Todd Michalak takes Meng''s ZSU-23-4 Shilka Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun and adding 3D In Scale''s interior upgrade kit combining them to make his Afghani Pickers diorama.

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Thanks!

Great job Todd!

Fantastic burnt-out effects and a simple but effective narrative - Superb!

Awesome job all around... I especially like the burned out effects.. I tried to do that on Tamiya's Enigma, but I just couldn't get the right combination of colors and shades to make it look right.. This one looks very realistic.

Hisham

Saw this in person at Armorcon, and yes it does look excellent.

Great work Todd!

Saw it at Armorcon as well, missed getting to talk with you about it. How did you do in the show?

Thank you very much gentlemen! Definitely a fun project...few speed bumps here and there, but overall, fun!

Hi Mike...missed you on the overlap posting! The Shilka took silver in advanced...not too bad. I have been plotting my ext move for the AMPS Nationals coming up in April...either way, it will be a fun four days!!

Hey Todd, fantastic work!! Hope to see you again at Brien's next BS & Build session.

Hey Ronny!! Thank you my friend! Always looking forward to the next meeting!!

Looks great. Thanks for such a comprehensive build and article Todd!

nice wreck!

It’s a beauty Todd, so good I can smell it. If this only got silver I’d like to know what the **** could have topped it?? I hope it wasn’t a quibble about whether the rear fuel drum might have gone up too, for a moment I thought about it & easily dismissed the notion – obviously it was empty! I’d love to see a real close-up thru the hatch if there’s any way of getting some light in there?

Bravo & congrats, Tim

Very nice. It looks awesome. Great job on the burned-out effect.

A note on the name though, Afghani is a monetary unit in Afghanistan. Afghan is the name of the people. I was tutored on this when I was going through train-up to deploy there a few years ago. Unfortunately, I ended up blowing out my ankle and not deploying, but I remembered that point.

Todd, just awesome work! I saw this at Armorcon and it looked even better in person. Love reading about your process, keep it coming!

Excellent job Todd. Really nice work with burn effects, congrats.

Thank you guys! I appreciate all the kind words!

Tim, More than winning anything, I personally enjoy reading through the judges comments. While not all judges can be completely objective, their comments still lend valuable insight. It wasn't the fuel drum o light... but rather the chipped paint with primer showing on the turret that gigged me. Best guess there was a lack of understanding on why there was chipped paint with no fire damage on that side. I went with the chipping after liking the oddity from one of the inspirational reference pictures during the build. All good though...fun build and great show to attend!

Thanks for the information on 'Afghani'! I suppose it still works as a play on words "money pickers" since my little friend is reclaiming some scrap for some extra funds!

Chris, hope to see you in April at the Nats! Shaping up to be a great show!

Regarding the words Afghan and Afghani... if you Google them and check the different dictionaries, like Miriam and Websters and others, you'll find that each word can be used for both.. an Afghan is used as either a soft rug or a person from Afghanistan.. and the word Afghani can be used as either money or a person from Afghanistan... I also remember Robert Skipper, who served in Afghanistan, said in one of his posts that an Afghan is a rug and and Afghani is a person from Afghanistan... I, personally, was taught in school that Afghani is the person and Afghan is the rug So, I think it's safe to say there's no absolute right or wrong on this one

Hisham

Saw this at the Danbury Show a few weeks ago. Incredible!

Hirsham, thanks....I am liking the fact there could be a double meaning to it!

Melende, Thank you my friend!

Just a correction on the dictionaries.. it's Merriam-Webster and other dictionaries.. I don't know who on earth Miriam is That's what happens when you post a comment after a six-pack

Hisham

Nice work bro! I knew it looked familiar.

Thanks Jody!!

Very very Nice Work Great

Thank you Marcus...much appreciated!