DML Bison II Complete 04-28-12

Rob Unfortunately, that is the normal practice...they can't print the swastika on the instruction sheet, include it on the box art, or show it in any form to comply with the necessary laws. Rather than create "separate" product lines for Asia, US, Europe, etc., they make them all the same. Since they use Cartograf (based in Italy) to print all their decals, that may also be a factor. Thanks for the feedback on the site overhaul, much appreciated!

Karl, thanks as well for the site feedback, glad to hear it's user-friendly as that was the main goal I had in mind in the redesign.

The website upgrade looks great, Bill! Man, I wish I had the time to maintain one! It's really a nice site--easy to navigate, simple layout. Just like it should be!

I hope the swastika thing will not be the normal for the Dragon kits to come.  Your probably right about doing it for the sales in Europe but just hope they do not do it in all of the kits here.

Your site looks really well laid, nice and easy to use   I and sure many others really appreciate you putting it together as for it makes an excellent references and is enjoyable to see what you do.  Thanks much! 

Thanks ps1! I remember a great place up in Minnesota south of Minneapolis that had some great "wild" game...including bison steaks. Can't recall the name but I do remember the meal!

Manstein's revenge

I love this Bison...and want to shoot if from a railcar and then skin it, leaving its carcass to waste in the plains sun...

Well yeah...I think we'd all like to do that Marshall. 

There is a small local supermarket chain in upper Michigan that owns a hurd of Buffalo.  They sell thier meat in thier stores.  It is actually very good and much better for you than cow.

Another great looking model sir.  I enjoy your builds!

Manny, that's one solutiong...but Bison burgers are awful tasty on the grill!

Andy, I hear you about finding time for models...I figured I better do it now while I still had some time left on my break from classes or I'd never get to it. Classes start up again on the 19th so I'm  hurrying to do a lot in the time still left! Glad you like the overhaul.

Your website looks GREAT now!!!   You see?  Studying for MBA is paying off already.   That's something I should try to start one day but definitely not within two years since I can barely find time to build models. 

I love this Bison...and want to shoot if from a railcar and then skin it, leaving its carcass to waste in the plains sun...

Just when I thought I was getting back into the groove of regular weekly updates, the Easter holiday intervened as did the urge to revamp my website www.bpmodels.net (something I've been needing to do for a while) and give it some more depth. So while the Bison II didn't get any "bench time" I did spend quite a bit of time at the computer working on model-related stuff...just of the web page variety! The last major overhaul of the page happened in 2006 and I got my hands on Dreamweaver CS5.5 (a VERY powerful piece of software) and had to learn how to drive the thing. Still learning how to use some of its advanced features so I expect more changes will be forthcoming in the future. Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Tread, yep the swastika is in pieces, probably to comply with EU laws about printing them and such. I tried 3 times to figure out how to get the little extra pieces (they provide 2 per emblem) to line up correctly but just couldn't puzzle it out. A minor defeat in the grand scheme of things. The Bovie Tiger is painted in the earlier Tropen scheme based on the actual paint that was on the vehicle when captured and is a good reference for anyone looking to see how it was applied. Thanks for the pics!

Tim, thanks for the comments, glad you like the camo and details. Thanks also for the kudos on the website face-lift...it was something I had been intending to do for some time but never got around to until recently. The reviews are a new addition...something I will be adding to from time to time based off the kits I have in the stash (I tend not to buy kits right at release as a rule since I have a sizable stash already) and for which I have a natural interest in. Glad they are of help!

Ernest, yes, it's a funny practice aimed at solely getting around publication laws for places like France and Germany...it's an even bigger issue for the AC guys who have much larger markings to deal with!

Andy and Mike thanks as always for the continuing support.

Bill....very nice, looking forward to the addition of the shoes!!

Rounds Complete!!

You nearly had me fooled!  Your Bison is really looking great!  

You nearly had me fooled!  Your Bison is really looking great!  

Looking good Bill!  Another lovely build coming together nicely!  Its funny how some decal makers won't actually depict swastikas on their decals, but WILL provide the add-on decals, on the same sheet no less, to make one!  I know its all about being PC, but really.....the decals are soo tiny.

The Bison is looking great. I like the white crosses on the jerry cans with the leather straps. The camo is so cool. A lot of DAK models are just painted sand, so the camo is a good change.

Bill, I really like your website redesign. I never know you did reviews and I have already read a few. This will be very helpfull in the future. You're quit the busy guy not only writing these great build logs, but doing a full review with lots of photos. Keep up the good work.

Super nice, Bill :  )     Swastica came in pieces ?  is it forbidden or bad taste to print one ?.... kinda weird to me 

any how in an earlier post to you I remarked about the camo job (like it very much) , but I couldn't put my finger on why it seemed familiar, yet those colors not seen together all that often...then earlier today I was on Missing Lynks site and there was a post about  Bovington tank museum and tank day (yesterday) and there were your camo colors right on Tiger 131.... now I remember !

cool build, Bill

tread

Not an April Fool's Day joke...I really do have an update!

Sealed up the entire vehicle with a coat of Future applied by airbrush and let that set up overnight. Decals were added and treated with a dose of Walther's Solvaset to insure they snugged down tight and didn't silver. Once the decals were dry, a second coat of Future was applied to seal in the decals and protect them from the weathering stages to come. Markings are fairly simple, just a set of balkenkreuze and the DAK insignias. The kit has the DAK insignia as multi-part pieces for the swastika portion and for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to align them to get the look right even after multiple attempts...so I went with the straight palm trees as-is instead.

Thanks Rob and Karl! Glad you appreciate the coolness! Should have an update later today with the markings on if all goes according to plan today.

Yup, very cool, Bill. I haven't had much time to weigh in as of late, but coolness needs to be recognized.

Would have to agree with Manstein, coolness-factor is way up there.  She is looking GREAT Bill

Jean-Michel, good to see you, it's been a while! Thanks for the comments and glad you like where the Bison is headed.

Tojo, much appreciated as always, thanks!

Always enjoy your blogs Bill,looking good

Bill, as usual, your WIP is a treat to the eyes!  WAY BEYOND NICE!!!!

Thanks MR! Have to agree with you...the chassis was stressed way beyond tolerances and they were prone to mechanical breakdowns of all kinds...but in the looks department it's low-slung and mean beyond a doubt! Appreciate the comments (as does Tony!)!

YYYYEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH

Eric you have excellent taste

Tony lee

wbill76

 

 

Thanks Tony, it's getting closer to the finish line for sure!

Rolling, rolling, rolling - keep the Bison rolling - on tracks!

Looking great!

/Tony

Thanks Ernest. My build speed has slowed waaaay down these days and projects are taking longer to complete for a variety of reasons. Glad you were able to swing by and catch this one.

Looking good Bill!  You normally build so fast that I miss most of your WIP posts, but I managed to catch this one near the end!  Looking forward to another dazzler from you!