I don’t want to hijack the thread, but since you suggested... this is Fred after a hard day at the bench... and with my favorite Korean War vet - my dad.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Gary, Fred looks like a white mini-Schnauzer. I've got one of those two (named "Snowy" after Tin Tin's dog).

David, this is remarkable progress and, as always, a captivating story line!

My dawg...you have to click on it to really see him.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

That is a real 'Snowy', David. He's a handsome beast and I'm betting he's every bit the faithful companion.

Michel, the cats are there, two of them!

"Hello Molly!"

James, and friend, welcome aboard. I seem to have tapped a rich vein of material with the four legged friends fraternity. Good to 'meet' you both - please don't let this thread put you off the site. There are some reasonable people around here. Somewhere...

And just to prove I do model work; been doing a little weathering and detailing. Oh, and this is Rudi. Currently involved in a full and frank debate with Vincent regarding 'the Party'. Good lad that he is, Rudi is very much against the Party way and has a long standing love affair with Jazz that started in Berlin while Hitler was gathering his armies. His aspiration was to make his living from playing drums professionally. Alas, another dream that died in a foreign land in pursuit of the Fuhrer's own, darker ambitions.

Thanks James. Figures have been an absolute curse to me in the past, but if I can share an epiphany with anyone out there who'd like to paint better little people, it's this...

Windsor and Newton 7 series paintbrushes. These are marvels to work with and almost paint the model for you. Yes, they're a little expensive but not much more than other decent brushes. The difference they have made to my ability and enjoyment is stunning.
Still on a learning curve with this aspect of modeling but these brushes are the only reason I haven't quit with figures.

Highly recommended.