It seems we have lost our campaign leader here. He hasn't signed on since January 25. I will wait one week for him to reappear. If not, I will award ribbons myself.

Here are the finishers who have their build picture in the campaign gallery:

eMan
HARV
ltb073
mmeier
wolfsangel
windysean

Two seem to have finished but have no pictures in the campaign gallery:
curseoftheundead
madmax5510

One had progress photos showing much progress but no picture of a finished build:
joryyys

Gary,

As the "posted much progress but no finish" guy, I have to say I won't be done with mine for at least a few weeks at the current rate of progress... I can keep posting in case anyone is interested, but I fear it's safe to say I've missed the ribbon! Oh, well.

Regards,

Tom

Hey Gary, Since you've been volunteered, how about an extension? I'm less than a few nights out to finish!
Charlie

Of course, an extension would be nice, but I daren't ask - or do I?

Gary, if you are willing to accept it, I'd be willing to step up to the big chair if the deadline gets pushed to 6 March. Cheeky, I know...

Tom

Ok, I'll extend this to March 6 but no further!

Excellent Gary! Thanks for stepping up Tom!
This means I can procrastinate 'till the beginning of March,
start my concerned looking at it until the night of the 5th,
where, in a rushed frenzy, I'll glue my fingers to the base,
get disgusted and stop for the night.
On the 6th I'll go full-force in the evening finishing with hours to spare as a storm rolls in and cuts off my internet leaving me to reboot and restart until finally I can post my pictures... at 12:01 of the 7th!
Perfect.
Charlie

Ah. For some reason I thought you had finished. *sigh*

Let's hope Tim comes back on line soon, but if not then let me know when you want to transfer command and I'll do the deed. In the meantime I'll crack on with building and I'll push Charlie to unglue his fingers!

Tom

Just a bump to keep Gary from worrying! I've been a bit busy to grab pics etc, but will have some up by the weekend - honest.

Tom

Tom,
You have control now. Kept slipping my mind to do that.

Gary,

Thanks. I take it Tim hasn't reappeared? I hope all is well with him.

Tom

Looks like he visited a few days ago.

Gary,

If Tim is back, I'll happily relinquish control.

In the meantime I have been promising pics but haven't had time & opportunity to do more than add the odd post in the forums. So, here at last are some progress pics! I didn't quite get as far as I hoped this weekend due to wet weather (I prime outdoors from a rattle can) so it's still raw plastic for all but the crew & suspension that I primed a while ago...

First up: the "photo pose"...




Then a few shots round the beast:








I should get it all primed in the next few days and painted up to decal stage by the weekend. I've got a simple base in preparation too - texturing Pollyfilla into concrete is fun!

Tom

Tom, thanks for posting. Excellent work, interesting subject, etc.! It's really coming to look like the original in every detail.
(Is that a casting mark on the turret top, that will have to be decaled over? One of those 3-d decal details? Nice touch.)
-Sean.

Sean,

Thanks! Yes, those are Archer casting marks - a great way to add these important details. Now all I need is a few dry minutes to cover it in primer...

How are you getting on?

Tom

Tom, my armored mutt is complete and in the gallery, and I have my first ribbon to show for it.
Now I sit back and watch you last stragglers finish up.
Just kidding, I'm on to the next one! This was a great campaign though-- I definitely check my builds against photos, but it's fun to build off of a photo that especially appeals to you.
thanks again,
Sean.

Sean,

I've had a blast building this one, especially using up lots of stuff from the spares box! The turret is primed and I started painting the figures, so I'm well on the way to finishing up as Tail-Gun Charlie...

Tom

Tom,
How dare you try to claim my official unofficial title! Tail-Gun Charlie, hah! You sir are certainly no Charlie, and whatever happens, I'm 6 time zones behind you.
Seriously, this is where I am:

The figures are pieces and parts from the spares box cut, hacked and melted to form. Hornet Polish Heads with Helmets top them off. Then I used about a 1 1/2 lbs of Squadron Green Putty constructing their snow uniforms with hoods (first time). Some came out better than others...


I have 3 sets of skis and 2 sets of poles scavenged from the Dragon German Ski Troops set. The other 2 sets of skis are sheet styrene and the various straps and buckles are brass foil and wire. the 3 other sets of poles are stretched sprue with fine wire wrapped around them so they match the Dragon poles. Bases are made from fly-tying wire (knew it'd come in handy one day), and straps are Brass foil again.
I have to finish adding gear, painting uniforms and touch-ups. Then I'll slap them on the base and finish this puppy up (Right behind Tom)!
The Real Tail-Gun Charlie

Charlie,

Ok - I'll settle for Tail-gun Tom! I've got basic paint and decals on, so it looks good for next Sunday.

Your skiiers look pretty good - all they need is another figure out in front in a tuxedo, escaping back to "M" with stolen secrets...

Tom

Well, it's been a real rush job this week, but I've finally finished! (The only thing I'm not too pleased about is the base - I put the plaster on thick and after two days it is still wet!)

First up - the state of play last week:


...And the finished article!









I put two shots in the Campaign gallery - the rest are in my own gallery.

All in all this was a fun, if frantic, build! My only regret is that I couldn't get the Bronco tracks I bought on Saturday built in time to go on instead of those Academy ones, but at 900+ pieces the Bronco tracks take some building...

Tom

Wow, Tom! No regrets-- either track, your build REALLY hit the nail on the head!
thanks,
Sean.

ohh....just ´ve seen that the final whistle has been extended...so I can post my project too...some of you might already have seen it at another place....lol

here we go...
















thx 4 watching....

Holger,

That's a real beauty! It looks so real it makes me shiver... Hope there are no sharks around!

Tom

Hulkster, That is some realistic water, Fantastic!

Tom, Your Sherman is a clean and beautiful build. I agree with Sean. Your tracks are fine. The attention to detail on the whole is stunning and the finish is, in my worthless opinion, perfect with just the right sheen. Wow!

As for me, my guys are done after getting my "official wash" (spilled my coffee on the bench again) and cleaning them. The TK-3 has been repaired and is back in action, and I have my first fig mounted. I have 23 hours to stick the other 4 on the base and call it a day so I'm fairly confident we'll finish right when I predicted.

Charlie

C'mon Charlie - you can do it!

Tom