I wanted to reflect for a moment on something new, to me at least. I have been building models since i was a young boy. Various muscle cars then into a whole collection of NASCAR kits in the late 80's, early 90's with my brother. Never thought I would build military kits or figures.
Last year, a friend talked me into going to the local model show. I know none of my builds were show worthy, but to my surprise, I walked away with two bronze finishes out of four kits i took. My fried Eric kept at me the entire show, "You can't come to your first show and not walk away with anything." At the end of the show, after looking at everything, I walked away with my first armor kit.
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| Panzer IV J Late Model by Dragon. |
I had a blast building this. I learned a lot of new tricks, some I would take to building the cars and trucks I normally did. This build also got me back into learning some history, that I haven't done in many, many years.
After this kit was done, Eric gave me one of his StuG's. Based off the Panzer IV, it was a very similar build. This would be my next armor build and my first real attempt at weathering, scratch effects, etc. This would also be my first attempt at using a lot of extra PE parts, which I found very difficult to do. Mainly due to very shaky hands and failing eye sight. But I was able to use enough to give it a little extra.
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| StuG IV Late Model by Dragon |
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| Extra PE that Eric had for the kit. |
While I was building and researching how to build the Panzer IV, I came across the story of Oscha. Walter Ropeter and his "ghost tank." It was then decided that I wanted to build that along with my first diorama. Seems the armor was getting me to be a bit more creative and wanting to try new things.
So I went out and bought the kit I needed for it after doing research.
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| Panther G Late Model by Dragon |
I also wanted to depict Ropeter in someway so I searched for some figures and came across a set on eBay and thought they would be a good fit.
Though the StuG still isn't finished, I need to add the tracks, I moved on to the Panther. With every build, something new was learned. Patience grew and as well as becoming short fused. Broken equipment, lost parts to the model gods seemed to be a norm for each build.
However, as I look back over the year, almost to date, I've done something I've never done before in 40 plus years of on and off again building. I learned more about the processes of building rather than just assembling. I also learned that thinking steps through first is almost a must. Much more so than with auto builds.
I've also started learning new steps in painting, both with the airbrush as well as with paint brush.
So here are images of my first three builds. I can see a steady progression from the first to the current. Whether it's trying something new, modifying something from the before and overall, just getting the hang of it.
Panzer IV Ausf. J Late
StuG IV Late
Panther G Late
While I finish my Recreating History build with the diorama, I have a King Tiger in the wings waiting. Again, going to try something new with it in a winter camo most likely. But regardless, I look forward to the build. There's also a few airplanes to build that I've never done before, so that will be yet another challenge.
