Agent G

90 here today........just sayin'....... That is a funny joke Ed. I've had similar stuff happen too. ................... G

Larry, did you have a set of plans for that body? That is looking spectacular! I've been wanting to replicate a van like that for years now. Not the best photo, but this was my bomb truck. G

Even the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Amos expressed that opinion. A few years ago, at his retirement, he didn’t just state that as his personal preference, he made it a policy. "No matter where you are or what you are doing", General Amos has said, "You're a Marine” – "Just in a different uniform and in a different phase of your life." Ouhh Rahh G

Good luck brother. You'll do just fine. G

Fantastic! I had to look twice, then I realized the first photo was a model. G

Thank you Ed, It does mean a lot to hear that. G

Scott, our back ups, had back ups. I had two of everything in my locker. There was a time or two I went home wearing an entirely different uniform than what I'd worn to work. G

I get sanding sticks and foam sanding blocks at Sally Beauty Supply. Much cheaper than online. Same for tweezers and such. Look for grits as high as 1500-2000 in the automotive dept. at Wally World. Over that and online is the best resource. I buy 2 part Bondo there, as well as Bondo's glazing putty. I will visit an automotive shop for paint. Car Quest is my only supply anymore for Plastikote T-235 primer. I buy sprue cutters at Hobby Lobby. I get them from the beading dept. Look around for the mundane, then order the hobby specific supplies online. G

Once a Marine Harry, always a Marine. Thanks all. That's just a big city police station. We'd been shot at before. The sign out front still has a bullet hole in it. G

I don't feel that old. Danno, no we won't be attending, check your PM's. G

It's going to be 88 again today. I spied a cloud over California. G

Nine years ago today I held my last roll call. Where does the time go? G

I have seen exactly three of the new Chevrolets in service in Clark County. NHP has one, Henderson PD has one in the Traffic Division and the Clark County marshals have one. Three cars. G

Those are nice cars Charlie, looks like that is a good one. G

Thank you sir! G

Thank you gentlemen. Truth be told Brizio, most AFV's didn't last long enough to exhibit the wear and tear currently seen on models. But that seems to be the style now. AFX, I like to study old photos and then reproduce what I see. North Africa truly is a harsh environment, but what you see in Libya is dust. Dust everywhere. Tunisia is more temperate so less dust, more mud. Knowing the background of the vehicle and the context in which it was used is the key. Oils, enamels and pigments are some of what I use to weather my tanks. The "Tank Art" series of books by Michael Rinaldi is an excellent reference for weathering most armor models. He goes to extremes, but his work speaks for itself. Those first three volumes changed my style for sure. G

Thank you all! G

I actually finished the second Sherman, but never took photos. Duh..... Here's the Sherman's arch nemesis in the closing days of the North African Campaign, a Panzer III M. This is built from an ancient Dragon kit which itself is a rebox of an old Gunze Sangyo kit. Real state of the art stuff in the early '90's. Not too awful now, just some TLC and a good paint job. I used Model Master Acrylic weathered with oils and enamels. I scratchbuilt the rear stowage rack, the side stowage box and used Tamiya parts for the Barrel, mantlet and armor bracket. Everything else came from my prolific spares box. G

When I retired (the first time) I took all the trinkets, geegaws and doodads accumulated during my career and put them in a shadow box. Most mean nothing to the casual observer. They are a constant reminder to me that "I survived". I also consider them fondly as mementos of a time when men were iron, ships were wood and Jesus was a watch commander in District 3. G

Oh now that's flippin' sweet. G

That looks pretty darn good to me. A bit of glue, some paint and it should look just fine. G

Sinister, I love me some all black cars. Looking good lil brother. G

Very nice! That's my kind of car there. G

Don't limit yourself to any one specific brand of paint. Revell, Model Master, Tamiya, Vallejo and Life Colour are all good solid performers with military applications. There are more but these brands are my "go to" paints for most projects. Tamiya is best when airbrushed, but their spray can line is superb. G

What he said. I also have a few trophies from back in the day that have been boxed up now for over a decade. G