Builds you are most proud of AND type of modeling you do

[themongoose]

“I gotta know… Did that Enterprise take home a trophy? It has got to be one of the best ship models I’ve ever seen, if not the best.”

green KreationZ - yeah man it’s taken a few, best ship and best military overall at the IPMS Section IV Regionals 👍

[Green KreationZ]

Jan 29, 2024 22:10:12 GMT -5 themongoose said:

“I gotta know… Did that Enterprise take home a trophy? It has got to be one of the best ship models I’ve ever seen, if not the best.”

green KreationZ - yeah man it’s taken a few, best ship and best military overall at the IPMS Section IV Regionals 👍

Wow, Congratz!! Definitely well deserved. 

Ships are a different kind of beast. My Mogami has taken me forever. 5 hours on a ship gets one very small section done. Compared to a plane, 5 hours is like all the paintwork and weathering lol 

[brandonk]

Jan 29, 2024 18:14:49 GMT -5 cbaltrin said:

Well I guess I'll jump in , These are my completions that I am most satisfied with.  As stated in my introductory post -- I like Monogram a/c kits and that is mostly what's here.
1) Monogram 1/48 P-51D. Scratch built new guns, Sealed up all the panels, rescribed 75% of kit. Windscreen superglued in, filled , flush sanded to blend into fuselage and polished back to clear. All markings masked and painted on except for nose art, kill markings and prop stencils. Now, if I just hadn't glued the gear doors on backawards ...


Monogram/Aurora Fw-190. Replaced Guns and Main wheels.


Monogram 1/48 P47D. Replaced kit guns.




Monogram Skyraider 1/48, Replaced guns and added Quickboost antennas. 





Italeri 1/72 F-100D 'Thors Hammer'. OOB.  Sanded out 'extra' canopy frame and polished canopy.



My First Car Kit. AMT 67 Impala SS -- Model Master Pearl Grape Metallic.

Those are all super nice builds, but knowing that they started life as old Monogram kits just makes them look just that much better. Incredible work!!

[brandonk]

Jan 29, 2024 20:43:09 GMT -5 Green KreationZ said:

I’m proud of majority of my builds, but I’d say this is a pretty accurate summary of my most prized builds.


A6M2 Zero, B5N2 Kate, and D3A1 Val all on replica IJN carrier I made. The hardest part of this build was finding time to build. Between a job change and my son teething; I had long spurts where I was simply too tired to sit down at the bench. Completing this build had really reignited my fire, and majority of my alone free time is dedicated to the hobby now.





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My A6M2 Zero from this build was recently featured in an advertisement for Coast Kits Display Bases, which also makes me quite proud.




YF-23 BlackWidow. I have seen this exact jet in person maybe half a dozen times and think it’s one of the best looking jets out there. I was excited to receive the model as a Christmas present a few years back. After seeing the jet in person again, I feel like my build does it justice.






This is the first diorama I made. I obviously watched quite a few YouTube and didn’t go into without knowledge. I did this build as if it was Star Wars meets Fallout.




I decided to do this build after watching some YouTube documentaries about the Nazi V weapons. I found a few pictures online of how the Buzzbombs were launched, and attempted to replicate it. The launching sled is completely scratch built.

I know I have mentioned this before, but your Japanese subjects are next level good. Craftsmanship at its finest.

[brandonk]

Jan 29, 2024 21:19:09 GMT -5 eaglecash867 said:

This one took over a year to finish, but it was worth the time. Tamiya's 1/48 F-4B that I converted to an early (1965) Marine Corps Phantom with an air-to-mud loadout and no ECM gear.

That Phantom is in a class all its own. Incredible work my friend. It seems almost overwhelming when one works on one of these and realizes just how many stencils have to be applied. Awesome work!

[garybrantley]

Man, there has been a lot of great scale modeling demonstrated in this thread!  I see that I'm in the company of some fantastic model builders and I feel a bit out of my depth.  But, I'm game to try and add something worthwhile.   I'd say these are the models that have turned out best from me lately.  The final results never seem to match the ideal that we begin with, the "vision" we see when we crack open that fresh, new kit.  But these came closest to my achieving that goal.  

Tamiya 1/35 Walker Bulldog in ARVN service:
















Revell 1/48 F-84E:


















AMT 1/48 F7F-2N Tigercat:

[brandonk]

Jan 30, 2024 10:51:04 GMT -5 garybrantley said:

Man, there has been a lot of great scale modeling demonstrated in this thread!  I see that I'm in the company of some fantastic model builders and I feel a bit out of my depth.  But, I'm game to try and add something worthwhile.   I'd say these are the models that have turned out best from me lately.  The final results never seem to match the ideal that we begin with, the "vision" we see when we crack open that fresh, new kit.  But these came closest to my achieving that goal.  

Tamiya 1/35 Walker Bulldog in ARVN service:
















Revell 1/48 F-84E:
















AMT 1/48 F7F-2N Tigercat:

Gary, your work is on par with anything posted in here. These are all stunners and most modelers don't hold a candle to this level or work. Nothing short of awesome here!!

[garybrantley]

Jan 30, 2024 10:54:09 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Jan 30, 2024 10:51:04 GMT -5 garybrantley said:

Thank you, Brandon! 🥃 Man, I so appreciate those generous comments.  That is mighty encouraging; thanks for your support, my friend!  🙏🏻

[Medicman71]

Jan 29, 2024 21:19:09 GMT -5 eaglecash867 said:

This one took over a year to finish, but it was worth the time. Tamiya's 1/48 F-4B that I converted to an early (1965) Marine Corps Phantom with an air-to-mud loadout and no ECM gear.

Very nice!!! Love the Death Rattlers markings!

[Steve Zuleski]

Man, trying to keep up can getcha a lil winded, HA! What an awesome run of photos Guys, pretty sweet builds from every aspect of this Sport. Great work, Gents! I keep sayin this, but I'm not kiddin, I still don't know how you car guys get such incredibly realistic slick, shiny finishes. I'd be like the kid down the block, glue goobers everywhere! I think I have three cars in inventory and the boxes are collecting dust, lol.

Like always, I'm late, but I did bring pizza. Here's the ones I'm most proud of, but I'm still learning, so this list may change, ya never know. We can be our own worst critic, can't we? lol.

[brandonk]

Feb 10, 2024 13:09:54 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Man, trying to keep up can getcha a lil winded, HA! What an awesome run of photos Guys, pretty sweet builds from every aspect of this Sport. Great work, Gents! I keep sayin this, but I'm not kiddin, I still don't know how you car guys get such incredibly realistic slick, shiny finishes. I'd be like the kid down the block, glue goobers everywhere! I think I have three cars in inventory and the boxes are collecting dust, lol.

Like always, I'm late, but I did bring pizza. Here's the ones I'm most proud of, but I'm still learning, so this list may change, ya never know. We can be our own worst critic, can't we? lol.

All I can say is this is figures at their very best. Holy cow, this is good work. The bar is pretty high around here. I may not reach the bar you guys set but I do enjoy looking up at it. WOWZERS!!!

[lyle]

stellar figure painting/diorama work.

[aaronw]

Feb 10, 2024 13:09:54 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Man, trying to keep up can getcha a lil winded, HA! What an awesome run of photos Guys, pretty sweet builds from every aspect of this Sport. Great work, Gents! I keep sayin this, but I'm not kiddin, I still don't know how you car guys get such incredibly realistic slick, shiny finishes. I'd be like the kid down the block, glue goobers everywhere! I think I have three cars in inventory and the boxes are collecting dust, lol.

Like always, I'm late, but I did bring pizza. Here's the ones I'm most proud of, but I'm still learning, so this list may change, ya never know. We can be our own worst critic, can't we? lol.

Your figure work is amazing, but I'm most impressed with your shading. So often the shading, particularly on flesh tones comes across to me as dirt, rather than shadow. 

I've painted fantasy figures since I was in the 4th grade so I've painted a lot and looked at even more, and followed a lot of the trends in style and technique. Your figures are top shelf and I really like the fact so many of your little dioramas are slice of life, not just action. 


At least they let him pull up his pants before taking him prisoner.  

[speedgraflex]

U.S.S. Enterprise (Deluxe) from Star Trek





This is what is possible in my hands when you throw the kitchen sink (aftermarket resin and decals) at the AMT Enterprise. Painted Luftwaffe Blue. Scale: 1/650.


D&RG Freight Cars





Pretty much all scratch built; my father was an O Gauge Train Modeler: I am too. Scale: 1/48.


Porsche 906






Slot cars! I race ‘em. This is a 1966 Russkit, with a new vintage shell and driver! Before restoration/rebuilding:




The Russkit Porsche 906 was a huge hit in 1966 and it's easy to see why. It's an almost perfect rendition of the real car! Scale: 1/24.


Fw190A-1 Cockpit





Everyone has unfinished business and here’s mine. A lovely PCM Butcherbird, gift of Clint Floki! Scale: 1/32.

[stikpusher]

Beautiful work Bruce!

[garybrantley]

Bruce, you've blown me away with those train cars and the Russkit 906! 🤩  When those Russkit 906 cars first came out, I was 13 years old, living in Australia and big-time crazy about commercial slotcar racing, with two different slot car "parlours" within 200 metres of our house.  The hottest cars were Russkit 906s, with the kit motor replaced by a rewound and balanced Mabuchi 26D.  Oh man, would that combination scream around that six-lane, 250' track.   Our lap record was 11.8 seconds and I managed a 14.6 with the same car.   We had a controller in one hand and a push-button "brake" in the other to cut power in the turns.  Wow, did we have fun!  Prolly the most I've had legal and dressed! 😁

[speedgraflex]

Feb 10, 2024 22:54:49 GMT -5 garybrantley said:

Bruce, you've blown me away with those train cars and the Russkit 906! 🤩  When those Russkit 906 cars first came out, I was 13 years old, living in Australia and big-time crazy about commercial slotcar racing, with two different slot car "parlours" within 200 metres of our house.  The hottest cars were Russkit 906s, with the kit motor replaced by a rewound and balanced Mabuchi 26D.  Oh man, would that combination scream around that six-lane, 250' track.   Our lap record was 11.8 seconds and I managed a 14.6 with the same car.   We had a controller in one hand and a push-button "brake" in the other to cut power in the turns.  Wow, did we have fun!  Prolly the most I've had legal and dressed! 😁

Thank you, Gary.

Let me tell you, I didn't post here for a week because after seeing your work in particular I just couldn't do it. I really have to compliment you on your photography. It's simply top notch work that blends the model into a realistic background. I think Lil' Butch is extraordinary. Truly. I know you from SPAM too. I know!

Regarding slot cars - I have three no four 1/24 cars - two plastic bodied Marx cars from a Sears playset which are fully restored and polished plus two Russkits. My favorites are the Russkit Porsches as well. I do have a hankering for the Monogram Racers in 1/24. The Chaparral 2D Coupe. And Revell's Ferrari 250 GTO, Lotus 23 and the other Porsche - The RS.

[speedgraflex]

Feb 10, 2024 21:56:45 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Beautiful work Bruce!

Right back to you, Carlos. Like I told Gary, I put the photos together a week ago then I read the thread and stopped. I just couldn't see posting amongst such amazing work. Really. Your Flak Bait is top notch!

[garybrantley]

Feb 10, 2024 23:13:57 GMT -5 speedgraflex said:

Feb 10, 2024 22:54:49 GMT -5 garybrantley said:

Bruce, you've blown me away with those train cars and the Russkit 906! 🤩  When those Russkit 906 cars first came out, I was 13 years old, living in Australia and 😊big-time crazy about commercial slotcar racing, with two different slot car "parlours" within 200 metres of our house.  The hottest cars were Russkit 906s, with the kit motor replaced by a rewound and balanced Mabuchi 26D.  Oh man, would that combination scream around that six-lane, 250' track.   Our lap record was 11.8 seconds and I managed a 14.6 with the same car.   We had a controller in one hand and a push-button "brake" in the other to cut power in the turns.  Wow, did we have fun!  Prolly the most I've had legal and dressed! 😁

Thank you, Gary.

Let me tell you, I didn't post here for a week because after seeing your work in particular I just couldn't do it. I really have to compliment you on your photography. It's simply top notch work that blends the model into a realistic background. I think Lil' Butch is extraordinary. Truly. I know you from SPAM too. I know!

Regarding slot cars - I have three no four 1/24 cars - two plastic bodied Marx cars from a Sears playset which are fully restored and polished plus two Russkits. My favorites are the Russkit Porsches as well. I do have a hankering for the Monogram Racers in 1/24. The Chaparral 2D Coupe. And Revell's Ferrari 250 GTO, Lotus 23 and the other Porsche - The RS.

Bruce, you are far too kind sir, but thank you so very much!  My dear friend, Richard Krall, a professional photographer and designer (one of his motorcycle creations added below), has really helped with so many good suggestions.   Sometimes, I do get lucky with a good pic. 😊  Here's a peek at some of Richard's work: richardkrall.com/

[garybrantley]

Bruce, in Australia, I had the Cox 1/24 Lotus 40 slotcar and also the Cox 1/24 Dino Ferrari.   That one had a coupe body and an open-top version.   Neither car was super competitive though and were about the equal of the Tamiya 1/24 cars over there, whose own Lotus 40 was very popular.   I had some sort of F1 car too, perhaps Scalextric.   Here are a few pics of those Cox cars now...pretty rough old veterans at their age! 😉 😄

[dean48ws]

Feb 10, 2024 13:09:54 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Man, trying to keep up can getcha a lil winded, HA! What an awesome run of photos Guys, pretty sweet builds from every aspect of this Sport. Great work, Gents! I keep sayin this, but I'm not kiddin, I still don't know how you car guys get such incredibly realistic slick, shiny finishes. I'd be like the kid down the block, glue goobers everywhere! I think I have three cars in inventory and the boxes are collecting dust, lol.

Like always, I'm late, but I did bring pizza. Here's the ones I'm most proud of, but I'm still learning, so this list may change, ya never know. We can be our own worst critic, can't we? lol.

This stuff just blows my mind! I love how real they look and the stories that 1 diorama tells, superb stuff, I wish I had 10% of this ability. I've tried a few figures but they aren't even in the same postcode as this stuff. Top notch work!

[brandonk]

Bruce, I agree with everyone. That is all some incredible work. The TOS Enterprise looks like screen shots from the series. And that 906, OOFTA MAY!! Incredible. Thanks for sharing those.

[speedgraflex]

Feb 11, 2024 10:27:24 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Bruce, I agree with everyone. That is all some incredible work. The TOS Enterprise looks like screen shots from the series. And that 906, OOFTA MAY!! Incredible. Thanks for sharing those.

Thanks so much! Sincerely! I was truly intimidated by the work being displayed here, I have to admit that because I’m a straightforward person and tell it like it is. Something else: as I relearn how to post to Proboards I am having trouble figuring out the image size. I’m using Adobe Photoshop’s suggested internet format but my photo frames are all too small on a typical computer. The images are fine on my iPhone which is how I make everything basically (all of my photos were taken using either the iPhone 12 or 14Pro.)

Does anyone have the answer?

1200x800



Try knocking them down to 520 x 520, max 620, but that's PC setting, not a phone. I've got a flip phone, so I might not be correct, HA!

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 10, 2024 19:35:27 GMT -5 speedgraflex said:

U.S.S. Enterprise (Deluxe) from Star Trek





This is what is possible in my hands when you throw the kitchen sink (aftermarket resin and decals) at the AMT Enterprise. Painted Luftwaffe Blue. Scale: 1/650.


D&RG Freight Cars





Pretty much all scratch built; my father was an O Gauge Train Modeler: I am too. Scale: 1/48.


Porsche 906






Slot cars! I race ‘em. This is a 1966 Russkit, with a new vintage shell and driver! Before restoration/rebuilding:




The Russkit Porsche 906 was a huge hit in 1966 and it's easy to see why. It's an almost perfect rendition of the real car! Scale: 1/24.


Fw190A-1 Cockpit





Everyone has unfinished business and here’s mine. A lovely PCM Butcherbird, gift of Clint Floki! Scale: 1/32.

I toldja, that car is nuts, and I'd never get results like that, wow. Enterprise looks like th real thing, awesome work!

[tcoat]

Feb 11, 2024 10:35:27 GMT -5 speedgraflex said:

Feb 11, 2024 10:27:24 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Bruce, I agree with everyone. That is all some incredible work. The TOS Enterprise looks like screen shots from the series. And that 906, OOFTA MAY!! Incredible. Thanks for sharing those.

Thanks so much! Sincerely! I was truly intimidated by the work being displayed here, I have to admit that because I’m a straightforward person and tell it like it is. Something else: as I relearn how to post to Proboards I am having trouble figuring out the image size. I’m using Adobe Photoshop’s suggested internet format but my photo frames are all too small on a typical computer. The images are fine on my iPhone which is how I make everything basically (all of my photos were taken using either the iPhone 12 or 14Pro.)

Does anyone have the answer?

1200x800



Try knocking them down to 520 x 520, max 620, but that's PC setting, not a phone. I've got a flip phone, so I might not be correct, HA!

For the photography and picture size just keep doing what you are doing. I couldn't get those shots in my wildest dreams even with the same phone!

[Steve Zuleski]

Thanks, Dean, Aaron, Lyle, and Brandok.

Gary, incredible tank work, buddy, love the weathering job! The photos are working just fine, imho!

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 11, 2024 10:35:27 GMT -5 speedgraflex said:

Feb 11, 2024 10:27:24 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Bruce, I agree with everyone. That is all some incredible work. The TOS Enterprise looks like screen shots from the series. And that 906, OOFTA MAY!! Incredible. Thanks for sharing those.

Thanks so much! Sincerely! I was truly intimidated by the work being displayed here, I have to admit that because I’m a straightforward person and tell it like it is. Something else: as I relearn how to post to Proboards I am having trouble figuring out the image size. I’m using Adobe Photoshop’s suggested internet format but my photo frames are all too small on a typical computer. The images are fine on my iPhone which is how I make everything basically (all of my photos were taken using either the iPhone 12 or 14Pro.)

Does anyone have the answer?

1200x800

Bruce, you might try knocking them down to 520 x 520, max 620, but that's PC setting, not a phone. Most of my pics are within that range, so if that size is good for you then you can judge up or down the scale from there. I've got a flip phone, so I might not be correct, HA! Like Tcoat said, they do look good from here.

[themongoose]

Jan 30, 2024 10:54:09 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Jan 30, 2024 10:51:04 GMT -5 garybrantley said:

Man, there has been a lot of great scale modeling demonstrated in this thread!  I see that I'm in the company of some fantastic model builders and I feel a bit out of my depth.  But, I'm game to try and add something worthwhile.   I'd say these are the models that have turned out best from me lately.  The final results never seem to match the ideal that we begin with, the "vision" we see when we crack open that fresh, new kit.  But these came closest to my achieving that goal.  

Tamiya 1/35 Walker Bulldog in ARVN service:
















Revell 1/48 F-84E:
















AMT 1/48 F7F-2N Tigercat:

Gary, your work is on par with anything posted in here. These are all stunners and most modelers don't hold a candle to this level or work. Nothing short of awesome here!!

Gary i love that Bulldog! Nice weathering all-around! I also have to complement that paint job on the tiger cat. That yellow is so solid and consistent! Sweet stuff, glad you shared!

[jeaton01]

I size my photos to 1600 pixels wide. I think most forum software resizes photos to fit the page so the issue is file size on your computer, and loading time as the bigger the file the slower a website will be.

Here are a few I like from my collection. I don't try to build the most spectacular model, as that would fall outside both my patience and my abilities. It's more like I build for my own museum display, so the subject and perhaps my connection to it is the most important driver for me.

Monogram 1/72 RB-36H

Williams Brothers 1/72 C-46

Special Hobby 1/48 Martin 167 Maryland

Accurate Miniatures 1/48 P-51C

[kyledehart5]

More Brilliant builds.