Construction of Zvezda 1:72 Greek Infantry V-IV BC

As we sit through another day of pouring rain, we finally got around to post our finished Greek Infantry!

Both the Greek Trireme we completed earlier, and these figures are 1:72 scale, perfect match!
Not too much construction in this kit – glue on the spears and shields and you’re done.
Here are the unpainted figures nicely arranged.
The figures in the photo have been primed and partially painted.
The painting is complete. Our cutting mat has changed colour since we started this project!
The figures are carefully arranged on the trireme.
Finally, we snipped the figures from the bases (taking care not to chop off any limbs in the process) and glued them onto the trireme.

Construction of Revell 1:72 patrol Torpedo Boat PT-579

We were commissioned to build a Torpedo boat! Couldn’t tell who was happier – the customer, who had their boat built, or us, who got to make something instead of doing paperwork.

We decided not to add the clear windows because they were a little fiddly to glue on and you can’t really see through them.
The deck appears to be used for another Torpedo boat kit, so right at the start we drilled around 30 holes onto it. The positions of the holes are clearly labelled on the bottom.
We glued on the parts that are same colour as the deck and spray-painted it. Next, we constructed the remaining components and dry-fitted it on to the deck.
We primed the remaining components and painted on the camouflage scheme.
The hull was masked and painted.
Finally, we glued all the parts together and here is the finished boat.

Construction of Zvezda 1:72 Greek Trireme

After building this ship, we can safely say that the ancient Greeks would never have employed us. It turns out this project, which we began in May 2021, took two whole years to finish! The part that we thought we would enjoy the most was the rigging. It was quite fun to bein with, until we realised we’ve completely misread the instruction and had to redo it again and again. Nevertheless, we persevered and here is the building process in all its glory.

We felt duped by the box art. The ship looks quite simple, doesn’t it? A dap of paint, then a little rigging here and there and it should be done, right?
Included in the kit were the stand, rigging thread, and the ship.
The bottom of the hull and be left off for a waterline finish.
One hundred and twenty oars were included.
The sails, decks, and the decal of the eyes.
We assembled the main parts of the ship together, taking care the position the oars correctly before the glue dries.
The deck is glued in place, and the masts are added.
The ship is now ready for airbrushing.
We airbrushed the whole ship in dark brown (Ammo Mig Brown Soil) and then hand painted the deck in a lighter colour (Ammo Mig New wood).
The edges are hand painted in bright yellow.
The ram is painted in brass and the eyes are added.
The main ship is finished, now on to the final details!
The fore sail and main sail are painted in red and white stripes.
The name plate and display stand painted.
Finally, the flag is added. The ship is rigged and lightly washed with The Army Painter Soft Tone.

Construction of Hasegawa Zero Fighter (Egg Plane)

In between two big projects, we have sneaked in this simple model build to save our sanity. Egg planes really are as fun as they look.

Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Albeit the box art, this is one of those egg planes that does not include a pilot. Boo!
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
As you can see, this model is very straight forward. The decal sheet covers two options.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
We reached this stage within half an hour.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
After priming the model in matt black, the nose and wheels are masked off and the model is airbrushed Gray Green.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
We masked off the underside using a combination of masking tape and masking fluid. Straight lines are masked with masking tape. Large and hard to reach areas are covered with masking fluid.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
The canopy is also masked with masking fluid. The model is airbrushed IJN Green.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Once the paint has dried, we began to peel off the masking fluid.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
All the masking products are removed.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Decals are added to the model.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
The model is varnish. The panel lines are picked out using green/brown paneliner and the model is sealed again with varnish.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
This is what the underside looks like.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
The panel lines are more prominent on this side.
Hasegawa zero Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Done!

Model Build – Miniart 1:35 British Lorry 3t

Following our successful car build back at Christmas, we decided to make another vehicle. We chose this WWI era British lorry by Miniart thinking it would be a walk in the park. How hard could it be? It’s just a wooden box on four wheels, no? No!

Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
This interesting box art is what tempted us to build this model. There are types of lorry you can make: a coal lorry, a generic transport lorry, or wood carrier.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
As always, it was only after we opened the box that we realised what we are in for. Hands down, this is the most detailed model we have built to date.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Look, here are the parts for the wooden box! At least that bit would be easy…hopefully!
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Here is the decal sheet and some very delicate photo-etched parts.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
A big chunk of the entire model build was spent on this engine, which is mostly covered up in the end!
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Here is the completed chassis.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Large sections of the model is made up and primed in matt black.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
We airbrushed the main body in matt yellow and hand painted the smaller details (such as the stirring wheel and lights).
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Here is the airbrushed wooden box. Next, we will be bringing out some of those nice grain details with paneliners and a layer of wash.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
The decals are applied and the model is vanished with a layer of dark wash.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
We used a dark brown paneliner to bring out the gaps between the wooden planks.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
To glue on the clear window without clouding the plastic, we used UV glue. It’s a little fiddly to use, but it is much stronger than your normal clear plastic glue.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
To finish off, we made the ‘coal’. We used cork boulders, which were the right shape and didn’t add too much weight to the overall model. We covered the lorry with cling film, so the ‘coal’ can be pulled out and sprayed black once the glue has dried.
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland
Miniart British Lorry Coal Space Craft Model Shop Dundee Scotland