Mark Deliduka

Well, now that the helicopter is finished, I have started on a few more models and made some progress on a couple more. I'll start this with the models I've been working on. These are two LAV variants from ACE that I got a final basecoat of paint on. This one is the LAV-M Mortar Carrier all painted up: I now need to do the camouflage pattern on this before clearcoating and decaling. This is my LAV-AD Air Defense Variant: This one is just a solid green, so the next thing to do is clearcoat, decal, then dullcoat and weather. The next time you see this one, it will be completed. Next is the little Chevy 15CWT truck from IBG I've built: This one just needs decals, then dullcoat and final finishing. The next time you see this one, it'll be finished. Now on to the three projects I started. this first one is the Trumpeter 1/72 scale M-113 A3. I have it fully assembled and ready for the camouflage pattern: I should be able to get this done in a few days. Next is a Dragon 1/72 scale model of the AAV7R recovery vehicle version of the AAV7P. I got it mostly assembled and shot some color on parts of it: The part next to it is the recovery crane that goes on top. That will be one of the last things I install. There are some places to sand and some refinements to make. I'm making good progress on this so far. And finally, I started a Revell of Germany 1/72 scale MAN 7ton cargo truck. So far, all I have is most of the cabin assembled: I'm going to have to paint the interior and then add the window glass to this before I can close it up. Then I get to start on the wonderfully over-engineered chassis and suspension! Yay! That's all my progress for today. Monday morning I'll be at Hobby Day again and be able to get alot more done. Stay tuned for more and remember, comments are welcome.

And the Duke finishes another one! Back in May a friend and I were manning the IPMS booth at the Chino Air Show. Further down the flightline was sitting a Piasecki H-21 Flying Banana that we both thought was an unflyable static display. Well, as we were packing up after the airshow, we heard an interesting sound and looked up to see the Piasecki sitting on the taxiway firing up it's engines. We stopped what we were doing and watched as it fired up, taxi'd out and did a rolling takeoff. What a sight! As soon as I got home I dug through my stash to find this Hobbycraft kit and got started. Now, a couple weeks later, here it is all completed: I added the extra large insignia and "army" on the side from my spare decals to make it look more like the one that was at the airshow. Other than that, it's built OOB. I hand painted the canopy rails too. Thanks all for looking in. I have more projects under construction in the individual workbench area. Feel free to go check them out. Comments are always welcome.

Thanks Dave!

No. actually. I'm not sure how that happened. Thanks for catching it; I'll get that fixed.

Thanks guys! I appreciate the great comments. Gil, that handle is hardly worth having a new blade. The collet is plastic, and semi-soft plastic at that. It barely holds a blade well enough to use. That's why it is my 'example' blade.

Thanks Mark! More on the way.

Thanks Chris! Good ole' weathering powders come to the rescue again!

Yes it is, and thank you. I used a fine-tipped Sharpie to draw on the fine lines between the colors.

The Duke has done it again. Here are two more trucks that I completed this week, along with my two Russian helicopters. This first one is the PST Studebaker semi truck in 1/72 scale done up in US transport markings: Next is my IBG British Bedford QLD done in Polish Army supply truck markings: Overall, I'd say these look pretty good. Also, as I mentioned, I finished two Russian helicopters this week as well. Feel free to check them out in the Aircraft Forums too. Thanks all for looking in, comments are welcome.

Hey everyone! These are two Russian Helicopters I built for a Group Build in Modeler's Alliance. I got these from a friend for helping him with his warehouse and they are both in 1/72 scale. They are short run kits from Russia, and had no interiors, so I just blacked them out. I also painted and marked them as Russian Army helicopters using spare decals from my spares box. They may not be accurate, but they look good. I'm sure happy with them. This first one is my Russian Mi-10 Hook; the Russian answer to our Skycrane. What a gangly looking thing on that slim, delicate framework that makes up the landing gear: This next one is my Mi-6 Harke. This was one big helicopter! To give you an idea of how big this monster is, here is a shot of it next to a standard Ex-acto blade and handle: That's all I got done so far; I also completed some trucks which are in the Armor Forum. Feel free to go by and check them out too. Meanwhile, thanks for looking and comments are welcome.

Now for the next projects I have going on. Here are pics of my latest progress. One of these models I got worked on after it sat for more than a year. Thanks to Henk of Holland's site, I was able to get the color scheme I needed for it and now I need to find the decals.... Anyway, here they are in no particular order. Here is the latest helicopter I'm working on: the H-21 Piasecki Flying Banana. I finally got the decals on it. The next pics you see after these will be after it is completed: Next are my two ACE LAV variants. This is my LAV M mortar carrier. I got the basecoat of green on it but I think I jumped the gun and did it too soon. The undercarriage isn't even on it yet: I can see where I have a lot more smoothing out to do, as well as other cleanup. At least my LAV AD is in a little better shape. I got the basecoat on now, and will paint the camo pattern on next: Speaking of being in good shape, I think this little MAC tanker is looking good. I finally have the camo pattern on it and will finish with a little cleanup before prepping for decals: And finally, the model that's been sitting for awhile on my bench. For such a small thing, I'm sure having difficulty getting it finished! This is my RPM 1/72 scale French H-39 tank that I also finally got a camo pattern on: Now I hope I can find the decals for this one soon! Well, that's all the progress I have for now. I do have two trucks and two helicopters finished, so feel free to check out their respective Forums for pics of my latest models. Meanwhile, thanks for looking and comments are welcome.

- Ah, yes, but Mark, the real question then becomes,"Where would ya put 'em all?" Nyuck, nyuck. Same place as all my other big planes: On my ceiling! Nyuck, nyuck Thanks Ken! I do believe I could still make room up there. I have a few smaller ones I can move down and the rest I can shift around. Man, I need a bigger house!

Man, it's time to hang up the Exacto blade. This is stunningly spectacular work! Incredible detail and weathering. I am blown away.

Wow, I'll be here for awhile.... I'd love to see in aircraft: 1/72 scale Boeing 747; especially in Air Force One markings 1/72 scale plastic C-17 1/72 scale plastic C-5 1/72 scale plastic C-141 In armor, 1/72 scale M-41 Walker Bulldog 1/72 scale M-47 1/72 scale M-109 Paladin 1/72 scale ZSU-23/4 Shilka. 1/72 scale SA-6 Ganef 1/72 scale Italian Centauro armored car. To name a few.......

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll keep trying, but I feel like I've been practicing for years and still can't seem to get it right. I'll try some more of these techniques as well.

Thanks Von! I just need to camouflage it before moving on. Pics forthcoming...

Stunning work! Makes mine look like toys. Beautiful job on the airbrush work. I also wish I could get my washes to look that good too!

Thanks guys! Gil this Banana is the old Academy kit; soft on detail and relatively easy to assemble, except the canopy. Overall, a good little kit though. Thanks Chris, I do feel I've slowed down alot compared to a few years ago. Stay tuned gentlemen, more to come.

Well, here I am back from vacation and slowly trying to get caught up on the pile of things my wife left for me to do. Meanwhile, I'm catching whatever bench time I can wherever I can. This is the small update I have showing my latest work I've been able to get done. I'll start out with my armor, since I've only been working on two planes and a helicopter. The two planes don't have enough done to them to justify pics, and the helicopter I'll be showing here. These first two are two trucks I've been building that are now ready for their clearcoat and decals. This first one is my PST Studebaker semi-truck: Next is my IBG Bedford QLD cargo truck: That framework over the bed used to be perfect. Story of my life: despite being as careful as possible, I still manage to break it up in several pieces. Oh well, life goes on... Next is another little IBG truck I started. This is the Chevy CWT; another cargo truck: The cab and bed are just dry fit on the chassis here. I wanted to see how it looked. I have a little more to put on the chassis before I can add these parts more permanently. Next are two ACE kits I'm building that are variants of the LAV-25. This first one shows the interior of the LAV-M mortar carrier. It's kind of basic, but looks pretty good: Later, after I assembled the three parts of the upper hull together, I test fit it to the lower hull: Not a bad fit, but there's still some issues that Mr. Surfacer will handle just fine. This next one is the LAV AD Air Defense variant. I managed to get the whole thing assembled except for the wheels. Once the Mr. Surfacer on it is sanded smooth, this one will be ready for the basecoat: The mini-gun on this model had to be assembled from the five barrels and two end pieces before I could add it to the turret. That was an interesting experience, and I'm surprised at how well the gun came out. That's all my armor so far. I should have a couple of these; maybe more, finished in a few days. I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, here's the one helicopter I was also working on. It's the H-21 Piasecki Flying Banana. Here it is with the final basecoat on. I just have a few more details to paint, then this gets clearcoated and decaled. After that, I dullcoat it, add the rotors and detail it out a little and it'll be done: I may even try to get that step around the main canopy taken care of as well. That is a problem I just didn't want to deal with, but it does look bad. Oh, what of the two Russian helicopters I was working on you ask? Well, they are finished. Pics of them will be taken later when I can find a table top big enough to capture them. Meanwhile, comments are welcome; thanks for stopping in.

I love it! I wish I had the room to make something like that!

Awesome! I only wish someone did one in 1/72 scale....

I do that when I'm building! This is awesome! I have this same set that I started. I need to get them done and get them mounted. Thanks for the fantastic pics and welcome to the Forums!

Outstanding set up you have there! That is awesome! I wish I had the space to build up a wargame table like that! Keep these pics coming!

I know what you mean. I've seen and participated in building up many a wargame table with some miniature buildings and such. There have been some incredible dynamic dioramas in my day at St. Crispin's Hobby Days! Beautiful job on those buildings; I really love them!

I am also one who buys a model to build. I have actually built a couple of vintage kits. Everything you said is much like my philosophy about modeling; I just don't have the massive stash you have. I'd love to join a model building party like that! Let us know how it goes!