Dragline

Thanks for the likes guys, it means a lot. I'm not building cars like I used to these days as I've switched to figures, Warhammer and sci fi for the most part. My profile show my topics threads where you can see the figures I've been painting. My first one was this resin game piece. It's a lot smaller than this kit but it shows more detailed painting than this. If you have more questions about figure painting or acrylics I'll be happy to answer them if I know the answers.

Truly a great idea and well executed bro...

The Heck? Is it a kit? From your mind? We need to know..... Very cool.

I used Duplicolor white filler primer as a base. I like it because it is not harsh and dries very quickly. It's also a great barrier for hotter paints if you decide to use those types. The main paints are all acrylics by Vallejo and Citadel. There is a bit of a curve learning how to properly use acrylics effectively, but it's not an overwhelming one. It's all about balancing the paint with thinner to achieve smoother results while not drying too quickly. Acrylics dry very fast and they generally need a retarder so they don't dry too fast. I also use a wet pallet and first quality synthetic brushes to keep the paint flowing as well. I airbrushed the green and then highlighted it although it cannot be seen in these pics. The belly has a nice fade on it that is not visible and all the tops of the limbs [where sun would shine on] have that same lighter color. I just added a touch of yellow to the paint mix to lighten it a bit. The rest is largely hand painted with the exception of the pinball machine which is Duplicolor chrome yellow from a spray can. The teeth were first painted white and then a yellow wash from Citadel caused them to be as you see. I liked the effect and didn't feel the need to go further. The Jack O Lantern was primed white with the rest and painted Tamiya orange and then 98% Isopropyl alchohol was dripped from above to create the look it has. I hit it with a brown wash first. The red around the eyes is Tamiya clear red thinned a little so it would flow. My bottle is the large one and I've had it for years and it's getting pretty thick but I only thin it when I use it and leave the thick paint as it is in the bottle. No custom colors were mixed, it's all out of the bottle. Hope this helps.

All Star Wars stuff gets big love from me. I love em all. Great job.

I am tempted to build mine but with all I have going on I cannot open a kit with a clear conscience. So I'll live through you and enjoy yours.

I beg to differ about when the beginning of the end started, but OK I'll play. A sad thing to see since I did research on it several years ago prompted by a Youtube video I watched. And incredible instrument of untold value to humanity just gone like that with a thud. Nothing in the mainstream. No surprises there.

Super cool resin kit from AMT. Just need to put a piece of "glass" over the board and maybe a wash or two to bring out a few highlights. More fun than a barrel full o monkeys! Scratchbuilt power cord for giggles.

These are very nice. More like vignettes I'd say though. A tad small to be diorama's. Great nonetheless though.

This entire thread is academic. Buy and build what you like and you'll be happy. I'll wager that were you to put a copy of my main shelf [mostly newer builds] and say the guy who builds only 1/25 cars and ask the average person to come in and view them and then ask them which one was more "Entertaining, attractive, colorful, artful blah, blah blah.." mine would win a great deal. Why? Is it a measuring contest? Nope. It's an aesthetic thing. My shelf will tend to attract more eyes because of color, shape, and overall variety of subjects. I've recently said it and it bears repeating, I build what makes me happy. We are artists after a fashion all of us, and limiting yourself to one scale, subject or anything else for that matter is the enemy of expression. I've looked at a great many shelves of well built 1/25 scale cars and even as a car modeller at heart I find them often to be a bit tedious. With few exceptions it seems lifeless to me. I once stood in front of large shelves of impeccable 1/20 scale Tamiya F1 and came away with a sense of almost sadness as the entire experience left me a bit cold. So much precision and so little life in what I witnessed. My esteem was in the overall craftsmanship to be sure. As I viewed each model I was in awe of the execution and cleanliness. But when viewed as a whole it was less inviting. Those that cannot build a subject because it's in 1/24 scale I say that I am sad for you whether you want me to be or not. What a pity that you limit yourself because of some seemingly arbitrary number. I am aware that those that are staunch seem to be OK with their decision to limit themselves. I suspect a deeper underlying resentment of having not been heard although the range of that scale would indicate otherwise. There are all types in this hobby, from rivet counters to obsessive compulsive's. It's the nature of such a precise and real world example type of subject that sticklers of realism and accuracy be a vocal and near militant group in their desire for what is plainly obvious to them. I build armor and am a member of Armorama. If there ever was a set of rivet counters to be witnessed look no further than there. But building a well made Dave Deal caricature is no less artful. It is rooted in reality since Mr Deal laid down the pencil, inks and watercolor that inspired the kit in the first place. That art exists in the world and is lauded as being not only well rendered, but as pop art at it's pinnacle. It's scale is irrelevant. This type of thinking exists within the automobile, aviation and military modelers community almost exclusively. And I understand why it does. It's being able to render something you may lust after and wish to own. Or simple economics says you cannot have a garage full of Cobra's due to financial and spacial concerns [I'm looking at you Cobraman]. And that is as valid a reason as there needs to be. You are correct in wanting what you want, but know that the world doesn't always hear you. I want the latest funny car and top fuel cars in scale. Am I going to get them? Probably not. That we got the two that we did nearly ten years ago was a blessing I didn't take lightly. I embraced the Hawaiian and Chi Town cars as positives, built a few examples and have a few in the stash. So, build what makes you happy. If it's sticking to 1:25 so be it. Know that you are limited to the subjects available, and don't belittle others who see their hobby through a larger lens. But I have been a bit guilty of this myself. I criticised Claude T's 1/16 scale Daytona as being downright ugly. To my eyes it is an ugly race car and said so. He didn't design the car, but he chose it as something he would use his considerable skills to create. Am I wrong in calling it ugly? Perhaps I should have kept it to myself? I think so. But I didn't and he was gracious enough to brush it off for what it was. My perspective and nothing more. Could I have been more tactful? Certainly.... Sorry Claude. There, I've ranted some, made some sense and perhaps added to the conversation. I'm just a guy slinging glue and paint for enjoyment, nothing more.

Bring on all of em. I'm down for the Superfly for certain and can see it in candy Magenta. Do up some leopard seats ala The Elvira T-bird and we have a winner. Throw in all the rest mentioned and I see it selling out very quickly.

Or just do what Armor modelers do and buy some at the hobby shop. If they don't have some they can order it. But the work you put into this is certainly worthwhile.

Pokemon can be annoying but it is cute. I'll add that Ban Dai kits are really second to none. I have a few Star Wars pieces and they are some of the nicest and best engineered model kits I have ever had the pleasure of building.

Thanks man. Warhammer is never short on details. These kits are expensive but you get a lot for the money. Not only that, they are playable in mighty battles that last hours if not days at times. There will be more forthcoming 40K builds. I have personal stuff as well as commissions, and as word has spread I find the workload almost overwhelming. One thing is for sure though, Warhammer players have no seeming shortage of money to get the pieces they want for their armies. It's been lucrative.

Very well done Cruzer. That seat is very convincing and good call on the cables. I've been looking for something suitable for my build so it sit without them until I find something.

Thank you both I appreciate it.

Even after an explanation as to the "why" a certain scale is preferred over another I am still no closer to understanding it. I prefer building "other" types of models these days and the scale thing is pretty much out the window as far as scale fidelity is concerned. If the figure or item seems the right size for the level of detailing it has that's usually all I need to make a decision about whether I'll buy it or not. My shelves have 1/25 and 1/25 scale cars parked next to each other with a Warhammer 40K and a 75mm resin figure kit to each side. Then next to those are the odd Tom Daniel or Dave Deal creation. Those who view my model shelves are often taken aback at the diverse collection of things I've built and the randomness of items on display. I have a shelf here that has two 1/12 scale HD motorcycles flanked by the Tom Daniel Roar and Peace chopper and Leap Hog three wheeler with 1/24 and 1/25 scale drag cars to the outside of those. That shelf alone caused quite a stir that some have said that they didn't know models came in such a range of sizes which started a conversation about other things as we left the room.

I've always remembered Matchbox kits with a certain fondness. The box art was always first rate, and they made subjects that others seemed to pass on. Building Matchbox kits was another matter usually. I became disheartened in the late 70's with a car kit that I barely even remember. I just recall it being fiddly [this coming from a guy who built 60's and 70's Revell mind you], and a bit hamfisted. Perhaps it was me. Years later I would build a couple of their classics and was pleased with the results. I believe there was a Harrier in the mix at some point. Building grail's is something of a letdown to me. At some point what is in your mind and reality eventually meet. The result is often a shortfall of expectation dashed with a smattering of failed memory. I'm glad you didn't let yours fail you.

I personally will never understand the entire 1/25 Vs 1/24 thing.

A few more shots.

This is a commission build for a local Warhammer Fantasy Battle client. I'm not versed in its workings or power within the game but it sure is a neat model. Mostly Citadel and Vallejo acrylics used. I used the airbrush for the green mystic mist fade and pigments and washes for the rust and weathering effects. It was challenging to meet the customers expectations but judging by their reaction when I initially unveiled it at game night they were pleased. Warhammer gamers are a picky bunch since the bar is set pretty high by the internet and levels achieved by some of the absolute artists that paint and compete in this hobby. My journey to push my personal skills continues as I try new techniques and products with every build.

Glad that some seem to like her accoutremou. She's been finished a while and the epoxy holding her cape can be trusted so here she is now complete. And a snapshot of my next project which is already well under way.

A few that just never got finished and really need to.

Adorable in a good way. Bright colors Mark?