Dinky diecast T-34

Dinky T-34/76 diecast tank. Around 1/72 scale. Bottom marked 1998 Mattel. Picked it up for $8 at an antique mall. Heavy little model, and a nice addition to my Soviet horde.

Trio of KV-II kits by Fujimi

Probably more KV IIs then I'll ever need, but I do love these kits. Easy to build, reasonable detail, and a turret the size of a billboard. Don't know if the markings are accurate, but I like them.

Dragon Models Su-100

Another pre-built kit, this time Dragon Models #60299 1/72 scale Soviet Su-100. Dragon Models, in my opinion, are the gold standard for pre-built kits. Weathered, nice detail, and professionally painted. 

1/32 Sherman by 21st Century Toys

Just a quick little "walk around" of 21st Century Toys' 1/32 scale M4 Sherman. Kind of regret getting rid of it, but I have to resist the impulse to collect everything that strikes my fancy. Figures were included with the model.

Amercom 1/72 BM-13 Katyusha

As I get rid of some of my unbuilt models I have started to replace them with built kits. Here is a 1/72 scale BM-13 Katyusha by Amercom. Amercom, as best I can tell, is a partwork company from Poland. I am jealous of the European modelers for a number of reasons, among them that the partwork concept never really took off here in the States.

Overall its a nice little model, and saves me the time of building it myself. I picked it up through Diecast Direct, but have also ordered the models through Amazon. They are cheaper through Amazon, and my last orders included free shipping, so I saved around $7 per model.

 

The model does have a plastic sheen to it, and I'm not fond of the winter camouflage, so I may attempt a re-paint. Its touted as a diecast kit, but it is in fact mostly plastic. Still, all in all a good kit for the money.

Tiger Tank by ToyMark

Another piece of the collection sold off. 1/32 scale King Tiger by ToyMark. I have also seen it sold under the New Ray label. The model is battery operated, with the tracks being motorized. Turret moves, but isn't powered. Not a bad toy for it's price, going for around $18 to $25. The marking appear to be from schwere Panzer-Abteilung 505. The color scheme seems fanciful, but I claim no expertise as to German markings. Panzer grey just seems wrong for the time frame when the King Tigers became operational. Would definitely recommend for those interested in 1/32 scale armor, as the toy is quite robust and has decent detail. Came with 3 figures of marginal quality.

Lionel Girl's Train

From the Children's Museum collection - the poorly selling "Girls Train" from Lionel.

Christmas village (part 3)

St. Jude the Obscure Catholic Church, the pride of Grant's Catholic community. I really like the effect produced by the blue spotlights. 

 The nativity scene figures were bought at Michael's, and are re-purposed for the village. Slapped the manager together out of scrap wood. Figures come from various manufactures for O scale trains.

The USS Indiana (BB-58)

Museum model of the USS Indiana (BB-58). From the collection at the Indiana War Memorial. From Wikipedia: 

"USS Indiana (BB-58), a South Dakota-class battleship, was the fourth ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 19th state. Her keel was laid down on 20 November 1939 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 21 November 1941 sponsored by Mrs. Lewis C. Robbins, daughter of Indiana governor Henry F. Schricker, and commissioned on 30 April 1942, Captain Aaron Stanton Merrill in command."

Still haven't figured out the best way to photograph models like this in acrylic cases, especially when the surrounding lights cause glare.

Christmas Village (part 2)

First part of setting up the village it getting a general idea of its layout. As the village has grown the placement of the buildings has changed, and no two years have the same layout. The key part to this is having a very understanding wife that overlooks the expense entailed in creating a month long display.

Schuco Morris Portee

Here's another piece that I've parted with via eBay. Schuco's 1/43 scale Morris Portee. Loved the model when I saw it in the shop, but it doesn't really fit my collection. The details are well rendered and the model gets high marks from me. Hope it found a good new home.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Here's to the end of 2013, and the hope for a better 2014. Starting to compile my resolutions, which includes reigning in my compulsion to buy more toys, and to better organize the collection I have amassed.

Christmas Village 2013 (part 1)

Every year we put up a Christmas village. It started back in 1995 or so, and has grown in size until it now covers 2 full sheets of plywood.

It started out as a whimsical display, with no thought given to period or scale. I have attempted to make it all match O scale, or about 1/43. I have also tried to focus it on small town America circa 1959. This is my town of Grant, Indiana, population 43,167. Named in honor of the Union General and the 18th President, Grant is the county seat of Facetious County and was established in 1814, two years before statehood. It is located near the Wabash River. Originally named New Wertenburg, it was re-named Grant in 1878 after the death of its namesake.

Unimax 1/32 M5 Stuart "Carol"

Unimax 1/32 diecast M5 Stuart. Nice little model.

Nice details, and the hatches open.

Archaeology at the Childrens' Museum

The Children's Museum has (or had, not sure if it was a permanent display) about archaeology. Here are some photos of its recreation of the Terracotta Army.

MIRA diecast 1/18 Suburban

Mira 1/18 scale 1950 GMC Suburban Carryall. Another piece leaving the collection. Nice little toy - sorry to get rid of it. Wheels are steerable, and doors and hood open.

Matchbox Adventure 2000

Messing around with my collection of Matchbox's Adventure 2000 and came to the determination that they are about O scale. As is the figure writing the parking ticket. 

Parking lot is simply a piece of sandpaper with electrian's tape for the markings.

The USS Indiana BB-1

Memorabilia associated with the USS Indiana on display at the Indiana War Memorial.

1/32 M24 Chaffee

Still thinning out my collection. M24 Chaffee light tank as modeled by 21st Century Toys. Got it at WalMart, I believe. Sold on eBay fairly quickly, so still a market for these.

70s Style Decor

Indianapolis re-did it's main library (much to my chagrin - the old building had a certain charm that's been lost). One of the editions is this reading chair. Definitely has a 70s vibe about it - can picture it on the set of Logan's Run.

Galactic Game Room

Trio of classic games

Just got a Convertors TILT pinball machine off of eBay and had to show it off. I also scored 2 candy holders in the shape of classic arcade games, and the scene was complete. Never was a Pac-Man or Space Invaders fan, but these do go well with the pinball game.

Kinder Egg 1957 Mercedes 300SL

I love Kinder Eggs, but, unfortunately due to FDA regulations they are not sold in the States. I usually can score some if I or someone I know goes to Europe, but that is rare. And being the kind soul that I am I usually give some of my precious stash to nieces and nephews. 

The toys inside the eggs vary wildly as to quality, and there are some true gems. This is a toy I picked up some years back, so not sure of the series its part of. It appears to be a 1957 Mercedes 300SL. There is no Mercedes badge on the toy, but if it isn't the 300SL, it's a good knock-off. The scale is around HO, or 1/87.

Hot Wheels Planet Micro Military

More items from the collection that I'm shedding. Hot Wheels, in response to Micro Machines by Galoob, released its Planet Micro line. Didn't seem to last too long.

Here is the complete set (I believe - it's been some time since I bought it).

The figures aren't that impressive, with the center bloke holding what I assume to be a ground to air missile.

Train Layout - Children's Museum

More photos from the Children's Museum. It has a smallish O scale set up with some vintage Lionel pieces. The rock work on the scenery is impressive.