Battle For Germany 45 GB Starts Now - 08 May 06

heh gerbils are actually the mongolian species of Kangaroo rat

well my lil panther is done if I can get some pics this weekend i'll post em and as for the halftrack the indie tracks are finally DONE Wheeeeee!!! the rest should go pretty easy from here on

So here goes, sorry, it's the best I can do, I'm at work now (lunch hour, really it is!).  These were in my desk drawer and I scanned them. They are pics of me last June in the MS Bike tour.  I rode 75 Kilometres and raised $1500 for those living with Multiple Sclerosis in Calgary.  It was my fourth year in a row participating in it and I plan on doing it again this year! 

I also ride my bicycle to work almost everyday from March to October.  In each of the last three years I have logged over 3000 Kms!

As usual, critism and comments welcome!

jules, nice looking builds, glad you found the cable! 

Jay, the Me 262 progress has of course come at the expense of my Sunderland for the Canadian GB.  Might be looking for another extension there!    We'll see what I can do in the next few weeks.  If I don't get it mostly done before the Atlantic GB starts there could be a whole heap of back logs.

I've always thought about doing the MS ride but never got off my butt.

Sorry Everyone-Ive been very absent in this build.I had some problems with the site after it changed,and had to make a new name,but even after that,I had problems reading the text.So im back(I hope)

Oh yeah,I was PakNicK-40,and am trying to get that name back.

WB PakNicK good to see ya

Wow.. a whole lot of posts...

Well as far as "overspray"  I have some on my right shoulderblade... seems it quite resembles a skull with flames enveloping it.  I first noticed it in my past modeling (and US Navy) life.. 21 yrs ago.. (wow it really bites to be old... just starting to feel it as I am nearing my 40th birthday, Kremps says don't worry... she'll always see me as the young man of 11 she first met and fell in love with )

Luckily I had some sage advice from an old Navy Chief... he said don't get anything bigger than your palm,  nothing with a womans' name on it, no nude women, nothing on your arms or hand below where a cuff would fall when in a suit, in case you interview with a conservative... the list goes on...

Darren - hope it's ok to mention the old hag in this GB...

Jules - yeah you look a little different than your online image portrayed  to me... but all the same you're still welcome to come down and let me take you on a tour of the ships and air museums down here..   Actually any of you fellows are more than welcome down here as long as it's not you being thrown out by the missus and needing a place to live! 

-= edit =- unless you like to iron clothes and cut the grass... we might be able to negotiate!

OH!!!  I forgot to mention Jules... nearby the Lone Star Flight Museum is the complete fighter wing from Tora Tora Tora (the original planes from the movie, still flying) along with the B-17 they used in the movie that came in on one gear... let me check when their local airshows are because it would be worth scheduling a vacation it around then..  believe it or not for around $300 US you can take a ride on that B-17 when she is back on the line, the wife said ok, so if you're up to it and it is certified to fly again, I'm game!!  (right now she is having her wing spars replaced, <the plane... not my wife>)  AND I have been checking into train routes around here and I think you can pick up one fairly close...  I know in spring and fall the lone star museum puts on a good show along with the US Navy or Air Force displays that fly in so I'll forward all that to you via email...  And if ya don't make it up here... we'll have fun planning it all the same!!!

Chris - nice looking tank!  looking forward to your build for this!  what FS numbers did you use painting the gerbil?  haha I noticed theres some good demarcation lines on it... careful masking I am sure!

Tweets - I was luckily sober enough tonight to curtail my usual modeling expedition before it became tragic... been a hard couple of months at work and sometimes I need a little liquid sleep...  hmmm... I feel a "All soused up and the missus is already gone to bed" GB coming on...   who's with me?    (knowing the "usual suspects" this could actually become a reality... )

Jay - you'd love to meet my brother in law.. he does the MS150 here every year along with any other race he can get into.  I am envious in the fact he has so many nice bikes. a Trek Tandem (it cost almost as much as my wife's car) and about 11 other Trek and Specialized bikes in his garage.   His route is from San Antonio to Austin and back (Texas)  ..  I bought a Trek Navigator 300 hybrid and have been trying to get more into it lately.. still working on a 150 though!!! (actually still working on 15 to be honest haha)  He swears I can do it but I guess I am a little scared of having to ride in the van halfway through it... (like a sissy) I need to work myself up to it.

Dave - looking good!!!  I see nothing wrong with the mottle..  I'm to chicken to try more than dots so you're a step ahead of me!!!

Dave your camo looks just fine to me, I don't know what you are worried about.  Are you going to use an in-box decal scheme or is an AM scheme, either way it should turn out great.  Also with regards to the canopy I wouldn't worry too much, at 1/72 even if there are some minor defects, you'll be hard pressed to pick them up.

Jules not tats on this little black duck to compare or show I'm afraid, it was just something I never got in to.  Your new camera takes a lovely photo btw, both the kits look just fantastic.  I must say the Zero is my favorite though it just looks great .

OK if we are doing the photo thing again here is the least hideous photo of yours truly that I could find, it was taken on our last little holiday down the coast.



Chris I'll be looking forward to checking out some happy snaps of your Panther.

Nick nice to see you back on board again.

Tom I know what you mean about that getting old thing and seeing as how it's past midnight it's now officially my 41st birthday, AAAAACK .  Also just as a matter of interest, when are you turning the Four Oh??????
Drinking and modeling, I'm shocked and stunned, I don't know what the world is coming too really .  Now drinking and posting that's another story .

:::Progress Update:::
I love ALCLAD I really do it is just fantastic stuff, tonight I painted the BMF on the entire interior of the 262 and it turned out just great and I'm really pleased.  Tomorrow I'll give the whole lot a wash and then flat coat it to give it a worn and grimy look.  I also painted the 30mm cannons as per Marc's instructions, so I am making slow progress.

Cheers

Tom, I'm not into the race thing, my bike is a cheepie converted  into a commuter.  I do like to ride long distances though.   I would love to get one of those nice Treks or Specialized, there is also a Canadian company called Cervelo which make some beautiful bicycles but I just can't justify spending $2000+ on a bike...   I can dream though, maybe I will win the lottery...yeah right

Darren, I've never seen any pics of you before but you look pretty close to what I imagined.  Is that a good or bad thing?

OK, seeing as we're doing the pictures of ourselves again, here's me....





....or that was me as I now wear glasses. Doesn't help me look any more intelligent though.

My picture has a tendency to appear in scrapbooking magazines, as my wife writes for several craft magazines, some of which sold in Oz!!!!!!

Dave, the 262 looks great.

How much for a bike? I don't think I've ever paid that much for a car!

I'm not joking either.

Progress Update

None, I've had a cold.

Karl

OK, if were going to share mug shots, this is me....

Yes, I know I am an old fart, having long ago qualified as a dirty old man.

Regards,  Rick

Jay - mine wasn't that expensive, only about $480 US.  Now when you get to the road bikes you can plan on spending some change on them!  (Although there are a few for $550-$800 like the KDR 1000)  even the one I have is heads above the one I had before...  the hybrid thing is nice because it rides quiet and smooth like a road bike but can do moderate off road stuff.  (riding on the beach or through gentle woods type thing, nothing like the hard core BMX stuff.)  when I got on my brother in laws cheap Trek it was like riding on air.. real smooth compared to the off the shelf stuff.   Expensive is the Madone...  $5000.00 is a bit much for me... my brother in laws Tandem was $8,000... that's crazy!!!!  Of course he rides 7 days a week so I guess he get's his money's worth... I'll be sticking to my little $400 one for quite some time I think...
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Darren - I'll be 40 April 22nd this year... it's not a big thing for me like a ot of people make it out to be.  I'm still 18 in my head so it's just another day!  Everyone on both sides of my family live to be 87 plus (my grandmother who recently passed was a month from her 99th birthday)  so compared to those, yrs 40 is young!  And as far as drinking and posting I try to stay away from that also haha..

Speaking of the alclad what did you use for the base?  I tried the krylon thing, tried the MM gloss black without much luck.  I finally settled on future... if I have to do it with a shiny type of alclad I plan to use Vallejo flat black with a future overcoat...
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I guess I will have to find a pic to post on here again... trouble is 99% of the time I am on the other side of the camera when it's time for holiday photos and such...

Hey all,

I was wondering if I could join this build?  I started a 1/32 Bf 109G-6 in mid-december.  Will I still be able to join?

Thanks,
FlyBoy38L

 

I have to find a pic that won't make everyone chuck... so I iwll stick with progress pics for now.

 

Some before and afters of the cowls and flaps.

 

I've ridden and raced Mtn Bikes for many years, Had one or two road bikes before the Mtn Bike thing really took off (that should tipp you off to how old I am). My first Mtn Bike was about $600 , the second one was about $1000 and the last one (bought about 8-9 yrs ago) was in the $2000+ range. If there is a next one it better be under $500 or it could cost me my marriage!!! lol! Seriously though, I have friends who easily spend more than $5000+ on their bikes and yes, I am using the plural. Anyway, when I was racing and riding the trails every weekend, even rode it to university in -30C weather, I managed to justify spending that kind of money. You treat it like a second vehicle. However now that family life has become the priority I couldn't justify that again. I'd make some comment about old age too but my brother (4 yrs my senior) put me to shame when we went for a ride last weekend. It was embarrasing!

I'll try to find a picture and post it tomorrow. No overspray on my arm. Wouldn't want to mess with the natural mottle (ie: freckles)

Tom, 40 is no big deal. By this point everyone already knows your an old fart.

Marc, can't see your pics at the moment.

Decals are complete on the Me 262 so just the landing gear antenae and paint touch up to go. Canopy is kinda rough up close but she's looking good.

Looking good Marc.  Keep up the good work.

Regards,  Rick

Marc I can see your pics now and they look great.  That 190 is coming along nicely.

Some teaser pics of the Me 262 (Revell 1/72) with the decals on.  Will take some better pics when I'm done.  They are the kit decals (except the tail markings) and went on very nicely.  Guess I've been building too many Academy kits lately and have gotten used to their super thick decals.

And one of me on a hike with the kids about 1 1/2 years ago, I have the same problem as Tom with being on the wrong side of the camera most of the time.  I have a more recent one of me in a tie but I wouldn't want to give you guys the wrong impression about me now would I.

Rick, Dave... Thanks

 

Dave - The 262 looks great.  The mottle looks even better with the markings.

Marc, great progress on the 190.

The flaps are a huge improvement, as are the cowl flaps

Dave, the 262 has turned out really great. Is that Schiffer's mount?

I think that was the guy's name.

Progress Update

Corrected a few minor blemishes on the Panther.

Hopefully I'll get to apply the Dunkel Gelb tomorrow, with the brown and the green on Sunday.

Karl

Marc and Dave, Progress is looking really good!  Dave the mottle looks perfect under the decals.  Marc, yes those cowl flaps look impressive.

Very nice build Dave.  Looks even better with the decals.

Regards,  Rick

FlyBoy38L1 wrote:

Hey all, I was wondering if I could join this build?  I started a 1/32 Bf 109G-6 in mid-december.  Will I still be able to join? Thanks, FlyBoy38L

 

Actully I am correting myself.  I'm building a 1943 Bf-109G-6 so I can't fit with the rules.  Sorry guys.

FlyBoy38L

Just a quick progress report... Got all of the major painting on the Fw190 done today, finally !   Just too many distractions over the Holidays but now firmly back at the bench.  Pics tomorrow, if I get my battery charged & find my USB cable .

Regards,  Rick

Well I got a little progress down today too... I got the panzer olivgrun over the cream yellow on the hull, tomorrow I will tackle the turret and will post pics...  if my dog hadn't eaten both mine and the wife's cameras... yeah... that's the ticket!!!  wait!  it was spaaaaace aliens!  capturing our technology! 

okokokok... I'll stop with the SNL stuff..   at first I was disappointed in the paint job, there was some overspray where the blue tak was when spraying.. but after moving it into different light I can see that with weathering it should look like the cream yellow is fading off,  kinda like white wash.  (which was how it was put on the real tank... with a paint brush in the field... same with the circles in the octopus camo.. so I didn't worry if some got bigger or out of line with the others... it was field applied...

 

I am thinking weathing with slight amounts of earth tones and the majority grey and black... simulating the tanks fighting in urban environments.. all the ash and stone dust would coat it up...   also I am contemplating blowing out a match and running it under the lower hull in front to simulate fire scorching from rolling over something burning.. I'm going to paint a piece of sheet styrene the olivfrun and see what it looks like...

Marc very impressive looking work, you sure know how to detail them eh, should be a real looker when finished

Dave Looks great with decals on buddy, She's gonna be a sweet build, makes me wanna crack the box and cut sprue on my tamiya 48 262

Jay somehow you look right if you know what i mean, your online personality seems to fit your pics, although i thought Dave would look a little different, (sorry Dave but i had you pictured as a model making Mountie or lumberjack) BTW Dave nice looking river and surrounding  countyside, Canada sure does look like an Angler/camper paradise.....

Oh Yeah Jay in total i have 6 tats, 3 on my back (1 which goes up the back of my neck to the hairline), 1 on the left inner forearm and 2 armbands(soon to be 1) on my right upper arm......

Tom howsabout some pics of this King kitty And Yeah i'd still like to make it over around about July, I've looked into airfares but they all seem to be flying into Dallas but thats no drama only thing is it's a tad more expensive to fly over in July...I reckon about $7000 AU should cover it for 2 weeks......

Tweets funnything is out of all the posties in my depo only 3 of us don't sport beerguts which must be hard for em when on the bike cause the bikes are heavy enough when fully loaded and some of them are an easy 50 kg+ heavier than me.....

BTW Tweets I can't say whether or not gerbils taste like chicken but i'm game to find out if you are

Jules, most of the posties I see in the UK caome with gut as standard!

Tom, looking forward to pics of the King Kitty. How's the shoulder?

Progress Update

Panther is now Dunkel Gelb, with the centre of all the panels sprayed a shade lighter.

Now onto the green this afternoon.

Here's a pic of the Panther in what looks like winter camo, but is actually primer.



Karl

Karl, looks like the Panther is progressing nicely.  Good work!

Here's a couple of pics of my freshly painted 1/32 Hasegawa Fw190A-8.  Represents an aircraft from JG54 as photographed in March, 1945.  Camo is the late war scheme of RLM 81/83/76 with Defense of the Reich markings in RLM24.

Now on to decals .

Regards,  Rick

Nice camo work Rick.

 

Thad

Thanks Thad.

Regards,  Rick

Karl -  Great work on the Panther

 

Rick - Beautiful.  Nice mottle on the tail.  If I may ask... enamel or acrylic? and what AB do you use?

Thanks Marc.  The paint was from my rapidly diminishing stock of Aeromaster Enamels.  AB was my Badger 100LG with the medium tip.

Regards,  Rick