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Another Challenger: waste not, want not.

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  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Another Challenger: waste not, want not.
Posted by RBaer on Saturday, June 11, 2022 10:37 AM

Realizing that I was really enjoying building a Challenger, I looked at the parts kit I had and decided to build it rather than throw it up with the other "parts" kits. I also have the opportunity to do the detail changes as I start, rather than working around a 3/4 built model. I initially thought about building the "same" tank as the first build, just without the additional armor, but nixed that when I scored some cool decals for another tank, similar time period and theater. 

So far:

 IMG_3233 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3231 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3230 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3229 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Being able to remove molded-on details now is a huge plus. I'm also able to incorporate from the beginning the knowledge I gained during the first build.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, June 11, 2022 11:23 AM

Doubling down, eh? Excellent! 

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Saturday, June 11, 2022 11:37 AM

Big Smile All in.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, June 11, 2022 12:24 PM

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!!

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Saturday, June 11, 2022 9:49 PM

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

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Monday, June 13, 2022 9:36 PM

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....

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, June 13, 2022 9:37 PM

Looks great to me, nice work! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 5:09 PM

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.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Monday, June 20, 2022 9:50 PM

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.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 3:07 PM

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....

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 7:56 PM

She's coming along beautifully! Heart

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Friday, June 24, 2022 7:47 AM

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.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, June 24, 2022 11:18 AM

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. 

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Saturday, June 25, 2022 3:01 AM

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

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Sunday, June 26, 2022 8:32 AM

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?

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Monday, June 27, 2022 3:19 PM

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.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 3:58 PM

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

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 4:48 PM

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.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 5:05 PM

Well!RBear;

 

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

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:02 PM

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. Big Smile

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". 

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Thursday, June 30, 2022 5:18 PM

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

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, June 30, 2022 8:57 PM

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. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Friday, July 8, 2022 8:08 AM

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

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Monday, July 11, 2022 3:59 PM

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!

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, July 11, 2022 9:00 PM

She's coming along well! Yes

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 7:52 AM

Bit by bit....

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 11:05 AM

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.  Toast Old school scratch built detailing and improvement at its finest!

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Friday, July 15, 2022 3:43 PM

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

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Thursday, July 21, 2022 7:11 PM

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

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Thursday, July 21, 2022 9:08 PM

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.

Apprentice rivet counter.

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