The Duke's First Models of 2021

[Dukemaddog]

Well, despite many issues and setbacks, as well as a delay from spending time with Family in Florida, I managed to pull these seven armor models over the finish line; just squeaking them in before February hit. Here they are in no particular order. All of these are in 1/72 scale.... of course.

S-Models M5 Stuart light tank:







This was done in fictitious markings due to losing the original kit decals. Gonna have to find them if I plan on building the second one in this kit and make it French.

Airfix M551 Sheridan light tank in Fort Knox Armor School markings:







This one can also be classified as a Shelf Queen finally completed as I started this at least two or three years ago.

S-Models Australian Turreted M-113 APC:







I love the Snoopy on this one.

Trumpeter Russian BTR-70 Early:







This vehicle wasn't a Guards vehicle originally, but I decided to take some creative liberties and promote it to a Guards vehicle.

Trumpeter BTR-70 Late:







ACE Ukrainian BTR-3K Anti-tank Vehicle:







This one has the digital camouflage decals. They were quite easy to put on, easier than some of the assembly I had to do.

And finally my Dragon/Corporal Overby Conversion kitbash of the Israeli M-51 Sherman:







This one gave me extreme difficulties when it came to getting the bogies glued in and lined up properly. You can see how difficult it was by how badly I failed. I also took a little liberty adding the .30 caliber machine gun to the turret. I figured the Israelis would have done that at least once.

Okay, those are my first seven models finished for the year. They aren't the best I've done but they are done and on the shelf.

Thanks for looking in, comments are always welcome.

[BUCKY]

Very nice lot for the first bunch of 2021! They all look great to me!

[RLFoster]

Off to a good start for the year, Mark...Well Done!

[JCON]

Nice armor rollout!!!

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

That's a lot of fire power, Duke.

[JED]

Great going Duke

[JCON]

Not trying to be critical but wondering why you don't seem to paint the rubber tires on your armor tanks? I know I hate painting all those wheels but you always notice the rubber in actual pictures even when coated in dust from the desert.

[Dukemaddog]

Thanks guys for the fantastic comments! I'm so thrilled to have all these done. I do hope to be at least this productive in February. Thanks again guys, I'm so glad you like them.

[Dukemaddog]

Jan 30, 2021 13:08:19 GMT -6 JCON said:

Not trying to be critical but wondering why you don't seem to paint the rubber tires on your armor tanks? I know I hate painting all those wheels but you always notice the rubber in actual pictures even when coated in dust from the desert.

Joe, sometimes I do. It all depends on how well I can insert a small brush into the area without adding paint to the sidewall. I guess this time I just got lazy; most of these gave me a fight and I just wanted to get them off the workbench so I could concentrate on some other projects.

[JCON]

No worries Mark, I was just wondering! Like I said I hate painting them all too, especially German armor!!!

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

I don't see how you guys do any of that micro painting work.

[jimrichards]

Awesome Mark!

I don't know squat about armor, I didn't even realize they had rubber on the wheels, til I joined up here and watched some of the great WIPs and I've even ridin in tanks in the NG
But in my defense.... I drank back then...LOL

Did I mention... Awesome Mark!

Lookin forward to the Feb. photo Shoot

Jim

[Dukemaddog]

Joe, I agree, sometimes I hate painting them all too. That's when I couldn't be bothered. For that matter, when cleaning up all the empty boxes, I found that I still had quite a number of parts to add to the M-113, so that beastie is coming back down to be finished even more.

Jan 30, 2021 16:25:21 GMT -6 dogfish7 (R.I.P.) said:

I don't see how you guys do any of that micro painting work.

For One: I take off my glasses so I can see. Two, a steady hand with the occasional supplemental tweezers to hold parts. Three: great lighting keeping everything very visible. Just like a meatball: nothing to it.



Thanks Jim! I am anxiously awaiting the great opportunity to see my whole collection again!

[JED]

I don't overly enjoy 17/2 but I try to use a white background to highlight bits

[Dukemaddog]

Good suggestion Jed. I'll keep that one.