Tread to be honest I think it is a rel good idea but at the same time must confess that I have no idea what they would have been.

Sorry if you are disappointed at only me replying to your thread

Heck Tread you could make them up. Who is going to say they are wrong? The idea is one that I have to agree with Cliff. I like the concept. The whole build is looking great. Are you going to finish the interior of the commo van? If you are going to leave the doors open I think you should make the window casings. I think it would show better with a little three dimensional add on inside.

Gordo- I've been following this thread w/keen interest from the start. I haven't felt the need to post, simply because I didn't feel you needed a bunch of " Wow, Geeee, & Damn, I wish I had one" comments. Taking a 'Roo original & deciding to Upgrade it...well that's like improving on perfection to me. Makes my tiny brain hurt. So, press on, & IMpress all!

p.s.- So, Dave, are you now changing your avatar with EVERY post?

No not really. For some reason I lost the special Avatar of the Animal avatar that Staff Jim had made for me. I hope to get it back soon.

Howdy fellas,

Thx for stopping by and checking out my recent 'butchery'. I certainly didn't mean to give the impression that I was looking for "atta boys" or anything, I was just beginning to feel guilty that our good 'Roo was having to work so hard to make me feel 'wanted'.......... :-) :-)

Actually, truth be told. I've been trying to do a better job of choreograhing my posts so I can hopefully put together a tech, or build Article for the site. I figured if I practiced on my own thread, then I wouldn't be hurting anybody else. But since noone seemed to be paying any attention, I just assumed I was doing it wrong.......that's all.

to animal: About the freqs'. I was originally planning on just simply making them up, but then I thought.......if this build ever comes across an IPMS'ers eyes, the bugger will call me for it!.....
As far as the interior goes. I plan to just build a rudimentary interior. If you missed part of my description, I will be adding a beaded curtain at the entrance ala' Benghazi style. With one side of the curtain pulled back to juuuuuuuuust reveal a hint of what's inside.
"...I think you should make the window casings. ..."
I'm not sure what you mean?

to LogansDad: Also.....thx for taking the time to stop by.
I certainly don't think I'm "...Taking a 'Roo original & deciding to Upgrade it......". All I'm doing is 'embellishing' upon his excellently produced conversion kit. The whole 'roof' thing is being done simply because the roof sections shrank too much after I looked at them....probably something to do with my intense ugliness.....I guess. #:-)
As far as your brain hurting.....just wait till your synapses start misfiring......

More to come.

Tread.

Oh.....and about animals avatar. You shouldn't really shouldn't say too much about that. Reason being, is the avatar he has at the moment actually looks almost exactly like him in real life!............

Gordon,
I too have been following this build with keen interest.
I say make up the frquencies (I don't mind )
Are you still going with the North Africa setting?

Heh Heh you peeked!]

Looks good Gordon, and I believe.... if know one knows exactly what the interior looks like, a little "creative gizmology and a smiggin of common sense" would fill the build.
Oh, I 2 have been following along, and simply figured you were doing so well you didn't need my 2 cents worth.......

I agree with you about the interior Grumpy.

Hmmm with all the talk of what a good kit it is I may, MAY I said, do a limited rerun of 10 kits only. Preorders only.

They will not be named Roo Resin kits though for legal reasons but Cliff Hutchings kits or similar.

ANYONE INTERESTED?

Some how I will get my self back!!

But mate you will always be you to me regardless

Thanks Brother. I think I have got past the modelers block that has been plaguing for the past 4 months. I will have started to build again. I am building the Chinese 50 ton tank transporter and the M-572 pole truck. I have some photos up in a few days. It feels great to be back at the bench again.

Howdy fellas,

Thanks again for all the words of incouragement. I appreciate you letting me know you're 'out' there.

to andy007: Thanks for following along. And about the 'freqs', I do plan to just make them up. IPMS be darned! :
"...Are you still going with the North Africa setting? ..."
Yes. The setting hasn't changed (I've got too much of the depiction already planned out). I was hoping to build it with an Aussie outfit in mind in honour of my pal 'Roo-tabaga, but I'll be switching to a British outfit instead. Now I need someproper markings......hmmmmm.

to Grumpy: As I've said, the interior will be quite basic. Since you won't see much of it anyway, I'm just putting in a couple of table tops, a chair, and a radio....that's it.
"...didn't need my 2 cents worth.........."
I am always interested in your two-bits

to 'Roo-meister:
"...I may, MAY I said, do a limited rerun of 10 kits only..."
"...ANYONE INTERESTED?..."

Me.
I already have plans for another one.....

Tread.

ARGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just when you think you've got something runnin' smoothly......

I am at the point where I am test fitting the Radio/Command body to the Italeri truck frame to see what things I need to adjust for mating the two pieces. Everything seems to be going well, it looks like I just need to trim off a small bit of the raised upper frame rails to allow the R/C body to sit correctly.....no problem right?
Here's a shot of the small amount I had to remove.

Now I place the R/C Body down on the newly adjusted framerails and...............Annnnnghhh!!!

Apparently the main frame rails are about a foot (scale) too long and stick out the rear past the back of the R/C body shell!!!!! Ahhh Carumba!!
Does anybody ('Roo?) have any shots of this vehicle from the rear? I need to see how much more work this is going to be to make it right.........
TIA.

Tread.

Oh!.....also, does anyone know where I can get British style uniform jackets, shirts, etc, cast as if they were hanging up on a hook?

hehehehhee Tread my friend you panic too easy. The rails need to be cut off brother :-) If you check the bits that came with the kit originally you will see there is two modified Tamiya rails supplied.

The important part is too ensure the rail HEIGHT is correct. If not build up or shave off!

You must remember that different bodies had different mounting systems to connect them to the chassis rails and this is the reason that the rails are different and need alteration.

below is a rear end shot of the proto type body I built on a Heller chassis. I had the same problem with the rails on it.

Howdy dear SIR,

Thx for coming to my rescue. I, in fact, did not see the supplied rail replacements (you are just a Jim-Dandy bugger you are...). But no worries. I've already got it figured out. I just needed to rant.......my apologies.

I will in the future keep my rants to myself, it seems to bring out the 'crickets'' any ways....

Tread.

Wow 'Tread - I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing pursuit...

I keep my comments out of this thread because it appeared to me that you've got it all in hand and all the advice you'd need from your mates here. I feel a little like it's hijacking a thread by lumping more into it - or even worse - posts go ignored. I just go back to the workbench and continue on my own softskins and truck conversions instead.

For your clothing question; if it were me, I'd take Verlinden's US Clothing WW II Set and a little bit of epoxy putty to make what you're seeking. A couple of the items in the VP Set could be slightly modified to your liking without too much effort.

Gunnie

Howdy Jim,

My thanks for taking the time to stop by and add your comments

"...For your clothing question; if it were me, I'd take Verlinden's US Clothing WW II Set and a little bit of epoxy putty to make what you're seeking...."

I will try to secure this set before I run out of time As usual, I have added 10 pounds of 'extras' in a 5 pound project...

You also said....
"...Wow 'Tread - I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing pursuit....."

Believe me Gunnie, it is. Where my frustration illuminates itself is in my personal lack of patience with my talents. As with my more professional pursuits I have the driving desire to become better in massive leaps and bounds.....my yoke to be sure.


Tread.

Ah, All Good Things...

I think you do just fine and have the right amount of drive to reach the level you desire now - but - all good things...

I have only one personal motto to offer: Do the Ordinary - Extraordinarily!

Might sound corny, but this is what motivated me as a novice modeler, through the different skill levels, to the station I'm at today, and beyond to tomorrow.

I don't try to be the fastest, the guy with the most, I just try to do my best. I'm my own worst critique - and I drive myself. A Forum like Truckorama (oops - Armorama) is really helpful but not critical for you to grow, just a willingness to accept what you do is what you did and the best that you could do. The motivation to grow by leaps and bounds is directly related to how you evaluate your own efforts - how honest a critique you give yourself.

Don't let anyone blow sunshine up your arse! If you didn't clean up all those seams or ejector pin marks on the last model - then do it on the next. Don't fool yourself into thinking no one can see it - or worse - pat yourself on the back for deftly covering it up with an errant backpack or flag or other weak trick.

I think one secret to success is discipline. I build everything the same way, all the time. I approach painting and finishing the same. Your pattern or style should be as comfortable to you as getting into the car and driving down the road. This methodology breeds consistent results. Consistent results clearly show avenues for growth and improvement. These give you the path for growing by leaps and bounds.

Another secret to success is patience - All Good Things...

Gunnie

Howdy Jim,

I am both grateful and honoured that you took the time to share your thoughts on the subject. From your words it's obviously something that you truly believe, and is heartfelt by yourself.
For sharing this, "Thank You".

In your comments you bring up the subject of "discipline". This I have indeed made strides in in at least a good portion because of your input many moons ago...(do you remember?)
My organizational skills (modeling wise) have also grown in that juggling multiple projects has become more enjoyable.
Which brings me to an apparent 'clarification' I need to take the time to explain.
When I started this whole query regarding "SPEED", I didn't intend to give the impression that's solely what I was after.
The point I was trying to get at is; I find myself taking the time to clean up almost perfectly (I hate to use this word), pieces that are either underneath, out of sight, or otherwise not requiring this level of cleanup in the normal sense of the word. Under a magnifiying glass no less! I also have some rare desease that prohibits me from building a 'normal' depiction of a particular kit. Add to that the fact that I paint things which will never be seen almost as much as I do things that will......

So, I guess what I was going for in my original question was some input/opinions about whether any of this is necessary.
Something that prompted me to ask the question in the first place was having viewed very well built models at modeling shows. The vehicles were painted and finished splendidly!
BUT....having built that particular kit before, I knew where the hard to reach places were, and where the mould lines were, and ya know what?.....there they were.

Heck. I don't even know if there's really an answer to my question...........................so, nevermind.

Tread.

a great couple of posts from two guys which I try and read ever post they make.

WHY? because I too learn something new every time I do read them.

Gunnie I never hear from you enough and when I do I read what you have posted several times to get what you are saying to 'sink' in! (been Ostrallyan I'm a bit thick you know :-) )

Tread you too in your own way have a lot to offer as well and I enjoy reading your posts greatly. When you asked for help through this thread (thread...Tread now I'm a poet :-) ) I was honoured. WHY? 'cause I believe you to be an excellent modeler in many ways better then me.

Once again I hear you saying WHY?. The reason is I see you doing all sorts of different models where as I am stuck in a rut about trucks. Trucks, trucks and more trucks.

This thread (and a few others) have helped me to overcome the 'modelers block' I have had for the past 2 or 3 months. You forced me to think about how 'I' would do certain things in an effort to help you with a model you did want to get right. I am slowly getting out now and doing a bit more each week on a few things that I just about binned so I am grateful for that as well.

Gunnie you are a wizard at doing the models. The Sherman was superb in my mind and while I strive to get the finishing as good as you and a lot of others on this site, I doubt I will ever be as good as any of you at this. Yes I can build oddball stuff and get them perfect but painting, believe it or not, is 'not me'.

But enough of this. To any one reading this I have only one thing to say and that is when Gunny and Tread post...READ IT, take it all in and then THINK! 'cause you, like me will learn a lot.

To all the others here at Armorama I urge you to practice, practice and then practice some more because by doing this, you too, will be able to do models the same as these two guys.

Now as moderater of this forum I am seriously thinking of locking this Thread, Tread ( :-) ) if only to stop you posting about how silly I am at 5 am in the morning and trying to answer what are a couple of excellent posts

Yes - this shows in both how you do and what you have chosen to do in modeling since! Your style is coming across consistently - even as you grow in developing it.




Personally, my level of modeling discipline compells me to treat each and every part the same - regardless of whether or not it is easily seen in the end. Kit manufactured, aftermarket, or parts that I master myself are all approached and finished in the same manner. It isn't a matter of "perfection" so much as it is ensuring that the level of detail and finish is equal and balanced all around.

The art of scale modeling that I appreciate is the creation of a miniature that is pleasing to the eye - from every conceivable angle. I find other modelers who've evaluated my works in the past scrutinize it more than other models on the table. I take this as a compliment and not a negative. Several go back in their judging teams and make comments like "the tough thing about judging his models is that you won't find the basic flaws..."

This the highest compliment a peer can give you. I refined my sense of modeling discipline in IPMS/USA circles. Like it or not, cast all the stones at IPMS that you may, this is where I learned the basic and finer points of scale model building. The cornerstone of mastering the basics is discipline.




Me too - believe me! Oh the stories I could tell you - but someone has to protect the young and the innocent! Sometimes the judges are up to the challenge and spot these flaws. Sometimes the entries are awarded over other models that were built and finished better - sometimes not. But this is part of the contest game. I see it on all levels from the US Nationals all the way down to a local show.

None of that affects the way I go about building and finishing my miniatures. Never ever let a contest or award dictate how you build your models. When you do - you've just set your plateau and lowered your personal expectations.

Ultimately - I have fun. Each and every model is a joy for me - though some are more taxing on the nerves than others. The discipline in approach is also fun too - if it wasn't - I would not do it. I have the knowledge and skill to go out an scratchbuild a miniature every time - but that ain't fun! Never let your modeling become an instrument to prove a point. No fun there! Let your modeling become an extension of yourself. Mine is how I view the order of the world and how I like my personal life to be. I can see it in every model I complete. Each model is a little slice of life and I can look on them and remember what I was working through in life at that time I was working on the miniature. The commissioned builds are really hard - because I let a little piece of myself go with them.

This makes my miniature life extremely personal - and I do not often share it. Most of the time I extend the time I'm working on a model because I'm still working out those issues in life. Sounds Zen huh? Scary, the Phil Jackson of modeling...

Participating here on Armorama is my effort to open up that personal box a little more. I feel comfortable giving you advice because you consider it.

Gunnie

Gunnie,

I cannot tell you how much your words, which I know you do not share lightly, mean to me. And having been raised in what I would consider a 'bygone' era, I have always believed in laying praise on the shoulders of those who truly deserve it.

As in all things, honourable men are not measured by their holdings, or their status, or even their talents. Men of true caliber, that have chosen to place a high value on 'character', are not measured by so common a yardstick. They are instead silently measured by how they treat those around them that can offer them unequal return.

Sir, you say "... I feel comfortable giving you advice because you consider it.

Gunnie"

Jim, I don't simply consider it........I treasure it.

Just been quite, but following the progress intently.
Looking forward to seeing a few updated photos.....

hmmm thought this was Tread's truck thread but I was wrong. It's starting to go WAYYYYYYY off topic and turn mushey! :-)

Could we move back to discussing trucks please, particually GMC Radio/Command trucks and the building of one by Tread.

thank you in advance