popeye the sailor

nice job so far Jack........I don't do enough armor.  am I rubbing off on you?...........see.....it's kinda fun to research the production dates of older models.  it can get interesting when you can trace the same kit from company to company.........the 1:72 Stuka kits I built has been produced by at least three different companies!  I've seen this kit on oldmodelkits..........Alan has quite a selection to choose from    I look on scale Hobbist to check out the time lines.  it shows how many time the molds changed hands  
 
look'in good !  

I thought the same thing Mike.......I'd see these kits on a shelf,  and walk away thinking that I could never do something like that.   that mentality stayed with me until I got a Nordkap kit put in front of me.   the kit wasn't even laser cut.....it had been in an attic for around 30 years.  I knew the gent,  an older co worker.......and he gave it to me.......everything!   for fun,  I looked up the kit and the cost of it.......I was astounded!
     I had zero experience......I was working on a Revell Cutty 1:96 {what got me into this predicament in the first place}.  here is what I started with:
 

 
I found the link for Billing USA......that's when I met Tom Richardson.   this gentleman felt bad and kinda tried to talk me out of it,  for fear that I would get discouraged and shy away from the hobby.  but I assured him that it wasn't going to happen.....I was build'in this bad boy!   it all boils down to....the desire.   I wasn't worried about mistakes......I made a lot of 'em!  I did a build log on blogger........if anyone wants the link...just ask     in the log,  I wrote about everything.....even the mistakes.  in the end,  I knew it would be worth it........any newbie reading it can {and could} relate any of my mistakes to any kit there is out there.  Tom helped me out a lot......I wrote the log for him.   when I found this site....well,  that's when all hell broke loose......I'm a certified wood nut now!   this site.......YOU PEOPLE.......are awesome....I learned so much,  and I continue to do so today.  I'm no expert.....but I know how to glue two sticks together      
 
today........I have build logs on Blogger and word press {wenzels wharf,  popeyesquadron,  and popeyesgarage}   I continue to write these logs......any model that crosses my table is fair game.   to me......I don't care what kit it is....it will seem impossible to a person just getting into the hobby.   build it.......don't hesitate.   no matter what happens.....no matter how it looks.....build it.  the experience you glean from it,  will enhance your second build ten fold!  we all have our learning curve.......the desire.....and a good 'can do' attitude.....you'll rise above it....you'll git 'er done!
 

 
I even did some bash and scratch stuff to her
 

that looks to be one busy model!  I have a small collection of Billings catalogs and I've not seen one pictured.  {you've peaked my interest   }  where did you find the drawings?  look'in forward in seeing your progress!  

that is a splendid model Jack!  very well done    I do believe there is a site where you can get 'eye decals'..............I recall seeing them, but I can't place where {no pun}.   a good place to start would be military figures. 

nice work!  gee, you could do a 'Walking Dead' scenario with these guys.  very nice work indeed!  

nice job so far Jack........I don't do enough armor.  am I rubbing off on you?...........see.....it's kinda fun to research the production dates of older models.  it can get interesting when you can trace the same kit from company to company.........the 1:72 Stuka kits I built has been produced by at least three different companies!  I've seen this kit on oldmodelkits..........Alan has quite a selection to choose from    I look on scale Hobbist to check out the time lines.  it shows how many time the molds changed hands  
 
look'in good !  

nice job so far Jack........I don't do enough armor.  am I rubbing off on you?...........see.....it's kinda fun to research the production dates of older models.  it can get interesting when you can trace the same kit from company to company.........the 1:72 Stuka kits I built has been produced by at least three different companies!  I've seen this kit on oldmodelkits..........Alan has quite a selection to choose from    I look on scale Hobbist to check out the time lines.  it shows how many time the molds changed hands  
 
look'in good !  

nice job so far Jack........I don't do enough armor.  am I rubbing off on you?...........see.....it's kinda fun to research the production dates of older models.  it can get interesting when you can trace the same kit from company to company.........the 1:72 Stuka kits I built has been produced by at least three different companies!  I've seen this kit on oldmodelkits..........Alan has quite a selection to choose from    I look on scale Hobbist to check out the time lines.  it shows how many time the molds changed hands  
 
look'in good !  

nice job so far Jack........I don't do enough armor.  am I rubbing off on you?...........see.....it's kinda fun to research the production dates of older models.  it can get interesting when you can trace the same kit from company to company.........the 1:72 Stuka kits I built has been produced by at least three different companies!  I've seen this kit on oldmodelkits..........Alan has quite a selection to choose from    I look on scale Hobbist to check out the time lines.  it shows how many time the molds changed hands  
 
look'in good !  

Looking very nice Jack
Alan

First coat of Vallejo Dark Green, airbrushed on.
 
⁸
 
Now to find where I stashed my Badger fine needles/tips from my previous years of modeling armor so I can do some shading, etc. I just hope I can remember how I used to do it  😉🤔🤫. Some parts will be hand painted and/or dry brushed. Still have the 3 figures that were included to do. 

This is a 50 year old kit a cording to date engraved on sprues.  The detail is very sharp, and no flash to clean up. 
 

That looks very nice and neat Jack. Some lovely detail there. This is a new AFV to me so its great to learn about it.
Alan

Tamiya rattle can.  Yes, it dries to a semi smooth (gloss) finish.
 

Did you do your primer from a rattle can or from your airbrush? It laid down super smooth. Nice job, Jack.

Looking good!

Assembly complete.  Applied a coat of Tamiya Fine Scale grey primer.
 

Actually Hobby Lobby was having a clearance sale, looked like they were rearranging merchandise aisle and were getting rid of some kits. According to the engravings on the sprues this kit was produced in 1973. 

The parents of one of my best friends from junior high school days used to drive new Cadillacs. They would drive us over to Daytona Beach for the weekends where we spent many hours on the boardwalk, riding the rides and playing the games of chance. I always thought riding in those Cadillacs was a big deal back then. They went down the road super smooth, quiet, and the air conditioning was superb. My oldest brother had several convertible Caddys down through time. They rode the best of them all because they weighed more. Super smooth rides.
 
I bought the same M-41 kit just to get the turret mounted .50 caliber machine gun from it, which I used on an Israeli Sherman tank. One day I should find another .50 cal to replace the one I stole then build my M-41, too. Looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.

Nah according to the troops it was assigned to, it was too cramped inside, the crew had no room to be human....  {chuckle}

Not a big seller for Tamiya, that's why it costs so little, but it's the only real game in town for that particular model.... It's pretty accurate and cleanly molded...
 
Would benefit from aftermarket tracks though, T91E3 Workable Track Links 1-35 AFV Club
 
It's had an undistinguished career as a tank, designed to be a light recon tank, but sized more like a medium tank, it never really fulfilled either role well... After the initial issue to US troops, (who didn't like it) the remainder of production was sent to foreign allies....
Aside from Vietnam where the bulk of it's combat history took place with the ARVN, (who loved it) it's only real combat capabilities were revealed in the CIA backed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, 8 of the 16 tanks landed held off three companies of T-34-85's in the only successful incursion off the beach, they eventually ran out of ammo and were destroyed or forced to surrender, the other 8 were abandoned on the beach...
 
It was a good tank, but by the time it was being issued, the whole concept of heavy, medium & light tanks was passe'.... The Main Battle Tank concept was being developed along with the M-48 Patton....
 
I'm down brother...
 
 

I wouldn't know  @CDW , was never a big fan of Cadillac cars! But then in my youth my buddies always told me a Cadillac drove like a tank. 😉😊😇
 
But I can say this is by far the simplest tank kit I've built. There are no interior details to mess with, everything is exterior. And true to Tamiya standards, no flash, no ill fitting part, superb detail in the exterior castings. A great kit for a beginner modeler. Other than painting it olive drab green when I finish assembling, I haven’t decide on how much, if any, weathering I want to do. It does have 3 figures which will be a challenge to paint. 

The M41 was made by Cadillac. Wonder if it was as comfortable inside as a Cadillac? 😀

Nice bargain, Jack. I'll be following. 😄

Of the 3 or 4 armor kits in my stash I decided to start with the latest acquisition,  the Tamiya M41 Walker Bulldog which I picked up in Hobby Lobby for a ridiculously low price of $13.  This is a remarkably simple kit to assemble. Painting it will be fun. It come with decals for 3 variants, 1 WWII US and 2 Japanese Defense Forces. I'm going to do the US markings.
 
The obligatory box art and contents
 

 
And the beginning assembly progress.