Stikpusher 2024, Pass In Review!

Yeah this one is a week and a half late due to not yet being onto the revamped forum. But, better late than never….

This year started out very productive, but then I went back to work part time in March after 4 years of retirement, which morphed into full time after Memorial Day… and that seriously cut into my available bench time and productivity. Anyways, here are my completed builds from 2024.

First up, a 1/35 Model 1897 75mm Field Gun (mod 1938), the classic “French 75” by IBG. A really nifty kit that I highly recommend if you ever get a chance to buy one

next completion was this 1/35 Testors-Italeri Marder III H, a rescue from my shelf of doom, where it had languished for many years.

my next finish was another long term shelf of doom rescue, the 1/48 ICM Spitfire Mk.VII HF

next up was this Italeri 1/35 Panther A

then I completed this Hobbyboss 1/35 Land Rover RSOV, a true gem of a kit. This one was built for a 12 hour online speed build in three separate 4 hour sessions.

my next finish was this Otaki-ARII 1/48 Ki-43b

then I had a long dry spell before I was able to finish another kit, this Academy 1/35 M981 FISTV…

and to close out my year of completions, I finished up this Italeri 1/35 LAV-AD… the vehicle is done, but I am still working on some Miniart crew figures for this…

in addition to these builds I did an overhaul of my old Dragon M26A1 Pershing

on to 2025!

10 Likes

Well done Carlos. Great year of builds… its hard to pick one favorite. They all have great paint work, weathering, and detailing. If I had the pick one… The Spit MK VII HF, or the M26A1, or the Otaki-ARII 1/48 Ki-43b :joy::joy:. Thank you for sharing those outstanding builds Carlos :beers::beers:

2 Likes

You had another good year, Carlos! Older kits made to look as good as the latest and greatest.

1 Like

Also Carlos… Where did you pick up that camo netting on the M26A1? That looks sharp on there.

Great stuff Stik. I really like the RSOV

Thanks one and all for your kind comments on these builds.

@jeaton01, John, you know how I like older kits. I have plenty of enjoyment adding improvements.

@keavdog, John, the RSOV is a great kit. A few inaccuracies, but it really builds up trouble free. Definitely recommended.

@ScaleModeler66, 66, are you asking about the camo net on the LAV? That stuff is made by AK. It comes in a single base color, and you need to add all the secondary colors, but afterwards it really looks the part.

1 Like

Yes… sorry Carlos didn’t have my glasses on when I was typing that up. Thank you for the information.

1 Like

As always Stik. Builds look fantastic.

1 Like

@ScaleModeler66, you’re quite welcome for the info.

@tempestjohnny, thanks TJ. Glad that you like them.

You always blow me away with what you can do with some of these older kits Carlos. Eight for the year aint bad either. Good work bud. :sunglasses:

Thanks Joe! It’s enjoyable to see what can be done with these older kits.

1 Like

Really productive year,great work,I like the camo on the Japanese plane

2 Likes

Thanks Tony. Not as productive as intended, but at least better than 6… still trying to hit that one completion per month average by New Years.

Ambitious,havent been at the bench much,a cold snap around here dropped it to 49 in the base,I have a small heater but no appetite to be down there.

I hear ya there. My split AC in the garage work area also works as a heater, so with our chill weather we’re having now I set for a nice comfy temp in there. Plus I’ve been working more and more with AK & Vallejo acrylics and those work better with t shirt and shorts temperatures. Not too warm and not too cool. Especially with the glazes I’ve been experimenting with.

Quite a collection Carlos, you’re beating me for sure for in 2024, but I did finally manage to retire from my office job so maybe I will have more time in’25.

Konrad

2 Likes

Thank you! Is this Konrad from So.Cal.AMPS? I hear ya about retirement. And if you do go back to work after retiring, I recommend sticking with strictly part time to take advantage of retirement and getting more bench time in. :wink:

1 Like

Yep, the one and the same :grinning:. Mostly retired but still have a few hours a week that I have to put in at the family business, that’s mostly remote and not on a clock. I do get in more build time and have been able to get to Sprue Cutters at Henry’s more often. Now the trick is to keep focusing on one project (or two) at a time and gett’em done.

Konrad

2 Likes

Good to see you Konrad, and I’m happy to hear that you have more benchtime. Tanks advantage of that retirement! I always enjoyed seeing the projects that you would bring in to meetings. Hopefully you can get more of them finished and more quickly. You weren’t planning to come out here for Modelzona on Feb 1st with any of the other usual suspects who make that trip, are you?

Thanks Carlos, unfortunately I probably can’t make that event, the (1:1 scale) project I am on is dragging. With any luck I have to get out there sometime soon though. I’ll try to get some more of my bench queens done this year, the shelf queens are getting jealous :wink:

1 Like