Modeling ain't easy...

The 1/72 project has spiraled out of control. After the incorrect attempt to match up Zeros and P-40s I switched it up to Kittyhawks vs Bf-109s in the desert. Its a great setting with some great color schemes to model. After some more research I settled on 112 Squadron vs. 27 JG and found appropriate decals. I had to figure out how the RAF and Luftwaffe marked their aircraft. As I expected, the German system is baroque and overly complex. < + = gruppen staffel waffle smaffle with special markings for the unit's cook's aircraft. Come on.

While I am enjoying the modeling, part of me longs for the days when filing a mold seam for 30 seconds was all that was required to get a model ready for paint. These Airfix kits are easy level and come together nice but the whole thing is a huge schlep compared to most of my wargaming past. Now I am trying to figure out how to go about masking canopies.

In the last few weeks I completed a Mighty Armies Barbarian force and did a platoon of 1/285 GHQ Shermans. Once I get the stomach to get the camera out again I will put up some pics.

Let a hundred projects bloom...

Finally getting an airbrush has opened up a whole new world. Its a somewhat frustrating world, featuring endless decisions regarding paint, thinning, cleaning, moisture traps, needles, cleaning, future, flat coats, cleaning, etc... While I cut my teeth on the rebel shuttle project my eye has been wandering. With an airbrush I can give aircraft models a proper treatment. And coincidentally I have been playing the fantastic X-Wing game with King Jeff. So I started to fantasize about converting those rules to World War II air combat and then before you know it I am buying up model kits. I decided to do Flying Tigers vs. the Japanese and I was ecstatic to find these new retooled kits on offer.

 

I pulled the trigger and now of course it seems the AVG didn't actually fight Zeros, they just called everything a Zero. So that means I need two more sets of planes, some Hellcats to fight the Zeros I already bought and then some Oscars to fight the P-40s. I am really looking forward to doing these model planes. I did so many as a kid and now I can do them properly. If anyone knows some X-wing conversions out there let me know!

Chaos Bike

Photographing this thing was not fun. Building it was. If you fudge the trees like I did there isn't any serious engineering. Some tube and bits and there you go. I have a few more unpainted. I had a concept for a really biker heavy force but that got scaled down to a nice unit. I am going to spend the points for everything in the army to be mounted. I had a vague idea of a renegade legion that perpetually rode a massive highway that circled the equator of some blighted industrial planet. They would lean toward Slaneesh or Slanesh or Slade or whatever, but not be sophisticated enough to go all the way.

Three more to go. Scott posted in progress pics of a Kenner Rebel Shuttle I was converting for use with 15mm Sci Fi. That beast is finally ready for paint. I even bought an airbrush. Stand by for alot of wailing and gnashing of teeth as I get that going. Preshading soon!

Do not adjust your screens! Four-Color Figures is back! Sort of! Scott has temporarily lost some of his gaming mojo but until he gets it back, his friends and biggest boosters are going to keep his blog running. Why? Because we really liked his blog and don't want to watch it fade into obscurity. So until Scott drifts out of the horse latitudes we will keep it going. Up first is me, Scott's friend Sky.

Here are some pics of what I am doing lately.

Once or twice a year I always slide back into 40k Chaos. I can't help it. I just like the models. I even bought my third codex for the army. At least its hardback and all color. Check back in a few days. If Scott didn't regret giving me the password to this cadillac blog then I will post some pics of a chaos bike conversion.

Sky