Northern Alliance (Afghanistan) T-55 by Gary Boggs

Tamiya 1:35th scale Northern Alliance (Afghanistan) T-55. Finished with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics, MIG pigments, various filters and oil washes, AK Interactive and MIG finishing products. Scratch-built handles, fuel line assemblies, and tarp. Airbrushed using an Iwata Neo and Iwata Eclipse.

Tamiya 1/48 BF109 E3 - Part III

Read Part I Here
Read Part II Here

Final pictures of the completed project. III JG.26, August 1940 - Major Adolf Galland

Read Part I Here
Read Part II Here

1:48 Tamiya Tiger I Afrika by Gary Boggs

The 1:48 Tamiya Tiger I Initial by Gary Boggs was built and marked to represent tank number 731 of the 7 Co., sPzAbt 501, Tunisia 1943. The kit was built 95% box stock with the addition of some Eduard photo-etch, Eduard grill screens, and a bit of scratch building in a few areas to add minute details.

The model was painted using Tamiya acrylics and was finished and weathered with a combination of products from AK Interactive, MIG, and some homemade weathering treatments.

Tamiya 1/48 BF109 E3 - Part II

Read Part I Here
Read Part III Here

Two years ago I was inspired by the great collection of aircraft I had seen at Eagle Quest to start the build of the Tamiya BF109 E3. Unfortunately the inspiration didn't last long, and after building the cockpit she became a shelf queen.

A month ago I got her back out and decided to press on and finish, inspired once again from reading the book A Higher Call by Adam Makos. I didn't get a chance to blog the assembly of the kit other than the building of the cockpit in Part I - but here in Part II I cover the painting and decaling process.

 

After priming the plane with Tamiya white primer, I used Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black to outline and pre-shade all panel lines.

Using Model Master acrylic paints, I began applying the main colors, starting with RLM 65 Hellblau for the areas on the bottom of the aircraft and the sides. For this model, I shot all of my main colors with an Iwata at 20psi. I thinned my paints using Model Master acrylic thinner at a ratio of about 20% thinner to paint.

In the next step, I cut out masks using printer paper in order to be able to create a "soft" hard edge scheme, as I'm building the Adolf Galland version of the plane that comes in the box (same as the box art). The light color in the camo is Model Master RLM 02 Grau while the dark color is Model Master RLM 71 Dunkelgrun.

For all of the three base colors I have allowed the pre-shade to slightly show through (not too strong!) and I shot the middle of the panels with lightened versions of the base coat colors to begin a bit of a contrast/weathering effect. I kept both of these techniques to a minimum as this plane was still relatively new when it saw service.

After a coat of gloss using Future floor wax, I applied the decals over a three day period using a mix of decals supplied with the kit and decals from my aftermarket stash. Micro-Set and Micro-Sol were used to ensure snug decals without silvering.

Once the decals had a day to set, I re-applied future to lock them in and gave it another day to dry. Using MIG dark wash and MIG thinner for washes, I spent a few days bringing out all of the panel lines. This was allowed to dry then followed with Vallejo semi-gloss varnish thinned with Vallejo thinners (and with a drop of slow dry added to help avoid "white specks") shot through the Iwata at about 20psi.

I hope to complete the model this week and Part III will cover final assembly, weathering, and some shots of the finished result.

Read Part I Here
Read Part III Here
 

Befehlsjäger 38 Ausf.M by Gary Boggs

The 1:35 Dragon Smart Kit Befehlsjäger 38 Ausf.M (Marder III) by Gary Boggs was built mostly out of the box with the exception of interior items. The radio wiring is scratch-built as is the ammo rack frame. The model is painted with Tamiya acrylics (Dark Yellow, Red Brown, NATO Green), using an Iwata HP-CS for the base, and freehand with an Iwata High Performance HP-B for the camo.

Weathering was accomplished using a combination of MIG washes, oils, and pigments. The parts fit for the interior was a bit off in a few areas, but otherwise this was a good kit that could use some aftermarket interior goodies.

1:48 Spitfire Mk.II by Gary Boggs

After a Spring and Summer hiatus, we're back with some new posts!

We'll get things rolling for September with the aging 1:48 scale Revell Spitfire Mk.II by Gary Boggs. Gary reports that the kit was rough around the edges with numerous fit issues and canopy challenges, but with patience, blood, sweat, and tears (and might I say talent!) he was able to pull off another stunner... although with wings instead of tracks this time!

Gary built the model box stock and painted it with Tamiya acrylics. Finishing and weathering were achieved using MIG Dark Wash and a small amount of MIG Smoke Pigments. The aerial was created using nylon sewing thread.

Stay tuned for a few more from Gary over the coming weeks... and maybe even one from the site author! :)

Syrian T-62 Mod.1972 by Gary Boggs

This is the 1/35th scale Trumpeter kit of the T-62 Mod.1972, built 90 % out of the box with added fuel lines and a bit of scratch work here and there - but no aftermarket kits or additions.

The model was painted using an Iwata airbrush and Tamiya acrylic paints. The model was washed and weathered with oils, MIG pigments, and AK Interactive products.

Sd.Kfz.251/20 Ausf. D "Uhu" by Gary Boggs

This is the 1/35th scale AFV Club Sd.Kfz.251/20 Ausf. D "Uhu" by Gary Boggs. The kit is built with the addition of the Blast Models update set which contains resin updates mainly to the generator. The "Uhu" was produced with a large 60cm infra-red searchlight and was designed for night fighting with other IR equipped vehicles (Panther G and others).

The kit was airbrushed freehand with Tamiya acrylics and weathered with various oils and pigments.

Jagdtiger - "Eine Fliege in Meinem Kaffee"

Sd.Kfz.186 Jagdtiger 3./Schwere Abteilung 653 - "Eine Fliege in Meinem Kaffee" ("A Fly in My Coffee") - March, 1945 - Two 3./Schwere Abteilung 653 Jagdtigers were abandoned on Landauer Strasse in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. Jagdtiger 331 was left in the middle of the street, while Jagdtiger 323 was parked in a courtyard opposite. Both vehicles had been abandoned due to damage to their final drives, probably as a result of a battle in Neustadt on March 22.

Jagdtiger 331 was captured, inspected, then famously shipped to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for study, trials, and eventually public display.

 

This is the Dragon 1/35 kit (#6285 - Review Here) with Eduard Photoetch, an Eduard correct length metal barrel, Fruil tracks, Tamiya motorcycle, Verlinden cobblestone street, lamp and sidewalk, and a mix of Verlinden and Warriors figures. It was built to model the less infamous of the two Jagdtigers found in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, #323 which was abandoned across the street from #331.

Modifications include the removal of the front and rear mud guards (fenders), and weld beads added in the correct areas of the entire vehicle using Evergreen styrene, Tamiya cement, and a Dremel tool. The model is painted with Tamiya acrylics in an ambush scheme, and has been finished and weathered with a combination of homemade filters and washes, and MIG pigments. The figures are finished with Vallejo acrylics and Archer transfers.

With this model, I attempted to set the hypothetical scene in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse on the morning of March 22, 1945. The Jagdtigers are positioned in strategic locations in the village awaiting orders for the day. Enjoying their morning coffee, the crew of #323 visits with a Feldgendarmerie, discussing the strategic situation, when the Jagdtiger commander realizes he has a little more than he bargained for with his sugar and cream...

#331 and #323 in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse

Jagdtiger #323

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331 (Real color photo?)

 

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331

 

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331 (1950s/1960s repaint?)

 

 Jagdtiger #331