Should point out that Tamiya is rolling out some new tool kits now. I've built the Jagdpanzer IV (L) and it was a terrific build. It is joined by an M4 Easy Eight and a Panther D (Kursk). A Soviet SU-76 is slated to be out in a few months. I've sold DML near equivalents of each and will replace them with Tamiyas. I've never built the Tamiya armor done introduced between 1995-2005 (or close). That was when they were producing those terrific WWII 1/48 fighters. I've got the Polish Campaign Pz II and the Marder III - both have received fine reviews. The only thing I'll miss from DML is DS tracks. I like DML - built several and have more in the stash. But I can't think of a single kit that didn't have a heart attack involved (sometimes caused by bad DML engineering; others driver error helped along by poor DML instructions). Hats off to modelers that are detail driven - it does raise the level of the hobby. But good engineering, almost insanely good fit like I found in the Jagdpanzer and the best instructions on the planet are good news for mortals like yours truly. And with part counts around 300 (mostly used and including basic PE), these kits aren't simple.

Several of Tamiya's most recent aircraft in 1/48 (IL-2, A6M3 and A6M5 Zeros) are simply terrific - and as I understand it their 1/32 kits are setting a completely new standard in that scale. Maybe just to remind us that if they put their mind to it Tamiya makes the best models on the market.
Eric

Hi Eric,
many people criticize Tamiya kits, but they're still on the market and healty. Maybe just because many modellers like the philosophy of sturdy and easy to build models.

The demolition team is on the way.
This is the only box I've found with correct uniforms for normandy summer.
It needs some cut and paste to adjust the figures on the tank, and give them a natural pose. The most difficult task is to guess correct proportions.

Thanks for your step-by-step approach. For those of us struggling to make our projects look better seeing the paint laid on bit-by-bit is a big help. I know I often feel I have a long way to go looking at the many superb models on this site and elsewhere.