This was a surprise for me.
I love the old Staggerwing and when I saw in advertised on the Squadron website I had to jump on it.
I did a video for my YouTube Channel.
Of course after I published the video, the haters came out in droves.
But that's another story.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Winter Blues
Man this Winter really sucks!
I've been under the weather off and on for the last two months (steadily ill since Christmas) so I haven't had a chance to do much modeling.
And the weather here in NYC hasn't been very cooperative either.
Just last night we got about 18-22 inches of snow. I've spent most of the morning digging out my car so I can go to work this evening (gotta be able to pay for all those kits I'm getting).
So, it looks like January will go by without a build.
On to another subject:
Adding video to this blog.
I've been considering adding video to this blog.
I figured it would be cool to have a channel on YouTube and post some videos and commentary here and there.
So, to that effect I went out and got m a fancy HG video camera, video editing software and stuff.
Been trying things out and ran into a few problems. Mainly, my desktop computer (as well as my laptop) don't have enough power to handle such large files (HD). So I'll have to make do with lesser quality videos (it sucks) until I can afford some new hardware.
On that note I want to thank Dreamknight and Phil Flory for their help and guidance in this video project.
Dreamknight has several channels on YouTube that deal with scale modeling, wargaming and role playing games. Cool stuff, check it out:
SMConsortium
RPGConsortium
WGConsortium
Phil owns and operates ProModellers.co.uk a subscription website dedicated to teaching different aspects and techniques of model building. This site is (IMHO) the best site on the Internet at this time.
Weekly videos on model building and other fun stuff.
I highly recommend it.
ProModellers.co.uk
That's it for now.
Maybe next time I'll have an actual build to show.
Meanwhile......go build a model!
I've been under the weather off and on for the last two months (steadily ill since Christmas) so I haven't had a chance to do much modeling.
And the weather here in NYC hasn't been very cooperative either.
Just last night we got about 18-22 inches of snow. I've spent most of the morning digging out my car so I can go to work this evening (gotta be able to pay for all those kits I'm getting).
So, it looks like January will go by without a build.
On to another subject:
Adding video to this blog.
I've been considering adding video to this blog.
I figured it would be cool to have a channel on YouTube and post some videos and commentary here and there.
So, to that effect I went out and got m a fancy HG video camera, video editing software and stuff.
Been trying things out and ran into a few problems. Mainly, my desktop computer (as well as my laptop) don't have enough power to handle such large files (HD). So I'll have to make do with lesser quality videos (it sucks) until I can afford some new hardware.
On that note I want to thank Dreamknight and Phil Flory for their help and guidance in this video project.
Dreamknight has several channels on YouTube that deal with scale modeling, wargaming and role playing games. Cool stuff, check it out:
SMConsortium
RPGConsortium
WGConsortium
Phil owns and operates ProModellers.co.uk a subscription website dedicated to teaching different aspects and techniques of model building. This site is (IMHO) the best site on the Internet at this time.
Weekly videos on model building and other fun stuff.
I highly recommend it.
ProModellers.co.uk
That's it for now.
Maybe next time I'll have an actual build to show.
Meanwhile......go build a model!
Monday, November 1, 2010
World War I model contest
We all enjoy modelling. Whatever the subject is, modelling is a retreat, it's a journey in time and history.
You go to any modelling website and you will find your P-51 Mustangs, your USS Enterprise aircraft carriers, your Sherman tanks, you know the drill.
The one thing you don't get to see much of is well made WWI models. Mostly aircraft (although a few, very few tanks are available). Of all the subjects in modelling, WWI aircraft, in my opinion, are the most difficult and demanding subject a modeller can face. It takes patience, creativity and an eye for detail to tackle one of these models. Probably the most difficult part of modelling WWI aircraft is the rigging. Through the years modellers have developed many techniques using different materials to tackle this part of the build. It can be very simple from using plain and simple sewing thread to a more complex operation like stretching sprue over a flame. Attaching the "lines" with plain glue or making your own turnbuckles, drilling and fastening and painting and using aftermarket accessories, etc. It's a lot of work but at the end of the day, you end up with a true piece of art. Sadly this genre of modelling is not very popular.
In an effort to promote this genre of modelling, a few folks in the WWI SIG at Swanny's Models (WWW.SWANNYSMODELS.COM) have moved to have a WWI contest.
It started as a way to promote the SIG withing the forum. But in no time this grew and has attracted people from all over. The contest is set to start on November 11 (Armistice Day/Veterans Day in the US) running through to April 21 (anniversary of Manfred von Richthofen's death).
This event promises to be a lot of fun and a learning experience for all.
I , for one, will not miss it.
To learn more about the contest go to:
http://www.swannysmodels.com/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=WW1SIG
So, until next time, build a model.
You go to any modelling website and you will find your P-51 Mustangs, your USS Enterprise aircraft carriers, your Sherman tanks, you know the drill.
The one thing you don't get to see much of is well made WWI models. Mostly aircraft (although a few, very few tanks are available). Of all the subjects in modelling, WWI aircraft, in my opinion, are the most difficult and demanding subject a modeller can face. It takes patience, creativity and an eye for detail to tackle one of these models. Probably the most difficult part of modelling WWI aircraft is the rigging. Through the years modellers have developed many techniques using different materials to tackle this part of the build. It can be very simple from using plain and simple sewing thread to a more complex operation like stretching sprue over a flame. Attaching the "lines" with plain glue or making your own turnbuckles, drilling and fastening and painting and using aftermarket accessories, etc. It's a lot of work but at the end of the day, you end up with a true piece of art. Sadly this genre of modelling is not very popular.
In an effort to promote this genre of modelling, a few folks in the WWI SIG at Swanny's Models (WWW.SWANNYSMODELS.COM) have moved to have a WWI contest.
It started as a way to promote the SIG withing the forum. But in no time this grew and has attracted people from all over. The contest is set to start on November 11 (Armistice Day/Veterans Day in the US) running through to April 21 (anniversary of Manfred von Richthofen's death).
This event promises to be a lot of fun and a learning experience for all.
I , for one, will not miss it.
To learn more about the contest go to:
http://www.swannysmodels.com/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=WW1SIG
So, until next time, build a model.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
DVD: AFV Acrylic Techniques by Mig Jimenez
Today I received my copy of the new DVD: AFV Acrylic Techniques by Mig Jimenez.
This DVD shows various techniques to paint and weather armor using Vallejo Acrylic paints and pigments.
This video is full of very useful information as well as clear demonstration on weathering a tank from start to finish.
The DVD is narrated in English with Spanish subtitles. It also includes a brochure describing all the products used in this video.
The only fault I find with this program is that the narration seems hurried and clearly read from a script. The description of the Vallejo products is brief, so brief that at times I had to "rewind" a bit to see what it was. I guess the enclosed brochure makes up for that.
In my opinion, this is money well spent and a must have in your collection for as far as I know, there are is no other DVD available at the moment describing this process with Vallejo Acrylic products (now if they would do something like that for the aircraft modelers....). Oh and the music track is awesome!
I give it two thumbs up!
This DVD shows various techniques to paint and weather armor using Vallejo Acrylic paints and pigments.
This video is full of very useful information as well as clear demonstration on weathering a tank from start to finish.
The DVD is narrated in English with Spanish subtitles. It also includes a brochure describing all the products used in this video.
The only fault I find with this program is that the narration seems hurried and clearly read from a script. The description of the Vallejo products is brief, so brief that at times I had to "rewind" a bit to see what it was. I guess the enclosed brochure makes up for that.
In my opinion, this is money well spent and a must have in your collection for as far as I know, there are is no other DVD available at the moment describing this process with Vallejo Acrylic products (now if they would do something like that for the aircraft modelers....). Oh and the music track is awesome!
I give it two thumbs up!
Friday, August 13, 2010
It Begins
I've been away from modeling for a long time. I used to build model airplanes when I was a kid and, for some reason I just can't remember, I stopped.
Oh I got into other things like sports, music, chasing girls, photography, you know the drill.
As I got older, my interest in photography grew as well. I got into fashion photography. I moved took a Government job that would allow me to live in NY so I could explore the real world of fashion photography. Well I didn't like what I saw and, after 11 years, I quit. I still have the job but I no longer do fashion photography.
So, now what to do? Well I decided to get into aviation and learn how to fly. My Dad was a pilot, my Uncle is a pilot, so I figure I'd give it a shot. Besides, I love airplanes. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with Diabetes so I've had to put those plans on hold. But I still kept looking at airplane websites and visiting museums and airports and what not just to feed my desire to be around aircraft.
One day, I decide to go to an airport a little distance from me. I'm told there is a museum there with active aircraft from WWII. Well I found the American Airpower Museum. Nice place, lots of aircraft. But what got to me was the display of scale model aircraft and dioramas they have on exhibit. I was amazed by the kind of work being done by regular folks with these plastic kits.
I needed to know who made these things and found out it was a collective effort by members of the Long Island Scale Model Society.
I went home and got on the Net and found their website. An email later and I'm given info on membership and time and place of the next meeting by the club's Corresponding Secretary. So I joined the club and started talking to people and surfing the Net for website dedicated to the hobby. I spent a year collecting information, tools, paints, kits, etc., but didn't have the time (or the nerve) to actually start building.
Well it finally happened, about a month ago I built my first kit in 40+ years since the last one I did. This was a 1/48 scale Tamiya M4Sherman early production.
Not impressive but hey, I did it. It was a lot of fun and now I can't think of anything else but building models. I still have a lot to learn and I will be using this blog to show and share with others what I do and how I do it, my success and my failures.
It's all part of the learning process.
So, until next time.
Oh I got into other things like sports, music, chasing girls, photography, you know the drill.
As I got older, my interest in photography grew as well. I got into fashion photography. I moved took a Government job that would allow me to live in NY so I could explore the real world of fashion photography. Well I didn't like what I saw and, after 11 years, I quit. I still have the job but I no longer do fashion photography.
So, now what to do? Well I decided to get into aviation and learn how to fly. My Dad was a pilot, my Uncle is a pilot, so I figure I'd give it a shot. Besides, I love airplanes. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with Diabetes so I've had to put those plans on hold. But I still kept looking at airplane websites and visiting museums and airports and what not just to feed my desire to be around aircraft.
One day, I decide to go to an airport a little distance from me. I'm told there is a museum there with active aircraft from WWII. Well I found the American Airpower Museum. Nice place, lots of aircraft. But what got to me was the display of scale model aircraft and dioramas they have on exhibit. I was amazed by the kind of work being done by regular folks with these plastic kits.
I needed to know who made these things and found out it was a collective effort by members of the Long Island Scale Model Society.
I went home and got on the Net and found their website. An email later and I'm given info on membership and time and place of the next meeting by the club's Corresponding Secretary. So I joined the club and started talking to people and surfing the Net for website dedicated to the hobby. I spent a year collecting information, tools, paints, kits, etc., but didn't have the time (or the nerve) to actually start building.
Well it finally happened, about a month ago I built my first kit in 40+ years since the last one I did. This was a 1/48 scale Tamiya M4Sherman early production.
Not impressive but hey, I did it. It was a lot of fun and now I can't think of anything else but building models. I still have a lot to learn and I will be using this blog to show and share with others what I do and how I do it, my success and my failures.
It's all part of the learning process.
So, until next time.
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