Thanks Mike. Things are slow on the bench now, working a real life five day week sucks. I have a real rat of a kit in progress now, I'll get a few pics up soon, but it's another old dog with parts from a better kit and a bunch of the white stuff.

You never fail to impress, my friend.

I need to play some catch-up around here lol.

Not sure, thinking about using a base I built many years ago for two Shermans I've since sold off on Ebay, it's "generic European" so it could work.

Great finish RB! Are you also planning a display base for this?

Thanks all. And yes, a TC is planned but not the kit fig. He looks like he ate too many prunes.

Whoa, another beautiful model for your collection! Kudos sir!!! 

Outstanding!! That turned out fantastic, Russel. That is an impressive piece of work.

BK

Nice job Russel.  Great subtle finish.

Sweet!  

Are you going to add the TC who looks like he's complaining about the neighborhood kids' music?

Thanks! I shot you an email, references are listed there. And dang it, it's finished!

IMG_3691 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3692 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3694 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3695 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Hello!

I just found this thread and I am totally impressed!!! OUTSTANDING modeling!  May I ask about your references for the Challenger?

Bill Morrison

Black is on, decals on, everything shot with clear and in this pic, I have a very light wash on the hull, not on the turret. 

IMG_3690 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Hey Gamera!

 Wouldn't that be a hoot? All the armor at the show unpainted and in all it's brass, styrene and resin glory?

That's a great idea. I think it would be very instructive.

It was a big step....   I think one day I'll leave one of my major kit-bashes unpainted, just for a demo when I try and tell a non-modeler friend what all goes into just one model.

Yeah, looks great to see all the extra stuff you added in the white styrene, resin, and wire. Almost a shame to paint it all green!

Green but not forgotten.

IMG_3642 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Same as the first one, dark green as a base coat, then I'll follow with a lighter gray/green and after sealing it, black camo.

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.

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

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

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!

Bit by bit....

She's coming along well! 

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!

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

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. 

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

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". 

Well!RBear;

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