Wow! This is great input–just what I was hoping for!
The Tamiya T-34 seems to be the front runner. Classic subject, good kit, readily available…by the time the article runs, a decent interval will have passed since the T-34/85M feature we did in 12/02. Yeah, sounds good.
The M41 Walker Bulldog also sounds interesting. For some reason, there’s some appeal to the idea of doing an American subject…
I agree that a German WWII subject doesn’t seem like a good idea due to the camo and Zimmerit. I am actually pretty good at handpainting wavy camo patterns on aircraft (which technique sacrifices the nice, fuzzy, “sprayed-on” effect at the edge of the pattern, of course), but that would still seem to be getting away from the beginner focus of the project.
Well, the decision may be made by what we have on hand in the storeroom. Anyway, thanks to everybody for the input!
juniormodeler: Glad you liked the T-34 whitewash technique article–that was one I edited. [:)]
Rob: I wouldn’t mind getting a few years back, as long as I could still know what I know now [;)]
Yeah stay away from the German armor, a guy can easily get way nuts over the camo and zimmerit. Walker M41 is a great weekend project, so is the Tamiya Panzer II. I did one in less than five hours, that included painting, hair dryers are essencial in speed building.
I was just wondering what happened to this article you were going to be doing, or did I miss it?? I thought it was the coolest thing when I heard that we, at the forum, were going to be able to have input on an article done in the magazine. I have been trying to keep an eye out for the article, and I have not seen it yet. Looking over the preview of the next issue of FSM I don’t see it in that one either. I was just wondering; what’s the story[?]
This was one of the best ideas I have seen in a long time, (letting the public have a say in what you guys write) or at least from the public’s point of view.
1.) Very, very few parts.
2.) Road wheels are big so its easy to paint (the tires).
3.) 1-piece rubber tracks (although not the glueable one)
4.) Very few attachments/accessories (just fuel drum, head lights & towing cables)
5.) Fits well and does not require a lot of cleaning/sanding/filling.
German armor is good subject but I think the time constraint will not favor it.
i vote for the Tamiya Walker Bulldog also… it looks good, is really easy to put together and is very affordable ( $12.50 list price, and i’ve seen it for about $10 bux online…1/35 scale for the price of 1/72 !)… single color finish, so nothing needed but a careful couple of spray coats. what could be simpler ?
frosty[:)]
i just realized this is kind of an older subject, but it might make for a good series of articles ( i’d love to see the Tamiya T 34 build, too !)
As far as im concerned any one who builds and details a kit in 10 to 15 hours or less is not doing the job properly, any one can put something together this quik but they probebly cover up the mistakes and bad fitment, panel lines etc with dirt and mud, to build a kit properly takes time and effort not just slap it together and paint it. I have come to the conclusion that armour modelers do this a lot. I have just started armour modelling and did a t62 which took about 30 hours and i could have spent a lot more time on it, i suppose what i;m trying to say is the more time you spend on a kit the better the final product and then you dont have to over weather it to hide the mistakes.
GT351, I think the point here was to suggest an easy-to-build kit that goes together cleanly and is fairly accurate without adding tons aftermarket bells and whistles. I don’t think anyone here was promoting the idea of taking shortcuts or speedily and sloppily slapping a kit together just for speed’s sake.
I think it’d be refreshing to do a quick, simple build! I just spent 5 months finishing my last kit, doing soooo much research, adding soooo much detail, and spending soooo much money, that I’d love to sit down and build a little 1/72 JS-II or something that is good OOB, and only requires the modeling basics to make a fine model.
I respect your opinion, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to so strictly connect the actual time spent on a kit to the quality of its finish. “Doing the job properly” is entirely up to the individual, IMHO.
Heck, I’m sure most of you guys and gals out there could’ve put a much better-looking E-100 together in one third the time it took me!
J-Hulk Fair enough it was probably the wrong thread to air my opinions in and as i also model cars you can see why i’m a bit fussy, i will now pull my head in.
Hey, the more opinions the better! [:)]They all make us think.
I do agree that the rough-and-ready finishes of most armor may be easier to reproduce (but possibly more time-consuming!) than the perfect, mile-deep gloss finishes cars demand. I’ve built quite a few cars, too, and just getting a perfect, blemish-free paint job always drove me bananas!! [:0]
The dust!!! Where does it come from??!?! Maddening!
Heck, I welcome the dust when I’m doing armor![:D]
Since it seemed to get quite a few mentions as a good weekend build in this thread, here’s a pic of my old Tamiya M-41 Walker Bulldog:
This is supposed to be that “boxtop pose,” seen from the rear of the vehicle, with the turret almost in the stowed position. I know, I know, it’s an American vehicle on the boxtop, but…![:p]
It took me about 2 weeks to build, but ya’ll know I’m veeeery slow, and I did use some PE and resin stuff on it.
But even with the aftermarket stuff, finishing a kit in 2 weeks for me is like a normal modeler doing it in 2 days! [;)]
Ok, I take back all those evil thoughts I had about the FSM staff for teasing me. I see this article will be out in October, and can’t wait!!! They went with Sherm’s idea, but of course I sold them on it!!![^]
FSM staff, if you’re out there somewhere I think this is the best idea I have seen for a magazine; getting input from the readers about the upcoming articles. Way to go FSM!!![:D]
How about something a bit smaller (lower parts count) like a kubelwagen or a jeep or a kettenrad? How about artillery? Like a 37mm PAK, or a 75mm PAK?
Just some thoughts!
