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Hmmm, the Indian Army officer needs some work aligning hands with arms with sword etc, and I was in a painting mood, so quick project switch. #WIP of a 54mm white metal Officer from the 33rd of Foot, Crimea, 1854. Painted with acrylics. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

Next up on the bench, this rather splendid chap from Art Girona. #scalemodels #histscalemodels

I could keep playing with the metals for weeks, but think I’m going to call this one here. English Civil War bust by FeR Miniatures painted in acrylics. #scalemodels #histscalemodels #bust

#WIP - Not much bench time in the last couple of weeks but at least this FeR Miniatures English Civil War parliamentarian now has his lobster pot on! Still a long way to go but enjoying taking it slowly. #histscalemodels #scalemodels #busts

Managed a bit more work on the face. Going to leave it there for a while and come back to it after a couple of days so that my eyes see new things! I’ve got to say though, I’m loving this bust. #histscalemodels #scalemodels #buildthestash

#WIP - another few hours at the bench today allowed me to start getting colour down on the suede leather Buff Jacket and begin sketching out his face. Light source is from his front left. #histscalemodels #scalemodels #bust #buildthestash

This weekend I managed to get in some bench time and start work on this rather lovely FeR Miniatures English Civil War bust. #scalemodels #histscalemodels #buildthestash

I’m really enjoying pushing myself into different genres and this 75mm C15th Turkish Sipahi from PanzerArt was a joy to paint. Painted with AK and Vallejo acrylics. It was my first time using real metallics but I think they came out ok. Flag made with green stuff. #HistScaleModels #ScaleModels

Shout out to @dr-robonator.bsky.social for the #buildthestash initiative. I’m in. No new kits in 2026 (only caveat is if I need figures or accessories for already planned dioramas so that they end up completed!). I’m genuinely really looking forward to this. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#WIP - 1/48 Luftwaffe Officer for a small diorama I’m putting together for my Bf109. I’m determined that this is a year of completing projects rather than starting heaps of new ones while the number of shelf queens grows! #buildthestash #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#WIP - Something a bit different while I wait for a few things in the post. Really enjoying this 75mm piece from Black Crow Miniatures called The Storyteller. Pushing myself to really focus on getting the leather and wood right before I move onto properly tackling the face etc. #scalemodels

A curious cub I stumbled across while out birdwatching. #FoxOfTheDay #wildlife #naturephotography

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #BirdsOnTwigs, any bird on a thin branch. The alternative theme is Ducks #OutOfWater 🪶 Brown Thornbill, Willie Wagtail, Nankeen Kestrel, Roufus Whistler All taken on our farm in the Snowy Monaro region of NSW, Australia. #birds #birding #wildlife #photography

#WIP - Two 1/35 scale early war Pzr troops from Alpine Miniatures painted in AK and Vallejo acrylics. I’ll put these two in a vignette as they are quite big compared to other figures (more like 54mm than 1/35). Happy with how my contrast in black uniforms is improving #scalemodels #histscalemodels

Nankeen Kestrel on our farm in the Snowy Monaro, NSW, Australia.

#WIP - After a brief break, I’m back at the bench. Decals, wheels and clear coat now on (with the wheels the right way round this time!). Next weathering, then prop and canopy. Learning a lot on this build (my first plane) and really rather enjoying it 😃 #histscalodels #scalemodels

What a fantastic weekend at the Guilds Inn display figure painting show. Met some great people, learned a huge amount from others, and was blown away that my four entries were rewarded with a silver, a bronze, and two highly commended awards. Will definitely be back next year #HistScaleModels

Well, we made it with minimal breakages. Good to see them on the table. A cracking event.

Rather at the last minute (D-2), I plucked up the courage to enter four pieces into Sydney’s annual figure painting show. There was a bit of swearing getting the Anglo-Saxon Warrior over the line (especially when I couldn’t find where I’d put his shield), but we are on the road!#histscalemodels

Decals on, wheels off (so I can put them on the right way round! 🤦‍♂️). This is a really fun build.

Something different while I wait for the base for my Anglo-Saxon figure. First plane, first time mottling, first time hard-line masking and first time using my new H&S airbrush. Learning a lot of lessons but it’s starting to come together. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

WIP - Decided I really didn’t like the olive green trim on the tunic, so replaced it with an Anglo-Saxon design slightly adapted for the scale. I’m not sure I nailed the execution but think it provides far more visual interest. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

WIP - I have been experimenting with wood wood and NMM effects on his shield. Hairspray chipping was a disaster - everything came off, including the Mr Hobby primer! So went back to brush chipping / scarring. Wood grain was added with a saw brush which I think worked pretty well. #histscalemodels

#WIP - experimenting with a worn wood look and NMM effects on the shield. Slowly starting to get there. Tried hairspray chipping which didn’t work. Everything come off, even the Mr Hobby primer! Must have been the wrong hairspray! So went back to brush chipping / scarring. Also finished his hand.

#WIP - the Anglo-Saxon warrior from FeR Miniatures now has a head upon his shoulders! Much happier with the face now but work to do still on the cape (which chipped a bit getting it on) and redo the sword hilt before I turn my attention to hands and shield. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#WIP - Currently working on this 75mm Anglo-Saxon warrior by FeR Miniatures. Main facial sketch done, but feel it needs more blending. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#WIP - work on “Missed Opportunities” continues, albeit slowly. Temps have plummeted here, resulting in almost cataclysmic changes to how my acrylics perform. However, managed to start on a scratch built sign to situate the scene. Next step is to weather the barrel. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#WIP - Rough layout of “Missed Opportunities”. Troops from 4 Pzr Div look wistfully across the channel after the BEF evacuation from Dunkirk. Enjoying the small details - packs of cigarettes, map, jacket etc. can hopefully finish the vehicles this week once a new compressor arrives! #histscalemodels

As another holiday visit comes to an end, Lil’ Miss Modeller proudly shows off the 1/48 Tamiya Cromwell she built this week. Tracks still on sprue ready for all to be primed on her next visit. So proud of my little Bench Buddy 🥹

Warning: gratuitous proud father post! Lil’ Miss Modeller entered her 1/72 Spitfire into her first comp. She came first in the junior military category and won the Best Junior Modeller Award. It really doesn’t matter that she was the only junior - she is beaming from ear to ear! #histscalemodels

#WIP Started weathering and chipping the Pzr II #shelfqueen. Going quite heavy on the tank as I want it to look worn and tired in contrast with quite a clean look on the kubelwagen: AFV versus Staff Car type of thing. It will take some time but starting to come along.

#WIP - work continues on my “Missed Opportunities” vignette. Pzr II has had oil filters applied. Now need to do exhaust and fit PE grill. Kubelwagen ready for first varnish then decals. Then chipping and light weathering. Enjoying bringing this #shelfqueen to life. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

And here is the Tamiya Pzr II Ausf. C #shelfqueen that the commander will go in as part of a small vignette called “Missed Opportunities”, which shows commanders of 4th Pzr Div watching helplessly (due to Hitler’s infamous Stop Order) as the BEF evacuates from Dunkirk #histscalemodels #scalemodels

As I haven’t painted a black Panzer uniform before, I thought I would practice on this figure before I moved onto the commander of the Pzr 38(t). Turns out I rather like him so he’ll go into a Pzr II that I also need to finish! #shelfqueens #historicscalemodels #scalemodels

Next up, time to finish a shelf queen! I have chosen to use a figure from Tamiya’s Wehrmacht tank crew set for this Pzr 38(t). The plan is to put it in a small vignette set in southern Russia, summer 1941. I used thin wire from an old iPhone cable for the headset wires. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

A couple of slightly more professional looking photos of Kuri. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

She needs a base, but otherwise Kuri from Black Crow Miniatures is pretty much there. Painted with acrylics. A couple of bits didn’t work out quite the way I had hoped, but pretty happy with her for my first bust, first female figure and first fantasy miniature. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#WIP - work on Kuri’s kestrel continues with the right wing now done (bar final touches). So far I’ve spent about six hours on her and loved every minute of it. Still have her legs, belly and tail feathers to go but getting there. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#WIP - Kestrel’s head and left wing almost there. A lot of learning going on as this is the first time I’ve done feathers, but surprisingly it’s remarkably relaxing! #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#WIP - it has been about a week since I last had some bench time, so snuck an hour in this afternoon and started on Kuri’s kestrel. Painting individual feathers takes some time, but I think it’s starting to come together. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

Appalled at what happened in the Oval Office. So here’s an idea - all those countries that came to the aid of the US after 9/11 should present Trump with a bill for the cost of their involvement in America’s wars. More than happy for it to be paid in cash, gold, or minerals / oil from the US.

A frustrating couple of hours at the bench. Finished the fur and a dark wash made it pop quite nicely. Then tried to give a NMM gold effect on the metal parts of the hat - and it was an absolute disaster! Spent two hours trying to rectify my mistake with an iron effect. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

Braids done (I think). Came up ok. Leather hat looked fabulous and I then put brown ink on it and lost lots of the detailed texturing! So reapplied some and I think it works. Now working on the fur trim, which is taking FOREVER! #histscalemodels #scalemodels

First attempt at “embroidery”. Looks ok from a distance but haven’t quite mastered the required paint thickness for the yellow wen viewed up close. Also didn’t quite get the pattern on the belt quite central all the way round. But as a first stab, not too bad. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

Inspired by @idlemrb.bsky.social, I’ve attempted to make Kuri’s dress linen with silk lapels. A way to go with the silk but I think the linen is starting to get there. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

While I wait for some stuff to arrive for the #BuffaloBuild, I thought I’d try my first bust, first woman, and first fantasy figure - all at the same time! This is a lovely sculpt from Black Crow. Lots to do but she’s starting to slowly come to life #histscalemodels #scalemodels

#BuffaloBuild - detailing of the cockpit continues, including addition of sweetheart photo, and dry fit confirmed the need to reposition the first aid kit by half a mm. Ready for varnish, a wash and then some light weathering before I turn my attention to the cockpit floor. #histscalemodels

#BuffaloBuild - started detailing the Buffalo’s cockpit using this Finnish museum piece as a rough guide. Yes, it’s not as detailed, but I think the extra cables add something to it without crowding out the cockpit. Still needs filters and washes. #histscalemodels

#BuffaloBuild - despite dropping( and temporarily breaking) my air brush this afternoon, I managed to get the base layer down for the Buffalo’s cockpit. Next some chipping fluid down on the floor to show wear and detailing. Must say, this Mr Hobby aluminium goes down beautifully! #histscalemodels