Esci 1/72 UH-1D Huey Hog directions (kit 9009)

Decided to digitize some of the box art, instructions, and decals of some of my unbuilt kits lurking in my plastic mountain. I need to downsize, and will be trying to thin out some of kits I know that I have neither the time or skill to finish. Here is a fairly straightforward kit by Esci - the UH-1D Iroquois known more commonly as the Huey. The Army nomenclature as HU-1 for Helicopter, Utility, or pronounced by some as "Huey". The Army changed its naming protocols, and the Bell Helicopter became known as the UH-1. If ridden in a few during my time in the US Reserves, but it was the later "H" model, which looks almost the same as the "D". I bought this, along with the Esci Vietnam era US troops and Vietcong, hoping to either use them for wargaming or a diorama.

Piasecki HUP Retriever from Amercom

Here is a Piasecki HUP Retriever from Amercom. Diecast, and 1/72 scale, it is a nice model of a Cold War helicopter. Piasecki renamed itself to Vertol, and later merged with Boeing. This is the Naval version, originally known as the HUP-2 Retriever. The Army had its own version, the H-25 Mule. The military services standardized their nomenclature sometime in the early 1960s, and this helicopter became known as the UH-25B. The models sell for 12-18 dollars, so the detail and quality is good for the price.

Esci Sherman

Esci kit 8028 M4 Sherman in Russian markings. Not my best work, but serviceable.

Dinky 1/72 scale Panther

Picked this up at a local antique shop for $8. Diecast Panther tank, at around 1/72 scale, made by Dinky. Nice addition to my German forces.

Easy Model KV-1

From Wikipedia: The Kliment Voroshilov (KV) tanks were a series of Soviet heavy tanks named after the Soviet defense commissar and politician Kliment Voroshilov and used by the Red Army during World War II. The KV series were known for their extremely heavy armour protection during the early part of the war, especially during the first year of the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

Easy Model, a couple of years ago, released a series of KV tanks. Not a bad model for the price, and an easy way to augment my Soviet forces.

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.

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. 

Civilians and Scenery

Wanted to show some civilian vehicles for a change.

Resin model of a 1930s (I think) sedan.  Period vehicles are hard to find, and this one is too small at 1/87 scale.  Rangers from Dragon's LCM(3) kit, and one from FoV.

Another 1/87 scale sedan.  Manufacturer unknown.

Ivan is coming

F-Toys make a series of motorized tanks in 1/72 scale.  I was able to buy five - two T-34/85s, two Tigers, and a Jagdpanther.  Here is a video of the T-34.

The detail is pretty good, and it cost around $10.00.  

T34/85 by F-Toys

Johnny Lightning (Part 3) M16 AA halftrack

This is Johnny Lightning's version of the M16 halftrack.  More toy-like than some of their other offerings.  It is close in scale to Matchbox's M16 kit, so it appears to be around 1/76 scale.

Forces of Valor, Part 2

 American offerings from Forces of Valor.

M3 half-track with gun

Forces of Valor

I am trying to organize and catalog my collection. Here are 2 Forces of Valor vehicles - T-34/85 and Su 122. Both are die-cast models. When FoV first came out, models were available at Target for $10-15 dollars. The prices have gone up, and availability is more limited. At some point I may try to weather these models so they aren't so clean. Mountain in background came from Lemax as part of a Christmas village, and the brewery is a card model from Metcalfe in OO scale.

First Post

Images from here

I have perused and lurked at a lot of different blogs that cover the realm of small scale modeling. Unfortunately, while they have been a great source of inspiration, I haven't really used their ideas and tips to increase my slow (almost non-existent) out-put in my model completion. I am a hoarder and enjoy the the process of acquiring models. I just get bored quickly and have "shiny object" syndrome. My in-progress list is, frankly, dispiriting.

I won't have much to add to the canon regarding better model building. I just hope to be able to get some models done.

On my work bench today is six LCM Mk III by Airfix, along with a LCVP by Airfix and a LCVP by Pegasus. I plan on converting 3 of the LCMs to the American configuration (using this review as my template). Although shorter than either the Forces of Valor or Dragon pre-builts, these should be close approximations of the LCMs used during D-Day. From what I can tell, the Mk III were rated to carry vehicles, but were a little too small to carry tanks. The Navy also used a Mark 6, which had 6 feet added to a Mark III, increasing the amount of cargo capacity.

The Airfix kit is 40 plus years old. Not a bad kit, though I'm having fits filling in some of the gaps. I'm not concerned with an operable ramp, and still am looking for some ideas on how to detail these kits. Photos of the in-progress to follow.