I began this one a few weeks ago starting with collecting parts from previous WC projects. I had molds for fenders, tires and wheels and a frame from a WC-52 that I was planning on building but never did. The frame was stretched by adding a section in the middle for the longer WC-54 wheel base. Springs and axles are brass with the differentials from two part resin. Body sides are 0.030" Evergreen plastic sheet. The cab is diecast and was cut from a '41 Dodge pickup. The doors, dashboard and windshield have been saved for use. Unlike the other WC projects the hood has some slant and curve to it due to the commercially built cowl. So new hood sections will be cut from brass sheet. The top has been the most challenging because of the complex shape and the idea of keeping it open for detailing the interior of the body. A master was made of Renshape from which a silicone rubber slush mold was made. With the mold done two part casting resin was mixed and poured into it allowing it to cover the full inside surface of the mold but without filling it. After 4-5 smaller pours around the outside, I had a well formed roof that was about 1/16" thick. Something I could use to detail the body interior. That's where we are so far. Working on those quirky little returns above the cab doors now.

Just finished the Academy 1/48 F-4J in Blue Angels colors. This was a kit started by fellow club member Larry Goodell that I took off his hands so it could be finished up. The markings were from Mil Spec and were tough to apply on the bottom as none of them were pre-cut to fit the landing gear doors. Some of them also tended to chip along the edges some. There's a LOT of warts on this one as it was a purely "git 'er done" project. It does look good sitting next to my BA Connie though! Now on to the next one! GIL

Hello all! Now that I found a bit of free time, here's the latest pass in review of all the models I finished in August... and the one at the end of July that I never got to post. First, the last one finished in July. This is the Airfix 1/76 scale British Mk.I Male from WWI: Now for the ones I finished in August... In no particular order we have: PST 1/72 scale Russian 37mm AA Gun: Another PST kit, the 1/72 scale Zis-42M Halftrack: Revell 1/72 scale Russian BTR-50PK APC: Back to PST for another 1/72 scale BTR-50PK APC, this one in Egyptian markings: Another Egyptian subject, this is the Trumpeter 1/72 scale SA-6 Gainful in Egyptian markings: Next is a Heller 1/72 scale GMC truck from the "Red Ball Express": I might do something with that cab; I don't like the way it looks. For now it's done. Next up is the Riich Models 1/725 scale M109A2 Paladin done in Italian markings: Finally we have these last two. First is the Attack 1/72 scale German Tatra T-111 cargo truck. I built this one entire without instructions since they didn't come in the box and I couldn't find any online anywhere: The last in this group is the Modelcollect 1/72 scale German FAUN SLT-56 that came with the Leopard 2A7. I'd built the tank some time ago, so it was time to build the transporter: And that is all I have for now. Stay tuned, there's more coming down the pike. Meanwhile, thanks for looking in, comments are welcome.

This model is the star of the 2024 film Nosferatu. If you haven't seen it yet, you must. While it's a take off of the 1920s silent film, it is 1000 times creeper. Bill Skarsgard has the title role and boy does he deliver! The 1/4 scale kit is from Pestilence Labs and comes in five 3-D printed parts that are flawless. The hardest part was getting decent sample images of the Count. If you have seen the movie, you know many parts of it are visually dark. I found 2 images I liked, but still had to lighten them. If nothing else it clearly shows that his decrepit uniform wasn't just "plain." Lets get started. Being his skin is a pale, dead color, I started with a base of purple. I don't know if the coat color was an artifact of the lightening, but I thought it looked good enough and went with the darkest blue I could find. After I painted the blue, I found a pic of the costume on display and the coat is nothing like I was thinking. The dark tone of the film hides all the details. But the embroidery and extras on his coat were clear and I painted them a bronze color. Once dry, I dirtied it up. The hat looks dark, so that was an easy part. The skin looked to me as if it was colors of gray, But I wanted to add a little saturation to it. So in the end I mixed V's White Gray with a little bit of Pale Flesh. I thought it gave me that sickly pallor. His hand was done in a similar manner. I also noticed that the fur collar was just one color, so I started dark and then added highlights to the tufts. The painted was based in black, and then highlighted in a dark gray and dark brown. The jewel was done in the style of miniatures ( not all that happy with the result). Then the feathers were done in a very dark red with some lighter red just to draw out the detail. The base was next and I saw in a critique video that the reviewer was knocking bases that attracted more attention that the supposed focus - the figure. So the base was painted with V's Black Gray, and then I added that bronze (to unite the figure with the base) to the adornments and skulls. Dots of Turquoise gave it the verdigris, and then I dirtied it all up. I left the eyes for the end the way his head is slightly tilted down, it told me that he was looking thru his brow. I painted them like I always do with a base of black, and then the 1/2 circles of brown, and corners of that same White Gray. To add to the creep factor I added a dark yellow to the part of the iris that would be lit. Then that was dry A used a Citadel red wash to get them bloody. A few coats of V's Metallic Varnish gave me the gloss and I was done. Thanks for looking.

A new modelling brand - Beacon Hobby, is releasing the impressive-looking DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas kit in 1/350th scale. We have the test kit put together for you in our preview...Read on... »

X Scale's latest release in their Airliner range is the classic B707-124. Included in the kit:

• Seven grey Sprues
• One Clear Sprue
• One Decal sheet
• One Mask set
• One Instruction guide

The sprue quality is great with this kit as it’s a new tool, with crisp and detailed molding.

The assembly is quick and easy.

I will not write about each stage. Instead, here are just a few points and comments for when you build this great kit

The cockpit is the first assembly. The only points I had here were. 1- a decal for the instrument panel would have been nice. 2. There are two holes in the cockpit floor for the control columns but done were included in the kit (I scratch built mine)

Combining MiniArt's Lanz Bulldog tractor paired with a Sonderanhänger Ost trailer equipped with a triple Fla-MG151/20 anti-aircraft mount, we have a mini-diorama in a box! We see what's inside in our preview...Read on... »

Mold parting seams are a fact of life for modelers. It matters not if you have the latest new tool styrene kit, a cast resin kit, or a “vintage” kit from the bottom of the stash, you have mold-parting seams to deal with. Most of us use a trusty number 11 hobby blade to scrape off the offending seam line. We have all used our expanded vocabulary when our hobby blade has gouged the part. There is a better way.

Five kits & two paint sets from ICM in August. We update you with the contents, CADS & artwork in our preview...Read on... »

Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a 1/32nd scale instrument panel for the D3A1 Val (late) that will fit the Infinity Models kit (INF 3206).

In the Package

The instrument panel detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with two photoetched frets. Some of the instrument panels are already assembled. The parts come packaged in an individual Ziploc bag and cardboard backing, which has instructions printed on it.

Conclusions

Overall, this is a very nice detail set to upgrade your D3A1 Val instrument panel. The close-up picture shows off the minute detail printed on the PE parts, and the fidelity at such a small size is amazing.

To install this set will require an adhesive like Superglue (CA) or 2-part epoxy (or similar). Therefore, I would recommend this to folks who are comfortable with handling this type of bonding agent.

Introductory and Historical BackgroundICM’s Notes

DShKM with support/tripod

Summary

ICM continues their run of “dioramas in a box,” this time by kitting the kits as one; the He‑111H-3 WWII German Bomber (Kit 48261). Luftwaffe airfield equipment (Kit 48409), and German Luftwaffe ground personnel (1939-1945) (Kit 48229).

Background

The He-111 was initially designed as a fast airliner. But the secret Luftwaffe wanted an aircraft that could also be converted to a bomber with minimal adaptation. The first He-111 flew in February 1935. The first incarnations of the He-111 looked nothing like what became an infamous bomber of the Blitz. The He-111A through 111F all had a normal nose and cockpit configuration. Not until the introduction in 1938 of the He-111P did the full glass nose appear.

Welcome to Episode 107 of The Modelgeeks Podcast!  

We are back home from the 2025 IPMS USA Nationals in Hampton, VA. We had an absolute great time over the course of the 4-day event.

Rather than wait until our next episode to drop a “wrap up” or “recap” we thought we would stick to the plan of the last few days and drop one more “Short” to talk about the awards, judging, thank a few folks, and bring it on home.

No interviews but a few mentions of some websites to check out so catch those links below.

Thank you for making our time at the Nats a great experience!

We would like to thank all you listeners out there for the continued support you have given the show.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Tony Faust stopped by the table to say hello, this is the podcast he hosts along with Bill Redman and Kevin Yeo:

  ODIN & AESOP

• Our three hosts, Tony, Bill, and Kevin release monthly episodes conducting detailed reviews of military books spanning from World War I to the Global War On Terrorism.

Jim Harley, former Warbird pilot with the Collins Foundation, runs a small resin conversion company specializing in post WWII racing Warbirds:

Black Magik Resin

Share your work with us and the rest of the scale modeling community through our web page, or through our Facebook community page. We love seeing other people’s work. Who knows who you may inspire someone through your latest masterpiece!

Modelgeeks web page:

 Model Geeks Podcast

Facebook community:

 The ModelGeeks Model Shack

 …and of course you can email us at:

 contact@modelgeekspodcast.com

We also want to thank each of our sponsors for their support. We are very lucky to have their support. When you have the time, pay a visit to their web sites, and have a look at their fine products.

Sponsors:

Furball Aero-Design

Tamiya USA

Detail & Scale

SprueBrothers

LionHeart Hobby

Bases By Bill

Hypersonic Models

Matters Of Scale
 

If you're a wicked ModelGeek go check out the following links!

 IPMS USA Events Page

AMPS

Butch O'Hare Modeling Club

The Interesting Modeling Company

 We are very fortunate to be able to join the scale modeling podcast community and are in the company of several other really GREAT podcasts. Hopefully, someday we’ll earn our wings and be able to keep up with those guys!  Please check them all out at Scale Model Podcasts.

 Blogs:

The Kit Box

Sprue Pie with Frets

Model Airplane Maker

Support the show

Support the show

Model Geeks Podcast

Zimi Model's latest release is the PLA AFT-10 Anti-Tank Missile System in 35th scale. We look at the art, features, the machines & their colours, as well as a test build in our preview...Read on... »

We have art, features, profiles & CAD sprue layouts of MiniArt's 1/48th scale P-47D-10R-E Thunderbolt. Early jugs in art, colours, layout, features & the real kites in our preview...Read on... »

Zimi Model's latest release is the 10.5 cm leFH 18/4 auf Geschützwagen Lr.s.(f) kit, matched with the T-Model-supplied SSy45 Flatcar. We look at the art, features, the machines & their colours, as well as a test build in our preview...Read on... »

Welcome to Episode 107, Day 4 of The Modelgeeks Podcast!  

We are on-site at the IPMS USA Nationals in Hampton, VA!Final day here at the Nats and it has been a great time! Thank you all for listening in and following along. 

Today we had the opportunity to talk with author, Chief Petty Officer Venner Milewski USN (Ret) who has a series of book covering U.S. Naval vessels titled Fighting Ships of the U.S. Navy 1883-2019. The series covers a wide range of ships, and the books are a must for ship builders. We also talked with two GUNPLA builders who share their thoughts on the genre. And finally, with apologies to James and Clare of the Agora Models team I have their interview up, two days late…give it a listen and learn about these fine models.

 It was another long but enjoyable day on the floors here at Nats and we are headed out the door to the awards banquet! Hope to see you in Fort Wayne, IN for the 2026 Nats!
 
We would like to thank all you listeners out there for the continued support you have given the show.

 Share your work with us and the rest of the scale modeling community through our web page, or through our Facebook community page. We love seeing other people’s work. Who knows who you may inspire someone through your latest masterpiece!

 Modelgeeks web page:

 Model Geeks Podcast

Facebook community:

 The ModelGeeks Model Shack

 …and of course you can email us at:

 contact@modelgeekspodcast.com

 We also want to thank each of our sponsors for their support. We are very lucky to have their support. When you have the time, pay a visit to their web sites, and have a look at their fine products.

 Sponsors:

Furball Aero-Design

Tamiya USA

Detail & Scale

SprueBrothers

LionHeart Hobby

Bases By Bill

Hypersonic Models

Matters Of Scale
 
If you're a wicked ModelGeek go check out the following links!

 IPMS USA Events Page

AMPS

Butch O'Hare Modeling Club

The Interesting Modeling Company

 

We are very fortunate to be able to join the scale modeling podcast community and are in the company of several other really GREAT podcasts. Hopefully, someday we’ll earn our wings and be able to keep up with those guys!  Please check them all out at Scale Model Podcasts.

 

Blogs:

The Kit Box

Sprue Pie with Frets

Model Airplane Maker

Support the show

Support the show

Model Geeks Podcast

 

Support the show

Model Geeks Podcast

Welcome to Episode 107, Day 3 of The Modelgeeks Podcast!  

 We are on-site at the IPMS USA Nationals in Hampton, VA! We had another great day here at The Nats! We had the opportunity to interview Bert and Rock from Detail and Scale publications, as well as Dave Roof of Flying Leathernecks Scale Creations. We also had another young modeler attending The Nationals sit down and share her perspective on the hobby.
 

It was another long but enjoyable day on the floors here at Nats!

We would like to thank all you listeners out there for the continued support you have given the show.

 Share your work with us and the rest of the scale modeling community through our web page, or through our Facebook community page. We love seeing other people’s work. Who knows who you may inspire someone through your latest masterpiece!

 Modelgeeks web page:

 Model Geeks Podcast

Facebook community:

 The ModelGeeks Model Shack

 …and of course you can email us at:

 contact@modelgeekspodcast.com

 We also want to thank each of our sponsors for their support. We are very lucky to have their support. When you have the time, pay a visit to their web sites, and have a look at their fine products.

 Sponsors:

Furball Aero-Design

Tamiya USA

Detail & Scale

SprueBrothers

LionHeart Hobby

Bases By Bill

Hypersonic Models

Matters Of Scale
 
If you're a wicked ModelGeek go check out the following links!

 IPMS USA Events Page

AMPS

Butch O'Hare Modeling Club

The Interesting Modeling Company

 We are very fortunate to be able to join the scale modeling podcast community and are in the company of several other really GREAT podcasts. Hopefully, someday we’ll earn our wings and be able to keep up with those guys!  Please check them all out at Scale Model Podcasts.

 Blogs:

The Kit Box

Sprue Pie with Frets

Model Airplane Maker

Support the show

Support the show

Model Geeks Podcast

 

Support the show

Model Geeks Podcast

Meng has developed a new Leopard 2A8 to top off their 35th-scale Leopard family. We have the CADs, features & the real thing in our preview...Read on... »

It's that time again where Clayton Ockerby treats us to his top ten of upcoming releases that caught his eye this past month in his video preview...Read on... »