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

[fermis]

Jan 3, 2024 20:31:22 GMT -5 cdnfurball said:

The way I like’m. Dirty.

I'm pretty much an aircraft guy...but I dig this...a lot!!!
BTW...I've done a lot of work in the Novi area (about 25 minutes away from home)

[TJ]

Man there are some beauties being shown here

[garybrantley]

Feb 11, 2024 16:38:09 GMT -5 themongoose said:

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

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!

Thank you so much, sir! 🙏🏻🏻 I appreciate that a lot; I feel like the Bulldog is my best effort so far.   I felt pretty comfortable with it, and it was a lot less stress than an aircraft build for me.   I'm happy you liked the Tigercat too.  😃 I knew I wanted that yellow scheme as soon as I saw the box top. 😊

[TOWGunner]

There are so many exemplary builds here! Such consistently excellent work! You guys set the bar very high!

[brandonk]

Feb 11, 2024 16:46:42 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

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

Don't sell yourself short, John. Your work is top notch as indicated by these magnificent specimens. I love the B-36. When I was stationed at Chanute AFB in Urbana, IL., we had a B-36 on display, along with many other birds. So big and so cool. All that is gone now. I think the B-36 made it's way to Cali for restoration, not sure.

[lyle]

You are a wizard class builder when you complete the Williams Brothers C-47!

[dukemaddog]

Wow, I just went through this entire thread from the beginning when I first posted and I am overwhelmed at the astoundingly outstanding Masterpieces I've seen posted here! I truly don't measure up! I'm glad I posted very early on so that I would not have to try and follow all this mind-blowing, gobsmackingly outstanding work. I even noticed that for some reason, some of my pics have disappeared. No loss there given how much better everything else on this Thread is.

Bruce, I particularly love your work; that Enterprise looked just like a screenshot from the show as someone else mentioned, truly magnificent! I am overwhelmed at the paint work on the car with the red and gold! Stunning!!

Everyone else; I'm simply blown away by all of your massive talent and skills! I am not worthy!

[fermis]

 This first isn't so much about "pride"...it's pretty "ho-hum", but it did mark a turning point, for lack of a better term.
ModelCrafts F-82. This kit is pretty much garbage, but I think I managed to make it turn out okay..."silk purse from a sows ear".
My "realization" with this build, was...it's just plastic, don't let it kick your @$$!!!!
Everything after this build, has been pretty easy, and I've made a lot of "silk purses"!




My favorite, is a 1/32 F-18D, I did for my brother while he was in Iraq.



I kept a "diary" of this build. When my bro got back home, we compared diaries. On the night that I made the GBU-12's (bashed from mk82's and GBU-10's), he had dropped a pair from 01(as modelled).
Before he got back, I took it to a show. Got gold, best aircraft, special "support our troops" award and best of show!
(there is a glass cover for the display)



2nd to that, is my good buddies CH-46. He was also in Iraq at the same time as my bro...just a slightly different mission!



I got a little help from a past FSM member, for the "nose art" decal.



My buddy is now a crew chief on the V-22. 
Side note...we had a nice visit in Hawaii, a few years back. I got to climb around in the 22 and even got an hour in their sim!
Haven't built that one yet, but I do have the kit!




This is one of my best...I think.
1/72 Eduard 190...




And, one of my best...others think!
I was told by a judge that it was contender for best aircraft and best of show at 2015 Nationals...but lost to a literal coin toss.
Maddog was there...he seen it!!!
Pics are long lost to photobucket...had to take a pic from IPMS mag
I'd say, this is my best "silk purse". Classic Airframes Barracuda
Scratched the entire interior, cut up the wings for the fold and scratched all the internal details and landing gears. Scribed and rivetted(one by one, with a needle!)

[TOWGunner]

All of your work is fantastic but the wiring on that 190 is amazing! Outstanding detailing!

[fermis]

Appreciate that, Tow!


Here's another I'm proud of! Especially for being way out of my wheelhouse and comfort zone.
Found the pics while looking for something else.
Most of my work gets shipped out, so I forget a bunch of stuff!
This one was a commission job.







Side story: My first commission job, was a 1/48 Bonanza, back in 2000 (no pics of that!). Years later, I got my "high performance" sign off in that very Bonanza.

I also flew that Bonanza down to Nationals in Chattanooga and to deliver this build!

[keavdog]

Great stuff! I couldn't image how to transport that beautiful carrier

[fermis]

Feb 13, 2024 12:25:02 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Great stuff! I couldn't image how to transport that beautiful carrier

 That would have been tough! I typically ship in a crate I built, surrounded by padding in a larger box. Planes are tied into "cradles", screwed into the floor of the crate. At worst, I've had some tanks or bombs pop off, but nothing my guy can't fix easily enough.
The timing of it's completion worked out great. I did hold on to it a little longer than needed, but way easier to deliver it this way...and I got a few others done too, for the same guy.
If it did get damaged in transit...we'da had WAY bigger problems!!!
On the flight home...things got "exciting". Had some issues with the autopilot...rolled us right over and pointed us towards earth. Probably looked cool from the ground though! "Hand flying" get a little taxing after a couple hours!

[deafpanzer]

Feb 13, 2024 11:19:59 GMT -5 fermis said:

Appreciate that, Tow!


Here's another I'm proud of! Especially for being way out of my wheelhouse and comfort zone.
Found the pics while looking for something else.
Most of my work gets shipped out, so I forget a bunch of stuff!
This one was a commission job.







Side story: My first commission job, was a 1/48 Bonanza, back in 2000 (no pics of that!). Years later, I got my "high performance" sign off in that very Bonanza.

I also flew that Bonanza down to Nationals in Chattanooga and to deliver this build!

WOW! I totally love it. I have few carrier kits but I don't think I can start them until I retire in 5-10 years.

[dukemaddog]

Yes, I did see that model in 2015! I'm still overwhelmed by the detail in it! Jeremy, when you went to the Chattanooga Nats, did you see my collection on display?

[stikpusher]

Fermis, that is one gorgeous CVE build! I'm glad that you found it to share here! man I'd hate to give up such work... even if somebody else did pay for it all.

[fermis]

Feb 16, 2024 15:44:05 GMT -5 dukemaddog said:

Yes, I did see that model in 2015! I'm still overwhelmed by the detail in it! Jeremy, when you went to the Chattanooga Nats, did you see my collection on display?

 Of course...IIRC, you did have a "couple" there!!!

[fermis]

Feb 16, 2024 15:45:40 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Fermis, that is one gorgeous CVE build! I'm glad that you found it to share here! man I'd hate to give up such work... even if somebody else did pay for it all.

 Appreciated!

Some are tough to let go of, but I do go in, knowing that they are going out!

The downside of doing commission work, is that all my best work goes away. Stuff I do for myself, has a bit more of a "ehhh...F it" attitude towards it.
I have long since met all the goals I once had for contests...so for myself, I'm just building for the shelves and "looks cool".
The upside...obviously, $$$...but also, I don't have to pitch my old builds (yet) to make room for new stuff!

[stikpusher]

I understand completely. I had fun with my builds overseas, as I knew I could not bring them home with me. But at the same time, part of me hated to leave them there. Even if I knew that from the outset of the build.

[TJ]

I've had a few requests for commission builds. I think it then becomes a job. I use my bench time as a way to get away from the real world. Plus I'd have a really hard time in letting them go.

[fermis]

Feb 17, 2024 3:33:56 GMT -5 TJ said:

I've had a few requests for commission builds. I think it then becomes a job. I use my bench time as a way to get away from the real world. Plus I'd have a really hard time in letting them go.

 Some can be a "job", for sure.
There's only been a couple that I just wasn't into. At the same time, though...I do like a challenge!
For the most part though, my guy gives me a good amount of "freedom". If I'm really not "feeling it"...I can move on to another. Pretty easy when he's got a 100+ stash at my house, to choose from!

Overall, it's been a great experience, and I do thoroughly enjoy it.