Looking great Ski---and I understand what you mean by the "gate guard"! We too have been affected by the smoke from the wildfires in B.C. Over here on the West side. Washington state now has now been labeled as having the worst air quality in the country. For the rest of you, just think of a moderate low fog that blankets the countryside all day-- it's a shame as the weather otherwise here in Washington has been beautiful-- darn Canadians keep sending us thier smoke!! If it's this bad here though, imagine how bad it must be in B.C.!! I like to take my projects to my lower deck during the summer and work outside-- on my large umbrella table, but haven't been able too in the last 10 days or so it's so bad, and it's too hot to work in the garage. The gate looks incredibly good, keep plugging away!
VR, Russ

Ski , my eyes are carp , .......... can't spell either ................ but these look round .





Bad spellers of the world UNTIE !!!

Thx Cheyenne, thems is some round rod for sure, DONE! thx buddy. Cheers, Ski.


Hey Russ, check this link and scroll up a bit to see how bad BC is getting hammered. They are getting pummeled this summer.
https://mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=42.383908,-116.391907&z=6&t=m,Fire_perimeter,MODIS_from_GeoMAC&q=https://propertylinemaps.com/p/public_land_map/USA/USA_wildland_fire_3.txt

Thx for the kind words on the gate too Hey, where are you located again??

Tim, I do keep them hinges oiled, but she knows where to find me anyway...............lol.

Cheers, Ski.

Ski-- the fires in and and arround the west side of Kamloops and lake Kootenay are funneling right into the Frazier River Valley and down into Puget Sound. We're enjoying an extended period without a Pacific onshore system--55 days now without rain or wind of any kind, so all that stuff from those fires is funneling right down to Olympia-- and just staying in the air due to an extended inversion. It's a lot like being shut up in a smoke filled room-- I live in Gig Harbor, and we haven't seen Tacoma across the Sound for several days now. There are numerous health warnings as the PPM count of particulates has gone way high. We're expecting some relief Saturday and Sunday though with an onshore flow-- but I have great pity for the folks in BC, as our onshore flow will just push this stuff back up into BC. I was going to mention K&S makes square brass strip, but I think your gate looks excellent as is. Better than excellent really-- it looks real-- and the patina is perfect for an old gate that's been painted several times.
VR, Russ

Ya Russ, yall are hurting for rain, us too. It's another summer of no rain from mid June to Oct??? Crap, I hope not. We're 90mi's north of Spokane and the last two years of fires were a bit touchy. I work nights, in a 4x4, so I can scout my entire area while the fires lay low, then know exactly what's going on in the AM.

I know you care about our Brothers top the north, just wanted you to see the extent of those BC fires, that link is IR fed, so very accurate.

Thx for the compliment on the gate, more to follow soon.

Hey, we get chance of rain Sun, with lightning though, yuck!

Cheers, Ski.

According to the weatherman, we will see some minor relief on Sunday, with .25 inches of rain, which will move into the interior on Monday-- so you might catch a little break. But there are some thunderstorms moving up from Oregon--- do you work for the FS? If you drive a 4x4 at night? I used to work in the Pyramid Lake area in another life going on 45 years ago now. I hope you are going to get the dio to next Aprils IPMS show in Seattle-- it'd be great to see it in person. By the way, what photo service are you using now that PB is poopy?
VR, Russ

I'm using Fotki, been with em for yrs and started paying last yr, I think. At any rate, they treat me good and are advertising to former PB users right now. I'm stickin with them for now.

My goal is to get this beast done before the April show, but I never rush the builds. It's all base and veggie work now and it would be great to make it to the show. Problem being, it would be my only entry, lol.

I'll have to remember proper display techniques, black velvet backdrop, blocks to lift the piece up off the table, etc. It's a bit frustration when you have car builders judging dios and figures, not what I would call acceptable, but I don't run the show. Maybe I'll volunteer since I won't be entering the figure category specifically anyway. Ya, that might work. I'll keep working in that direction at any rate.


Cheers, Ski.

What's the Marine Corp mato? "Improvise, adapt and overcome, ooraaaaaaaaaah!"

A serious oversight was committed, but corrected, and it had to do with the fact that 200mm figs are just a slight bit smaller in all aspects compared to a 1/9th scale figs. Seeins how the figs will be far apart from each other, 200mm vs 1/9th, it wouldn't be a big deal, but constructing the cemetery wall according to the 200mm specs would be a problem for that 1/9th scale Ranger fig.

So, as mentioned above, I did some slight modifications and added 3/4" foam to the bottom of the wall structure and plasticard to the gate. I think it came out rather nicely and now we prep for paint and weathering, plus careful planning of our veggie arrangement. The veggies, just as with any good meal, can spoil a good plate, so steady ar she goes................lol.






__________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

FLASHBACK:

Now, a quick pictorial rehash of where we are in the final stages. Since nearly all the prior pics of this SBS have been wiped by the PB debacle I will just add a few pics to get everyone up to speed. To repost the entire build would be futile, but one could go back and read the details if they wished.

At any rate, we are getting close to closing out this dio, veggies and ground work are front and center at this time.

May I introduce to you the crew of this delicate dance of resin and paint......











Yes, the glint in the eyes of the 4 Germans will be added, minor oversight, lol..

Thx for watchin and more to follow soon. Cheers, Ski.

Just excellent work Ski--- I'm speechless-- well, not quite-- I do have a comment...and it's minor and can be ignored. The standing German with the cigarette in his left hand looks a little stiff-- I think it's the way he's holding the cigarette with all five fingers sticking straight out-- it might be better to "cup" the hand a little-- perhaps bending the fingers for a little more animation? All the figures are stunning though-- I think those must be real bikes you've "Photoshoped" into the photos of the figures-- they're that good.
VR, Russ

Thx Russ. Kit bikes and a few Verlinden figs in there too. The fingers will have to stay, I ain't touchin that fig no mo, if ya know what I mean, lol.

Thx for the kind words. Cheers, Ski.

Ski – I agree with Russ that Harley’s real, no way it’s a model...yeah I’m really angling for a photo of it with your middle finger in view...for scale of course! Awesome work & detailing on the figs too

Ski,
Thank you for re-posting the figure fotos, missed this the first time around. These figs kinda take one's breath away, but in a good way!

Everything- bikes, wall, gate, and your beautifully done resin people are just spot-on. I keep going back and studying the blending, shading and color call outs you've got going on w/ the figures. Just really professional and you can tell it's left me speechless. No, really.

I have the very old Esci BMW w/ sidecar (ancient boxing w/ Afika Korps box art and solid rubber tires), the not quite as old Esci KS-750 Elephant w/ infantry figure, and the Italeri US Army Flathead as well. So a big thanks for bringing back some fond memories Ski!
I always (day)dreamed of the two Ger bikes - East Front - winter - rasputitsa - late war - crossroads - multiple signage on a post - A few figures lost and far, far from friendly faces...etc etc

Looking frwd to more on this one dude.

Cheers
Dave

Thx Tim, I'll get some more Hog pics up as the scene progresses, minus the #1 salute, Moma would kick me ars, HA!

Dave, thx for the kind words Amigo, greatly appreciated. Ok, now that you have some inspiration, let's break off that plastic wrap and get to "sniffin some paint an gluin your fingers together." I'm always in for a good Large Scale fig and dio build.

Sounds like you have a few really nice kits for the bench. I've got another R75 side car kit on the bench as well, but after all the research to get nearly every stinkin wire and pipe I could possibly find, I'm gonna work that one a bit more down road, lol. I may even run wire spokes, yikes!

Thx Gents, Ski.

That is really some masterclass painting on those big-ass dudes ! Very very nice shading and blending. I have never got the hang of that.
Well done. This is going to be a show stopper for sure.
J

Thx kindly Jerry.

Remember Bro, Large Scale figs are actually easier to learn to paint on than the smaller 1/35th. You see those mistakes real fast and correct accordingly. If ya kill it, oven cleaner, and start over. Use a bust to work the face only, get that mastered then the rest is academic.

You need to give it a go Bro, it will help your overall techniques in any scale from there on. Paint and post and I'd be more than happy to advise if you run into a snag. But remember, I'm an oiler, not an acrylic fan for top coats whatsoever.

Thx again Bro, Ski.

Yes Ski, you're absolutely right in that. Thanks for the positive vibes man, woof woof ! Haven't been on here for awhile now, shame to me I know, not even as a lurker but I am getting soo close to readiness at the bench.

Seriously tho, these are inspiring for me (and others I suspect). Large scale dios are definitely on the "Kit and Dio Bucket List"

As far as large cycle super detailing have you had the chance to see the "Harley Hillclimber" over on AutoMod/Motorcycles by Krow113 (Steve Croasdale)? It's def worth the looksee. Wow. And what you've got here are flawless as well. Another Wow.

Thanks again man for igniting the fire, simply put!
Sincerely
Dave

Hey Dave, a bit more of an update Bro.


Now back to the cemetery wall and a bit of weathering. The gate rusting has been finished for now and some moss tones have been added using Mig's slimy green tones.







I do apologize for the last few pics, lighting was off a bit, so the detail is basically lost. At any rate, more to follow once my firewood is in, lol.

Thx for watchin. Cheers, Ski.

Very very cool ! Superb painting on everything for sure. Very lifelike expressions,etc.
Nice progress. I would still like to see you add some cracks around the edges of the portions of stucco that have fallen away. But...you know me.
J

I'm still thinking about that Jerry, good catch. That's why I do a punch list, can't catch everything all the time. I'll figure out how to work those in, shouldn't be too hard. I will do a photo search and see what I can find.

Thx for the third eye bro!


Cheers, Ski.

Just think about how plaster falls off walls,jagged edges and cracks,not rounded and clean. Most murals in Italian and Mexican restaurants make the same mistake. Minor detail I know,because the rest of this here is just spek-tac-u-lar.
J

Nice wall Ski – so good I wonder if you need the plaster falling off it at all? Why not “repair” it with newer plaster just as the owner might have done, seeing as it looks like wear’n’tear rather than battle-damage anyway?

Ski this is lookn' great, keep it coming! Lookin' frwd to how it all comes together.
A minor q: any thoughts of some grimy wash along the base of the wall?

cheers Dude
Dave

Thx Tim, most of the the damage area will get veggie coverage, but there may be a bit more to do. Thx Amigo.

Howdy Dave, yes more grime will be added to the bottom of the wall as I go along, but this is the initial phase. Thx for watchin.


Cheers, Ski.

I can see I've been tardy,....or something like that, HA! Actually, even though I've been retired for over a year now I am more busy than when I was working. So how does that happen, somebody,....... please...........??

My new Boss req'd a new kitchen, so I built the whole dang thang and now we're getting close to completion. Once the snow flies I'll be in the bunker full time, unlike last winter, never even lit a candle, wa....

I'm going to post pics of the Harley and Beemer builds but the write-ups and pics may be a bit discombobulated in order. No worries, I should have done it long ago. Then when I get yall caught up I'll be doing the veggies and base. I'll get this done before the snow flies so I can carry on and get this big dio done. Thanks for your patience Gents!

P.S. I haven't "sniffed paint or glued my fingers together" in over a year. There's gotta be something wrong with that!

Just kidding & great to see you & this project back Ski - can’t help you about why we’re busier post-Retirement but it might be the reason men tend not to live as long as women, so chill daily!