Mark Deliduka

Thanks guys! I appreciate the replies. Bill, at my last IPMS meeting someone placed that flag in there like that when I had Dora already assembled for display. I that it was awesome so I kept the flag and put it in the gun for these pics too. As for where it will be displayed, I'm still trying to figure that out. I still have time.

This week, I had two whole days to work on my models. This will be a pretty extensive update this time. All of this update is on armor models since all my aircraft models in progress are larger aircraft and difficult to transport to Hobby Day. Anyway, I started on Friday getting a lot of work done on my Dora in particular. Before I get to that, I did some finishing work on a couple models first. One was an Israeli Sagger vehicle I was doing alongside my Iraqi Sagger. I had lost one of the wheel hubs, and so couldn't finish. While cleaning my Hobby Room, I found a sprue of all the parts I needed to add all the wheels to the Israeli Sagger: After that, I pulled out the paints I needed to complete the Neubau Fahrzeug Nr.2's camouflage pattern. It too a bit of time, but I finished that up and then put on the tracks, added the fenders and now she's ready for clearcoat and decals: I'll be doing a few little touch ups to that, but I'm almost done. Speaking of decals, I also added decals to two other models. First is my Beute T-34/76: And second is my Opel Olympia staff car in US Army markings: The next time you see these two, they'll be done. Finally, after all those small little jobs got done, I started on my Dora again. The first thing I did was assemble the command cabin that hangs beneath the loading deck: Those are photo-etch screens I had to add to that platform. I had primed them first. Next I assembled the two massive support beams for the command cabin and loading deck. You can see the major seam line I had to take care of on each of these; especially on those shelf-like extensions in between the short support legs: I sanded and filled these seams with Mr. Surfacer 500 and sanded and sanded. After so long, I was pretty sick of working on them by now; given all the sanding I had to do. So, I pulled out a couple other railroad models to work on. I got my two WC-360 engines built up to this point here: While I had them all sitting there and the Dora all displayed on her tracks, I figured I'd test-fit these two engines on the front of Dora to see how they are going to look. At first glance, they looked pretty impressive, despite being dwarfed by the gun they are 'pulling': Upon closer inspection however, I determined that they won't work for the Dora as you can see here: Several friends suggested that I just pop off the bumpers on the engines and raise them, but I don't think it'll work well that way. Instead, I'll have one as a stand-alone display model while the other will go in front of my Leopold gun when I get that one done. Moving on to Saturday, I started the day finishing the work on the large loading deck support beams. After several hours of sanding, filling with Mr. Surfacer 500 and sanding again, I finally managed to get these things to a point where I could go on: After adding these two support beams to the deck, I then installed the command cabin. Then I snapped this assembly onto my Dora to see how it looks: Note the staff car as a size reference... Man, that is looking pretty impressive! I looked ahead and saw what else needed to be done and all the wind left my sails concerning any further work on Dora. So, moving right along, I decided to start a couple new models. The first one I started was the Zvezda Tiger I snap together model. It was simple and easy and I had it done in about an hour or so. Some parts I did have to glue, but she's holding together. This kit has hard plastic tracks molded in one piece each that you bent around the wheels and snapped into some pegs behind a couple wheels to get the sag and hold the tracks. Most ingenious! Too bad all small scale companies don't do that with their tracks! Here it is all assembled: And to prove it is simply a snap-together model, check out the box: Next I started one of two guns I got the day before. This is one of ACE's 75mm Pack Howitzer. I got two of them, but decided to assemble one. What a joy to build: Later, I got paint on both of these models. First the Tiger got a preliminary basecoat: Then the pack howitzer was painted up: That model is about an inch and three quarters long. Tiny! Man, I'm so glad to have one of these in my collection now! I should do the other one soon too. Well, that's my progress for this week. Thanks all for looking in, comments are welcome.

Looks excellent! Most impressive job.

Thanks Mark! I got them.

Christopher, that is a brilliant idea. Let us know how it goes. Bill, that is hilarious! Thanks for the great laugh! Yeah, one of these days when I can get the 'base runway' situated, I'll re-arrange the holding pattern!

Simply spectacular! It looks so much like the real thing!

Interesting. I clicked and the site said the page doesn't exist. I was hoping to get some maps.

LOL! Thanks Bob, but I think your models far outshine mine in quality. All I have are numbers in my favor.

I'd just be happy seeing some of these airliner kits in 1/72 scale, especially the Boeing 747. I'd love to make Air Force One. I mean, geez, if they can make a 1/32 scale B-17, why not a 1/72 scale 747, or even a C-5A? I do hope that some model manufacturers get your information Gaston; soon we may actually see some of this come about.

Brilliant idea for lining up the struts. Thanks for the tip. Looking forward to seeing more.

That rocks Phil! Brings back memories too; I built one of these as a kid. Too bad it didn't last! Great job!

Welcome Bob! I am also a long-time builder with almost all the models I've ever completed still in my Hobby Room. Glad to see you on these forums. Enjoy!

I agree Rob. There's no lead in this head (although my sisters would dispute that! :D ) and I sure didn't add any holes to the walls. I definitely scorched the wallpaper with quite a few of those choice words! :lol:

Thanks Nick! Those are some incredible and helpful suggestions that I'll have to look into. You've given me something to consider.

Just think this is just his airplanes!!! Scary Correction: This is just my BIG airplanes that don't fit on shelves! Even more scary! Thanks for the great replies guys!

Thanks Gil. I actually used enamels for all three colors. Finishing this pattern took all of 40 minutes or so, especially since I had only three sides showing on the instruction sheet. Dragon never seems to show the fourth side,

Thanks for the heads up about the silly putty lines.

Nice! I'd like to see pics of it sitting next to your C-119 also. Looking forward to more.

Oh that is one sweet build! Such a gorgeous ship, I'm overwhelmed with the quality of the work on this model!

And here we have yet another Tiger tank! For that price, I'd better be able to add some gas and start it up. It should shoot as well; then I could take it deer hunting. :army7: :D

Yeah, or the floor either!

I'm surprised that Solvaset isn't working. That's the 'nuclear option' after all. When that didn't work on my ancient MPC decals, I used Tamiya Extra Thin, but I wouldn't recommend that on this model at all! I'd say just keep trying with the Solvaset; apply multiple coats until you get the desired result. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Someone more informed should be able to offer better advice.

Sweet! I gotta get me some silly putty!

Thanks guys for the awesome replies. This had happened to me once before with a 1/72 scale B-52H hanging above my workbench. Gil, I remember that. Man, I felt your pain. Oh yeah. I have no choice but to hang the big ones up. The smaller ones are starting to get stacked on top of one another. Thanks Bob! I an glad the repairs were so simple. The only pic I have so far of my Soviet TACAIR all in one shot is this one: It's an older pic, so some of my more recent models aren't in it. If you'd like, I can take more pics to post, just let me know. Good one Chris! This one had PLENTY of issues while I was building it, that's for sure! Arthur, that's gotta hurt! I loved that crashed Huey dio! Ed, I remember that one too. Dusting your models with a brick? LOL! Man, I couldn't stop laughing when I read that! I know how that feels, my mom did that once, and when she saw how much she was breaking things, she stopped and left it to me. She understood a little better; she had built models when she was a youngster. Yeah, sheetrock ceilings are not good. Most of my models are light enough that so far, they have no problem remaining on the ceiling. The heavier ones I drilled into a ceiling joist and screwed the hooks into those. The Cub was a heavy aircraft; I forgot to find a joist and paid the price. Fortunately, I got quite the 'discount' in that it was a fast and easy fix. Christopher, OUCH! Man, that had to hurt! At least she was sorry. My wife got mad at me because I was upset at something she broke on another model I was building for someone else! She didn't get it. As for a glass case, well..... once you see my Hobby Room, you'll know just why I couldn't possibly get one. For instance, here is the ceiling as it is currently 'configured'. I have aircraft hanging up there that I built 40 years ago to the present: First shot, from hobby desk looking forward to room door: Going clockwise to the next corner on the right: Still going clockwise to the third corner of the room. This is the corner directly opposite my hobby desk: And finally, the last corner; this is directly over my head: And that's a sneak peek at part of my Hobby Room. Once I get more model boxes cleared out and a little more organization, I'll take pics of the walls filled with shelving. Right now, too many shelves are filled with boxes stacked in front of them and my Hobby desk is so cluttered I can't even find it anymore...

Welcome aboard Will! I have family in Florida myself and always try to get over there once in awhile. What part of Florida are you in? Ever been to John's Models? Awesome hobby shop! I try to get there every time I visit home. Looking forward to seeing your work!