Secret Santa GB 2016 !!!

Tonight was all about the armor. Wish I'd have put something in this pic for size reference tho. The biggest one, the M1A1 I believe, is about 1/2" long. I stuck a piece of tape on the table and put each set of tracks on it to hold them together, then hit them with tamiya thin cement using the capillary actio technique I learned watching Aaron's video. I'd have glued my fingers to the first or second one if I hadn't learned that. Another 90 minutes or so tonight. I can't wait to trry and paint them...NOT! 

My eyes hurt and my fingers shake just thinking about painting those tiny trucks. But, the outcome will be worth it.

BK

I'm looking forward to seeing these little guys all painted up!

How about a teaser, here they are in their underwear, I mean primer lol

I'm traveling this week and next so it'll be awhile before I get back to finish these. Will be looking forward to watching everyone's progress in the mean time!

This is really cool to watch. Some how I am fasinated with the small pits that go into the larger build. It takes a whole new level of skill and patience.

BK

Those little pieces have some nice detail!

I really don't know how people do these little things! If any of you manufacturers are hovering in the background I would suggest adding an extra one of every piece less than 1/8" in size lol

ive had some success with painting the deck. Verdict is still out as I have to do the sides nexT. Slow progress but hoping to finish alot over the upcoming lo ng weekend.

This is certainly an interesting build. I haven't yet brought myself to build ships but I know one day I'll do it. I really have a desire, in the future, to build one that requires lots of rigging and takes up a ton of space. I haven't the courage for that yet. 

You ship is taking shape, but I agree, painting the sides may take alot of small masking. You'll pull it off though.

BK

Finally sat down at the bench on this. I still hate small parts...lost another boat to the carpet monster. I am losing less with the new tweezers though but I may never do another boat this small again!

I think it will look ok when I'm done with painting. I've learned a few new things on this. Maybe tomorrow I will do some painting of camoflouge on all the Marine assault vehicles!

Mongoose, your work is paying off. This one is starting to really look the part. The PE is really making a difference and small or not, it looks very cool.

As far as small bits go with tweezers I've found that getting tweezers with small teeth really helps me grip small bits without them snapping off into never seen again land.

BK

I have a dedicated pair of tweezers I dipped in liquid electric tape for this very reason.  Just dip the business end of the tweezers about 1" into the liquid and it makes a nice non-slip coating.  Works great!  That ship is coming along nicely!

Almost done! I had a problem with the valejo paint pulling off with the tape on the hull though. Fortunately it's almost all below the waterline. I may make a diorama out of it due to the number of small ships and helicopters that come with this kit. I'm really happy with how the camo turned out on the tanks and helicopters. I ended up repainting the upper decks with a brush due to overspray. You've probably guessed this has been a learning experience. I'm still missing 2 boats and a mast to the carpet monster haha

That is really looking the part now. You don't really get a true sense of the scale until you see those tiny aircraft next to it. Now that puts things in perspective. Looking very nice, Sir.

BK

Chad I've never heard of that. Will find some at the local home depot and try it out. I bought a new set of tweezers but still no luck so now on to a coating. Beginning to think it's just me haha

Man that ship is looking nice!  BTW... You can get the liquid tape in the electrical section next to the black electrical tape. 

Sooo, I was the nking those little air boats and such wont look right just sitting on the shelf. I went back FSM April 2016 and I'm following Chris Flodberg's article called sculpting rough seas. A quick trip to home depot got me the insulating board. I've roughed in the waves and a bow wave for the ship. I plan to include a beach as the landing zone. Next up off to the art store for the rest of the supplies. Will post pic once i figure out whats up with smugmug.

I’ll be cutting it close but I’m coming down the home stretch. My sea base is almost ready for paint...

TheMongoose

I’ll be cutting it close but I’m coming down the home stretch. My sea base is almost ready for paint...

 

BK

Well, due to other commitments, I'm not going to make the deadline, but will finish the paint repairs and get the engines and tanks hung on the BUFF, hopefully by the end of November.  Just in time to get in on this years Santa, if it repeats.

BK, my thanks for hosting us on this one this year.

goldhammer

Well, due to other commitments, I'm not going to make the deadline, but will finish the paint repairs and get the engines and tanks hung on the BUFF, hopefully by the end of November.  Just in time to get in on this years Santa, if it repeats.

BK, my thanks for hosting us on this one this year.

 

BK

Ok here’s a few in the moment shots of her all complete! Glam shots later once i finish the diorama I have going for the USS New York. 

Learned alot on this one.

Decks and verticals require much thought ahead of time. I ended up painting the deck again because i got the light gray on it while redoing some verticles.

The carpet monster ate many many parts. These kits in 1/700 should be like that assembled furniture brand and include extras of anything small. Next project...repaint my workshop floor because even after i moved off the carpet to solve this problem I found it hard to find gray plastic on gray concrete maybe if i try that pantyhose over the vacuum hose trick i can find the anchor...

I can’t use tape on long runs of acrylic paints, even desticking it on my arm! I was able to repair the waterline but its visible, good thing I’m making this into a diorama

Nicely done in that scale.  I wouldn't have any hair left anywhere, let alone on my head.

Patience is a virtue I'm told, just not one of mine.  Can't wait to see her afloat.

Is there going to be a Secret Santa 18?

Job well done!  I love those mini vehicles!

Hey BK, I had some time and reposted the pics from the build for me.  Don't remember which ones you used for the front, but I'm sure they are in the ones I posted.

So....will there be a Secret Santa 2017? 

Mongoose, wow, that is super cool. All those tiny parts really look the part now that it's all put together. I can't wait to see the dio. Excellent work.

As far as there being a SS '17, it doesn't look like I will have the time this year. I know it's pretty cool, but I am super busy and it would be something I just wouldn't be able to apply as much time to as I would like and you all deserver more than that. I would encourage anyone who wants to set one up to go for it. I have to step away this year as I have far too much on my plate.

BK

Bummer about 2017.  I have really enjoyed doing this.  I wish I had the wherewithal to coordinate it.  I finally completed my Fw 190.  It had been on the 99% shelf since June, just needing the gun barrels replaced.  I took care of that over the weekend and will post some pics. 

TheMongoose

Ok here’s a few in the moment shots of her all complete! Glam shots later once i finish the diorama I have going for the USS New York. 

Learned alot on this one.

Decks and verticals require much thought ahead of time. I ended up painting the deck again because i got the light gray on it while redoing some verticles.

... 

Hi,

Your build looks great.  One word of caution though.  An LCAC has a regular payload of 54mt (68 in overload) and as such really can only carry a single M1 at a time. 

Pat

Thanks Pat, I’ll set it up with a realistic load for the diorama. Hopefully i will be painting water this weekend!