Review : AK's ''The Weathering Magazine'' Issue 2 - DUST

If you guys could recall, I made a post last month, reviwing one of the wonderful book published by a great company ( Link HERE  ). AK interactive has just release the 2nd issue of their '' Weathering Magazine '' and as soon as it hit the stores, I just jumped and bought 3 copies straight away ( the other 2 are for my friends if anybody wants any ). This 2nd issue is named '' DUST '' and was released in the third week of October. Because I was busy, I couldn't write a proper review until today so I do apologize for my delay in writing a review.

In this issue, Ak showed a even greater variety of methods (compare with Rust ) to apply dusts on a model, from heavily dusted helicopter in use in Afghanistan to a dusty and dirty figure, from simple trick as airbrushing on paint like Tamiya Tan to the complicated tricks of combining all the products ( washes, filters, pigments) to produce a ultra-realistic effect.

The magazine is printed on a very high quality glossy heavy paper, and is 63 pages in full color.

First you got this on the cover -

And once you turn the page, you are greeted with a wall of text from the chief editor himself ( I didn't take any photo of it, sorry ) ... and then after that, you will come to the contents

Again with the model but Im not really complaning about this one ... she's hot.. especially since she's holding a gun ( chicks + guns = hotness, u know hehehe )

and after that you will get straight into the first chapter -

'' Chopper Dusting '' is basically how an aircraft can get dirty when it is in service in a really really dusty and sandy area, in this case, a Black Hawk used by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ( Airborne ) in Afghanistan. In this chapter, AK showed step by step in using acrylic paints and enemal washes to create a well used aircraft operating in very dusty and sandy conditions. The chapter cover how to replicate dust sticking to the matt paint finish and how it collects on areas that are frequently lubricated with oils and greases.

In Chapter two '' Panzer Grey and Dust '' -

They talked about how to achieve a realistic dusty finish in on a tank. They took a Tiger I, somewhere in the eastern front, as a subject. They talk about how to acheive a various down of dusty finishes on the tank, and where dust would be thin  and where it would be thick. I found this chapter very useful and very good as most tanks would be dusty in this kind of way, espeically tanks operating in climates like the russian summer.

Chapter 3 '' Space dust '' is all about how a sci-fi model offer a wide range of weathering potential.

The chapter talks about how to achieve a fairly used space hardware, with space dust and everything in between. Since this is sci fi, creative potential is high and too many a option are avaiable but they chose to go not too over board with a ton of dust but instead, showed how to make a suitable layer of dust using a minium amount of materials.

I wouldn't actually say this article is a chapter since it is only one page but this is one page that seriously helped me. TBH, I knew how to apply a dusty finish by airbrusing acrylic paint on a model but never knew about using ENAMELS to make it. Now I do ...

They choose to use Humbrol for the article and they couldn't have choose a better paint for the job .

'' Mucking up a Merkava'' is the title for chapter 4 and in this one, they talk about how to achieve a really really dusty and dirt-filled, dirt-stained tank that have undergone extensive services and opereations by using ACTUAL dirt as one of the materials

I find this article very interesting and eye-catching and actually useful for modellers who aim to work on vehicles that have been used and abused in numerous operations and humid,dry and sandy climates.

Again, this is another article too short to be a chapter and this article is aimed for those diorama builders.

Titled '' Dusty Cobble Stone Road'', they talk about how to get a realistic dusty Stone road and not only just dust, they also talk about how to enhance the texture of the stones as well.  I really really like this article as they show how to acheive a nice dusty road in a matter of a few steps ( namely in 5 ) and with only 4 different materials.

Following this article is another Article for a diorama as well, with a title '' A dusty Diorama''.

What interesting about this article is that they actually used real sand ( fine sand ), real pebbles, some fibrous hairs ( don't ask me where they got the hairs from, that was the very first question I asked myself as well when I saw them ) and some dried lichen. Also to be of noted is the use a modelling clay as a base and for the sand to stick onto.

Chapter 5 '' Dust brings a tanker to life '' shows how some modellers forget to weather the crew figure according to the settings in which they weather their vehicles.

The chapter shows how to bring life to the figure using both enamel and acrylics for dust effects and how a figure weathered accordingly to the environment will add a ton of extra realism to the entire model or diorama.

The article following this is named ''Dusting Tiger Tracks '' which basically shows how to put on tracks on the tiger tank coverd in chapter two.

Quite a lot of materials is involved with this materials but the explanations are clear and easy to understand. Another great article that would be useful all the time if one if fond of making tanks ( like me ).

The next article to follow is an article named '' Airbrushing Dust and Dust Washes ''.

Basically, this is quite similar to the way we spray enamel and acrylics to produce a dusty finish but instead, they talk about using enemal washes and white spirit and another peculier instrument  ( namely a artist fibre pencil ) to get a nice dusty finish. This method has been covered in Chapter 2 as well but this article covers in details about this method.

For the next article, it is titled ''VK4502 Dust and Dirt'' and they talked about how they get the dirt and dust that covered the VK4502 that was featured in the very first issue's very first chapter.

To be of note in this article is the use of Modellling product such as AK's Gravel and Sand fixer, some leaves ( not the big ones, the diorama accesories ). This articles is more about how to get a dirt ( or clumps or dirt) effect on a vehicle instead of a dusty layer and how to fix it properly on the model.

The next articles is kind of a like a combination of everything that has been said previously ( I beleive).

Basically, this articles shows how to get dust and dirt effect using every weapon in a modeller's arsenal: acrylic, enemal, enamal washes, pigments, filters and other products such as AK wet effect fluids. A particular part that is of great interest ( to me that is ) is the part where they talk about how a heavily dusted surface makes a great base for the dried mud and how pigments, applied correctly, create a cool looking and ultra-realistic cracks in the dried and caked mud.

Following this is a section dedicated to a fine selection of real life reference photos, just like they did in the first issue.

After this, we come back to another Chapter, Chapter 6, titled '' Br39 Before and After ''. Basically this is a chapter that shows, in great details, how a locomotive can get dust and dirt with all the oil, greases and cargo on board. The model used is Rivarossi Analogic H0 scale br39.

This chapter shows how to achieve some uber realistic weathering effects without the need to disassemble any parts to change a toy looking mass-produced model locomotive into a real looking one.

The Final Chapter, Chapter 7 is named dusty ground and they showed how to make a dried and dusty diormama from the ground up and with dust and dirt effects on the DIORAMA instead of the model.

The example setting they choose was Tunisial; which is a landscape of not purely desert sand but also comprises of different types of soil,rocks and vegatation. Basically, this chapter talks about how to make a real life enviorment with different kind of shades of soil and type of pebbles and rocks.

This book is a must have in my opnion. Packed with invaluable techniques for recreating all manner of dusts and not to mention beautiful photos, detailed "how to" information, and containing real-life examples, too.


VERDICT - HIGHLY, EXTREMELY RECOMMENDED.

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Review : AK's ''The Weathering Magazine'' Issue 1- Rust

A month ago, I was reading the latest ( then) issue of SMMI- Scale Modelling Military International and my eyes falls on a advert. To be honest, there was a hot model in advert, wielding a welding-torch and looking all dirty and greasy and that caught my eye ( LOL ) so I read through the advert and I couldn't be more glad that I saw that advert.

It was a advert for a magazine, dedicated directly to weathering, and the publishers are no other then the famous AK interactive. The name of the magazine also caught my attention; the name was just pure and simple '' The Weathering Magazine''. So, as soon as I got back home from work, I did a little research about that said book and found some reviews and I felt like trying out the book myself. And boy oh boy, I was right to buy it.

This is what you see on the cover -



And, naturally, turning the cover, you will see the contents various ads and bits and bobs that you would normally see from a magazine.

The very first, you could say , Chapter comes into view like so -


Oviously, as you can see from the title, they showed a step by step process of how to rust a prototype tank that went trough trials and just abandoned and sitting in a corner of a factor ( Porsche's factory to be exact). This chapter deals with how to make rust streaks of various shapes and sizes and how accumlated rain drops, which leads to a pool, can rust metal products.

The 2nd chapter tells you how rust can happen and how to acheieve rust on a Bare steel body



The 3rd Chapter shows to acheive some hastily attached  armour without any paint on a vehicle can rust. This chapter also tells you how to achieve milling effect, complete worker's marking and wrting; the typical white chalk u would see on doors or frames when carpenters working on them, you know

The fouth Chapter depict how a railway car can undergo rust after prolong usage and exposed to the elements-


In the fifth one, you would see a chapter showing you how rust can occur on a ship currently in service and through heavy seas.


I find this chapter exceptionally useful because they cover almost everything in there, from paint fade to rusts from scratches made by the anchor, and also along the anchor chains.

The sixth one teach you how to make a ultra-realistic, three dimensional chip effects that is complete with rust forming in that chipped paint area.


This chapter is very, and I mean Very, interesting as well as it tells you how to achieve such realism by using pigments in a manner similar to the salt technique.

In the 7th one, you will see some simple steps how to achieve that old, used, metal fittings on furnitures, doors and so on so forth. In this case, the example is some metal fittings on some old barn doors.


In the next one, you will see how to naturally rust metal parts. Of cos, the rust process is sped up using some chemicals and in this one, AK promotes their own product ( naturally ) to show some easy and simple steps how real metal parts can be rusted. However, I have to give it to AK for not turning a blind eye on the other product as well, as they review other products which can naturally rust metals ( this is covered in a diferent chapter )


The 9th chapter shows you how easy it is to make some small, localized chip paint effects and rust streaks and rust effects from those chip paints. Apprently, all you need is a good eye and some proper colour.


In this chapter, you will see a step by step tutorial of how rust can occur on a modern vehicle. The title says ''Less is more'' and what they say in this chapter is that how one can achieve a great looking model with a moderate amount of effects.



Chapter 11 is titled '' Sand Blown Old Rusty Steel '' and it shows you how the adverse condition of the desert can rust away metallic .


You will find quite a number of references photos in chapter 12 and there are some descriptions on the photos that actually helps understanding the concept of rusting more.


Chapter 13 will shows you how an abandoned vehicle will slowly rust ups and how the rusts will show among the faded original colours of the body.


And last but not least, in this chapter, they talked about how each and every products and paints has their own use in rusting. They also reviews some of the products and give some shout-outs on which brand has which kind of rust colour and which brand's colour is better then which. Yes, I know what you are going to ask, what is that woman doing in there. To be honest, I don't have a clue, i guess AK deem it to put in as something to be eye catching or something, but quite strangely and frankly, Im don't really like their idea of putting in something like that.



This book is a must have in my opnion. The only draw back is those random appearces of those models ( as in, human, woman models ). I mean, if I wanted to see stuffs like this, I would have bought myself a Playboy mag. The price is not bad as well, for £8.99, you get a nice magazine, that actually, teach you how to do stuffs. Normally, ''how to '' modelling mags are around and above £15 (which I never bother buying cos of the price ).

VERDICT - HIGHLY, EXTREMELY RECOMMENDED.

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Why do we build model?

I have been thinking about this for quite some time and every time I think about this, even more follow up questions came up and I always become lost in thought and could never get an answer.  I don't really want to blog about this subject but a little small inconvenience happend with one of the winner of the Mecha Contest 2012 and the way he ''acted'' tempted me to make this blog post.

There's so many things I want to talk about regarding this issue; '' Why do we build models?? '' but let's talk about the d-bag who did that little inconvenience. I won't say who ( I could but I won' ) but he's one of the various winners of the mecha 2012. Long story short, just becase Ogami won 1st place in two category, he claimed that we weren't fair in our judging and blah blah blah and quit the forum, and said he will not accept any prizes.

The question of '' Why we build models ? '' have always been in my head and this guy actions just tempted me. Why do we even build models? Is it to win competation? Is modeling not one's hobby ? Is modelling something we do to pass our time? It modelling not a form of art, to be crafted, to be valued, to be appreciated by the amount of sweat,time and energy put into it ? What it is then ?

This ''hiccup '' with the winner is not the only reason I decided to blog about this. 5 years ago, when I first arrived to London from Burma, I got into modelling as soon as my sister gave me some allowance to buy models. I grew up with lego, by the time I came to London, I was 17 yet I was still making lego models, and for me, putting up things, watching something I'm building take form and come alive has been always a fascinating thing. Back then, even just snapping together a very very badly done 1/35 tank is enough for me, I would be happy. Obviously, I got into FB that same year and I had a chance to meet great modelling friends. We always chat about modeling, weathering and tanks and it was amazing, no elitism, no nothing .

2009, I got into gunpla and boy oh boy, I saw a great difference from the scale modelling world. People make so much of a great deal over something they buy with their own hard earned money to satisfy their creative side. '' Im better then you cos I can paint better '' .. '' no, im better then you cos I can do kick-ass mods '' ..... '' I do such great Scratch building that people regard me as a SB god '' .... What is this ?? What are all those ?? Is that even necessary ?

2010, December, I finished my first modded kit ( the Nataku ), I spent 9 months working on that single kit; yet, foolishly, I f**ked up the painting step and the finishing wasn't that great. OH MY GOD, some people really tore my ass off with the comments they give. Don't say that I cannot take feedback, I like feed back, thats how my current WIPs are much much more tidier then they used to be. Its just the sense of elitism that pisses me off.

I don't want to sound too contradicting so I will admit it, there are some really sucky works out there, I often do see them alot. And IF I do see them, if i don't have anything good at all to say, I don't say anything at all. If I think there's a feed back or two that I can give, I just post a comment like '' Good job finishing this but here is something or two that you can improve one; - seam lines .... blah blah so on so forth ''... I won't go there and say like your work is SHIT cos that would be insulting. I know and give respect to that fact that the as long as the modeler is happy with their own work, that's the end of it, period. Like I said, if we do not build models to satisfy our creative self, then what are we building for?

And recently, (but not too recently, say; these past months ), I have been reading up too much about weathering and finishing so that I can improve my finishing skills. The reason behind of me wanting so badly to improve my finishing skills is that quite a number of guys have said shit regarding my finishing ( no, not my friends ) and I was like '' F**k it, I'm gonna improve myself so that I can show them blah blah''. But then I realized I was wrong. I thought back to the time I started building AFVs, back then, Im just happy seeing my models sitting on my shelves, cabinet (even though back then, there will filled with brush strokes). Just because some idiots that I don't care about nor won't even have any impact in my life said shit about me, I shouldn't change my mindset over building. I have always thought building models is just for my own pleasure, but lately, it has become like a competition, this lingering thought in my head '' I must get better then those people '. So I have been asking myself '' Why do I build models ? Why do I sink all those money into those plastic if it is not for myself ?? '' but I know, I have known ever since I started, that I build models as a hobby, to enjoy myself, to pass free time in a good way and to make friends and comrades.


What about you guys, dear readers ?
What do you think ? Why do we even build models ?
Is it for our own satisfaction? or is it for other people to appreciate you?
Is it to win contest? Is it to gain Fame?
OR is it something else entirely ??

Foot note -
After talking to a comrade ( tember) about this blog post, I forgot to make a disclaimer; I didn't post this up just cos of some lame-ass things like some idiot ripping on my work or something. I just wanted to post some of my feelings and things I have been witnessing regarding the hobby and how people are so arrogant about it and why I see people spending more time arguing about who is better than actually spending time modeling or having fun.

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Winners of the 2012 Contest: Congrats to all the Winner!!!!

HELLO ALL ... and All HELLO ......

Welcome, yet again, to another one of my blog post. You guys must noticed why I have been postings a bit more actively then I used to be since I started working. The thing is, our hotel is changing company and the new company doesn't block bloggers, forums and some stuffs. And by 3 AM, I have nothing else to do so I have been blogging happily.. haha... ANYWAY,

I blogging today to announce the winner lists of the 2012 Mecha Contest. There have been a massive load of entries and everybody really gave their best and all of their works are beautiful. I don't wanna bore you guys out with my mumbling so, without further ado, I present to you, the Winners list :

OOBPAINTED:
1st: Timotao - PG STRIKE FREEDOM (LINK)
2nd: Enderwiggen - RG ZAKU II (LINK)
3rd: Caylen - 1/72 Armored Messiah (LINK)

MODIFIED PLASTIC:
1st: Mr gav - MG Sazabi (LINK)
2nd: Vanz - MG Zaku Cannon (LINK)
3rd: Blublek Studio - MG unicorn(LINK)

RESIN:
1st: Ogami - EVA-02 - The beast (LINK)
2nd: Substance - SMS 1/35 - Guerrilla Reconnaissance Unicorn Bust (LINK)
3rd: Vanz - MG 1/100 RX-78 GPO4 GERBERA resin kit (LINK)

DIORAMA:
1st: Ogami - EVA-02 - The beast (LINK)
2nd: Shiro11 - Char's Counter Attack Diorama (LINK)
3rd: ijoezel - Snow Bug Diorama (LINK)

CONCEPT:
1st: Dumpling - Sky Shrimp (LINK)
2nd: Enderwiggen - Junkbot (LINK)
3rd: Mokanaman - Hermóðr 'the messenger (LINK)

Here is a little video made by Kamm and Sneeper's to announce the winners and explaning how the prize system works -



And, I asume you all know about this already , the prize list doesn't stop there. Lets go on with the contributors choices -

Kamm's pick:
Aor or Die; Scratch build Jaguar -winner of a MG GNX (LINK)

Steve's pick:
Side out ; MG Zeta plus C1 custom -winner of MG Epyon (LINK)
Lollipop ; Custom Acguy -winner of Zoids Sabre Tiger red (LINK)

Hummingbird (yours truly) picks:
Tigrillo ;  custom 1/60 Exia-winner of  1/35 Leopard tank (LINK)
Kyoshiro21 ; custom color scheme MG Duel Gundam- winner of 1/35 chieftan tank (LINK)
P3TB ; MG GPO3 Diorama- winner of 1/35 Patton tank (LINK)
Substance ; MG Unicorn custom color- winner of 1/35 Sherman tank (LINK)

Tember Gundam's pick:
Mafo127 ; Mg OO gundam with resin conversion for XN raiser- winner of RG Aile strike (LINK)
P3tb ; Mg GP03 custom color- winner of the Mg wing gundam ver KA (LINK)

AOR or DIE's pick:
Berst ; custom Kitbash Gelgoog/ kshatriya- winner of Neograde Sinanju kit (LINK)

AND HERE IS THE RANDOM WINNERS LIST!!!!!!
SLIVER, I.M.P.A.O, DERX074, Angelsora, A.yue, galland, gunplanut, retroboy, Meadeslemicah, Blueturtlegirl76


And here is a little video from ''the'' master Mrozeks -

And another video from Gunplameister -

Well, There you go ... You have the entire list of all the winners and contributors choices. I hope all of you enjoy the contest as much as we have.

Congrats to all the winners!!!!!

Stay Tuned for more.

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A little something that Got into my mind!!

Hello Ladies And Gents.

Forgive me, as usual, for the lack of update on the blog as my rota has been a complete crap since the start of the olympic and I just don't get enough day off and so on , so forth; life catches up, you know.

Anyway, A little funny thingy happend today then I got to thinking and I figure I might as well blog about it.
Right, to say, what I want to say what's on my mind, I need to go in to deails.

About 5 months ago ( I think 5 months, maybe even more) , I unexpectedly aqquire a student, an apprentice, who goes by the name of LunarWorks ( check out his blog here ). He HAD a great deal of potential and being a sorely modding man myself, I couldn't help but comment and give feed back on this works and from then on, he regarded me as his sensei/teacher and we have been good comrades ever since, he asks me for ideas, I ask him for ideas and so on.

But, like everybody ( you, me, and alll the other great modelers), since he was just started modding, his works was not that good-looking, messy just like me  ( which I still am, LOL; yes, I admit it ) and his paint work is even worse, ( no offense Lunar, but I'm trying to make a point here ). Luckily, he aquired another Teacher, by the name of Harry ( one of the estemmed Admin over at Mecha Lounge), who is a superb painter with more then 5 years of modelling/painting experience, ( Harry was just in and out of building models but he's one awesome builder ). Since Then, Lunar's skill have rockted to the point that he has Surpass me ( no kidding )

And currently, he is having a build-off with another member within our forum ( you can check out the build-off thread here ) and as usual, he comes to me, to talk, feed-back etc, and today, he tagged me on the update photos on Facebook. Being a fan of his works, I always see if he has made any update on the forum and I have already checked his works on Mecha Lounge, So I dropped a Wall post on his profile to say that I am aware of it.

A few hours in the evening, a mutual friend of ours ( I will not say who as This post is not for attacking him or anybody at all ) came in and commented ''' Student Surprassing Teacher''. I was quite confused and kinda annoyed that he has to say such a thing, in a way that sound like he just wanted to offend me. Its probably is the Wording of his comment or probably my own misunderstanding but the truth, I do not know as I havn't actually talked to him directly about it yet.

Anyway, what he said made me think; I was thinking about it the whole way on my way to work. I am happy that my student/pupil/apprentice ( whatever you want to call him ) has surprassed me. I have noticed it as well and to be painfully honest, I am so happy.

I am a nobody, nothing in life nor in the modeling world. I cannot paint a decent job, I cannt build kits as tidy and clean as I hoped, if people like DC23, toymakers are at level 99, I am at 6-7, max. But, the knowledge of actually passing down my skills ( whatever level they amount to)  to somebody and see that somebody really grow and level up really makes me happy.

To me, modelling is a passion, more so then a simple Hobby. My life is not settled, I may have to take a long break or even quite the hobby as a whole as things stand. Before, I always thought I am gonna leave something I can be proud of IF I had to quite the hobby; I was thinking about leaving some epic work like Julius Lim Mk-II FA or something. But now, I realized, its my pupil.

I mean, to give a nameless modeler like me a chance to become his teacher, a chance to help him is a great thing he did for me. ( Think about it, any normal person would want somebody like DC or Toymaker or Erix98 to be their teacher ). Back in high school, my home room teacher talked about how teacher geniunely wants their pupils to be better then they are, to know even more then they know, and that they will always be proud of their pupil. I realize it now what she was talking about.

To be honest, I was like '' WTF??'' when I saw the comment but like I said, I had some thinking time, did some thinking and I realized, how damn happy I am. Student surprassing teacher will always happen ( just look at Naruto, he's even more powerful then Jiraiya now ) and I am damn proud of my student making superb mods and taking over the mantel. And I want him to grow more, that's why I just set up a Show-down build between me, him and another master Scratch builder, ( no other then ) ThelmosEngine. ThelmosEngine is like me, when he mods, he always think about functionality and purpose in the mods and design he does. Lunarworks is also following in that direction, as evident from the latest update he made on the Spallow.

All in All, this '' little something that got into my mind'', guys, is that I am so happy to have a pupil that have the potential to surpasss me and I am proud, as a teacher, that he has been making kick-ass Mods and also, thank you so very much Lunar, for giving me a chance to be your teacher.

Thank you so much and keep on churning out these great works, Lunar......

and Thank you, dear readers, for always supporting me, my works and my blog posts.
and also, Please do check out LunarWorks blog and give him your supprots as well. Thank you..

As usual, Stay Tuned for more

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Life as a Plastic Widow - Resharing a friend's Article

I have been meaning to re share this particular article my teacher (sensei)'s wife wrote some times ago. I believe this is a good read and something that all the modellers and their wife/girlfriends should read as well.

When I read this article, I felt nothing but envy for my teacher ( Chris Bryan) for how lucky he is to have such a supportive wife, a wife who not only support but also encourage modelling.

And after reading this, I felt I have to share this as AFV modelling is not really toy like, as evidenly, fighting vehicles are not toys. But When it comes to gundam modelling, or sometimes the mini figures or resin figures, we are looked down upon, frowned upon and smirked upon as guys in their 20s,30s still playing with toys.

And every time I see or hear something like that, I feel really bad. One of my ex-girlfriends never supported my hobby and back then, I felt like S**T so I know to a certain extent how that feels like. After reading this article, I figure I should share it for the many other ''Plastic Widows'' ,as Mrs. Bryan (the Autor)  put it, that they will know this is a hobby worth supporting, this is a hobby that is not harmful and this is a hobby that is not kid's stuff.

Life as a Plastic Widow

by
Lorelei Bryan

My husband and I were enjoying the rare treat of having dinner out alone; (rare because we have two teenage daughters at home and one grown daughter who lives a half mile away).    I was deriving great pleasure from the time alone as well as from the stimulating adult conversation.   One of the things I have always loved about my husband is his ability to carry on an intellectual conversation on nearly any subject imaginable.
He is well read and well informed so the potential topics of conversation are virtually limitless.  We were discussing, without interruption from the children or the dog, everything from the state of the plants in the yard to the state of the world.  We had just begun a fascinating dialogue on the ozone layer and global warming when…the inevitable occurred.  The conversation suddenly turned to plastic.
Yes, it’s true.  I am a “Plastic Widow.”  My husband is an avid modeler and this means that every aspect of our lives is somehow connected to modeling and, hence, to plastic.
Never heard of a Plastic Widow?  Oh come, now.  Certainly you are familiar with Football Widows, Basketball Widows, or Hockey Widows?  These terms refer to the wives or girlfriends of men who are so obsessed with these sports that they have had to make allowances for their husbands’ passion in their lives and homes in order to keep the relationship in existence.  A Plastic Widow endures the same fate with the exception that, instead of sharing her husband’s attention with sporting events, she shares her husband with his undying devotion to modeling.
Most of us know that our husbands are plastic junkies long before they become our husbands. If this is the case, we have no one to blame but ourselves for our predicament.  We knew what we were getting into.  For instance:
*Plastic knows no season; there will be modeling year round.
*We will be shown each piece at each stage and expected to say, “Wow!” and marvel at his craftsmanship.
*We might as well add plastic, glue, and paint to the budget.  It will be purchased; resistance is futile.
*We must lower our expectations of organization.  It’s not a mess, it’s a project.
*There are hobby shops in every vacation spot you may visit.
*There will be shows and competitions at which we will stand around and…well…stand around.
*Plastic junkies are afflicted with “modeler’s disease.”  They buy far more kits than they will ever build.  There is no cure
and they wouldn’t’t take it if there was one.
And last, but not least, every single topic of conversation can and will be related, in some way, shape, or form, to plastic modeling.
That reminds me…wondering how a discussion on global warming morphed into a conversation about plastic?  Any Plastic Widow knows that this was actually a short trip.  Global warming is responsible for the deterioration of the ozone layer.  The depletion of the ozone layer has led to scientific research on methods of producing plastic that are more environmentally friendly.  Implementation of these new methods of production will cost the model companies more and, consequently, the increase will be passed on to the consumer and the price of model kits will go up.  So, it stands to reason that global warming is responsible for the rising cost of the tools of the trade for our passionate modelers.  Any questions?
While all of this may sound rather overwhelming, the true Plastic Widow knows that, while his eyes may light up at the sight of ’78 Corvette Sport Coupe or a Panzer Battalion Series kit, his heart still beats for the woman who stands by him as the winners are called out at the show.  He knows that she is the one who will be beaming with pride when he is handed the award or the one who will tell him how his piece was much better and should have won when his name is passed over.  She is his biggest fan and his sounding board.  She pretends to understand what he explains about his plans for his next build.

The Plastic Widow is a woman who loves a man who loves to model. If she is wise, she will use this to her advantage.  Remember…for every kit or supply of paint, every bottle of glue or package of after-market supplies that is purchased, therein lies leverage for that pair of shoes, that new outfit, or that dinner out that of which she has been dreaming. Of course, the conversation during dinner will always turn to plastic, but, hey, we Plastic Widows knew that would happen all along.  We’re used to it.

————–

The Bird would like to thank Lorelei Bryan and Chris Bryan for the kind permission to publish this cool article!

And to all the modelers that is facing the same kind of crap that All of us are facing from time to time, just keep your head high, and keep showing off your creativity.

For people who knows not the true meaning of creativiy are nothing but pitiful people, unable to taste art, taste creativity and are thus, simply jealous of us for what they cannot do.

Keep on modelling, dear Modelers and to all those singles modellers out there, just show this to girls and let them know how much they can take advantages of us - http://modeller-innovation.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/date-guy-who-builds-model-kits.html 

And girls, if you have any boyfriends who is a modeler, just be proud of what your boyfriend can do for not all people are creative.

Happy modelling guys....

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2012... It has come to an end ..........

After  7 long months, The 2012 MECHA Contest is finally closed. With 5 categories , it is not surprising there have been lots of awesome masterpieces that were submitted for the contest in each Category. 


As one of the prize member of the contest, I cannot give my feedback until the official results have been released by the judges. We will do our best to proceed with the judging as quickly as possible so in the mean time, I would like to ask everybody who have shown interest, entered, supported to be patient. 


As you all are aware, there are tons of exciting prizes, just around the corner, waiting the lucky winners.What are those prizes..? Check out and visit '' THE MECHA LOUNGE '' to find out more. 

In the mean time, you can go and check out the entries yourself, by going to the ''Mecha Lounge'' 2012 contest submission PAGE . 

To peak your curiosity, let me share what one of our judge and admin of Mecha Lounge, an awesome modeler who goes by the name of DECAY, the decaying modeler, has done - 

Entries of the Diorama Category

Entries of the OOB Painted Category

Entries of the Modified Category

Entries of the Concept Category

Entries of the Resin Category

As you can see, there are a tone of cool stuffs submitted and I hope everybody involved in this is as excited as our ML staffs and the judging team.

To all participants..in behalf of the ''ML ADMINS AND STAFFS'' ...

WE thank you all!! Thank you so much for overwhelming love and support!!

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2012 Mecha Contest Entry: Legend Gundam Part 9

Hey peeps.. I am terribly sorry for my lack of update ..... Why no update u ask?? well, this should explains it - A Modeller's Innovation: Why The Bird Has been InActive lately

Well, For what its worth, I have an update for all my comrades, seniors and juniors.... had to squeeze what amout of free time I have to steadily push forward to the completion of this kit ...
When I left off, I left off right where I was building the back pack yes? So lets just start from there - I made up a mock up for you guys last time, which is this - 

so, I now have to start making up the dragoons attachment binders. This was done by first, stacking plates like so -



And after brain-storming and digging into two of my spare parts boxes - I achieved this 



The little black thingys are from the original backpack, cut off from the round thingy and closed on the sides with some plates. The yellow part is from my FG Kyrios ... and the little angled parts is the knee armor of my HG S gundam .
If you look to the right, you will see a rod (sprue) sticking out... That is put in there so that I can attach the binders into my main backpack -Which are these two- 



As you see, I already demonstrated there where those runners will go.. And then, I made some vents for those two parts and glue it on -



The binders are put on to see if there is any restriction of movement ....and once put together, they can do this -

And if it is not being used, they can be folded back and stored like this -

Now I really love this one as I really hated the overly large round original back pack.. but this, me likey.. (LOL).. 
And I never liked the original gun.. its too long and just too cumbersome...  so I made a better version ... Still in progress though-

And as you all know, when it comes to detailing, I suck, so I tried my best to do what I can for the details -

I asked my friends around and they said I there is already enough plates and that I should start putting in panel lines .. SO here it is - 

I also put some on the feet as well -

and some on the thighs ( I REALLY NEED TO DO MORE CLEAN UP ON THE THIGHS ''sigh '' )

Following up on the head with my usual way of covering up seams- 

I was looking around and I found the shoulder flap ''bare'' so I decided to put some bits and bots there -

AND this is how it looks now in its primed stage-

I only have to do MORE( a lot MORE) clean up and add details and bits and bots and we are done... ( I think)..

AND I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THAT I AM AWARE OF THE CLEAN UPS

I'm sorry I can't do any more ''big'' update ... Im not rushing but Im kinda running on fumes on this one so these would be all the major works on this... 
As usual, thank to you all for the support and reading..... 
Stay Tuned 

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