Stikpusher Posted March 26, 2023 Report Posted March 26, 2023 Yes, it’s that time of year again. No not some silly game of grown men chasing a ball up and down a wooden floor. But it’s time for the annual So Cal AMPS 12 Hour build challenge. Yes, build a model from start to finish in three monthly four hour sessions during online Zoom meetings. Last month we presented our three candidate kits for the participants to vote on. This kit is what my fellow members voted for me to build- a 1/35 Eastern Express kit of the Soviet B-4 203mm Howitzer. The tracked carriage really gives it a look all its’ own. During today’s first four hour session, I was able to get most of the carriage base completed, All of the breech and barrel assembly completed And I was able to get a good portion of the gun cradle assembled And of course, I had to test fit it all together Next month we will have the next session and I should have most of the basic assembly completed… 2
RobMorales Posted March 27, 2023 Report Posted March 27, 2023 You're a brave man! I much preferred the Trumpter version of the 203 SP... 1
Stikpusher Posted March 28, 2023 Author Report Posted March 28, 2023 Thanks Robert. The Trumpeter kit was a bit more expensive than my budget allowed when I bought this one. This one does have me questioning myself for putting this one forward for a 12 hour build candidate. 1
Mark Deliduka Posted March 28, 2023 Report Posted March 28, 2023 Nice start Carlos! ACE makes a 1/72 scale version of this that I hope to get soon. I'll do my first four hours on mine and will hopefully make all other meetings to stay in this.
Stikpusher Posted April 23, 2023 Author Report Posted April 23, 2023 Thanks Mark. Sorry to see that you were unable to make the Zoom session today. I’m looking forward to seeing your Braille Scale B-4 kit when you get around to it. Today was session 2 of the 12 hour challenge. I deviated a bit from the instructions and concentrated on the tracked bogie units for the carriage. Between clean up of flash and ejector pin marks and the high parts count of the two units, that area took about 1 hour longer than I had thought, but I was still able to get them completed. I also build the spade assembly for the trail. Then of course I had to test fit all of the assemblies completed so far… Next month I should be able to get assembly completed, then painted, and call this beast done…. Then it will be the most impressive looking artillery piece on my towed artillery shelf.
Mark Deliduka Posted April 23, 2023 Report Posted April 23, 2023 Thank you Carlos! Yeah, I have to buy a B-4 kit first, but I will continue to watch this come together in the meantime. This is sensational work!
Stikpusher Posted June 20, 2023 Author Report Posted June 20, 2023 Thanks Mark... it's a rough kit, and with more time I could have better addressed those areas... Well, I got this beast wrapped up today. I was unable to attend the zoom meeting due to having family in town on the same day, but, the rules allow for one Mulligan. I did my make up session today, and at the four hour mark, I called this build done. There was a few more things I would like to have done weathering wise, but for the purpose of the Club 12 Hour Challenge, I'm calling it done. I'll get a full view post up shortly.
Stikpusher Posted June 20, 2023 Author Report Posted June 20, 2023 Here are more photos of the Sledgehammer. There is a bit more I would like to have done, but with all the clean up needing to be done on this beast during construction, this was as good as I could do within the time allotted. To put it nicely, this kit is not for the faint of heart, modeling skills required. I built it OOB, painted it with Tamiya lacquers, and weathered with Tamiya acrylics. It looks fair enough from 2-3 feet away, but up close the time constraints show... Thanks for looking
Mark Deliduka Posted June 21, 2023 Report Posted June 21, 2023 That rocks Carlos! Yeah, I missed too many meetings for the 12-hour challenge so I'm just gonna finish mine as and when I can. This is indeed most impressive. I am now motivated to go look for the ACE kit in 1/72 scale now that I got paid.
Stikpusher Posted June 22, 2023 Author Report Posted June 22, 2023 Mark, ya gotta get yourself the 1/72 kit! It’ll look great with the rest of your Braille Scale Red Army.. And thank you my old friend. Too bad missed too many meetings. The club zoom meetings are always a blast. And great to catch up with you bums!
Mark Deliduka Posted June 22, 2023 Report Posted June 22, 2023 Thank you Carlos; yeah, I hope to get shopping soon. I might even make this next Zoom meeting, but we'll see. I never expect anything anymore, except that the unexpected will always jump in the way.
Stikpusher Posted June 23, 2023 Author Report Posted June 23, 2023 Mark, I hope to see you at the Zoom meeting tomorrow. 🤞🏼Always a good time getting together with that crew, even if it is online.
Stikpusher Posted June 25, 2023 Author Report Posted June 25, 2023 Good to see you in the club zoom meeting today Mark! 12 Hour Build Challenge results… 8 started, three completed, this one took first place. Victory is mine! and a gift certificate to Brookhurst Hobbies
Mark Deliduka Posted June 27, 2023 Report Posted June 27, 2023 Congrats Carlos! It was great to see you too! That was a well deserved win, especially given how difficult that short run kit was.
Stikpusher Posted July 12, 2023 Author Report Posted July 12, 2023 Mark and Rob, thank you. Mark I sure do enjoy those Zoom club meetings. Always a good time to be had in those! And always fun to see the old crew.
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