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The group build to end all group builds - THE GREAT WAR

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Friday, January 6, 2012 11:45 PM

Whoa!  Did I start something with my post a few days ago?!? Surprise  I'm very glad the GB is extended!  I'll keep working on the Whippet and maybe I'll add another if things go well! 

"I've got a Dremel and haven't been as successful as I'd like to find things to do with it. What kind of tool did you use to drill through a brass screw?

Eric"

Eric, I didn't drill through the screws, I simply shortened them using a diamond cut-off wheel.   I have a Dremel clamp assembly that allows me to use the Dremel "hands free".  I simply used pliers to hold the brass screws and the cut-off wheel cut through the brass in short order.  Also, I use a motor speed control to adjust the speed...this device helps immensely!!  Most Dremel tools operate at too high a speed for plastic work.   And I always remember to wear eye protection!!

One of my favorite ways to use the "hands free" Dremel is as a poor man's lathe.  I've turned plastic rods and even sprue pieces to scratchbuild parts that otherwise would be quite difficult.  I did this on the RPM T-26T Artillery Tractor I completed recently for another GB.  A couple of the parts in the photo were made using this method.  Well, at least the main body part was.  Even the headlight lens was made using this method!

Ask around, I'm sure there are others on the forums who can do wonders with their Dremel!

Now back to the GB....I love the Iron Duke you built!  Didn't the HMS Iron Duke and the SMS Konig duke it ouit (pun intended Stick out tongue) during the Battle of Jutland?  I would love to see both your builds side by side!  I've developed a real interest in those dreadnought class battleships of the time period!

 

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Saturday, January 7, 2012 12:17 AM

Ernest, yep you sure did! Not sure what it was specifically, but whatever it was, it sure got the GB rolling again! Thanks!   ...... and stunning work I might add. Yes

It's been a while since I've contributed some modeling to this GB, so here goes.....

Been picking away at the Eduard 1/48 SPAD XIII, and finally got some pics to post. This is the decal sheet that made me buy that kit.  Always wanted to do Luke's mount (third from the top).

Inside the fuselage halves -

The cockpit floor and the upper deck -

Done mostly with acrylics. The wood grain is a base coat of Tamiya XF-55 with a thinned (with lighter fluid to increase dry time)  mix of burnt umber and yellow ochre applied with a soft flat brush, constantly removing the excess by wiping the brush on a clean rag, until the right effect was acheived. A coat of Tamiya clear orange sealed the deal. For a small 1/48 'pit, this guy, even OOB was quite busy. Lots of parts, probably close to 40 including the instrument decals, PE bits, and scratchbuilt add-ons.

Did manage to avert a major disaster. While finishing up my last session, managed to have a full bottle of Pollyscale Grimy Black slip out of my hand - it ain't full no more. Half of it went all over the work surface, but fortunately the kit damage was confined to the still unpainted lower wing assembly and none of the work above was affected. The cleanup of the bench area - well, that's another story. Needless to say, that particular work session came to an abrupt end. Dunce

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Saturday, January 7, 2012 12:34 AM

waikong, thanks for the kind words!  That Ford T Ambulance looks quite interesting. I'd love to see it built up!

ruddratt, thank you also!  I'm really enjoying this kit since its my first WWI tank!  Looking forward to your SE.5!

Paul, Thanks for your comments, and double thanks for the fantastic soldering tips you provided!  As soon as I read them I KNEW what I did wrong.....everything you said NOT to do!! Bang Head  lol!  The tips on using the rare earth magnets - - - pure GENIUS!  I need to try that very soon!  One question though:  I noticed you use "Kester" solder and flux.  What is it?

More updates fellas:

I forgot to mention that I drilled out all the vision slits and ports, as well cutting the MGs off their ball mounts and drilling out the ball mounts.  You can see this in the photo:

I plan on adding the PE port covers after I've dealt with the tracks.  With the kit MGs removed lets take a look at the Caliber 35 resin Hotchkiss replacements.  Its such a shame that I won't be using the very nice MG bodies, but since they can't be seen why bother!

The barrel section removed and a side by side comparison with the kit parts.  You'll notice a strange flare at the Caliber 35 gun tip, somewhat like a German WWII MG34.

Four Hotchkiss guns cleaned up and installed.

I just didn't like the gun tips as none of the internet images I researched showed such a flare.  So I cut them off and glued on some .30 dia sytrene rod.   Drilled out the tip and now I'm happier!

Another lame kit part - the exhaust mufflers.  I scratchbuilt two replacements from styrene and brass rod.

Installed:

Next up:  the Model Cellar tracks!

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Saturday, January 7, 2012 12:48 AM

Ernest, got the SE.5 on hold for the moment, but the SPAD should keep me busy for a while. Still plan on getting both of 'em done for the GB though, and am even toying with the idea of throwing a 1/48 Hanriot HD.1 with italian markings in as well, seeing that this GB will be going on for a while. Wink

The Kester solder, if I'm not mistaken, is the brand name. The one I'm familiar with (it's been a while) was a 60/40 (percentage of lead to tin) with a resin (flux) core. Hope that helps.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Saturday, January 7, 2012 10:05 AM

Ernest, outstanding work. So glad you did whatever magic you did to get this thing going again.  Can you please do something for the real estate market so I can actually afford all this stuff i am doing regardlessWhistling

Eric, I will be updating the roster to include all the builds.  The Camel and The Iron Duke look great.  For the badge, go to the 2nd post on page 1 to see the available badges.  Right click on the one(s) that apply, save them to your PC and load them into Photobucket or whatever program you use.  Post it in your signature area in your profile just like it was going into a regular post.

Waikong, I think you mentione dthat ambulance beofre as I rememebr saying that it will very cool to see that one built up.

Mike, very nice work on the Spad

Marc  

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Saturday, January 7, 2012 10:28 AM

Eric, forgot to put this in the other post.  Here are some thing I use my Dremel for other than the usual grinding, cutting and drilling.

 

As already mentioned, a lathe.

 

 

 

 

Mounting road wheels so the spin true makes painting the rubber a breeze.

 

 

The band on the spinner was done by touching a 1/4”  wide brush with yellow paint while turning on the Dremel.

 

 

 

Marc  

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Saturday, January 7, 2012 12:29 PM

Mike, outstanding interior detail work on your Spad XIII!!  Yes  Gotta luv a nicely detailed pit!!

wing_nut, YEP, the Dremel was one of the best modeling tools I've invested in!  Its also pretty hand around the house too!Whistling

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Berkeley CA/St. Paul MN
Posted by EBergerud on Saturday, January 7, 2012 4:01 PM

Thankee muchly for the Dremel tips. I've used the cutting wheel on some styrene it for scratch building and a little bit of buffing. I also used it to drill port holes for Iron Duke and that worked well, but I could see a potential slip there hurting. But it's always looked like a device that should be much more valuable than it has been. Why do I still need my sanding sticks? I just don't have a decent background in tools and looking at your pics is a very big help.

Eric

 

A model boat is much cheaper than a real one and won't sink with you in it.

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Memphis TN
Posted by Heavens Eagle on Saturday, January 7, 2012 6:13 PM

Geez looky looky at all the posts!  Big Smile

Bufflehead Yup the Kester is a brand of solder.  What I am using (shown in the photo) is some 1/32 dia 60/40 lead/tin with rosin core.  The rosin acts as a type of flux to keep the metal clean so the solder will flow.  The flux is a cleaning agent of sorts that helps the solder to flow and bond with the metal.  It is possible to solder copper, brass, bronze, iron, steel, and nickel with a fair amount of ease. The old Trimaster and Gunze Sangyo photo etch are made from stainless steel.  Have not tried to solder that stuff.  The Eduard photo etch are all made from brass.  The silver colored Eduard etch I believe is nickel plated.  They both should solder just fine.  It does take some practice and in some cases a careful preplanned assembly procedure.  Have the Eduard photo Etch for the 1/350 scale Arizona kit.  That is going to be a CHALLENGE no matter what!

That speed control for the Dremel is a MUST if you intend on doing much anything with plastic or plan on having much in the way of control.  I use mine with a speed control Dremel, but the speed on the Dremel is turned all the way up and the controller does the control.

Busy doing New Years clean up here.  (sigh!)  Lots of bennies to being single, but doing the clean thing does take time.  Plus tried to get parts to do some updating on my old (9 years) computer.  Didn't get the memory (was backordered  Angry  )  The other parts ended up being junk in a box.  If you guys decide to do any updating pass on anything with the SABRENT name.  (it's all junk)  Am really needing to add more memory to this machine so it will be able to keep doing the stuff for my posts.  One GIG just isn't enough for all the photo stuff I am workng with. Hmm

Wing nut Those are great ideas for doing the spin painting.  Have a watchmaker's lathe that I use, so might try some of those things on it once I get to that point!

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by PANZERWAFFE on Sunday, January 8, 2012 11:28 AM

Glad to see this GB come back and with all of the fine workYes

ERNEST - Love what you have done so far.  The scratch parts are a HUGE improvement over the kit supplied and they look GREAT Yes  It looks as if the same problems exist in the Whippet as in the MK IV I built so I realize the skill it has taken for you to really make your Whippet look so good.  You will like those tracks.  Look forward for more.

One question: Where do you get your Hex and shaped styrene rod?

WAIKONG - Your Ford was another I've been waiting to see.  Glad you have brought him back out.

RUDDRATT - Great looking interiorYes

I really look forward to see everyones continued builds this is a great subject.

Rob

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Sunday, January 8, 2012 3:43 PM

Rob, I totally agree about this being a great subject for a GB. It's a refreshing change from all the "WWII and up" stuff that seems to dominate here.

Marc, if you would be so kind as to add an Eduard 1/48 Fokker Dr.1 to my list of entries. Just scored the dual combo kit off of eBay (so maybe you should add two of 'em Wink ). Man, am I pumped that this GB is still going! Yes Thanks!

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Sunday, January 8, 2012 4:17 PM

Will do Mike.

 

BTW, re the PMs we had recently... I got the EZ Line in the mail... and this tidbit is for everyone... The .003" is really very fine indeed.  BUT but it and the .006 line is flat!  I don't recall seeing in nay review of the stuff.  I expected it top be round.  SO if you plan to use this stuff... plan to make sure there's no twist.

Marc  

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Sunday, January 8, 2012 4:26 PM

Also, while technically i have not started this... I have technically started it.

Ordered some micro drill bits to redo the stitching on thge side of the FE-2b.  Drilling .008 holes with a #92 bit and "lacing" with .006 Uni wire.

 

Marc  

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Sunday, January 8, 2012 5:13 PM

Dang, Marc. Modelers like yourself, Paul, and Ernest just blow me away. Where do you guys come up with these ideas? Awesome stuff! Yes

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Sunday, January 8, 2012 5:20 PM

Hey Rob!  Glad to hear from you!  I was just reviewing your previous past on your Emhar Mk IV Male (and admireing your build again!) to see what problems you encountered with the Model Cellar tracks!  Turns out the MC Whippet tracks are exactly the same as the Mk IVs, just less links are required.  I'm almost done with them, WIP photos to follow in a bit.

As for the styrene hex rod:  I use the ones made by Plastruct.  Evergreen apparently doesn't make hex rods, but I can usually find Plastruct styrene products at my LHSs in the same section as the Evergreen products.  I buy the .5mm, .8mm and 1.0mm sized rods, but use the .5mm the most.

Questions:  in your previous post on painting the MK IV you stated that you painted it using russian Earth Brown? I don't think I've heard of it before.   Is this actually a brown color because it looks more like a khaki-green in your photos?  What paint mfg/type is it? 

I really like the hue and tone of that paint job and was thinking of using Tamiya Khaki+Khaki Drab.  I was looking for something similar to your paint job.

 

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Memphis TN
Posted by Heavens Eagle on Sunday, January 8, 2012 5:21 PM

Hey Wing Nut, you are taking on some of my insanity!  Looking good so far.

Ruddratt I believe your quote is from Kelly's Heroes:

-Oddball- "umm We have our own ammunition, It's filled with paint.  When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures. . . . . . scares hell out of people."

I love that movie.  Donald Sutherland as a pothead during WW2.

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Sunday, January 8, 2012 5:33 PM

Paul, yep, it sure is. One of my favorite movies as well. When I considered how much paint we modelers 'shoot', it just seemed appropriate. Wink

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Sunday, January 8, 2012 6:37 PM

wing_nut

Also, while technically i have not started this... I have technically started it.

Ordered some micro drill bits to redo the stitching on thge side of the FE-2b.  Drilling .008 holes with a #92 bit and "lacing" with .006 Uni wire.

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/WWI/P1090041.jpg

Wow!  Now that's some detailing! Yes

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Sunday, January 8, 2012 6:40 PM

unbeleivable! ACtually stiching the thing, you are bringing this up another level. Hat is off to you patience and skill

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Sunday, January 8, 2012 9:38 PM

Model Cellar tracks done!  Apparently these are the exact same tracks that are installed on the Mk.IVs, just not as many links, 67 instead of 92.  panzerwaffe used the MC tracks on his 1:35 Emhar Mk.IV Male (pgs 37 & 41). Like him, I found them to be quite nice!  Molding is crisp, practically no flash and mold seams, pin marks are only on the inside surfaces that are not seen and the sprue connections are small and well placed.  About the only nitpick is that the treadplates are thicker than scale.  I've seen some modelers thin down the edges of the treadplates, but I chose not to do that as it would have taken longer than I wanted to invest.  In the end I am extremely happy with the way they look.  For those interested here are the steps:

1. MC instructs you to add a shim around the inside edges of the inner and outer sponson plates before they are attached to the hull.  Otherwise the treadplates will ride on the edge of the sponsons when in actuality they ride on al the litle bogies within the sponsons. Photos (included with the MC instructions!) show that the treadplates are a signifcant distance from the sponson edges. 

2.  The sprockets and idlers are no longer needed except to properly space the inner/outer sponsons from each other, but modification is necessary otherwise they get in the way of proper track fit.  You are instructed to remove most of the outer parts.

3. After the treadshoes and treadplates are cleaned up, you are instructed to dryfit just the treadshoes in small sections. These fit together with a friction fit much like Dragon's Magic Tracks, but they lose their tight fit quite quickly. 

Exaclty 67 links were required, but it did require a bit of manipulation with the spacing of the links.  Also I found that the links didn't want to wrap around the sprocket and idler areas very well.  Turns out that some ridges on the treadshoes were the problem.  Where the links meet the corners of these ridges contact each other preventing the links from making a tight pivot.  By simply cutting off the corners on both sides the links can make a nice tight bend! 

Of course I didn't figure this out until I had the left side tracks already done, but at at least it isn't too noticable.  You can see a bits of gaps between the treadplates on the left side in the last set of photos.

Treadshoes assembled and fitted.

4. Add the treadplates....easiest part of the track assembly!  So much nicer than the kit tracks and the proper treadplate spacing is evident now.

I assembled each track assembly in two sections, much like I do with regular tank tracks.  I put a bit of slack around the sponson to allow for shrinkage, which always seems to happen with my indy link tracks and cause me grief when refitting on the painted tracks! Super Angry  NOT THIS TIME!!   I hope.......Whistling

Now all I have to do is add some of the last fiddly bits (grab handles, angle iron track cleaners, port covers and she'll be off to the paint booth!

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Memphis TN
Posted by Heavens Eagle on Monday, January 9, 2012 12:37 AM

Wow bufflehead!  The Whippet is LOOKING GOOD!  Those tracks do make quite a difference!  I am impressed!

It is kind of strange though that the fuel tank is in the front of the tank and it has such a LONG front!

Just a strange looking tank.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Monday, January 9, 2012 7:47 AM

Thanks for the comments guys.  Waiking... Patience?  Brother, you have no idea. With each sticth my patience wears thin but the insanity doesn't allow my to stop.Stick out tongue

 

Ernest DAY-UM.  That is really a hotel sierra piece of work.

 

And for all you statistics fans...

Posts to the GB in Nov '11...2

Posts to the GB in Dec '11...0

Posts to the GB in Jan '12... 44  (avg. 5.5/day)

8 straight day in page 1 of the GB forum.

 

OOH-RAH

 

Marc  

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Monday, January 9, 2012 9:38 AM

That is one weird looking tank, here's a picture I took of the beast at Aberdeen Proving Grounds Ordnance museum before they closed.  If it wasn't for the sign in front, I wouldn't have easily figure out which is the front.

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Monday, January 9, 2012 9:46 AM

Marc - yep, let's keep 'er goin'! With all I've got planned for upcoming projects, looks like I'll be sticking around here for a while. Been also working on a shelf queen (an Eduard Fokker D.V), so even though it's not part of my build roster, I'll be posting some pics of it here. Been reading about a neat technique for replicating the streaked Fokker camo using oil paints and plan on using it as a test bed before I attack those DR.1's. Am also very tempted to throw an Eduard Hanriot HD.1 into the mix.

Ernest - heck yeah! Those tracks look friggin' awesome! It's been a joy watching your build progress! Yes

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Monday, January 9, 2012 9:14 PM

OK, it's for sure Marc, if you would also add that Eduard 1/48 Hanriot HD.1 to my build roster.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Monday, January 9, 2012 10:35 PM

waikong

That is one weird looking tank, here's a picture I took of the beast at Aberdeen Proving Grounds Ordnance museum before they closed.  If it wasn't for the sign in front, I wouldn't have easily figure out which is the front.

http://waihobbies.wkhc.net/Museums/Aberdeen_Proving_Grounds/images/british_whippet.jpg

Yeah waikong, when I first saw this tank in a modeling magazine a few years ago I couldn't tell front from back!  Had to do a little research to find out the vehicle's orientation!  Also, like Paul says, its hard to believe the fuel tank is right up front and is the nose of the tank!  I guess they didn't have much in the way of anti-tank guns back then!

Did just a little more work on the Whippet tonight, but not enough to post pics.  Maybe tomorrow I'll have something worthwhile to post.

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:14 AM

Damn Mike, you really ARE happy this GB has been revivedBig Smile

I can't even imagine what Ralph Nader would have said.  "Whippet-Dangerous at any speed"

Marc  

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 10:06 AM

Happy is an understatement, Marc. I'm on cloud nine! The hardware from this era is quite often overshadowed by that of the more popular periods, which is puzzling when one considers the diversity of the choices available. It's nice to finally see it with a place of its own. Yes

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by PANZERWAFFE on Thursday, January 12, 2012 5:03 PM

MARC - The stitching is a great idea and makes an excellent detail..WOWYes  .008 bit......can you still see after those holes.

ERNEST - Sorry for the long delay of my reply.  You did a wonderful job with those tracks.  The whole build is AWESOME!  I did not have to modify the inner section of the links as you did.  Believe it was because the MK IV had more of a straight lay of the track except at the idler and sprocket.  Did not even use the idler and sprocket on the MK IV.  I plan on getting another set of these tracks and a Whippet and will use your build log here as a great reference.  Have really enjoyed watching yours come together.

Painting on the MK IV........First pre shaded with flat black and then, Yes, used MM enamel Russian Earth Brown # 2124.  It looks more brown in the bottle and that is what I was going for but the more paint that went onto the MK IV the more green it looked.  Used W&N oil for wash and pin wash.

Thanks for letting me know of the Plastruct hex rod.  The shops around me only have Evergreen.  Now at least I know what to look for and will order some.

Rob

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Friday, January 13, 2012 2:20 PM

Been going full-bore on the Eduard Fokker E.V - got all the fiddly bits (PE control horns, tail skid & rigging attachment points) attached, and today I'm tackling the wing (this bird only had one - a parasol setup). Am going to try a technique I read about online blending oils to replicate the streaked camo that appeared on many Fokker designs. Will definitely have some pics up later.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

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