I'm almost finished with painting and decal placement on the interior of the M2 Bradley. I still have to simulate paint chipping and then oil paint washes for weathering effects.

It’s been a while since I updated this spotty record of my modeling projects.  Currently I’m working on the Tamiy M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. I hope to get this model completed in time for the 2012 Anniston Model show

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Over the weekend I attended the Atlanta Military Figure Society’s Annual figure show and contest.  It was a great event, a lot of good deals and great work on the contest tables. I was able to get a pretty good deal on Alpine’s BAR gunner.

At long last there is a new 1/48^th scale model of the Grumman A-6 Intruder twin jet-engine, mid- wing attack aircraft. This new model kit is produced by Kinetic Models and firm located in Hong Kong.

These are all good projects and I'd like to get them all completed before the 2012 IPMS National Convention in Orlando held at Walt Disney World in August.

"The Old Fiddler"

This is a new 54 mm figure from Andrea that I"m looking forward to painting.

Update on Laffey

This project was going pretty well, but I've had to move it to the back burner because I've misplace a few parts. Specifically I had pre-assembled some of the superstructure assemblies and put them safely away in a small box labeled "Laffey Parts." Now where that small box is now is another question. Hopefully I can get back to this soon.

Robby is Finished

Here's the finished Robby the Robot.  This was a fun build and the first Sci-fi model I've done since I was a kid.

U.S.S. Laffey DD-459 (1942)

I'm starting a new project today. A 1/350th scale Dragon Model U.S.S. Laffey DD-459 1942

. This is kit No.1026. The model is molded in gray styrene plastic on 12 sprues. Also included are to small frets of photo etch brass for fine detail items. There are small decals  for ensigns, flags, hull numbers, and abrasive deck treads.  This kit offers to hull options, either full hull or waterline version.  Finally there are four small 1:350 scale figures for optional placement on the ship. Below you will find scanned images of the instruction sheets.

A Brief Ship History

The USS Laffey (DD-459) was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first destroyer named for Bartlett Laffey.

She was laid down 13 January 1941 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company, San Francisco, California; launched 30 October 1941; sponsored by Miss Eleanor G. Forgerty, granddaughter of Seaman Laffey; and commissioned 31 March 1942, Lieutenant Commander William E. Hank in command. She was lost in action on 13 November 1942.

Laffey saw her first fleet action in the Battle of Cape Esperance (also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island) on 11 and 12 October 1942. The destroyer operated with Admiral Norman Scott's cruiser group, guarding against enemy attempts to reinforce Guadalcanal.

After the battle, Laffey rendezvoused with a group escorting transports from Nouméa 11 November, and sailed to Lunga Point, arriving the next day.  On Friday 13 November 1942 Laffey was placed in the van of a column of eight destroyers and five cruisers under Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan. The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal was just about to begin when the Japanese force, a group of two battleships, one light cruiser and 14 destroyers,  Laffey lashed out at the enemy with gunfire and torpedoes.  Laffey fought the Japanese ships with the three remaining main battery guns in a no-quarter duel at point-blank range. She was hit by a 14-inch shell from Hiei. Then a torpedo in her fantail put Laffey out of action. As the order to abandon ship was passed, a violent explosion ripped the destroyer apart and she sank immediately with heavy loss of lives.

Laffey was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her performance in the South Pacific, and three battle stars for service in World War II.

Below are some other pictures I have found:

   

More work on Robby

I got back to work on Robby last night after a long lull.  I expect to get the first coat of paint on this weekend.