Special Forces Figure ***COMPLETE - 13MAY09***

Oh boy! A real race?? Don't worry, I'm not even on the paper stage yet, all in my head. Did you make it [the thread] already? Because if not I'll take care of it...

haha for the title: Terrible Trio’s TAF (Talk Around Forum) Today’s Topic –Sniper Dio

Oh no ... we're not ready for the thread yet. I've got a build already on the table that needs to be finished and if I'm not mistaken .... you're working on a Vietnam dio and you've still got that million man, trillion tank, dio that fits on a 4'x8' sheet of plywood right!?!

he's got a million ideas and only 10 minutes a day to allocate doing it!!!

Patience there grasshopper ..... I'll be working on putting my new thread together (and its not the D-Day paratrooper dio) after I finish with my SF Figure write up.

So, I don't really mean to revive this one JUST b/c it was reaching the bottom of the page (hehe) ....

Actually, I was looking at taking this one to a show this past weekend, and to my dismay, after sitting on the shelf for 2-3 weeks, the clay that I used for the base is all cracked up!?! Not sure how it happened, but was just wondering what's the easiest way to fix it. The figure and the SF crest are already in place and I dare not try to pull them off. But what's the best way to fix this in place, paint, and finish? I was thinking of just using putty, allowing to cure, and then painting over with a brush.

I'm hoping since groundwork never needs to be "perfect" I can get away with this one ...

However, this could be a blessing in disguise .... I've been thinking about switching the figure to another, shorter base .... a 2-3" tall piece of 4x4 I found in the garage. I think a nice deep stain and a thick poly finish on it would look WAY better than the black box I've got it sitting on now .... just a thought.

Thanks again in advance.

damn it ....

Well, then I guess this one's not over just yet. Stick around if you're into updates on bases.

As far as Scalefest ... after seeing the base messed up, I didn't even make the drive. I should have puttied it real quick and let it dry in the car! I was disappointed that I did go, but I'm sure there will be others.

So, I can't believe that it's been over a month since I called this one done. However, just to backtrack (since I'm bringing this one up to the top of the page again ...)

I was getting ready to take this one up to Dallas for the Scalefest 09 show, when I pulled it off the shelf and realized that my ground work had started to crack. Guess I used too much water in my plaster. So, I've scraped that base all together as I really like the look of a nice wooden base for a figure. I haven't gotten much done but here's what I've got...

I took a spare piece of 4x4 that I had and cut it up into different size base pieces. I left them out in the backyard for about 2 weeks to dry out and fade/ age the wood a bit. Then, b/c its Houston, I brought them inside, into the AC for about a week IOT dry out as much as possible. Then I stained this piece ... once a day for about 3 days. After getting the color that I wanted, I took it to the paint booth and began giving it coat after coat of Future. This, to me, is WAY better than using some type of poly wood finish. Below are the pics after the Future coats. I've gotten new plaster groundwork added, but just no pics yet.

The set-up will pretty much be the same as the last base, so really nothing too special here. Just thought I'd share ....

You think so ...

I was think about making a "few" more. I've got about another 4-5 feet of 4x4 left .... Hmm....

Fair enough ....

... BTW, I know that you're just trying to decide whether or not to ask me for one for your SF figure! HAHA!!!!

Stern0 - thanks for that. I'm glad that you like it.

Well, here's the last update for this one .. really. The base is complete, and I'm very happy with it. Just to recap before the final pics .... I used just a scrap piece of 4x4 lumber from the garage (since, I've also found that your local building supply should have scrap woods pieces in their lumber sections). I sanded it down smooth on all sides with an oribtal sander, then applied about 2-3 coats of stain. After the stain dried and cured, I sprayed it with Future. I've used the poly sealer before, but just wanted to try Future to see how it would fair. I must have given it about 10 coats to get the look I wanted. After that, plaster was used for groundwork, and painted Iraqi Sand from Vallejo.

Thanks again to all the loyal followers. Couldn't have done it without you.

Camo - Actually, I'm considering making that change that you suggested before ... about adding the spade/ ram bhind the figure ... that's what you're talking about, right!?!

I'll be playing with it a little here and there.

I was also thinking about adding a brass name plate on the front with the spade/ ram image to one side SF crest on the other side of the lettering. However, this would mean that I'd have to remove the pin crest from the top and fill that blank space with something ...

.... why cant' this one be done and over with!?!?!

Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments .... and the advice. I guess what's got me wrapped around the axle w/ this one is that its supposed to be for someone else and I've never really built anything for anyone, so I want them to be happy w/ it as well.

I'm sure they will be. I just need to send it on its way and let it be ....

... but then again, I could change a little bit here ......

you 'll love this Scott...Last christmas my brother in law's wife wanted me to build a hot air balloon for her mother....WTF a hot air ballon? Well to make a long story short it was all scratch built with a boat shaped basket..kinda cool..even had to 1/48 scale german figs in it (a little joke on my part)...But I had no idea if if she was going to love it or hate it...I finaly sucumbed to the fact that it was my style and thats the way it turned out and no need to bang your head over it...what i'm trying to say is; build to your style and never second guess your vision...

BTW...I have pics of that dam ballon if ya wanna see it

Appreciate that Stern0 ... makes a lot of sense and its good advice. I guess its just that there are so many great modellers here such as Camo, Hans, you, Swanny, and many, many, more ... that it means a lot for you guys to approve. But you (and camo as well) have both said the same thing. For the life of me, I'll never understand why camo won't take his stuff to a show, but when I think about it ... it makes sense. Its all about just being happy w/ your own work.

I am happy w/ this one ... and I'm glad that you all approve as well.

camo junkie wrote:

well, the biggest reason y i wont is the obvious scott...im my own worst critic. the other reason...i never know when there are any shows around here...LOL. someday i may do that but my biggest fear is that i will then have to meet or exceed each and every build there after. this way if i throw something together and its less than "par" then i dont have to feel bad because it was nothing more than fun and relaxation for me. basically, im afraid if i do so well i win something (whatever 1st, 2nd 3rd)...i will never be the same model wise and then like you scott...im "expected" to throw something jaw dropping out to meet everyone's expectations! i dont know...just me! i would like to visit a show sometime...anyone know of any around here anytime soon?

HOLY CRAP!!! NOW I'M EXPECTED!!!!! Oh, man!?!?! ..... hehe.

Camo .... I think all your stuff is great. Part of taking things to shows is a little self-gratifying in that its fun to stand across the room and watch people look at your stuff. But, for me, its just getting out to the shows and seeing everyone else's stuff. I enjoy building things and not being happy with them ... I too am my own worst critic, but I think that is what makes us better.

That ... and all those on the forums.

...I think MC just doesn't want to let this one off of his shelf b/c it's so kick***

I like the "sand" in this one and the wood looks good. Don't know about all that name plate stuff etc., I think it's fine as is, but as has been said, I'm sure your friend will love it regardless of how you display it- so I say feel free to play around with it until you get it looking the way you want