Christmas Greetings!

Well it's nearly Xmas and I haven't updated the blog in a while, mostly due to undertaking a few d.i.y projects around the house as well as having other work done plus working my arse off! All this left no time for modelling! It's been a bit of a disaster modelling wise this year for me, loads of other things just kept getting in the way! plus too many unfinished projects sat under the bench.

However the blog has seen a vast increase in visitors as well as followers so a big thank you to all of you for your continued interest even during the lean spells! I am planning a few interesting builds for next year as well as a consolidation of the stash. I have gone a little mad this year and really need to concentrate on building models instead of just buying them! something I am sure many of you suffer from every once in a while!

Anyway I wish you all a happy Christmas and prosperous new year and leave you with a picture of my beloved Dita unwrapping an interesting present!

Grizzly's New Coat

I have now completed adding the kevlar to the model and have added some to the turret as well. I finally deduced that there was kevlar on some Grizzly's by careful study of my references. The magic sculpt worked extremely well and looks very realistic. I can now get back to the kit instructions and start adding everything else.

More Kevlar Capers!

I have now finished adding the main areas of kevlar to the hull and now just need to add some to the rear section and all the doors and hatches. I think that the turret was also treated with the armour package but the reference pictures I have are not very clear so further research is needed here.

I have tried to replicate the edges of the sheets lifting slightly as on the real thing they where held in place using velcro. So far so good and the sheets where not too hard to add either!

Crafty Kelvar

I have now started adding the kevlar covering and as I said I have used magic sculpt which I have rolled out into thin sheets using a wooden dowel and plenty of johnsons baby powder.
The baby powder stops the magic sculpt from sticking to the work surface and tools. I have managed to get nice thin sheets using this method. I then trimmed the sheets roughly to shape and placed on the model.

Once in place further trimming can be done with a knife or scalpel. I find dipping the blade in water helps get a neat cut.

Some smoothing out with a brush and water helps level off the covering. Once it's dry I can refine any details easily. So far it's going nicely and I think it looks very close to the real thing.

Grappling The Grizzy

Today I have made a start on the grizzly not much of one but I have been working out the running order for applying the magic sculpt on the model. However I have altered the engine grills by firstly sanding down the lip around the grills then removing part of each grill to more closely replicate what is seen on the real thing.

A comparison can be seen here,

The hull halves have also been glued together but no suspension or any other parts have been added. The plan is to add the kevlar sheeting then add the rest.

Tomorrow I am going to experiment with the best method to roll the magic sculpt into usable sheets and how best to apply it so it should be a fun packed day!

Trumpeter 1/35th Canadian AVGP Grizzly (Late)

Here's the next project on the bench, Trumpeter's new Grizzly late version. Straight out of the box it looks a nice kit however I am going to attempt to add the LAST armour package that was seen on most late grizzles in Bosnia. For info on the LAST package see this link, LAST ARMOUR

My plan is not to add the hexagonal blocks but just the kevlar outer covering. This will be made from rolled magic sculpt and should be enough to suggest the tiles underneath. Here's the real thing,

The overall appearance of the vehicle is quite different from the non LAST armoured versions so should be an interesting conversion.

Neat Nose

Well I have managed to tame the pesky nose with more filling, sanding and re-scribing.The final part that wanted to give me a fight was the grill but it was no match for super glue! I also replaced the moulded handles on the nose with brass rod, not 100% accurate but better than what the kit offers.

The kit has now had a wash in preparation for interior painting, let's hope that goes well!

Nose Troubles

I have been beavering away on the nose section of the Wessex lately and boy was it a struggle! lots of filling, sanding and re scribing lost details and I'm still not finished. I fitted part 28B which is the nose grill housing and the fit is very poor. more sanding to get it flush will be needed here!

The exhausts now look reasonably round in section and I have added rib detail using metal repair tape. I just hope the rest of the kit fits together better than this portion of the model.

R.I.P MERLIN

It's with great sadness that I have to tell you that our faithful and beloved Labrador Merlin passed away on Monday evening. Merlin was with us for 13 years and was the life and sole of any party. Especially if it involved food, everyone who met him instantly fell in love with his cheeky ways and loving personality. He loved food obviously! after all he was a lab and could hear the fridge door open or the rustling of a crisp packet at 100 yards! Water was his favourite thing and he would get himself soaked when the opportunity arouse. Usually this involved the muddiest puddle or tank track he could find! During the last couple of years he slowed down somewhat but received a boost when Buck came home to live last year. They both got on famously and loved sharing toys as well as treats. Eventually though old age, a dicky ticker and failing kidneys caught up with him. Rest in peace Merlin we will miss you.

A Bench Full Of Bits!

Right it's now back to the Wessex with a vengeance and I have started to get everything cleaned up and ready for cockpit and cargo area painting. I also glued the nose section together and here I needed to sand and test fit first as the fit was not very good. I need to just tidy up the joints on the nose next.
The plastic in this kit is rather soft so care needs to be taken when using the knife. The exhausts are quite horrid and don't look round in section to me so I will sand them to the correct shape later. These would be a must replacement part in resin.

Sd. Kfz 254 Finished

Well the old 254 is now on it's base with the figures and it's all done! This was one of those builds when everything just fell into place which made it all the more enjoyable. Especially as it's such an interesting subject. The figures really have enhanced the display giving a sense of drama and anticipation to the scene, like they have just spotted something which may cause them to beat a hasty retreat!
Top marks must go again to Hobbyboss for producing a kit yet again that I thought would never be released in plastic.

Sd.Kfz 254 & Figures Coming Together

I have now completed the figures to my satisfaction and am now sorting out the base and figure placement. The base will be very simple with perhaps some barbed wire in one corner to suggest the crew are looking over a defensive position or mine field. Some fuel cans and a wicker basket and earthenware pot are also being added.

DAK Figures

After a distinct lack of progress on the 254 lately I have managed to get some work done on the figures over the last couple of days. Vallejo panzer aces colours are my weapon of choice for painting them as I find I get really nice results for minimum effort.

I now only have the flesh areas and insignia to finish off and they will be done.