1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G - T-3 (75mm) Polish Army - Revell - Completed

Finally, I finished Stug in Polish Army markings, and in time for Northern Virginia IPMS Model Classic 2013. I was also able to complete small vignette for it.
Figures were painted with Vallejo & Citadel paints. Stug was weathered with AK Interactive wash and pigments.

1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G - T-3 (75mm) Polish Army - Revell - Workbench Part 2

After another quite pause, mainly thanks to  Junior, eventually I was able to push this build forward. That how it goes when little man starts to discover the world.

Stug received coat of grey primer.

1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G Revell - Grey Primer

1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G Revell - Grey Primer

1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G - T-3 (75mm) Polish Army - Revell - Workbench Part 1

After being quiet for a while, I took on StuG 40 Ausf.G from Revell, which under designation T-3 (75mm) was used in Polish Army in 1945, by 5th Self-propelled Artillery Unit, 6th Infantry Division. This unit was using captured vehicles, since it never received planned SU-76. 5th Self-propelled Artillery Unit was using 3 such Stugs.

To start, I pulled out from my stash well known Revell's kit and metal barrel by JB/RB Models.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Completed

Finally I found some time to do long time due update on JS-3. Tank itself is completely assembled and received some weathering using pastels and artistic oils.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - weathering

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - weathering

Click READ MORE to see all the pictures.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 7

Time for the update of JS-3 build. The tracks were assembled and mounted on the wheels.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Tracks right side

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Tracks left side

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 6

After having assembly and priming done, I could go forward with painting. First I applied pre-shading using Tamiya Black XF-1.

Next, I airbrushed Model Master 4807 Russian Armor Green, lightened up with Tamiya White X-2.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 5

Finally I finished the assembly. The hatch is on the place, and I added blockade for it made from copper wire.

1/72 JS-3 - Assembled turret top

1/72 JS-3 - Assembled turret front

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 4

Some work done on JS-3. Gun barrel fixed in place and muzzle brake added.

Gaps on the turret had been filled as well.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 3

Work on JS-3 continues. After quite a struggle I managed to install metal gun barrel into the mantlet (I had to widen the opening). Having this done, I assembled the turret. Fitting is quite away from snug.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Turret's bottom

Assembled turret revealed rather serious gaps on both sides of the gun mount...

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Gun mount

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 2

I started work on JS-3 by assembling suspension parts.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Suspension

One of disadvantages of this kit are hatches, which Trumpeter molded in shut position. Since I prefer to include figures with my builds, I decided to cut them out.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Opened turret hatches

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 1

Among other modeling subjects, I definitely have a soft spot for Polish armor. While ago, when reading one of the books of that matter, I found the information about two JS-3 (IS-3) tanks delivered for testing to Polish Army (1946/1947). Eventually, Polish Army went straight for T-54/55, skipping JS-3. Both JS-3s are preserved in museums in Poznan and Warsaw.
Having this said, let's focus on the model kit. Trumpeter makes two versions of this heavy tank, JS-3 (which is going to be my victim here) and JS-3m (later version).

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter

1/72 Star Wars Tie Interceptor - Fine Molds - Completed

Finally, Tie Interceptor project came to an end. Even as a Fine Molds product, it had few shortcomings (decals, masks, panels fitting). Overall I'm happy with the final result.

1/72 Star Wars Tie Interceptor - Fine Molds - Workbench Part 6

Getting close to the finish line with this build. Tie received Badaab Black wash (Citadel) to make it look very used and beat up. Some may think it's too heavy, but keep in mind that pictures are close-ups and in reality the elements are much smaller.

1/72 Star Wars Tie Interceptor - Fine Molds - Workbench Part 5

Finally I got to painting stage. Since none of the grey shades in my paint rack really fit the job, so by trail & error I came up with one which suits me. I used Flat White (XF-2) and Light Grey (XF-66).

1/72 Star Wars Tie Interceptor - Fine Molds - Workbench Part 4

I removed and prepared the solar panels. First they received 2 coats of Alclad II Gloss Black Base, followed after one day by 2 coats of  Alclad II Prismatic Sapphire. Unfortunately pictures are not showing the whole effect, but panels' color looks different from different angles.

1/72 Star Wars Tie Interceptor - Fine Molds - Workbench Part 3

Finally I got some spare time to run small update. Pilot landed in oval office which got assembled. Probably not too much will be seen after closing the fuselage.

1/72 Star Wars Tie Interceptor - Fine Molds - Workbench Part 2

I started Tie assembly from the cockpit. After its assembly, I airbrushed as a base color Neutral Grey (XF-53), followed by Badab Black wash (Citadel) and highlights with Astronomican Grey (Citadel). When everything was dry I sealed it with Satin Varnish Vallejo.

1/72 Star Wars Tie Interceptor - Fine Molds - Workbench Part 1

Being Star Wars fan, I was always promising myself to build vehicle from the Galaxy...
TIE Interceptor was staying in my closet for a while, waiting for its spot on the workbench. When guys from GalaxyKits.com invited me to take a chance in their competition "Around The Galaxy Mk. II", it was to pull the kit out :) Thanks Peter for the impulse ;)

Here it is:

32mm Agent Nina vel Blanca DeLuxe

It appears that nothing is happening on my workbench... but it's not quite truth. Currently I'm working on Imperial Tie Interceptor, which I build for competition on GalaxyKits.com, and for that reason I do not show it here (for now).
Usually I prefer to have few different models on the workbench, which prevents me from getting bored.
In addition, I just started working on really neat figure, which bought from Cool Minis or Not. They list her as Blanca DeLuxe, but here she gets different name - Agent Nina.
I removed some flash, and smoothed down the mold lines. Drilled out guns barrels, added mounting pins to the legs and put the figure together.

1/35 M4 Sherman Early Tamiya - Completed

After previous episode I had Sherman sealed and ready for the DIRT & MUD TIME. First I built up layers of mud with different tones, with help of AK Interactive products. To achieve volume of it, I mixed them with white plaster (Plaster of Paris). When all the layers dried up, I added some more dust using various pigments. At the end, despite my earlier resolution, I eventually decided to make small base for Sherman.