802chrisg

IF you build it I will come.

Even thou Dragon kits now a days are a bit better, I still love the Tamiya kits. With a little extras like PE and aftermarker tracks and barrels they build into fine models. You know that with Tamiya you are getting a good kit with simple fit and parts count. Now this being said Dragon does put all of this in one box. So it really is a toss up. I would say build the kit that you have now in your stash. Weather it be a Tamiya or a Dragon kit. Good luck and looking forward to seeing it complete. FYI - one of my next builds it the old Tamiya Mark IV ausf. D with aftermarket stuff. Will be modeling it as a DAK tank. Chris

This should be a fun topic for all. I was on another forum site the other day and this Idea came to me. I know just about all of us did this at one time or another. I'm talking about when I was a kid I would take my finely built models out to the backyard and play out a battle sence. I would put firecrackers down the gun barrels and in the tracks and light them off to PRETEND that the tank was destroyed by other tank. -or- with my ships I would place them in a pool of gasoline with the standard firecrackers and play out a sence of being attacked from the air or by another ship. You get the picture. Now remember all this took place back in the 70's and 80's when, well shell we say the law's and general attitude was "well that is just boys being boys". So have fun with this and share what you did or for that matter wanted to do with all those eary models we built as youthful kids. Chris "AHH the smell of plastic burning in the morning" B)

Rob, I suppose in the day the ESCI kit was a good kit at the time. Problem is I know better now. This kit has back bit me from the get go . If is was not for all the time I have into it, I would have gladly smashed it agains my model room wall with the biggest smile on my face . Mark, You are right, you can turn any kit from a sow's ear to a leather purse, but what a pain. I worked on the kit supplied tracks tonight. I am making progress, but let me sum it up in a word, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Chris

Duke, Great progress, I really am looking forward to see that German brigde layer. Chris

Thanks Mark, No the T-55 is a ESCI kit that someome gave me awhile back. I have always liked the look of the T-55 and wanted to build one. I also wanted to model it with a different look. The kit is nothing to speek of. Lots of clean up. I replaced the barrel with a turned aluminum one as the kit one was a three piece one. Also I added the plumbing to the fuel tanks. I did just receive a set of Fruil tracks that I was going to use, but now have decided to save them for another build. I will use the kits tracks instead. I do want to do another T-55. I have thought about using the Tamiya kit. Do you recommend it? I figured at some point you might be commenting on here, seeing that you are into Middle east wars and AFV. Thanks again for the comments and I hope to have this build done soon. Will post photos when done. Chris

Hello all, Here are some photos of what is on my work bench. Progress has been slow due to workload at work and kids sports. First up is the Tamiya Strumtiger. Up second is and old Tamiya kit of the British Quad gun Tractor and 25 prd gun. Last up is ESCI T-55, Painted in Syrian turtle camo pattern of the Yom Kippur War 1973.

I have used both, blue painters tape and the Tamiya tape. I highly recommend using the Tamiya tape. I still use the blue painters tape, but mostly to hold thing together when gluing now. Chris

Welcome Aboard Ian. Chris

Thats it!!! WAR I say. Cut off their wings and shoot holes in their tails. Good catch Mark.

Welcome Aboard Jason! Chris

Dear Lee, After reviewing this thread I believe it is safe to say the you are a SUPER NERD. No rightful modeler would ever keep spare parts in storage bins, let along organize them the way you do. Computers? What is that? we modelers don't have time for any stinking computers, were to busy building models. I think that you may need to see a doctor soon before this condition of yours gets worse. Good Luck Weirdo, Chris

Mark, Great job! Only Four hour from start to finish, WOW!!! What's your secrect? It's all the tube glue you use just for cementing models, ya right! I Can tell a Glue Sniffer when I see one. Modelers version of Speed!!

Thanks Guys. Those tracks are really bugging me. If I find a set of link tracks some where, I'm going to replace them. Chris

Ya I couldn't get the darn thing to hold with CA glue. Gave up.

This is the first time in a very long time that I have built a model smaller then 1/35 scale. It is a Russian SU-85 Tank Hunter in 1/76 scale. I was inspired to build it after watching Mark Deliduka built all those wounderful models of his. It is not perfect by any means. I built it this weekend to see if I could build one as fast as he does. I found out that, yes I can build them fast, but with mistakes. It other words, I need to take my time when I build to study the details to make sure it is right. Second, The duke is still the Man in this scale. The kit stinks for starters. The tracks were the worst. I had to sew them togther after several different trys to glue, melt, then reglue them. Other then the scratch built antenna it is OOTB. Enjoy, Chris

Welcome! Just ask away, were here to help each other. Chris

And yes, I still use that orange tube glue for every model! I knew you had a secret weapon to building all those great models so fast. Who would have guested? Rock on Duke.

David, Nice job, That one is winner for sure. Love the blend of the camo on the aircraft.

Wow, Major Screw up here. Going to be costly for them to fix. For the price of the kit it is really going to P-off a lot of people that buy it. Thanks for the heads up Mark, I was thinking about buying a kit of this tank. Chris

Love it. Chris

Mark, Great job, you are off running and leaving the rest of us behind as always. One question? It that a tube of tube glue I see behind the bridge layer? You really still use that stuff? Chris

AHH, another classic oldie but goodie Tamiya kit. I built this same kit years ago. Funny at the time it seemed that this was state of the art. I now know about the kit short comings, but who cares. It was such a simple joyful build. Again you did a great job on this classic kit. Chris

I built this kit as a kid. I loved it so much I built it again a year ago. Added tow chain, bucket, air rec. flag, and some stowage. I agree that there are things incorrect about the kit, but it still is a classic. I love what you did. Came out great. Very nice job. Chris

Ok, Let's clear this up. As a former Catapult crew chief it basically is a west coast vs east coast thing. East coast were painted White, west coast were painted grey. Why? I haven't a clue, but that was how it was done. Also they are not called tie downs in the Navy, that is an Air Force term. They are called PAD EYES.