Jan, thank you for the photos and explanation! It will be very helpful when I get to that point in my current build. I'm a bit worried about getting the idler attached solidly enough to hold while attaching the tracks, because the attachment pin is undersized. Thanks again!

Michael, do you have any gap filling CA glue? That's what I used for my idlers on both the M4A2 and my previous M4A3E8 builds as they had the same issue. Just make sure that it's the slower setting (15 sec.) kind. That will give you enough time to manipulate the part into the position you want (preferably towards the back). Don't know if that will help with the track length issue though.

Cheers,
Jan

Thanks, Bob, this one has special personal meaning for me.

Hey Bob,

the LVT is finished as shown above - if I get time I'll show some Marines also (unlikely with my other projects, however I'll post pics if / when I do).

Cheers

Paul

I'm sorry Paul I misunderstood what you wrote. Probably won't be the last time I do that.

Bill,
Glad to see you had some spare time to be able to join in. You do know I would love to get my hands on your Dad's Division Books......
Just glad to see you here and forgot to ask how you did the track holders on the back? I just assumed it was PE but wasn't sure.

Thanks again everyone,
And the reminder just 11 days left.
Bob

Greetings all, I am considering the Destroyer 95%+ done. I still have a few details to pick up but that shouldn't take too long. Here's a couple of teasers.





Bob Card, does this next shot look somewhat familiar?



BTW, the base is just a temporary one that I use for pictures. I see if I can't do something more islandy feeling in the future.

Cheers,
Jan

"something more islandy feeling in the future"

You mean like this?


Just need another hole to stick in a palm tree.

Great job Jan, can't wait to see the finish. That one shot looks real familiar, notice how Donna looks closer to the ....... sorry couldn’t help myself.
Thanks, remember everyone 10 days left,
Bob

Bob perhaps there is an opportunity for another Campaign you can lead on this subject matter.

Perhaps more specific, your thoughts ?

I'd be interested

Paul,
I've been tossing around some ideas, but I have a lot of setting up to do before I can announce anything, lots of info to gather and such. If time allows hopefully, nice to hear you would be interested in another research campaign.

Thanks for the support,
Bob

This one has been great thanks to you Bob...

I've learn't all about Tinian and LVTs

Well, I am pretty much done and don't want to get carried away. First off, here's a picture of my humble attempt to duplicate my reference picture. It took 18 shots and I don't know how many movements of the tripod to set this up.



Now for some general shots with a small vignette that I put together. I thought I had some palm trees but the only one's I found were from an old Matchbox Wespe and they were quite pathetic.







I haven't yet decided which one's to upload to the campaign gallery.

Cheers,
Jan

My SWMBO had an idea this morning, she's big time into photography, and made some suggestions of how to improve the vignette. She then guided me through setting up her DSLR in 100% manual mode to try and get what she called a period (era) shot. This is what the results were:





This is one of the most fascinating and most enjoyable campaigns I have had the pleasure to be part of. Bob, you've done a superb job in leading this endeavour.

Thanks,
Jan

Hi Jan and Congrats, I really like the photos your wife helped make up. Looks like they are action shots. Excellent work for such a small item. Good luck on your Campaign, I’ll try 1/48 but 1/72 and smaller is more then I can even see, let alone work on.
Thanks for participating and congrats on an excellent model, looks like your also the last to finish but you never know with 6 days left.
Congrats on finishing the Campaign,
Bob

Really nice build Jan .

The last shots are exellent . Well done mate !

Cheers

Paul

Thanks for the comments, Bob and Paul. At some point I'll most likely participate in the Sherman Campaign. But first I might like to try something different.

If anyone is interested I've put up a small thread with a few more experimental pictures of the vignette here.

Thanks and Cheers,
Jan

Jan, great job! I really like what you've done, especially the last photo above. The slight blur near to front of the tank really does make it look like an old photo.

Also, thanks for the many tips on braille scale modeling! You've been a huge help to me on my current build.

Now it’s real quiet out there. Only 4 days left.
Bob

Thanks Michael. I spent the better part of an afternoon shooting around 60 different poses with an extreme variety of camera settings. In the last shot I set the aperture at F18 with a single point focus aimed at the shovel handle. The exposure time was 20 seconds.




I am always too happy to help others enjoy their excursion into Braille scale. One big secret in working in that scale is to take your time and think out what is likely to happen before putting glue to plastic.

@BobCard - I had originally thought about doing an Airfix Chi Ha tank to be part of the vignette and perhaps adding more figures. Unfortunately the Marine figures I had available (Airfix) proved to be too crude to bother with. The Chi Ha would need some scratch work to improve its accuracy and at the speed I build there was no way to complete the additions in time. My SWMBO had originally given me the Sherman two Christmases ago so she was quite pleased to see it complete and another box removed from the stash.

:-? I don't recall, but did Bigrip74 ever complete his Stuart? I don't see it in the gallery.

Cheers,
Jan

Sad to say he never finished it, or at least he never mentioned it again. Always strange how some just disappear, Calvin is another, he is the XO and I haven't heard from him for a long time. It's just the way these Campaigns go. My next Campaign will be real short, maybe that would help a bit, or just announced 10 months in advance.

Thanks and it's always great to clear out some of the stash, makes room for more!
Bob

The Final Official Completion Status;

David Carlson CALLSIGN: TheDiggs, “USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE 413) “
Thomas F. Sweeney, CALLSIGN: tsweeney, Diorama Tarawa Marines at the wall
Sal CALLSIGN: ltb073, LVT 4 Saipan
Russ Callsign: russamotto, Margaret, Diorama Saipan and Hellcat, Pacific Operations
Michael Armbrister: Callsign; mopnglo, “Colorado Diorama”, Tarawa
Thomo Thomson, Callsign: thomokiwi, Type 97
Leo, Callsign: Rebilda, Bushmaster Diorama “Stuck”
Brian Bullock Callsign: bpunchy, LVT 4
Bob Card, Callsign: BobCard, Guam Diorama
Grant Voakes, CALLSIGN: GVoakes, 4th Division Type 3 Chi Nu
Jesper, Callsign: SGTJKJ, “Destroyer” Guam
Bill Cross, Callsign: Bill C, 4th Marine Division Saipan
Keith Forsyth, Callsign: docdios, "Cannonball" from Co. C 1st Marine Corps Tank Battalion Tarawa 1943
Paul P, Callsign: ppawlak1, LVT-4 Saipan/Tinian
Jan Etal, Callsign: tread_geek, (Extra small)) “Destroyer” Guam

The statics for this Campaign;
2 out of the originating 10 required to start the Campaign have successfully completed the Campaign
15 out of the 47 (5 dropped out during the Campaign) enlisted have successfully completed the Campaign. About a 32% completion rate which is not too bad for this type of Campaign.
To see the completed builds of the Campaign go to

Gallery

I had a really great time during this Campaign, thanks to all that took the time to participate and submit their entries.

Had some great ideas passed around, and I’m actually going to build me a 1/48 scale Sherman, thanks to Jan’s inspiration. Really fantastic models and dioramas built and I really think we did an excellent job with this Campaign. I’ll be sending out ribbons, to everyone that successfully completed and I’m really looking forward to our next chance to work together.

Thank you all again for taking the time to participate in the discussions and to all that finished their builds. Congratulations on a great Campaign!
Ribbons have been awarded!
Thanks Gary for all of you help during the Campaign,

Bob

Thank you for the award, Bob. It was a real pleasure to be part of this great campaign. Your leadership and help with the Destroyer references were invaluable. I seriously hope that my help has shown others that Braille scale should not be ignored and I am happy that you are making an attempt to try something other than 1/35. Looking forward to your next campaign and an attempt to get you to try something a bit smaller ( but not less detailed ).

Cheers and thanks for fun time,
Jan

Hey Bob, Don't shut me out!!



Actually, I finished last Sunday but forgot to post the pics. My only reference for the "Infantry Rack" was at this angle so I went with it. Eventually I'd like to find some Japanese grunts and make a dio with them coming to mount up while the tank crew watches their approach. Then I'll dusty up the tank to match the base. Anyway, fun build and I appreciate you taking the time to run the build.
Thanks, Charlie

Bob, thank you so much for this great campaign!

You did an awesome job: it was my first campaign, my first dio and my first figure ever and you got me hooked. Thanks to you I'm addicted now .
Maybe you won't start again any time soon but if you host another campaign again, please PM me, I'll be there!!!!!!

Thanks again and see you - hopefully - really soon

greetings

Leo

Thanks Bob Card and mates , I had fun building and following other peoples builds . Also I learnt a lot about the PTO .
Thanks again , my second ribbon , yay .

Thanks guys I appreciate the support.

Charlie, I remember your build and I have no problems with allowing your submission in as long as no one else has an objection. I know I opened the door and anyone else this applies to remember after today no other builds will be accepted for any reason.
Congrats Charlie, really like that add on infantry carrier, looks great. If you ever finish up that diorama let me know I’d like to see how you brought everything together.

Leo I’ll remember to PM you when I get the next one all together.

Thanks again everyone,
Bob