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I finally wrapped this one up yesterday. I set out on this thinking that it would be an easy change to alter this kit from US to IDF configuration. It turns out that what was envisaged as a quick few weeks build turned into something quite a bit more involved. Part of that was me, increasing the detail on the TOW system and the radios, and of course modifying the stowage of most everything else in the vehicle. From looking at photos, it looks like the IDF modified these jeeps several times over their service lives, and I went with something of a mid life configuration, based upon photos from Lebanon in 1982/83, combining features seen on several different TOW jeeps. I used AK Real Colors for the IDF Sand Gray and Humbrol & Vallejo for most all of the detail work. Thanks for looking... comments and critiques welcome...

This kit has been in my stash for a long time. After first seeing it, I had to have it, but once a copy was mine I didn't think I could do it justice, and put it in my pile. The mark on the kit says 2013. While I consider myself a pretty good novice, I thought I would give it a try. And the timing was right as my model club (the BPMS), was asking for a kit I would build as part of my pledge. This is where you pledge a model to build in January and by October, you have it finished. Back to the kit. This is another from John Dennett's Crypto Legends series. As mentioned the sculpt is outstanding. I don't think anyone has measured the JD, so I have no idea of the scale of the kit. It comes in 10 pieces and a base, made from very clear cream color resin. Here and there you see a hint of a seam line, but a minute or two of scraping and it was gone. Not having an idea about the devil color yet - most images on the net have it back or a dark color - and I'm kinda tired of too many of my horror models dark - I decided to work on the base first. Being the Devil is always pictured in red I thought I would use reds and browns. Tho for the wings I tried to mimic a little translucent skin - Being that the Devil is supposed to be prowling the NJ Pin Barrens, Dennett put a few pine cones on the ground. But taking it up another notch I thought it cool to cut the bristles of a disposable paint brush - they were tan after all - and use them as pine needles. I sprayed a heavy layer of hair spray on the base (protecting the water area) and started cutting. I didn't notice right away, but the bristle turn out to be transparent when seeing just a piece of one. Arrrggghhh! I figured it would be a bigger headache trying to collect up all the pieces that were now covered in a still drying hairspray, that I decided to just paint each "needle" one at a time. Ugh... Something I saw on YouTube of a guy building an airplane was to get all the instrument details in a cockpit, he painted the whole thing a dark color and then when the paint dried, he lightly scrapped the instruments revealing the lighter color plastic, then he could paint that button whatever color he wanted. I thought "Why couldn't I do that with all the text?" Turns out you can. The white resin looked too stark, so I added some Vallejo Yellow Ink, and now it really pops . With a few other tidbits to neaten things up, I was finished. Thanks for looking.

Gil, thank you ever so much! Yes, it is a Matchbox Hellcat. It was given to me by a couple friends at my IPMS meeting when I couldn't attend the Distressed Kit Auction. It is a blast! Now to find the colors I need to make it a Fleet Air Arm bird. And yes, I'm looking forward to showing off that Chariot soon. Meanwhile, here's another tour for you to enjoy.... Well we have had a pretty productive week this past week, so now it's time to host another tour of Maddog Manufacturing. The trams are boarding now, so all aboard and remember to keep hands and feet inside at all times. As always, we start in the Hangar. We had a great opportunity to bring out the spray gun and so base paints were shot on all aircraft needing it topside. First were the two Spitfires: Then the Russian Be-4: You can see the paint was a bit too diluted so we took another shot. The second shot was far better: And the Be-4: While we had the better paint in the sprayer, we also shot the Il-2M3: While all that was drying, we switched and shot the final Navy blue onto the Avenger: Later that masking came off that and now the Avenger is ready for clearcoat and decals: Personally, I do not know why the turret frosted like it did. I was certain the masking was sealed properly so I have no idea what happened. I will try to buff it out and shine it as best I can, but I am not going to go to outlandish lengths to make it as perfect as possible. So that is all that has been done in the Hangar so far. You can see everything has been set up for the remaining camouflage patterns before clearcoat and decals. There might be a few aircraft crossing the finish line this month! Since nothing of note has been happening in the Shipyards, we'll move on to the Motor Pool. Here in the Motor Pool quite a bit has been done. To start with, here in Bay One, we found an ancient ESCI kit of a Hetzer that we were trying to sell. The box was busted up, and the thing had no nibbles, even when priced at a buck. So, out it came and the basic first steps were made. You can see here the main lower hull was assembled, but when it came time for the front plate to be installed, it broke while we were cleaning it up. So this is where it stands now: Moving on to the next bay, we have the first shot of green on the base of the Russian 280m tracked artillery piece. Like the aircraft, I didn't like it. Besides, certain pieces were left off so they had to be added before we shot it again. You can see it here with the gun dry-fit into place: Later, the base part got it's second coat: Meanwhile, I felt it was time for the second tracked artillery piece to be started so we pulled out that and assembled the main gun first: Later the base part was started, but a semi-vital piece is missing. I might just say 'screw it!' and move on anyway.... That is as far as we got on that one. In this next bay, we shot the base coat on the French DCA anti-aircraft system. It does NOT look this blue in person: Later came clearcoat, a wash, and decals: This one was later driven out onto the parade ground for breaking in by it's crew. In this next bay, we decided to move forward on the Sho't Kal Dalet by completing the basic turret. For some reason, this turret was far more rough than the Gimmel turret was: Later after some cleanup, the main gun was added to the turret and the fenders were added to the sides: Now this is more or less caught up with the Gimmel. Moving on to the next bay, we have the M48-A5 Patton. The base had already been shot on, so the masking went on and the second color was shot: Additional Silly Putty was added to cover the second color when it was dry: And the third color was shot: When it was dry, I hand painted some black shapes on the edges for the fourth color. They may be a bit hard to see in this pic, they look like shadows: Finally, everything came off when it was all dry: Later a clearcoat and decals went on: After that, some dullcoat was applied, and the final details were added and this was driven off by it's crew for familiarization.... In another bay over here, the M1070 gun truck finally had some progress done. Base paint was applied to the inside of the cab and the outside: The windscreen and side doors were masked off, both inside and out: Finally, base paint was shot on the rear gunner's box, the clear parts and the other sub-assemblies, as well as a lighter OD on the anti-RPG panels: That is where we left that one, but there's more. While organizing my parts, I found a small machine gun turret for my T-28 kit. I had just put that kit up and so I found it again and was able to finally have the whole kit again! This tank had already been basecoated green before the turret got lost, and so now, I am finally able to finish this Shelf Queen after ten years! Silly Putty was added for the second color: Then the tan was shot: Finally the unmasking: This one then got final details added and was then turned over to their crew for breaking in. That's all for today. Nothing esoteric this time, but still hopefully some interesting items in the tour. Thank you all for looking in, comments are welcome.