Hi Tim, Jan,

Thanks for the encouragement. An ultra thin bead of milliput along wach seam reinforced with superglue and then sanded into profile seems to have done the trick. Now I can get onto some positive additions like the wire grab handles - after something I didn't think I'd be trying this early on in my kit-making experience - rivets! I need to make two. As I don't have a punch and die set (or any syringe needles I can adapt) I was toying with the idea of a short piece of brass wire the right diameter with the end filed flat bedded into a hole and sunk to the right depth. Or else a slice of plastic tie (the sort you get attaching labels to new clothes) - they tend to taper and perhaps the thinnest end of that might do the trick. I'll let you know how I get on!

Cheers,


A

@ Andronicus - Re: Rivets/Bolts - I usually use stretched sprue and a contraption called a "Chopper" for creating these items. It's a small version of those large paper cutters (guillotine like) made for wood and styrene.

TO EVERYONE: I have been in contact with Gary Kato (Campaign Administrator) and he has kindly consented to the extension of this campaign. With a week to go until the "official" end of the Matchbox Campaign (May 15/10) and after careful consideration (and re-reading all the requests) I have officially asked for and been granted a one month extension.

The closing date on the campaign enlistment page WILL NOT show this change but for all those that have to this point enlisted in the campaign, the new closing date is June 15/10. This new date should give those having problems in their builds a little over a month to complete them and submit them to the campaign gallery. IF you have any questions or comments please ask in this forum.

Just to be absolutely clear, the new closing date of the campaign is June 15, 2010

Cheers,
Jan

Hi Jan,

Thanks for the advice - I'll give it a go.

And great news about the extension!!!!:-)--<

All the best

A

Progress so far,

just need to fill seam lines on the turret, then prime and paint

Hosted on Fotki

base assembled and primed

Hosted on Fotki

Looks good so far, Marc. Is that supposed to be a snow covered base?

Looking forward to see more.

Hi
I've added a pic to the gallery of my finished build.
I've also uploaded a lot more pic's into my photobucket album.
http://s377.photobucket.com/albums/oo218/muddyfields/Churchill%20AVRE/
Hope you enjoy.
It's been a very interesting trip down memory lane. Never built the AVRE years ago but did build plenty of the other matchbox kits( shame all gone know lost).
Thanks for running a great campaign.

@Andonicus - I hope the rivet situations works out okay. You and I am sure others should feel a bit less stressed with the extension in place.

@greywolf - It's always great to see progress pictures and thanks for posting them. I did the T34 ages ago but I don't remember much about the build and I believe that I never did finish the base. As with Jesper, I can't wait to see more.

@muddyfields - I have updated your status to "complete" on the two charts that appear on page 14 of this thread. I hope that it isn't unlucky but you have the dubious honour of being the thirteenth to complete their build. That makes a 31% completion rate so far. Thanks for the link to the Photobucket gallery, I've added three pictures from there to the album that I'm creating for a campaign photo feature. Also, thanks for the kind words about the campaign as it helps motivate me to arrange something similar in the future.

Cheers,
Jan

Well just had my first go at stretching sprue--worked beautifully from the first try - kept going until I ran out of available straight bits. Most were a fraction too thick but think I have a couple of useable centimeters.


Thanks for the tip Jan!

A

Count me in if you do another matchbox campaign! How about the 1:32 tanks they did? I was given 3 as christmas presents years ago but never got round to building them. Not sure how big the range was.

Man, everytime I think that I am ready to post to the gallery the camera picks up something I missed. THe antennas are done but one is warping in the wrong direction. I also noticed the rear tracks don't look weathered at all. Then there is the rear tail lights that don't show up!
Maybe, another day or so depending on free time.

Latest updates.




Regards,
AJ

Looking good!
I wouldn't worry about the antenna, gives the impression of movement. Whip antenna wobble about a lot when a tank moves.
I think we've all been in the same situation when a model looks finished untill you start to look more closely. Looking forward to seeing the efforts of all that hard work.

I think this happens to everyone... It's even worse when you start enlarging the photo so it's about 3 times life size and you start to lose all faith in your ability.

Nearing completion of the Panzerjager IV/70. Have to say that I remember having some of the difficulties people have mentioned with some of kits - like the Chaffee with the big gap at the front of the hull, the awkward tracks on e.g. the Jagpanther, and on this campaign I found the suspension quite painful on the Puma, but this Panzerjager IV is actually a really nice kit. I have a feeling this is one of the later ones, don't know if that is relevant or not. Only problem I had was the tiny jack handle that snapped when I tried to remove the moulding lines.

Anyway, with the reverse dots added, i.e. green on dark yellow; after some nasty shaped blobs I found stamping them on with a cocktail stick was OK.


With the tracks and schurzen added, decals, plus all the rear deck details(fire extinguisher, jack handle, wheels) and then an overall oil glaze / wash / filter what have you:


And here's the base. I originally thought this base was a bit "silly" but with the door and bricks done up in a nice contrast, it kind of brought it to life.

Hello everyone,

Slow but steady progress for me. Looking at all the others entries is great and will be having a go at some of the others after the campaign without a doubt

A couple more progress pics from me, this is a few days ago going into the weekend.

The main caravan with all pre painting construction done and a base coat on the inside of the cab. With the instructions being so vague, I'm just glad it all seems to sit correctly. Even so there is a slight slope from front to rear on the chassis. I'm not sure if it's supposed to or not, but it doesn't seem to be a problem at the moment.



Painting started on the basework. The dingo is still only half complete as it waits for the internal painting to be finished.



I made good progress over the weekend, more photos tomorrow.

All the best.

Chris

Hi Jan
That's ok with the pic's. Number 13's ok as I'm not supersitious.
Some great builds being done.
Will watch out for another campaign from you sometime in the future.

Shaun

@ Andronicus - I am very glad to hear that the sprue stretching worked out for you. I cannot count the times that it has saved the day for me.

@ phantom_phanatic309 - If you have not noticed, I am a rather obsessed Braille scale fanatic. That's not to say that I might not be able to find an interesting topic that encompasses several scales. Thanks for your confidence.

@AJB - That's it, rub it in! Your build looked good two posts ago. Did I awaken the OCD gene in the participants here?

@ firstcircle - That second build of yours is beyond superlative adjectives. Positively great and I see toothpaste in my future.

@ NWBrit - I must say that the detail on your kit looks extremely good. The base is particularly busy and your painting to this point shows that in my eyes you are doing it justice.

@ muddyfields - Thanks for your comments on enjoying this campaign and I hope that I can entice you and others to partake in a future one. If we can all work together we can generate and refine a simple idea into something special, we all win.

Cheers,
Jan

Hi! Today I can present you my finished campaign models!

Here´s the Firefly:









and that´s the Wespe:










As a bonus I also completed the Churchill AVRE, although it doesn´t officially count as campaign entry, because I started building it before.










I hope you like it!


@firstcircle: Really awesome progress on the Panzerjäger!
Regarding your list of missing campaign entries on the previos page I decided to announce two more builds of my own:









With the campaign expiring date extended, I hope I can finish them in time. All the other missing kits in that list I already have built - if the need arises, I can post pictures so we actually have covered every single Matchbox Kit in this campaign.

Nice!
I especially like the Wespe, good job of the weathering on that!
Looking forward to seeing the Stuart done as well. Will you be doing it in British desert or US Army scheme?

Mathew, the Pz IV looks great, I first had to see if I was in the Matchbox thread...

Wow Max, those are nice looking kits! Great weathering. The AVRE looks familiar somehow...

Looking forward to the Stuart. British I guess so it fits the base...

Cheers!
Stefan

Hi Guys I managed to get the diamond T into primer but my Camera has broken So I cant take any photos yet

@ Maxiplus - Oh My Goodness!!!!! One might presume that you are suffering from OCMD (Obsessive Compulsive Matchbox Disorder). Seriously though, magnificent job on the two official entries and also on the unofficial one. I particularly like the stone and rock work (painting), the added foliage to the Firefly base, the weathering....it's all beautiful.

And you are going to try to complete two more! Maximilian you are seriously into the true spirit of this campaign and bravo to you. I only wish that the system allowed for one award per build but unfortunately it does not. However, rest assured that you and any others completing more than one build will find all their efforts included in a Campaign Feature article.

@ newfish - Jaymes, beg, borrow or steal a camera. We are all getting addicted to pictorial progress posts.

To Everyone: Truly inspiring work so far and everyone has a right to be proud of their achievements.

Cheers,
Jan

Magnificent work!

I do love the Wespe and the figures on that base. Fine work...

Agreed, super paint jobs on those Maxiplus, but is it just me, I can only see two photos on that post...?? One of the Wespe, one of the Firefly.

I have just finished this Matchbox's T-34-76, the kit is modified with Trumpeter and Italeri's parts.
I would like to ask - will it still be OOB?
If yes,I will join this Matchbox Nostalgia Campaign.

Fantastic builds, Maximillian!

Really great details you have added to the bases. You really turned those old models into some great looking AFVs!

Thanks for sharing

Well gentlemen, I decided to tackle another one, but I fear I won't be able to finish it in time, maybe in time for the article though so we have another one off the list. Here's the sprue layout:



Started on the jeep yesterday. I'll see how it goes.

Cheers!
Stefan