Here's my latest on the M4 Sherman and I'm calling it complete. It was a nice campaign and I enjoyed being challenged to be more resourceful to complete this build. Wedding veil was used for the air intake covers on the rear deck. The tracks had to be stapled together in order to stay together, so if this were entered into a show, I would get pinged for sure. I tried to keep everything as much as out of the box as I could, just to see how far I could take this and still have a nice project in the end.



I really did enjoy this campaign and was quite inspired by many of the modelers here doing some innovative things. While I never met Mr. Paine, I venture to say all of these entries would certainly make him proud by being able to inspire so many modelers with his skills.

I'll be adding a few more photos of my build into the campaign gallery. Thanks everyone who oversaw this campaign and all who participated.

Cheers!

chuck

Looks great love the subtle weathering!

Second row of wires on! ( A rivet counter exploded somewhere in the distance!)

Excellent Chuck. Just like it has rumbled its way all the way to Germany. I love it.

40-50 years ago, this is the way all models were built and what you have achieved with medieval materials and ideas would have landed you a cover spread in Military Modelling or similar.

Or maybe not, back then dust and mud were presumed to be hiding something in the build...

Doing some excellent work there Ezra. Nice to see someone going to extent you are.

In case you are interested, another way of adding weld seams. Place two strips of tape up to where the weld will go and then do the weld between them. This will keep the weld thin and make it easier to clean up later. If you use a thin bit of rod and put it in the putty at an angle and push it forward a bit, then repeat the process behind it all along, you get little dome like weld beads like on the kit hull.

Looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks Peter, that seems like a good idea ill try out on my next ww2 tank!

Thanks for participating, Chuck!
You Sherman looks good!

Ezra, you really are going to town with this one!

Nice work Chuck!

Looking good Ezra!

Bit more work on the cockpit, hopefully can put the fuse together soon!

Cheers Rob.

Nice detail painting there Rob.

Thanks for the encouraging words, Peter.

Cheers!

chuck

Hi gang,

Finished my tribute build! This was fun - now all I need is a model show where it can be displayed.

There's some really great models coming out of this campaign - old Shep would be proud that his efforts created so much encouragement. Chuck and Ezra are nailing the old Sherman, and Rob that interior painting in your plane is insane!

I've stuck two of the following photos in the campaign gallery, with the rest in my own Kitmaker gallery as usual. It's been real fun!

Love it!

Fuses finished!

I also replaced part of the jettison cable because it was inaccurately molded in the kit and then ran it into the periscope hole. ( the wires look messy now but in the end itll come together.)

Calliope is pretty much built! Next job is to "Paint it black!"

Yes!
I did it!!
I finished my campaign!!!

I really had to push myself, but now I consider even this project to be done. Done in such a way that I have to find a suitable base, think what to do with it and weather the jeep and figures accordingly.
Until then... the jeep just got a brown wash.

I faced some serious issues here. I really struggled to get it done, because the painting proved to be very hard. One thing I learned... well, actually 2, is that I need new brushes... and new glasses. I had a real hard time actually seeing what I was doing. And the brushes I used were not suitable for the job, being some cheap Chinese import (rubbish), a set from a local hobbyshop (not as bad, but still...) and Citadel/Games Workshop, unsuitable for the paint I use.

The figures are done with a variety of Vallejo paints. Various hues of flesh, topped with a brown wash. The Nursing Sister I tried to give a bit of a ginger look.
The uniforms are English uniform, blended with a hint of green in his blouse and her pants. Highlighted by adding a drop of dark flesh to the original paint. These then got a grey wash.
The rest is standard English uniform, highlighted with a bit of dark flesh and then receiving a dark brown wash.

Looks great!

Excellent guys. Tom, glad to see you found your Old Lady! I loved the idea from the minute you proposed it and you nailed it. Well done.

The Jeep is also nicely executed Ron. Good brushes make all the difference. I buy mine from an art store, but not the very expensive sable type as acrylics will kill them. The trick is to make sure you only use the tip to hold paint (so really small brushes are not ideal), clean them well, and make sure you use a brush conditioner before you put them away. This will give you more life and help preserve the tip and its shape.

And never store them upside down!!! This makes any residue run to the ferrule and will shorten the useful life. Always dry angle down and store in a flat container ( I use a container meant for a toothbrush and tube of paste ).

Going to be Back In Black hey Ezra (AC/DC reference for everyone else...)

gahhhh.. your right Peter, I should have put Back in Black!

Geez guys! Now I've got AC/DC playing in my head...

Ron, that jeep is wonderful. I hear ya on the "brushes and eyesight" comment! Can't help on the former, but I found decent magnifying glasses are the cure for the latter. I struggle with figures at the best of times, but it's worse as I get older 'cause now I can't see 'em unaided.

The more AC/DC the better!

After a long hiatus, I'm back to finish my campaign entry.....

COMMENT CORNER:

Matthew, wonderful finish on your 8 rad. Paint and weathering are great. Love the figures too.
Ezra, your Bradley looks terrific.
Randy, the added stowage gives your Sherman that authentic, real life appearance.
Rob, nice score with the duo of kits.
Lap Man, that's a great kit for the campaign. I love engineer vehicles.
Nick, wonderful detailing on your M60.
Ezra, awesome faded white wash on the SdKfz. 250/5.
Tom, fantastic job on the base work. The brick wall looks realistic.
Rob, great instrument panel and scratchbuilt levers.
Lap Man, good start on the M-32.
Richard, your M730 looks awesome.
Ezra, the 250/5 looks wonderful.
Ezra, nice detailing on that old Italeri Calliope kit.
Rob, I like the interior paintwork on your P-61.
Rob, all those little levers add great Fidelity of Detail!!!
Ezra, your Bradley turned out wonderfully. Nice weathering too.
Ezra, the great detailing continues on your Calliope. Awesome!!!
Randy, stellar finish on your Calliope. The stowage and logs give it a signature appearance. Love the bow saw!!!!
Nick, love the camouflage paint scheme. Cool colors!!!!
Ezra, details galore on your Calliope kit. Wow!
Chuck, fantastic finish to your Hedge Hog Sherman. Love the paintwork and figure!
Rob, sublime paintwork on your Black Widow cockpit. Super job.
Tom, wonderful finish. It captures that "Holy Cow!" moment. Love the civilian figure's stance.
Ron, fabulous finish on your ambulance jeep and converted figures. It's a very unique subject that catches the eyes.

All caught up. Good luck everyone on their builds.
Bill

Update on my British Paras vs German Flakpanzer Ostwind diorama.


All figures are converted and painted.

The communications jeep is finished.

Also shown is the scratchbuilt air drop cannister.

I plan to replace the horrendous vinyl tracks with ESCI link and length ones from a 1983 Flakpanzer Wirbelwind kit.

Next....on to the base work ruins for the diorama. Thanks for viewing. Good luck to all the participants. Bill

Thank you William. I appreciate the kind words. I wish my pictures had turned out better.

Thanks,
Randy