In my recent post digging into the various mental hangups and obstructions that have been screwing with my ability to get kits off the bench in a completed state, I touched on the idea of vision:
Now, all of the issues listed above are very real issues. But are they causes, or just symptoms? Or excuses?
Talking with my fellow SMCG admins Will and Jim, I realized something.
Every single one of my favorite builds has started with a strong vision.
The Corsair, Me 262, Spitfire, French P-47, Tamiya F-14, Trumpeter Bf 109G-10…all of them got their start with one photo that set my imagination running. Not just for that type of aircraft…but for that one specific vision of that aircraft.
It’s perhaps fitting that, a few days after throwing this post up, I finished my fourth build of the year, and one that was driving entirely by a strong vision.
In the afterglow of what I think might be my favorite armor build to date, at least in terms of the end result, I’ve decided to put “The Vision Thing” to the test in two upcoming builds.
Both of these builds are inspired by really strong references photos that just burrowed into my brain and insisted on being realized.
First Up
I have a lot of aircraft references that get me fired up. Like, a lot. But there’s one that keeps rising to the surface, and I’ve decided I’m going to go ahead and chase it.
That’s right. A Danish F-104G in that glorious battered green paint that seemed to be the Danish staple in the 70s and early 80s. I probably have a good dozen or so images of various Danish Starfigthers in all manner of glorious paint decay and touchup. Including this lovely one looking down from above, which is a pretty rare view.
Oh man. There’s a lot of fun to be had here.
So what kit will I be using to realize this vision? As if there were any other option:
Now, I built this kit a few years ago as an Italian F-104S, and despite my frustrations over the last 10% of the build and the clunkiness of some of the final details, overall I enjoyed the kit. I also feel like I pulled my punches in painting and weathering the 104S, and sort of see this as my chance to make amends.
Second Up
It has been a long time since I’ve dabbled in World War II armor. The last one that I actually completed came and went over four years ago. Since then, when I’ve built armor it’s typically been geared toward the late Cold War.
Of late though, I’ve been feeling an itch to build something VVSS (Vertical Volute Spring Suspension – the suspension used by Lees, Grants, Shermans etc). I can’t explain it, I just have.
Well, I’ve been bouncing around, considering my options. And then I came across this.
That’s an M4A1 with the 1st Armored Division in northern Italy in 1945, and holy shit is the dust and grime and leakage and staining just amazing.
It’s hard to be 100% certain, but it looks like this lovely specimen is done up in the olive drab and black camoflage seen on a good many Shermans during the war. Which is just a further reason to take it on.
Now, for this build, I’m having to go outside my stash. I have a few Shermans, but no M4A1 mid-production with the early suspension bogies featuring the centered return roller. Fortunately, Asuka nee Tasca makes just such a Sherman.
To this I’ll be adding a metal barrel (as you do), as well as probably a few aftermarket goodies to be named later.
Off to the races…soon
For the moment I still have two little FT-17s to finish up. But expect both of these kits to be up and running soon. Though the Sherman may lag slightly, as I have to wait for it to cross the Pacific.
Any requests on how you would like to see these builds covered? Blog? Video? Snarky Facebook posts? Sound off in the comments.
Doogs Models 
Video, please.
Video please. Love you videos.
/jörgen
Pleaaaaaase do the blog thing!Your uuuh clorfull language just makes my day.
Plus I have been in a bit of a slump myselself slump meaning about 20 unfinished projects so you might inspire me out of my little hole.
Regards
Shaun
Would love to see your videos for these ones! Especially the F105!
Damn I meant F104!!
Video of the heavy weathering of the m4a1, especially some ‘how to’ instruction video, would be greatly appreciated!
I think a blog with some nice pics to show the more challenging parts of the build would be the right way to go. I personally don’t need a whole ‘from opening the box to finished model on the shelf’-build. Just show us what you like and dislike and -that’s the most important thing- how you’ll tackle that fucking amazing paintjob of that Danish coffin nail!
I’m not much of a video watcher myself. So my preference would be blogs.
For some reason I just can’t get find any motivation for watching (not only your) videos. Although I do admit I’ve seen some of them. And they really are quite good, to be honest. But just sitting at my desk and watching just doesn’t do it for me…
Maybe I’m just getting old and should move along with the rest of the world, though…
Vision plays a huge role. A friend gave me two railroad switching towers to finish for his layout (not on commission, strictly out of the goodness of my heart). Two years later… I finally finished one of them yesterday! I’m going to get the second one done before I go back to work on Wednesday, but that one isn’t looking as good to me, and I haven’t sorted out what it needs to look better yet.
I would also prefer a video: not showing all from the beginning but sharing the main painting and weathering steps; I generally love your techniques reviews testing videos; it is a great chance to learn and getting inspired as well.
That Sherman would be a real challenge. A video would be great if the time allowed or even a step by step. Also consider it as a possible test bed for the Mission Model Paints I think you’ve been wanting to try.
I’ll take it any way I can get it as long as you bring us along on the ride. I can sympathize with you. I’ve got a build that’s been languishing on my hobby bench for far too long. It’s time to build or get off the pot! Thanks Doogs…
Blog, baby! Would love to see some how-to on the armor weathering. I need to know more how to do that.
Thanks, by the way, for your insights and I hope you have fun with these two!
Michael
The Starfighter? Awesome. That was the first model I truly lost it on and hurled across the basement at about age 11. Good learning about what not to do when angry.
An interesting post and certainly one I can agree with – I’m currently reading a book about the breaking of the sound barrier and find myself really drawn to the beautiful Bell X-1 painting on the front cover – Perhaps I should follow your lead and take up the inspiration.