Hello everyone,
My apologizes, again, for not keep house here. Since the last posting I've added some "rust" texture to the M103A1. The goal was to show it at that "in limbo" stage were the military can't decided what its going to do with it. Either mothball it, put it on a range to be a "Range queen", or some either fate that awaits it.
Now, admittedly I think I was a little over zealous with the "rust" areas on the tank. However, in looking at it afterwards I believe just the right amount was applied. Some have said it was too much and needed to be re-done.
Well, I sorry, its a tank and tanks are like little kids, no matter how much preventive maintenance the crew does, especially when out in the field or in combat conditions, you're always going to have some dirt, aging and rusting somewhere. This is true especially with the underside, fenders, and rear engine deck. A "motor pool queen" this tank is not.
So here's the photos, you be the judge. Too much or just right.
I've dulled the "rust" areas somewhat since these photo were taken.
Sadly I forgot that I put those photo on my laptop. Those finished photos and the completed build history can be seen at Armorama.com.
O.K., so that is all folks. This build has been an interesting one to say the least. The input from the "rivet counters" over at Armorama.com has been entertaining during the build.
A little rant here before I close this out if I may.
How some people can be so "anal", it has to be "accurate", it must be "perfect" baffles the mind. Your paying $65.00+ (or more) for a kit that is "imperfect" in your minds eye and yet your willing to spend 2 to 3 times more time and money then you would just building the kit out of the box. Think about it, cutting up the turret, the hull, removing, adding, by the time you get done, you've only used maybe 1/4 to 1/2 of the what came in this kit if you are doing it "correct" and "accurate." So what do you do? Spent more money then what the kit was worth in the first place. This blows my mind.
Now, I understand and respect those that take the time and get into a kit. But there's a point when O.C.D. takes over and runs the build. I get that.
Yet, there are other builders who are pushing themselves to improve and challenge their skill set.
I'm guilty of going O.C.D. on select kits when I know its not going to triple the cost of the kit the make it "correct" or I'm reviewing a P.E. set to see if it fits into a specific kit. Those are the only times I'll put the "perfectionist" hat on.
I guess the thing that gets me is that "My way, or the highway" builder. These are the ones that are so inflexible about the facts when called out in a public forum they either start crap to make themselves look good or disappear completely because you got them and they don't want to hear it because of their closed mindedness.
Nothing is perfect in this world, and if it is perfect in your world, then you are in denial about something.
The whole point of this blog was to point out the obvious, so that the regular everyday Joe builder can make these simple adjustments to the kit.
Thanks for tuning in everyone. Once again, I'd like to thank Dragon Models, Mr. Jim Starkweather, and Mr. Darren Baker at Armorama.com for this opportunity the do this build blog. I hope I got it right since this was my first build blog.
Until the next build................
See ya in the funnies............................
