Michael Smith

Another one from the stash wrestled down. Ira Kepford’s VF-17 Corsair. Post tomorrow. #Histscalemodels

1/72 size is a real problem for armor - if you’re trying for perfection. The pieces can be abominably tiny, depending of mfg. But if you’re just wanting to learn about a subject and not devote a lot of shelf space or time going down the bottomless rabbit hole of 1/35 weathering, it’s good.

I have one in the stash - this will help a lot with the color call-outs.

Oh absolutely needs touch ups, but I can airbrush them as needed. Got a new head and needle and it’s working really, really well. I probably do end up going over everything again in the touch ups, but it avoids the thing I have the most … masking.

Decals down. Crowd of onlookers is growing. #HistScaleModels

Ready for gloss finish for decals. We have picked up some spectators, I see. #HistScaleModels #BuildtheStash

Next up - 1/72 F4U-1A Corsair by Tamiya. As usual, initial painting done while parts are still on the sprues. Will touch up camo when the model is assembled. #histscalemodels #buildthestash

I am very lucky to have it - when we built our house I put a mop sink in the workshop, and I don’t know what I would do without it.

Still can't believe the random SB2C-1C plane I decided to model was not only a Texarkana boy but a fellow ET ((same college) graduate. putteringinthestudy.com/2026/03/02/1... #HistScaleModels #BuildtheStash

I’m at the point in the build where I have to pull out every decent dive bomber I’ve made to figure out how to build and paint the tail gunner’s .30 cal twin mount. But it came together OK. Home stretch. #Histscalemodels

Got far enough to apply the gloss coat for decals tomorrow. New airbrush headset and changed the gloss I’m using - pleased with the result. Will be VB-2 #52 from Hornet (CV-12) March 1944 replacing a 2017 build of the old Matchbox kit as VB-2 #45. One of my first aircraft builds! #HistScaleModels

Thanks! It’ll hold two projects, but I usually need the magnifying lamp.

Mid-day update on the CyberHobby A-25 that thinks it’s a SB2C-1C. Instructions are bad and parts mislabeled or not there, but the fit is terrific. The fuselage fit was perfect, even with a lot of inside parts. It has little “cleats” to align it, and they work very well. #HistScaleModels

Next up from the stash - a 1/72 CyberHobby A-25 Shrike. Since this plane did exactly nothing during the war I’ll be completing it as an early SB2C-1C Helldiver, using the C-4 kit instructions and a “lot” of reference material. The A-25 was basically a C-1 so the mods are minimal. #HistScaleModels

The little known Blue Man Group tank regiment.

1/72 F6F-3 Hellcat – Eduard “Weekend Edition” #HistScaleModels

I picked up one of the new-tool Airfix Fw190 kits – an aircraft I’ve never built – late last year, and after reading about it in an old Squadron in action book decided I’d knock it out, since I really enjoy Luftwaffe fighter camouflage. putteringinthestudy.com/2026/02/23/f... #HistScaleModels

Eduard 1/72 F6F Weekend Edition Group Build done with seven hours to spare. Will have a more complete post up later. Time for a break! #histscalemodels

Done with Day 2 on the Eduard Weekend build. Assembly and painting done and main decals on. Tomorrow will be stencils, final matte coat, canopy and weathering. #Histscalemodels

The cockpit decals have “way” too much surround an there are a few git issues, but overall a really good kit.

Day 2 on the Eduard Weekend build. F6F-3 construction complete and ready for gloss cost and decaling tomorrow. Will be a big improvement over my last Vraciu Hellcat. #histscalemodels

Thanks! I never liked it before but in 3D it’s different. I really like how it came out.

First night on #WeekendEditionInAWeekend group build. 1/72 Eduard Weekend edition Hellcat kit. Never built anEduard kit before - very, very nice. #HistScaleModel

Next project is a group build I saw over on Reddit. #WeekendEditionInAWeekend. Make an Eduard Weekend edition kit in a single weekend between 1/16-3/1/2026. I needed to replace my Vraciu Hellcat with a better build, and the Eduard has decals for one of his rides. #HistScaleModel

Finished the Airfix 1/72 Fw 190. Post up tomorrow or Saturday. #histscalemodels

Absolutely correct! I reread Sword last summer again.

Looks really, really good.

And I can’t call it little! I’ve been reading for a couple of weeks and I’m only 20% of the way through. Just great analysis. I particularly like the way he regularly contrasts Churchill’s memoirs with, um, reality. Not in a negative way, but to contrast Churchill’s wartime and postwar needs.

It was not a big deal. In two pieces, and I really would consider cutting the long piece into two or three just to make it easier to apply. It’s hard to avoid a wrinkle at one point. I lucked out and it broke on one side and getting it flat was much easier after that. But try it - looks great!