Getting there...

We're getting there... Almost back on track and where we were... Almost. That is to say we (Her Ladyship and I) are almost back to where we were before we packed up and left South Africa: we have the jobs; have the house; have the house almost furnished to our satisfaction. Still no car, but roll on the end of year sales!

The house is almost fully furnished, which isn't bad going considered we only moved in about 4 weeks ago. Four weeks ago; 4 weekends ago; 4 weekends spent visiting IKEA and furniture stores; 4 weekends of either looking at and/or assembling IKEA furniture. Does that count as 1:1 diorama accessory making?

Notably, well to me at least and in the interest of model making readers of this Blog, my workshop is not sorted yet. I use the term workshop loosely as it's really just a section across the rear of the garage - thankfully beneath the window. Now anyone that has had the relative liberty to set up their own workshop knows that creating a workshop is not an easy task. There's so much to consider - particularly when you're setting up in a working/living/used garage. How best to position the desk and maximise limited space; how to restict dust; where to position the future spray booth (that right kiddly-winks, we're planning a spray booth!); where to place the photo light tent; how to store supplies yet keep them accessible; how how how what what what where where where.... oooh my poor head! At least I've got a store for the unbuilt kits - I'm using a wardrobe we bought about a year ago when in the flat to store unbuilt kits. At the moment I reckon if I have so many that the wardrobe overflows... I've probably got too many. For the record there's still space in the wardrobe.

I've also started playing around with the DSLR (did I mention I'd bought a Canon EOS 450D DSLR a few months ago? My birthday, anniversary, Christmas present for the next decade). I've bravely left the relative safety of the auto shot, and moved onto a setting called 'P'. I have no idea what the setting is, as I haven't progressed that far in the 'Canon EOS 450D for Dummies' book my wife gave me for my birthday. Anyway, on this setting I've been shooting on RAW and jpeg, which is great since I can adjust the exposure on the RAW image - something I always struggle with. Here's a successful shot (I wonder if anyone can guess what kit these belong to?):

So with all that said, hopefully (h-o-p-e-f-u-l-l-y) I'll be up and running modelling-wize and churning out those reviews like never before really soon!

But first, I'm off to Tasmania for a fortnight on Saturday the 3rd of October for our first Australian holiday. Wish me luck - we're taking the visiting in-laws!

And then some...

While I'm sure regular readers of this Blog are used to my somewhat infrequent updates, I thought I had better give everyone a brief (since when are my updates and comments ever "brief"? LOL!) update on what's been going on in my life distracting me from the cause.

As I mentioned previously the boss and I have recently bought our first house in Australia. And so, after an extended settlement period, the end of August saw us vacate the flat and trek out to the new house. Of course there is more to a household move than just "moving day" (MD): there are the weeks prior to MD packing up stuff, and then the weeks post MD cleaning the place (let's face it: people seldom clean a place they're leaving to the satisfaction of the new owners/tenants) and unpacking. We're sort of mid-way through the cleaning and unpacking phase. But wait, there's more! More dull stuff that is! When we left South Africa we flogged off our white goods and lounge suite, so whole weekends have been spent looking for the best deals on these as well as a bed for the guest bedroom (the outlaws arrive at the end of the month and apparently they can't sleep on the floor). So as you can see from this brief paragraph (I'll spare you the "exciting" details), there has been virtually zero time for modelling - in fact, I have yet to find my second photography lamp (but I did make unpacking all the models a priority!).

So that said, I've a couple of forthcoming reviews which I'll publish as soon as I find that darn lamp. These include:

• The recent Alpine Panzer Crew (the set by Kristian Bodi featuring a figure wearing a leather flight suit);
• An Ademola22 Landskneght bust;
• And a few more 1/35 scale figures in both plastic and resin.

Hopefully I'll get the first 2 mentioned above done before the in-laws arrive. The month of their visit will be a write-off in terms of modelling and then some. Once I'm back though, the plan is also for me to start working on a few reviews exclusively for my own site (RRSM). So watch this space!

Tally ho!

Review: LionRoar WWII U.S. Army Extra Attachments

Manufacturer: LionRoar

Item Code: LE35089

Medium: Resin

Review Publication Date: August 20th 2009

Period photographs typically show WWII vehicles, Allied vehicles in particular, heavily laden with a wide variety of items: some of these issued, others acquired and collected. But the one constant is the presence of tarpaulins and issue field bags.

LionRoar’s LE35089 “U.S. Army Extra Attachments” is set of 1/35th scale resin accessories, a variety of tarpaulins and general purpose bags, designed for use on WWII era US Army vehicles.

While some may find some the items featured in this accessory set easy to replicate (in other words scratchbuild), others may not have the time or ability to reproduce these items. And accessory sets such as these are targeted these, the latter, modellers. Personally I find this set rather versatile as the items can be used in a variety of scenes. The tarps most certainly need not only be used on WWII US Army vehicles, and would not look out of place in other time periods, on vehicles from other US branches of service, or even vehicles belonging to the armed forces of other countries. In fact, they need not even be used on vehicles. The M1936 field bag was used throughout the war by the US Army, and its use on a vehicle would not be out of place.

This is an excellent accessory set from LionRoar. The quality of the cast and the versatility of the subject should prove to be very successful.

Click here for my full review on Armorama

Review: Tamiya's Volkswagen 1300 Beetle 1966

Manufacturer: Tamiya

Item Code: 24136

Medium: Injection Plastic Mold

Review Publication Date: August 7th 2009

The Volkswagen Type 1, or “Beetle” as it affectionately became known to millions around the world, is virtually instantly recognisable in sight and sound. The mechanically simple“People’s Car” became the longest-running and most-produced automobile of a single design.

Despite having being manufactured for approximately 65 years, and having gone through a number of mostly cosmetic design changes, there are relatively few scale models of the Volkswagen Beetle still in production. One of those is Tamiya’s 1/24 scale“Volkswagen 1300 Beetle 1966”.

Tamiya’s 1/24 scale “Volkswagen 1300 Beetle 1966” has been in production for more than a few years now. However, despite its age the kit is nicely detailed with a full engine and under bonnet detail, well produced with very few casting blemishes and, in true Tamiya form, has easy to follow instructions.

Click here for my full review on Automodeler

Wee Friends' WWII German Infantryman, with PPSH Review

Manufacturer: Friendship Models/Wee Friends

Item Code: WF35020

Medium: Resin

Review Publication Date: August 7th 2009

The captured robust, reliable PPSh41 sub-machine gun was a favourite weapon of Heer and Waffen-SS troops engaged on the Eastern Front, and because of the similarities between its 7.62x25mm round and the Mauser 7.63x25mm round was easily supplied with ammunition. Indeed, so many were captured that the Red Army’s PPSh41 sub-machine gun, the trademark of the Soviet Army, became the second most common sub-machine gun used by Germany’s Wehrmacht.

WF35020 WWII German Infantryman, with PPSH, 1/35th scale resin figure depicts a Waffen-SS soldier, wearing late war clothing and carrying a captured sub-machine gun, directing troops or perhaps pointing out a enemy position. The figure, released under Friendship Models’ Wee Friends range of figures, is sculpted by Peter Morton.

The sculpting of the figure is, overall, very good. However it is the “hit and miss” nature of some of the finer details that lets it down. Things like the textured woollen socks, cleated boots, detailed PPSh and numerous awards are let down by the incorrect insignia and lack thereof. I also find it peculiar that such a highly decorated WSS infantryman holds such a low rank. That said the issues I have with the insignia are easily rectified.

The casting is perhaps where this figure is let down a bit. It is not as good as it could be: detail such as the shoulder boards, Y-straps and pockets appear soft; and the some of the casting blocks, on the binoculars and PPSh trigger guard, are positioned in such a way that much caution will need to be practiced during clean up.

The subject of the product is always an extremely subjective point to rate, and much of it goes hand-in-hand with sculpting. I like the pose of the figure: not just pointing, but directing while holding binoculars. The PPSh 41 differentiates the figure from others of a similar pose, and given the sub-machine gun’s common use is a great addition to the figure.

Despite its shortcomings this is a nice figure which, with a little bit of attention, will make a nice addition to a vignette or diorama, or even look great on its own.

Click here for my full review on Armorama