ITALERI DESERT WELL AND TENTS 1/72.

Hello all,

In between sanding my hall with Mrs West1871, I decided to have a look at a present I got myself for Christmas.

Its a bit step at £9.99 from my local model shop, and I would have to say it's a good set but not for the money.
You get two tents, two camp fires and one well, like I say not a lot for your money.Nicely done and you could easily use it for 28mm.

 This is one of the larger dio's that I have attempted,apart from the commando hill.I didn't quite realise how large the tents would be so I had to do a larger dio!I think it needs some baggage or goats and camels knocking around this dio to make it a bit more interesting.

 I will not waffle on too much about how I built this because I took step by step pictures on how I built this one and the next post will be on how I built it......if any ones interested.

The figure is from Caesar Hebrew warriors, and I had him knocking around on the bench for a few weeks now so can in handy to give an idea of scale.I did not have any idea what figures to put on it and did think about using some ESCI Muslim warriors, for either a 19th century Sudan or WWII SAS meeting.

Well I hope this has be of some use to anyone thinking of buying it, if I got for about £6-7 I would have been happier.Italeri do some nice dio bits but you have to pay for them and being a tight fisted git I don't like doing it. 

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW AND ANY TIPS OR COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME!


Cheers for looking,   Rich.

ESCI WWII JAPANESE INFANTRY 1/72 PT II.

 Greetings comrades,

This is part 2 of my ESCI world war 2 Japanese infantry, like I said before this is a great set with fond memories.
I have not idea what so ever where I got the uniform colour for this figure?It must have been some film that I was watching so I will blame it on that.

I reworked this figure by patching up his helmet with a bit of Vallejo plastic putty.I think I was a bit over zealous with twisting the figure of the spruce(oh the eagerness of youth).A quick sand after it dried and then another coat of paint.It did look like he had been shot in the head.

I used a Games workshop base for this dio, with one of Dorset's finest rocks collected on a walk.
The grass is from woodland scenics range and is a small clump glued at one end and placed on the base.

 The soil effect was he normal sand, PVA and rock debris paint with Vallejo earth colour.A quick dry brush of Iraqi sand and that's pretty much  it.
Another quick dio knocked up in a short time frame, the longest part being the drying time for the glue.

I should have given it a wash and a dry brush but sometimes it nice to see how I have progressed.
To be honest I am quite chuffed with this little dio and sometimes it worth letting sleeping dogs lie!

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW & ANY COMMENTS OR TIPS WELCOME AS ALWAYS.

Cheers for looking,   Rich.

AIRFIX/JB MODELS LANDROVER 1 TONNE FC AMBULANCE 1/76.

Hello all,

This is another "Older" work of a JB models land rover 1 tonne fc ambulance.
I know, I know it's another JB model but they are great.I really am glad that Airfix took them over and kept them going.

There is a lot wrong with this build but that is down to my inexperience building models.The joins in the body work for one doesn't join and I left a bloody big gap (my fault).

 The good thing about this kit is it does have a very nice interior and can be built with the back doors open.It has several stretchers and could be jazzed up quite nicely.
I have already bought another one and the "doors open" version is next in line.In fact I will be buying another one after that.

The one problem I did have with this kit and JB models in general is the decals.It could have been the fact that it was an old kit but they break up a bit and they were very thin.The good thing about the kit is you do get several different decal options.The one thing I didn't know about the ambulance was the fact the red cross's could be folded up for camo purposes.This could be done with this kit by simply place a thin bit of wire or plastic card on the middle of the cross panels.

The ambulance needed a few touch ups with some Vallejo Iraqi sand and then given a bloody good covering with MiG sand weathering powder.The tires got a good going over because my effort at painting tires has a lot to be desired. 

You will be seeing a lot more of this new base over the coming weeks.I am quite pleased with this base.It only took about an hour to knock up,from start to finish(with drying time of about four hours for the PVA).I have worked out that if you paint it before the glue  is finished drying it will crack and give that dried cracked earth look.

All in all I am happy with the re work on this on (cheaper than buying a new one anyway).I have a load more gulf war trucks and guns to re work and will post them when I have finished them.

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW & ANY COMMENTS OR TIPS ALWAYS WELCOME!

Cheers for looking,   Rich.

ESCI WWII JAPANESE INFANTRY 1/72 PT I.

Hello all,

This figure is to show Paul the colour of Vallejo's Japanese uniform colour paint.
For me it's a little to yellow for my liking,but that doesn't mean that someone that knows how to use a brush could do a damn site better job than I did.

It was an older work so I should give the colour another go.I have have picked up a few new tricks since then so don't go rushing to take it back to the shop yet mate!

If you are wondering why I have taken pictures of the same side it is to show the colour in different lighting,not that I was unable to decide which pictures to put on.

I think it was Chris (modern kiwi, now with his very own blog) that said this dio looks like he is defending the world's smallest atoll, that or the worlds largest egg!
I do like this set of figures but then I do have a soft spot for ESCI sets, its the ones I grew up with.
ESCI world war two Japanese soldiers, a fine set with options for conversions.I am surprised that Italeri have not re-released this set.I am also surprised that there are so few sets of Japanese soldiers on the market at all.

I will revisit this colour and set and see what I can do now I have more of an idea what I am doing, it's not much more but a bit.
Hope this helps Paul,

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW & ANY COMMENTS OR TIPS ALWAYS WELCOME.

Cheers for looking,   Rich.

AIRFIX JAPANESE SOLDIER & PACK HORSE 1/72.

 Hello all,

Again being a bone idle git, I am posting some of my older work.The reason for this is I am having to do some 1/1 scale painting so you might have to suffer some more of the "Vintage" stuff.So if you have seen it before I am sorry, if not I hope you enjoy it.

This was sent to me in a deal with my mate Peter (off of Benno's forum) and I am very great full to him for it.

He is from the Airfix jungle outpost set(the figure, not Peter),but the horse does look a lot like one from there German mountain troop set.I really hope one day they bring that one back, one of the best sets they did.

I did a bit modifying on the harness with some green stuff and filled it out with some spare shovels and pickaxes that I got with the set that I had to go out and buy (Cheers again Peter) because I liked the look of it.
I am still yet to get around to building the hut that comes with it, it does look quite useful.

 The base is from Games workshop, I got it in a set of about twenty different sizes or so.I have pimped it up a bit with some Silfor grass here and there and trimmed it down a bit.It was beginning to look a bit like my own garden that or one of the members of "ZZ TOP".

I used the tried and test sand and PVA glue with a few larger rocks thrown in.The larger rock and "log" is from the great Dorset countryside when the family West1871 was on a walk.I always keep an eye out for free basing material from nature.From small stones, twigs and stones.I always have a little zip lock bag in my Bergen.This might not be the cleverest idea in case the police pull me over and search me. 

I am quite chuffed with the out come and colour of the uniform.This dio was my third attempt at getting the uniform right.My first go was using Vallejos Japanese uniform paint, it does not do what it says's on the tin!!!!The next one was too light (sounds like the Goldie locks and the three bloody bears).But this one is just right.
I will post the others soon so you can see what I am waffling on about.

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW & ANY COMMENTS OR TIPS ALWAYS WELCOME.

Cheers for looking,   Rich.

ITALERI CARRO ARMATO M13/40 1/72 PT.2

Hello all,

I finally managed to finish this tank.I started this tank over Christmas, and for a fast build kit it took for ever to finish painting.
I suppose being ill and dicking about trying new techniques has not helped  the speed of this beast.

 I thought after reading on Paul's Plastic warrior blog about using marmite for masking areas of for weathering I thought I will give it a bash.

Being in the camp that loathes the stuff, I decided to part with some of my hard earned dosh and buy  some Vallejo paint mask.Its just a rubber paint really but give it a bloody good shake if you do use it.
It needed a metallic undercoat, so out came my trustee pot of Revell metal paint (which goes on a dream).

 A few drops of the rubber on various bits of the tank, the body behind the tracks got a few blobs as well.Edges and corners got the most of it and hatches due to rougher handling.

After 24 hours of drying time, a quick coat of Vallejo Russian green covered the tank.
Then came the peeling of the rubber.It was a bit tricky because I used a blade to start with a scratched a bit too far and the orange started to come through.

 I then switched to a pair of pointed tweezers and had better luck.The desired effect was achieved but the undercoat was a bit to shinny.
I tried to dull it down with Vallejo black wash but I managed to cock that up by not thinning it down enough.
 A thin was of black was followed by a good dry brushing with Vallejo medium sea grey.Of course any West models production wouldn't be complete without some MiG weathering pigment!I used dry mud and dark mud this time mixed together left to dry and give a good brush with a tooth brush to remove any excess powder.

The base we have all seen before so I will not bore you with this again.Space and money are a big factor in which base's I make and use.Basically I have little of both so sorry for re-using base's.I am happy with how this has turned out and if nothing else I have learned a few valuable lessons on this project.I thought I was going to end up a bit of a white elephant but in the end not to bad.PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW & ANY COMMENTS OR TIPS ALWAYS WELCOME.

Cheers for looking  Rich.

AIRFIX/JB MODELS ALVIS SARACEN 1/72.

 Hello all,

This is a an older model that was given the over haul treatment.I thought having it come through dark lighting and dry ice to dramatic music might be a bit over the top so I settled on a previous base that I have used.

 It is a JB models kit that is now being released under the Airfix flag.I am so glad that these kits are still being produced.Very simple kits with a good level of detail on them.
I believe that you can build three variants Mk I/II/III, and decals for all three.

 The stowage did not come with the kit and I think I got them from SGTS Mess.The Ariel's are a little chunky so I swapped them for florist wire but still look a little on the fat side as well but it's better than nothing.
The Bren gun is not the greatest example in the world and better one could be found.

 I have not done the best Bronze green on his Saracen but that is a bit of a "Holy grail".
A good dry brushing was next and then some Tamyia weathering powder.
This time I went a bit mad with the powder to give it a dusty look because of the road.

I would mind getting another Saracen and try opening up the back doors and other hatches.I have heard on the Airfix tribute forum that the wheels are too close to the wheel arches.This can be fixed by adding a strips of plastic card on the suspension.I heard this after I built both my Saladin and Saracen with is bloody typical.I am glad I spent the time reworking this kit and I am happy with it.

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW,ANY COMMENTS OR TIPS WELCOME.

Cheers for looking   Rich.

CAESAR PHILISTINE WARRIORS 1/72.

 Hello all,

This is my foray into the ancient world.Seen as thought I am still rough as a badgers arse still and can go nowhere near my paints here is some work from over the Christmas period.

For donkeys or when I was a kid the only ancient sets around was the ESCI Romans & Barbarians.The Airfix sets, well I am not that old were not around so I never really got into anything pre 1939.

 These lads are from Caesar's Philistine warrior's, I know NOTHING about ancients so I wont pretend to know either!I know that they were armed with shields,swords,spears and BEARDS!!!!!!
I have a thing about beards,I only trust three people in the world.One Brian Blessed,two The Blackadder and three Chuck Norris!Everyone else sporting a beard is evil.It's like they have something to hide.Evan my father is is not the trust list.
Anyway back to the figures.

It took a few scans of the Caesar's gallery to see how I should tackle them.I have to say once I had cleaned them in the Mr muscle tank, Caesar figures are a joy to paint.It took me ages to work out the best way and laziest way to degrease loads of figures in one hit.Caesar figures are covered in the bloody stuff.

They have some very interesting sets from different wars from ancient times, so it is a nice change to learn something new.Well you there is only so many WWII Germans you can paint!I do like the idea of chariots, and I do have one from ages a go to post so expect that in the very near future.These were a joy to paint, nice raised lines to follow and a lot of action poses for a good old fashioned battle dio.

I surprisingly own a large collection of ancient figures but have never really got into painting them.That might just have to change!Don't worry I am not leaving the modern world, I have plenty more of them as well. 

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW & COMMENTS OR TIPS ALWAYS WELCOME......even if you do have a beard!

Cheers for looking,   Rich.

CAESAR BRITISH SAS 1/72 WIP PART II.

 Hello all,

Sorry for not getting back to all those who have left comments or posts, I have been feeling rough as  a badgers arse this week.I have not picked up a brush at all this week or hardly been near a PC.
Anyway enough self pity and back to the boy's in black!

For a change I have done some more work on a project that I said I would(see I am not a complete lying git).

I still fell like a fraud because painting black on black is a bit boring ,but a bit of a challenge I suppose.
Like the first bloke I started with a Vallejo black grey and gave it a bloody good wash of Vallejo black.I did this after a few comments on Benno's figure forum, and to be honest I think they were right.

I took there advice on the eye pieces on the S10 respirator's and painted them flesh coloured.I gave them a wash with Vallejo flesh colour and I think it saved them!
Thinking about it when I was in the old noddy suits (NBC protection suits) were green, and I was toying with the idea of going with that, but I don't suppose it is out of the question that they had there own kit.
I also painted the torches with a red lenses just to get a different colour in.I did toy with the idea of doing the magazines with a tape round them.

Here is a team shot so far.I gave the first a good wash as well just keep them all looking the same.
You can tell I am learning a few new tricks with this blogging Tom foolery, that or I have started listening to the better half.
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW AND ANY TIPS OR COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME.

Cheers for looking  Rich.