Tiger Models 1/35 AMX-10 RCR SEPAR + Extras and Tiger Model 1/35 Panhard VBL with Milan

[Donkeywalloper]

Good afternoon my builders of Models

Hope you are all very well wherever you read this and your safe and enjoying your plastic moments?
After two floaty things , the Pibber and the Bismarck, I'm returning to my first love, no not Jennie at 39 in 1982, oh what a girl ……….Armour, yes Armour.
I cannot venture into anything other than a thing with a Big Bang Stick.
I spent sometime looking through my stash and its I think quite big, but then don’t us guys think all our stuff is big? I even found a new kit in a draw that I had totally forgot, but discarded. As it’s a FW109, and obviously not Armour, nope.
My eyes kept looking back to this on shelf.

It looks interesting, n’est-ce-pas (Ooooooh get him with the French, if it’s not Salty Sea Phrases it’s a bit of the Francais). Nice artwork and the Camo looks bold, but I hear you say, “Where are the Tracks”?
Yup its got wheels, but it’s definitely Armour. I have had it in Stash some years and its been sat on shelf behind me unloved and unused. I also had some money burning a hole in my pocket from Birthday and bought to go with it in a sort of Diorama that’s formulating in my head, another Tiger Model, the 1/35 Panhard VBL with Milan. An Afghanistan Diorama?
Well, this is a base for a two part build. I have to say, I do go in deep or not all. You see when I bought the AMX-10 some years ago, I bought some bits from Blast Models (France). So I must have been playing with my head then.
Anyway, lets get on with introducing my next build. With no further mucking about, here we go. Images of side of box, with lots of shout outs to AMMO Mig.



Colour Shout Outs sheet again for Ammo Mig and I do think it’s a lovely looking vehicle.

Then of course moving on to Sprues, I haven’t taken them out of plastic yet.


Tyres.

Hull, its in two pieces, Top and Bottom.


Turret, which has a Sci-Fi look to it.

More Sprues, with very little or no Flash to eye.



Then a pack of String, PE, Clear Vison Ports and Poly Caps, which will make painting Wheels easier.


Now moving on to the Aftermarket I bought a couple of years ago and with some idea in head back then,




I have also bought a Tank Crew from Blast Models for this and the upgrade SEPAR kit in Resin from Blast Models.
I haven't built a Tiger Models but it looks clean, no flash and extras like PE.
Lets have a look at the Instruction Pamphlet, which on first appearance looks clear and concise. 16 Sections and its gonna build into a fairly small compact unit.





So here is the Work Bench ready for build. Glues, Xuron Cutters, Ultimate File. Tweezers and a Swann & Morton Scalpel and new Blade. All you need really.

Before I leave you to practise my French Armour accent, here is a shot of our Cold Water 90L Fluval Fish Tank after a serious re-vamp. I lost one of the Comets, and for no apparent reason. It was looking a little tired, so I stripped it out and cleaned it. Gravel washed and new plants installed. The fluffy thing in the bottom Left-Hand is a Cats tail not a fish.

Well, lets see where this goes.
I cant promise that I won't wander off line and start telling you some complete rubbish other than this build, but hey, its funnier than most rubbish one reeads now.
Lets get going
DW

[Garion77]

nIce kit. Never saw that brand before. And it's funny because all the box art, the box and the instructions really look like Tamiya. Is it a rebox ?

[Stokesy44]

Nice looking kit and I really like the look of the extras

[RangerNeil]

Good looking vehicle - will follow with interest including any side diversions (esp about Jennie in #39!!)

[Donkeywalloper]

nIce kit. Never saw that brand before. And it's funny because all the box art, the box and the instructions really look like Tamiya. Is it a rebox ?

Hi Francis
Not a foggiest to be honest it does look very Tamiya and the build feels much the same.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Nice looking kit and I really like the look of the extras

I'm really enjoying the build and its great to get back into Armour.
DW

[robwuk]

looking like a good kit and idea for a diorama... watching with interest

[Donkeywalloper]

looking like a good kit and idea for a diorama... watching with interest

Rob, i hope i don't disappoint you and all the crew of ISM
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Afternoon all you lovely chaps ( I actually for time-line wrote this on the 5.5.22, but due to illness its all gone T@!s up )

How are we all in our little worlds? Me, not burnt anything down yet and remaining Covid free, but still with a touch of the Long Covid, i.e., Hacking Cough and Sinus problems. Apart from that, noting to complain about.

Mrs DW is back from Manchester and her course, and unfortunately, has picked up quite a bug from somewhere that has laid her low. Currently on Anti-Biotics to fight chest infection.

Thursday evening (last week), I came home, it was such a lovely evening, and I was still “Fending for myself”, I came in and grabbed a cold beer (I can’t in my old age, do anything over 5% and tend to stick to quite, what they used to call Small beer), out of the fridge and my current book (Goose Green) and sat outside. Glorious.

The simplest of pleasures. This after a hot and sweaty drive home, I also picked up the new Gaming Lap-Top from a Courier Pick-Up depot, which was a small Off-Licence in deepest Derbyshire. Wow, what a grotty hole it was. So off I go in Smart Car with new Lap-Top perched next to me. I get home and my other Birthday present was there as well. Another purchase from www.emodels.co.uk of a this.




Part of this French Dio that’s been scheming in the recesses of my dark brain. So, whilst sipping / gulping cold beer, God it was good, I sat going through box with Model and Lap-Top at side. I only cut off the Plastic postal delivery wrapper to check Lap-Top was not damaged visually, big holes through box. It was not, thank God.


Looks visually spot on. Due to tiredness and not wanting to cock-up anything, I closed the Lap-Top box and put it away till feeling up for setting up new unit. Most of these IT kits are self-explanatory and go through a process on their own setting up, and not a lot of input from User. Regarding the 1/35 Tiger Model, Panhard VBL, with Milan, its again a very neat and lovely model with PE and nice little touches.
Inside Box looks like this.








Milan pieces, Firing Post. I was in a Milan Company for a whilst in an Infantry battalion in the Mid 80's and one day the CSM (Company Sergeant-Major), announces that half of our company were transferring to Milan and before that, were to do a Month long Milan Cadre. It was hell . Honestly, running around with the Firing Post and Tubes, made me get into Driving Tanks and APC’s. Why Run and Walk when you can Drive in comfort.
Colour Shout Outs, and noticeable in Instructions are statements to refer to Colour Shout Out for Internal colours when painting? Well, I can’t see any colours being described so I need more reference notes on Internal colours.

Instruction Leaflet. 17 Stages to complete.
On the Saturday whilst sat outside enjoying a coffee in the Sun I heard the Front Doorbell and there was Postie with an envelope from France, and Blast models, with the following.






Stowage for Dio and a Tank Crewman for AMX. The moulding on these pieces is divine. I mean crisp as anything. Whilst in our local brand-new Lidl, I saw this on the “When it’s Gone, it’s Gone” shelves. I have a decent Air Compressor and enough Tools to build the Ark but what could I suggest to Mrs DW that I need this for.

Whilst faffing around on Saturday, I booted the new Lap-Top up.

We shall see how we get on.
Now as I had bust all the jobs out that I normally do on a Saturday on the Friday, and Mrs DW was at work, I thought I would settle into the Man-Cave and get a start on the AMX-10. 1/35 oh its sublime, it’s like building Lego or Duplex Blocks next to the 1/350 Bismarck. Section 1 starts you off building six of the Wheel Attachments / Suspension units. Three per side. Two parts to a glue together and so you end up with six units and three per side.

Part of Section 1, has you built up six inner wheel Hubs. Poly-Caps go inside and the circular plate on top, being careful with glue, to allow movement.


Beautifully detailed Wheels, the sidewall detail is stunning. No, there is no sag, and you could get Resin, but these supplied are fine. The Resin parts are as much to buy as the kit. They need roughing up a bit, some damage with knife and a rough Sanding Stick.


Underside of Hull Upper shows Manufacture Year of 2014.

Hull Upper detail, is like a Winter Snow scene, Deep, Crisp, and Even

Next part of the build is to remove 8 x moulded on detail bolts from the front Glacis plate (G1), as per instructions. With a thin, new, sharp Swann & Morten Blade, is an easier enough task.


Now, I mentioned how crisp and clean the moulding was on this kit, and absence of flash and what indentations via moulding were all tucked inside out of view. Look at the image below, under the Pick-Axe part 11, is an Armour plate. Look at the Attachment point on plate? This is really evident on lots of parts. “Huge”, bulky Sprue attachment points. If you go in with Sharp Side Cutters clean to part, its noticeable that it tears into part, which then requires some sanding down. The best method is to leave a “Nubbin” then sand smooth.


Bit more removal of tiny mould pins from side of Chassis. Not sue if this is supplied as an alternative model kit in some other format?

So, all the pins / moulds around the rectangle are to be removed to place another plate on top.


The top part in image below shows part G1 cleaned up and Attachment points removed and the 8 x Bolts also removed, plus the Rear Hull Plate removed from Sprue and again large Attachment points sanded down.

Finally, we come to the point I always have some trepidation with, i.e., Gluing the Top Hull Plate into the Main Chassis. Is it warped or bendy?, am I gonna have to get out the Hot Air Gun or a Bowl of Hot Water and start wriggling with the piece to get it true? Nope!. Revell Contacta Cement and some clamps. Bob’s your uncle….


Rear Plate attached.

I then added one side of the Suspension and Wheel attachment points. C4 and C2 complete. Nice and simple and nothing fussy. I have to say after squinting and playing with teeny and tiny pieces for the Bismarck, its so refreshing to come back to decent pieces in 1/35.


Rear Hull Grills added.


Seven years I have been off World of Tanks and finally this weekend, I have returned to it via my new Lap-Top. I had looked high and low for a Lap-Top that wasn’t gonna be silly money (like over a £1000), and yet had the capacity and Graphic Card to give me smooth and playable times. I had hoped for quite good standards but did not realise this Lap-Top could easily play at Ultra HD. Donkeywalloper is back .

Now, back to model. This image of Sprue does say it all about Attachment points. Look at part 15, 16, 17 and that great blob on part 20 and 23, don’t get me started on the Fire Extinguisher……

We move on to Section 3 that is mostly situated around the rear of vehicle.


We get two plates of PE. Nice details and not to faffy and intricate.

I also took the time to glue the two-part Barrel together mainly to let dry and cure before sanding any seamlines down. That goes to one side till next weekend.

Section 5 sees work on the Drivers armoured Hatch. Couple of holes need drilling out with a 1mm Pin-Vice Drill. Bit of clean up needed on this part as around edges it wasn’t as crisp as possible, so gently sanded with Ultimate Sander to smooth rough edges.

Now every Instruction sheet throws up a Googlies from time to time, and Tiger Models has a little hiccup here. Part B25 that fits over Drivers Hatch has a part that requires fitting to it, but no number. Luckily, the notation shows a symbol for C/A, so must be PE. There it is on PE sheet, part 1. It even looks like Instruction sheet.


Next parts added were Lights and again the thick Attachment points reared their ugly heads as they took some work with a sharp knife and sanding stick to get the Attachment point removed.

Back to Drivers Hatch. Three Periscope Lenses added, and these will need masking before painting. Note the PE part added, and this is complete save for the Hinge.


Hinge added and Hatch glued in place.

The next PE added was the Headlamp Guards that were bent in four places and added with Jarvis Extra Thick C/A.

I then decided to leave the works there. I’m back checking images from Blast Models site and progress as I have ordered the 1/35 Blast models Detail-Up kit for this AMX-10RCR SEPAR. So, need to rein in a tad in case of Resin update parts being their to replace something already stuck on. But, apart from the chunky Attachment Points, that are proving troublesome, and annoying, it’s a fine kit so far.

It’s certainly easier to put together than Bismarck and its size and non-complexity, is making it fun to build, and isn’t that what we all desire in this hobby?
Lets leave it there as that's a lot of talking and images for one post.
Take good care of all yourselves,
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning all

Hope you’re all very well and keeping up your ends as best can be?
Well, blow me down, been struck down again illness wise. I may have updated before that Mrs DW came off a course to Manchester, unable to talk (many, many Hubbies must be blissfully happy with these events, but not me). She was side-lined with a quite awful bug that put her in bed for (she came home Friday evening 6.5.22), made it into work for the Saturday, but was sent home, not being able to Talk or Hear and hacking a cough like you would not believe. She ended up off and in bed until the 12.5.22. She then subsequently passed it on to me, of course, and on top of that, I was diagnosed with a rather virulent Leg Infection by the Ulcer Clinic, s another bout of high dose Anti-Biotics. These I have just finished this morning (17th). Healthwise, its all a rather mixed bag. Not Terminal but not great. Neither of us is really fun to be around.

In between this and that, I have only come back to work this morning, and in my time off since last Wednesday (11th), I have managed a bit of work on AMX. My original views on quality of bud and quality of parts has im afraid gone down somewhat regarding Tiger Models. Initially I was impressed but as I build, and that the only way to find these things out, its starting to look a bit shoddy at times. My first shot at some works, was the Friday (13th, non-superstitious but due to Fever, and feeling pretty lousy, I didn’t get stuck in that day, but took a photo of where the model is up to).

I also received in the post from Blast Models (France), the Up-grade kit for this in Resin.




I did carry out the next stage of build a simple enough affair i.e. Stage 6, measure the Metal supplied Wire and cut it to the required 160mm (with slight Deviation?, it is 160mm or it isn’t).

I then added after Boring out plastic for wire to fit snuggly, Parts A22 & A21. You get this

We then move on to part of the SEPAR upgraded Armour Sheets that are added to this model. The front Plate obviously needed these two lugs removing and sanding smooth.

Then glued on with Contacta Glue and the Tow Hooks added.

The side Armour in the shape of parts A1 & A2 and F10 and………….F1? the Instructions are not fluid at all, cannot be glued on or attached as the wheels need painting up, in my eyes anyway, separately.

So set them aside and paint later. So next stage is Gun Mantle, Part B12. Option of having port open or close, so I went Open and then we need to fit a Clear Part behind and colour appropriately.

The next stage is the already glued two-part Barrel, that now we have the Up-Grade kit, has a section that is depicted in Resin, a Mantle cover, unlike the Kit supplied the Resin offering is far nicer with some very nice detail. So with a Brand New Fine Razor Saw, and a steady hand, I removed the Resin Mantle from Sprue, and then very gingerly and with some trepidation sawed off the Barrel Mantle. The two parts after some cleaning up with a Sanding Stick (and a 3M respirator in place), were glued together. The Cocktail Sticks just give some lift to the barrel to get all straight and true.




A break for Lunch in Garden, with a Salad of Mixed Leaves, Tomato’s, Capers, Cucumbers, Boiled Eggs, Cheese and Anchovies drizzled in Olive Oil, Balsamic, and lots of Ground Black Pepper. A glass of Cold Beer and some more reading of the Goose Green book (nearly finished).

Back to Work-Bench, the next part is a two piece affair on the Gun Mantle, Part B22 & B23. This is where the quality issues get a bit despairing. The two parts neither fit together and the fit is awful, lots of Mould marks in plastic and the two faces where it should be flush facing are neither aligned or straight. After much cussing and swearing, I glued together and left to dry. This was gonna be a case of filling. Whilst glue dried, I made up the two Wing Mirrors, Parts A35, A34 & C8 (Mirror), which as I have gone for folded / flat option, the Mirror reflective side does not need painting.

The crappy part now thoroughly dried, I could fill the gaps and line of fitting. It took two lots of filling and sanding and some re-scoring of Moulding with Razor saw to get it correct.


Once satisfied it was glued into place with TET.

The three part Turret could now be snipped from Sprue, Dry fitted and then glued with Revell Contacta and set aside to dry overnight.

Once dried, Elastic Bands removed and checked that its all square and true and fits as it should.

I then set about a bit more use of the Up-Grade set by using the beautifully moulded Turret Hatches to replace the supplied units. The hinge assembly was cut off Sprue and sanded and glued in position, the two hatches were then glued with C/A, in a “A Jar” position for Gunner and Open for Commander. There is no Internal features but Commander Figure from Blast Models will stand in Cupola for effect. On the image from rear of Turret, I have also removed four lugs that are to be replaced with Stowage.




The next little image shows an Optical unit that has a PE Cage that is bent over a supplied piece of Plastic on the Sprue to provide a Protective Cowl for Optics.


So along with small progress and a lot of rubbish health, this is as far as we have got. Is the kit any good? Its got some quality issues and the Sprue locating points are awful and providing time consuming sanding and clean-ups. The subject itself is interesting and I'm sure its gonna look good once finished.
I have just come back from Station having picked up Mrs DW from her final day on another course (yup, 8 weeks into job, and she has been on four courses). This course she has just completed in Birmingham was for……………….are we all sat down Gents?, Ladies Intimate Waxing

Yup, you heard it right.

My response to her when she got into car yesterday evening was, “Have you washed your hands love?”

With that in your head,

Best wishes and remain safe.

DW

[digger303]

Your making the kit look pretty good and over coming those little problems. Must say you made me do a double take checking the time stamps ....two posts on the one day....your spoiling us.

I do hope you two are getting over those nasty bugs you picked up and recovery is speeding up.
In regards to those sprue attachment points it sounds like your using a conventional side cutter. I thoroughly recommend and I will always use one to the day I die now. The newer type that has only one cutting blade and the other side is a anvil. You can cut those large attachment points as close as you can get the jaws in. No crushing or tearing of the plastic at all and it slices through so effortlessly like a samurai sword through butter. I use a Dspiae myself , but there are other brands. The real cheap ones aren't as good as usual I guess.

[aur0ra145]

Really neat subject! I've recently taken a liking to wheeled AFV's. I'll be watching your build with great interest!

Nice to see another World of Tanks player around. I haven't played in a bit; but, I may need to get back into it. Those Swedish tanks are just so cool.

[Donkeywalloper]

Good afternoon all you fine fellows

Hope as usual you and your families are keeping extremely well and remaining safe and looked after ?
Well this Virus is still locked on my Lungs and giving me a cough like a 60 a day Smoker, and I don’t. I bought some Menthol Crystals through Amazon to help clear the Bronchial tubes, and Boy!, one Crystal dissolved in Hot Water and a towel over the head……………………..Holy Moly ! I thought my eyeballs nearly popped out.
It sure makes your eyes water.

Well after a busy Saturday morning doing the routine jobs (I posted two sets of updates on ISM as due to illness, have not been up to much), I did settle down to do some more building of this kit. The kit has been sat on work-Bench for a week, with nothing being done.
The first step was the removal of parts B13 (Shield for Mantle) and the Canvas cover for Gun Mantle. (B11). Nice fits and bit of TET and all super.



Most of the next steps is the Up-Armour for Turret, so bear with me. This is all Turret works form now on. The next stage is 13, and this is Up-Armour Plates for Turret. Nice clear demarcation lines for removing parts as described in Instructions. Parts B8 and B6 need parts trimming off and parts D1 and D2 some 1.0mm Holes drilling.


This leaves you with this progress.


Now as I was building ledge for Antennae, which was F7, F3 & F12, a tiny part of F12 broke off and ended up in the back of the Carpet Monsters Mouth. So out with Draper Vacuum and a bit of shuffling around on floor, but true to form again, found.


Can you see it?

Here it is at end of file. Stuck back on with TET.

Progress of works on Turret from other side.

Part of Stage 14, has you build Remote Machine Gun Station, so this is what the progress is with additional A/M of Ammo Box from Blast Models.


Talking of Blast models Up-Grade Set, the kit comes with some exquisite Resin Smoke Dischargers to replace supplied units. The supplied units are one piece i.e. barrels attached. The Resin parts have separate Barrels, Bases and beautiful Barrel covers that can be produced as hanging on strings or covering Barrels. I have added them as loose. The Instructions for both kit supplied and Blast are really vague in positioning and a lot of toing and froing between reference shots to get pitch of Barrels and how the PE parts (PA 7 & PA9) sit, was hard to get right.



Some of the Up-Grade Antennas were added to Turret.


Also at the Rear of Turret and part of the Stowage Basket array, the following Bars were added either side (As pointed out by Pin Drill, Parts F4 & F16).


Under the Pin Drill is another replacement part from Blast Models, no idea what the hell it is but its again beautifully crafted compared to kit supplied and the resin part added to two part Kit supplied which took a lot of twisting, pulling and sanding to get looking ½ decent.
Part of the Stowage Baskets though (D13), left me with reaching for the other bag of Blast Models Aftermarket that has Stowage integrated into a Stowage Cage. It will need trimming but looks amazing.


On the other side of the Turret, a Box (D14) and some more additional Armour was added around Commanders Cupola. The Shovel was left separate for painting and weathering. Part B28 added form kit, but parts B21 & B20 replaced with resin parts.



Next to be built up is more Stowage assemblies for rear of Turret. I love chunky bits of plastic and TET.


Next is parts F6 & F8 and Photo-Etch PD3. Two bends in the end and you get a lovely nice bit of Mesh with Lifting Hooks. I also added two other Antenna from blast models.




I’m afraid I was running out of steam and coughing more and more, so the PE Handles were left off (PD1 x 4) till nest session for fear of hacking, coughing and spilling handles on to carpet again.
So whole assembly was stuck on to rear of Turret Stowage assembly.

Final shot of quite a super long Turret and impressive at that. Still lots of bits and bobs to go on so quite busy.

The gap that sits either side of the Turret at the rear, has space for Aftermarket Stowage in Resin that needs a lot of grinding and fettling down, with Dremel and Grinding bit to get it to fit flush into aperture.
It remains a kit that needs very carful study of Instructions, Parts, plenty of Dry-Fit work and Reference, to get correct work.
Its getting there, slowly but surely,
Till next week, remain safe, and keep building.

DW

[digger303]

Wow sorry to hear your still struggling with this damn virus. Hows the wife ? has she recovered from her bout with it ?

Tiger models do produce a kit with superb details and none more so than the canvas. It has to be the best I've seen by any manufacturer and made me give it a second look.
Your building skills are right up there doing it justice.

[BigWall]

Extraordinary build DW!

I hope you get healthy soon! I'd hate to see you go down the path I was on.

[Donkeywalloper]

Your making the kit look pretty good and over coming those little problems. Must say you made me do a double take checking the time stamps ....two posts on the one day....your spoiling us.

I do hope you two are getting over those nasty bugs you picked up and recovery is speeding up.
In regards to those sprue attachment points it sounds like your using a conventional side cutter. I thoroughly recommend and I will always use one to the day I die now. The newer type that has only one cutting blade and the other side is a anvil. You can cut those large attachment points as close as you can get the jaws in. No crushing or tearing of the plastic at all and it slices through so effortlessly like a samurai sword through butter. I use a Dspiae myself , but there are other brands. The real cheap ones aren't as good as usual I guess.

Afternoon Digger
Thanks for dropping by. It made me giggle as i had bought a set of Mr Hobby Nippers from Emodels the day i saw your post and thought "Damn and blast"
Nevermind, I shall see how the Mr Hobby units do and then maybe treat myself to a Dspiae Nipper.
Cheers
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Wow sorry to hear your still struggling with this damn virus. Hows the wife ? has she recovered from her bout with it ?

Tiger models do produce a kit with superb details and none more so than the canvas. It has to be the best I've seen by any manufacturer and made me give it a second look.
Your building skills are right up there doing it justice.

Two posts in a few minutes
Just bought a pair of the Dspia Nippers
For Gods sake man, stop sowing seeds in my head.
DW

[digger303]

Wow sorry to hear your still struggling with this damn virus. Hows the wife ? has she recovered from her bout with it ?

Tiger models do produce a kit with superb details and none more so than the canvas. It has to be the best I've seen by any manufacturer and made me give it a second look.
Your building skills are right up there doing it justice.

Two posts in a few minutes
Just bought a pair of the Dspia Nippers
For Gods sake man, stop sowing seeds in my head.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Good afternoon all you wonderful builders of Models

How are you all?

Well. As I write to you, my “Long Covid” does seem to be dissipating, and my health (not long term, just the rotten aftermath of Covid), and my hacking and persistent cough is starting to abate. To be honest, as long as I don’t laugh and giggle, I’m okay .
Mrs DW is also starting to turn a corner and improve. So were staying safe and starting, we feel, to turn the corner.
This weekend, was marred by a freak accident on Friday, when a gust of wind, lifted our Parasol and broke the plate glass table top, (luckily Safety Glass(, into hundreds of shards of glass. We live on a hill, and periodically the wind whips down the hill and really comes with force. The Parasol is normally secured to its weighted base via a screw attachment, but I think, during the afternoon, it had unscrewed and then a gust lifted the large parasol and the metal pole broke the glass.

Very, very, very p!s@ed off about it as its cost a lot and I really did like sitting outside and reading, eating and enjoying a cup of Coffee / Tea in the fresh air. Contacted the company that make the units, so hoping for a response.
Whilst working outside on Friday, I heard a delivery driver hollering, and this is my latest delivery.

Working with Resin scares me a bit. The dust is Carcinogenic, and really not good for lungs or body for that matter. The Aftermarket Stowage from Blast Models is all Resin and needs a lot of trimming / grinding down. I don’t want to be doing it in the Man-Cave, so my idea was to come outside, sit myself comfortable, stick my 3M Mask on, and after fitting a Burr to Dremel and using this attachment rather like a pen, its been a far better way of getting rid of Resin Dust.
So back to build of AMX-10.
I built the other Antennae rack for Turret as per image below without a piece snapping off and flying into Carpet Monster mouth.

End result.

With Blast Model Antennae added.


I also stuck on two storage parts from Blast Models Aftermarket kit.

Then with PE parts supplied added four Handles to rear Basket / Stowage. Except, one pinged off and is somewhere on Bench, but despite search, I can’t find it. The fourth handle was fashioned from Fuse Wire. Only you know?

Another delivery was the following good guys at www.emodels.co.uk and was a Back Order from January 2022, I had totally forgotten about.
Gecko Models / 1/35 CVR(T) Scimitar / Mk2 / TES(H) / Operation Herrick / Afghanistan Tiny model but absolutely chock full of parts.




Inside the Colourful Box is this White carcass.


So back to AMX, after much grinding, Dry-Fitting, Grinding and more Dry-Fitting, this has been inserted, just inserted not glues.


Then this 2nd bit of Stowage was lined up and again Dry-Fitted.





Looks okay and with careful painting and washes should look spot on. The next bit of Aftermarket was some Modern AFV Stowage again from Blast in the shape of Ammo / Cool-Boxes and such.

I selected a couple of pieces and with some fettling / Grinding this looked promising. Will need some straps but that’s fine.


The Stowage pieces and a few more already selected from Aftermarket, Dry-Fitted and sanded, were mounted on Cocktail Sticks ready for painting.

Then on Sunday, these lovely Nippers came from www.emodels.co.uk again and by Mr Hobby. It made me smile as Digger had already noted my exasperation with cutting lumps off Sprues so had given me some Golden advice on where to source Nippers from. Nope, I’d gone with these. I’m gonna go with Diggers advice and try and source his suggestion.

Having done all the legwork, arm work and incurred blisters a plenty in preparing Groundwork. Mrs DW took all plaudits by going out and buying ornamental Grasses and such and planting up front area of house.

Typical woman, swoops in and thinks its all her doing by applying the final weathering……………….
PS Digger: You just cost me $69.84 as I went and bought the Dspiae Nippers via www.scalemodelshop.co.uk............im a fool for tools
Hope you all have a marvellous Jubilee Weekend and whatever your views on our Monarchy, I am a Royalist and will be raising several glasses to my Ex-Boss.

Love you all

DW

[digger303]

So glad the two of you are getting healthier by the day.

My sister had a large out door glass table top like yours just shatter all on it's own with no help from freak occurrences. Apparently it is not unknown for that to happen a little bit of pressure from the frame on one point and heating and poof it's gone. Even these frameless doors we have on tractors and harvesters are known to do it. The operator gets out , climbs back in closes the door and the whole lot shatters all over him with a very large bang. New doors are like $2000aud.
Absolutely loving the build so far and good tools are forever......unless you drop them and thens it's another 69 cause you will buy another pair Other companies make the same type though...one cutting edge. Can get cheap knock off's, but they are crap. I know cause I bought a pair to include in a kit, tying to get my son into it......sadly he's a lost cause
The wife has done a marvelous job with the garden The white ones near the front edge edge look like Australian Everlastings.

[BigWall]

I'm glad you and Mrs. DW are getting better. Long covid is horrible. I'm still trying to get strong enough to walk.

The model is coming along so nicely! So much detail. It's really going to be a great build!

[Donkeywalloper]

So glad the two of you are getting healthier by the day.

My sister had a large out door glass table top like yours just shatter all on it's own with no help from freak occurrences. Apparently it is not unknown for that to happen a little bit of pressure from the frame on one point and heating and poof it's gone. Even these frameless doors we have on tractors and harvesters are known to do it. The operator gets out , climbs back in closes the door and the whole lot shatters all over him with a very large bang. New doors are like $2000aud.
Absolutely loving the build so far and good tools are forever......unless you drop them and thens it's another 69 cause you will buy another pair Other companies make the same type though...one cutting edge. Can get cheap knock off's, but they are crap. I know cause I bought a pair to include in a kit, tying to get my son into it......sadly he's a lost cause
The wife has done a marvelous job with the garden The white ones near the front edge edge look like Australian Everlastings.

Afternoon Digger
I walked into Kitchen and im pretty sure all I saw was the Parasol lifting up, after being "Rotated" by wind off its screw base, and then lifting across the glass top, it may have been the metal base pole that caused most damage but it sure went bang. Its a design feature with safety glass, buts its still impressive to see.
The new, new cutters have just arrived at home this afternoon, i shant explain to Mrs DW, not worth it
Not sure, I'll check with the other 1/2 as she is more planting and im the grafting side.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning all

Hope you and family are all remaining very well and staying safe?

I realised the other day, that I'm posting to many posts for this build. My normal amount of posts if few and far between. Not lazy, just finding time too sit down and write truthfully.
Both me and the other ½ are now recovered and apart from general aches and pains (and of course the ongoing symptom of my circulation in legs, Ulcers continues, although I do now have a date with General Surgery).
With the Queens Platinum Festivities over the very long weekend in the UK (did Australia and NZ partake?), I was quite busy on the Thursday, hanging up Bunting and decorations outside and general weekly odds and sods completed. The weather in the Midlands on Thursday was fabulous. Being Ex-Army I have always enjoyed the Trooping of the Colour and made a point having been busy all morning, of taking a break and watching the Irish Guards do their thing. Friday, we travelled down to see my parents in Leamington Spa and booked in overnight and had Lunch with them, and Dinner and drinks on our own in the evening. Having had Breakfast on the Saturday with Parents, we travelled back home and spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the Queens festivities on TV and especially the Concert on the Sunday. I and Mrs DW really enjoyed the whole weekend and it was astonishing to see what had gone on in a 70 year reign.
Sunday, I spent a morning in the Man-Cave. These are my new Mr Hobby Cutters. They are very sharp and definitely up to the job, but Digger has now pointed me in the direction of Dspiae Nippers, that arrived on Monday from www.scalemodelshop.co.uk (images to be posted soon).



I then spent sometime “Colouring” the Clear Plastic parts for Lights. Sorry, not taken images of Lights themselves but here’s Paint used, and then noticed that I had Clear Red, Green and Yellow, but not Clear Blue, which is not in my stocks, but bought from www.scalemodelshop.co.uk


The White is heavily diluted and then painted into light slits to just give colour to lenses.
I then decided to Prime all the finished Sub-Assemblies. I have various Primers to hand. The most often used by myself tend to be Tamiya Rattle Cans in Greys and Black and or Mr Hobby, but for some unbeknown reason, other than its been sat on shelf for some time, I decided to use the below……………………..

Now, before you all queue up for a dig, bit and go, yeah, I know. Its awful stuff. It maybe in the clue, that its been sat around for a while. Did I not want to use it because its rubbish and I have lots of better products? God knows. I did use it on Sunday morning and God I regret it. At first it sprayed well from Apex on 1.5 Bar. So at first, all’s well. Then it started spluttering and finally just stopped spraying. I tinkered and played but no, it would not spray. In the end, complete clean of A/B/ I found Nozzle completely clogged up with Primer. Cleaned out, and off we go again. Within minutes, same again, spluttering and then stopped. Re-Cleaned out and same again, Nozzle head gummed up with Primer. I then decided to stop using and chucked the bottle in bin. Out came Rattle Can from Halfords (UK Automotive Shop dealer), and finished off the last ¼ of Sub-Assemblies with that.
Vallejo Primer is Yak! I had a small bottle of Vallejo Primer in Desert yellow that also has been consigned to bin.
I’m afraid in my rage , I didn’t take any images of completed Sub-Assemblies, so im afraid this is all I have for this post.
Till the next time, Bon Chance and stay fluffy and safe.


DW

[digger303]

As soon as I saw the pic of the bottle and before I read further I got a awful shiver up the spine....

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning Digger
Absolutely the worse Primer developed / sold in the world. Shame on them
DW

[Garion77]

Really is the worst ever !!! Threw my bottle in garbage a while back ! Failed on me lots' of time. And my bottle wasn't sitting on the shelf. It was brand new. Never would I recommend it to someone.

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning all

As always, I hope your all keeping extremely well and dodging and swerving life’s intricacies.
I worked from home on Friday (10th) and during the day received a couple of deliveries from various sources. First was this Apron to stop my other half having a dig at me for paints and various substances landing on my clothes and she is right, invariably after being in M/C.
This is a Heavy-Duty Welding Apron, but it suffices to stop rubbish reaching my clothes.


Another delivery was the following, which was a little late as I had already had the bad experience with Vallejo Black Primer and should have waited a tad longer for the Alclad 2 / ALC-309-60 / Black Primer & Microfiller. Some other top up paints from Tamiya of Clear Blue (Lacquer) and standard Clear Green and some J. N. Green (XF-11). At the front is the new, new Side Cutter from DSPLAE (Digger!).





Very posh indeed.

The Clear Red is from stocks and another for Lens.
Two other paints from www.scalemodelshop.co.uk were the following Lacquer “Tints”, Smoke for Periscopes and Clear Yellow for again lights + some Panzer Putty for Camouflage works..



This is the Camouflage for the AMX, fun eh!

Talking of Headlights, my trusted way of producing Silver backgrounds to Headlamps was of course the Molotow Liquid Chrome Markers. Again, a good shake, push down on nib and then soak the insides of Headlamps with this super brilliant Silver.



I also received from the good chaps at Ultimate Modelling Products a Fine Needle Conversion for Apex.

I’m afraid it was all about stocks and not a lot of advance on this model.
That is my sum total this week, sorry.
In the meantime, stay safe chaps and take care.

DW

[digger303]

Lovely shopping spree

Just don't drop the nippers if you do there's a good chance because the blade is so thin they will shatter and you will need another spanner to make blade stop adjustments to loosen the lock nut.

The panzer putty is funny stuff. I've laid it down over a model and because it takes some time to mask it all by the time I've done it the stuff has melted some more and spread out more than I anticipated. Plus the sharp changes in direction become round blobs.

[Donkeywalloper]

Lovely shopping spree

Just don't drop the nippers if you do there's a good chance because the blade is so thin they will shatter and you will need another spanner to make blade stop adjustments to loosen the lock nut.

The panzer putty is funny stuff. I've laid it down over a model and because it takes some time to mask it all by the time I've done it the stuff has melted some more and spread out more than I anticipated. Plus the sharp changes in direction become round blobs.

Morning Digger

Yup, noted, these are Precision Tools and the alignment although Factory Set-Up looks like a clumsy drop will really upset cut.
I shall be careful.
The Panzer Putty is great for Soft Camo edges, and your right, it does have a mind of its own. Its been quite warm in the UK as of late, and this is not a product that likes warmth.
I left it i situ, and it came alive, and most of it was creeping across Work-Bench within minutes
Hope you and family are keeping well?
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Good morning all of you happy Modelers

Hope you are all well and still kicking and screaming through life?

Me?, well not been in a great place both Physically and Mentally. Physically, my lower legs, have been causing so much pain and discomfort. This is the longest stretch that I have been on at Ulcer Clinic. 2 years. Monstrous. They just won’t heal. I am on top range of Pain-Killers including Opiates, which means I cant take anymore. Of course the knock on is that all of this pain and discomfort leads on to a Mental attitude / Mood that is equally “Painful”. Black Dog returns. I’m currently trying (I say trying, it’s a 18 page document sent by a Mental Health Team, and comprises maybe 10 questions each page), trying to ascertain my current Mental Health. It’s enough to make you feel depressed trying to fathom out answers to questions. I have to be honest, our NHS, which I’m told is the envy of the World, is under massive pressure. I now from seeing “My Nurse” (she’s not my Nurse exactly, but I have known he on and off for 15 years) who does my legs weekly at the Ulcer Clinic, that things are dire. They, the Community Nurses, had prior to Covid, a Team of 17. They now have 8, but of course the same amount of Patients. There is problems with retention and pay, which applies to many professions, but to lose highly skilled and trained Medical professionals, is deplorable. The main problem though, and this from my perspective is becoming greater and greater. When Covid broke out in the UK, the local Doctors / Surgeries, for want of a better phrase, “Pulled the Shutters Down” and have never pulled them up. All through the Pandemic, it was impossible to get any information from Surgeries. It was and is still impossible to get in a UK Surgery. It might be different from area to area, and some maybe able to get in now, but in deepest Staffordshire, nope. The Government are I think trying to Bully the GP’s to get in touch with the Community, but honestly, trying to actually sit down face to face with a Doctor…………more chance of winning the Lotto. Its disgraceful. Truly disgusting how the rug has been pulled away. I haven’t seen a Doctor face to face in over five years. I spent a 30 minute session with two Nurses this morning (weekly Ulcer Clinic Visit), Sue and Lara. Sue has been a District nurse for 38 years, Lara 15 years. Both are leaving soon. Lara to be a Driving Instructor. Sue, just retiring early (57). I see and hear the struggles they go through, dealing with End of Life care and managing people with Insulin, Ulcers and General ailments. It’s a crying shame to be losing these brilliant Medical people. A real shame.

Anyhoo, shall we talk about Plastic and Paint? Why not.

Friday (17th) I was working from home, but it seriously got to hot in the afternoon and being one of the three hottest consecutive days of the year so far, I just got so bothered that I went off to my Man-Cave and did a bit of work. That work involved putting some Camouflage Putty in position over the Turret to start the painting process.



The color was the AK New Generation NATO Green. Shot through the Apex.
Putty removed. Then reapplied and ready for AK NATO Brown.

Delightful paints, really top notch. Lovely sheen, fast drying. A drop of Paint Retarder and a couple of drops of Thinners and it’s good to go.
I next gave the six wheels a couple of coats of the following.



Not bad at all. I then selected various colors for picking out tools and equipment on Tank with the following.


The final shots from Friday gave us this completed French Modern Camouflage, which is a first for me and satisfied with results. I have had a look at various images of this Tank and associated Vehicles from this era, and none of them are precise and exact in painting. I’m trying to move away from precise and exact and more realistic looks i.e. its Paint on a Military Vehicle, subjected to vagaries of weather, combat and elements when driven.




I also sprayed the two Aftermarket Fire Extinguishers with Tamiya Olive Drab.

I them added the wheels and Side Skirts and this is the current look w/e 17.6.22


This was sent to me out of the blue by my Boss on Saturday, following a conversation about Laurel & Hardy. It’s the story of Stan Laurel.

Sunday morning came, and I decided to do a bit of A/B work, to tone down the somewhat vibrant look of this vehicle. I real life, the colors as used are quite, “Lively”, so I wanted to tone it down and give it a more used and abused look. I decided to go with the three colors used and with additions of white to each color, this would help to give a more worn look. I also used first, Scouring Pods (or Scotch bright as some call it), and split down so it’s a little less dense. It works better when pulled apart some so the density is lighter.


I started off with the NATO Brown, and like I said, a drop or two of Vallejo White and some Retarder, and then low pressure, 1.2 Bar.


These are paints and products used in this stage.

I then remembered I had the following kit in my arsenal, so thought I would try it out to see which preformed better. The sheets are PE Brass.


To be honest, Brillo / Scourers Pad was better (and cheaper). The Barrel Aftermarket resin canvas cover was hand painted in Tamiya XF-62 OD. Tamiya paints are always recommended for hairy Brush work, but watered down, they serve okay.


I then set about painting the Tools and Storage on the Turret and these if you remember were Resin Aftermarket to replace kit supplied. These were painted with again Brush and using various Vallejo and AK Products.



For the Barrel Rodding Pipes I used the following as I didn’t have a Vallejo or AK shade.


I then loaded the A/B with some Tamiya X-10 Gun Metal (very, very well stirred). And applied to various Tools (Crowbars, Picks) and Machine Gun.



This then was really the culmination of three days’ work, God I need to pull my finger out. I will make some excuses that the weather in dear old Blighty, has been glorious and much as I love Modelling I also don’t want to miss being in Sun and the heat in M/C does not make for good spraying or even Hand brush painting. Dry Tip is an issue presently.
Another weekend is soon approaching and a little cooler than as of late, so maybe more comfortable.
So, take care fine fellows and whatever your building or painting, enjoy.

Love as always,


DW

[digger303]

I felt your pain and frustration through your words. You would think ulcers would be a easy thing to fix in this age we live in.
I often think that there is a very large percentage of doctors that are more focused on the the money than doing the most they can with the skills they have. Maybe that is a consequence of the capitalistic system we have, but it also results here in young doctors all wanting to be specialists ( charge as much as they can) rather than being a GP which we have a shortage of.

MODELING
It all looks like it is working for you. In respect of the stencils, I've had them on my back burner and now I don't think I will worry about getting those. I do have a couple with the water streaks, but haven't used them as yet....maybe never now.

[RangerNeil]

The "finished so far" kit looks good and is definitely unusual. Remember that, apart from the British Berlin Brigade, there was no hard and fast regs/patterns on how cammo should be applied. From memory the British Army way was - and I quote "a base coat of green applied with whatever you can find and when thats dried a dollop of black with wavy edges on each corner. And if its a 109" Landie or bigger a central dollop of black also with wavy edges". The actual shape of the dollop being left to the artists imagination....
Congrats on a job well done!!

I can relate to the ulcer/GP/mental health issues. I was luck in that when we moved last year the new surgery has a first class nursing team who got mine under control in Feb/March this year. The GP's, however remain inaccessible. A case of ring reception and request an appointment and, after mayber and hour or so on hold get told a GP will ring back "later" - "later" meaning anytime in the next two days. The situation with GP's is now so bad that Amazon UK foot the bill for its employees to the Axxa Doctor at home service - and give usmedical insurance. Video calls but at least you see a face and they do diagnostics. But can only go so far legally. I just had a week in hospital with blood clots in the lungs. On discharge I was told my GP would examine me in 6 weeks and decide if I was fit to return to work. Reality is I got signed off for 6 weeks sight unseen and told I'd be good enough to return to full time work on July 1st. Still have problems breathing so thats going to be fun. My boss at work was concerned about me and the black dog of depression last year - once again Amazon footed the bill for a psych eval - boss and his boss were a,bit taken aback when the eval declared me a psychopath more likely to do them than myself... Ooops.
Daughter Mk 1 is now taking her Phd - she wants out of the NHS for the reasons you gave - she lost 2 members of her team to COVID and was told last month they weren't going to be replaced due to cost savings - same day her hospital announced the hiring of a new "Diversity & Inclusiveness" manager on £64,000 a year. So shes aiming to get into teaching her job at Uni instead

[BigWall]

I'm so sorry for your health and healthcare issues. I hope you can both get the care you need and heal. I know how pain will bring out the black dog and I hope you keep him at bay. Stay strong! My thoughts are with you.

There is the same healthcare employee issues here. Money rules though. These young ladies (and gentlemen) are getting out of nursing school and making a pretty good fortune along with a 3 day work week. One issue is that Certified Nursing Assistants get a 5 week degree, make nothing and have to do all the $#!t work. My 13 week hospital stay was made so much easier by the nurses and CNAs, such caring people. I built a great relationship with my nurses. They would confide in me when they had to perform CPR for the first time and saved the patient. They would tell me when they had a patient die. Unfortunately they would also tell me quite often when many patients treated them poorly. My access to doctors was great. Probably due to them not having a clue what was going on with me for quite a while. However, my insurance had to pay 1.4 million dollars for my 3 months of care there.

The rehab hospital(nursing home) was a totally different story though. My wife is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who knew the bad hospitals to avoid. She got me into the best one in the state. They had a major shortage in every position. These poor over worked people did their best but the shortage of employees was quite noticeable there. She said the worse hospitals smelled like urine, were filthy and the patient care was absolutely deplorable. At one point in my stay, my wife got the hospital director involved with a cleanliness problem in my room. One of the CNAs had managed to get fecal material all over my bathroom. My insurance company had a Dr. that came thru this small hospital to take care of their patients. I saw him once per week. Other than that, a nurse had to send a message to him to get a response or bring up the problem in their morning meeting. Several times the nurses forgot to send the message or present the problem in the morning meetings just due to being so overwhelmed.

Anyway, great modeling! I really hope I can remember the scouring pad technique in the future. It looks great. Was this APC rear steer? It looks like there isn't enough room for the two forward axles to do much steering.

[Donkeywalloper]

I felt your pain and frustration through your words. You would think ulcers would be a easy thing to fix in this age we live in.
I often think that there is a very large percentage of doctors that are more focused on the the money than doing the most they can with the skills they have. Maybe that is a consequence of the capitalistic system we have, but it also results here in young doctors all wanting to be specialists ( charge as much as they can) rather than being a GP which we have a shortage of.

MODELING
It all looks like it is working for you. In respect of the stencils, I've had them on my back burner and now I don't think I will worry about getting those. I do have a couple with the water streaks, but haven't used them as yet....maybe never now.

Afternoon Digger
I could not agree more about Doctors and money. They are constantly bleating in UK about pay and to many hours, the grim reality is yesterday for the first time in 5 years i found myself in my Doctors waiting for a prescription. 2 x Receptionists, a couple of Nurses, and seven Doctors in the building. I was there for 1/2 an hour waiting for a signature and the phone did not ring and nobody came in or was waiting. This is the problem in the UK. They threw the shutters up, literally, of Perspex, and now sit there doing nothing for Community they serve.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

The "finished so far" kit looks good and is definitely unusual. Remember that, apart from the British Berlin Brigade, there was no hard and fast regs/patterns on how cammo should be applied. From memory the British Army way was - and I quote "a base coat of green applied with whatever you can find and when thats dried a dollop of black with wavy edges on each corner. And if its a 109" Landie or bigger a central dollop of black also with wavy edges". The actual shape of the dollop being left to the artists imagination....
Congrats on a job well done!!

I can relate to the ulcer/GP/mental health issues. I was luck in that when we moved last year the new surgery has a first class nursing team who got mine under control in Feb/March this year. The GP's, however remain inaccessible. A case of ring reception and request an appointment and, after mayber and hour or so on hold get told a GP will ring back "later" - "later" meaning anytime in the next two days. The situation with GP's is now so bad that Amazon UK foot the bill for its employees to the Axxa Doctor at home service - and give usmedical insurance. Video calls but at least you see a face and they do diagnostics. But can only go so far legally. I just had a week in hospital with blood clots in the lungs. On discharge I was told my GP would examine me in 6 weeks and decide if I was fit to return to work. Reality is I got signed off for 6 weeks sight unseen and told I'd be good enough to return to full time work on July 1st. Still have problems breathing so thats going to be fun. My boss at work was concerned about me and the black dog of depression last year - once again Amazon footed the bill for a psych eval - boss and his boss were a,bit taken aback when the eval declared me a psychopath more likely to do them than myself... Ooops.
Daughter Mk 1 is now taking her Phd - she wants out of the NHS for the reasons you gave - she lost 2 members of her team to COVID and was told last month they weren't going to be replaced due to cost savings - same day her hospital announced the hiring of a new "Diversity & Inclusiveness" manager on £64,000 a year. So shes aiming to get into teaching her job at Uni instead

Hi Neil

Could not agree more regarding Camo lol and NHS. Its a shambles, not Camo, just NHS. As mentioned in previous to Digger. Went to see, finally, Surgeon to discuss legs. Bear in mind, Scan was in September 21. Now have to have another scan as inconclusive. Surgeon though was shocked at legs, and stuck me on huge dose of antibiotics as heel Ulcer infected. So off i trot (lol), to Pharmacy with chit. Nope, cant do that here, got to go to Doctors. Well 1st time in my Doctors for 5 years, just like Marie Celeste, you could hear tumble weed in corridors. lots of staff, no calls coming in No Patients. Its completely busted.
I could, really just go on and on, but its Ulcers needing sorted not BP
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning all you lovely people

Whats going on in your part of the world? We in the UK are sliding, or maybe correction, tumbling, falling, plummeting into recession. The Unions are getting all tetchy. Train Drivers and Tube Drivers are striking or have stricken (is that a correct terminology). Rumors of Teachers walking out. Saw on the good old BBC this morning, and you best sit down for this, Barristers are striking……………….Everyone wants more money (course we do). We all want a bigger Pay-Packet? Is it just me? Oh okay, just me.

We have had a very nice stretch of warm to hot weather recently in the UK and apart from some heavy downpours, its made longer days pleasant but Nights a bit sweaty. Mrs DW Father some years ago, gave her a mobile A/C unit. It was in her office in her former works, but on leaving she brought it home. Its on four castors but it really does weigh a ton. I gave it a small service the other day, and cleaned out the Condenser and vacuumed any dust and debris away. Ran it, and it sure pelts out nice Cold air. We decided to take it upstairs into the bedroom on one Balmy night. Luckily, the house used to be heated in the 60’s by Warm Air, so has many Vents that got through walls Externally and Internally. When we moved in, I decorated our Bedroom fairly quickly, but left the Vents in situ. My next door neighbor bricked his up, but I do like a bit of free-flow air. I found the Vent pipe on the A/C could be plugged into one of these External Vents easily. Super, all set-up. Oh, the noise. Hummmmmmmmmmmm! We looked at each other and realized the DW’s like silence not this drone. Never mind, back to conventional Fans.
With all of the Sun, Heat, Humidity and Rain, the Garden is springing into life. Its abundant. We live in a very cultured and prominently Elderly area. The estate we back on to for all intense purposes is one down from a Cemetery. Its this estate then death……………..
Its all sedate and Trimmed Bushes and Hedges. Which leads me on to Hedges. The Gents who surround my Garden keep their Topiary (Yay), very tightly trimmed and neat. Me? I love nature. I really enjoy and encourage Bird-life. We have a Water bath and Bird-Table and regularly feed and encourage the bird life.
Well, on Saturday, Mrs DW snoring in bed (she’ll kill me), and at 06:00, I was weeding the old Veg patch and steadily removing weeds. I then became aware of this very, very curious Black-Bird who was following my every turn of the spade. He was popping in and nabbing worms as I turned the soil.



I think he’s this years fledgling. Incredibly brave around a Spade wielding, 6’5” beast. Nature is amazing.
I was running out of my go to A/B Cleaner which is Meadea. I just find it a good bog standard cleaner for Acrylics. I though whilst having a coffee was on the SMS site www.scalemodelshop.co.uk and am quite impressed with the VMS range. This was purchased and duly arrived at Chez DW.


This is quite amazing stuff. It can be mixed with water for Acrylics and White Spirit for Enamels. Wow. Even the ratios by % can be changed for Stronger Solutions or Standard. Where has this stuff been all my life. Has anyone used it, I’m guessing a Dollar Digger you must have used this. It definitely looks the Dogs Bits.
So lets get back to Modelling shall we and the AMX. The Extra Armour (SEPAR) has lots of little clips that needed to be added after the Side-Skirts were on. I did these clips in Tamiya OD, just for added definition. I mounted these clips on separate Cocktail Sticks and very carefully labled each with its corresponding Instruction Number.


I carried on hand painting with different shades (Highlights and Shadows, So bit of Black for Shadows and White obviously for Highlights), and carried on working on Turret additions. This is the Aftermarket Turret Bustle with Canvas / tarp.

This is the same Blast Models Aftermarket Rear Tarp.

The Machine-Gun was over-painted in a very wash like solution of Tamiya Black, to dull down shininess.

The other Blast Models Aftermarket Turret accessories were again worked on with various Vallejo / AK and Tamiya Acrylics.


I subsequently glued the Gun Mounting in its allotted area with C/A. I think the Turret looks amazing now.


I then started to add the Tools and Hawsers that had been all painted separately. 1st, Sledge-Hammer, Breaking bar and Axe (handle painted in New Wood and Old Wood colors). I then draped the Hawser / Tow in place again with C/A.


Image above you can see the Pick-Axe Head to side of Drivers position. Image below, with Turret in place.

The Shovel was a tight fit and took a fair bit of manipulation to get it sit in snug. Same again with handle, Vallejo Acrylics, New Wood and Old in a light wash. I tend to after Varnish, and when using Oils, use a Brown Oil and drag to replicate grain.

The whole thing was then given a coat of the Alclad 2 Lacquers Gloss Varnish which was diluted 50% Varnish and 50% Distilled Water. 1 Coat then a ½ hour wait and a 2nd Coat. Lovely. Next up Decals.

The last shot is of a couple of Aftermarket Blast Models Boxes that have been given two coats of Vallejo Splinter. These are for the other side of the Turret basket. These will be Hair-Sprayed and given a coat of another colour (yet to be decided), and then can be scratched and picked at with a Cocktail Stick and Brush.

I then called it a day, mainly to let the Varnish have a really good cure, like for five days to be honest. It really does need a good drying period to get a nice tight solid coat.
I was outside on Sunday afternoon enjoying warmth and evening sun, and just weeding some Planters. Who turns up? Little Blackbird. I spied a few Grubs in soil and a few worms. He loved it.


Mrs DW said she stood in Kitchen and watched Mr DW sat inches away feeding this bird, and felt quite emotional. I do love these moments. Special.
So with all of that, I will say, look after yourselves and take care and if you can, take a minute to enjoy the wonders of others that inhabit our Planet. Its not all about us Humans.
Peace and love,

DW

[digger303]

Yes that's a very safe bet. It's actually how I got started with VMS, my very first purchase as I was looking for a good cleaner that was better value. I wouldn't use anything else at this point int time. You can mix it as weak or strong as you like and the freight is less because it's a concentrate.
Chris the owner of VMS is a modeler as is his father and leans the business more towards the modeler than trying to make as much money as possible from the business side. So you get great product foremost and then at a reasonable price. I have almost his entire range now. The masking fluid is the only product I've been so so about , but that might be more to do with the dry climate here as I've had problems with other brands too.

I had the exquisite pleasure of hand feeding a Willy wag tail (small black and white bird ) and for those that don't know. This bird is constantly on the move flitting around of almost nervous disposition. I've never seen a cat get one so that's saying a lot. Anyway friends of the wife tamed one by feeding mealy worm larvae while they were nesting in her garden. Now you can get the larvae out and it will fly to your hand to feed with total trust. It's a great feeling to be able to experience this. Guess it make the old truth true....share a meal and make a friend.

Turret looks good.

The world over here is going through much the same ,but to a lesser extent. Nurses ( my wife is one ) are starting to get rev'ed up for a new pay deal, The public servants are making noises and I guess it's Teachers next. It's usually the pattern...maybe they all use the same coffee shop. Covid is less of a worry as restrictions have been lifted and mask wearing isn't mandatory even though many are still getting sick. I still wear mine in the busy areas with the reasoning being I'd be the unlucky sod who cops it bad and I can't afford that trying to operate a small farming business. Oh and everyone is screaming about interest rates on the rise. I believe home loans are now at 4.99%
The Chinese government still hate us and are trying to screw us down on the trade front. The bully boys of the orient are trying to get bases close to our borders effectively to controlling the trade routes, trying to force lower iron ore prices, banning trade in certain items like wine,Barley and rock lobsters, influencing elections and to control what is said about them in the news.

[Donkeywalloper]

Good afternoon all you sparkling chaps out there

Hope as always, I find you all in fine fettle and keeping on top of your private lives, your not so private lives and your builds or build?
Well, I attended the hospital on Friday with my fine wife as back-up. Very unusually, normally, there is a Wipe-Board in the waiting area with how long you have to wait (not including the time of your actual appointment, that they tell you in letter notifying you anyway). In the past its read 30 minutes and up to 2 hours. Well knock me down with a feather and shovel me side wards, nothing. Nada, zip. 11:20, up pipes a little voice “Mr DW?”. Straight in. Wow!
A Ulcer Clinic Nurse from Derby fills in the paperwork and very nicely goes through some bits and bobs. Then on to slab, and trousers off (clean Boxers every time), and dressings off. In comes Surgeon, a very nice lady and promptly goes through history whilst having a soft and gentle feel of feet for pulse (yup, im alive, just).

Well, so I have had two Venal scans of my legs in the last 3 years, and to date, no blockages, obstructions or anything wrong with the flow from my groin to my knees and from my pulse, certainly got blood flowing down my legs to the bottom. She was a little concerned that the last scan did not take dressings off lower limbs. So its now another scan at Derby this time without dressings. They have forwarded some of this to dermatology as its all below knee. I have got a Varicose Vain in the front of my Right Ankle but nothing that should cause this amount of trouble to both legs. She did note the very infected wound on the Right Ankle, that has been really quite painful (!), for some time. This now puts me on a two week course of 500mg of Flucloxacillin. Terrific! Anyway, I came out of Hospital a little downhearted and confused. Mrs DW seems as always more upbeat, but I after two years, just want a solution.
I then parted company with Mrs DW, who had to go to work, and I went off to Pharmacy to get my 2 weeks’ worth of Antibiotics. I went to Pharmacy, and they said, I had to go to Doctors to get a Green Chit signed off by my Doctors (Doctors and Pharmacy next door). “But I have just been given this chit by Surgeon at hospital”
Nope, has to be signed off my local GP.
So off to my GP’s.
Remember my last rant about putting up shutters in Doctors? I go into GP’s, my first time in five years. Two Receptionists. Nobody waiting. I had to sit for 30 minutes whilst the Doctor signs of chit. I saw three Doctors going out for Lunch and couple of Nurses and the two receptionists secreted away behind Perspex.
Not once did the phone ring and nobody, repeat nobody, rang. Finally, 30 minutes later, signed chit is in my hands and then another 15 minute wait for pills. I’m no different from the 67m in the UK. Not entitled to any special privileges. Its just little me and my gammy legs.
Right, rant over, let’s talk Modelling yay!
My delivery on Friday was the following Cleaner of A/B’s and my very old A/B cleaning pot, given a very good clean out and a bit of tender love.

I thought now we have Gloss Varnish all over AMX we can add some Decals. Not so many. In total 5. Couple of Registration Plates front and back, a couple of Green 21’s either side and some handwritten numbers under barrel. Usual process, and I use Mr Mark Softener and Mr Mark Setter.




I also treated the two Aftermarket Cases to go in Turret Baskets, to a coat of Hairspray then two coats of Tamiya XF-52.


I then started assembling a Blast Models Resin Figure in the shape of the Tank Commander. Another really fine casting and relatively little clean-up.


The Aftermarket, again Blast Models, Drinks Sack was attached to Loaders side of Turret and im gonna finish the bottle off with Gloss Varnish to depict a Plastic Coke Bottle.

The 2 x Storage Boxes were treated with tap water and a rough brush and sharpened Cocktail Stick and the result is this.

I thought then, it would be wise whilst sitting with Scalpel, C/A and a file, to do build some Blast Model figures. The supplier, I'm gonna stop mentioning you know who…..gracefully, two barrels for his weapon (bloody small and how it didn't fly off into ether.....). A very neat hole is apparent to glue Barrel in. Again, beautiful casting.







Just some stretched plastic sprue to simulate Camel-Back tube. Then I can move on to the standing figure. Again, another beautiful casting and immaculate fit.



Having done some figures work, and very much impressed with the quality and pose. I thought, I might have a look in the box that has sat on the side for a while, containing the Panhard. So out with a new Scalpel blade, Side-Cutters (Mr Hobby not new ones), and out with Ultimate Files and TET, and a nice Sunday morning build. Simple and lovely little start to build. Sections 1, 2 & 3 are covered by the next images.




The little SIM Card (this was Mrs DW opinion when she saw the image, “Why is a SIM Card on the top of the box?), looking piece is an addition of PE. The difficult procedure for this build for me, is that on instructions there are no shout outs regarding colors of Internals. The Internal aspect looks to be Camouflage the same as the outside? That’s going to be interesting, and I feel that I may need some more reference.
So having enjoyed a nice bit of building again, I put away the tools, checked the tops on the TET, put the Cork back on the end of the Scalpel Blade (ever seen that fantastic bit in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels when “Rooprick” takes the cork off his Fork and stabs himself in the eye at Dinner. God I love hat film). I put my chair under the Bench and Close and lock the man-Cave and leave my Modelling for a couple of days, and have to re-enter the rubbish world of Reality.

I hope you and your families are keeping well, stay safe, stay in touch and much love.

DW

[BigWall]

Brilliant move with the clean boxers. I hope they can get your legs sorted out soon.

The figures look very nice. I can't wait to see them painted up.

[Donkeywalloper]

Brilliant move with the clean boxers. I hope they can get your legs sorted out soon.

The figures look very nice. I can't wait to see them painted up.

Cheers Chap, hope you and family are well?
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning all

Hope as always, your keeping very well and staying safe.

Well its been a while since I posted anything on here and this is not because as you well know, I’m short of stuff to chat about. To be honest, me and Mrs DW went away last week for our first proper Holiday (Away) since 11.7.2019 (when we went away on a Cruise with P&O).
I’ll chat about the social side and what’s going on later, but for now, lets really chat about the AMX-10 build.
So having Gloss Varnished the AMX, it was time for a bit of Oil Dot work.
Colours were the following:




These were applied in random dots and dragged with a wide, moist Brush downwards on vertical plains and on Horizontal / Flat areas, worked with a circular motion.

The outcome was the following.




I then started with a little Dusting and Pigments, with the go to range I use from Mig Productions. The first dabble was with Gulf War Sand P037


Then followed up with Mid Brown P057 and for the Exhausts Black Smoke P023. I also applied a little of the AK Interactive Engine Oil around Fuel Filler areas and on Engine Decks.






As part of this build, I have been building the Panhard VBL from the same manufacture i.e. Tiger Models. The build continues with no real issues. It’s a tiny vehicle but packed with detail and quite a pleasure so far to build. The Rear compartment Seat and “Briefcase” added.


Temperature on Man-Cave at 12:47 on the 9.7.22

The spares and unused parts from each kit goes into Chinese Take-Away Tubs (very useful, and hence the need to keep ordering Take-Away food. Its my stance and I’ll stick to it).

I primed the figures that came from Blast Models, with Halfords Black Primer.



Meanwhile, my little mate (Blackbird), still follows me for food.

So that was the weekend (9.7.22), and I spent the weekend cleaning the house and getting “stuff” ready for us going away on the 11.7.22 for Holly Bobs (Holiday). Its nice to get the house clean and tidy and all the jobs tucked away. The M/C was hoovered and tidied and as I shut the door, this is sad but true, I mentally said “See you in a week” lol

So, see you all soon,

DW

[digger303]

Enjoy your holiday you've both earned it. Can you stand being idle for so long......

[BigWall]

Cheers Chap, hope you and family are well?
DW

Family is all well, I'm still coming back from covid kicking my back side. I'm stronger everyday though.

This project is coming along very nicely! Enjoy your holiday and say hello to the Mrs.

[digger303]

Cheers Chap, hope you and family are well?
DW

Family is all well, I'm still coming back from covid kicking my back side. I'm stronger everyday though.

This project is coming along very nicely! Enjoy your holiday and say hello to the Mrs.

Glad to hear it didn't beat you well done.

[Donkeywalloper]

Enjoy your holiday you've both earned it. Can you stand being idle for so long......

No, No No, No, No, No, No, No, I just find it so hard to sit idly.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Cheers Chap, hope you and family are well?
DW

Family is all well, I'm still coming back from covid kicking my back side. I'm stronger everyday though.

This project is coming along very nicely! Enjoy your holiday and say hello to the Mrs.

Glad to hear it didn't beat you well done.

Hi Joe

Good to hear, its so fickle the way it effects some with no effects and kicks the ruddy bejesus out of others. Glad your on the mend chap. Keep fighting and kicking.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Good morning you wonderful people that habitat the wide and woolly world of Plastic

Hope you are all very well?

This is gonna be a long one, so drinks ready, plump up your seat and stand-by for a disjointed and weird DW post. I promise a bit of modelling as well
So lets start back on the 10.7.22…………………..
This was Mrs DW and mine 24th Wedding Anniversary. I love that woman more each day, and remember standing in our local Church (which we moved back to this area 6 years ago, and stands on the highest hill in area, so every day, I see the steeple and remember that day), absolutely pouring with sweat, as it was the hottest day of the year and I was wearing a ¾ Frock Coat, Waistcoat and all the shenanigans one wears. It was nothing to the beauty who stood at the bottom of the Aisle, and as they opened the Huge doors at the bottom of the Aisle, the sun seemed to radiate around her and her Dad. Truly breath-taking (her not her Dad). I remember my Best Man kept saying, “don’t look around its Bad Luck”!
Bad Luck be damned, I want to see my future wife. Awesome. She was simply beautiful. We had a wonderful service and a truly wonderful day.
And, she is still here, looking after her crooked and damaged Husband.
So with our getaway planned for the 11.7.22, or eyes on the Forecast. The holiday was in Norfolk and UK Holidays are just a Lottery when it comes to weather. Inclement is one word. Unpredictable is another. Your choose your dates and you have no guarantee, just pot luck. Well, we fell on our feet. 11.7.22 to 15.7.22 in the UK has been utterly beautiful.
Having completed a fair chunk of Housework and the house and Garden looking spick and span, prior to travelling, I left Mrs DW for a lay-in and sloped off to M/C with Coffee and Pastries, for a final, final spot of Modelling. You remember, I had said a mental Goodbye to M/C on the Saturday, well I cant resist a final dabble with TET and Sander.

So a bit more work on Panhard VBL. I managed to find some recent footage of Panhard’s being used by the French Foreign Legion in Afghanistan. There was some terrific footage of Panhard’s bouncing around over some very rugged terrain on video
(813) French Foreign Legion In Heavy Combat With Taliban In Afghanistan - YouTube
Right on 8.24 in video, two of these vehicles are on the horizon and later, one of these vehicles just drives over a huge rock and seems indifferent to it. So on that point regarding suspension for the Panhard VBL.
Section 6, deals with front Suspension units. Nothing to taxing and just a bit of sanding.


The below shows the build up of the Water Propulsion system (Propeller was very poor molding and needed a lot of work to get it “Ship-Shape”).


Then Exhaust added.


The final Rear Suspension arms added.

A little Dry-Fit of Upper Hull. Lovely fit, just some very light sanding and fiddling, nothing that’s gonna be to much problems. A builder of this kit recommended leaving the two parts apart till final assembly as there is so much painting in the Interior.




Meanwhile, outside the temperature was getting so the M/C was uncomfortable. This Thermometer hangs on the outside of M/C and at 15:33 it was this.

So, the 11.7.22 arrives and with bags packed in our tiny Toyota IQ (don’t laugh, its remarkably roomy, incredibly stealthy on fuel and we had been offered a Station Wagon by Father-in-Law, but it just was a reason to stuff more in for a weeks holiday. Mrs DW packed IQ and honestly, we had a Suitcase, two foldable Vango Camping Chairs, and Inflatable Double Mattress (in case I could not get on board with bed at where we were going, and an Ice Box. Off we trundled at 12:00 on the 11.7.22 after dodging the Cats and Rabbits, and instructions to In-Laws who were House-Sitting. A very warm and uncomfortable drive through England’s Green (Brown) and pleasant pastures. Peterborough, Kettering, Cambridge and that long drive behind Caravans heading out to East Anglia. Until, many hours later, after Comfort Breaks and a Burger King, we ended up in a place called Alburgh in Norfolk. The road we came off, had a sign on one side saying Welcome to Norfolk, and the other side said Welcome to Suffolk. You get my gist, we were on a border.
Here was where we were laying our sleepy heads for five nights.






The above is the other Carriage called Edward (Edwardian), we were in Victoria (Victorian), they each had the similar layout but slightly different décor. Both with Wood Burners.



Mrs DW had booked us into Choo Choo Moo. Two former Dairy Train carriages, converted into dwellings. This is what you call Glamping. Beautiful. Sited in a field, no neighbors, no noise, no traffic (except the White Transit Pick-Up I noted at 07:45 every morning, coming up the lane to some obscure job. No TV, No Internet, Not very good Mobile Reception. The Electric (2 x 240V) provided by Solar Panels at rear of Carriage. Gas bottles provide Hot Water for Shower (very decent size), Taps and Cooking facilities (2 x Gas Rings) and for the outside Bath yup!). The silence was truly deafening. I have Tinnitus and honestly, I didn’t realize how bad it was, till then. The first evening we watched Deer’s in the next field frolicking away. I bought myself a new set of Bino’s and watched Kites and Buzzards in the sky. We found ourselves waking for every morning at about 03:00. Putting on the Two-Burner and letting Kettle Boil, then sitting outside, Mrs DW with a Fleece Blanket and me in my Baerskin Fleece, sipping coffee and listening and watching the pale light of Dawn. Magical. We as a couple, bumbled on trips to Lowestoft and Southwold, which is the most quintessential English Beach Resort you could go to. We walked miles, ate Ice Creams, ate Fish & Chips, drank an amazing coffee looking over the beach at Suzie’s,

and generally talked nonsense. It was amazing. This Choo Choo Moo is not gonna be everybody’s cup of tea. For a start it can only accommodate two. Its small. I suppose a Caravan size. I probably would have struggled if it had been Cold and Wet, but to have a decking area, and French Doors, and a view that just left me breathless with its beauty, its not bad. We ate locally produced Meat on a kindly provided Fire Pit, being very careful not to ignite the dry grass.
Suffolk and Norfolk are very famous for the heritage of USAAF Bases that dotted these areas, and during the 2 World War, this area was invaded (lol) by the handsome and incredibly brave men of the US Air Force. Close by is a Aviation Museum (Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum) at the wonderful sounding place of Bungay Its run by volunteers and donations. It’s absolutely jammed packed to the rafters with exhibits and stuff. If your even in that neck of the woods, please go. Please, please also donate when you go. I’m not into aviation but I do appreciate the bravery and camaraderie of these young, young men who traveled thousands of miles and fought and sadly died. I am in awe of them.
In the Museum is a really interesting section about Lt Joe Kennedy. I had heard about Joe Kennedy but the story of him and the chaps involved is immense. Please read about him: Joe Kennedy (aviationmuseum.net)
The village of Blythbourgh in Suffolk was truly lucky to have not disappeared totally having been blasted by Torpex.
I have added some images, but it left both of us truly humbled and a bit lost for words. The stories associated with each piece was mind-blowing. I was particularly struck by the horrible accident that befell a Liberator Crew on their way back from their last mission, and decided to fire Very Flares out and unfortunately, they caught the fuel tanks and all of the crew were killed, including Cameramen and Press assigned to capture this monumental mission return.
Here are some images of that day in a part of Suffolk forever associated with America, I thought you Aviation buffs would like the images of planes and a Turret from a Liberator (if you can zoom in on image, it’s worth reading the script, I certainly would not get my lithe frame in). The base by the way was the home of the 446th Bomb Group







One of my thrills in life is try something different on a holiday, some new experience. Never in my life have I ever tried Raw Milk.
Now Suffolk is a huge agricultural nirvana of Pigs, Cattle and such. Close to us, along with Ice Cream makers, Breweries and amazing food producers, was a Cattle / Dairy Farm called Fen Farm. They make their own Cheese and Yoghurts from Raw Milk produced by their Cows. The 300 Montbeliarde Cows provide the milk that makes an award winning Cheese called Baron Bigod (served to Prince Harry on the morning of his Wedding). You go to the Farm and there is a booth filled with Vending Machines. Paying by Card, I had two liters of Raw Milk, a huge slice of Baron Bigod Cheese and some Eggs. What fun.
I am a philistine as I drank the milk in the evening with the following cereal



In the evening I sat drinking the following and Mrs DW drank Wine and read, and listened, and watched.






The image above is of a Penstemon which is a Perennial and we saw constant amounts of Bees popping in for its Nectar. Mrs DW loved it. On returning from holiday, I bought some plants from a Online Dealer and so she will have these lovely plants in her Garden. Year after year.
Whilst in Lowestoft, I had an hour on my own in a Turkish Barbers. This is what I looked like before, me and Mrs DW in Southwold, and after.


An hour later in sunny Lowestoft. Haircut (Zero Rear and sides), Beard Trim, Nose Wax and Ear Hair Wax (That did make me wince). I looked a bit cleaner and shipshape.
Whilst having a haircut, Mrs DW went around the shops and came back with some Games to play in evening and found the following in a Charity Shop.

Well after a week, we sadly packed the car and trundled off home and it was with very sad hearts as this place is truly magical ad special. Don’t all go, I want to book again
On my return and the normal absolute aloofness from our Cats. God, you go away for a week, and you think you’d be smothered by love on the Masters return. Well Dogs do. Not Cats.
I was pleased to see some trinkets awaiting for me from www.emodels.co.uk.

Various Weathering materials for these two models. Of course having got home and Mrs DW sorting the one case out, I had to drop into the M/C. I could not resist some light Modelling, with one eye on House and the inevitable call “DW, get you’re a** in here”, or loving words to that effect. I started work on the Milan Tubes being stored in the vehicle. 3 x unit in racks on Right.


The Left caught me out when not reading instructions properly. The Left only has two tubes and although three added, I managed to wiggle the third tube out as I had only “Tacked” in with TET. So not bonded. The beauty of TET is the repositioning and wiggle room. So out the Tube popped and back on track.

I then could start work on the three doors (Left, Right, Back). All had small Sinkholes that needed sanding out. Three to each door. Luckily not deep enough for filler.


I then had escaped the wrath of Mrs DW so turned myself to a bit more work. The front of Hull has a nice piece of PE embellishment that was cut and added with Extra Thick Jarvis C/A. I also added the Windscreen Wipers (as glass is added from behind), and some Grab handles, that luckily are in scale and did not need replacing in wire.

Also added was the Front Plate with Towing Shackles.

A small little build was the four wheel hubs, you get two sets of wheels and hubs, its up to you how you fit.

My Toms are swelling and benefiting from the extraordinary heat in the UK. The UK was hit with a Mini-Heatwave on the w/c 18.7.22 and you’d think Armageddon had come. We had News Specials on Weather and it really started to Boil my P£^&$ (literally). Sunday night, I lay in bed, sweating profusely but a fan and a open windows helped, and watched the Farmers Weekly Forecast on a programme called Countryfile on BBC1. The MET office chap was describing the forecast for the coming week, then started to tell me how to keep cool…………………WHAT!
Its weather. Countries around the world with climates hotter cope. Even countries closer to our good selves, Greece, Spain, Italy, France all cope with the same. Being told how closing Curtains and Opening Windows, was honestly laughable. We have turned into such a soppy bunch here. It just became a joke in the DW house. We even started to shout to each of us, “Darling, have you opened / closed the Curtains” I have been in the Middle East and they dress appropriately, build housing that copes, but poor old UK…………………………anything over 40C and it’s the end of the world.


On I admit a hot Sunday (17th), whilst sat in shade and chomping on a butty and a glass of Cold Beer, up springs Mrs DW and disappears. Then returns with our Oregon Extendable Hedge Trimmer and Loppers, and starts going crazy on a bush that has sat in our Garden for possibly forty years and is mostly Ivy and not much plant. The only contribution to it was I swapped the Hedge part of the Trimmer to a 12” Chainsaw Head. Two 240L Bins and ½ a 1 Tonne Dumpy Bag later……………..


The last day of term at schools where I work came around on the 18.7.22 and look what turned up to feed us and the Pupils.

Still the temperature in the UK was top of news. This taken on the 18.7.22

This taken on the 19.7.22
Still the Toms and Cucumbers enjoy all this radiant heat.

These two next images are of a Supermarket in Uttoxeter I visited on the Monday (20.7.22), and their was no Freezer / Fridge units working. We are not very good at heat are we.


Saturday, and having weeded front and planted a few more Ornamental Grasses.


I settled into the M/C and started some more work on Panhard. The doors have lots of recessed mould marks, again, a rubbing from a Ultimate Thinny, cut to fit into these areas (I tend to trim the thin end with a knife). Then given a rub.

I made up from section 12, two Jerry-Cans and bended and folded the PE provided for Holder and Strap. Really lovely details.



The door (C2) with its Ammo Pouches and Part B21 as I intend to pose with open doors was completed, but the Rifles (FAL) left separate for painting purposes. The three Top Hatches have molding indents and due to concave molding, really difficult to remove by sanding alone, so reluctantly filled.

Bit more PE work, straps for side pod.

Opposite side had its Tarpaulin Basket added and Tools Holder. The Hatches and Jerry-Cans were mounted on Cocktail Sticks so I could paint separate.



I’ll leave you with two Snails racing each other around a pot.

All in all, a rather busy time for ourselves, but nonetheless enjoyable and the week away was up their with many holidays we have had together. I have visited many countries and each has given us fond and memorable memories. I am though guilty of forgetting how beautiful the UK is and right on the proverbial doorstep. As the UK is suffering, probably the same as many countries with changes since Covid, and this has impacted on our Travel system, especially Airports being understaffed and under resourced. Its making me realize, that I detested the five, six, seven hours in Airports, herded like cattle to a destination abroad and all to do the same in a return trip. Meanwhile, with good planning and taking ones time, there is a whole unexplored vista of places in the UK that is screaming out for exploration. Some will still wish to travel abroad for better weather (these last few weeks though has been difficult to beat), but as somebody getting a little less tolerable of Cattle Class and paying for the torture, I’m inclined to seek more local pleasures. We have visited nearly all of the Greek islands and each is a much the same. France still delights me with its food and countryside. The Middle East is still a favorite but has become over the years in places, not so “Fun” as it was. Maybe next year we’ll look at Cruising again, but all depends on economics and what’s going on in the World. We shall see.

In the meantime, I wish you all great holidays and wherever you go and with whoever tickles your fancy, may you have full sails and steady breezes.
Love and Best wishes,

DW

[digger303]

I'll summarize.....You rented a love shack , the hot weather was a inconvenience, bought a ice cream, attacked the garden and you did some modeling. That"s a pretty full week.
A lovely week not being bothered by work....



Ps.....Lovely read and keep them coming.

[aur0ra145]

Looks like a really fun vacation! Nice work on the model, that PE really makes it pop.

[Donkeywalloper]

I'll summarize.....You rented a love shack , the hot weather was a inconvenience, bought a ice cream, attacked the garden and you did some modeling. That"s a pretty full week.
A lovely week not being bothered by work....



Ps.....Lovely read and keep them coming.

How come you manage to make it seem so simple and beautiful.
DW