Doubling down, eh? Excellent! 

All in.

Hello!

       If you get past 50 rivets you are no longer an apprentice! By the way the build will probable somewhat better, they always are. Heeeres Watchin!!

I guess I'm well past fifty rivets now. I need a beanie hat.

I did the exhaust outlets today, I think they'll clean up fine...

IMG_3240 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3239 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

More rivets....

Looks great to me, nice work! 

Here's a shot of it with all the bracket mounts reduced to a more in-scale size.

IMG_3283 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I've also done some work on the turret, lots do do there. And i'm still debating using the kit extra fuel drums vs. scratching the empty mounts. Both are appealing.

I compromised on the fuel drums, just added enough to make them look a little more like the actual thing.

IMG_3288 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Once they're mounted, most of the added stuff is out of sight anyway.

I got a start on the turret today. Lots of footman's loops here. Thsi time, instead of PE, I'm using wire, with tiny bits of .020" x .030" plastic for the feet. I like it better.

IMG_3370 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3369 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Now for the side baskets and rear bin....

She's coming along beautifully! 

Thanks G. Here's a couple shots of the completed rear bin:

IMG_3396 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3397 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

It was a lot easier this time around, and quicker since I had a "method" to my madness.

Your work is amazing in your ability to add all the enhanced/improved or missing details to create a far more accurate representation of the subject. 

Really love the work you are doing.....Cheers mark

Thanks! I really enjoy scratch work, makes my models have a little more uniqueness. I've seen some stuff both in print and on contest tables that really stand out because the modeler created something truly different, and I admire that. 

Warning: On the soap box here....  I'm a little tired of modeling "articles" that are nothing but advertisements for paint and weathering products, many showing only one or two pics of the in-progress model, or even beginning with the model in primer, with the note on construction something like "no problems were encountered during the build". Boring. I know advertising makes the magazine or web page possible, but gee whiz Wally. Am I weird?

Left side basket, second time. No less fiddly but at least it only took a couple of hours.

IMG_3469 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

The right side of this one will get a smaller version of this, instead of the enclosed bin on the first build.

Other side bin is done, and the corner bin cover is almost done, just need the straps.

IMG_3471 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Other corner bin in the same state:

IMG_3470 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And some more work on the hull front:

IMG_3472 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

RBaer

Thanks! I really enjoy scratch work, makes my models have a little more uniqueness. I've seen some stuff both in print and on contest tables that really stand out because the modeler created something truly different, and I admire that. 

Warning: On the soap box here....  I'm a little tired of modeling "articles" that are nothing but advertisements for paint and weathering products, many showing only one or two pics of the in-progress model, or even beginning with the model in primer, with the note on construction something like "no problems were encountered during the build". Boring. I know advertising makes the magazine or web page possible, but gee whiz Wally. Am I weird?

 

Im with ya there. I do enjoy the occasional OOB project, but I also like to dress up or personalize a kit as well. If it's within my skill set, or not too great a leap, I like to create from scratch. But adding a bit of AM here or there an be a time saver too. And I'm with you on those "articles" that seem to be commercials for certain products, or projects chock full of so many AM sets that it seems to be more of a showing off of how deep of pockets the modeler has in their hobby budget.

Well!RBear;

     Gotta ask, have you run out of Evergreen strip Yet? LOL.LOL. Looking Good! Love the work

Carlos- I'm right there: what fun is there in doing it the same way as everyone else, any while I'm a big fan of AM parts (I buy a lot) why buy it when I can make it myself?

TB- I went to see Rudy a few days ago, stocked up. 

But I admit it, I use a lot of plastic stock. The "unused" stuff:

IMG_3473 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And the "ready for use" buckets:

IMG_3474 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I haven't bought any large sheet plastic in a long time, ever since I realized those plastic dealer ad plates that go in the license plate mounts are styrene. It's a lifetime supply of .030" and .040" sheet, and most dealers just throw the used ones on the ground when they sell a car. If I need BIG sheet plastic, For Sale signs are cheap, and some are even .020". 

Any morning spent modeling is a good morning, right? Was for me. I got a few things done, the major one being the front turret basket, lots of detail on the TC's cupola, and some misc, bolt heads here and there. If all goes according to plan (ha!) I should be priming late next week.

IMG_3475 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3476 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

All that detail looks fantastic!!!

And I've been using 'for sale' signs and those plastic credit cards they send you in junk mail for years now for sheet stock. 

It's good stuff, free too. Can't do better than that.

Not jumping out in this pic are the two antenna mounts and the revisions done to the grease gun at the left rear of the turret bin.

IMG_3478 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Lotso' fun!

She's coming along well! 

Bit by bit....

Every time I look at your updates and see the white styrene of Evergreen, and the metal of wire adding new details in the latest photos I just get a big old smile on my face.   Old school scratch built detailing and improvement at its finest!

Thanks!

I did some stowage from Aves 2-part putty last night, replaced all the molded-on grab handles on the skirts today, just about ready for paint. 

IMG_3482 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3481 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3480 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Wow, Russ. Every time I pop up here you're making something amazing. I am soooooo far behind these days.

Thanks Mike. I had a few months off work so I got a lot of building done, trying to catch up on the paint now.