RickC5

I got their email too, but just couldn't find anything I wanted or needed. OTOH, Squadron also had a big Black Friday sale & I scored a kit of a car I used to own back in the day: a 1964 Falcon Sprint from Trumpeter (or was it Bronco?). Anyway, it ought to be a MUCH nicer kit than all of those Revell/Monogram re-issues. Yeah, I know, it's not armor--so shoot me! Ha!

Thanks guys. Couldnt decide, so I ordered both a Xuron AND a Tamiya cutter. I oughta be happy now. Rick

My old sprue cutters are dying, and even re-sharpening them only keeps them going a very short time. So, in your opinions, which sprue cutters are the absolute BEST available, with cost not a consideration? I'm interested in which company and which particular model. It seems some are recommended for small parts, while others seem to be more general purpose. I'll buy TWO pair if I need to, as I frequently work with tiny, delicate parts and likely need a pair just for those. Thanks for the help. I need it!

Hey Jim, Please bring that Spitfire to the next meeting. I would sure like to see the results. Thanks, Rick

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/newkitnews/bronco.html These kits should make lots of folks happy. Really nice examples of real vehicles. This looks like the Jeep kit that Dragon could/should have released: a trailer, covered windshield, rifle in scabbard, stowage, and maybe some troops/crew. Looks good as long as the price isn't excessive.

Glad you're havin' fun! We just couldn't justify a trip to Florida in August--been there & done that--too hot/humid for us. Anyway, we're looking forward to the 2013 Nationals being just over the "big hill" from us. That will be GREAT!

Thanks Guys! I bought a bottle of the MicroScale decal film yesterday at my LHS after another modeling friend suggested it. I haven't tried it yet, but will surely do so on the next older kit I'm working on. I agree that some of those old decals look really thick compared to what's available today.

So yesterday I decided to try & complete some of the partially built kits I have had sittng around--some for many years. Anyway, to my dismay, I discovered that some of the decals were so old that they simply self-destructed when I tried to use them. We're talking 10-15-20 years old or more. No matter how long I soaked them, when I attempted to slide them off the paper, they just "crumbled" into a multitude of little tiny pieces. Suffice to say that I was NOT pleased! Italeri decals were the worst, with some older Dragon decals (1990s) coming in a close second. I finally used some other decals from my stash, but they were slightly oversize for my needs. Se la vie! Do any of you guys have any recomendations as to how one might save/rescue old decals? Or, should I just toss them when I discover they won't work. Any opinions welcomed--even "build your kits in a timely manner."

FWIW, I don't believe that Priest has a gun installed.

Take a look at "The Latest News" on the left side-- http://spruebrothers.com/ Darn! Just when I had found a good reason to make the drive to SLC and now it all gets moved. Shucks.

Oh man, you guys are reminding me that I really don't like to mess with resin too much. I like resin stowage bits & pieces, and have even built an M31 ARV using the Legend conversion kit for an Academy M3, but that build convinced me that I will NEVER attempt a 100% resin kit. Now, don't get me started on PE--I really HATE PE and use it as little as possible. Give me a Dragon "Smart Kit" any time. Maybe my real issue is with super-glue, although I've come to accept that I can't always avoid using it. Ain't modelin' fun??? Yippee-ki-yay!!!

I hope I don't catch any flak for posting this link, but Sprue Brothers has some pre-Christmas deals that are just too good to pass up, especially WWII armor. Here's the link: http://store.spruebrothers.com/articles/PreXmas2011Deals.htm Most kits are discounted 50-60% from the list prices. It also sounds like they may add some more before Xmas. BTW- I'm not affiliated with SB in any way--I just like a good deal and wanted to let my fellow armor modelers know about this deal if they aren't on SB's mailing list. Yes, I've already placed my order!!! Rick

I found that picture too, but was perplexed by the depiction of the large idler (usually seen with the tw-road-wheel option) being used with the three road wheels. I also found this comment about the kit online: The kit offers two different style road wheel patterns. Basically you decide if you want two or three outside wheels. Depending on which version you choose depends on the positioning of the torsion bar arms and which read idler wheel is used. I found no photo or drawing reference for the three outside wheel version, most drawings indicate two outside wheels. The most common two outside wheel version does not fit with the referenced rear idler wheel. But the reference material indicates the three wheel rear idler wheel, which clearly will not fit. I choose the two outside wheels with the different rear idler wheel. I can only assume the builder/reviewer used the small idler with the two-road-wheel version. That's what his photos seem to show. Hey! Maybe I'll try to build THAT variation. Who could say it isn't correct!!! Moreover, who cares? Maybe we've squeezed all the available water out of this rock.......

Mark, No doubt this Paper Panzer business is pretty much a joke & something to be laughed at. This VK1602 is my second Paper Panzer and I only bought it because it looks so much like a mini-Panther. I never built the first one (IIRC, a Maus or something) and just eBay'ed it eventually. But, I'll likely build this one. I noticed no one will even attempt to naswer my question on ML--likely because those guys frequently turn every Paper Panzer question into a hornet's nest of controversy. At least we have a sense of humor on this forum & can laugh at ourselves. Ha-ha.

I only said that cuz all my online research only showed drawings of the two-outer-road-wheel version. Therefore, most researchers seem to have accepted that version as the "Most Likely to Succeed". Unless of course you know differently. I haven't a clue.