Mark Deliduka

Thanks Bill! Yeah, I guess I should have kept it below Mach I until the decals dried! :gray-plane: I'm not sure if I'll touch them up yet; matching the colors may be a bit tough. I won't hide it, but it will be pretty tough to see among all my other aircraft. The natural metal was Tamiya Bare Metal Silver from a rattle can. One shot, one kill. Thanks again for the great reply. Mark, that's awesome to hear these kinds of stories. One of my IPMS club members was a Corsair driver in WWII; I think he had about 6 or 8 kills to his credit. Unfortunately, I never got a chance this past meeting to ask him his opinion. I'll probably bring it back next meeting to see what he thinks about it. Thanks Gil! I wouldn't really call that Thunderjet a winner given the decal issues, but from a few feet away she does look good on the shelf. I'll probably take her to a couple contests for kicks. Thanks again guys for all the great comments! Stay tuned for more!

Just a real quick update since I managed to get a few hours on the bench today. I spent it getting all the fiddly bits on the Mi-26 Halo, painted the details on the rotors, and added the landing gear and rear clamshell doors. Here it is: Here's a shot of this 1/72 scale helicopter next to a 1/72 scale Russian staff car to show the relative size of this monster helicopter: Now all I have to do is do some paint touch up; re-coat it with dullcoat and remove the clear parts masking and this beastie will be done! Stay tuned!

Only one so far but this brings my total Armor count to 623 completed armor models. This is the ancient Hasegawa 1/72 scale 60cm Morser Karl on rail cars. I built it OOB, except for the scratch built pins holding this thing together. I had to since the originals all disappeared. I airbrushed the basecoat on it and then hand painted the camouflage pattern. Washed it with Windsor Newton Burnt Umber thinned with Mona Lisa thinner. I airbrushed the dust coat over all the rest. I'm declaring this thing done: I also finished two aircraft, so feel free to check them out as well. Meanwhile, thanks for looking in, comments are welcome.

Well, it's halfway through January and I finally have a couple of models to show as finished. These are two Tamiya models I got from a friend of mine at St. Crispin's Hobby Day. This first one is my Tamiya 1/72 scale F-4U Corsair. Built OOB and painted with Tamiya Navy Blue from the rattle can: That tail looks crooked in the first pic, but it's an optical illusion. You can see it's straight in the second pic; and I also checked it in person so I know it's straight. Interesting though... This next one is the Tamiya 1/72 scale F-84 Thunderjet that I had a lot of problems with. The canopy was scratched a bit and the decals in particular shattered and broke all over. You can see where they chipped and flaked off on the tail when I tried to clearcoat this. I'm so glad this PITA is done! That's all I've got done in aircraft. More are coming down the pike, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, feel free to check out my latest Big Gun on rail cars that I also finished this week. Thanks all for looking in, comments are welcome.

What? You haven't been following my Works in Progress Threads? Last year I showed over fifty models in progress; forty-four of which got finished and I STILL came in fifth! :D I'm sorry I finished so few, Dora and a few four-engined aircraft slowed me down...

Cool! I'm in the top five! Not bad considering 1/3rd of my posts are showing my own work! I want tickets to Mark Aldrich's award ceremony! Front row!

Awesome job! Gotta love a Century-series fighter in SEA camo! Way to go!

Thanks guys! The way that little boat is going, I may as well smash a hole in her and recreate that scene. I am pretty pleased by how it's going so far. It won't be any kind of award winner; that's for sure, but it's gonna look good on my shelf. Thanks again for the great replies...... and I agree: Mary Ann.

Welcome once again to my Factory tour. I wanted to have this posted a couple days ago, but I ran out of time. Today I'm free to finally get this small update posted. First of all, I finally was able to get the decals on this Thunderjet. This may have said "Tamiya" on the box, but at no time did this model ever act like a Tamiya kit! This also applies to the decals, as when I tried to apply them, they broke apart on several occasions; especially under the tail surfaces. Oh well, I'm leaving it that way as it would take too much to try and fix (I know! I tried!) This thing is getting sealed with a gloss coat and then I'll add the landing gear, gear doors, underwing stores and other detail parts: Moving along; I also tried to get more done on my Olympia staff car. I got the wheels on it and repaired the upper windshield frame, but that is about it. I wanted to paint this more, but I'd left my dark grey color at home: Finally, I got some progress done on my Dora. The gun trunnions are now completed and I can move on to the command cabin and loading deck and cranes: Now here's how she looks all assembled so far: And now for a size/scale reference, here is Dora sitting next to her 'little brother' Karl on railcars, and the Olympia staff car so you can see the sheer size of this gun: What a monster! And YES! THE BARREL IS DROOPING! I haven't glued it all together yet due to the fact that gluing it will make transporting this thing much more difficult. After all, the size of this thing means I have to do almost all my building at St. Crispin's Hobby Day since that is the place I can stretch out the most. I've already heard all of the viagra jokes and hints I care to hear; at Hobby Day and my AMPS meeting 57 PEOPLE thought they were being funny with them! After the first three, it is no longer funny.... Last, but not least, I also have one other model I found while trying to clean my Hobby Room. I'd started this a long time ago and just found it again; so I decided to try and make some more progress on it. This is the Revell 50th anniversary re-release of the fishing boat that I got some time back: Here you can see where I'd painted the details and the side of the cabin and the decks; then masked everything off and shot the white over it, then removed the mask. I had touched up some of the details when I took this pic; now I have to get some more of the detail parts mounted on. That's all I have for this small update, thanks everyone for looking in. Comments are always welcome.

Thank you. Now I gotta go look for some of these. Great little sets!

Okay, here we go on another tour of the Maddog Manufacturing Factory grounds. Not too much got done, but I do have some good progress to show. First off, I think I'll start with some of the simplest stuff I finished. Okay this first one was not so simple, but I started it first because I got tired of it not getting worked on. This is my Morser Karl on railcars all camouflaged up. Now all I have to do is paint some of the details and then add the decals and weather it: After finishing that I had to uncross my eyes so I started on this simple little kit. This is the Nutrocker Hover Tank I got from my Secret Santa. I sanded the seams on the turret and then finished with adding all the little detail bits. This one is now ready for paint: Wow, that helped! Another thing that helped was this next project. I put decals on the F-4U Corsair; now it is ready for dullcoat and all the final assemblies: Now on to something a bit more involved. I had joined a Helicopter Group Build on another Forum and I figured it was time to get started on it. I chose this kit to build for that Group Build: Of course, one always starts with the cockpit. Here it is all painted and decaled: The cabin got finished next: Once all that was dry enough, I closed it all in the fuselage halves. I had a devil of a time getting the rear rotor to be able to turn, but I finally got that to work....so far: That's as far as I was able to get on that helicopter for that day. As I was building this tiny thing (it's only about five inches long) I kept thinking 'why are these parts so small? I'm so used to all the Big parts on my Big Halo!' Speaking of my big Halo, I finally got the decals on the whole fuselage. The only decals left to add are two stencils on the rear clam-shell doors and the decals for the main rotors. Then I'll be able to dullcoat this and finish it up: Well there it is; all my latest work done from Friday until today. It ain't too much but I finally feel like I'm getting close to finishing something again. I can't wait! Thanks all for looking in, comments are welcome!

Thanks for the great replies guys! Gil, I appreciate the tip. I'll probably have to do that, but since I'm nearly done with my repair, I'll see how it goes. Dannie, thanks for the offer. The assembly I was missing is now found, but I think I may be missing some other parts. If that offer stays open, I may have a need to take advantage of it later. Thanks again guys! I appreciate your great comments. Always glad to see you all stop in.

Sorry Mark! I know you'll catch up. I had an advantage: all these were slightly unfinished at the end of the year.

Brilliant job! I'd almost believe that the Israelis had these!

Greetings all and a Happy New Year! A New Year brings a new Production Line Thread showing all my works in progress for the year. So far modeling-wise, I'm off to a pretty good start; especially in trying to clear out a lot of shelf queens that have sat for far too long on my workbench. Let's start with all these oldest models that have languished for awhile. First off, I got the chassis painted on my Airfix Dennis Fire Truck: I was going to dry-fit the body onto this chassis to show how it's going to look, but I lost a vital assembly that will keep me from ever finishing this model. I have NO IDEA how it could have gotten lost; it's not that small! Anyway, moving right along.... Next is this old MPC P-61 that's been giving me fits. The one landing gear kept breaking, so I reinforced it with several wrappings of sheet styrene around the weak joint. So far it's holding. Then I filled some seams and added the clear parts (which aren't so clear due to the former modeler who started this thing) and finally shot a coat of flat black over it: Yep! You guessed it, I broke another landing gear, this time the nose wheel. I'll repair it after I get the 'vacuform' decals on it. Along with all of this, I polished up and then shot a coat of Alclad Dark Aluminum on the wings and horizontal stabilizers of the DC-6. Later I started to mask off the wings and horizontal stabilizers in preparation to shoot a coat of Alclad Airframe Aluminum to the fuselage. Haven't done that yet, so no pics to show yet. Next up is my Airfix Vicker's Valiant bomber. I thought I was ready for paint on this, but then I re-noticed the short-shot wingtips. Here is the start of my fix for those: Finally, on to some newer projects. Since I was already shooting paint, I got some paint on the following two models. This first one is the Tamiya F-84 Thunderjet that finally has a coat of silver on it that is acceptable enough. Now to put on the decals: Next is the Tamiya Corsair that has been shot with blue overall. Yes, there's some touch-up needed on the leading edge of the wing; that's already been taken care of. Now to clearcoat this and add the decals: And to wrap this up, I'll be showing a lot of the progress I've been making on the Mi-26 Halo helicopter. This has been getting scary but man, is this looking impressive! First of all, I finally started to assemble the main rotors. I got them all done now; all I need to do is add the top cap above the main hub. This is showing the rotors sitting on the Airfix Valiant box that is covered with a towel. It was the largest flat surface I could find to hold this thing! Next I assembled the tail rotor which was a little model in itself! Here it is sitting next to the main rotor: Now to put this into perspective. Here are the two rotors next to a 1/72 scale VW Volkswagen. See what I mean about scary? Again, since I was painting; I added the camouflage pattern to this monster helo and set it aside to dry while working on other projects. It looks pretty impressive if I do say so myself: Finally, for fun, I test-fit the rotors on this big bird to see how it will look. Wow! Well, that's all the progress I have to show for this new year so far. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel for most of these models so far; I hope I can get them done soon. Thanks all for looking in, comments are always welcome!

Awesome! I'd always wanted to go to one of those. Man, that Make-n-Take was huge! I'd love to know more about how they did that since there's a museum here that is planning a big Open House or something and a Make-n-Take would be ideal for that. Huge crowds are expected.

My deepest thanks Ed! Your incredible work keeps me motivated to go on as well. You encouraging posts also keep me going; I'm always thrilled to see your replies. You will do better this year, and we'll toast a great year at the Nationals together this year!

Yeah! I got to get me one of these books.

Keep going Will! I've been following this with interest and love what I see. Can't wait to see more. You're seeing light at the end of the tunnel Will, and it ain't a train!

Right on Phil! That looks great, especially for a snap-together model. That would make a real attractive model when detailed out to the nines. I also like the wash you gave to the crew. It definitely improved them a lot.

Thanks Gil! Thank you so much. Here's hoping for a more prosperous and productive New Year. After all, I need a good 100+ models for Colorado you know! :D Chris, your output of five is outstanding. That is because, despite my productivity, your models always far outshine mine in quality. Thank you for checking in and posting.

The Duke's Year in Review continued.... My Japanese Army took deliver of a few models this year. First is the Dragon Japanese Ha-Go Early Version: And the Dragon Japanese Ha-Go North China version: Next was a Dragon Japanese Chi-Ha Early Version tank: I have the late version; I need to get it started soon. Finally, my Japanese got a little Type 95 Kurogane staff car: And now my Russians. My Russian Army got quite the boost to their forces this year, starting with the eight T-34/76's that I built all at once. Dragon Russian T-34/76 1940: Dragon Russian T-34/76 1940: Dragon Russian T-34/76 1940: Dragon Russian T-34/76 1941: Dragon Russian T-34/76 1941 w/cast turret: Dragon Russian T-34/76 1942: Dragon Russian T-34/76 1942 w/cast turret: Dragon Russian T-34/76 1943: Now for some of the more modern stuff my Russians got. This is another MAC Distributor's kit of the Russian UAZ 469 light utility vehicle that Russia developed to replace their GAZ 69 jeep: Next is an ICM ZiL 157 Command Truck: And finally, a couple of Russian Railway subjects. This first one is the Hobby Boss Russian Drasine "Kraznaya Zvezda": And this is the Russian Armored Train "Dzerzhinets": And finally, my US Army took delivery of the following: Dragon US Army armored jeeps, two kits in one: This last one is Trumpeter's M1A1 Abrams with the mine rollers on it: And there they are, all 44 of the models I finished for 2012. If you want to see what's coming in January, feel free to check out my Works in Progress Thread for a sneak peek! What a year! Hopefully I'll be able to finish more than this next year. Meanwhile, thanks for looking in; comments are welcome. Oh, and I've shown you mine, now you show me yours!

Well, it is almost New Year's Eve, and I cannot see myself finishing anything more before the end of the year. Therefore, I'm going to take the time now to post my Year in Review as is my tradition on all the Forums I frequent. This year, I've only completed 44 models for the whole year. That low count can be attributed to three things: 1) LOADS of work this year that kept me away from the workbench. 2) I worked on six large and complicated 4-engined aircraft that took a lot of time and work to make them look well enough to show. Only three of those got completed this year, the other three are still in progress. 3) I started the 1/72 scale Dora railway gun that has taken a ton of time to get where I am now with it. I am hoping to finish that gun next year. Okay, enough excuses for my poor production, now on to the models themselves. All of these are in 1/72 scale. Also, these are posted in no particular order of completion or anything. I'll start with my aircraft since I completed so few. First off are two of my British Hawks. One was done as an interceptor, the other as a strike aircraft. British BAe Hawk ADV: British BAe Hawk Strike: One of these was Testor's, the other was Airfix if I recall correctly (which I probably don't). I can't remember which was which. Next is my Testor's B-57G Night Hawk light bomber: Now for the F/A-18 Hornet flown by Capt Steve Hillman in "Independence Day". This kit was a Lindbergh kit: Onward now to my two rotary wing aircraft I built. First is the RevellAG Kamov Hokum Ka-50W: And from the US we have the Hobby Boss UH-1C Huey Hog: And wrapping up my aircraft are the three four-engine transports I completed this year. The first one done is the Heller C-160 Transall in German markings: Next I finished the US Air Force C-130A Hercules: And finally, the third transport I finished; the Roden AN-12 Cub: That completes the list of my aircraft for 2012, now for all my 1/72 scale armor. This year, my British and Commonwealth Armies took delivery of the following: ACE British Tourer staff car: Dragon British Churchill Mk IV: Dragon Canadian Churchill Mk III My German Armies took delivery of the following: German A-Stoff trailer from an unknown resin company; probably Planet Models: ACE German Kfz 21 Staff Car, used by Rommel: Several pieces of artillery were delivered as well, starting with the... ACE German K-18 Feldhaubitz: And then the ACE German Pak 43 88mm anti-tank gun: Followed by the ACE German Pak 43 Neuntoffer: Next came a truck, the MAC Distributor's Mercedes 3000 cargo truck: This is one of three of these I have. This one is the first one finished. Dragon's German Neubau Fahrzeug No 3-5: More light vehicles for the Germans. This is ACE's German SdKfz 13 Scout Car: Followed by Roden's Opel Omnibus: And finally, another tank, Dragon's T-34/76 1941 Beute: My Italian Army took delivery of the smallest model I'd built this year, Doc Model's CV-35 Tankette: My Middle Eastern Armies picked up a couple of vehicles; my Iraqis got an ACE AT-3 Sagger: While my Israelis got a Frankenstein model consisting of a Dragon Sherman with the Corporal Overby's Motor Pool M-51 conversion kit to make this M-51 Super Sherman: Okay, the rest of the pics will be continued on Post II

Wow! Just when I thought my work was really going downhill, I get this post. Thank you ever so much for such kind words. I never really thought of myself as an inspiration, given how many Masters are on these boards, I'm still trying to just master the basics! Thank you again Gil, you cannot imagine how much your words posted here mean to me.

Well, it's almost the end of the year, and I've got a bit more progress done. I doubt that any of these will be finished before the end of the year, but who knows? One or two may get finished. Otherwise, consider this a preview of what I will get finished in January. Let's start with some of the projects I've had languishing on my bench for a while. For instance, my Privateer. I got some paint on it and now it is more-or-less ready for clearcoat and decals: You can see I have quite a few guns to repair on this. I also hope to have the turrets turn as well, but I'm not confident. Now to clearcoat this and decal it so I can finally finish it. Next up is my Airfix Vicker's Valiant bomber. I finally have the fuselage cemented together; the wings and horizontal stabilizers installed; and the bomb bay installed with bay doors open: Sorry only the one pic; my camera was running out of battery charge. Now to check seams and gaps to fix them so I can start painting this. Next is a model Skyraider I got from a friend who had started it. He lost interest and then gave it to me, knowing I would finish it. It's been languishing on my bench for most of the year. Well, I'm a few steps closer to finishing it now. The canopy is painted, some other details were painted and she's almost ready for clearcoat and decals, if I can find some decals to use: Now on to some of my more recently started projects.... The first of these is my Mi-26 Halo. It took awhile and bored me stiff, but I got the main and tail rotors painted the way the instructions said to do it. Now I'm ready to assemble these massive rotors. This is going to be interesting to say the least.... While they were drying I painted the lower fuselage of the helicopter with the light blue. Then I went back and touched up the rotors while the belly paint was drying. Once it was dry, I masked off and painted the upper fuselage with the base color. Now all she needs is the camo pattern and she'll be ready for clearcoat and decals: Next up is my Tamiya Thunderjet. I couldn't close this up earlier because the engine exhaust cone that went inside the fuselage went into Oblivion. After awhile, I thought about it and said 'screw it' (in slightly harsher terms) and decided I wasn't going to be held up by this stupid model anymore! It always seems that something keeps holding me up from making any significant progress on this! So I cut out a small circle from some sheet styrene and glued it inside to block off the opening of the small exhaust. Then I glued these two fuselage halves together, added the tailplanes and went looking for the wings. AARRGH! They were left at home! Well at least I was able to get this far: Now on to something that is more cooperative: my Tamiya Corsair. I added the canopy and refined the seams by buffing them smooth. Now, after I mask everything off, she's ready for paint: After all this, I decided to start a couple of my Secret Santa Christmas presents. This first one is my AMTECH 1/72 scale Ju-88S-1. Here is what is in the box: Naturally, I started with the cockpit: Rather sparse, but this will look better in paint. Then I went on to assemble the wings and nacelles: There wasn't much more I could do with this until I painted it so I set it aside and started my SF3D Nutrocker hover tank. Here is what is in the box: Not much to do but add the underside to the main hull and then I started the turret. Not much to show in pics so I didn't take any; again, my camera was running low on batteries. That's about all I have for now. This is my latest progress for this year so far. I may get done with a little more; if so I'll post that on New Years Eve as my final progress for the year. Meanwhile, thanks for looking in, comments are always welcome and motivating.