Small Scale Military Headquarters

Who builds 1:72 scale kits?, I have bought several and was wondering if there were any tricks to working with such small models, other than the fact I can't see when doing 1:6 stuff , so this will be a challenge, any tips would be appreciated, thanks.

take your time and practice will have rewards.

Kits are pretty cheap which makes messing up a little easier to take!

Haven't built a kit in 20 years+.

But a pair of tweezers help with placing the very small pieces on the model.

You could pick up a pair of cheap reading glasses to help magnify, or get one of those lighted magnifying glasses on a stand.

Practice makes perfect.

Thanks for the tips guys, I started on one today and all I have to say is " what the hell was I thinking ", now I know why those little models are pricey, I dropped a part on the floor and spent more time looking for it than building, I'm commited now and will finish it, just wish I'd thought this through first

like Snake, haven't built a model in 20+ years. Back then it was 1:72 also.

Now, don't think I would build that size as with getting older my vision is not what it used to be. Though there are all kinds tools to make it easier, you almost have to be a jeweler or watchmaker.

There again lots of 1:72 bombers out there that are tempting.

What are you building?

I have always wanted to give the 1:72 "Armourfast" range a go, seems some of their kits are simpler than others and I can skip to the best part, the painting.

Good luck Ram, hope you'll post the result!

Wrights Collectables wrote:I have always wanted to give the 1:72 "Armourfast" range a go, seems some of their kits are simpler than others and I can skip to the best part, the painting.

They're certainly simpler, but it does show a bit on some of the models - particularly the tracks and wheels, which are usually one-piece parts. However, if they're painted and weathered well enough (plenty of mud usually does the trick), they do look good!

To my surprise, the tank museum at Bovington sells a range of these for only £5 a box (two models in each box). That's the cheapest I've seen anywhere, but they don't deliver as far as I know.

Some of the Armourfast models look a bit bare unless you delve into the spares box. These are the best ones in my opinion:

• Cromwell
  Crusader II
  StuG III
  StuH 42
  SU-85

The Panzer IV D, G, and the StuIG 33B are new since I last looked. The latter looks interesting, merely because nobody has made a decent diecast one yet.

Heres what I'm working on and no, I can't post pictures yet, I'm not joking, I've spent more time chasing parts than building , its not that there are a gazillion parts, they are just so,so,so small, well at least to me.

Does it worry anyone but me that I went from 1/6 to 1/72?, I mean I could paint this little truck green, glue it to the Sherman and I'm sure it would look like some kind of attachment you hang a shovel off of

www.hobbylinc.com/htm/hlr/hlr79994.htm

And I have to add to the fact, apparently the little bastard has jinxed me, I spent more time trying to link a picture, than working on it, seems there a omen here

I was thinking it was an airplane, but that's even smaller.

Are 1/72 planes easier?, I like vehicles better, but, hey I could flip, not like there aren't some really great planes in that scale.

Heres where I'm at so far, I know it really looks bad , but hey they are little parts and they like to fly away




Jim

Noticed how I put them in a plate?, a few beans and a little hamburger, couple beers and it will all be good, damn thats gross

Doesn't look too bad. Never built 1:72 vehicles, always bought them assembled already. I can't imagine just trying to put a little headlight on straight.

1:72 planes are bigger, but they got small parts too.

Quit sneezing on your plate and your parts won't go flyin'...save the sprues to pick your teeth after that burger too.

Nice idea on the sprues, I haven't sneezed on anything yet, trust me, if that had happened this post would be over.

As they say, It ain't over till the fat lady sings, or if the old woman upstairs makes me get my crap off her table.

The latter happening sooner I'm sure.

It is clearly on its way though Ram, keep optimistic!

I am surprised at the level of detail on the chassis!

Thanks also to PaulMerton for his detailed post on Armourfast, hopefully I'll get a spare day soon and give a kit a go!

Got alittle more done today, I figure I'll assemble it, then paint it, it won't be HM or some of the others quaility, but seems, you guys have had fun at my expense, so its worth it

Stay tuned, it can only get worse

You really should paint a great majority of it before you assemble it ram04.

Much easier to get all the hard to reach places while they are not attached to the model.

Not to worry. Practice makes perfect.

Snake, to your advice , thats what I was trying to do, maybe I got carried away alittle, but the parts are painted, now just need to be finished, thanks.

Ram are you gonna post finished pics? I cant speak for anyone else but I would like to se e.

Update, I have painted most everything, there are several small parts yet to be put together, whats so amazing is that anyone really cares that this gets built , really, thanks for the support, I'm sure it will look like s**t, and I could buy one much better

The things we do to torture ourselves

We can all always by the best replica. I think were all the same in the fact, that it feels rewarding to build something from scratch. It may not be perfect, but it is still something a fellow member put time into. I know when I build stuff it wont be perfect, but I would still want to show you guys anyways because if you guys wouldnt care then who would? And I like seeing how things turn out. If it looks decent and turns out nice, I may want to do one too. So please by all means show us some pictures

I'm still working on this, but have a new found respect for all model builders, while I thought 1:72 would be easy and maybe so if I did'nt at least have to put some paint on it, I have found that all scales seem to have their draw backs, mostly its me building them

I will post some pictures when I get it done, if not to give a chuckle or two, thanks for the support.

This is what I ened up with, its not what I hoped for, but I'll keep trying

The build looks great from the pics....just look like the green sticks out but if it were actually around trees or on a path in the forest im sure it would blend perfectly...i think it looks good.