i really got into building in 2012. of course having my work contract go away gave me more freetime. got into too many group builds. i will be more careful with that this year. entered a lot in local contests and took 20+ awards. some were “showing up” wins, nothing to call myself a great builder, but some were surprises and i was quite pleased. the “shelf queen” GB II was a success for me but, alas, i have as many now as i did a year ago. III anyone? 
trumpeter german 150mm DAK 
academy(?)IDF 500-MD 
afv club STRYKER 
Trumpeter CENTAURO 
tamiya CHALLENGER started in 1985 
Tamiya SU-100 
zvezda T-34/85 
trumpeter LAV-III 
italeri MAS 
tamiya M-42 
italeri OH-13 
italeri MAIALE 
dml MECHANICAL MULE 
ME-163 
hasagaea K-5 
hobbyboss BR-52
Big year Wayne,I like the Centauro
thank you. i do too. mean looking bastard. this is the spanish variant. i have the italian and the IFOR with “skirts” in my 8x8 warwheel stash.
just went back through the pics. 2012 could be the big experience year. things i think i learned:
how to fill and sand seams on round objects like gun barrels though i prefer metal ones.
best way to attach rubber band track and numerous ways to sag it as appropriate.
my models look like crap halfway through but turn out ok.
masking all axles and wheel holes so the paint doesn’t screw up the base.
making 4 diorama bases (all those in the pics are “generic” for photos) and laying my own 1/72 train tracks
staying calm and thinking of ways to replace a lost part before i even get on the floor to look for it (towel on lap helps a lot)
scalpels are sharp and only hurt after you realize you are bleeding
wire makes the best antennas
even old kits can turn out nice with good construction and painting. don’t need $50 of pe on a tank.
make notes on what paint i used on each model in case i have to match it later.
Wow, what an assembly line. A little of everything too! I like the Chally and the German 150 as my favorites.
That’s quite a collection there! Was the mule scratchbuilt?
Glenn
the chally was a shelf queen GB finish i initially had painted in 1985. obviously i jazzed it up some and have a new camo net making technique to try. it took a ist in post ww2 local and a 3rd in tanks against the ww2 gwrman big cats. quite pleased and surpprised. everybody here really likes it too, i liked it so much i got a LEOPARD 2A4, CHIEFTAIN,and an M1A1. the 150mm was in the stash for years and i wanted a quick build which wasn’t as quick as i thought. it’s in travel mode, which i think looks cooler, because the big honkin’ spades on the trails, were superglued on before i was informed as to what they were. not to say i get in a mood but, not counting every german towed at and aa gun, i now have 6 more towed guns in the stash. just finished base coat on soviet/egyptian 122mm D-30.
no another quick build that wasn’t as quick. i built it around the time of the big fires north and south of me (i live in denver co) and wanted something with some color. it’s the dml kit for mortar crew in vietnam. the load capacity is 1000 pounds so the fire retardant drum, water cans, fuel cans, and tools plus a 200 pound driver it hits 100 pounds. 
Wayne great looking builds! Really diverse subject matter too,like that!cheers Trey
A lovely looking collection you have there. I do like the 150. Is the K5 72nd scale.
How are you coming on with your Me 264, i haven’t seen that for a while.
hey bish
it’s a GB-III shelf queen candidate though i think i will revisit iy on thursday. looks like it needs some extra styrene strips for bracing parts so they are more secure when glued.
I will keep my eyes open for it.
Hey Wayne,
I saw some of your stuff up at High Plains Con last October. So cool to see that little mechanical mule in person. You have some cool builds!
hi dirk
thank you. fun contest. how come there is always a cold rain on that day? lots of shelf queen builds so i saturated contests. everything except the 150mm is now retired from contests except for local monthly meeting themes. working on a 122mm D-30 gun today.
are you a rob wolf member? just wondering if i know you.
excellent stuff!
Very nice collection of builds! [t$t]
Mike
Very nice. I like the LAV III. Also like the landscaped display bases.
Nice collection of armor, Wayne. How was that Centauro kit? I’ve had my eye on one for a while.
to stoutfella thanks
CENTAURO is a nice kit. this is the VRC-105 spanish model. turret bussles and grenade launchers are in different locations. IIRC only trouble i had was with the light bars along the sides. didn’t get a good fit, could have been the kit, probably me. lots of outty topped with a layer of ehite glue and a tow cable hid most of it. tow cables are fake plant stems. don’t have the detail of a real cable but 1. they are flexible and easy to form pls 2. some crews would tape the cables anyway so… mud was artists acrylic. not sure i like it. probaly look better on a dedicated base with that color “mud” for the ground. i have the early italian version and the IFOR with rear skirts in my stash so obviously l iked it. OH AND I LEARNED to mask off all wheel holes and axles to eliminate fit problems. wish it was easy to turn the front 4 wheels. may try that on my JGSDF 8x8 TYPE 96 APC
Nothing like lessons learned the hard way to benefit a future endeavor.
I’ve always liked the look of those Spanish Centauro’s… like an old German 234/4 that grew up and got serious about its mission.
I don’t know that we’ve met in person. I’m a member of the High Plains Modelers, out of Fort Collins. Maybe if I make it down to CoMMieSFest 2013 I can introduce myself if you happen to be there.
Chris