My 2020 in review
Hi all, happy New Year!
Just a quick one on what 2020 brought for me. I seriously lacked modeling time 🙁 but did manage to finish three models this year:
- Aco dei Fileni, Lybia (scratch)
This must have been the longest build I ever endeavoured, it was also completely from scratch. Here is the link to the article series and "the making of...". I learned a lot when doing this build, especially regarding sculpting and carving the bas-reliefs. Here are some of the original pictures again:
For those who wonder what I did with this large model: LxBxH = 120x30x90 cm, I recently moved my company to a new office and I attached it to the wall behind my standing desk, as you can see here:
https://imodeler.com/2020/03/final-reveal-arco-dei-fileni-libya-1941-on-135-scratchbuild/
So for anyone Skyping, Zooming or Hanhouting me, you have the Arc in the background. -
- T-72 variant in Syrian setting (Meng+)
Wanted to build a bruised-and-battered T-72 tank for a longtime. This is the result. I also mad a little dio display for it, quite happy about that too! Here are some of the original pictures on that one, and also a link to the article itself.
https://imodeler.com/2020/05/t-72b-variant-in-syria-2016-meng-diorama/ -
- BMP-1 Iraq 2003 (Italeri)
This is my entry to Chuck's Desert Storm/ Desert Shield GB I was glad to join. I plan more entries there because I very much like this subject. This is the old Italeri kit, less good a quality for me but I decided against blowing it up, as so many have seen that fate in 1991 and 2003. Given the dated mold, still happy about the result.
https://imodeler.com/2020/12/bmp-1-variant-in-iraq-1991-in-135-italeri/
The year 2020 was marked with lots of other stuff in scale 1-1, preventing me from spending more time at the bench. Amongst others were Covid-19 and the move to the new office, next to a lot more workload. -
For one thing, I hope the New Year brings more time at the bench, which I really enjoy sharing with you all over here!
Have a great year and see you around!
Very impressive builds, Michel. @michel-verschuere
Best wishes and stay safe.
Hey Michel, for similar reasons to yours I had to disappear from here just around the time you revealed The Arco, so I missed it. What a feat! Architectural modelling doesn't often fill much of the space here, but in this case boy does it make up for that in sheer quality. Congratulations on a magnificent build!
The T-72 dio is another brilliant piece - and confirmation that pretty much everything you do in modelling is unique - fantastic.
Finally I'm a little sad to have missed Chuck's GB, it just passed me by. Your choice of subject is again unique and wonderfully executed.
Through a disrupted year, you have done so remarkably well to complete such high quality builds! Happy New Year!
Congratulations on your builds, Michel!
There's a lot of quality work onto them, a joy to see them built.
Also, congratulations on your move to your new office.
Have a happy new year, my friend!
Hi Michel . Like Paul i also missed the Arco. Fantastic build sir.
Michel, @michel-verschuere
I know that you have not had much time for building, but what you have done is simply amazing ! The tower is impressive, not only with how it looks, but also in stature. Once you get a little more available time, I can see you building some more armored vehicles and possibly some soft skin trucks and cars. This Arc is a perfect background setting to take pictures of them...
Watching you build your BMP and the T-72 was a lot of fun and very informative. Thank you for posting these for us all to enjoy.
Currently, I am in the process of building a pair of large sized photography bases. These are going to be big enough to hold a 1/32 scale Revell He-219 "Uhu", and they measure 24 inches by 48 inches. One will be a desert / coral runway type surface that I can use for various armor builds and also aircraft. What did you use for the road surface that is under your T-72 ? It looks very realistic and it could pass for actual pavement ! I want to do something similar for my base, as I plan to use it for other models too. I have read where some use fine sandpaper... I looked at your build journal but I couldn't find the answer there. I want to make it look like a paved runway surface, and you have nailed the look down perfectly.
Happy New Year to you and your family... and I hope to see more of your work soon.
I definitely pressed the "liked" button too.
@lgardner I used a product used in model railroad. It has this very special texture for asphalt, it glittrs in spaces, has an anthracit black look and is still satin finish, very hard to duplicate with paint. I sometimes use fine grind sandpaper, the black type you find in the department store.
The product reference is Vollmer 46020, here is a picture. It comes in 3ft rolls as self adhesive about 3 inch wide.
Thanks for all your comments guys!
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/BNIB-OO-HO-Gauge-VOLLMER-46020-PLAIN-ROAD-1M-X-8CM-SELF-ADHESIVE-/392593118203
Michel, @michel-verschuere
Thank you very much ! This is perfect... 🙂
The Arc is a great way for the CEO to intimidate without intimidating on Zoom. 🙂
Seriously Michael, nice work on all of this.
"Liked"
Looking good Michel, happy new year.
Beste Michel.
Very, very nice work. I like architectural builds. Now you need to build an addition to your house to showcase this all !
Happy new year and time to make more of this.
While quantity may lack, quality and creativity shine! Such fun following the Libyan arch project.
The Arco dei Fileni needs a way better plank / display .
Thanks @piet, any suggestions?
A nice pice of hardwood stained black ,and polished with some French wax .