tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1609046202164834982024-03-17T08:10:33.222-07:00Scale Model SoupScale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-46297793957744620952023-11-20T10:46:00.000-08:002023-11-22T16:25:23.081-08:00Black Friday Deals 2023<p>Let's see who's offering deals for Black Friday.</p><p>Did I miss you or a favorite vendor? Email me at <a href="mailto:scalemodelsoup@gmail.com">scalemodelsoup@gmail.com</a>. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy9PJQWF870GxtHSUKnibVkSdipXhsupjv7oVARz-ByAA79Wt29J2JuzQUH-ec4nCeguKLS3GEUsRz3SYrE02ulNP6pCXTwVz1A0nIoHcFP83Uwafhn_NlWSjm65LVj5CuQWpH7Uj4g7Vg0mlZ5NTnvBIfcMSdRsrmkVvjfyZZyEeskLatTnhx4qA/s609/signs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="609" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy9PJQWF870GxtHSUKnibVkSdipXhsupjv7oVARz-ByAA79Wt29J2JuzQUH-ec4nCeguKLS3GEUsRz3SYrE02ulNP6pCXTwVz1A0nIoHcFP83Uwafhn_NlWSjm65LVj5CuQWpH7Uj4g7Vg0mlZ5NTnvBIfcMSdRsrmkVvjfyZZyEeskLatTnhx4qA/w400-h201/signs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<td>AMMO by Mig Jimenez</td>
<td>Offers vary from day to day.</td>
<td><a href="https://www.migjimenez.com/en/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Andy's Hobby Headquarters</td>
<td>20% - 50% off select kits and tools.</td>
<td><a href="https://andyshhq.com/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Anyz</td>
<td>15% off.</td>
<td><a href="https://anyz.io/shop" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Best Soldiers</td>
<td>Lower prices on some figures.</td>
<td><a href="https://shop.bestsoldiershop.com/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>DN-Models</td>
<td>20% off.</td>
<td><a href="https://dnmodels.com/shop-2/">Link</a></td>
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<td>Ignis Art</td>
<td>Discounts up to 35% on select items.</td>
<td><a href="https://warhog.pl/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>LB Models</td>
<td>30% off entire range</td>
<td><a href="https://cults3d.com/es/usuarios/LBModels/modelos-3d" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Lucky Model</td>
<td>Discounts on products across the site.</td>
<td><a href="https://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Mr Black Productions</td>
<td>30% off select books.</td>
<td><a href="https://www.mrblackpublications.com/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Odyssey Collectibles</td>
<td>10% off select items.</td>
<td><a href="https://www.odysseycollectibles.shop/en" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Petition2God</td>
<td><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">20% off all STL file downloads.</div></td>
<td><a href="https://cults3d.com/en/users/petition2God/3d-models" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Phase Hanger Resin Accessories</td>
<td><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">25% discount on all orders.</div></td>
<td><a href="https://phasehangarresin.com/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>PK Productions</td>
<td>15% off select products.</td>
<td><a href="https://www.pkproductions.de/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Sabot Miniatures</td>
<td>20% off everything.</td>
<td><a href="https://www.sabotminiatures.com" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>ScaleInDetail</td>
<td>20% off 338 Squadron 70 Years Anniversary Book</td>
<td><a href="https://scaleindetail.com/index.php?route=product%2Fproduct&product_id=406" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Sprue Brothers</td>
<td>10% to 25% off all model kits depending on your order total.</td>
<td><a href="https://spruebrothers.com/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Squadron</td>
<td>Daily discounts on select items.</td>
<td><a href="https://squadron.com/clearance/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<td>Scale75</td>
<td>Up to 40% off select products.</td>
<td><a href="https://scale75.com/en/" target="_blank">Link</a></td>
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<p><br /></p><p>Last updated: Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 7:30pm ET</p><p><br /></p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-73362822450167771592023-04-02T14:40:00.001-07:002023-04-02T14:40:07.109-07:00We visit Mosquitocon 2023<p> IPMS New Jersey's annual Mosquitocon is always a good show and never disappoints. Here are a few of my favorite entries in the contest.</p><p>By far my favorite entry in the contest was this Nova 1/72 C-141 vacuform. I can't imagine the work required to build this model, much less drop the flaps and make it all look this good.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPcN_vqkGsG31fn6lmiY2HnvgytfPwHJ-09vhSfCgCIoKi0Ib9xLpnj9hdy_EA7B5AwA-7oryfKrdbozI6s2VimDduLG3IhBU7MIX9KxtC3QseITIwlrFm5MGQ04gQ5R9FsSM0gyhMMwx5ZPLmyF-lk099EGH1K_AYSSY4lOcbEyaODY_-Pkm9Q/s2016/C-141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPcN_vqkGsG31fn6lmiY2HnvgytfPwHJ-09vhSfCgCIoKi0Ib9xLpnj9hdy_EA7B5AwA-7oryfKrdbozI6s2VimDduLG3IhBU7MIX9KxtC3QseITIwlrFm5MGQ04gQ5R9FsSM0gyhMMwx5ZPLmyF-lk099EGH1K_AYSSY4lOcbEyaODY_-Pkm9Q/w400-h300/C-141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>No, this isn't 1/48 scale. It's a 1/72 Tamiya F-16C beautifully weathered.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsscUA_diec5gomruD3wFQtzuYczcroWoFC_zhWKGVyzztPOxKF_8MQim1opyzdQywcTN9sY2w_qI1laTYeGTB2s-SsRE-ZuTpVWwKI1-N9VkEDMnihaFV3u3OhcKGvCLf--u1oUJUbiicqA-W9w-rc_ZevISZJvvq96Un9vqyZYSsK9qfSpcqA/s2016/F-16C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsscUA_diec5gomruD3wFQtzuYczcroWoFC_zhWKGVyzztPOxKF_8MQim1opyzdQywcTN9sY2w_qI1laTYeGTB2s-SsRE-ZuTpVWwKI1-N9VkEDMnihaFV3u3OhcKGvCLf--u1oUJUbiicqA-W9w-rc_ZevISZJvvq96Un9vqyZYSsK9qfSpcqA/w400-h300/F-16C.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>My first time seeing the new AFV Club 1/48 U-2, and it was stunning...and huge!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBalho-k2izw5P-svIqsmlcpYVl0ySAh4KsLldveM3OKanh21bJQZ4sa6fbEXIpwV25k6eHeR3nv4tv2gVJbFO6RTiyKDjHm8StqQrr_bvWxprDyYyTdva5toLXPnWwnuHtPe7OkBY0wrwcikjquWCGIjUZg3lcc3sbsjkS13h96VI9FvQy3OgPQ/s2016/U-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBalho-k2izw5P-svIqsmlcpYVl0ySAh4KsLldveM3OKanh21bJQZ4sa6fbEXIpwV25k6eHeR3nv4tv2gVJbFO6RTiyKDjHm8StqQrr_bvWxprDyYyTdva5toLXPnWwnuHtPe7OkBY0wrwcikjquWCGIjUZg3lcc3sbsjkS13h96VI9FvQy3OgPQ/w400-h300/U-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Check out this Kopro 1/48 Su-25UGT with scratchbuilt flaps, slats, and airbrakes. Dang!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYyTp7E7R6kScwOsnG1359DjDm5MTALX8FjqWbJazMR-BywqCZskXQexKRJhsZnKDZKZQZTSCBda58TItJ5IU6RfnCIYnyvTEtBZ4Mq_1rkYf2dI5q47d7KkWqGldZ-7oo1N4Y9Z3CRz8jtzegzx-Dte0FbptFVtqwrbRWEZDkCeHi5O48_LeEQ/s2016/Su-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYyTp7E7R6kScwOsnG1359DjDm5MTALX8FjqWbJazMR-BywqCZskXQexKRJhsZnKDZKZQZTSCBda58TItJ5IU6RfnCIYnyvTEtBZ4Mq_1rkYf2dI5q47d7KkWqGldZ-7oo1N4Y9Z3CRz8jtzegzx-Dte0FbptFVtqwrbRWEZDkCeHi5O48_LeEQ/w400-h300/Su-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Major conversion of a Monogram 1/48 F-15 into the F-15E prototype.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHCQ0CIlwS95rPmr5dyR-hnfCEu8e8wtFIvbIUuPgOlG13VYjlsFcv9yQ9HX48Ayp4ww16QTNkv-SWxFlbiDHbJ-Wqv84WFoseTVOfwFl6ijAISIw-763teeMatYHKBzf2FlrpJVOysf5z_xoYSFjx6XNKTXRmuNwRusmN0Ng4ORfs5mhoUgjZQ/s2016/F-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHCQ0CIlwS95rPmr5dyR-hnfCEu8e8wtFIvbIUuPgOlG13VYjlsFcv9yQ9HX48Ayp4ww16QTNkv-SWxFlbiDHbJ-Wqv84WFoseTVOfwFl6ijAISIw-763teeMatYHKBzf2FlrpJVOysf5z_xoYSFjx6XNKTXRmuNwRusmN0Ng4ORfs5mhoUgjZQ/w400-h300/F-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Speaking of vacuforms, here's a Contrail 1/72 Blackburn Kangaroo by Mike Terre, who is one of the best modelers in the hobby right now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza2Zv2QiZO1ZAYaeaNUT0Z93ZF9p_uf0SvAKeYw2xEJm4_GegVr7X5aWco_5XCF9Rog0fGBZUpmVSWAJnVSKdbM-h793cBqYD1wfmMb_xG4Hpo-yo2oQ-Wp36EMLuq7oELTo9hrQQgmTvlDXwknaAGtxF_kGdwWMN7oT_7lGocTt9yz6TQz7jfQ/s2016/Kangaroo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza2Zv2QiZO1ZAYaeaNUT0Z93ZF9p_uf0SvAKeYw2xEJm4_GegVr7X5aWco_5XCF9Rog0fGBZUpmVSWAJnVSKdbM-h793cBqYD1wfmMb_xG4Hpo-yo2oQ-Wp36EMLuq7oELTo9hrQQgmTvlDXwknaAGtxF_kGdwWMN7oT_7lGocTt9yz6TQz7jfQ/w400-h300/Kangaroo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Expertly finished Tamiya 1/35 Japanese Type 61.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2NUpNZ1_GR2q5YwxNzA7uwKxrOqIt9UFc2DNei9bbih4Y_nMgfY03iJcMUyDDnwyM6yVhgDNeKFVXhXEyE4b9vGYltY7TVKDwKz9oaIXS3ED_P5mJSgaTTAEMfXG8uQT0ADqGhk5yuwSYZxIfX2zmqMpzafpt3nGD0gsDD6xGWGApIUoNslg_Q/s2016/Type%2061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2NUpNZ1_GR2q5YwxNzA7uwKxrOqIt9UFc2DNei9bbih4Y_nMgfY03iJcMUyDDnwyM6yVhgDNeKFVXhXEyE4b9vGYltY7TVKDwKz9oaIXS3ED_P5mJSgaTTAEMfXG8uQT0ADqGhk5yuwSYZxIfX2zmqMpzafpt3nGD0gsDD6xGWGApIUoNslg_Q/w400-h300/Type%2061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>More beautifully done weathering, this time on a 1/35 M4A3E8 Sherman.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQfy1j92_xCMYUYIeAt5qsr86kRtmIEjrUEeUt89FHY6TlFwMLgu_73IwwkKRdEaHVUiOXyvC4Py1jq6BFvRjcnYwzt_mkRC67NYur_ou2PWW0FOjexNg_TEJRYmYVtIgJVkEBNIGDWRVukplR9zLWKgM2ZjYDj923i30hqnpMp1t123dPqi6Lw/s2016/M4A3E8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQfy1j92_xCMYUYIeAt5qsr86kRtmIEjrUEeUt89FHY6TlFwMLgu_73IwwkKRdEaHVUiOXyvC4Py1jq6BFvRjcnYwzt_mkRC67NYur_ou2PWW0FOjexNg_TEJRYmYVtIgJVkEBNIGDWRVukplR9zLWKgM2ZjYDj923i30hqnpMp1t123dPqi6Lw/w400-h300/M4A3E8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>You don't have to buy an airline ticket to find the Spanish style here in the US. Here's Great Wall Hobby's 1/35 12.8cm K44 gun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZtnNEJoZ7tkkJIBJPZOVuiSnuQAEfHpZMI_vUnfXhOr2nTe68Vu8nSRVaY-IyLYQuTZAAkMBfvWK1mJZMQcvvpYaBN0jOifRmMtDmrVVnHyxwl-XMnpq8DrvOjdrZvZmX8DwFUnZVaVD7i0jtWX1mh94AF38OI_7imqztv_ByAVHwsUBVCw4Yg/s2016/Gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZtnNEJoZ7tkkJIBJPZOVuiSnuQAEfHpZMI_vUnfXhOr2nTe68Vu8nSRVaY-IyLYQuTZAAkMBfvWK1mJZMQcvvpYaBN0jOifRmMtDmrVVnHyxwl-XMnpq8DrvOjdrZvZmX8DwFUnZVaVD7i0jtWX1mh94AF38OI_7imqztv_ByAVHwsUBVCw4Yg/w400-h300/Gun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>An excellent Dragon 1/35 Sdkfz 234/3 beautifully painted and weathered.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAhtLvSxTj--YbYyWCUTmcJlf7grxTa-PWUCbo5HBXRy9RSa-24SdSXL0HY2NOhDuWdgKQapRkAsjg4AiM4_5AZW0u3QZCsfT3kMFix_GzHsG-goVjXhr_uIGx8q4UDrSfxEfJ3-woUJqBaYRukmrvyQxwZLz9dM67Pigkx48c65s7HOLPglL9g/s2016/Sdkfz%20234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAhtLvSxTj--YbYyWCUTmcJlf7grxTa-PWUCbo5HBXRy9RSa-24SdSXL0HY2NOhDuWdgKQapRkAsjg4AiM4_5AZW0u3QZCsfT3kMFix_GzHsG-goVjXhr_uIGx8q4UDrSfxEfJ3-woUJqBaYRukmrvyQxwZLz9dM67Pigkx48c65s7HOLPglL9g/w400-h300/Sdkfz%20234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Another favorite, a 1/25 Ford Model T with an absolutely exquisite finish. If I'm ever tempted to show someone an example of artistry in our hobby, I'll pull up this model.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod_ZShQV3B9pi4b4ZNqNQ31Cw1h2sKyQadZRMSlxl6mYzfCZ8bZGN5gTowb3LJ3CfjnBYPIH1cCi-gGwXGgkmYDlgrCHYMlNqfhdvxd0TsI6ZhQZVUGwnlEsUsDs2uAgYcpXTuhUku_CgcCzUYE6bJOrOBuS8Xd_5Lz6L-ijLo9Y69ZfoDFZFnQ/s2016/Ford%20Model%20T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod_ZShQV3B9pi4b4ZNqNQ31Cw1h2sKyQadZRMSlxl6mYzfCZ8bZGN5gTowb3LJ3CfjnBYPIH1cCi-gGwXGgkmYDlgrCHYMlNqfhdvxd0TsI6ZhQZVUGwnlEsUsDs2uAgYcpXTuhUku_CgcCzUYE6bJOrOBuS8Xd_5Lz6L-ijLo9Y69ZfoDFZFnQ/w400-h300/Ford%20Model%20T.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>There's something about a Ferrari that compels a double-take, whether on the road or in a contest. Here are two favorites in the contest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7gylSHRuqlhki0wgzgEIagUy5b9bVoFNBUOO6W3H7y-7u18SMTK1iTXB-344jlafHfm08LoGDDQMStndDKYI76X4Gy6GRKmWy3XuNcFMuJspqt8STIcFGdTJoS3Mb6Kmeu0IgFfzIdNPI5vjanBMOZG4g_J5Z4_emKA6fn3jyXOIXkR9n2Fmng/s2016/Ferrari%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7gylSHRuqlhki0wgzgEIagUy5b9bVoFNBUOO6W3H7y-7u18SMTK1iTXB-344jlafHfm08LoGDDQMStndDKYI76X4Gy6GRKmWy3XuNcFMuJspqt8STIcFGdTJoS3Mb6Kmeu0IgFfzIdNPI5vjanBMOZG4g_J5Z4_emKA6fn3jyXOIXkR9n2Fmng/w400-h300/Ferrari%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5H600simjEJ2FJzY8PUWB16lURQkV-ZUpuhcmMxTxjUc5pNnNFfX_NsvQsj-cif5SS9J4yD4E_1O27QHQpeeWP12MXX5cqUvahRZS8eZeDr9zZXLutmREFXBVm89Xamx42APjf0LaR0v-Y8hxknHHPyP7d22mjcgEyekSSx9__dtqNm3JRMsh9w/s2016/Ferrari%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5H600simjEJ2FJzY8PUWB16lURQkV-ZUpuhcmMxTxjUc5pNnNFfX_NsvQsj-cif5SS9J4yD4E_1O27QHQpeeWP12MXX5cqUvahRZS8eZeDr9zZXLutmREFXBVm89Xamx42APjf0LaR0v-Y8hxknHHPyP7d22mjcgEyekSSx9__dtqNm3JRMsh9w/w400-h300/Ferrari%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Here's a unique model, a Hachette 1/43 K-700 Soviet tractor.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlijU5_PldzbdDm3N1s6aXwAwRPgBOQ-KTMLWGJIFEPT21K1BmNWGucPCtKJnSo0BPBmwfBLv5fynH5uuB-bi_zvHkJRGoUbdPRbO9ianyCpRngIzUU8_z5WT045rZ1QtpeAGjO3x-h8GgJaaawU66khADYDawTZaRk0WEeeC_JAW3ZgQaSRQZcg/s2016/K-700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlijU5_PldzbdDm3N1s6aXwAwRPgBOQ-KTMLWGJIFEPT21K1BmNWGucPCtKJnSo0BPBmwfBLv5fynH5uuB-bi_zvHkJRGoUbdPRbO9ianyCpRngIzUU8_z5WT045rZ1QtpeAGjO3x-h8GgJaaawU66khADYDawTZaRk0WEeeC_JAW3ZgQaSRQZcg/w400-h300/K-700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Devin Poore's excellent Academy 1/700 USS Enterprise, including lights in the hanger bay.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8D5qPXhodbehHgoD6GJm7-FI0495Z-ZFdE1AmoquxJ04u2GkjTFcyQUb9QLSZIr-O0qFn4m7_23eBIocFxE_0onMKXn0HmPrr6ZOlr39dY8v6L7341RlqLwM17XMH0fzskHogHgb0gXFjCW4T54xWXtMSMJUkR9BFETrd6rxM-4Mh03sAXSRFIw/s2016/Enterprise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8D5qPXhodbehHgoD6GJm7-FI0495Z-ZFdE1AmoquxJ04u2GkjTFcyQUb9QLSZIr-O0qFn4m7_23eBIocFxE_0onMKXn0HmPrr6ZOlr39dY8v6L7341RlqLwM17XMH0fzskHogHgb0gXFjCW4T54xWXtMSMJUkR9BFETrd6rxM-4Mh03sAXSRFIw/w400-h300/Enterprise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Congrats to all the winners, who took home awards like this one, arguably the best-looking award from the club in years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt3yIQQykDbKLmFbh5sF0FlHAFgzi76WgSZV6wYEPMCqMCQAezKLiwRassY2NYzeyq5nJzsFbcrKFQivpgr_bU2kQ5zjXreCFMnTL1ERKGNkSOj6UKQU89_9b2-1F_0rQ0XnKisULGcLS68JdGCm2eLEQ-Dfng_G6c2GA5b7Lfdb6X3phspHsWg/s2016/Award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt3yIQQykDbKLmFbh5sF0FlHAFgzi76WgSZV6wYEPMCqMCQAezKLiwRassY2NYzeyq5nJzsFbcrKFQivpgr_bU2kQ5zjXreCFMnTL1ERKGNkSOj6UKQU89_9b2-1F_0rQ0XnKisULGcLS68JdGCm2eLEQ-Dfng_G6c2GA5b7Lfdb6X3phspHsWg/w300-h400/Award.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>See you next year!</p><p><br /></p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-79186966651070928822023-03-18T08:02:00.000-07:002023-03-18T08:02:01.494-07:00123 in 2023<p>My stash is too big, so I'm going to reduce it by 123 models in 2023!</p><p>Okay, I have to be honest with myself and admit that that's an overly ambitious goal, but it sounds catchy and it captures the spirit of this downsizing effort, so I'm sticking with it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1qYCC41Bi_XCcfmkK-Io-cUaFFal-e0MOGoYNeCFFiX9xyMUAwR4gJEqoxnPifqZcpOwRFf1rMmtpZM8Cx8jWaXwCUwgehZqCo6tx5YIiRvMXuM0q-s2igCihc719V58kCWanmTJ0Fhl6R25FyD9wNymt4CPu6I56AnqmvghiudQt1R-2TG8gA/s1495/Stash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="1495" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1qYCC41Bi_XCcfmkK-Io-cUaFFal-e0MOGoYNeCFFiX9xyMUAwR4gJEqoxnPifqZcpOwRFf1rMmtpZM8Cx8jWaXwCUwgehZqCo6tx5YIiRvMXuM0q-s2igCihc719V58kCWanmTJ0Fhl6R25FyD9wNymt4CPu6I56AnqmvghiudQt1R-2TG8gA/w400-h379/Stash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Here's the thing -- having a large stash (in my experience) presents three very real problems.</p><p>First, I'll never build them all. I have 25 to 30 years of good eyesight and hand/eye coordination left to build models, so at my current rate of 5 models per year, that's just 150 models. Even if I double my build rate, that's only 300 models. Suffice to say, I have many more unbuilt models than that, not to mention new kits that we'll see see in the coming years. There's a psychological effect when I realize I can't build everything; it's depressing to look at, for example, that Hasegawa F-111E or the Trumpeter T-64AV and realize I may never build them. </p><p>Second, my stash consists of many models that I find less interesting than others, so there's a risk of my wasting time building models that don't bring me joy. <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2023/01/why-am-i-building-this-model.html">This has happened.</a> Time is precious. Shouldn't I focus on the most enticing subjects and dispose of the others?</p><p>Finally, I really don't want to leave hundreds of models to my heirs when I go to the Great Hobby Shop in the Sky. I've seen a lot of modelers talk about the disposition of their stashes with, "I'll be dead, so I don't care what happens to my models." That crass attitude ignores the burden that your family or friends will endure to pack, organize, and sell your models. </p><p>Just over two months into my downsizing, I can say that selecting models for sale is difficult. Like you, I can point to every model in my stash and tell you how I intend to paint it, the markings I'll use, and the weathering I envision. I bought each model for a reason (at the time), so I'm making tough choices.</p><p>Ultimately, I think 60-70 models seems more realistic than 123, but I expect to continue the task through 2024 and beyond. The models that remain on the shelves will be those I'm most passionate about. They are likely to be 1/72 aircraft from the 1960-2000 time period, roughly 25 1/48 modern aircraft from the same period, and 1/35 Soviet, Russian, and Israeli armor. Everything else is a candidate for culling.</p><p>I feel good about this. There's very little risk, in fact. As a fellow blogger pointed out a few years ago, if you sell something and then want to build it in the future, odds are you'll be able to buy it again. And, I would add, buying it with a strong, compelling desire to actually build it and <b>not</b> put it back on a shelf.</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-60942560872385120572023-01-29T10:03:00.000-08:002023-01-29T10:03:12.073-08:00This model is kaput<p>Our hobby should bring us joy, but at the moment this Arii 1/72 Ki-46 Dinah is not.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQz-4a7YS2Ppiksvt5j7fDG7pyuukJ-eORHC6FB1VAsGhJx1XGk0Qu1dx0jdC0OXUXgmL6LDOn28mN6zmkY7sLnMJimeZEcZ9kkfq_D63ffoSbavonK6nSShKbkMUrd_sAIkMmc9Uaa5fQW5uRJHpT42Js411p5wyuIbgkDTGAylnc891KmewwhA/s2796/Dinah%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2312" data-original-width="2796" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQz-4a7YS2Ppiksvt5j7fDG7pyuukJ-eORHC6FB1VAsGhJx1XGk0Qu1dx0jdC0OXUXgmL6LDOn28mN6zmkY7sLnMJimeZEcZ9kkfq_D63ffoSbavonK6nSShKbkMUrd_sAIkMmc9Uaa5fQW5uRJHpT42Js411p5wyuIbgkDTGAylnc891KmewwhA/w400-h331/Dinah%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I wrote about the model a couple of weeks ago, asking myself <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2023/01/why-am-i-building-this-model.html">why I'm building it</a>. I didn't have a compelling reason then, and that feeling of apathy has remained. I haven't looked forward to working on it much less finishing it, and even after getting a coat of paint on the underside (which for me is when the real fun begins), I'm just not feeling it. And so...</p><p>I'm done with it.</p><p>The canopy has terrible fit, and a seam on the underside of the fuselage has opened up. I could use my basic modeling skills to fix these things, but I don't have it in me to finish it. The time that I spend on this model is time that I could spend on another model, one that truly excites me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyIcXJdHuBxF6UreCIqIKToCztV5YHt2HRtD1BmR-03zi1fEXTdHXLECLMllatOjR0XDpVBzpJRwALz3b-GJo4Jajy6H0jPRGZ9OmVO-l5zN7qqcvgx1FU_JJYjzy20wdGdQmi1vg2BKpmBInhyjW7JepGXi4aVISB1R02k8vSWEVlVfo73KTXQ/s3159/Dinah%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3159" data-original-width="3007" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyIcXJdHuBxF6UreCIqIKToCztV5YHt2HRtD1BmR-03zi1fEXTdHXLECLMllatOjR0XDpVBzpJRwALz3b-GJo4Jajy6H0jPRGZ9OmVO-l5zN7qqcvgx1FU_JJYjzy20wdGdQmi1vg2BKpmBInhyjW7JepGXi4aVISB1R02k8vSWEVlVfo73KTXQ/w381-h400/Dinah%203.jpg" width="381" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNzWEVtFcDFiu8Mzu71RCa_fovbk0bjTl-tbXr5XWoPi8iFp6vDwPXccUKTFbztrw1LI3hEwlgdooPAOTmWFo4bH3xDBAFaJyJKiWv_GtJWWnrwJYLqfjx95b-SIbNxXx68Y81auBkO1aQLfiDgbmrkivHu68HVsCR0bdJAwQoV-0RSyPIagJXw/s2954/Dinah%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2430" data-original-width="2954" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNzWEVtFcDFiu8Mzu71RCa_fovbk0bjTl-tbXr5XWoPi8iFp6vDwPXccUKTFbztrw1LI3hEwlgdooPAOTmWFo4bH3xDBAFaJyJKiWv_GtJWWnrwJYLqfjx95b-SIbNxXx68Y81auBkO1aQLfiDgbmrkivHu68HVsCR0bdJAwQoV-0RSyPIagJXw/w400-h329/Dinah%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And so, if a model isn't bringing you joy, it's time to move on.<div><br /></div>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-25752409136075579452023-01-03T12:47:00.002-08:002023-01-03T12:47:44.416-08:00Why am I building this model?<p>Some of you will laugh at me, but I have to fess up.</p><p>A few days ago I was filling a nasty seam on this Arii 1/72 Ki-46 Dinah and found myself wondering, why am I building this model?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9qBZHClMFT2N0uGZJzE-JSuamHtZ3iYvsDCR-y7hG-Jen8M6Hb9bo5OYZZkNkrE2MgqL6R3iXDh8YtcsajP3qGLuAwhrHgaohjPQfnjxDhvMTtV-TuhDEweJiLBiM2uxTADp_BCfnMc9xS2oxvhII5Ox1TwDIjdIQIehgOTUuOt_0Szxk4Ly1rw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9qBZHClMFT2N0uGZJzE-JSuamHtZ3iYvsDCR-y7hG-Jen8M6Hb9bo5OYZZkNkrE2MgqL6R3iXDh8YtcsajP3qGLuAwhrHgaohjPQfnjxDhvMTtV-TuhDEweJiLBiM2uxTADp_BCfnMc9xS2oxvhII5Ox1TwDIjdIQIehgOTUuOt_0Szxk4Ly1rw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />I've had the model in my stash for over 10 years, and as you can see I've also purchased aftermarket decals and the KV Models Canopy mask.<p></p><p>The thing is, I barely have a passing interest in Japanese aircraft, and I don't have a strong affinity for the Ki-46 in particular. The only reason I can think of for my decision to build the model is that its paint scheme won't be blue or grey. (The last model I built was an F-4S in the Ferris scheme, so to avoid the monotony of painting the same color over and over again, I try to select a different palate for each successive model I build.)</p><p>I don't have to tell any of you that when our heart isn't in a build, the process of building the model isn't satisfying. I don't look forward to spending time with the Dinah. Ultimately, I don't really care if the outcome is mediocre.</p><p>As I'm building the Dinah, I'm surrounded by a few hundred other models that I find much more compelling. Those are the models that should be on my workbench, not this one nor any other model that doesn't excite me.</p><p>I'll share more about the implications of this realization in the coming weeks, but I think it's interesting to consider why we build what we build. Or if we should be building something else.</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-37029056653592192232022-01-01T09:09:00.005-08:002022-01-01T09:09:43.947-08:00The Notable Moments of 2021<p>Let's take a look back at the best and most interesting models and moments of 2021.</p><p>We'll begin with the best box art of 2021. I think that award must go to Miniart for their Bulgarian Maybach T-IV H</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgUFoeenujyGikyPPNcaQR1IVtPhsEEj2kfg9WF-RV_qhanKSR2q2KMtR0_5yjJAdvQ7I_Oz_-dI3rFkseuP9Z_HXT_9o-JbCXmZmmV0JDAzlpY1Ovyf66w54wjsryLs72lpGW7hbWVsFofRbmc24jDzb_HviLeBgBHCDktpMvr4vsxXJ6eBbGIQ=s1300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1300" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgUFoeenujyGikyPPNcaQR1IVtPhsEEj2kfg9WF-RV_qhanKSR2q2KMtR0_5yjJAdvQ7I_Oz_-dI3rFkseuP9Z_HXT_9o-JbCXmZmmV0JDAzlpY1Ovyf66w54wjsryLs72lpGW7hbWVsFofRbmc24jDzb_HviLeBgBHCDktpMvr4vsxXJ6eBbGIQ=w400-h250" width="400" /></a></div><p>The best box art for an aircraft goes to Jetmads for its 1/32 Viggen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFTlXJAAc-6YWOw8vHo_T6MUy4CUYGU6F-j0f_8Y6HC5EHMV40aFzLEZXVt4VjOqlZo4yy6yo7cHpOb-ipFezY6GodYBy0rGQ0KdfBClxdEd0xNKn2whQ9x-F3COjxbYr24Y_jufvL0LDYBP1OqnROgiU0l-Z8drwudlbgSbXjRXZY07Ug0bPyRQ=s1248" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1248" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFTlXJAAc-6YWOw8vHo_T6MUy4CUYGU6F-j0f_8Y6HC5EHMV40aFzLEZXVt4VjOqlZo4yy6yo7cHpOb-ipFezY6GodYBy0rGQ0KdfBClxdEd0xNKn2whQ9x-F3COjxbYr24Y_jufvL0LDYBP1OqnROgiU0l-Z8drwudlbgSbXjRXZY07Ug0bPyRQ=w400-h361" width="400" /></a></div><p>Most modelers would agree that the best release of 2021 was the Tamiya F-4B Phantom II, which hit the market in June. Sprue Brothers alone had more than 500 in stock. A trendy followed thereafter whereby every modeler who bought the kit was compelled to post a photo of it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaXn_tIghi4deCIrbbZMi8zURTC8C9BEP0JnnGxAsLygT_8yS_RlygmNoYctCUCeYYSTrhX5zkoYOrzwlArHYNi_yIkoM_WK-ztCPPc2zLsVbJvD1S18lyAelf93BlfWaiTaGUT_7l2TNTWrIo_z_envkIFz8CUWJT27_AztBYgNFSYKzHWw5-Qg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaXn_tIghi4deCIrbbZMi8zURTC8C9BEP0JnnGxAsLygT_8yS_RlygmNoYctCUCeYYSTrhX5zkoYOrzwlArHYNi_yIkoM_WK-ztCPPc2zLsVbJvD1S18lyAelf93BlfWaiTaGUT_7l2TNTWrIo_z_envkIFz8CUWJT27_AztBYgNFSYKzHWw5-Qg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>By mid-July the first Tamiya 1/48 F-4B was seen on the secondary market.</p><p>Border Models kicked off the year by announcing a 1/35 Bf-109G-6. That’s right…1/35 scale, not 1/32. I’ll be curious to see if we see additional 1/35 aircraft releases.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRnkO3gXd9BpG55xgPGpYb7IvDHbJsEVCHHkIfz1tniA6HKthq_gq984LnVwIc7wvPo8v2A1e__4lHgNRTOSpswIgiR-3R46wLOxZhhASq8c8C4lg_jRuU9jxpNg1hzTD7ryoVEJf8JzpTahhyBi1KdLwVt3I-58hWxcE2sGMSSyApsx-hnj0FPQ=s900" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="900" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRnkO3gXd9BpG55xgPGpYb7IvDHbJsEVCHHkIfz1tniA6HKthq_gq984LnVwIc7wvPo8v2A1e__4lHgNRTOSpswIgiR-3R46wLOxZhhASq8c8C4lg_jRuU9jxpNg1hzTD7ryoVEJf8JzpTahhyBi1KdLwVt3I-58hWxcE2sGMSSyApsx-hnj0FPQ=w400-h274" width="400" /></a></div><p>Also in January, without warning or any formal announcement, Squadron closed up shop for good. In April the Squadron name and the company’s inventory were auctioned with many of the lots going to smaller dealers. A month later Chris Decker — the force behind Midship Models, Yankee Modelworks, and Free Time Hobbies — announced his purchase of Squadron’s assets and his plan to re-launch the business.</p><p>In March Kinetic posted a teaser on their Facebook page about their next new release, which generated nearly 600 comments from their followers. The following month they announced the kit, a new tool 1/48 Fiat G.91. A keen eyed modeler found a minor inaccuracy in the wing leading edge, and Kinetic said they would postpone the release to fix the error.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8S_PPDtNPjkGblB1yuVOYlYlBhq7kupr0D826s5aEQzmXR9oQXfFaFKfaUs3ZsuMCx92WquSKGblYjP3zQxBdTisb5OQpvyfMXIhDg-HhcdXZiVv-PLRDlEqLpPWclp4WxHnDSDudVU6nZYIkjVQy6EGPT23oHZvYu1Jxi0xxrdfAjggcgLJdhw=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8S_PPDtNPjkGblB1yuVOYlYlBhq7kupr0D826s5aEQzmXR9oQXfFaFKfaUs3ZsuMCx92WquSKGblYjP3zQxBdTisb5OQpvyfMXIhDg-HhcdXZiVv-PLRDlEqLpPWclp4WxHnDSDudVU6nZYIkjVQy6EGPT23oHZvYu1Jxi0xxrdfAjggcgLJdhw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><p>In June Airfix announced that they were now on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@official_airfix?" target="_blank">TikTok</a>. I could be wrong, but I think they’re the first plastic model manufacturer to do that.</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGn5QhJtcKXT1B5eIz1p7RhfMFvUVWnEu9-_yczd--OoqvWD7WYMFU0gY3IfIHNBS5TlUVgQBz0ufEZHbZ6Oeu5NElyPziVWhSBC3MlJz1rhcpk2-SCbkH0Wd-OkFerFh2NAIopQpUFAkbWaZO5pr1Yin8PUJy4J_GNdthWVQAx04z_2AP3iLwtQ=s1232" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1232" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGn5QhJtcKXT1B5eIz1p7RhfMFvUVWnEu9-_yczd--OoqvWD7WYMFU0gY3IfIHNBS5TlUVgQBz0ufEZHbZ6Oeu5NElyPziVWhSBC3MlJz1rhcpk2-SCbkH0Wd-OkFerFh2NAIopQpUFAkbWaZO5pr1Yin8PUJy4J_GNdthWVQAx04z_2AP3iLwtQ=w400-h369" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Also in June, Kitty Hawk announced they were closing up shop, which predictably generated mixed reactions within the aircraft modeling community. Many modelers suggested the company brought it on themselves with poorly engineered kits, though everyone seemed to agree that their subject choices were very strong. Either way, they will be missed.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were other exciting and curious product releases throughout the year.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Just as the IPMS National Convention was kicking off, Sprue Brothers announced a joint effort with Phantom Phreaks to release 12 versions of the F-4 Phantom.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the designers behind the defunct Wingnut Wings announced a new company, <a href="https://www.kotare-models.com/" target="_blank">Kotare</a>, and announced a 1/32 Spitfire Mk Ia for release in 2022.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJNBfnqMxMfnnOcQaN5bALTPBGVM2FiglAm4afUompoMonSyynuAghn4W9bNDgobn7JGQl2aqWvn5XAOhpZsuc_M8RZPj6yNXDrFIx9Gp2hy99kQZmglXNt0EcjakfS0UUOwcWopO2o5VG6EJk5lck8fG8Ts2u5TasOl_3Oz6dfIC-NMwy6qYLDw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJNBfnqMxMfnnOcQaN5bALTPBGVM2FiglAm4afUompoMonSyynuAghn4W9bNDgobn7JGQl2aqWvn5XAOhpZsuc_M8RZPj6yNXDrFIx9Gp2hy99kQZmglXNt0EcjakfS0UUOwcWopO2o5VG6EJk5lck8fG8Ts2u5TasOl_3Oz6dfIC-NMwy6qYLDw=w400-h270" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://www.yenmodels.be/home" target="_blank">Yenmodels</a> released what must be the most specific kit of the year, a 1/35 Pripyat town sign.</div><div>https://armorama.com/news/yen-models-pripyat-city-sign</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0fWiD8U7NBVb9qoM6pINZRa9ONWSK6sdTsEYB_ZT6KXS6agDq_aa_SYHEHk1fAUInesEnX5LxIy6gnv8xyPYQ_4R8sZCJkz11S1h5dvUmRWzD32aMPZiQp8d1me5P7G7IEmjUQVaxw0KPAIuAxjBBAwxUjYyVNCNp5LlDUWyLglEDJoUmm8miJg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1280" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0fWiD8U7NBVb9qoM6pINZRa9ONWSK6sdTsEYB_ZT6KXS6agDq_aa_SYHEHk1fAUInesEnX5LxIy6gnv8xyPYQ_4R8sZCJkz11S1h5dvUmRWzD32aMPZiQp8d1me5P7G7IEmjUQVaxw0KPAIuAxjBBAwxUjYyVNCNp5LlDUWyLglEDJoUmm8miJg=w400-h223" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>CHINO MODEL announced what’s probably the most unusual item of the year, 3D printed ears. Yes, you heard that right, ears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidBzsUBF_C26HO5b1pB4wTB9Ihr67xBbwYjv3LlgNONgtRGizUymBTZlvVgl84uoSmVDORKIVNhWeFWH6G8Vlv-qxqHMSnYGbYQ1MY2LWNPnUgr6qR8DLi--StkzmiMhw9cuRhoRf4rfayYe9uNfqZellHZTXM3R26bIjQqHSEBqkXtBzjDkJ3-g=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidBzsUBF_C26HO5b1pB4wTB9Ihr67xBbwYjv3LlgNONgtRGizUymBTZlvVgl84uoSmVDORKIVNhWeFWH6G8Vlv-qxqHMSnYGbYQ1MY2LWNPnUgr6qR8DLi--StkzmiMhw9cuRhoRf4rfayYe9uNfqZellHZTXM3R26bIjQqHSEBqkXtBzjDkJ3-g" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For those of you chomping at the bit to do a beach diorama, <a href="https://project.armor35.ru/" target="_blank">Armor35</a> released these figures.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj88ClJCHDPNCQN8VcqF7sGumscj73Hs1H1U_Wiv31vTwNrJYY17Kl-AC7R4B25MxEngMXh2hrtx6R8lzz3ugfx9N2Z1z9YV6RAjFveTg-f1RkeWdnfuXKxTncQ-KFU2wQKh3izhUUz-kEuhGLkDk2lJyPlr4S-topqSHCRTjw6oGwn-39rrNplGA=s2126" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2126" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj88ClJCHDPNCQN8VcqF7sGumscj73Hs1H1U_Wiv31vTwNrJYY17Kl-AC7R4B25MxEngMXh2hrtx6R8lzz3ugfx9N2Z1z9YV6RAjFveTg-f1RkeWdnfuXKxTncQ-KFU2wQKh3izhUUz-kEuhGLkDk2lJyPlr4S-topqSHCRTjw6oGwn-39rrNplGA=w400-h253" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Finally, the low point of 2021 has to be this 1/4 scale figure. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimwGQqvMw68hflkekvmWt5xOvcd4ECRFLSRXUwyJPx1bX02uckVGbmSmY_Mxjw3phk9eWk2CkeoyaYW-VP2eqv4VN4mnSn7vGU5rmxVMW4KhohFsdNUYXOIoJBmQRFRrfwvP7uaZDHGZxXT3G2Z0ofLfeCiKofAKPCvguSmqyIhFVM3_Tu-S34iQ=s1705" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1705" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimwGQqvMw68hflkekvmWt5xOvcd4ECRFLSRXUwyJPx1bX02uckVGbmSmY_Mxjw3phk9eWk2CkeoyaYW-VP2eqv4VN4mnSn7vGU5rmxVMW4KhohFsdNUYXOIoJBmQRFRrfwvP7uaZDHGZxXT3G2Z0ofLfeCiKofAKPCvguSmqyIhFVM3_Tu-S34iQ=w264-h400" width="264" /></a></div><br /><div>It can only get better from here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy New Year!</div>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-5203230536448641062021-10-09T07:38:00.000-07:002021-10-09T07:38:15.925-07:00Armorcon and feedback on my models<p>After the IPMS National Convention a couple of months ago there was the typical cluster of conversations about judging, with modelers picking sides on the never-ending IPMS vs GSM debate. I see the value of both, albeit with tweaks to improve them, but that’s not my intent with this post.</p><p>What I’d like to do is share the value of the feedback that the GSM method (sometimes) provides. Last weekend I attended Armorcon in Connecticut, a show that I <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2015/10/the-little-contest-that-should.html">regularly attend</a>. I took a few photos, but my photography skills are down there with my <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2012/12/when-im-right-im-right.html">rigging skills</a>, so I won’t embarrass myself by sharing them. Instead I’ll point you a great collection of photos that my neighbors at <a href="http://njipms.org/">IPMS New Jersey</a> shared on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/New-Jersey-IPMS-124068277612000/">Facebook page</a>.</p><p>I entered three models in the contest, and I want to share the judges' feedback. (My thanks to IPMS NJ for allowing me to use their photos of my models.)</p><p>This is my Dragon 1/35 T-34/85 in Croatian markings. As points of reference, I used Voyager photoetch, an Eduard barrel, Kraya cables, a Hauler M2 machine gun, and Friulmodel tracks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL4ZpVVSafFXEg6xjXZg4hzcXrqcUY-5p04LxfUnuvGZedMHQeZFyb0ESBwA8mcWQSZ0Zayj-w6IYosPt-Eofh1Cu47-7_KUeJu0t4CGZQ6FeQS1PphR87u2Mxi0SCpfqhWsluwV5Ow/s1880/T-34-85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1880" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL4ZpVVSafFXEg6xjXZg4hzcXrqcUY-5p04LxfUnuvGZedMHQeZFyb0ESBwA8mcWQSZ0Zayj-w6IYosPt-Eofh1Cu47-7_KUeJu0t4CGZQ6FeQS1PphR87u2Mxi0SCpfqhWsluwV5Ow/w400-h266/T-34-85.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The judges' feedback:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Right front track sticks out past the fender, and bigger gap on the right than the other side of tracks.</li><li>Great paint finish.</li><li>Track alignment way off.</li><li>Decent build. Keep up the good work.</li><li>Three wheels float on left.</li><li>Rear left track crowded.</li><li>Nice screens.</li></ul><p></p><p>Next is my Trumpeter 1/35 BTR-80 in Ukraine markings. I used Miniarm wheels, DAN Models sandbags, and a Master KPVT machine gun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgx2_QdJ0ZmXl2sJGgzikI4j4MJtbswnRWJEeO2GaZ78_yg1VZeo7bVRvAWoQerCATf5-ZSbh1ndb3WL_wKSZjCTiWY1Gj6hBnk5pnnaBbwgAAsifo7thpYqLJji1OHipopcKf5HySw/s1880/BTR-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1880" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgx2_QdJ0ZmXl2sJGgzikI4j4MJtbswnRWJEeO2GaZ78_yg1VZeo7bVRvAWoQerCATf5-ZSbh1ndb3WL_wKSZjCTiWY1Gj6hBnk5pnnaBbwgAAsifo7thpYqLJji1OHipopcKf5HySw/w400-h266/BTR-80.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The judges’ feedback:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Left rear tires off the base.</li><li>Back left tire is towed out and not touching the ground.</li><li>Nice build.</li><li>Right front and left rear wheels don’t touch.</li><li>Small glue spots on hatch hinges.</li><li>Lens not in housing completely.</li></ul><p></p><p>Finally my Italeri 1/35 L6/40 Carro, which has only a Greif lens and Friulmodel tracks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT9ORNlR0RloOBcUYTeWbsJB0wE8h5d_HPJR1wWEOsCZ6oUl926dHkNgjH9tGugwJZDKeVw5J4i6R0KefxmW-FPV5vZAzAfDzskgRAKP4yVNvQ7K7LZf_gEC3zsWo_EQHzaqJmiHf_w/s1880/L6+Carro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1880" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT9ORNlR0RloOBcUYTeWbsJB0wE8h5d_HPJR1wWEOsCZ6oUl926dHkNgjH9tGugwJZDKeVw5J4i6R0KefxmW-FPV5vZAzAfDzskgRAKP4yVNvQ7K7LZf_gEC3zsWo_EQHzaqJmiHf_w/w400-h266/L6+Carro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The judges’ feedback:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Left idler wheel not attached to track.</li><li>Some missing paint.</li><li>Love those Italian tiny tankettes!</li><li>Nice paint overall.</li><li>Beware. Unpainted surfaces.</li><li>Friuli tracks not sitting.</li><li>Tracks not tight on idler.</li><li>Seam upper hull back.</li><li>Missing paint in spots.</li><li>Good decals.</li><li>Nice consistency on weathering and chipping. </li><li>Friul not easy to deal with.</li><li>Paint looks a bit spotty and slight seam visible on upper hull.</li><li>Ejector pin marks on inside of bogey frames.</li></ul><p></p><p>When I got home I looked at the feedback vis a vis the models, and each comment was fair and on point. With the exception of the compliments, each item is objective; there were no opinions that I could debate. Most importantly, it confirmed what I already know about my modeling, that I struggle with alignment. That information motivates me to be more diligent as I assemble my models, particularly the hull and running gear. </p><p>What I find mildly amusing are the things that I don’t like about these models that the judges didn’t pick up on. For example, my self-made sandbags on the T-34/85 are, in hindsight, terribly executed; the judges said nothing about them. On my BTR-80, I’m disappointed in my painting of the aftermarket resin sandbags, but the judges either didn’t notice or thought they look good.</p><p>Ultimately contests are not about the competition. I know that’s strange to say, but I believe it’s true. I enjoyed looking at a couple hundred models and finding inspiration in others’ work. That I got some feedback on my models is pretty cool, too, so it was a day well spent.</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-35113247629780148662021-09-03T13:15:00.002-07:002021-09-03T13:15:35.271-07:00Automotive modeling inspiration<p>I don’t write about automotive subjects often enough, if only because I build aircraft, armor, and figures. That said, I really enjoy ogling over a well detailed model of a car or truck, especially those intended for the racetrack. I have a couple of car models in my stash, so I’m always looking for inspiration to finally crack one open and see if my skills can do them justice.</p><p>There was no shortage of great looking automotive models at the IPMS National Convention last month, but one caught my eye. Daniel Valencia’s Italeri 1/35 Opel truck, which won first place in its category, Automotive Conversions and Scratchbuild.</p><p>The good folks with the Silicon Valley Scale Modelers kindly uploaded the convention <a href="http://svsm.org/gallery/lv2021_awards?page=1" target="_blank">awards presentation slide show</a> with the scale modeling community, but the one photo of Daniel’s model wasn’t enough to indulge my curiosity, so I contacted him and he kindly sent me a few photos that I share here.</p><p>Daniel has a background in racing and has fabricated race cars himself, so he has an understanding of these vehicles that aided him immensely in this build. He said the model consists of roughly 3,000 parts. Many of them are scratchbuilt of course, and those that come from other models invariably required modification.</p><p>I hope you find Daniel’s work as inspiring as I do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiED1fmE7NeHg1OLnX0C3yaNCQQhT5EqFoIg56xP6peGhDaWQWAZLMcNqbn-qJtISaQwSpzg-c80-F6QMMFX_e54uTlyDl3clW2UAamoDC-W1DTK98ANOO_mVsc3DrBeXjZVRt4fIcMfw/s2016/Opel+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiED1fmE7NeHg1OLnX0C3yaNCQQhT5EqFoIg56xP6peGhDaWQWAZLMcNqbn-qJtISaQwSpzg-c80-F6QMMFX_e54uTlyDl3clW2UAamoDC-W1DTK98ANOO_mVsc3DrBeXjZVRt4fIcMfw/w400-h300/Opel+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3hUc80G03dnwh4cqCU64yRAfzBqBGtlAxyU2zPC3YfV7pxlGQEx1x0q5VfkajnpgCPZoHFdJu4ogy9Z5aai3Sx-mqyseidT6hl2zjKAkCkx6XhSbM7eOpJZ8xNzTGpB01tGli_n2Tw/s2048/Opel+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3hUc80G03dnwh4cqCU64yRAfzBqBGtlAxyU2zPC3YfV7pxlGQEx1x0q5VfkajnpgCPZoHFdJu4ogy9Z5aai3Sx-mqyseidT6hl2zjKAkCkx6XhSbM7eOpJZ8xNzTGpB01tGli_n2Tw/w400-h300/Opel+2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySp84KovBDzZeyz69DM5PbBk5jgv-vEDy9tt3GGCwEAMtZqBxC4bRY8C8jOnUNmK4LDNH5iinxZR3On7sImur8-SM8ASmMOObSUjj56UDKRAedC8nHlFaGv0gNpxcQY61coIoTV7UDA/s2048/Opel+3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySp84KovBDzZeyz69DM5PbBk5jgv-vEDy9tt3GGCwEAMtZqBxC4bRY8C8jOnUNmK4LDNH5iinxZR3On7sImur8-SM8ASmMOObSUjj56UDKRAedC8nHlFaGv0gNpxcQY61coIoTV7UDA/w400-h300/Opel+3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjKX5SJCdEEWZ3XJKneaIM8VQgh1KlOZbv3nqDxDBRjN5Xb7PsgBR6anq9jyvz8Fb5GutoUBfqkfOVraBaQzUM6EqrF2G-IAJwNAQBVMrMf-ENEA6IeLQ7-SHl5e7Orlgif8ZTh6JLg/s2048/Opel+4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjKX5SJCdEEWZ3XJKneaIM8VQgh1KlOZbv3nqDxDBRjN5Xb7PsgBR6anq9jyvz8Fb5GutoUBfqkfOVraBaQzUM6EqrF2G-IAJwNAQBVMrMf-ENEA6IeLQ7-SHl5e7Orlgif8ZTh6JLg/w400-h300/Opel+4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3XsI9sIysN-383Z4oMrpkwTks8qbRCgYZ8qnbXJVPNXUSTcvdljIyzn4WrhzzwypIX7vpyOooRVoC-zoXzKiwwKDRcM9Qgs2tpBoRCsSvyhQSxT4h7jhIjHY69IHtW-GdOsN1XGYgA/s2016/Opel+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3XsI9sIysN-383Z4oMrpkwTks8qbRCgYZ8qnbXJVPNXUSTcvdljIyzn4WrhzzwypIX7vpyOooRVoC-zoXzKiwwKDRcM9Qgs2tpBoRCsSvyhQSxT4h7jhIjHY69IHtW-GdOsN1XGYgA/w400-h300/Opel+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Uu4MCa636UfDSaNmIS8i5Hnvg5RO1gTm_DsdRb3UYCt0mDwRIlqRClM9jFzWXHVgC5u2BoRErZ4IQbtQjz1cFX5kJ2PxFNczA8vPlUGgoxUFW_tCUlVJ58_XBK-hKiesi5C3HOCXZQ/w400-h300/Opel+5.jpg" style="color: #0000ee;" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC1dRnUEFVfTQSFn7VAlxbr2zdCuh9CGG5BYt1rMEnEY10_kluFE4MKMJ15rBOtm8S1NybVK03roJTXvOxCQ00gj5BlSloaI_7fyceb5g42YC8skwC1zCOWZ6ZNtAbEnaeimLgu_efw/s2048/Opel+7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC1dRnUEFVfTQSFn7VAlxbr2zdCuh9CGG5BYt1rMEnEY10_kluFE4MKMJ15rBOtm8S1NybVK03roJTXvOxCQ00gj5BlSloaI_7fyceb5g42YC8skwC1zCOWZ6ZNtAbEnaeimLgu_efw/w400-h300/Opel+7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>If you’d like more information about this truck, Daniel explains all of the design considerations that go into building the actual vehicle on his <a href="https://youtu.be/ok_G9yH0aGs" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>.</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-20438810661405314432021-08-02T09:58:00.000-07:002021-08-02T09:58:06.955-07:00Contests are back! Mosquitocon 2021<p>Mosquitocon kicks off the contest season here in the Northeast every April, so when COVID struck last year the contest was cancelled, a big disappointment to area modelers. After another delay earlier this year, IPMS New Jersey was finally able to schedule the show for late July 2021. Based on the attendance and entries, it did not disappoint. Here are a few of my favorite entries across the major categories.</p><p>I always enjoy seeing the Revell 1/48 B-1B built up, particularly knowing how challenging it is to build. This entry featured the Armycast wing set; Barracuda intakes, wheels, and ECM bits; Metallic Details exhaust nozzles; scratchbuild fuel tank; and highly modified landing gear. One of the most impressive builds I’ve seen of the kit!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5eSrqqOEonXL6krfYDbAemQWr9JzRDzZHuqPpAI2V0m068rYm3aZZBCaKYfiFWr1hjpTzcn7OPBpONBh11lTh615gXZ8FJhSSAVnVFC4r8rtiASYQXIk9fleoVzeyNtsUmrX8C8NvA/s2048/B-1B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5eSrqqOEonXL6krfYDbAemQWr9JzRDzZHuqPpAI2V0m068rYm3aZZBCaKYfiFWr1hjpTzcn7OPBpONBh11lTh615gXZ8FJhSSAVnVFC4r8rtiASYQXIk9fleoVzeyNtsUmrX8C8NvA/w400-h300/B-1B.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The finish on this Kinetic 1/48 Super Etendard was expertly done.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yAyvki2dpY5ypy8sweI7B4KxBeVHqb3zeAVKJ43L3E0Qf0dYSPHC21GFjaProJHbS58NQ2pqfI55mZ8C1UE_2z9hRlI56-H6GVdGQQPwVVCHhre3ufl3mv2U9o0CmkeLyz8DOv8bDA/s2048/Etendard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yAyvki2dpY5ypy8sweI7B4KxBeVHqb3zeAVKJ43L3E0Qf0dYSPHC21GFjaProJHbS58NQ2pqfI55mZ8C1UE_2z9hRlI56-H6GVdGQQPwVVCHhre3ufl3mv2U9o0CmkeLyz8DOv8bDA/w400-h300/Etendard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Speaking of finishes, this Tamiya 1/48 P-51D was beautifully painted with Gunze Super Metallic paint.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uLwpgfRMKeY_01W0G18JN41EGv0EoNanmYg7gM2UF7PdvgRHJ-RMA4PImFhCPTK9cLBMqo4pfHnC_dgxFZK0sv3L5gf2Je3o0_9pV-N-P2fH1PXbFwPyen8ZUkkbdLyk8ZVS7r-ueQ/s2048/P-51D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uLwpgfRMKeY_01W0G18JN41EGv0EoNanmYg7gM2UF7PdvgRHJ-RMA4PImFhCPTK9cLBMqo4pfHnC_dgxFZK0sv3L5gf2Je3o0_9pV-N-P2fH1PXbFwPyen8ZUkkbdLyk8ZVS7r-ueQ/w400-h300/P-51D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I wrote about <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2013/08/aim-high.html">in-flight aircraft</a> a few years ago, so it’s always a treat to see a model represented in its natural environment, so to speak. This Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer was very nicely done.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23ksaut_RSKSOwt0YuIf7H5iih860WGVbunM7A3Xzt4mTxOoU0Ilz69QGE4A7tq9qJMNh3fHNLvKl6EOUSIR13Br-Dtj2sMlZsgc4IRzC9VGhSuwE4pAltePq9sAnfsCyMf4Wpu25WA/s2048/Buccaneer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23ksaut_RSKSOwt0YuIf7H5iih860WGVbunM7A3Xzt4mTxOoU0Ilz69QGE4A7tq9qJMNh3fHNLvKl6EOUSIR13Br-Dtj2sMlZsgc4IRzC9VGhSuwE4pAltePq9sAnfsCyMf4Wpu25WA/w400-h300/Buccaneer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>A few of you are old enough to remember when vacuform kits were somewhat more mainstream than they are today, so it’s great to see one executed as well as this Execuform 1/72 XB-51. It included part of a True Details F-94 resin cockpit, modified landing gear from a Hasegawa B-47, and (as you might imagine) lots of scratchbuilt parts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmltExhJ6MF5_DZaIjUaaNigR4AHPzwy46BZd53M9hyphenhyphenih1ZyPX4GYzr0DY8B76VCC7TEysptPCNFT-SqFvUCrTf80BM9iSLdNo6oDscZtMLotyhxPpM8gIZK8bPiBThS5GhjlU0TwIQ/s2048/XB-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmltExhJ6MF5_DZaIjUaaNigR4AHPzwy46BZd53M9hyphenhyphenih1ZyPX4GYzr0DY8B76VCC7TEysptPCNFT-SqFvUCrTf80BM9iSLdNo6oDscZtMLotyhxPpM8gIZK8bPiBThS5GhjlU0TwIQ/w400-h300/XB-51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Brengun has produced some interesting models over the last few years, and this YHO-1A shows how well they can be built. All of the brass parts were soldered. The modeler noted that the rotor was driven by compressed air jets, which eliminated the need for a tail rotor.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPN0PQ8ZN0uZeNWEQAcUrm1PXTKFZH_2qetIVlvKgm0KhbMaGXA5aD2xQ0GUPfZmqsfHYpkjhbLAqMFknjbr5FQxMCHARWF9F8BO2U09ZX9NCSbM3ciDgq611aoP7DHZImwMP85TsHA/s2048/YHO-1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPN0PQ8ZN0uZeNWEQAcUrm1PXTKFZH_2qetIVlvKgm0KhbMaGXA5aD2xQ0GUPfZmqsfHYpkjhbLAqMFknjbr5FQxMCHARWF9F8BO2U09ZX9NCSbM3ciDgq611aoP7DHZImwMP85TsHA/w400-h300/YHO-1A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>While we’re looking at tiny models, this Sword 1/72 Beechcraft D17S Staggerwing was absolutely gorgeous. Among all of the modifications the modeler made to the kit, most impressive was the scratchbuild windscreen and windows. I mean…wow!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NVFXBs6Brg_FuREAMgSAOQOGuKNdOgeRQWz1tdTKXhSXEgA55VMukS9RDDQ35r0sIVhDmXFae5qRdpQR9Ygfs2Hf-6Mb-xXDh9s9L-iE4lJvSdtBpx5LmRrLjgek1pHBxDYZF0iRxQ/s2048/Staggerwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NVFXBs6Brg_FuREAMgSAOQOGuKNdOgeRQWz1tdTKXhSXEgA55VMukS9RDDQ35r0sIVhDmXFae5qRdpQR9Ygfs2Hf-6Mb-xXDh9s9L-iE4lJvSdtBpx5LmRrLjgek1pHBxDYZF0iRxQ/w400-h300/Staggerwing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>My favorite armor entry was this Trumpeter 1/35 MTVR gun truck. It features several parts from Live Resin, Def Models, and Master Models. The weathering was excellently done, reflecting what we see from the best European modelers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXb8-x5_S9VS565rU4ho_45NQ9ihf0YWzL01nYXrgr3EAZ3ZdHXnZ97emnIFsepdX2ZyJQVhpFeI0YekCzVtEV6CsRfBrc1c6Ds1Qx1AyMwWJ67pn1zb2DQixf6GOfzGBYviQL3_RoA/s2048/Gun+Truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXb8-x5_S9VS565rU4ho_45NQ9ihf0YWzL01nYXrgr3EAZ3ZdHXnZ97emnIFsepdX2ZyJQVhpFeI0YekCzVtEV6CsRfBrc1c6Ds1Qx1AyMwWJ67pn1zb2DQixf6GOfzGBYviQL3_RoA/w400-h300/Gun+Truck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Another excellent finish I noticed was on this Cooper State Models 1/35 Lanchester armored car.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwX7sznYRf8m6w4kMoVRub5wdvrTbnlNpYSHTB4nY6X0xRWRcs0APztxbqgUINK6LbkVoapVHXOq-uzutcOQrbAxDnk66EnMnIWPsPK2mMOVi3ewNLL-zDXMmbbCm8mL3HdFnKue5aw/s2048/Lanchester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwX7sznYRf8m6w4kMoVRub5wdvrTbnlNpYSHTB4nY6X0xRWRcs0APztxbqgUINK6LbkVoapVHXOq-uzutcOQrbAxDnk66EnMnIWPsPK2mMOVi3ewNLL-zDXMmbbCm8mL3HdFnKue5aw/w400-h300/Lanchester.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This Flyhawk 1/700 HMS Lively was gorgeous. The painting of many of the components and accessories really highlighted important parts of the ship.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN2br3M-2sr0GumMECAsJlzmm2r8hg2vyQtkluljhG_2Hk9BKGgSyaW95cuRA85iDTllMDig_xyBaDLxkB36ONqwStY5eBAtkHq3giC66huGgxpWWoOW2dYX07TwFBU4fT7dnPfME3w/s2048/Lively.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN2br3M-2sr0GumMECAsJlzmm2r8hg2vyQtkluljhG_2Hk9BKGgSyaW95cuRA85iDTllMDig_xyBaDLxkB36ONqwStY5eBAtkHq3giC66huGgxpWWoOW2dYX07TwFBU4fT7dnPfME3w/w400-h300/Lively.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I’m always intrigued by what a good modeler can do with cars, so this Revell 1/25 Tony Nancy 22 JR dragster was impressive.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbT-Bfr3wv8CwsYwsOUvVh1bvKxHc_1FkXXsAK-aOzvAWN2hzvvVHIkz0ryF-TBxh5tR16CGuwuMbzabnBK6J8Q8mS-cvX7pZC8pwl-dxAHYaY0RbG4-jmpHLlmjDHdf5e4sHBb4teQ/s2048/Dragster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbT-Bfr3wv8CwsYwsOUvVh1bvKxHc_1FkXXsAK-aOzvAWN2hzvvVHIkz0ryF-TBxh5tR16CGuwuMbzabnBK6J8Q8mS-cvX7pZC8pwl-dxAHYaY0RbG4-jmpHLlmjDHdf5e4sHBb4teQ/w400-h300/Dragster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Weathered cars is no longer a trend. This Revell 1/25 57 Ford Gasser finished as a barn fine was perfectly done. Built out-of-the-box, the weathering made it pop. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYL2l9VYaun0RSkfeGt6CcbMiZlHSUMWsRIQ7jkl6c8Hd9byilykNAxvU8ePkSiFUhgb-SN80zhBqNOdrqpL6iaNeFR6LgIjHGicIOnt9Bz1UFS96LYwDnbnipliVaO2LPrV810v48g/s2048/Ford+Gasser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYL2l9VYaun0RSkfeGt6CcbMiZlHSUMWsRIQ7jkl6c8Hd9byilykNAxvU8ePkSiFUhgb-SN80zhBqNOdrqpL6iaNeFR6LgIjHGicIOnt9Bz1UFS96LYwDnbnipliVaO2LPrV810v48g/w400-h300/Ford+Gasser.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>One of the best figures in the contest was this Nosferatu bust.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqx42WRbPoVvGgD5_a3F-DGWps1wzasOxNCwsscRTETG2JBmvpMkWpmjDE8Xa8NDdS5DKGrDILNjTF66ub5jeDuqiGd9El_k26IQs8DUk-dlCHSjftYEVtX9tmF3yPWHabgLLKYwJaQ/s2048/Nosferatu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqx42WRbPoVvGgD5_a3F-DGWps1wzasOxNCwsscRTETG2JBmvpMkWpmjDE8Xa8NDdS5DKGrDILNjTF66ub5jeDuqiGd9El_k26IQs8DUk-dlCHSjftYEVtX9tmF3yPWHabgLLKYwJaQ/w300-h400/Nosferatu.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Gundham, science fiction, and fantasy entries continue to gain in popularity. I think this year’s contest had more entries than ever. This Wave 1/20 Gans caught my attention. The modeler added weld beads, antenna, fuel tanks, and N scale train parts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDoP4pn0vO4ePFK2qK6edk8JlJbPCR8UIVIziKRuHP_iIzcSbN4ZBDFt2nphvVlMLIpI96ePsxIV3wompidjBx9vFlC7cAVrk9aQyERucuzGDCB_LZODVN4A5pXAeRJfnaKDg8tiXZA/s2048/Gans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDoP4pn0vO4ePFK2qK6edk8JlJbPCR8UIVIziKRuHP_iIzcSbN4ZBDFt2nphvVlMLIpI96ePsxIV3wompidjBx9vFlC7cAVrk9aQyERucuzGDCB_LZODVN4A5pXAeRJfnaKDg8tiXZA/w300-h400/Gans.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I always enjoy the miscellaneous entries, such as this Airfix 1/32 1804 locomotive. What was great about this entry — besides the model itself — was the advice the modeler provided on the entry form. I'd love to see this catch on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_hxia-H28Ev3x4mJd2D5P7Ew5Cu5yK90tTfXSeDZAlc8kjpB8gg9ag_6m7tQKA4zP03UBPbHgBwqm5LDeKHQriNiFspynkzHk0WsyV5dovGXi4p98j59hv9TH3XvJ1gKEM3wN-AUTw/s2048/Locomotive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_hxia-H28Ev3x4mJd2D5P7Ew5Cu5yK90tTfXSeDZAlc8kjpB8gg9ag_6m7tQKA4zP03UBPbHgBwqm5LDeKHQriNiFspynkzHk0WsyV5dovGXi4p98j59hv9TH3XvJ1gKEM3wN-AUTw/w400-h300/Locomotive.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tkf19OtmRGzuKCV5i1s_A0MJH6Ih1IwaM-9GnwHPf-DGqGTqFn0-tTSZ7QgxXwLI5Ti3GuUv9f98uRl1sLo7eUpJ3DahxgvTHNc6XUxe4uA_AJjw_ybp9Q0zKGB1UokG06MFM9_veQ/s2048/Locomotive+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tkf19OtmRGzuKCV5i1s_A0MJH6Ih1IwaM-9GnwHPf-DGqGTqFn0-tTSZ7QgxXwLI5Ti3GuUv9f98uRl1sLo7eUpJ3DahxgvTHNc6XUxe4uA_AJjw_ybp9Q0zKGB1UokG06MFM9_veQ/w400-h300/Locomotive+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>See you next year. With any luck, in April!</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-80615842606933006412021-07-07T13:49:00.000-07:002021-07-07T13:49:10.153-07:00My go-to books<p> It’s 10pm. You’re tired. Too tired to work on a model. You’re bored with the internet. But you want to feed your interest in the hobby, so you pull a few books off the shelf and browse them. What books do you typically select?</p><p>I had an interesting conversation with friends last week when someone asked what our go-to books are when we want to kill time or find inspiration. Because I often grab a book off the shelf when I want to read in bed, it was pretty easy for me to share my favorites.</p><p>Diego Quijano has <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2017/04/inspiration-diego-quijano.html">inspired me</a> for a long time, so his books are always within reach. His encyclopedia series offer a ton of rich content, so every time I browse them I’m reminded to try something new.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0_gy5qHVpGXqWAGfWtmCMiu7MaZJHQMPM0O5KSIBNdL3O43L2twwhcB1wYcpTe-1WI9wL0cXGhG1DvvS-6OtIeFKRduRidoOcFiy_mNz8BeFpJGsrZomO7G5aeGgFoMHryYUlEgpNA/s1719/Diego+Quijano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="1425" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0_gy5qHVpGXqWAGfWtmCMiu7MaZJHQMPM0O5KSIBNdL3O43L2twwhcB1wYcpTe-1WI9wL0cXGhG1DvvS-6OtIeFKRduRidoOcFiy_mNz8BeFpJGsrZomO7G5aeGgFoMHryYUlEgpNA/w331-h400/Diego+Quijano.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><p>I can say the same thing about Adam Wilder’s books on armor. They are perfectly illustrated and offer a wealth of techniques and inspiration.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzwK9cs7tlfES23EfnmysAqSc4pvdSaHDw1HxZonqhLtmgyZEI_pl8A6cTJiCGIo7FqA8dYxvBmsiS0Irg3DoecXmVDk_g8XYe2QzgwVFc6wQ7W34PckCT2fRz7t0CTaDbCy5n0FAkg/s1785/Adam+Wilder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="1391" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzwK9cs7tlfES23EfnmysAqSc4pvdSaHDw1HxZonqhLtmgyZEI_pl8A6cTJiCGIo7FqA8dYxvBmsiS0Irg3DoecXmVDk_g8XYe2QzgwVFc6wQ7W34PckCT2fRz7t0CTaDbCy5n0FAkg/w311-h400/Adam+Wilder.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br /><p>I’m a sentimental old fool, so Squadron’s line of books have long-offered more than a few ideas and always get my creative juices flowing and eager to start something new.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J3dY87AruDoqMn2s9rTipPzUvJJNHPcCUAO48Yzlj0s3MEPA8Gr2-nZcEvu_SdIa_iVRgsVSWo6hyphenhyphen4LC6OSzgJRQnz76dIxxzcL5r0viZ7qOA836dq7MGjFnNyY4BPFXK-DRkAhtxQ/s1765/Squadron+Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="1458" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J3dY87AruDoqMn2s9rTipPzUvJJNHPcCUAO48Yzlj0s3MEPA8Gr2-nZcEvu_SdIa_iVRgsVSWo6hyphenhyphen4LC6OSzgJRQnz76dIxxzcL5r0viZ7qOA836dq7MGjFnNyY4BPFXK-DRkAhtxQ/w330-h400/Squadron+Books.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br /><p>For armor subjects, Concord’s books are jam packed with excellent photos of armor in action. They are out of print now, but they’re an excellent value when you can find them online or at contests.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tAYXzTCaoql7WsyfNs7M6a_Gkwt3rxSJtPZzerT7mW8pPcOmM7FfZYsSkwnZSbsPay39wRxNeZvcyLMWHFo-Le6-vtggEFv-KBYwq52UU4T_UrlpeLqE9mWYXJgWx3DL99deDYx8vA/s1280/Concord+Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tAYXzTCaoql7WsyfNs7M6a_Gkwt3rxSJtPZzerT7mW8pPcOmM7FfZYsSkwnZSbsPay39wRxNeZvcyLMWHFo-Le6-vtggEFv-KBYwq52UU4T_UrlpeLqE9mWYXJgWx3DL99deDYx8vA/w365-h400/Concord+Books.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><br /><p>There you have it. What books do you find yourself looking at over and over?</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-82210124565187891312021-05-24T12:05:00.001-07:002021-05-24T12:05:25.995-07:00Takom’s new Yamato anchor and the questions it raises<p>Takom used the 2021 Shizuoka Hobby Show this month to announce 1/16th scale anchors from the IJN Battleship Yamato. I’ve been a fan of anything eligible for the Miscellaneous categories at model contests, so this release caught my attention.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3v1YI_pHS3vLdK-pgYeuLA-QF-jyL7MFy8mNoX2vn5ijGJG_EGmJJatUzQKvfPAiigzldDUL9-fS9jZz667otL9P_BCNGg11wvDn2KpRLyriwbVcqqgpwsjQi1xfvJPz_90P_Jhpuw/s2048/Takom+anchor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="2048" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3v1YI_pHS3vLdK-pgYeuLA-QF-jyL7MFy8mNoX2vn5ijGJG_EGmJJatUzQKvfPAiigzldDUL9-fS9jZz667otL9P_BCNGg11wvDn2KpRLyriwbVcqqgpwsjQi1xfvJPz_90P_Jhpuw/w400-h264/Takom+anchor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The model does, however, raise some pretty big questions for the anchor enthusiasts in the hobby.</p><p>Is this the first in a long line of new kits of ship anchors?</p><p>Will each anchor consist of just five or six parts, or will they have 200-300 parts as most modern kits do these days?</p><p>How should I build, paint, and weather it? As if it were new? Rusty and neglected? Restored? Restored and neglected? As part of a zombie vignette?</p><p>Is there a rivet counter assessing the accuracy of the anchors? If it's one scale inch too short, it's unbuildable. (Remember, <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2014/03/this-model-is-crap.html">we love rivet counters</a>, right?)</p><p>Will Osprey publish a book on anchors of the Japanese Navy?</p><p>Will Eduard include a photoetch set for the model among their August releases?</p><p>Will Micro Master Details or Black Cat Models produce 3D printed chain links for the anchors?</p><p>Which aftermarket company will be the first to produce 1/16 scale barnacles for the model?</p><p>How long do we have to wait for AK Interactive to produce a set of paints specifically for these anchors?</p><p>When will someone in Japan take 40-50 photos of the actual anchor at the Yamato Museum in Kure, Hiroshima and submit the walkaround to Prime Portal?</p><p>Should I create a Facebook group named "Takom Yamato Anchor Group Build?"</p><p>Will HK Models release a partial 1/16 kit of the Yamamoto — just the bow — so that we can display the anchor in situ?</p><p>When will Trumpeter, Hobby Boss, Bronco, and Rye Field Models release their versions kits of the Yamato anchors?</p><p>Is there a chance of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Drachinifel" target="_blank">Drachinifel</a> doing a YouTube video about the evolution of Japanese anchors on his channel?</p><p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">When I finish building this Takom kit, can I share it in the Airfix Facebook group?</span> Yes.</p><p>If scale weight was a thing, just how much would a 1/16 scale anchor weigh?</p><p>(Thanks to four friends of mine for helping me brainstorm these questions. I've chosen to keep them anonymous on the strong likelihood that these jokes fall flat.)</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-60381525928433428042021-05-16T13:13:00.002-07:002021-05-16T13:13:44.853-07:00Weathering armor and analysis paralysis<p>In late 2016 I wrote about the disappointments with <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2016/12/my-disappointing-year.html">several of my builds</a> that year, including my attempts to finish a Trumpeter Pz.Kpfw 38(t). I struggled through weathering it — trying my hand with pigments in particular — and ultimately trashed the model when the results were not up to my expectations.</p><p>Since then I’ve gone back to basics with painting and weathering armor, at least the basics in terms of the process I’ve mastered (such as post shading, pin washes, and the use of pastels for dust effects), and I’ve slowly introduced new products and techniques. Usually I try them on a paint mule and then incorporate them into my next build. So now I’m much more comfortable with:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Modulation</li><li>Filters</li><li>Washes</li><li>Oil paint rendering</li><li>Paint chips</li><li>Hairspray chipping</li><li>Mud splashes</li></ul><p></p><p>Despite my newfound confidence with each of these, I now find myself suffering from analysis paralysis, wondering with every build which products and techniques I should incorporate into the model and in what order.</p><p>To be sure, I have plenty of books on the topic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjib_WFS5Lcy1DOphmOOCPGoJMeHW9izhwBCBg9NlHxpWHpTVLLNCQuKKB914scDSy2egMoQ8i4wzNux-7uiJmKAtOAyWSUOaF239goOgH4mHclXEIodTXfH8viDi3tFa1nO_ISoAgXqA/s1682/weathering+books.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1682" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjib_WFS5Lcy1DOphmOOCPGoJMeHW9izhwBCBg9NlHxpWHpTVLLNCQuKKB914scDSy2egMoQ8i4wzNux-7uiJmKAtOAyWSUOaF239goOgH4mHclXEIodTXfH8viDi3tFa1nO_ISoAgXqA/w400-h305/weathering+books.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I have multiple products.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lBKtpoql9t1d73BQhFBlxh5JbrCNJhxvce9b05nQdFHPVAZTiz9pcT9J4hNDkaEyFjIfMA-xW_aoy_wSBCuDAGE7Q_DxwEjnkGBSnNzszUpRhZ_bGqrRY7GaxcEjktpza82FUHOe_A/s1836/weathering+products.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="1836" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lBKtpoql9t1d73BQhFBlxh5JbrCNJhxvce9b05nQdFHPVAZTiz9pcT9J4hNDkaEyFjIfMA-xW_aoy_wSBCuDAGE7Q_DxwEjnkGBSnNzszUpRhZ_bGqrRY7GaxcEjktpza82FUHOe_A/w400-h308/weathering+products.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I have magazines.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WCGFzliU3kaqh3o0zAwUFIxZXp1Ttg5EWrVV1GoCUHCr-H_o3Zt1S6WsJZRdO3rsAowxJmT3VehprszQr-ruEOpio_GQLbBQGXoT3zGp9OqEUzKblk3qB2Md-AwO3bDjMKmzmasenw/s1808/weathering+magazines.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1808" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WCGFzliU3kaqh3o0zAwUFIxZXp1Ttg5EWrVV1GoCUHCr-H_o3Zt1S6WsJZRdO3rsAowxJmT3VehprszQr-ruEOpio_GQLbBQGXoT3zGp9OqEUzKblk3qB2Md-AwO3bDjMKmzmasenw/w400-h301/weathering+magazines.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I’ve watched plenty of videos on YouTube, such as Adam Wilder’s incredible 27-episode series on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IkBFWzwJ-s&list=PLZ9GDtkHYnVmc3b8ttF5cyh8MiOWZ-e33" target="_blank">painting and weathering a KV-I</a>.</p><p>And I've taken notes on the dozen (hundreds?) of articles and builds you can find on modelers’ personal blogs and Facebook pages.</p><p>Despite all of these resources it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the choices you’re confronted with. Every modeler has his preferred products, techniques, and process, and it’s a challenge to understand them and then to incorporate them into your own modeling.</p><p>That’s what happened with this build of the Trumpeter JS-4. I'd worked through the fundamental steps of painting and weathering it but then hit a wall of sorts wondering what to do next. I’m figuring it out, but the model languished for a few weeks untouched.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkPCwUcxCGKPTZ55y8P-4GwyMJRpqTSZdaphSnbDgWmMQ-vSQfuwuFKoWOvY38av-Hjz3gnvMm3N7LM2aiEAn9KDDnI2r7Vhw6pee0QHIANgKuj83fnsnCJuAIwtl8hThD11AL1Acjg/s2016/JS4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkPCwUcxCGKPTZ55y8P-4GwyMJRpqTSZdaphSnbDgWmMQ-vSQfuwuFKoWOvY38av-Hjz3gnvMm3N7LM2aiEAn9KDDnI2r7Vhw6pee0QHIANgKuj83fnsnCJuAIwtl8hThD11AL1Acjg/w400-h300/JS4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I started moving forward with the model this week, but it doesn’t feel…right. It feels like there was probably a better way, and I’m figuring that out as I go, even if in hindsight, and I know I’ll continue to refine my products and techniques with subsequent builds.</p><p>If you’ve had the same experience, my suggestion is what I’ll offer myself with my next build. I’m going to trust my instincts and outline the steps I’ll take to see the model through the painting and finishing stages. It’s probably not going to align with any one master modeler’s process, and it might not work out well for me, but at least having a plan is better than not having one at all.</p><div><br /></div>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-1272005452913238492021-05-06T12:26:00.001-07:002021-05-06T12:26:23.010-07:00My favorite COVID scale modeling memes<p>As we come out of this international experience with COVID, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite memes from the last year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLMc2FsT1NiWJKgSSapl8zF-3ftJu11wfAtLGbaJQKwW2GKb_NwvczDGd2xCeE6lT1PFlpgveCnaLbZ9u_qMFOjMkE-gsLWJSFL6XVfgy2NFSaWG6NIuZqlskIVdLoJtpww2S6URrhA/s960/Corona+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="764" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLMc2FsT1NiWJKgSSapl8zF-3ftJu11wfAtLGbaJQKwW2GKb_NwvczDGd2xCeE6lT1PFlpgveCnaLbZ9u_qMFOjMkE-gsLWJSFL6XVfgy2NFSaWG6NIuZqlskIVdLoJtpww2S6URrhA/w319-h400/Corona+2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkqSWA7YxV4JsxnI5vkCavcyXz1nvaPid15blToQ6ZHoZlYpmM5r5MgJd2Merq0SnfGAHl-UORAB__53oMe0-OOlEIAX-GidIl0nokFFy0MnmdrdlNvbTqv0dboo9j4248KU0AScQxQ/s540/Corona+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkqSWA7YxV4JsxnI5vkCavcyXz1nvaPid15blToQ6ZHoZlYpmM5r5MgJd2Merq0SnfGAHl-UORAB__53oMe0-OOlEIAX-GidIl0nokFFy0MnmdrdlNvbTqv0dboo9j4248KU0AScQxQ/s320/Corona+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1GGHF-Kxr1Tv_mTKY-GRripx0vN7ZVnGiqtA3WkOV8RLdY7DJAAd4dKzYrBQEFNP9gQh1ak9tomATeHrABbMhOHwBwuIyvHTERh1l3t9dtiZsCxCukJxc1iMnvckLvn0yBcC7mwj6A/s960/Corona+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1GGHF-Kxr1Tv_mTKY-GRripx0vN7ZVnGiqtA3WkOV8RLdY7DJAAd4dKzYrBQEFNP9gQh1ak9tomATeHrABbMhOHwBwuIyvHTERh1l3t9dtiZsCxCukJxc1iMnvckLvn0yBcC7mwj6A/s320/Corona+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5clap5-NG8BAxtDi3kxJHqwcExGaZGaoeojEfz5HdjCSBfE5ah_bv9pjCZ-VYp9GaF_BTy1VTa8FxgVdCOQI4rRcbUEPOSxiGJdS7XRY_2f7Je-CklL7G5kT5yrIl-BUiW3xbAwh0g/s1106/Corona+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5clap5-NG8BAxtDi3kxJHqwcExGaZGaoeojEfz5HdjCSBfE5ah_bv9pjCZ-VYp9GaF_BTy1VTa8FxgVdCOQI4rRcbUEPOSxiGJdS7XRY_2f7Je-CklL7G5kT5yrIl-BUiW3xbAwh0g/s320/Corona+5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCiEHuFkbTXg_DAg-QreKks04e-2lW-OlsnxdVP0yvXIN1_pe7SnYLuYmD0UcpGAQXNctnurld78APvNzDusrqK6tKeCGjVNg2kh1YHbMq4R4wOQei6m7D2Gq9WaOjr-OzET-CfW41Q/s744/Corona+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="744" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCiEHuFkbTXg_DAg-QreKks04e-2lW-OlsnxdVP0yvXIN1_pe7SnYLuYmD0UcpGAQXNctnurld78APvNzDusrqK6tKeCGjVNg2kh1YHbMq4R4wOQei6m7D2Gq9WaOjr-OzET-CfW41Q/s320/Corona+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwhkFO3rgTUMDWqoekC5PdqIPxkPv9EmA1A3gqdiEoavMoTMcrGzho-8qZYqj3B36PS_gEPClzua7F25Bu-sd_8EEmIt2gbgAyva_i8BwxB6eodhFplf_12debIeSutb7rzkyrB7JAw/s945/Corona+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="762" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwhkFO3rgTUMDWqoekC5PdqIPxkPv9EmA1A3gqdiEoavMoTMcrGzho-8qZYqj3B36PS_gEPClzua7F25Bu-sd_8EEmIt2gbgAyva_i8BwxB6eodhFplf_12debIeSutb7rzkyrB7JAw/w323-h400/Corona+7.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwQ2926_8sqPIHV5H2kbaqHorHOT8vaiZYplz8j6OoV6T4yTZe1emBq6lEtyZpFzOaCr4UM1AAV7-vjw7D-o1_4CR8OHvO2UxibmQcgMm7SxJzBDzgjKy6qfZiqtXHClF2z-yP1WHAA/s666/Corona+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwQ2926_8sqPIHV5H2kbaqHorHOT8vaiZYplz8j6OoV6T4yTZe1emBq6lEtyZpFzOaCr4UM1AAV7-vjw7D-o1_4CR8OHvO2UxibmQcgMm7SxJzBDzgjKy6qfZiqtXHClF2z-yP1WHAA/w300-h400/Corona+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-46652723659271625422021-04-04T07:43:00.003-07:002021-04-04T10:37:00.263-07:00The best April Fools' box art of 2021<p> There was a time when people could be pranked on April Fools’ Day. I remember falling for the announcement that Tamiya was planning a 1/48 B-17G. We’re all too smart for that now. It takes a brilliant mind to pull off a legit hoax...or an embarrassingly gullible mind to believe it.</p><p>So the day has become an opportunity to have some fun with each other, and the democratization of Photoshop has made it easier to create box art for the things we might like to see.</p><p>Here are some of the best of the tomfoolery that I noticed this year.</p><p>The members of the Facebook WingNut Wings Fan group were particularly creative, with convincing box art for kits that maybe, possibly, might have, could have been real if the business were still in operation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLSH8rCUQ9x7p-g0UTZ6VfMLg03rPOZLWlffl1EsBlM709x-UXcVhHZV9hsTYdHPDSno-gqVJmaCh-44fvmPgUyXTQP-D0urHq7WoNdcCz1ZS_GQGZRjwUnaXjuGJhK4chB9h-ooC7g/s2048/WNW+Wright.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="2048" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLSH8rCUQ9x7p-g0UTZ6VfMLg03rPOZLWlffl1EsBlM709x-UXcVhHZV9hsTYdHPDSno-gqVJmaCh-44fvmPgUyXTQP-D0urHq7WoNdcCz1ZS_GQGZRjwUnaXjuGJhK4chB9h-ooC7g/w400-h276/WNW+Wright.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-zQDRrDE-i-1h-uy7s-9xxWYwKTjADK7YAs44iDYXsDUrRwQa8rUZsmfXR928nOsKoQtXIYiZRvJ5wy_8t3PMhkPvkrJ6hL-xRlxVc5AET8c2EW0sjWpEpsZoGtO0EHL6u4iPr4gKA/s2048/WNW+Macon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1587" data-original-width="2048" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-zQDRrDE-i-1h-uy7s-9xxWYwKTjADK7YAs44iDYXsDUrRwQa8rUZsmfXR928nOsKoQtXIYiZRvJ5wy_8t3PMhkPvkrJ6hL-xRlxVc5AET8c2EW0sjWpEpsZoGtO0EHL6u4iPr4gKA/w400-h310/WNW+Macon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT98DgfeM-z6BW5b1xmSyEEMfKz2nrhbtO5B0NZJ7uyh_whhihbOCZ_7nEllYSKYejlZPr9PrrBuxCJHCnnJ9_tH701VFZafzZSiy9WJBTU1D9aaL5MJmQ92alp0qBYAdh-H0lVXYBpQ/s2048/WNW+Vedo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="2048" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT98DgfeM-z6BW5b1xmSyEEMfKz2nrhbtO5B0NZJ7uyh_whhihbOCZ_7nEllYSKYejlZPr9PrrBuxCJHCnnJ9_tH701VFZafzZSiy9WJBTU1D9aaL5MJmQ92alp0qBYAdh-H0lVXYBpQ/w400-h261/WNW+Vedo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>One was clearly unbelievable, as well done as it was and as profitable as it would've been.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh887KZ69pmbmUdQlOOgRNnTEsQnyCUEG2_fGS9hHT8Gi95-4MyEKAG3dFM6qJ4hBvtxVZKEeENoikNGaLxeW0gMdG9q6b5WhEqLpf_WL6KlEyrP5-MA6Z7Urs07jD7m0JkW4_HkvzWYg/s1680/WNW+Death+Star.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1680" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh887KZ69pmbmUdQlOOgRNnTEsQnyCUEG2_fGS9hHT8Gi95-4MyEKAG3dFM6qJ4hBvtxVZKEeENoikNGaLxeW0gMdG9q6b5WhEqLpf_WL6KlEyrP5-MA6Z7Urs07jD7m0JkW4_HkvzWYg/w400-h250/WNW+Death+Star.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Airfix is always a popular target of April Fools' pranks, and 2021 was no different.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9VQ0Tey24RWWG-HUc5MbDBKQntBoLOVFyaFNH5_PBaObj67uPjnnh9WtYrdg2c-ktTiwnKQHjE-RiKiiDE9EuzZ20mr6O_jboiklaBTdGGGzW452Emyxo4U-wSD-BHxMql3mehME6Q/s1735/Airfix+Beaufighter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1735" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9VQ0Tey24RWWG-HUc5MbDBKQntBoLOVFyaFNH5_PBaObj67uPjnnh9WtYrdg2c-ktTiwnKQHjE-RiKiiDE9EuzZ20mr6O_jboiklaBTdGGGzW452Emyxo4U-wSD-BHxMql3mehME6Q/w400-h220/Airfix+Beaufighter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Finally, this post from the folks at Quinta Studio convinced at least one follower on Facebook that it was real.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby8R6C7HBUGaJ2rhJgb0PV88dHP5bO9McUtr72qCVyE4srT1YdvEKGJoGgsfq-N8cPCulGyD08QI8Mn5xf0J4kYD0i08b_ZNI_jZQxoOEY7QEunwU4qJ6l4y-8_u2vwGLNRk3muadQA/s1890/Quinta+350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1890" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby8R6C7HBUGaJ2rhJgb0PV88dHP5bO9McUtr72qCVyE4srT1YdvEKGJoGgsfq-N8cPCulGyD08QI8Mn5xf0J4kYD0i08b_ZNI_jZQxoOEY7QEunwU4qJ6l4y-8_u2vwGLNRk3muadQA/w400-h275/Quinta+350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Tom Anyz got into the spirit, too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKmM-aPtvf_tRJUmqulSaEGOHGD66M9_gktV0DNX2pNAeP3-5I98XdB-JeWS_FLoEBx4foKlt6k27LnjN6lY54x7erXWbdFV7Ia6LAhJ-mJBje_JD9CP5ncIB_IHtUOG3fyvQdayD-Q/s2048/Anyz+T34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="2048" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKmM-aPtvf_tRJUmqulSaEGOHGD66M9_gktV0DNX2pNAeP3-5I98XdB-JeWS_FLoEBx4foKlt6k27LnjN6lY54x7erXWbdFV7Ia6LAhJ-mJBje_JD9CP5ncIB_IHtUOG3fyvQdayD-Q/w400-h305/Anyz+T34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The best pranks turn out to be legitimate products, like Bandai’s cup of noodle soup kit last year. These bizarre releases will always be the source of most amusement throughout the year. Let's see what the remainder of 2021 holds!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYqiw7rAKyCbfoTm4q5458Po-YzZH9TrhMvRTzmb8RfaOCXN9DBI7JFDGDfA3eLUZJfF-zII-yq4bTffMr_uD16tTLI9fvdVquy03QqeEdPJPHkjTE0lVNcjYxveoLxo6fZqT-NDj7Q/s1858/Bandai+Soup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1858" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYqiw7rAKyCbfoTm4q5458Po-YzZH9TrhMvRTzmb8RfaOCXN9DBI7JFDGDfA3eLUZJfF-zII-yq4bTffMr_uD16tTLI9fvdVquy03QqeEdPJPHkjTE0lVNcjYxveoLxo6fZqT-NDj7Q/w400-h251/Bandai+Soup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-33316633390917921572021-02-17T06:26:00.001-08:002021-02-17T06:26:41.108-08:00When Facebook flags your post<p>A handful of guys in the hobby have recently expressed their frustration with Facebook flagging their posts, indicating that they violate their standards. </p><p>In one case a photographer friend who shares images of aircraft was warned about his content (I don’t have any other details), and he’s decided to leave Facebook.</p><p>In another case, a Dragon 1/35 Sherman was flagged because it goes against the company’s Commerce Policy on weapons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQ6WJI7IvhO7eFdfksgws3XDhkkzZ3nRxvBgjwpje6Sp4bMRYGEVrvhuqKPECiQeuBX-3ypfYZnAddDjHEn2VCVn-xV4IkaSQHNjEAoK6TLXUkW8_WW3gpod-_ZyrH4mkHeOVrvMofQ/s968/Facebook+Flagged.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="968" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQ6WJI7IvhO7eFdfksgws3XDhkkzZ3nRxvBgjwpje6Sp4bMRYGEVrvhuqKPECiQeuBX-3ypfYZnAddDjHEn2VCVn-xV4IkaSQHNjEAoK6TLXUkW8_WW3gpod-_ZyrH4mkHeOVrvMofQ/w400-h174/Facebook+Flagged.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>A deep dive into those standards that I think are at play in the latter case finds an explanation of Regulated Goods, which includes a prohibition on firearms, content that, "Attempts to buy, sell, trade, donate, gift or solicit firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, explosives, or lethal enhancements between private individuals, unless posted by a real brick-and-mortar store, legitimate website, brand or government agency." If you’re reading this, I think we all agree that identifying a scale model as a firearm is a huge and unreasonable leap.</p><p>Here’s the thing. Facebook’s policies and standards are written by a committee of highly paid executives, consultants, and lawyers...but, if <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-content-india-feature/some-facebook-content-reviewers-in-india-complain-of-low-pay-high-pressure-idUSKCN1QH15I" target="_blank">this article</a> from 2019 is still accurate, they’re enforced by 15,000 off-shore contractors in eight countries, and each flagged item is studied for roughly 15 seconds. The employees' performance is evaluated based on average review or handling time, so it’s easy to see how someone can nonchalantly flag something incorrectly to keep their time low.</p><p>Facebook generally allows users to request a review of the flag and removal, but if you’re denied again, a few minutes searching Google confirms that many removals don’t permit additional appeals. </p><p>So what do you do if your post gets flagged and an appeal is not offered? I suggest writing a physical letter to Facebook’s Vice President of Content Policy, Monika Bickert. Here’s the address:</p><p>Facebook, Inc.<br />Attn: Monika Bikert<br />1 Hacker Way<br />Menlo Park, CA 94205</p><p>I suggest this route because I’ve had great success in the past with contacting senior management directly. Senior-level executives typically have a dedicated team of employees who are responsible for responding to direct inquiries. For example, ten years ago a letter to Delta's CEO allowed me to rebook an airline ticket that otherwise would've been nonrefundable.</p><p>Your letter should politely but clearly make your case, for example:</p><p><i>I’m writing to ask your assistance with an item that was incorrectly flagged as violating Facebook’s standards or policies.</i></p><p><i>I recently posted this item, which was flagged.</i></p><p><Insert screenshot here></p><p><i>I believe this was flagged in error. </i></p><p>Example reasons:</p><p><i>This is simply a scale model, a miniature version of an airplane or tank. It measures less than 12 inches and is not capable of flying nor firing any form of live ammunition. You'll find scale models like this in museums around the world.</i></p><p>Or</p><p><i>This is a photograph of an airplane or tank. It’s intended to capture a moment in time for historical purposes, just like thousands of other images currently available on Facebook. It does not promote violence or war in any form. You'll find photographs like this in museums, libraries, and historical archives around the world.</i></p><p><i>One of the Oversight Board’s principles is Accessibility. The Board’s charter states:</i></p><p><i>"Individuals will be able to appeal Facebook and Instagram content decisions to the board. Anyone whose content is selected for review by the board will have the opportunity to share a statement explaining their position."</i></p><p><i>Unfortunately, my content was not formally selected for review by the board, so I’m taking the opportunity to proactively appeal myself. I ask you to take a moment to review this item and make it available again to my Facebook friends and followers.</i></p><p><i>Thank you for your time and for your efforts to keep Facebook a safe and fair medium for sharing content.</i></p><p>Why go through all this effort? Because we need to recognize that human error plays an enormous role in erroneously flagging content, and more importantly, that we hold Facebook accountable for the policies and standards they’ve published.</p><p>I know a lot of you are fed up with Facebook and many have chosen to leave. I understand the frustration. For those of you who choose to stay, I hope you’ll take this extra step to ensure our model-related content remains accessible.</p><p>No matter how you feel about Facebook, remember what a friend told me several years ago:</p><p>If you’re not paying for it, you’re not the customer.</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-42041112957579344002020-12-31T08:52:00.000-08:002020-12-31T08:52:03.441-08:00The box art of 2020<p> Let’s take a look at the box art of 2020.</p><p>Worst box art of 2020 goes to the Dora 1/72 Lysander. I really, really like the kits that Dora has been releasing these last couple of years, but this box art fell short, particularly given how great the model itself is.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MOUU9YLc4CIjS3f9PlpWYJraeyVPwBv-IKrjp8eUb8tu6j0V7i1rPoOHe1-La3uMRFcRnWQx4JRNMw3nXK5pHegns6K5w2VG2MZtkGqtWHEIYDcxNuyOkX-2U9LHuJgyc5JwZXg8LQ/s1200/Dora+Lysander.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MOUU9YLc4CIjS3f9PlpWYJraeyVPwBv-IKrjp8eUb8tu6j0V7i1rPoOHe1-La3uMRFcRnWQx4JRNMw3nXK5pHegns6K5w2VG2MZtkGqtWHEIYDcxNuyOkX-2U9LHuJgyc5JwZXg8LQ/w400-h266/Dora+Lysander.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Best box art of the year goes to the Takom 1/35 Merkava Mk. 2D. I’m usually not a fan of head-on shots of armor, but this is nothing short of awesome.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCwv0FF_S6VL_LLIHkEtzQvunPHit0vcbEuHftH_GUwLoqv9fRZK90NVsNqY6p0mtWr0mh61-GWV-Lyra-RaDsl9YS553r0Gq214a5sHUBkhhrfb7grWk9_Tf5aupp2SIEW8V1VHZnw/s1600/Takom+Merkava.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCwv0FF_S6VL_LLIHkEtzQvunPHit0vcbEuHftH_GUwLoqv9fRZK90NVsNqY6p0mtWr0mh61-GWV-Lyra-RaDsl9YS553r0Gq214a5sHUBkhhrfb7grWk9_Tf5aupp2SIEW8V1VHZnw/w400-h263/Takom+Merkava.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>If there were an award for most daring box art of the year, I’d have to give it to Airfix for their 1/48 Spitfire Mk. Vb. The plane is inverted! I don’t recall seeing another model marketed that way. Kudos to the graphic arts department at Airfix!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvWw8BghKrhscAZFsaP3cO4PC0ic4IfnwfF4kVLnZE-ikG_7csCoymJ1DICfwfirXQ9ZolOTGcFxUT3d-H32NvXNKfFeiAc_8AB2xSnE8Y-3Sp3K7IQ8I1RDWVXrbTBW3rrQMexpk2w/s1500/Airfix+Spitfire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1500" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvWw8BghKrhscAZFsaP3cO4PC0ic4IfnwfF4kVLnZE-ikG_7csCoymJ1DICfwfirXQ9ZolOTGcFxUT3d-H32NvXNKfFeiAc_8AB2xSnE8Y-3Sp3K7IQ8I1RDWVXrbTBW3rrQMexpk2w/w400-h205/Airfix+Spitfire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-59570182597803575082020-12-29T08:35:00.000-08:002020-12-29T08:35:13.744-08:002020 in review<p>Every year provides its share of dazzle, amusement, and head-scratching. 2020 was no exception.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">January</h3><p>You may recall the crazy suggestion in 2019 to use cinnamon to weather armor. Well, this year we saw someone suggest using oatmeal to create water for ship models.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHKx9rE4RCizRbj8OCw3mxQ-8Ss1P_Dy6M_YZbSoIyvNiWpn4eAdRgShqVxh3iISKJUAFVSY8q7zRdC3AYHgokqfbZvd79t7RF8YDGhpWoz7O7ZXUlw4bAthJVOx-shEwj6vxQfXilA/s1661/Oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHKx9rE4RCizRbj8OCw3mxQ-8Ss1P_Dy6M_YZbSoIyvNiWpn4eAdRgShqVxh3iISKJUAFVSY8q7zRdC3AYHgokqfbZvd79t7RF8YDGhpWoz7O7ZXUlw4bAthJVOx-shEwj6vxQfXilA/w364-h400/Oatmeal.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><p>We also saw that the sexy women trend that <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2018/12/the-three-weird-trends-of-2018.html">we noticed in 2018</a> refuses to die, with numerous manufacturers releasing additional models, such as <a href="https://project.armor35.ru/" target="_blank">Armor35</a>'s bikini girl. At this point, I'm conceding that this is no longer a trend. It's clear that we're a horny bunch, and we're going to see more sexy women in the years ahead.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cyP7jg4o7dQPMlRRDQgP0Hty0_1tlqx64Me4-gT152GJHpY0eWQKLOwwfcE4B7cdhaVx7sJXESNog-KTR3aRkCdL9GYLVx0DZytjAtHmCpdblKCpM7BJutN-JCtpub493bJyiWbpcQ/s1470/Armor35+Bikini+Girl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1470" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cyP7jg4o7dQPMlRRDQgP0Hty0_1tlqx64Me4-gT152GJHpY0eWQKLOwwfcE4B7cdhaVx7sJXESNog-KTR3aRkCdL9GYLVx0DZytjAtHmCpdblKCpM7BJutN-JCtpub493bJyiWbpcQ/w400-h249/Armor35+Bikini+Girl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">February</h3><p>The Shizuoka Hobby Show, which had been scheduled for May, was cancelled as the Coronavirus took hold in China and other Asian countries. This would portend the cancellation of practically all model-related shows and contests through the remainder of the year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB-DGvkKHS7QrmfGMzNmqof4rUYETQ99SZ6mNDayKrFwDZDOW8lJqeMKnYgm61s95559nl4oFgguT3ZSlQGtD1fz9wy0YDbQYwwTEibi5l9S0_O86TGRP3EoGtRAxw6j7LnbFY6pd_g/s800/Corona+Ball.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="800" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB-DGvkKHS7QrmfGMzNmqof4rUYETQ99SZ6mNDayKrFwDZDOW8lJqeMKnYgm61s95559nl4oFgguT3ZSlQGtD1fz9wy0YDbQYwwTEibi5l9S0_O86TGRP3EoGtRAxw6j7LnbFY6pd_g/w400-h261/Corona+Ball.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">March</h3><p>Members of the Facebook Airfix Modeling Club worked themselves into a frenzy after Facebook began deleting photos of models with swastikas. Several members suggested creating a new forum on a different platform, but as far as I know, no one did.</p><p>Much of the world locked down for the Coronavirus, but modelers barely noticed as we carried on enjoying our solitary hobby in basements around the world. Rye Field Models kindly included two masks with orders for their kits; not wheel or canopy masks, mind you, but the kind you wear.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">April</h3><p>In one of the biggest disappointments to hit our hobby in the last 10 years — maybe even the last 20 years — Wingnut Wings announced the closure of their business. Kit prices have soared on the secondary market, and fans of the company’s kits expressed hope that some of the designers would find employment elsewhere. At least one has so far, Bryan Wall, starting <a href="https://beacon-models.com/" target="_blank">Beacon Models</a> and promising a range of kits in 1/144 scale.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nsH6Rj7VqkWg59u-Ep6Lo7HTdlHNh8189Fp-LCQunG8MXxw5iuLe-MHjsTjLxve3TFm3HOzWHVwO54urcqKYl6AwTkEYqbMjiXpj7q3oVSFIvLaL8Oma-kGFPn_D8ii9G0-Cd8cvxw/s1200/Wingnut+Wings+Gotha.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1200" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nsH6Rj7VqkWg59u-Ep6Lo7HTdlHNh8189Fp-LCQunG8MXxw5iuLe-MHjsTjLxve3TFm3HOzWHVwO54urcqKYl6AwTkEYqbMjiXpj7q3oVSFIvLaL8Oma-kGFPn_D8ii9G0-Cd8cvxw/w400-h278/Wingnut+Wings+Gotha.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">June</h3><p>Bandai announced their newest model…of a cup of ramen noodles. Yep. You can’t make this stuff up. Will we see a split in the Miscellaneous category at the IPMS Nats next year for “Food?"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEpZ7d0_esXNqNJyCEP5ntyVpVKg8fgbr9FJEa-AiK7egl1aMHdqyuVT-ZyrHODAxgzgB7UDcD1y_zg6V5-ChXNiQJ04vHXsXuSiWqTeh5iLmlV2fYMXvuF3tkUISiffTZ51zdrO70w/s2048/Bandai+Noodles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="2048" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEpZ7d0_esXNqNJyCEP5ntyVpVKg8fgbr9FJEa-AiK7egl1aMHdqyuVT-ZyrHODAxgzgB7UDcD1y_zg6V5-ChXNiQJ04vHXsXuSiWqTeh5iLmlV2fYMXvuF3tkUISiffTZ51zdrO70w/w400-h238/Bandai+Noodles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">July</h3><p>A new company named <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Suyata-100327871750094/" target="_blank">Suyata</a> releases some bizarre, abstract series of military subjects. If it entices newcomers to the hobby, why not?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV1Ii5CaFRPmpHl59pSoRm5mHsW-A3W12JCquVi9KAj3Z4I4F8IPsd-nqroFtPIW6FrGQIB5JwG4PR-w-P90Jqep5-cqIYhQSjAY3YnuBeAcDfhJGCOuhyM8kibbA8DLmqb6yWdSFYg/s960/Suyata+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="960" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV1Ii5CaFRPmpHl59pSoRm5mHsW-A3W12JCquVi9KAj3Z4I4F8IPsd-nqroFtPIW6FrGQIB5JwG4PR-w-P90Jqep5-cqIYhQSjAY3YnuBeAcDfhJGCOuhyM8kibbA8DLmqb6yWdSFYg/w400-h254/Suyata+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdF1jcXj59Hn5HtZDHkcd9fzQb12dopagaG5dbRbBf1Lo64mQAp07sbH_sz-x3gnvOnLGXzKPn1AIoRZSjKAvMGfS3GeLHMUsyhHHznU8Tg_ShopLMpxem7yk3XH9Q-SC5ncltRsAzA/s960/Suyata+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="960" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdF1jcXj59Hn5HtZDHkcd9fzQb12dopagaG5dbRbBf1Lo64mQAp07sbH_sz-x3gnvOnLGXzKPn1AIoRZSjKAvMGfS3GeLHMUsyhHHznU8Tg_ShopLMpxem7yk3XH9Q-SC5ncltRsAzA/w400-h283/Suyata+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">August</h3><p>In what is the most game-changing product to hit the hobby since Eduard introduced pre-colored photoetch, Quinta Studio’s released 3D-printed resin cockpit decals. Modelers were immediately impressed by their quality and the ease with which we can now represent cockpits in scale. And that’s one less skill we have to master!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeh6pI7_PAmdPPU_yeBaQggMTMOyXpyD4HHtvwbUw5MuIr_YqnLBEhXLvcPnFOZknOpmmEaKw-Dwn-CXxcUA2ITN60P8DiW0BlYMV3vn315zrBu8jpv5KJlNHXLOsVmXfr2oDYmwbUw/s1600/Quinta+Cockpit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeh6pI7_PAmdPPU_yeBaQggMTMOyXpyD4HHtvwbUw5MuIr_YqnLBEhXLvcPnFOZknOpmmEaKw-Dwn-CXxcUA2ITN60P8DiW0BlYMV3vn315zrBu8jpv5KJlNHXLOsVmXfr2oDYmwbUw/w400-h266/Quinta+Cockpit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">September</h3><p>Modelers went berserk on AK Interactive when they used video from POW camps to promote their new <a href="https://ak-interactive.com/product/condemnation-when-modeling-becomes-art-and-art-is-a-social-denounce/" target="_blank">book</a>, <i>Condemnation: When Modeling Becomes Art and Art is Social Commentary</i>. They apologized a day later, but the modeling community was not impressed. Regardless, the book features some well-executed dioramas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10tBaV0ZX5uTgR6lNjZyB3UCPlXboXryWYh3lA1-QM6HzJE7NEcichXA7D6EHpDIa8i0JrTVaOiTuR4RAu9I0iwecZDtreqqVLEgHDJ_dlSPmOR5DLnBs26f7bKDi0MXdQOgcHKJSBQ/s1200/AK+Condemnation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10tBaV0ZX5uTgR6lNjZyB3UCPlXboXryWYh3lA1-QM6HzJE7NEcichXA7D6EHpDIa8i0JrTVaOiTuR4RAu9I0iwecZDtreqqVLEgHDJ_dlSPmOR5DLnBs26f7bKDi0MXdQOgcHKJSBQ/w400-h400/AK+Condemnation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>We lost two significant players in the hobby. Bill Koster was an early pioneer in the cottage industry and helped design dozens of Monogram kits that are to this day exceptionally accurate, such as the 1/48 F-4C/D, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-100D Super Sabre, and P-51B.</p><p><a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2020/09/inspiration-mark-bilas.html">Mark Bilas</a> might not be as well known, but he produced nearly 150 decals sheets over the last 10 years, mostly in 1/72 scale, featuring roughly 900 markings. I could be wrong, but I think only Microsoft/SuperScale has been more prolific.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_81sN_6v3gHQHM8Cxx19RIVrMFoy4OmSNoMnrO0v4PuIhVbwP2MWBNrKoqc1wgiO0IPC_6JfM_c8BltIN03QL-u6T7QSo8KHnH61q4rrKvUKGiUAP0i63kmB6cnjm-lqzBECxr7k3ZA/s1669/Wolfpak+Decals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1669" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_81sN_6v3gHQHM8Cxx19RIVrMFoy4OmSNoMnrO0v4PuIhVbwP2MWBNrKoqc1wgiO0IPC_6JfM_c8BltIN03QL-u6T7QSo8KHnH61q4rrKvUKGiUAP0i63kmB6cnjm-lqzBECxr7k3ZA/w400-h311/Wolfpak+Decals.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">December</h3><p>One of the greatest aviators of the twentieth century passed away, Chuck Yeager, capping off a year of suck.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgpqz5CKylZbm3_Bv58Htv0-Hi7OTGkn7r7iMjZki3pVdjAg9is-J_qCJUma-oEPRLguzPpSUQNZapwTCKC4RECN9FzoOwPqc_uKgyRFGZt5OsugSkOPBNGQNpKpKr9GpEigxaUWpTA/s768/Yeager.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="768" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgpqz5CKylZbm3_Bv58Htv0-Hi7OTGkn7r7iMjZki3pVdjAg9is-J_qCJUma-oEPRLguzPpSUQNZapwTCKC4RECN9FzoOwPqc_uKgyRFGZt5OsugSkOPBNGQNpKpKr9GpEigxaUWpTA/w400-h288/Yeager.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-43811196753869373812020-12-26T12:04:00.000-08:002020-12-26T12:04:04.011-08:00Reflections on the year of Covid<p>I have to admit, when my employer told me on March 4 that I would be working from home indefinitely, I was very happy. You see, my commute is a lengthy one, about 90 minutes door-to-door, longer in the evening when traffic in the greater New York tri-state region gets heavy. Working from home, instead of returning at 7:30 pm, I’d already be here when I “leave” work at 5. Good times!</p><p>The first few months were good. I’d typically be done with dinner and other minor chores by 7, and then I’d spend a couple of hours in the workshop. I made good progress on a number of kits. Then I hit…not a wall, but more of a series of rumble strips. Things got busy at work and, despite working from home, I was dog tired by 7 or 8 and didn’t have the energy to focus on the tedium of model building. I still spent time at the workbench, but more often on weekends than weeknights.</p><p>As I sit here in late December, my output in 2020 was very good. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3npYXoVqMK5G_vRDp5UB3jZPsVXIzpXetDGgIXmEAUtJ2d3az0pQu9B82szAMPTa471f2VswSZkbyDDU90lSf5ioRBFYGJiGwx5IFdZul4Ps1Xsgur9BbRU3ppasWxjlHvzbTM2RB_g/s1825/2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1825" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3npYXoVqMK5G_vRDp5UB3jZPsVXIzpXetDGgIXmEAUtJ2d3az0pQu9B82szAMPTa471f2VswSZkbyDDU90lSf5ioRBFYGJiGwx5IFdZul4Ps1Xsgur9BbRU3ppasWxjlHvzbTM2RB_g/w400-h245/2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Dragon 1/35 T-34/85<br />Italeri 1/35 L6 Carro<br />Trumpeter 1/35 BTR-80<br />Tamiya 1/35 Schwimmwagen<br />Monogram 1/72 A-1E<br />Platz 1/72 T-33A<br />Trumpeter 1/48 P-40B</p><p>My typical output is roughly four models a year, so it’s been a good year. Except….</p><p>No one has seen these models.</p><p>Without having had contests to attend, finishing models feels incomplete. I’m not talking about the competition per se; as I said in a post a long time ago, “The main reason for entering your models is to share your work with other modelers.” I could share photos of my models online, but that’s not the same as seeing models in person and having conversations about them with like-minded enthusiasts. When a friend mentioned this to me a few weeks ago, I saw his point and made the analogy of writing a book without anyone ever reading it. To be sure, there is value — potentially great value depending on why you build models — in the process, but for me the endeavor in its entirety feels incomplete.</p><p>With the Covid vaccinations now underway, I’m looking forward to 2021 and the resumption of shows and contests. I miss seeing models. I miss exploring the vendor rooms. I miss my friends.</p><p>What’s it been like you for? Better? Worse? The same?</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-65985213732130852352020-12-10T17:06:00.000-08:002020-12-10T17:06:01.775-08:00Facebook insanity<p> Many of you enjoy my <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/search/label/eBay">eBay insanity</a> posts, so now it’s time to expand these lighthearted observations to what I’ll call Facebook insanity. These won’t have anything to do with selling models, rather people’s comments to photos or posts. Like this one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk0j_E6eM1cBMItroCpbO1le1KHR2d-g1OhqzWoV63NHGBJ57undOq0KONHkfIZ_Xr8kY0Mw90oi7oSgX59KfEPoAhfsg8bnwGIc_Y8xu5s_8750X6FWssbdCUV4Jb8Nm-h9bU5dJng/s1712/F-4S+Phantom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1712" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk0j_E6eM1cBMItroCpbO1le1KHR2d-g1OhqzWoV63NHGBJ57undOq0KONHkfIZ_Xr8kY0Mw90oi7oSgX59KfEPoAhfsg8bnwGIc_Y8xu5s_8750X6FWssbdCUV4Jb8Nm-h9bU5dJng/w400-h286/F-4S+Phantom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>You’ve probably seen this photo of an F-4S Phantom II with two bombs mounted backward on the inboard pylons. It’s pretty obvious to most observers that it was a joke that the ordnance guys played on each other or the pilot and WSO. But when someone posted the photo to a Facebook group, the responses were more amusing than the ordinance. I mean…ordnance.</p><p>One guy asked, tongue-in-cheek, “Are you referring to the really dumb, dumb bombs or the poor guy being eaten by the landing gear?” To which another responded, “I think he’s referring to the bombs.” Yeah, no shit Sherlock.</p><p>A former Marine wrote, “Must be Air Force.” Two guys responded, both clearly lacking a sense of humor that exists in inter-service rivalry, responded, “Air Force never used that paint scheme. Try again.” And, “Don’t be a dick.”</p><p>Speaking of no sense of humor, another member of the group wrote, “There has to be an explanation for this.”</p><p>One guy, who we’ll call Captain Obvious, wrote, “The bombs are mounted backward.” Mind you, this was <i>after</i> all of the other comments.</p><p>There's hope in humanity, because some guys got the joke and played along, one writing, “This is for those 90 degree nose-high deliveries.” Another, “Just turn the jet around.” And another, “It’s for bombing things behind you as you pass overhead.”</p><p>The next time you get bummed out on Facebook -- for any of the many reasons we get bummed out on Facebook -- click into your favorite group and read the comments.</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-82488637649026897882020-11-17T08:17:00.007-08:002020-11-17T08:18:22.656-08:00Getting started with airbrushing<p>One of the most common subjects of discussion and frustration in Facebook groups — after <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2016/06/the-dilemma-of-d-day-stripes.html">D-Day stripes</a> — is airbrushing. Newcomers want to know which airbrush to buy, and once they have one in hand, they struggle with its use.</p><p>If you struggle, don’t feel bad. Airbrushing is one of the most challenging tasks in our hobby to master, in part because there are so many variables:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Your airbrush</li><li>The cleanliness of your airbrush</li><li>The paint you use</li><li>The thinner</li><li>The paint to thinner ratio</li><li>The air pressure you spray at</li><li>Your technique</li><li>The weather</li></ul><p></p><p>If you’re new to airbrushing here are a few suggestions based on my experience over the years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBOT3HallkQuqRmT8Dn7MscRO49txmI9Vnzt8bHpCGWyRag-7xQLyd4_vDr7_PTe_WZRlIgn9gAJdX8zoVUyXTznCbgQPsTCTqhSKRHbkeCTjfDRZ_ZZGmqLWOa4MPxMOeU9_WPJzmg/s2016/airbrush.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBOT3HallkQuqRmT8Dn7MscRO49txmI9Vnzt8bHpCGWyRag-7xQLyd4_vDr7_PTe_WZRlIgn9gAJdX8zoVUyXTznCbgQPsTCTqhSKRHbkeCTjfDRZ_ZZGmqLWOa4MPxMOeU9_WPJzmg/w400-h300/airbrush.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Purchase any double-action airbrush</h3><p>There are many airbrushes on the market in every price range. And modelers are quick to offer suggestions for all of them. If you’re new, the best advice I can offer is to start with a double-action airbrush in the $30-$50 price range. I want to suggest the Iwata HP-CH that I use, but the $150 price tag is a bit much for a beginner. You can always upgrade as you build experience.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Select just two or three paints</h3><p>When you’ve purchased an airbrush, your first decision will be which paint to use. It’s easy to be overwhelmed with the choices. You’ll find modelers who are strong advocates for each paint on the market, as well as some who will tell you avoid this paint or that paint at all costs. </p><p>My advice is to but one color from two or three manufacturers so you can use them yourself and choose the brand you like the best. I’d probably recommend:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tamiya</li><li>MRP</li><li>Mr Hobby</li><li>AMMO by Mig</li></ul><p></p><p>In addition, purchase each manufacturer’s own thinner for now. There are alternatives, but if you’re beginning, best to keep it simple.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Experiment</h3><p>Before you even think about using your new airbrush on a model you care about, spend a few weeks learning how to spray each of the paints you purchased. Your goal is to simply explore the characteristics of each paint given these two variables -- air pressure and paint-to-thinner ratio.</p><p>You’ve probably seen YouTube videos where modelers are pouring paint and thinner directly into the airbrush and mixing by eye. If you’re new, you’re better off building your experience by counting drops of paint and thinner and writing them down for future reference. When you find a combination that works for you, you’ll want to be able to use it over and over. You’re not mixing a lot of paint at this stage, just enough to see how well you can spray the paint. 10-20 drops of paint and thinner will be sufficient for you to apply overall coats of paint and fine lines.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Practice, practice, practice</h3><p>When you’ve found a paint manufacturer and thinning ratio you like, the next step is to practice on old models. Your goal is to reach a point where you can apply paint to your model with consistent results. When you’re ready to commit paint to a model that’s important to you, the last thing you want is an unpleasant surprise, so taking time to continue to master your airbrush and paint is important.</p><p>I hope you find these ideas helpful. Airbrushing is hard, but if you’re diligent and persistent, there’s no reason why you can’t use your airbrush with good results.</p><p>P.S. On final thought.... For all that is holy in this world, please, please keep your airbrush clean! A little extra effort after each airbrushing session goes a long way to ensuring your most valuable tool can give you the results you seek.</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-63234827419513164402020-09-20T13:44:00.002-07:002020-09-20T13:44:38.533-07:00Inspiration: Mark Bilas<p><i>I’ve known many excellent modelers in my 35 years in the hobby and seen the work of hundreds online and in print, but there are a handful that have truly inspired me, whose techniques, craftsmanship, or approach to the hobby shaped the modeler I am today. This is the next in a series of articles to acknowledge their contributions to my participation in this wonderful hobby.</i></p><p>A few weeks ago I wrote about the loss of my friend <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2020/08/inspiration-joe-caputo.html">Joe Caputo</a>, who was a source of inspiration to me for a very long time. Last week I learned of the loss of another friend, Mark Bilas, who was the proprietor of Wolfpak Decals. Ironically, I’d just received what would be my last order from him two days before I learned of his passing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpjMBN3ketXvMCyKVxbEDP3eW9GPNRbElW2qz1jhWxA-P0KeaCu5ymt0piWjC2K_onoQ2xXRvvyCRyNrnlWt0G1qr8i5-YCybxIGSkJyyDpiKCqMfDCNKFy2mhDoACqovKLMPq4IAvQ/s1669/Wolfpak+Decals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1669" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpjMBN3ketXvMCyKVxbEDP3eW9GPNRbElW2qz1jhWxA-P0KeaCu5ymt0piWjC2K_onoQ2xXRvvyCRyNrnlWt0G1qr8i5-YCybxIGSkJyyDpiKCqMfDCNKFy2mhDoACqovKLMPq4IAvQ/w400-h311/Wolfpak+Decals.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Although I didn't know Mark as long as I'd known Joe, he inspired me in a different way. With Joe is was his joy for the hobby; with Mark it was his stewardship of his business and the decals he produced.</p><p>I can’t remember exactly when I met him, but I found email to Mark as early as 2008, probably soon after he started Wolfpak. What I appreciated most about him was his willingness to ask his customers for ideas. When I realized he was open to suggestions, I quickly started sending him photos and subjects for his consideration.</p><p>He was always excited when I found an interesting subject, especially when I could offer walkarounds that would make for more accurate markings. I think the photos I sent him resulted in at least a dozen subjects over the years. We were emailing just two weeks ago. He was considering the theme for his 2020 special sheet, and I’d set aside a small number of slides that I'd intended to scan and send to him. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ise2hfYrxElYT4Ri1j7yj4MXR3INwC_jZBmhlQ8COEuY7qklHo9zXm5rplupIg4xEYy0drOr6iyOzoQOg12DfdzeWCu7I_ZLa_8lwi8wnPoapCYHj2Vbwr9_exU_6P9vegHLj6seTw/s2016/Wolfpak+Slides.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ise2hfYrxElYT4Ri1j7yj4MXR3INwC_jZBmhlQ8COEuY7qklHo9zXm5rplupIg4xEYy0drOr6iyOzoQOg12DfdzeWCu7I_ZLa_8lwi8wnPoapCYHj2Vbwr9_exU_6P9vegHLj6seTw/w300-h400/Wolfpak+Slides.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I valued the confidence he placed in my opinions, as well as my discretion, when he’d give me a preview of an upcoming sheet. Mark found a niche in the hobby – multi-subject decals – when many manufacturers insist they don’t sell.</p><p>Mark ultimately released 145 sheets under the Wolfpak label. Collectively they contain markings for nearly 870 subjects. Fans of contemporary, 1/72 aircraft are blessed to have had such a variety of decals available to them, and I doubt we’ll see anyone else fill the niche that Wolfpak owned. When I need inspiration, I look at my stash of Wolfpak decals and quickly find something that ignites my interest and enthusiasm for my next model. And the one after that. And so on.</p><p>Thank you, Mark. You will be missed. </p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-10905382216088378472020-08-30T09:26:00.003-07:002020-08-30T09:26:51.977-07:007 suggestions for beginners<p> I can’t imagine what it must be like coming to the hobby today. Even if your interests are restricted to just aircraft, armor, ships, cars, there are hundreds of kits, aftermarket, and finishing products available that could be overwhelming to the newcomer.</p><p>That wasn’t my experience in the 1980s. There were only a handful of kit manufacturers, just two or three aftermarket companies, and no one was producing any weathering products at all.</p><p>There's a lot to explore these days, and I see a lot of new modelers asking questions in Facebook groups looking for recommendations on kits, paints, airbrushes, etc. Here are my high-level suggestions if you’re new to scale modeling. Clearly, you’re free to take whatever path you choose, but I think these ideas will put you on a solid path as you learn about scale modeling.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Select good kits</h3><p>I think it’s important that your first few kits are well-engineered and relatively easy to build. You don’t want to spend time fiddling with assemblies that are over-engineered or trying to fix problems that are the result of poor kit design. Most modelers will recommend Tamiya as the standard of quality no matter your interests — aircraft, armor, ships, automotive — and I agree completely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxjf8uqj73Mlh-T3rBAcrDW2UJxHBeNVgzd8J_n3J0a8Dy6ZrwSge15iY20E0O2W7wKfRXOZTmk6qTAvl1WqX_FG8Q_Bjw1xat-w4NMqP9xUiEQu2iiZ7IUFCYS_6nHCGCCsb0tYBwQ/s1877/Tamiya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1877" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxjf8uqj73Mlh-T3rBAcrDW2UJxHBeNVgzd8J_n3J0a8Dy6ZrwSge15iY20E0O2W7wKfRXOZTmk6qTAvl1WqX_FG8Q_Bjw1xat-w4NMqP9xUiEQu2iiZ7IUFCYS_6nHCGCCsb0tYBwQ/w400-h296/Tamiya.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Ignore inaccuracies</h3><p>If you spend more than 10 minutes in any Facebook group or discussion forum you’re sure to see guys pointing out inaccuracies in the kits you have or would like to build. These criticisms are justified, but as you build your first 10 to 20 kits, focus on mastering assembly and painting. You can learn how to fix kit inaccuracies later in your career. You may even learn to <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2014/03/this-model-is-crap.html">love the so-called rivet counters</a>!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Skip the photoetch and resin</h3><p>There are dozens of manufacturers that offer photoetch and resin to improve your kits, but they often present challenges that will challenge the skills of a beginner. Start introducing aftermarket products as you master the basics.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Buy an airbrush</h3><p>I hate to recommend that you spend a lot of money from the start, but most modelers will say that an airbrush is a necessity. Yes, you’ll see really good looking models that are brush painted, but those modelers are wizards blessed with skills from the heavens. Most of us rely on airbrushes, even for small subassemblies. With practice you’ll find that an airbrush can produce results beyond a paintbrush. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Don’t obsess with weathering</h3><p>Like aftermarket products, there are dozens of weathering products on the market these days. Making sense of them all, much less mastering their use, is challenging. Focus on applying a clean paint job to your model with your airbrush, and then introduce weathering products and techniques later.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Don’t strive for perfection</h3><p>I really don’t think this is a problem with most beginning modelers, but don't be too disappointed if your first efforts don't look as good as you'd like. Look at each model as a learning experience. Make mental notes (or better yet, written notes) of what didn’t turn out as well as you’d hoped, and look to improve with your next model.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Ask for help</h3><p>Finally, ask for help. Scale modelers are a friendly bunch, and we’re eager to answer your questions. That can be a double-edged sword at times, as you’re likely to get conflicting advice. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment; each of us has products and techniques that work for us, but you’ll need to find what works for you.</p><p>There you go. None of us got where we are overnight, so pace yourself, look at others’ models for inspiration, and enjoy the experience.</p><p>Welcome to the hobby!</p>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-76667388319769546732020-08-06T12:05:00.000-07:002020-08-06T12:05:19.659-07:00Inspiration: Joe Caputo<i>I’ve known many excellent modelers in my 35 years in the hobby and seen the work of hundreds online and in print, but there are a handful that have truly inspired me, whose techniques, craftsmanship, or approach to the hobby shaped the modeler I am today. This is the next in a series of articles to acknowledge their contributions to my participation in this wonderful hobby.</i><div><br /></div><div><div>It’s been a long time since I last shared a story about the modelers who’ve inspired me, and I’m sad to say that this one is being share posthumously. </div><div><br /></div><div>The older gentleman enjoying the company of this bodacious, WW2 re-enactor is Joe Caputo. He passed away two weeks ago. You probably don’t know him. He didn't write magazine articles, wasn’t a best of show contest winner, and didn’t create a cool line of aftermarket products. He was a simple model builder like most of us. But meeting him 35 years ago set the tone for my enjoyment of our hobby since.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3ADW6_gudWSwMuUGS7YHMSHbWqwDHR7nogQ23rGQWaBjvfOPa-b3kfo5lHPtaMgHhujIF4nvH3Py4T_tWyrY5dz5njy0vzvaWvtprtlTW5fwVgTNZCwtpwtE3oSNQk72w_UJk3n-Aw/s1280/Bombshell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1280" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3ADW6_gudWSwMuUGS7YHMSHbWqwDHR7nogQ23rGQWaBjvfOPa-b3kfo5lHPtaMgHhujIF4nvH3Py4T_tWyrY5dz5njy0vzvaWvtprtlTW5fwVgTNZCwtpwtE3oSNQk72w_UJk3n-Aw/w512-h344/Bombshell.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I was about 15 when I met Joe. I was beginning to learn more about scale modeling and discovered IPMS through a magazine ad. Soon after I learned there was an IPMS club about 30 miles from where I lived. My mother kindly drove me to a monthly meetings, held in a bowling alley. It was intimidating but exciting to meet a bunch of guys who shared my interests, and Joe couldn’t have been more welcoming. And as I’d see in the years after, to other newcomers as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Joe had been in the hobby for 20 years when I met him. I drew on his experience to learn how to build models the right way (buying good brushes, filling seams, using an airbrush), and he was always encouraging. He always shared a positive word to club members. When I brought a younger, less-experienced friend to a meeting with a poorly built A-10, Joe told him how smart it was that he’d attached the model to a base so he didn’t have to handle it. That was Joe!</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember Joe inviting me to his home where I saw how he’d converted his entire garage to accommodate his hobby. The back part of the garage was walled off for his workbench and unbuilt stash; the better portion of the remaining space was lined with DIY shelving that displayed — I’m guessing — at least 300 built models, aircraft, cars, armor, and everything in between. Joe built practically anything and always found the fun in the hobby. In fact, "It’s All About the Fun" is the motto of the club he founded and I joined, IPMS Ocala (Florida). </div><div><br /></div><div>Joe rarely competed in contests, but his super-detailed build of the Testors 1/48 OV-10A Bronco won third place in its category at the 1984 IPMS National Convention in Atlanta. He was thrilled! He was a huge Bronco enthusiast, and subsequent builds of other Bronco kits and variants were equally impressive. You can see photos of Joe’s OV-10 Bronco on <a href="https://imodeler.com/2015/03/148-testors-north-american-ov-10-a-bronco/" target="_blank">iModeler</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ll miss Joe. We didn’t talk as frequently as I would’ve liked, but when we did he made me laugh with his quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor, and I always came away from those conversations with a renewed excitement about scale modeling. As I reflect on my friendship with him, I hope we can all find ways to encourage each other and especially newcomers. Our hobby truly is a wonderful place to make new friends.</div><div><br /></div><div>Joe's obituary is available on the website of <a href="https://www.downingfuneralhomeandcremation.com/obituary/Joseph-CaputoJr" target="_blank">Downing Funeral Home</a>.</div><div><br /></div></div>Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-2633529854865771062020-05-22T12:57:00.000-07:002020-05-22T13:01:26.599-07:00Weak subject lines are weakMarketers are creative. Their job is to entice you to read their ads. You’ve probably seen their appeals:<br />
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3 simple steps to lose 25 pounds!<br />
Make money using this little trick!<br />
You're grilling steaks all wrong<br />
The biggest myth you've been taught<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3jWNLr48sbRhoNEOVtErEWgmy9VCm5jUw7SBhhEl7lVUGNscei7L_ytK2RLpBCEdG24M14C3bvadV0w6aPb3cRoeR8waRHbOPLTkWyBfHBr5WytV3JmJDuTVadcag1F3eQf_QVpIng/s1600/confused.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="650" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3jWNLr48sbRhoNEOVtErEWgmy9VCm5jUw7SBhhEl7lVUGNscei7L_ytK2RLpBCEdG24M14C3bvadV0w6aPb3cRoeR8waRHbOPLTkWyBfHBr5WytV3JmJDuTVadcag1F3eQf_QVpIng/s400/confused.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Okay, that last one was from right here on <i>Scale Model Soup</i>. Guilty.<br />
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Several years ago I vented — in good humor — about the plethora of <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2014/06/this-is-about-something.html">vague subject lines</a> I’d seen within the online forums. I’m amused to see they’ve continued over these subsequent six years.<br />
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I appreciate the intent of modelers to entice us to click into their posts, but if I may…I’d suggest using subject lines that are specific to your topic or question. I think they’re more likely to elicit helpful responses.<br />
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Here are a handful that made me smirk.<br />
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More info<br />
WHEN???!!!<br />
Something I found on Facebook<br />
Help wanted<br />
Asked before…answer forgotten<br />
While surfing the web I found this<br />
Just to be on the safe side<br />
Anyone seen this yet?<br />
What’s the BEST?<br />
Apologies if its already been posted<br />
Just wondering<br />
Need a part<br />
Tell me WHY?<br />
What color would...<br />
Your assistance please<br />
Is this the right move?<br />
Oh, Wow!<br />
FYI<br />
How It’s Done!<br />
Anyone?<br />
A big difference<br />
Info on this one<br />
LF<br />
Anyone have one of<br />
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So what was that big myth you've been taught? The answer is <a href="http://www.scalemodelsoup.com/2016/04/the-biggest-myth-youve-been-taught.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160904620216483498.post-74608943695433773692020-04-26T10:31:00.000-07:002020-04-26T10:31:31.844-07:00Bombs, missiles, and pods oh my!There’s something about the size of a man’s stash, right? We like to talk about our model collections, whether they’re enormous or modest. I remember a modeler 30 years ago who bought one of every new 1/72 aircraft model as they were released, not unreasonable at the time when there were just six or seven major manufacturers rather than the 25 or more that we have today. If I recall correctly, he had several thousand kits in this stash.<br />
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Despite all our talk about kits, what about the other items that take up room in our closets? I’ve seen talk about photoetch and books, but over the last few years I’ve found myself building another stash — resin bombs, missiles, and pods.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_aUSV13BVwIQjtUUjr7JdItJOgg5GSKI8I9ut-m7jzH9MmkgTf_5t8NnsNefbpW1T1QS7WbK28Y-yEGLzWFKLztnsI3TaonsaKUwO_Z9A2T9n5aN3FF0fb7a20axDna8-JmREm7D3A/s1600/Ordnance+Collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_aUSV13BVwIQjtUUjr7JdItJOgg5GSKI8I9ut-m7jzH9MmkgTf_5t8NnsNefbpW1T1QS7WbK28Y-yEGLzWFKLztnsI3TaonsaKUwO_Z9A2T9n5aN3FF0fb7a20axDna8-JmREm7D3A/s400/Ordnance+Collection.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was a time when I didn’t add ordnance to my models. When I got to the final stages of completing a model the thought of spending even a few more hours on the the kit was not appealing; I found the task tedious and time-consuming.<br />
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Not anymore! These days I’m intrigued by the wide variety of armament you can hang under an airplane. Ordnance has become compelling. It gives an airplane its character.<br />
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The scale modeling aftermarket industry has caught on. Although Hasegawa’s weapons were first released 30 years ago, newcomers have capitalized on the desire of modelers to add weapons to their models. Here are a few manufacturers that are producing some really cool products.<br />
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Eduard</h3>
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<a href="https://www.eduard.com/" target="_blank">Eduard</a> is at the top of the game with their expansive line of Brassin weapons. Like everything that Eduard produces, these bombs and missiles are perfectly manufactured and feature outstanding detail. I think they’ve released pretty much every significant piece of ordnance by now in all three major scales.</div>
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Master Model</h3>
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http://master-model.pl/</div>
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Master Model has released a huge variety of gun barrels for all of the most popular aircraft. (And pitot tubes, too.) They’re beautifully turned in brass and are much more realistic than the plastic parts found in model kits.</div>
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Advanced Modeling</h3>
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Russian company Advanced Modeling has given us a huge variety of Russian bombs and pods. And dang, some of these weapons are pretty gruesome looking, like the KAB-1500Kr laser-guided bomb. AM’s quality is excellent, and you should consider them when you’re building Soviet or Russian aircraft.</div>
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ResKit</h3>
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<a href="https://reskit.com.ua/" target="_blank">ResKit</a> ordnance is on par with Advanced Modeling. Their line isn’t as extensive, but the quality is excellent. They produce quite a few other resin accessories that you should seek out as well.</div>
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Other noteworthy manufacturers are <a href="http://armorymodels.com/" target="_blank">Armory</a>, <a href="https://air-graphics.uk/" target="_blank">Air Graphics</a>, <a href="https://blackdog-model.com/" target="_blank">Black Dog</a>, <a href="http://www.larsenal.com/?PGFLngID=1" target="_blank">L’Arsenal</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RVAircraft-412179818902422/" target="_blank">RV Aircraft</a>. When you’re browsing the vendors room at contests, look for older manufacturers such as Belcher Bits, Paragon, PP Aeroparts, Dr. Pepper Resin, and Spectre Resins. If I forgot any of your favorites, be sure to add them in the comments below.</div>
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A few ideas</h3>
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Before signing off, I’d like to offer a few suggestions that might help you better manager your stash of ordnance.</div>
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Kudos to Eduard for their excellent packaging of their Brassin range of ordnance. The thermoformed package prevents any damage to the delicate resin parts. Unfortunately, they take up a ton of space if you store them as-is. After I buy mine, I remove the resin parts, photoetch, decals, and decals and put them into a small zip bag for storage with other items in a plastic storage container. Yes, you’ll have to be careful when handling the bags, but we modelers know a thing or two about handling delicate items.</div>
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Here are photos of the Brassin 1/72 GBU-11 as packaged and after transfer to a plastic bag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjar9ZFy6PXqMDE3sQMMRQQbYhSn5TBc4KwJA2ONU_DTqENhmMa4EVCMPT07GIs_RQs7Sh0RsP0UdHE5xw5uZ7frsDWzkm6hp96IVL4080TdcdN8Y6DjgdlBljAy4XYxn9EeEslvQekiA/s1600/Brassin+before+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjar9ZFy6PXqMDE3sQMMRQQbYhSn5TBc4KwJA2ONU_DTqENhmMa4EVCMPT07GIs_RQs7Sh0RsP0UdHE5xw5uZ7frsDWzkm6hp96IVL4080TdcdN8Y6DjgdlBljAy4XYxn9EeEslvQekiA/s400/Brassin+before+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsUhbFBZBsd8TCwO1c4u0LHfmhl3mRp8PTsXkbQFPHO1oUuVUSkNA4gTeMp2cjIemfotft-S2dR-6hi7_sR_Xj2k2Blu14WUCopcJzMormnPHzwPcsdW_1rkFzgfyl86P4VWyS4-GsQ/s1600/Brassin+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsUhbFBZBsd8TCwO1c4u0LHfmhl3mRp8PTsXkbQFPHO1oUuVUSkNA4gTeMp2cjIemfotft-S2dR-6hi7_sR_Xj2k2Blu14WUCopcJzMormnPHzwPcsdW_1rkFzgfyl86P4VWyS4-GsQ/s400/Brassin+after.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You don’t always have to buy resin ordnance. Many of today’s kits come with ordnance that’s really nice on its own. (Of course some don’t — I’m looking at you, Hasegawa.) Be sure to save these bombs and such for future use, packaging them just as you would any aftermarket alternatives.</div>
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Finally, be sure to keep a list of the ordnance you buy. Buying duplicates, because you forgot what you already have, isn't the worse thing with ordnance, but like any stash, knowing what you have is (in my experience) very important to not wasting your money.<br />
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And don't forget, it’s <i>ordnance</i>, not <i>ordinance</i>.</div>
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Scale Model Souphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02551604870480525965noreply@blogger.com0