wing. The only thing to do was to remove it and re-set it correctly so that that the gaps are gone: Once re-set there was still a bit of putty needed at the top joint where the nacelle meets the wing: Naturally doing all that caused the main landing gear to break, so this was fixed to dry along with everything else: While that was drying we moved on to the front fuselage section where the canopy was installed: This was then masked when it was dry: After that, the rear fuselage and the front fuselage were joined together. Now you can get some idea of how big this thing is as it is sitting on a standard tray table: Naturally you'll be able to see how incredibly messy my bench is, but hey, it can't be helped.... Moving on, we then installed the wings: I had to pull the entire tray table out to fit that thing! Here's another view of this thing on the tray table: Later on, this Big Bird got it's first color: That will all be masked when it's time to put the main bare metal silver coat on. First, we still need to add some of the lighter greys on certain areas first. Now this tour has been quite extensive already so we shall continue the tour in the Shipyards and the Motor Pool in the next post.
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Post by dukemaddog on Apr 6, 2024 3:25:21 GMT
And now to continue our tour of the Shipyards next. In the first slipway here we have the Japanese PT-15 that finally got the base coat of grey on it: In the next slipway, we continued work on the deck of the USS Enterprise. Some masking was pulled off, but the the yellow stripes were painted on the deck: Later, the remaining elevator stripes were masked off, the yellow painted on it and then we added the red stripes on these same elevator stripes: After some touchup, this deck is done: Finally, in this last slipway, we worked on getting the railings on the Robert E. Lee looking more even and refined. Additional parts were added and the seams on the upper cabin and deck were filled as well: That completes our tour so far of the Shipyards and so we move on to the Motor Pool. Production has been picking up, starting with a small shelf queen project that I wanted on the display shelf. This is the Military Wheels 1/72 scale Russian Field Kitchen. We had started it some time ago, found the box again and decided it was time to get it finished. First off the kitchen and limber were completed: Here's an idea of how small this is too: The horses were in four parts. Seriously. Two body halves, the head and the tail. They seemed pretty desperate to add some kind of 'detail' to this model! It didn't help that the parts were all so badly molded that massive sanding, carving and other adjustments needed to be made: Finally we got them painted: Moving along to the next bay, the Syrian PzIV got a partial run of tracks from the spares box. More will go on this when additional track pieces are found: Overall it's looking pretty good: Next are two Distressed Kit Auction winnings. These were mostly assembled by someone else before they gave up and donated them to our club for our Auction. First is this Dragon StuG III ausf H that they had added photo etch zimmerit to: This is going to be a Syrian StuG, and yes, there are pictures of several of these in Syrian service still sporting their Zimm. We started on the tracks for this for now: Our last Syrian tank is this Trumpeter T-34/85 that they had given up on because one of the idler wheels disappeared. I conjured up a replacement pair and added them to this tank: Next the tracks went on: Someone else added those metal fenders, saving me the trouble.... And then this got basecoated with the dark green: Then the decals went on. These are Braille Strike decals and went on well. I just forgot to trim them very close so some judicious cutting with a very sharp Exacto knife got them the right size. You can also see in my clumsiness, I messed up the red triangle on this side. Nothing a little paint can't fix: Lastly, I've been talking about starting my P.1000 Ratte to make into a carrying case for my small scale vehicle contest entries. Well, one Hobby Day Monday I made good on that statement. No, it never existed, or was ever used. Yes, this is in 1/72 scale. No, I don't think I will count it as one of the collection....mostly because it is pure fantasy that never got built or used. But I am building it. Here are all of the components and/or sub assemblies for the main track bogies. The drive sprockets are already finished: We had to make 32 of these rocker arms... or was it 36? This kit gives you springs so that the bogies articulate: Here's a close up of the drive sprockets: And finally, here is ONE bogie consisting of 44 parts in that one assembly.... I need to make eleven more: While that was drying, we finished up the majority of the main hull and turret: Now in this back lot, given how much lumber we use, we are building a new Lumber Mill: This is also a tribute of sorts for my paternal grandfather who was not permitted to serve in WWII: he owned one of these and because it was a vital industry back then, the government made sure he stayed on and supplied them throughout the war. And that completes this tour of Maddog Manufacturing for this time. Thank you all for looking in and as always, comments are welcome.
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Post by nito74 on Apr 6, 2024 4:31:40 GMT
Wow.... this is amazing !!!! So many different builds, wow...fantastic work Duke !!
Can't wait to see the S-199 and the Macchi done, plastic and fitting looks very,very good. Also I'm very curious to see the Tupolev's done, I have a Badger and a Bear in stash for years now... I think I might have started the Badger 7 or 8 yrs ago, I remember starting the cockpit.. another Shelf Queen that needs work.
Some great work on the Shipyard and the motor pool.. simply superb !
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Post by bwilt on Apr 6, 2024 9:44:15 GMT
It is always a real pleasure to be taken along on a trip through your different building sites... and indeed, HUGE is the right word for that plane...
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Post by Paul B on Apr 6, 2024 12:31:38 GMT
Simply amazing The Macchi is looking really cool and that zimmerit on the StuG is very eye catching, well played on all fronts Mark
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Post by Marco on Apr 7, 2024 13:44:09 GMT
Wow. Mark you're still building many, many fantastic things! And what about those huge planes?!?!?!
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Post by Ian H. on Apr 7, 2024 17:38:23 GMT
Awesome work, Duke! Dude, the Bear and Badgers are just too cool!
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Post by dukemaddog on Apr 8, 2024 1:13:10 GMT
Wow! Thank you all for such awesome comments!
Thank you John! The smaller planes are coming along, but the larger ones are taking some time mostly because of the size. Still, I'm happy with the progress on them.
Thank you Bert! I'm so glad that you enjoy my tours! Yes, I do have a few Huge planes going, but they still aren't as big as my An-124!
Thank you Paul! I like the Macchi as well, the Italians sure build them pretty! That Zimm is an interesting thing indeed; first time I've seen it on a model this small.
Thank you Marco! Yes, I'm doing some different things indeed! Gotta keep things fresh! Yes, I'm finally getting the huge planes built because I need the shelf space! Those big boxes take up a lot of it! If you want to see what I've been up to while you've been gone, go back and check out my Year End Pass in Review and my Milestone Threads.
Thank you Ian! Yes, I agree those bombers are so cool! I've always wanted them in my collection ever since seeing those pictures of them shadowing our fleet. Finally they've been released in 1/72 scale for me to add them!
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Post by Marco on Apr 8, 2024 10:22:04 GMT
I'll Mark!
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Post by JEFF on Apr 8, 2024 23:54:23 GMT
Holy Mother of Pearl! What an awesome tour that was. I really like the camo on the macchi.
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Post by dukemaddog on Apr 11, 2024 18:34:39 GMT
Thank you Jeff! The camo on the Macchi was done freehand with an airbrush. Unfortunately, the dry transfers messed up so I'll need to find replacement decals. And if I can find some replacement wheels, I'll be able to finish this. Stay tuned!
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Post by dukemaddog on Apr 18, 2024 0:04:17 GMT
It's been a pretty good couple weeks and so we have enough for a new tour. This one will be a bit shorter but there is still lots to see. So, make your way to the trams and all aboard! In our first stop in the Hangar, we have a number of projects moving forward, including another troublesome model like the Concorde, but that is further in. First we have progress on this Israeli S-199. We completed the wing assembly which consisted of ten parts and dry ft that sub-assembly to the fuselage: Since it fit so well, we added the cockpit from underneath; after adding the instrument panel first, and then cemented everything in place. The canopy was added here too: Since masking the canopy was so difficult, even on the plane, it was removed and paper towel was used to mask the interior so that the base color could be applied. It was then glossed for decals after the paint had dried: Finally here in the last bay we have the troublesome B-66 Destroyer. After multiple spraying, sanding, stripping, spraying etc. I finally decided to just move on. The silver coat was good enough so it was polished and decals were applied: That is it for this short tour of the Hangar, now on to the Shipyards where small progress was done in our workshops building the weapons for the PT-15 MTB. Here is the second of the 20mm guns for this boat; the first had been built before: We also completed the torpedo tubes (mostly); one part went missing. I intend to build these with one set of tubes closed and the other set of tubes open and ready to fire: That is all we have here for now. On to the Motor Pool where we've been working on a number of projects that need to be finished. In this first bay of the Motor Pool, we have the British Achilles tank destroyer. This will be the first one of these I ever built. It's a UM kit so another tough fight here. First the running gear was installed: The kit included photo etch strips to bend into shape and cemented to the top of these bogies. Naturally, as with all UM kits of Shermans and Sherman variants, these photo etch parts go AWOL no matter how hard I try to keep them from disappearing! So this time I wasn't waiting to find them; I have too many UM Shermans sitting incomplete because I'm waiting to find these parts! I figured I'd try plastic styrene strip. It was more difficult that I expected but I forged ahead, starting with getting a basic bend done and then cementing them to the bogies: When these were dry, they were bent over and the other ends cemented down. Once they held, I added the upper run of track to push them down: You can see they look very misshapen, not at all like they were supposed to be. But they are ON, and with enough paint and weathering, they will be darn near impossible to see. Hey it was an experiment that partially succeeded, I don't know if I'll try it again, but the opening there is possible. While that sat and simmered, the turret was completed with all but the ready ammunition: By then, the tracks were dry enough so I completed the track runs for both sides: All that is really needed now is the oversized bolts to be added to the turret and upper hull and this is ready for paint: In the next bay we have the Egyptian Su-100 assault gun. This kit provided resin parts to replicate a vehicle used by the Egyptians, so they were added to this. The full run of tracks were added as well: It's amazing; this model is from the same company as the Shermans and yet it goes together so much better than any of their Sherman kits! Anyway, this was got it's tan base coat and later a gloss coat to ready it for decals: Following this is the Syrian StuG III completed and ready for paint after I added the track runs to this: Because of all that photo etch, this was primed with a black primer to hopefully seal all that Zimm so the brass color doesn't shine through and that the base paint holds: Sinister looking vehicle right? Where's that Haunted Tank?!! Base paint went on well and looks great so far I think. Then the gloss was applied for the decals: Now I wish I knew how to build the spacial monut they made for the Italian SAFAT machine gun that they mounted on this. All the pics are too far away, fuzzy or both to get a clear view, and any search attempts to find it went every which way but where I wanted it to go. That leads us to the last Syrian tank, the PzIV in the next bay. As you can see, about half of the tracks had been installed while I went looking for the same type to complete these track runs: I wanted to replace those Godawful vynil tracks that came in this kit. Searching for the same type of track that was already on it resulted in enough to finish these track runs. The turret shurtzen went on as well: Finally a base of tan was appplied and later the gloss for decals: Last but not least, the Ratte had been creeping along as Rattes do, I now have four of 16 bogies completed: And that completes our short tour for today. Thank you all for looking in, comments are welcome!
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Post by Paul B on Apr 18, 2024 4:15:28 GMT
Grand tour there Duke, you have certainly been busy fella , unlike myself.
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Post by bwilt on Apr 18, 2024 8:04:43 GMT
Nice tour again, i liked the Golden Stug and that Ratte is going to keep you busy for the rest of this year
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Post by dukemaddog on Apr 18, 2024 18:55:24 GMT
Thank you Paul! Our Hobby Days sure help to get a lot of this done. Still, I'm hoping to move forward on more of these, possibly finishing one or two.
Thank you Bert! Yeah, the Golden StuG is no longer so golden! and I expect you're right about that Ratte.
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