Mark Ford

Mike, I was looking forward to seeing your Sherman in person and was not disappointed! I thought it was exceptional. While I did not participate in judging that category, I thought it would be in the mix for an award. Great work and attention to detail. It was fun seeing both your's and Jim Lewis' "Derby" together on the table. Mark

Jim, Very nice Sherman! it's up to your usual quality. Hope you will be coming and bringing it (and others) to Phoenix next month. Take care, Mark

Mike, This is coming along very well. I enjoy seeing a model based on an older release done up better than some I've seen of the newer releases. Good job!!! Mark

If I'm not mistaken, the tank without the turret is a Renault R-35. Mark

Thanks Gilbert. It was a fun day. Mark

Like Mark said, the armor was well represented at the Seattle show on Saturday. Mark had his Syrian Hummel there and the pics in the Journal do not do it justice. It is so well done a young man went up to Mark and asked him to autograph his article in the Journal . Mark

Check out the Alpine series of figures. They have 3 or 4 excellent Soviet tankers. You can check out their web site (Google it) to see for yourself. Mark

My stash of lead foil has been stored for some time now. I don't use it up fast and will most likely have enough for years of model building. I seem to recall seeing Voyager PE or Grifon PE had sheets of lead available recently. Could have the company name confused though. Mark

Mark, In the past, I would buy a bottle of wine, drink it and peal off the lead foil that covered the neck and cork!!! If you choose this option, make sure you don't mistakenly get a bottle of wine that has the cheap plastic foil. Bottoms up, Mark

Mark, I know the problem you are describing is one I've seen before. The AFV Club and Tristar plastic is "soft". I use the Tamiya green cap thin glue and apply it carefully. It will "melt" the plastic if you use too much. If I see the plastic "melting", I blow on the area to quickly evaporate the glue...seems to work. About the rubber tires, the "rubber" does not react well with anything except acrylic paints such as Tamiya. If you want to save the kit tires, try over-spraying with Tamiya clear to form a barrier. If this doesn't work...call Rich and order a set of Hassar resin replacements . Are you coming down to Vancouver next Saturday? R&J will be there and you could get replacements direct from him. Mark

Mark, I've used their stuff in the past. I can only comment on the AM sets I had. I used 2 of their resin sets on the SdKfz 231 6-rad I built 5 or 6 years ago (pics of it over on TL in the gallery). I really liked the products. The quality of the casting was very good. FWIW, I got them from Rich at R&J. Mark

I still get a chuckle remembering one of our local shows where someone entered a plane without enough nose-weight (or maybe it shifted in transit?) and they "fixed" it by gluing the nose wheel to the table. You can imagine how that turned out... Don Now that's funny! Tragic but still funny. I prefer mounting my armor models to a base for several reasons. Once it's attached, I never have to handle it again. At contests, the model is protected if/when moved and it creates a "safe zone" around the model. I can visit friends and spend money with the vendors while reasonably assured the model is safe : ) Mark

Thanks, James. I sent you a PM with the info. Mark

Hey guys, I'm trying to get in touch with Tony. I'm reaching out here since he is a military vehicle/armor and diorama modeler. If anyone knows him or where to reach him I'd appreciate some help. I spoke to Tony in Columbus and have some questions I forgot to ask. Thanks, Mark Ford

I can say with all due respect...nothing! I finished my latest model today. I have 3 others done and they will be making the trip to Columbus with me next week . I can't believe I have finished 4 models this year. I normally get 2 or 3 done over the course of 12 months. Cheers!!! Mark

I can't count the number of Bronco and MK wing nuts I have launched into outer space! What I do now is to impale the wing nut with a new #11 Xacto blade. I lose fewer small parts this way. Mark

Mark, That's the ticket! Tell the wife you are going to Columbus to buy tweezers from "The Tool Man" ! FWIW, I use 4 tweezers the most and bought all of them from the "Tool Man" over the years. If you can give me an idea of what you want I'll check him out in about 5 weeks. I could get them to you at the McMinnville show in September. Mark

Mark, I saw Rich last night at our club meeting. I came away several pounds heavier!!! Booked rooms for McMinnville on Friday before the show. See ya there. Mark

Just to add my 2 cents here....The Small Shop sells a PE bending tool they call "the Bug". It's the smallest PE tool in their line and can be held comfortably in one hand. From my memory it sells for something like $45 (US). Mark

Forget the Alan kit and wait for the Trumpeter one. Then again, I'm sure Dragon will do one too. It's in their nature to go head to head with their competition! Git the Hummel done and bring it to the contest in PT on June 20 Mark