1/48 Zvezda Mi-24 Hind – A model of the most destructive military force ever conceived

Let me tell you a little about myself: Born in the 70s and grew up in the 80s. A decade that started with feathered hair and ABBA, quickly morphed into synthesizers, cocaine, big hair, wedge shaped sports cars, pastels and silk suits. The 80s also featured a Cold War with a clearly divided world and […]

Paint “Marbling” Now On YouTube

Whether we are pre-shading panel lines, post shading, black basing, dot filtering, mottling or marbling, the goal is to find a way to weather or distress the paint finish and otherwise to bring some interest to the surface of the model. When I first got back into the hobby (circa 2007) the finishing technique that […]

And now for something a little different

We model builders are usually enthusiasts and history buffs. At least, that has been my experience. This interest is usually fed by books, magazines, museums, history podcasts and even travel to historic places. But what is an enthusiast if he or she cannot own, hold and display something? Be it models, memorabilia, reproduction items or […]

Divebomber Delivery

It’s the winter and it’s Covid and it’s lockdowns. Weekends that should normally be spent with swimming lessons, gymnastics classes, museum visits and snow removal have been reduced to walks in the snow, the creation of complicated snow bunkers, patiently waiting on Amazon deliveries, listening to podcasts and reading. So you can imagine that any […]

Painting Japanese Aircraft Markings Now on YouTube

I’ve uploaded a video with a demonstration of how I make my own paint masks for Japanese aircraft. With the right tools (ie good tape and sharp blades) masks can be made very easily and with complete control. The result are markings that perfectly conform to every surface, panel line and rivet without the need […]

Break out those bell bottoms, heeled boots and earth tones, we’re going old school.

In my “Are we Builders or Finishers” article I discussed a lot of things about model kits of today vs. those of the past. For the most part, today’s kits are well engineered and will provide for a trouble free build with little to correct. We can gleefully put these kits together quickly and end […]

2021 Dream Kit List

It’s January! So it is that time of year again in this platinum era of scale models: Wish time! I’d like to think all the manufacturers subscribe to my blog, wait longingly for this annual top 5 list and duly note my wishes because I have been fairly reasonable with my asks. It’s not like […]

2020: The year we made models

I realize there was one monumental occurrence in 2020 that maintained the headlines for months and ultimately trickled down and affected pretty much everything we planned or looked forward to in 2020. These lock downs and other measures meant that (depending on location) we could not attend model shows, museums or the hobby shop. Vacations […]

Painting and Weathering Engine Exhausts – Now on YouTube

I’ve uploaded a video with a demonstration of how I paint and weather my propeller engine exhausts. I demonstrated using the supercharger on the 1/48 Tamiya P-38 Lightning. I did not invent this technique! I first read about using thin coats of brown paint to simulate rust in JM Villalba’s FAQ book. I added Tamiya […]

Using Quinta Studio 3D Cockpit Sets – Now on YouTube

I’ve uploaded a video with a demonstration of how I installed one of the new Quinta Studio 3D Cockpits in my 1/48 Zvezda Hind. For those who are not familiar with Quinta Studio Cockpits, these are 3D cockpit parts that are mounted on decal sheets. They are made using polymerized vinyl and are incredibly well […]