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Post by rbaer on Jun 17, 2017 22:46:59 GMT -5
In for a penny, right? Somehow I'm feeling another urge to tackle some balls and chains, and the Meng Merk3's in the stash have no anti slip and I wanted to start building something, anything, NOW. Since I had a set of Friuls for an early Merk3 assembled, out came the HB kit. So far I have only one issue: the kit sprocket teeth are pitched differently than the Friuls. I even assembled a few of the kit's indie links, and they come apart when I put them on the sprocket. So a pair of spare Tamiya/Academy sprockets to the rescue. So far, not much, but the HB parts are pretty well detailed, especially the idlers and their mounts.  IMG_0490 by Russel Baer, on Flickr More later! |
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Post by Leon on Jun 18, 2017 4:38:58 GMT -5
Nice start Russ!  |
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Post by rbaer on Jun 19, 2017 9:33:57 GMT -5
Thanks Leon. In between yesterday's gotta do's, I added some bits. One thing: HB would have you build up the exhaust louvers on the lower hull, then drop the upper on. I thought about that, then after a quick monkey and the peanut check, did the louvers after I hdd the hull parts together. Much better. Also, this kit has some of the smallest PE I have ever almost seen in my life. And a fit issue: the rear fuel tanks have a nasty mis-match when the upper and lower hulls are joined, lots of sanding, trimming and putty here. The color is Humbrol 110, in the nooks and crannies that I can't hit well with a rattle can.  IMG_0501 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0500 by Russel Baer, on Flickr Resting my eyes..... |
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Post by wbill76 on Jun 19, 2017 19:41:37 GMT -5
Not wasting any time on this one Russ! Coming together pretty quickly.
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Post by rbaer on Jun 19, 2017 21:12:05 GMT -5
Thanks Bill. I guess this it what happens when I have a whole day to model, been a while.
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Post by rbaer on Jul 7, 2017 9:43:06 GMT -5
Oh dem balls, Oh dem balls...... I almost gave up after spending two hours to do two links and hang them, but I started figuring out ways to compensate for shaky hands and a serious lack of desire, because I really want to do one with danglers.... So, after one entire day:  IMG_0506 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0508 by Russel Baer, on Flickr I also messed up the HB gun tube, so I pirated part of one from my now spare Meng 3D kit. Now that the cherry is popped, I'll be robbing it for other bits that look to be much nicer than the HB parts as well.  IMG_0507 by Russel Baer, on Flickr The chain bits that go on the turret are done as well, just resting comfortably. |
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Post by dierk on Jul 7, 2017 10:58:12 GMT -5
A whole hareem's worth of balls and chains - looking great Russ!  |
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Post by Leon on Jul 7, 2017 11:17:30 GMT -5
Nice work on the ball and chains Russ!
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joelsmith
Full Member
Member since: July 2012
There no winners in war, only survivors.
Posts: 1,404
Jul 5, 2012 22:33:58 GMT -5
Jul 5, 2012 22:33:58 GMT -5
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Post by joelsmith on Jul 7, 2017 13:13:20 GMT -5
Annie Lennox would be so proud!
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 7, 2017 15:29:12 GMT -5
Worth the effort Russ, very cool!
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Post by rbaer on Jul 8, 2017 12:18:40 GMT -5
Thanks gents. I have some more detail parts on the turret now, using lots of Meng parts for things HB left off, or in most cases, just because the Meng bits are nicer, better detailed, better moldings, or in a couple of cases simply more accurate. Thanks gents. This HB kit makes me think of newer Academy kits, truth be told. Okay kit, fit issues on big parts, some soft detail. I'm using lots of bits from the Meng kit, cuz I can. Gray parts are Meng.  IMG_0510 by Russel Baer, on Flickr |
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Post by rbaer on Jul 19, 2017 12:31:43 GMT -5
Jeez, even Flikr is dropping pics now.
Anyway, paint is on, pics asap. I'm happy so far.
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Post by rbaer on Jul 20, 2017 20:18:26 GMT -5
Technicolor:  IMG_0517 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0518 by Russel Baer, on Flickr Krylon to the rescue. Satin colors take about a year to dry but the color selection is good. And the seam where the upper and lower turret halves join needs work. Shame on HobbyBoss there. |
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Post by TRM on Jul 20, 2017 20:51:03 GMT -5
How could you not love the profiles of the Mk's? Another fine subject and build Russ!
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Post by Tojo72 on Jul 21, 2017 11:31:22 GMT -5
Very ballsy Russ,great job on a tedious process.
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 22, 2017 10:36:05 GMT -5
Coming along nicely Russ!
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Post by Leon on Jul 22, 2017 11:20:33 GMT -5
Paint looks good Russ!
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Post by rbaer on Jul 28, 2017 11:57:12 GMT -5
I've been modeling, really. I have a schedule change at work, so my bench time is cut roughly in half, but who knows.... Anyway, pics so far:  IMG_0522 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0521 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0520 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0519 by Russel Baer, on Flickr Once again I'm reminded of just how big Merkavas are. There's a few washes on the base tan, then drybrushing with Hombrol #72. I really should have re-scribed all the hull panel lines as the ones on the hull top are pretty much gone. Lesson learned. |
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Post by Leon on Jul 28, 2017 13:18:38 GMT -5
Looking really good Russ!
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 29, 2017 11:48:43 GMT -5
The Merks are impressive beasts. Making good progress Russ.
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M1Carbine
Senior Member
November '23 Showcased Model Awarded
Member since: November 2012
Posts: 1,739
Nov 16, 2012 2:49:11 GMT -5
Nov 16, 2012 2:49:11 GMT -5
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Post by M1Carbine on Jul 29, 2017 12:31:55 GMT -5
Russ - your.....ummmmmm....balls look fantastic. very tedious as I did them on mine as well but well worth the effort. Stunning Merk so far buddy.
Bob
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Post by rbaer on Aug 1, 2017 12:20:01 GMT -5
Thanks gents.
Looking for the screens for the rear baskets now, seems I misplaced them somewhere.
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Post by rbaer on Aug 5, 2017 12:20:53 GMT -5
Well, plastic basket screen it is, and some more detail painting and weathering:  IMG_0528 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0529 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0527 by Russel Baer, on Flickr  IMG_0526 by Russel Baer, on Flickr I have to say: the turret mortar and cage are beautiful pieces I picked up off Shapeways, really neat. I had to add the dust cover on the mortar itself, but that took all of five minutes. |
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Post by tobias5555 on Aug 5, 2017 12:27:05 GMT -5
Great looking update
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Post by Leon on Aug 5, 2017 12:33:04 GMT -5
The Merk is looking great Russ! |
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Post by Tojo72 on Aug 5, 2017 15:49:47 GMT -5
Looks so alien,really a great painting and weathering job.
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Post by rbaer on Aug 7, 2017 11:39:16 GMT -5
Thanks gents. About all I'm planning on doing weathering-wise is some dust accumulation in the anti-slip and a bit on the skirts, and maybe some dust in some other nooks and crannies, but overall it'll be fairly clean.
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Post by Tojo72 on Aug 8, 2017 7:43:12 GMT -5
Fantastic job of painting and weathering
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M1Carbine
Senior Member
November '23 Showcased Model Awarded
Member since: November 2012
Posts: 1,739
Nov 16, 2012 2:49:11 GMT -5
Nov 16, 2012 2:49:11 GMT -5
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Post by M1Carbine on Aug 8, 2017 20:15:15 GMT -5
Looks awesome Russ
Bob
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Post by rbaer on Aug 14, 2017 18:53:55 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I assembled and base coated the HB and Meng turret MGs the other day, pretty sure I'll use the HB units and save the Meng for another project. Both had some freakishly small parts, but the HB assemblies were made from from agonizingly tiny bits. Pics soon.
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