Kind Nine Will Not Return - B-25 - 1/48

This is my interpretation of the B-25 Bomber that appeared in the "King Nine Will Not Return" episode of the Twilight Zone - Season 2, Episode 1.  

The kit used was the 1/48 scale Accurate Miniatures B-25C.  The kit is amazing!  There is a plenty of interior detail and the exterior molding is great.  The engines were detailed with ignition wires and push rods.

Apollo Astronaut on the Moon - Revell - 1/8 Scale

The Revell "Apollo Astronaut on the Moon" is a representation of Neil Armstrong descending the LEM ladder.  I wanted to copy the iconic photograph of Buzz Aldrin with Neil Armstrong's reflection in the visor.

The kit was released in 1970 and it has a lot of problems.  The fit was poor and had large gaps that needed to be filled.  I used plastic cardstock and 2 part Tamiya epoxy putty.  The kit also had many in accuracies - The PLSS/OPS lacked details, the RCU , LEVA visor, and A7-L spacesuit were very badly shaped.  There were missing hoses and connectors.  The boots and gloves were also poorly shaped.

I started by filling the gaps and separating the the PLSS and OPS.

Details were added - access points and scratch built.  The PLSS was eventually covered in tissue paper soaked in white glue.  The OPS was detailed with flaps made from thin aluminum sheets.  The boots and gloves were cut off from the model.  The gloves were reshaped.  The finger tips were replaced with stryene rod that was sanded into the correct shape.  The details on the boots were remove.  Lines were re-scribed and straps were made from medial tape soaked in thin superglue.

Here are the finished boots and gloves.

                             

The RCU was scratch built from the sheet styrene, and it was covered with medical tape.  The mounting hardware, the purge valve, and camera mount was added.  The spacesuit hose connectors were made from styrene tube and flat circular disks.  The inaccurate parts of the spacesuit were removed, and plastic sheet along with a lot of Tamiya epoxy putty was used to contour the torso.

 The visor on the LEVA was the wrong shape.  The LEVA was removed from the torso and modification were made.  I found a 1.75" silver plastic Christmas ornament that was a very close match to the correct dimensions.  The difficult part as printing the decal for the visor.  Getting the flat decal to lay down over the ornament was time consuming.  Multiple patterns were tried and tested.

                                  

The kit was primed grey.  I blended a custom insignia white (Tamiya Paint) mixed with Mr. Color Leveling thinner.  It was shaded and highlighted with enamels and artist oils.  A gloss coat of AK Gauzy shine enhancer sealed the paint.  The decals were printed on an ALPS printer.  Once applied they, there were sealed with AK satin clear varnish.

This it he finished model of Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

 

F-15J - 1/72 Scale by Great Wall Hobby

This is a F-15J.  It was built straight out of the box.  The detailing on the kit was amazing.  The kit came with a couple of sets of decals.  The instructions were just okay.

The kit was primed with Mr. Surface 1500 black thinned with Mr. Color leveling thinning.  It was preshaded with Tamiya dark green, wood deck, medium gray, and custom mixed insignia white.  A custom stencil was cut for the 2 tone camouflaged, and Tamiya paints were used with a custom mix.  The engine nozzles were painted with AK Interactive Xtreme metallics and shaded with Tamiya clears - smoke, blue, yellow, and red.

A Tamiya gloss coat was applied for the decals.  There were hundreds to be applied.  A sludge wash was applied, and it was followed my 5 coats of Testors Dullcote.

 

Air Fix - 1/72 A-4A

This is an out of the box build of the AirFix A4-A.  It primed with Mr Surfacer 1500 gray.  It was pre-shaded with dark gray.  The model was finished with Tamiya custom mixed paints.  The model was gloss coated and the kit decals were applied.  A slug coast was applied to see the engraved panel lines.  It was finished with Tamiya matt.

M-32 Tank Recovery Vehicle - Italeri 1/35 (Completed)

 Here is the completed M-32 Tank Recovery Vehicle:

M-32 Tank Recovery Vehicle - Italeri 1/35 (Part 4)

Additional parts were added to the hull for mount spare parts, a bench vise and and grinding wheel were scratch built from styrene.

The final assembly of parts and getting ready for painting.

The tank is ready for priming and painting using Vallejo paints.

M-32 Tank Recovery Vehicle - Italeri 1/35 (Part 3)

The tool boxes and the A-Frame mounts were attached to the rear deck.  Plastic rod soaked in glue was used to simulate the welds for the mounts.

Spare track mounts were fabricated from styrene strips and u-channel and they were attached to the rear of the turret.

                              

Spare road wheels and drive sprockets were added to the exterior of the turret.  The turret was then attached to the hull.

Here are more pictures of the tank with the turret attached

The front fenders were made from styrene and glued in place.  The front tow hitch was also added to the hull,  

Next, I started on the A-Frame.  The seam lines were scrapped smooth (very time consuming) and the attachment points were prepped for attaching to the hull.  Small areas were sanded smooth so the mounts could be glued.  Styrene rods were used to simulate the weld beads.

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