Small meeting this month, August usually is.
In attendance tonight:
Steve F, Steve R, Mike, Rob and myself.
There was a lot of talking techniques between Mike, Steve
and myself. We were talking about Armor weathering, which has dominated our
thoughts, for the last year or so.
With Chris producing some world class work with his modern
armor, and being published in several major modeling magazines over the last
two years, we get to see his work in person and get the benefit of his thoughts
and knowledge.
Armor weathering in general has taken a huge leap in the past
few years, from washes and dry brushing, to some very original and exotic
approaches and techniques. Yep, we have moved past our nail files and hairspray
J. Companies have been developing
products that take the harder work out of it, at the same time making the hobby
accessible to more and more modelers, and allowing them to produce better
pieces along the way.
I am a beneficiary of this experience. I brought in a piece tonight
that I know I would have never been able to produce a few years ago, and I know
that I can probably do better, with more practice (and motivation). Mike has
also converted from his aircraft passion to armor, at the 48 scale. He has
produced a few very nice pieces right out of the gate. His Tiger 1 progress
shows his patience and meticulousness in his approach. My approach, well let’s
just say it is not quite as structured. However, we are both students of the
current techniques, in our own ways.
It can be said that Steve F is without a doubt old school.
Building a couple of dozen or more models a year, he has the skill with research
and authenticity, scratch building and paint application that are the hallmarks
of the successful modeler in any time. His work tonight shows techniques like representing
paint chipping without the benefit of today’s chipping fluids/hairspray, etc.
One thing is always for sure, you can count on Steve to bring in something that
is not usually main stream. It is refreshing to see what other kits are out
there instead of Mustangs, Spitfires, Hornets and Harriers.
Here are some shots of the work brought in tonight.
Steve F. His Japanese “Jake”, the most powerful seaplane of
the second World War. (and Bugati from another meeting).
Mike and his Tiger 1 in-progress.
And.. my in-progress M4A3 Sherman Thunderbolt VI – Col Creighton
Abrams Sherman from the Battle of the Bulge, with a look at two other works in
progress, an M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo, and an M10 Tank Destroyer. (I say in-progess since I have a few more touch ups and stowage to add.)
That’s all for this month.
If you have something that you are working on and didn’t get
to bring it in, please sent me a small blurb and some photos and I will post it
up for everyone to see.
See you next month – September 3, 2013…
Joe
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