1/35 Takom M60A1 with Reactive Armour

[Donkeywalloper]

It's all looking great your doing a smashing job on everything and now a dio Your gonna be a pro by the end of it

KD, much appreciated

[Donkeywalloper]

That really is looking the part mate - as the guys have already said the weathering is to notch.

Love the shade & highlighting you've done on the crew uniforms too

Looking forward to seeing the dio develop now.

Your to kind Neil. I am please with the highlighting, but I think its just down to the listening to to Vids on YT, that mention diluting paint to almost washes of colour. It seems to work.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

It just keeps getting better

Your to kind Kev, it's like I can see the finishing line, and then deliberately make the race longer by adding stuff to it.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

www.emodels.co.uk the site that just keeps giving , well along as you pay them obviously
So after a 45 minute trip home but with a car passenger seat loaded with boxes, one of which contained this,

Great stuff, and goes on very well, and levels beautifully.
Had some thoughts on Stowage over the last few days.
Using some reference photos, where the Turret R/A is absolutely covered with crew stowage, the Tamiya Modern US Stowage Tarps especially, just were not going to lay flat to the R/A.
Then the crews webbing on top.......
Nope, got to rethink this. I could use tissue soaked in PVA?
Could go for the Foil, folded then sprayed, nope.
So after some digging around the web, I could have gone with Milliput, but this stuff got good reviews.

So, I'm gonna make my own tarps.
Cover the R/A with Cling Film. Mix the putty, then roll out with lots of water . Fold then to create the Tarps, position on the side R/A. I can then get the Rucksacks and webbing pressed into the putty and they should, I repeat should, drape better and form on to the contours. Well I like it

These other bits are for the dio, which is still forming in my mind.
Stay tuned,
DW

[Kevthemodeller]

Adding stuff is my big failing only I normally do it with PE

[digger303]

www.emodels.co.uk the site that just keeps giving , well along as you pay them obviously
So after a 45 minute trip home but with a car passenger seat loaded with boxes, one of which contained this,

Great stuff, and goes on very well, and levels beautifully.
Had some thoughts on Stowage over the last few days.
Using some reference photos, where the Turret R/A is absolutely covered with crew stowage, the Tamiya Modern US Stowage Tarps especially, just were not going to lay flat to the R/A.
Then the crews webbing on top.......
Nope, got to rethink this. I could use tissue soaked in PVA?
Could go for the Foil, folded then sprayed, nope.
So after some digging around the web, I could have gone with Milliput, but this stuff got good reviews.

So, I'm gonna make my own tarps.
Cover the R/A with Cling Film. Mix the putty, then roll out with lots of water . Fold then to create the Tarps, position on the side R/A. I can then get the Rucksacks and webbing pressed into the putty and they should, I repeat should, drape better and form on to the contours. Well I like it

These other bits are for the dio, which is still forming in my mind.
Stay tuned,
DW

Very good haul.
I saw your comments about making tarps. The thing with epoxy is it always looks over scale no matter how thin you roll it. VMS have a product call paper shaper. It isn't thinned pva and works best on thin paper ( not tissue ). You mold it to shape then after it dries use slate cleaner to wet it again as a release agent then it can be removed and painted then placed back in it's original position. Makes it easy for painting purposes. It looks to scale and it will conform to whatever shape you drape it over.

[Donkeywalloper]

www.emodels.co.uk the site that just keeps giving , well along as you pay them obviously
So after a 45 minute trip home but with a car passenger seat loaded with boxes, one of which contained this,

Great stuff, and goes on very well, and levels beautifully.
Had some thoughts on Stowage over the last few days.
Using some reference photos, where the Turret R/A is absolutely covered with crew stowage, the Tamiya Modern US Stowage Tarps especially, just were not going to lay flat to the R/A.
Then the crews webbing on top.......
Nope, got to rethink this. I could use tissue soaked in PVA?
Could go for the Foil, folded then sprayed, nope.
So after some digging around the web, I could have gone with Milliput, but this stuff got good reviews.

So, I'm gonna make my own tarps.
Cover the R/A with Cling Film. Mix the putty, then roll out with lots of water . Fold then to create the Tarps, position on the side R/A. I can then get the Rucksacks and webbing pressed into the putty and they should, I repeat should, drape better and form on to the contours. Well I like it

These other bits are for the dio, which is still forming in my mind.
Stay tuned,
DW

Very good haul.
I saw your comments about making tarps. The thing with epoxy is it always looks over scale no matter how thin you roll it. VMS have a product call paper shaper. It isn't thinned pva and works best on thin paper ( not tissue ). You mold it to shape then after it dries use slate cleaner to wet it again as a release agent then it can be removed and painted then placed back in it's original position. Makes it easy for painting purposes. It looks to scale and it will conform to whatever shape you drape it over.

Thanks Digger.
I have to say, having not used Epoxy before, I'm not totally sure, as you say it will work regarding scale. I'm gonna have a play at the weekend, and see how thin I can get it, so it conforms to the drapes of a folded tarp.
As long as I protect the sides of the turret, i.e. Cling Film and Gloss Varnish, I hope to get some result. Whether its the result I want is another matter
I just know, that having painted and very carefully weathered all those Tamiya US Modern Accessories, they are to "Blocky" and will just sit proud of Turret surfaces, and not conformed as I want.
Thank you for tips, I shall have a look now on the web at Paper Shaper.

DW

[Donkeywalloper]

50ml Paper Shaper For Tarps Canvas Covers Flags Stowage × 1 £7.25
200ml Clean Slate Paint Remover - Plastic Safe Paint Stripper × 1 £9.99
Bought just now Digger
Thanks
DW

[digger303]

50ml Paper Shaper For Tarps Canvas Covers Flags Stowage × 1 £7.25
200ml Clean Slate Paint Remover - Plastic Safe Paint Stripper × 1 £9.99
Bought just now Digger
Thanks
DW

No probs, Just one thing though prepare your paper shapes on bare plastic if you want to remove them at all. Yeah I learnt the hard way....

Ps... 8 minutes to be convinced and buy.....wow

[Donkeywalloper]

50ml Paper Shaper For Tarps Canvas Covers Flags Stowage × 1 £7.25
200ml Clean Slate Paint Remover - Plastic Safe Paint Stripper × 1 £9.99
Bought just now Digger
Thanks
DW

No probs, Just one thing though prepare your paper shapes on bare plastic if you want to remove them at all. Yeah I learnt the hard way....

Ps... 8 minutes to be convinced and buy.....wow

Yeah, I realised that I wouldn't be able to use this on the sides of the Reactive Armour as its already painted. I'm not sure using Cling Film to protect the painted sides will work
Your quite the Salesman
Thanks for the info, and as always, this is whats great about this site, the shared info. I will of course document my cock-ups / success all the way
DW

[digger303]

50ml Paper Shaper For Tarps Canvas Covers Flags Stowage × 1 £7.25
200ml Clean Slate Paint Remover - Plastic Safe Paint Stripper × 1 £9.99
Bought just now Digger
Thanks
DW

No probs, Just one thing though prepare your paper shapes on bare plastic if you want to remove them at all. Yeah I learnt the hard way....

Ps... 8 minutes to be convinced and buy.....wow

Yeah, I realised that I wouldn't be able to use this on the sides of the Reactive Armour as its already painted. I'm not sure using Cling Film to protect the painted sides will work
Your quite the Salesman
Thanks for the info, and as always, this is whats great about this site, the shared info. I will of course document my cock-ups / success all the way
DW

You can use it on a painted surface just can't get it off and that's ok in a lot of circumstances. Depends on what your doing.

[Donkeywalloper]

The plan in my head, is the following:
To add as realistic Tarps, Tents and sheets as possible to Turret area. What I want though, is to have the already painted Webbing / Rucksacks / Bergens sat on the Tarps or even underneath.
The Turret is painted and weathered and protected by two coats of Gloss Varnish.
Will this solution damage the surface if varnished? If I laid Cling Film over painted areas on Turret, could I work with Paper Shaper on top of that? Sorry to be asking so many questions
I watched the YT Vids and was really impressed, it looks perfect for my thinking.
I'm going to try and see if I can use the AK Greenpower first, to see if I can get the effect I want.
The Paper Shaper will be back up, but next Armour model, this is a definite for stowage. cant wait to play.
DW

[digger303]

The plan in my head, is the following:
To add as realistic Tarps, Tents and sheets as possible to Turret area. What I want though, is to have the already painted Webbing / Rucksacks / Bergens sat on the Tarps or even underneath.
The Turret is painted and weathered and protected by two coats of Gloss Varnish.
Will this solution damage the surface if varnished? If I laid Cling Film over painted areas on Turret, could I work with Paper Shaper on top of that? Sorry to be asking so many questions
I watched the YT Vids and was really impressed, it looks perfect for my thinking.
I'm going to try and see if I can use the AK Greenpower first, to see if I can get the effect I want.
The Paper Shaper will be back up, but next Armour model, this is a definite for stowage. cant wait to play.
DW

As far as my limited knowledge goes. The paper shaper solution won't damage it. The clean slate will. I have never tried the cling wrap technique.

[Donkeywalloper]

The plan in my head, is the following:
To add as realistic Tarps, Tents and sheets as possible to Turret area. What I want though, is to have the already painted Webbing / Rucksacks / Bergens sat on the Tarps or even underneath.
The Turret is painted and weathered and protected by two coats of Gloss Varnish.
Will this solution damage the surface if varnished? If I laid Cling Film over painted areas on Turret, could I work with Paper Shaper on top of that? Sorry to be asking so many questions
I watched the YT Vids and was really impressed, it looks perfect for my thinking.
I'm going to try and see if I can use the AK Greenpower first, to see if I can get the effect I want.
The Paper Shaper will be back up, but next Armour model, this is a definite for stowage. cant wait to play.
DW

As far as my limited knowledge goes. The paper shaper solution won't damage it. The clean slate will. I have never tried the cling wrap technique.

I suppose the best method is to try and see what effect it will have on the Cling Wrap (pardon for the UK term of film lol), and try and see what effect it has on the Cling. I'll have a go on a scrap piece of plastic wrapped in Cling Wrap, then see what happens . The Clean Slate will of course melt Cling and damage the models already painted surfaces.
By the way, just bought Meng Model 1/35 Israeli Merkava Mk.4M MBT, and boy oh boy its another modern beast, so my attempt at Winged Things may go on hold .
DW

[digger303]

The plan in my head, is the following:
To add as realistic Tarps, Tents and sheets as possible to Turret area. What I want though, is to have the already painted Webbing / Rucksacks / Bergens sat on the Tarps or even underneath.
The Turret is painted and weathered and protected by two coats of Gloss Varnish.
Will this solution damage the surface if varnished? If I laid Cling Film over painted areas on Turret, could I work with Paper Shaper on top of that? Sorry to be asking so many questions
I watched the YT Vids and was really impressed, it looks perfect for my thinking.
I'm going to try and see if I can use the AK Greenpower first, to see if I can get the effect I want.
The Paper Shaper will be back up, but next Armour model, this is a definite for stowage. cant wait to play.
DW

As far as my limited knowledge goes. The paper shaper solution won't damage it. The clean slate will. I have never tried the cling wrap technique.

I suppose the best method is to try and see what effect it will have on the Cling Wrap (pardon for the UK term of film lol), and try and see what effect it has on the Cling. I'll have a go on a scrap piece of plastic wrapped in Cling Wrap, then see what happens . The Clean Slate will of course melt Cling and damage the models already painted surfaces.
By the way, just bought Meng Model 1/35 Israeli Merkava Mk.4M MBT, and boy oh boy its another modern beast, so my attempt at Winged Things may go on hold .
DW

I have to build at least one modern tank currently in use. I thinking of either a soviet or IDF tank with modern tooling of the kit.

[Donkeywalloper]

The IDF Armour is really interesting.
The Merkeva look like Sci-Fi projects.
Just bought this this morning:

Oooh, the diorama is taking shape in my head
DW

[digger303]

The IDF Armour is really interesting.
The Merkeva look like Sci-Fi projects.
Just bought this this morning:

Oooh, the diorama is taking shape in my head
DW

Drive that tank straight through it.

[Donkeywalloper]

The IDF Armour is really interesting.
The Merkeva look like Sci-Fi projects.
Just bought this this morning:

Oooh, the diorama is taking shape in my head
DW

Drive that tank straight through it.

Probably will Digger.
So just completed a mammoth amount of work on the old M60A1 this afternoon. Mrs DW at work as normal, and the weekend has been quiet. Watching the opposite neighbours enter Christmas lights war. Ladders a plenty and festoons of Christmas lights have gone up this weekend in the neighbourhood.
Me? Keeping well clear.
Tonight is even my works Christmas party in Stafford. I made though a conscious decision not to go. No bah humbug
Just with Mrs DW being quite ill these last few months. I have decided to stay sober and keep an eye out for my better half.
My Boss is pinging me Whatsapps, filling me on latest of whos in the mood and who's dipped out. As the food has been paid for, and needs to be consumed, I have pinged him the message, to get his best fighting trousers on, undo the top button of trousers, and England expects everyman to consume another persons rations if not there.
So back to the mundane of "what goes on in Mr DW's M/C this afternoon?
Firstly, a big thank you to Digger, for informing me of the following product.

As I have already painted the Turret, its gonna be quite difficult to use this product successfully this time. But for future products, I can't wait to try. I wanted to with this product, to have put some canvas covers on Smoke Dischargers, but will have to wait till next MBT.
So, covered the Turret sides with Cling Film and kneaded in hands a good portion / dollop of the following.

Then using loads of water as a lubricant. Rolled out with a piece of dowel, till paper thin. Folded and moulded on to the sides of the Turret and then pressed in a couple of Bergen / Rucksacks. Also made an additional piece of storage for the top of the Turret.

I set them aside to dry O/N.
Next, cutting strips of Tamiya Masking Tape, previously sprayed. I started to load the stowage on to the Turret. Lot of Stowage and time spent with Tweezers, Cocktail Stick dabbed with Thick Jarvis C/A and patience a plenty .
I shall let the pictures do the talking.



By the way, big moment. Turret now fitted to Lower Hull. It actually looks like a Tank now
Then added the two crew to their positions.




Quite Glossy looking?
Well that will change once the Pigments are added and the whole thing is toned down with a coat of Matt Varnish.
Added two US "Fritz" Helmets and strap for Bino's. Once the Matt Varnish is laid over, I will have to go back and Gloss Varnish the Bino Lenses, the Commanders Goggles, and the Commander Turret Periscopes / Viewing Ports.


We have the CoolBox strapped on and the lovely Cardboard Ration / MRE boxes.


So, lots of progress. It looks like a tank finally.
Were getting to the end of the work on the main tank. Like I mentioned. Needs pigments, Matt Varnish and a very light mist of Tamiya Buff to give it a sandy effect. Also the AK Camo Net needs to be added. Quite the list of Jobs to Do.

Then waiting for the Saddam Wall to arrive from Holland. Need to also paint this little Dude

ready for Dio to be made,I nearly have all parts to get on and finish.
Pleased? I am
Mrs DW on way home after a truly crap day. Sp need to get tea ready and listen in to a full on rant. Remember, Happy Wife, Happy life
DW

[Kevthemodeller]

Just keeps getting better

[digger303]

The IDF Armour is really interesting.
The Merkeva look like Sci-Fi projects.
Just bought this this morning:

Oooh, the diorama is taking shape in my head
DW

Pleased? I am
Mrs DW on way home after a truly crap day. Sp need to get tea ready and listen in to a full on rant. Remember, Happy Wife, Happy life
DW

Your really going to town on this and it shows.
Sorry to here your Mrs is still having problems.
Amazed how well your tuned into smoothing the bumps out attaining the happy life....I'm as dense as a 4x2 in that dept.
I'm happy you like the paper shaper. If you try to use it on pre printed paper it can cause the ink to run if you fiddle with it too much.

[KalebB]

I'm so excited to see this Dio once finished

[Donkeywalloper]

Just keeps getting better

Thank you Kev
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Pleased? I am
Mrs DW on way home after a truly crap day. Sp need to get tea ready and listen in to a full on rant. Remember, Happy Wife, Happy life
DW

Your really going to town on this and it shows.
Sorry to here your Mrs is still having problems.
Amazed how well your tuned into smoothing the bumps out attaining the happy life....I'm as dense as a 4x2 in that dept.
I'm happy you like the paper shaper. If you try to use it on pre printed paper it can cause the ink to run if you fiddle with it too much.

Cheers Digger
I tried the Paper Shaper with some standard copier paper and \i think its a bit thick for the solution.
Mrs DW has had some problematic Medical Problems and they just keep causing such a lot of pain.
Thank you for thoughts.
Thank you,
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

I'm so excited to see this Dio once finished

Thank you Kaleb, much appreciated.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Well a small Sunday morning session.
Of course The Archers Omnibus playing in background.
Fired up Bambi (LOL), and following a coat of Halfords Grey Primer straight from Rattle Can, the Epoxy Tarps have been sprayed with some a few shades of Tamiya Browns and a little Flow Retarder.

They will need a bit of Dry-Brushing of course.
The two wooden Pallets have also been primed, and sprayed with Vallejo Old Wood.

Lots of weathering and they should be awesome.
Also, The AK Arab Farmer has been assembled (needed some filler at the rear of its left shoulder).
Its then been primed with the Halfords Grey Primer.
Once thoroughly dried, I started with some washes of Vallejo Sunny Skin Tone.

Thats all for now. As I hear and see chaps on ladders putting up Christmas lights, its off for lunch of Cheesy Beans on Toast. Ahh, the great Sunday lunch of a chap on his own
Have a great one,
DW

[digger303]

Your really going to town on this and it shows.
Sorry to here your Mrs is still having problems.
Amazed how well your tuned into smoothing the bumps out attaining the happy life....I'm as dense as a 4x2 in that dept.
I'm happy you like the paper shaper. If you try to use it on pre printed paper it can cause the ink to run if you fiddle with it too much.

Cheers Digger
I tried the Paper Shaper with some standard copier paper and \i think its a bit thick for the solution.
Mrs DW has had some problematic Medical Problems and they just keep causing such a lot of pain.
Thank you for thoughts.
Thank you,
DW

ooops sorry. I neglected to say you need to use a lighter weight paper than copier paper. As you found out it is a little thick. Tissue paper is way too light, but in between is the way to go..

Constant pain is not good, has she tried the medicinal cannabis. Of the two types the one with the thc in it seems to work best according to some people I know that use it.

[Donkeywalloper]

Hi Digger

I have ordered some lightweight paper from VMS, that should be flexible and perfect for Paper Shaping.
Mrs DW has a myriad of painful disorders. She recently was diagnosed with Gallstones, and has various female problems that cause her severe discomfort and pain. She is a real trooper and fights each day as it comes. She has a MRI booked in for this week, that hopefully will give some diagnosis of what exactly can be done. A true battler and a marvellous Human being, but then Im extremely biased.
I hadn't realised how tall and blocky the M60A1 was till all the parts were put together. Its a real tanky tank. It makes me want to build a few more M60 range. I have an Academy Galbatash in my stash.
DW

[Tomcat64]

More excellent progress DW

Hope Mrs Walloper is on the road to recovery or at least some relief soon

[Kingdan]

Great progress mate hope Mrs dw gets on the mend soon mate

[Donkeywalloper]

More excellent progress DW

Hope Mrs Walloper is on the road to recovery or at least some relief soon

Thank you Neil, much appreciated
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Great progress mate hope Mrs dw gets on the mend soon mate

Thank you KD means a lot.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Hi all

Managed just a few minutes in Man-Cave, last night.
Nothing more than a bit of Dry-Brushing of home-made Tarps with a fairly light sweep of the same base colour and a whole lot of Vallejo White. Set aside and ready for a coat or two of Gloss Varnish in prep for a pin-wash.
DW

[Stokesy44]

The M60 looks superb.

Cant wait to see the diorama come to life

[Donkeywalloper]

The M60 looks superb.

Cant wait to see the diorama come to life

Cheers Stokesy
Just waiting for postman to deliver the Saddam wall and a few extra treats for the dio to pop.
Want to keep it as small a base as possible to keep the overall view concentrated.
DW

[Kevthemodeller]

The M60 looks superb.

Cant wait to see the diorama come to life

I'll second that Best wishes for the Mrs mate

[Donkeywalloper]

The M60 looks superb.

Cant wait to see the diorama come to life

I'll second that Best wishes for the Mrs mate

Cheers Kev much appreciated, all of your best wishes passed on. means a lot.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

So after a horrendous drive home from work (60 minutes of the most maniacal and dangerous driving I have ever witnessed, not me, others of course), I thought a spell in the M/C was something to steady the Blood Pressure.
Mrs DW off Tuesday, and she was at Hairdressers having her locks sorted.
I could bury myself in just a little titillation of the M60A1.
Not much more to do really,
Clear Lenses to be glued in Front Lights.
Ariel's (made normally from Streached Sprues), I'm going for Florists Wire, as the pictures I have seen the Ariel's are bent.
The home-made Epoxy Tarps need to be glued into place, with Bergen's on top of them. A bit of wash and these should look Bonza!
The whole model then needs Pigments added, and I feel this will be done once I have the model in place on Dio base.
Then a bit of Gloss Varnish on Goggles and a repeat of the Commanders viewing ports.
The whole thing then needs Pigment Binder and Matt Varnish.
The home-made Tarps, I used a bit of pre-sprayed Masking Tape on the smaller Tarp, secured with Thick C/A.
The bigger Tarp I used Black thread, wrapped around and then secured with Thick C/A and a coat of Gloss Varnish from the Rattle Can.

This is now left to dry for the day.
Tonight. I''ll glue these on, with Bergen attached and this can then be secured to sides of R/A.
This came in post last night Wow, its a big old begger.

Have a great day chaps,
DW

[Stokesy44]

Tarps look nice.

That Merkava is a monster. I have the Meng kit with the mine plough on the front. Its a massive kit. I didn't realise until recently just how much bigger modern MBTs are even compared to the bigger WW2 heavies.

I've been quietly building up my stash of modern monsters, picking them up as and when I spot a good deal. I'm just missing the latest Rusky to go with my Leopard, Challenger, Abrams and Merkava. Need to reinforce the floor first though!

[Donkeywalloper]

Tarps look nice.

That Merkava is a monster. I have the Meng kit with the mine plough on the front. Its a massive kit. I didn't realise until recently just how much bigger modern MBTs are even compared to the bigger WW2 heavies.

I've been quietly building up my stash of modern monsters, picking them up as and when I spot a good deal. I'm just missing the latest Rusky to go with my Leopard, Challenger, Abrams and Merkava. Need to reinforce the floor first though!

You're bang on Stokesy.
Compared even to Tiger 1's and 2's these modern MBT's are really the Big Boys.
It's what attracted me to the Merkava, was the Turret. Its like a Spaceship, its so angular and wide.
Most people, don't get my fascination with Armour , but to see the technology and work that goes into the designs of these modern MBT's is mindblowing.
You look at a Male / Female Tank from WW1 and the Merkava, Challenger, Abrams, Leopard and that Polish Light tank that the name escapes me , that within a 114 years, we have produced these new monsters.
I would like to build a few modern MBT's and see where it goes.
Cheers DW

[KalebB]

That ole traffic is enough to drive a fella mad!!

Good looking tarps bud , it's coming out Wonderful.

And that Merkava kit

Can't wait to see that built either

[Donkeywalloper]

That ole traffic is enough to drive a fella mad!!

Good looking tarps bud , it's coming out Wonderful.

And that Merkava kit

Can't wait to see that built either

Thank you Sir. Much appreciated.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

So, as the lovely smell of Fish Pie wafted in from the Kitchen, and Mrs DW is selling stuff at her works for a Pre-Christmas / Festive get together
I have just come back from M/C.
I cut up some more strips of Tamiya Masking Tape Webbing, and attached them to the Bergens and homemade Tarps, and Voila.

Quite chuffed with that. Once dusted with Pigments and Matt Varnish applied, it will look good for the job. Both home-made Tarps added to Reactive Armour with good dabs of Thick C/A.

I'll leave you with views of the rest of the Turret. Added a rolled AK Desert Camo Net to rear of Turret,

Shot of front before Camo Net went on.

So, just the kit supplied Front Light Lenses to add.
Ariels
Plastic Drink Bottles
Pigments
Matt Varnish
Nearly there, so for tonight, have a great one
DW

[digger303]

So, as the lovely smell of Fish Pie wafted in from the Kitchen, and Mrs DW is selling stuff at her works for a Pre-Christmas / Festive get together
I have just come back from M/C.

Shot of front before Camo Net went on.

So, just the kit supplied Front Light Lenses to add.
Ariels
Plastic Drink Bottles
Pigments
Matt Varnish
Nearly there, so for tonight, have a great one
DW

I dthought I saw a blue man...did I see a puddy kat ?

[Donkeywalloper]

So, as the lovely smell of Fish Pie wafted in from the Kitchen, and Mrs DW is selling stuff at her works for a Pre-Christmas / Festive get together
I have just come back from M/C.

Shot of front before Camo Net went on.

So, just the kit supplied Front Light Lenses to add.
Ariels
Plastic Drink Bottles
Pigments
Matt Varnish
Nearly there, so for tonight, have a great one
DW

I dthought I saw a blue man...did I puddy kat ?

LOL
You did, you did
DW

[Kevthemodeller]

You're on the finishing straight now mate and it's all looking great

The Merkava a big beast, I've got a MkIV in my stash, that's an idea for next year maybe

[KalebB]

I really enjoy how busy you've made the turret with the homemade tarps as well as the rest of the storage.

Very pleasant to the eye to study

[Donkeywalloper]

You're on the finishing straight now mate and it's all looking great

The Merkava a big beast, I've got a MkIV in my stash, that's an idea for next year maybe

I always get a little melancholy towards the end of a build, its like buying the biggest monster of a Firework, getting it home, setting it up ready for launch, cracking open a few beers and inviting friends around to witness the big event.
You light the taper, stand well back, and............poof
A damp squib of a launch with a few sparkles.
Its a bit like building a kit. The immense pleasure and thought. The big opening of the box and the opening of plastic sleeves to glance at beautifully moulded sprues with glorious parts a plenty (not if its a Italeria of course ), and the fun of the first few stages, the methodical search for tiny parts tucked away in a sprue.
Its built, painted, weathered and thats it really.
Of course, one swivels around and there on shelves are lots and lots of new projects
Thanks Kev,
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

I really enjoy how busy you've made the turret with the homemade tarps as well as the rest of the storage.

Very pleasant to the eye to study

Like the image above from Desert Shield, the Turrets are just jammed with personal equipment and armoury.
Its been a lovely build and a great kit from Takom. Well worth the money and time spent on it.
I have a few little surprises to come in post, actually DHL from Holland, to make the Dio a bit special.
Cheers Kaleb
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

One part of the Dio appears.

DW

[Tomcat64]

That really is looking awesome DW - especially with it manned by the Blue Man Group

Looking forward to seeing you build up the dio now - the guys at Dio Depot have always provided me with great service too