MODELKIT WORKSHOP

Airsoft : KJ Works Sig Sauer P-226 - P226 KJW

2012-01-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

Another Cybershit RE boxed... Please read the "marketing" text on the box... These jerks are taking us for complete idiots... Never take in consideration what is written on the Cybercrap boxes... It doesn't means that the inside is bad quality, but it means that you are paying too much money for it to these people for doing nothing...
I hate Cybersuck and their way to control the market and the consumers...

Of course as most of you already know, this is the KJ Works Sig Sauer P226 in olive drab finish, another of my cheap airsoft pistols. I was pleased with my Glocks, G-17 and G-32, but... It was half ABS plastic and half metal (Zamac). Yes it is OK because the real thing is also a mix of synthetic and steel...
But I do not really like that, on a design point of view... So I went back to my airsoft store, to get a full metal replica, but then I saw the Colt 2009 Rail Concept KJW, I could not resist... I never had a CO2 semi automatic pistol before... So OK, I learned about my 45 had a lot of fun with it, but I still did not have a full métal GBB... So ! I went back to my store again, and asked for a full metal replica, I did not care about the model, or the brand, as it is not too expensive. (I love Inokatsu replica, but I'll never pay around 1000euro for a replica... It is a beautiful toy but at that price even full steel, this is insane...).
The Olive drab finish was "OK", not realistic, because it is just a coat of "green paint", nothing to do with a real "parkerized finish".
This model is a variant of the KP-01 with an extended barrel to add a "sound suppressor"...
I know... It is ridiculous to pretend to reduce the sound of and "airsoft"... But OK, I wanted to know and to see how it looks like ? It reminds me the ones who are proud of the "real kick" of their airsoft... What are we talking about??? Lets be honest, it is just fun to see mobile parts moving, and feel that something is happening when you shoot... But please... "Kick" ?!?!? Try to stay at 1 meter of a 44mag or a 50AE with eye and ear protection, even without shooting yourself, just stay beside at 1meter... You will feel the shock wave, the blast, the heat, and the noise... You will never talk about kick for an airsoft anymore... I know that you can't compare, airsoft and real stuff, because the final purpose is different. But I can not stand these young jerks, talking about their "airsoft weapons", most of them or not even 18...
This is just a replica with a few joules only...
A few joules can hurt for sure, so that's why all safety rules must be applied to airsoft too. But I have seen many noobs, handling their airsoft careless about any safety... So they get used to something that looks like a gun, they believe they can handle a real weapon like they handle their replicas... If one day they have the opportunity to touch a real weapon... Bang ! You're dead... Or severely wounded...

But OK... I stop talking bullshit, and complain... Let's go back to this "airsoft" !

The global shape is close to the original, the "decocking" and "slide stop" lever are in steel... The extended barrel without sound suppressor doesn't look nice, but I can replace it later if necessary.
The olive drab finish is too "bright", it should be "mat", and the more I shoot, the more I clean it, brighter it gets...
There is nothing to do about that...
I could polish it later when it will be more damaged and use some Aluma-Hyde or Duracoat spray paint, but bye-bye painted brand markings...

The magazine is "black", after a few magazines, during my first shooting session, I had a leak at the bottom of the magazine... Ok... Get back to the shop... Start complain... Blabla... Waste my time !!!
I do not care about the warranty on these Taïwanese craps, and anyway, you can be sure that the seller will pretend that I did something wrong... And he never saw that before... BULLSHIT !
But me ? I've seen this before ! And I have a lot of "O ring" in stock... So I dismantled the bottom of the magazine, which is maintained by two steel rods, I do not like this system at all, the G-32 (from KJW too), is using a long screw, that is more practical and reduce a lot the risk of leak.
As usual the "O ring" had taken a "squared shape", and gets harder because of the huge changes in temperature... I found another "O'ring" of the same diameter, put it in place, place back the bottom... And this is where the fun begins... Put back the 2 rods was not easy at all with only two hands... But I managed to finish the job without damaging the magazine (it was new and I want it to still "looks new").
I refilled the Magazine again, and no leak anymore! Since then no problem!

You cab see on these angles that the "olive drab" finish looks a bit "cheap".

The sight is the "three-dot" type, it is OK for combat, but I do not like it for accuracy shooting on paper targets.

The markings on the grip are engraved and clean.

I use a "Viper" universal thigh holster, it is cheap and "reliable" for airsoft practice, the price/quality is OK.

This is a small suppressor (just for the fun and the look).

This is a larger suppressor, that I usually place on my M4, the look is really nice, but its diameter is too large and it comes in front of the sight, for a human body target at 15 meters, it is still not a problem to hit, even without the sight...

I have used many types of gas, pretended "green gas"... In fact basic propane mixed with silicon oil and with a different perfume. I bought this "Walther" branded bottle recently, we will see.
I used 0,25gr BB, I think that 0,20 is too light for a GBB, 0,30gr is too heavy, I use 0,30gr for the sniper rifle only.
I'll do my accuracy and chrony tests as soon as I have my own chrony.

As usual, here is the exploded views, first the barrel.

Then the slide.

And the frame.

Airsoft : ASG Glock G-17

2012-01-21T13:58:00.000-08:00

This is the airsoft replica of the Glock 17, the original is in 9X19mm, of course this Gas Blow Back pistol is using 6mm BBs.
This one doesn't have the original markings (license issue), but I do not care.
The black finish of the slide, the barrel and the magazine, seems more fragile than the KJW G32c, after a few shots, I noticed that the slide turned gray, and was covered with "black dust" coming from the black finish, I cleaned it because the silicon oil, that I use as lubricant, was mixed with this abrasive dust (remains of paint).

The more I shot and the more "stable" it gets, after each cleaning it became black again.
I do not have a "chrony" to test the average speed, I'll do this with friends, next summer in the garden, with an accuracy test at a longer range.

The proportions are really nice, I'm not a fan of the Glock type pistols, but I have to admit how effective the real ones are, and of course I recognize the commercial success of the Glock around the world, with special forces, police and army.

The lack of markings on the slide, could be a problem for the "kid", who really believes that he owns a "Glock fom Austria"...
When everybody knows this is just a crap from Taiwan or China... I think that in this case the "design" is "improved", and gives a minimalist aspect to this plastic and zamac toy.

The grip is like the real one, it looks like a "heavy sand paper", but in fact this is one of the most comfortable pistol to shoot with, the angle of the grip and the slide is just "perfect", it reminds me the "Luger", that is one of the most brilliant designed pistol ever.

Sadly, "they" decided to put some white markings on the right side of the slide...

There is a cover at the bottom of the magazine, it must be removed, to fill it with gas... I thought this was "annoying", so I drilled a hole in front of the valve (not visible at that time when I took the picture).

There is a "tactical rail" underneath the barrel, where you can add a laser, or a light or whatever...

They supply two accessories, one to ease the filling of the magazine, the other is to set up the "HopUp", which is around the "entrance" of the "chamber".

Here is the "HopUp" system accessible form the window of the slide.

The magazine has a very practical "little function", you can "lock down the elevator", this makes the BBs filling really faster.

This is a quick "family" picture of some of my Glocks, the first (on the left), is an Italian crap, 8mm blank pistol (Bruni), I think I bought it 15 years ago... Do not ask me why... Guns fanatics have many stupid, impulsive, reactions in front of a new toy...
The one in the center is the ASG G-17, and the third (on the right) is the KJW G-36c (compact), it is not "obvious" on this picture.

Here is the exploded view of this Glock replica.

NON FIRING REPLICA (Metal) : Winchester M 1897

2011-12-12T03:11:00.000-08:00

This is the MGC (Model Gun Corporation) replica of the Winchester 12 gauge pump shotgun Model 1897. The look is fine the wooden stock is in good condition. The barrel in (zamac) is gloss black, the frame is in a dark steel color, the magazine tube is in steel an blued. Apparently you could still find recently an upgraded version of this rifle from Tanaka at modelguns-worldwide.com
The finish of these recent models are really nice, but remember that they replaced some metal parts with ABS plastic...

On the side, it is mentioned "Model 1897 Shotgun", and U.S. on the frame.

The front of the rifle looks impressive, as most shotgun rifles.

The hammer is external, this is typical to this 1897 model.

The markings on the top of the barrel are :
Safety device shotgun model designed by apr. 28. 1975 Manufactured by Modelgun Corporation Tokyo Japan.
And the MGC logo of course.
The 28 of April 1975 ! That's an accurate information... Before or after lunch ?
Anyway it gives you the information of the start of the production time for this replica. I remember buying this one end of the 80's.

I remember also that I have replaced the screws maintaining the rear plate of the wooden stock, and I erased the MGC logo, that was in "relief".

Based on pictures, I've added a serial number on the frame and an arsenal number on the stock

Actioning the pump will push a Dummy cartridge in the frame, moving the pump forward will raise and will load the cartridge in the chamber (not really in fact, but it is very complicated to explain... And it is linked to the use of Caps in "firing mode" with the appropriate dummies).

My dummies are in red plastic, the chrome of the base of the cartridge is quite fragile, and some chrome chips went away with time...

Other non firing replica : MGC Colt XM 177 - AR15 Commando
Other non firing replica : RMI Colt 1911 A1 45 acp

NON FIRING REPLICA (Metal) : MGC Colt XM 177 - AR15 Commando

2011-12-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

Here is the MGC 5 (Model Gun Corporation) replica of the XM177 (of the 70's). You can see some of these replicas in the movie: "Full metal jacket" From S. Kubrick. It is in metal (zamac) like the RMI 1911A1. You can still find some of these models (even cap firing, but improved) at modelguns-worldwide.com It seems that the production and distribution is not regular, if you see a model and if you want it, you'd better be fast... But be cautious too, today some models are partially in abs plastic and zamac...
And the price is totally insane ! Ok it is collector, but you can find excellent full metal airsoft replicas, for half of this price... But.. Ok ! The purpose is different, I can not judge...

This model is in three tones, black, dark metal and blue steel.

This is not a perfect replica, but the overall shape is ok

Of course the markings, at that time, had nothing to do with the reality...
But you can see that it was "made in japan", when the Japanese toys invaded europe in the 70's, everybody complains of course, and after the japanese crisis, most of the Japanese productions were delocalized, and today Made in Japan is a sign of the past...

You can load a dummy cartridge in the chamber, and eject it, the system was created for caps blowback use. But I never saw it working on this model, again, go on the website modelguns-worldwide.com to see more videos.

The bolt carrier is not realistic, the loading and ejecting is working well, but visually, they could have done a better job...

The 223 dummy cartridges are not as realistic as the 45 ACP ones...
The magazine has a very nice blue finish, it is not compatible with the real one.
You can not load real 223 ammo in the replica of course.

The two magazines, replica and real, look really close, but can not be exchanged.

Other non firing replica : Winchester M 1897
Other non firing replica : RMI Colt 1911 A1 45 acp

NON FIRING REPLICA (Metal) : RMI Colt 1911 A1 45 acp

2011-12-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

In the early eighties, I started to collect, weapons replicas. At that time
the best replicas were coming from japan, I still own some of these replicas, I sold most of them 10 years ago...
Apparently there are still some enthusiasts of these heavy zamac replicas (Mainly in countries were gun control is "drastic"). Of course today the nice blow-back airsoft guns are more attractive, You can have the look and the pleasure to shoot inside, without any inconvenient, but I though that it could be fun to mention this "era" of the replicas, just before the triumph of modern airsofts.
The name zamak is an acronym of the German names for the metals of which the alloys are composed: zink (zinc), aluminium, magnesium and kupfer (copper).
Zamak can be electroplated, wet painted, and chromate conversion coated well.
One of my main concerns about these replicas was the black finish, and the very irregular surface treatments.

These models can be handled and dismantled quite like the original. There was also some models firing dummy cartridges using caps, the "blow back effect" was therefore functional.
But the mechanism use to get dirty very quickly and it starts to jam soon...
I have just found that some models are still produced and the quality seems to have been really improved and according to the videos the blow back effect today is working very well...
Watch here : http://www.modelguns-worldwide.com/modelgun_videos.htm

The slide can move and load a dummy cartridge in the chamber. Of course the gun barrel is "blocked" and can not be modified to shoot real amunitions.
The main parts, like the frame and the slide have been weakened to guarantee the destruction of the gun using blank or real cartridges.

You can see here the irregular surface treatment... I remember that I use to customize some models, by polishing them completely, the result was cool, but zamac gets oxided very quickly, I had to polish them frequently, to keep a realistic shine, and not a silver gray that looks like nothing real...

Moving the slide was fun (at that time) and the sound it makes was quite realistic.
I think that some of these replicas were used in theater and movie industry when no real shooting was necesary, I remember an episode of Columbo (of the 70's...) where you can see a room with some props, and a lot of RMI boxes...

Some people exhibit their collection of replica as a decorative element in their house.
Some spanish factories still produce zamac replicas but nothing to do with the japanese "quality".

Here is the view of a 1911 A1 partially disassembled. For the ones who know the original, you can see that it was "interesting" for a young "noob" like me to handle something that looks like a real 1911 without any danger or paperwork...

The magazines (in steel) had a very nice finish, sometime better than the originals...
But of course the dimensions were slightly different, to avoid mixing parts with a real pistol.

The brass dummies look like hollow points (why not?) the proportions were OK...

There was a more luxurious version, with a nickel finish, the surfaces were better polished, cover with copper and then nickel (using an electrolytic process), the effect is mirror, with a light yellow tint (not gold, but not chrome... I would say in between).
This one was... IS, still very realistic

I remember that I have learned how to use resin polymer casting, to duplicate some "ivory" style grips, this one is one of my copies of an eagle engraved grip. I filled the engrave areas with enamel black, the result is still very nice 20 years after...

It was fun to remember this collection, I will try to post more about "Non Firing replicas", I think I still have a few models, 3 1911A1, 1 Colt SAA, 1 P38, 1 S&W 357 K frame 6 inches, 1 P08 Luger (to be fixed), 1 Winchester 1897 trench gun, 1 Ar 15 commando (XM177 Vietnam). Maybe more... I'll check...

Other non firing replica : Winchester M 1897
Other non firing replica : MGC Colt XM 177 - AR15 Commando

Star Wars Collection : Imperial TIE Fighter (2003)

2011-11-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

Hasbro (Bye Bye Kenner)
"Scale" : Made for 3-3/4" figures.

This is the last of my "midget" standard TIE Fighter...
They made more improvements, that we will review here, but...
It still looks "ridiculous" (small solar arrays).
I had the same problem with the X-wing, the first one was a caricature...
As a kid, I was not interested by the models with strange proportions
OK today I've got them all... And in many variations... But the reason is that I'm insane... like many other crazy geek or collectors.

So, this one again is in MINT condition, The box is "modern", I mean that you see the toy through the plastic window. The reason is that you can watch the object on the shelves of the shop (yes, remember! Some years ago we were supposed to "GO" shopping, meet people, order things and be very patient sometimes... yes, yes the world was crazy... Today you "clic", after 10 minutes you complain, and you never move your ass anymore of course...)
The other reason, is that the collectors can store their precious little crap and be able to look at them without opening the box. NEVER OPEN THE BOX !

That's how I realized my illness, and my addiction, these things are only toys, not a piece of art...
"They" produce these "wonders", to be a collector Item immediately, the price is "collector" also of course... This is stupid... Where is the pleasure to search, gather information and share with others ???

I do not get it... My point of view is that a toy is just a toy... Specially the ones "Made in china".

I do not blame anyone, I was accumulating thousands of items during many years and I had fun with this hobby, but today it is over for me. I have other interests, and no more room anymore in my house, So I'm happy to exchange or discuss about the collections (Star Wars or others) but I do not "invest" anymore...

Let's come back on this other "midget TIE", the last one...
The frames of the cockpit glass are painted, the sticker of the dashboard is OK.
No red LED anymore or sound effect, so the front is nice.
Oh yes, you get a "free" pilot with the fighter...

YES ! That's an improvement ! It took them 25 years to achieve this...
A nice rear side.

The origin is obvious... No "Mexico" anymore...

The solar arrays are the structured ones, with black painting.
It is "cool" but nothing new..

So, on this one, a huge progress as been done, the rear side !
But what about the wings??? How many years will we have to wait???
In fact as you probably know it, they made it... But this will be for another topic.

We are getting closer, but it still looks completely stupid.

Star Wars Collection : Imperial TIE Fighter (1995)

2011-11-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

Kenner
"Scale" : Made for 3-3/4" figures

This version of the TIE Fighter, even if it does keep the main defects of the previous models (solar array much too small), have also some improvements that was announcing the future models.

This one is MINT condition too, 10/10.
This fighter is in gray-green injected plastic.

This model has been simplified , no light and sound (mecanical) anymore.
The elevator has been removed.

No more button at the rear, but the "block" used as a "handle", that was containing the batteries, is still there.

One nice improvement is the cockpit glass which is painted in light gray, there is a stupid colorful sticker on the front of the dashboard

Another nice improvement is the solar arrays, bye bye stickers ! Now there is a nice structure painted black

To summarize :
- No more "middle age sound system" (rattle clacker) I'm not kidding open one of these old toys and you will see...
- No more sad stickers but a nice black structure for the wings.
- Some color on the frame of the cockpit glass.
- But sadly in 1995, the small wings are still there... This will change...

So globally many interesting improvements, but still... the "big" problem... The ridiculous small solar arrays...
I remember that even with these improvements, I did not buy any TIE fighter at that time...

Star Wars Collection : TIE Interceptor (1983)

2011-11-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

Kenner
"Scale" : Made for 3-3/4" figures
The TIE Interceptor was the most elegant fighter of the empire.
For the body of the ship, they have used all the molds of the 1978 model, there is not structural changes.
The "cockpit glass" is still fully transparent, this will change on the next model.
The plastic color is "light gray".

This model is in perfect condition but with stickers on, The Box is quite OK even if I've seen better.

The global shape of this fighter is really nice, some better adjustments could have been done, but for the early eighties, it is no so bad.

I own two models of this interceptor in the same condition, maybe one with "cleaner" stickers

Star Wars Collection : TIE Fighter Battle-Damaged (1983)

2011-11-23T06:20:00.000-08:00

Kenner

"Scale" : Made for 3-3/4" figures

What is the difference between a standard white TIE fighter and an Battle Damaged TIE?

In fact, there is no difference !

Except...

Stickers with additional damage stickers.

The plastic is blue (gray/blue).

The elevator is still there and the "light & sound system" remains the same...

This one is also in MINT condition, it has never been used.
All the stickers and the manual are in perfect condition.

This model is blue-gray

The "fake damages" stickers have been printed separately on transparent film, this would allow the kid, to position the damages where they want to.
It was also a way to "customize" your toy.

They used all the molds of the 1978 model, there is not structural changes.
The "cockpit glass" is still fully transparent, this will change on the next model

Star Wars Collection : Darth Vader TIE Fighter (1978)

2011-11-23T02:27:00.000-08:00

Kenner
"Scale" : Made for 3-3/4" figures

What is the difference between a TIE and an "Advanced" TIE, such as the Darth Vader personal fighter ?
You can say easily, the wings shape and the solar arrays ! But not only... The standard TIE does not have Hyperdrive system, the advanced TIE has it behind the canopy. And this is the main problem on this toy, "they" have used the same command module mold, to reduce production cost. We will see later that "they" will create a better looking toy of the Advanced TIE in the nineties.

The overall shape of the toy is better then the standard TIE of 1978, but the big missing part, containing the hyperdrive, is not nice at all.
The white injected plastic has been replaced by a dark gray which suffers a little bit less than the white with time.

The solar arrays are still simulated by glossy stickers. And you can see that, with time, some bubbles can appear, and the surface can become irregular.
Nothing is missing on this one, but it is less good looking then what I expect.

At the rear you can find the sound and light effects button, it is on top of the battery case, same as the white TIE.

I own two models of this Darth Vader TIE, one loose and the other in box, but as you can see "not in mint condition", I would say 7/10.

Star Wars Collection : White Imperial TIE Fighter (1978)

2011-11-23T00:09:00.000-08:00

Kenner
"Scale" : Made for 3-3/4" figures

As I mentionned it, I do not collect Star Wars toys anymore (Since 2008).

But I though that it could be interesting to share "the classic vintages" in several messages in addition to the Star Wars collection quick preview.

I decided to start with the TIE Imperial Fighter.

I own 15 TIE models. This one is MINT condition 10/10.

Most of the white plastic vintage toys suffer of "Yellowing".
This dirty yellowing comes from age, but mainly because of light, UV being the worst for white plastics.
If you want to collect toys and keep them in perfect condition, avoid aligning them on shelves, out of the box and directly expose to sun light, even a few minutes only every day will damage your toy.
I purchased this one early 2000, and I was really pleased when I opened the box discovering the excellent condition of the toy.

The box still contains the stickers, the manual and the small catalog.
This first Twin Ion Engines version, has a kind of elevator to access the cockpit.

The toy has a "light and sound" effect (mecanical), there was no electronic sound at that time... The battery contacts are in copper and get oxided very quickly (green)

Below, you can see another of my models, this is the standard condition (yellowed) of a model that has been used and too much exposed to UV light. These cheap, used, models can be found easily on ebay.
At that time, the solar array were figurated by stickers on the wings, we will see that later there will be huge improvement on this detail.

The global shape of this toy is not elegant or let's say "balanced", this is due to the fact that the wings were really too small, we will see with a "newer" (2007) version, that it has been improved a lot.

Airsoft Rifle : AW 308 (6mm) Bolt Action Sniper Rifle

2011-10-29T05:33:00.000-07:00

After trying paintball last summer, I was really disappointed by the total lack of accuracy of the paintball material (that I can afford), so I get back to my nineties hobby: "Airsoft !"
I know Gas and AEG system for more then 20 years already, and it is true that many improvements has been done till then...

For example, I had the opportunity to test a friend's Viper Tech M4, equivalent to Inokatsu, but without commercial marking (cheaper price).
It was really cool, many steel parts, nice mechanical sound, but I'll be back later about high quality airsoft guns, when I'll own mine too...
But let's get back to "accuracy", I wanted to try a cheap bolt action rifle, I found this one for 130€, I know that you can find it cheaper on the web...

I took a basic scope 4x32, for 35€ (I'm not sure of the exact price), I knew that for this "cheap" price, I would get a Chinese stuff...

"Cybergun"... Oh ! What a surprise, Chinese repack again...

Do not believe whatever is written on these Cybergun boxes... This is just marketing bullshit...

The best is to test, share experiments with other players, and make your own idea according to your personal final aim.
Me, for example, I do not jump in the mud, crawl, in the woods... So I do not need the best equipment, sometime I buy "cheap", knowing that I will have problems... And I enjoy having fun repairing or improving this kind of "crap"...

I know that it exists many upgrade kits to improve this "Chinese clone" (I do not know who did the original AW308 airsoft replica???). But as I mentioned before in other Airsoft topics, I do not invest too much in one hobby, as I have many others...

The 4 X 32 scope is more then enough for an airsoft rifle, I tried to take a picture (not easy...).
No problem to assemble the rifle and to mount the scope.

I used 0,30g 6mm bb's to test the bolt rifle.

Of course the bolt is only a long metal cylinder, containing the main spring. The magazine is not easy to load, and it does not fit smoothly.

The magazine lock is fixed with a small screw that you must check regularly.
The hop-up system is also located down there.

The magazine is not located under the chamber like the original, "they" placed it under the barrel...
Where the "real" 6mm chamber is.

To improve the range, I have add a brass cylinder behind the spring to increase the compression.

No, I'm not bald yet... This is just a friend testing the rifle with me...
With 0,30g bb's the speed is around 300 FPS.
And once the hop-up and the scope are correctly set up, you can shoot easily 33cl cans at 20m.
I have placed a human size wooden target at 40m. The cheap bolt rifle does the job perfectly !

To sumarize :
This is only a chinese "clone" replica, be sure not to invest too much money in it.
The black plastic of the frame seems very fragile, the fitting is not great.
The rifle is really too light 3,4kg, and it gives a very "toy" feeling...
The general look is "ok", except the position of the magazine.

The acuracy???
Well...
It depends on what you want to do and on what you can afford !
If you want to have fun on cans at 10m, I would say it is already "too powerfull and too accurate".
With this rifle, it starts to be fun at 20m minimum, still on cans.
If you want to shoot human players (wearing protective equipment of course), you can do it at 40-45m with enough accuracy (forget the small cans at that range...).
But the manual spring bolt requires some strenght, and the move will make you loose your target when you will reload... You will be "spotted" immediately and "hit" by a basic AEG or a powerful gas handgun.
If you want to play the "silent ghillie guy..." And if you want to shoot more than one enemy without moving... Choose a gas system ! Watch videos on you tube you will understand the comfort to use gas.

But manual spring system has also its advantages, cheap, simple (quite easy to fix or upgrade), you do not need to care about gas or battery, no temperature problem in winter, etc...
I'm sure that it exists other models of bolt spring airsoft sniper rifles, with a higher quality, go for it if you want to avoid problems. But if you take care of your rifle you can have a lot of gun with this basic model.

Note : that IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER PLAYER, SNIPER IS NOT A GOOD IDEA AT ALL !
It requires technique, patience, and a lot of fairplay (which the most important in airsoft anyway).
You will be frustrated very quickly... Or if you can afford it, carry also a M4 AEG or Gas as a backup.

USS SULACO Aliens - Halcyon Aoshima

2011-10-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

As I have no time for model making these days, I decided to assemble a Sulaco Kit from "SKYNET - AOSHIMA" (formerly produced by Halcyon).
As usual when I have no time, I focus on paintings no scratch but "from the box" again...

Painting : Tamiya & Humbrol
Varnish : Tamiya

The kit is really basic... The main problem is the poor quality of the fitting, some patience is required to align correctly the two parts of the main body.

Here is a quick "photo-montage" of the Colonial Marines Spaceship.

Visit the website of GEARBOX.

http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/games/aliens/

Space shuttle Discovery : Hasegawa 1/200

2011-08-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

From the box
Painting : Tamiya & Humbrol
Varnish : Tamiya
I do not care about Hubble (today).
Since the announcement of the end of the shuttle program... I wanted to do a Space Shuttle, the first one that I did was in 83 (from Airfix), at that time I did not paint it... and used only black markers for the black area... I 'll try to do better with this very small 1/200 model...

I started with painting the whole model in white, with a light "preshading", then I covered the model with many small chips of Tamiya masking tape.

The covered parts would be the most clean tiles, I airbrushed some grey/yellow in various proportions.

To break the monotony of the flat surface of this small model

Then, I painted the big black areas, the small details would be painted later by hand.

I painted the engine bells, with different shades, from brown to blue, gray or white.
I did a quick dry brush with white to highlight the structure. Many details are missing on this model, but as usual I do not have time for "scratch", so it will be "from the box" project again...

The general aspect is glossy at this stage (for the decals).

The next step will be the bottom and the mat varnish (Arcylic). Then I will start the weathering with oil paintings. The end is near...

Here is the result with a thin layer of mat varnish.

The side is still too clean, I'll let everything dry then I'll take care on this with oil paintings or airbrush...

BB Revolver : ASG Dan Wesson 357 8" - 4,5mm CO2

2011-07-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

OK, another BB gun, this time it is the toy of a friend who doesn't have enough room where she lives, so I keep her revolver and she comes to enjoy it in the garden.

I can of course use it anytime if I want ! (if I am careful...). It came out of the box with a rail, 6 fake cartridges and a stupid and not practical "speed" loader...

The 8 inches barrel gives it an impressive look.

The inside cylinder has been weakened to avoid any use with a real cartridge. But the extractor is functionnal like the original. The cylinder has 6 chambers and rotates counterclockwise.

The brass cartridges have a nice look, too sad they are marked Dan Wesson... 357 Mag would have been better.

You get 6 cartridges only, I purchased 25 more separately (the wrong model... But I already converted 6 of them...) The fact that you have to handle the cartridges and fill the chamber like the original, makes this model a perfect revolver trainer for the beginner.

The rear sight is adjustable.

The sight is basic but OK, it is not made for "combat" because of the lenght of the barrel, and the time to acquire the target, it is more for "hunting"...

It is a heavy toy, 1,05 kg... But a real Python 6" is at 1,320 kg, so the Dan Wesson replica is not that heavy... And anyway you get use to it quickly.

The finish is "clean" but mat black... Some noobs would love its smooth and dark aspect... Personally I do not like it, in fact I do not like any zamac finish... If you compare with a Colt royal blue you will understand what I mean... Some gloss zamac finishes are acceptable, and for a modern pistol like a SIG or a Glock it is fine, but please do not tell me that this is a perfect finish...
The real Colt and Korth have some of the best finishes.
The proportions of the "Dan Wesson" frame behind the cylinder is not elegant, this is due to the CO2 system... But If you have never seen a real Dan Wesson you will not notice it.

The accuracy test was really positive at 10 meters (11 yards - 32,8 feet) 18 BBs.
Again, no miracle with a smooth bore barrel. The CO2 pressure was more constant then usual during the shooting session.

Airsoft AEG : DBoys M4 CQB-R 6mm BB

2011-07-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

Here is my DBoys CQB-R AEG, it is an interesting model at a very cheap price, I know that some "experts" spend a lot of money to improve it. Personally I do not upgrade "investing" in spare parts, I do not play "in the field", so I can not justify any improvements. It is certainly not the best model, but you can count on it if you are careful with your toy... I have this model for more then 3 years, and no problem so far ("plinking" in my garden only of course).

All the markings are there, but... White... Why??? OK, I could remove the white or cover with black paint, but I get use to it with time, I just do not get the point to highlight the marking on a "weapon"???!!!??? If there is a tactical reason do not hesitate to tell it to me !

The hop up system is easily accessible, but once the window is open, the look is not realistic at all...

The main proportions of the AR15 body are well rendered, but as usual the "zamac" just seems too fragile for me.

Here is a sizes comparison with an AR15 A2 and A Steyr STG 58 (a copy of the FN FAL under Steyr license). The Compact M4 is of course more practical for the players.

The average speed of the M4 CQB-R is around 337 FPS with 0,25g BB.

BB Rifle : Umarex - Baikal - YunkerII 4,5mm (based on real AK)

2011-07-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

This the "Umarex" - "Baikal", Yunker2...
Did Umarex build it? NO ! Did Baikal built it ? NO ! So where did this stuff comes from ?
Eastern Europe for sure ! But exactly ? NO idea !
But this CO2 rifle is 95% real steel ! As it is built around a real AK 74 base !

The look and feel is perfect!
The bolt-carrier is functional even if it does nothing...
The C02 conversion is mainly the firing mechanism, the magazine, and the barrel.

The sight is the basic standard AK sight in steel of course !

The Flash suppressor is in ZAMAC ??? On some versions it is in plastic (different shape), so I'm happy at least with this stupid Zamac part...

The CO2 system is integrated into a real AK magazine, It is a very strong piece, but it's not practical to load the 4,5mm BBs...

The markings on the frame are Yunker 2 (the model ?) And Umarex (license owner ?)

on the CO2 system, Baikal ! Maybe Baikal was in charge of the conversion?

Baikal produces cheap and basic real weapons.

They produce also a CO2 Makarov in 4,5mm, based on the real pistol too.

I own some other AK magazines, so I tried one real AK 74 magazine on it and it fits perfectly

Here is a comparison with a real Chinese AK 47, most of the parts can be changed from one to the other...

So what is the point with this rifle?
Accurate ? I wouldn't say so... But for plinking at 10m it is fun !
Replica ? Yes ! As it is based on the real one, it is not a replica, IT IS A REAL AK !
Reliable ? Of course ! it is steel made and so simple !
The price was cheap so, why not ? It will be a nice addition to my modern PM collection.

Here is the accuracy test, the target is an actual size bowling pin, printed on an A4.

The circle in the center has a diameter of 50mm.

I placed he first target at 10metres.

The two impacts on the top were the first, after this, the pressure goes down a little bit.

and the group gets more coherent.
I was not expecting better result with a smooth bore barrel, a CO2 cartridge that freeze after five BBs, and a 15° in July... At least it was not raining today... (not yet).

Here is a more realistic view of the 10 meters target (11 yards 32,8 feet), and the 20 meters target (21,8 yards - 65,6 feet). I shoot on the 33cl cans on the back with no problem.

Airsoft : KJ KP-06 - Colt 2009 Rail Concept KJW

2011-07-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

This reproduction of a Colt, in 45 ACP with an extended barrel, is using C02 cartridge, it is "firing" 6mm BB and therefore is considered as an "airsoft" but this one as some real punch !
I have seen it also under the name : "KJW hi capa 6-inch", but without "Colt markings".
"they" announced 446 on the box... In fact it is, in average, around 295 FPS with 0,25g BB.

The main problem (if it is one?) is the weight... Personally I'm used to heavy guns, so I like it, but for a real players, it would be too much, it is supposed to be a secondary weapon, but its power will not allow you to use it at short distance...
My yard is 55m long and the BB goes far away (with the hop-up correctly set up).

I do not like the CO2 loading system, the screw is not practical...
I did shoot around 50 BB with one CO2 cartridge, so it is very much "gas consuming",
But as I mentioned it, it is a heavy model, I'll shoot cans at 15/20 m, using 2 or 3 cartridges, then I 'll get bored and play with another toy...

The accuracy is excellent for a "heavy Zamac toy..."

I'll see how the complex mechanical parts react with CO2 with time.

I just saw my Glock exploding its fake barrel, using green gas only...

(Green Gas is not recommended according to my friend Laurent).

I will always be a fan of the "Colt 1911 A1 style", with the Colt Python 357 6", they are the most beautiful handguns of all time ! (only Korth can do better in term of finish, but at a crazy price...).

There is no steel part in this model (except the screws and rods), most parts are in zamac, aluminum and plastic.The hammer will suffer a lot with time...
The trigger is "adjustable"...

The extractor is simulated (very obvious from the rear).
All the safety devices are functional like the original.
The optical fiber sight is "interesting", I never used one before, I do not like the science fiction style it has, but as long as it is effective, why not?...

So in summary, it is a cool looking pistol, looks reliable too but... We will see...

Here are some tests I did, at 10 Meters (11 yards), and 15 meters (16,5 yards).

I used 0,25gr BBs and of course CO2 cartridge, 10 BBs on each target.

I fixed the A4 prints on a big cardboard box (to avoid having BBs all over my garden)

but with this gun, the BBs went straight through the box and even far away behind...

For 15 meters, I think that the hop-up is set up a little bit too high.

But still, the bowling pins are dead...

Here the detail of the CO2 version of the magazine.

Airsoft : Glock 32 Kuan Ju Works

2011-07-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

AIRSOFT... Not that "soft" anymore...
I remember in the Eighties early Nineties, when I started to enjoy shooting inside, with the first basics Manual Marui guns (cheap, fragile but nice look). These bad quality replicas where all over the market, all the kids used to play with these "dangerous toys", you could find BB's in all the streets of Brussels... It gave a very bad reputation to airsoft guns.
Some brands like MGC, Maruzen, KWC, Tanaka, were already producing semi metal (ZAMAC) and ABS plastic models, but they were more expensive and still externally "plastic" like (no blow back of course)
Some models were still produced in Japan, today it is not the case anymore... (Taiwan, China, Phillipines, etc...)
After many legal issues about the non licenced use of the real manufacturers name on the replicas,
Marui became the major producer, and the quality improved a lot, the first full automatic model where really fun but still fragile.
At that time I used to own : AK 47 wooden stock (Marui electric) - HK MP5 special ops full options (Marui electric) - HK MP5 K (Marui electric) - AR15 Delta Elite (KWC spring) - Wilson combat 45 acp (MGC Gas powered) - Smith and Wesson 645 (Marui spring) - Glock 9mm 6"(Marui spring) - USM1 wooden stock (Marushin spring) - Automag 44 (Marui spring) - Colt 45 combat (KWC spring)

Then I stopped completely Airsoft practise, I sold everything...

Today we have to face a huge increase of manufacturers, from the best to the worse...
Metal parts is getting common, but still fucking ZAMAC ! Zamac is the top of the shit when we talk about metal! OK, you are proud to own a metal replica, this is better than plastic... But please do not compare it with a full steel gun ! And I do not give a shit if it is written Colt on your weapon !
This is NOT A COLT AT ALL !

I remember a friend telling me, that he owned the 177 pellet caliber version of the Colt 1911 A1 pistol ! It is writen on it and on the box ! It is a Colt !
NO WAY !
Your pretended pistol, is in fact mechanicaly a revolver !
And it was made in germany not in the United States... Externaly it looks like a 1911A1, but put a real one next to it and you will understand...

I'm certainly not an expert, but I was enjoying airsoft practice, long before most of the "young gods of today" were not even born...

So I broke a lot of stuff... And get used to repair them myself to save money... I like when an object last as long as possible...

Last year I decided to invest again in some airsoft models with younger friends to guide me in this big mess of modern airsoft market...

I bought an electric Colt M4 CQB (DBoys shit but cheap), and a compact back up gun, a Glock 32c (KJW) !
We had a lot of fun with both, the shity DBoys M4 is still working very well, but the glock had a "surprising malfunction" yesterday... I shoot a few BBs then my barrel jumped out of the slide !
We laughed a lot !
The fake barrel was broken at its weakest point (see picture below).

As usual I was crazy... I hate to break things... But I love to fix stuffs hahaha !
I wanted immediately to find solution to fix it ! I decided to replace the barrel with a steel tube, cut properly and adjusted inside the chamber (on the edge). I used a polymer ("metal") glue, but this is not strong enough, I added three small rods of steel on the sides and on the top.

as you can see the result looks fine, the rods are not touching the "real" 6mm barrel of course...

You can see where I have chosen to place the Steel rods.
I added a smaller piece of tube as a guide in the front part of the fake barrel, some sand paper...
And I painted the whole in Mat Black.

I re assembled everything !

And here are some BB tests, we did this morning...
I tried another gas, "less powerful". It seems to work fine for a broken gun !

Today I wanted to do some "accuracy" tests...
I have decided to start with the "repaired" Glock !
I used a less powerful gaz then before, I shoot 3 BBs and...
A very subtil but disturbing sound came out in the chamber area, I thought that my repair was broken again... But in fact it was something else...

There is a little "hook" underneath the chamber, I noticed during my previous repair that half of this small part was already missing... But the biggest part was still there so I didn't really care about it...

In fact this "hook" suffers a lot during the blow back process as it hit this "little blade" on the body...

I have already shot probably a thousand of BBs with this glock. This was inevitable. Maybe it could have last longer if I had use a less powerful gas from the beginning...

OK Laurent ! I'm still learning...

Again I was pissed off... But cool ! Some imagination and delicate work will be necessary ! I'm on the case ! I decided to replace the hook by a small folded steel plate, I inserted the plate in a tiny slot (parallel on each half of the chamber).

This plate should not interfer with the hop up system, so I worked very carefully.

But after some adjustments the two halfs of the chamber fit together again, I added a small drop of cyano to lock the plate, but it was already strongly maintained.
I re assembled everything again ! And started my accuracy test !
10 BBs at 10 meters aproximately 11 yards, I use an A4 Bowling pin target, it remembers me the shape of something but what?... No, no this is not a human shaped target !!! It is a bowling pin...

It was 15° outside one of the worst July in Belgium... The 3 last BBs had less punch...
But OK ! The bowling pin would be out of the table anyway. The average speed is around 205 FPS with 0,25g BB.

So the Glock is back to life again... Apparently the next stuff that will break, will be the hammer (49), according to what I've read from other user on this KJW Glock 32c. We will see.

Eagle space 1999 : Landing Pad project (papercraft)

2011-06-05T00:29:00.000-07:00

I always wanted to present my Eagles collection during a model kit exhibition, not to pretend that they have been made by me (in this case), but only to break the monotony of thousands of tanks and airplanes...

In Belgium the Sci Fi subjects are not often shown, it has nothing to do with UK, USA, or Japan...
In the same idea, I wanted to present my dinky toys airplanes collection for example, or the Shogun warriors toys, these objects and toys have been in many modelers hands of my generation (1969).
It could bring back some memories...

I have noticed with years, that during these events people are walking from table to table like zombies, but they stop only if there is a big stuff that attract them (mainly spectacular diorama), so I feel bored very quickly...
Younger kids are not really interested in model kit, it requires patience, focus, time, techniques... Many things that they hate in this new fast consuming society, everything must be bought fast and quickly forgotten...

When we started to present Star wars kits (clic on it to view it) it was immediately different, people were surprised that modeling can also be fun, not war (real war / real dead), no crazy photo etch kit, no RLM 72 bla bla and other detailing madness... Just FUN.

That's why we like to present bigger or noisy subjects, to get their attention, once it is done the chat can start and they can see the smaller models around, 1/48, 1/72, 1/144, that they would not have noticed...

Get back to the eagles, I wanted to create a "Space 1999 Landing Pad", to present the eagles at different scales, I tried in a couple of hours to create something that "looks like" a pad, using an image of the TV show. I will test the printed color rendering next week on an Epson GMG proofer, and I will do the required adaptations.

Once the final version will be done, and if you are interested, you can contact me (leave a message on this post with your e-mail address) I'll send you the files (580mm x 580mm at 300dpi).
If I find the time, I 'll directly do the adaptation for all the scales that I own.

I just saw that Sixteen12 has a launch pad available in Pre Order (june 2011), check out their website for more info.

These pictures shows me, that this must not be so hard to make it from cardboard...
I did a simulation of my Photoshop Pad integrated in the picture from the TV Serie, I think that I'm getting close...
I have to work on the scale now, I can forget about the 24" from Iconic Replicas (Now Sixteen12...), no room available in my house for such a display, but the Product Enterprise 1/72 should be fine...

I did a quick shooting test on the large Epson print (60cm), and I integrated the photo (rough) on the picture, the Product Enterprise eagle looks fine from that distance.

Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Product Enterprise
Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Mattel
Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Dinky Toys

Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Iconic Replicas

Eagle Space 1999 : Iconic Replicas - Ex Product Enterprise - Now Sixteen12

2011-05-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest addition to my Space 1999 Eagle Collection.
It is the Iconic Replicas 23" Laboratory model, I've read many stories about "Product Enterprise" which became "Iconic Replicas" and today "Sixteen12".
Apparently during the production under the Iconic Replicas name, many quality issues were encountered... This gave a very bad reputation to their production, the price was also very high for a "poor in details" huge model... Never the less, I had the opportunity to get one model at a really affordable price.
And I'm not disappointed, except for the chrome plated engine bells (I knew it and it is very easy to fix anyway).
Impossible for me to build a 23" model from scratch for a lower price...
I still want to build my eagle from scratch, this model makes me realize that a 44" would not be practical to handle or store, So I will go for a 23", and I will use the Iconic Replicas as a reference for the main proportions, I already have a lot of pictures of one of the real studio models during restoration.
So certainly not the best model, but if you can find one at a reasonable price it is still interesting.

I've started to review the main issues of this replica...
The first obvious things are the Engine bells, they look like the Dinky Toys from 1974...
I'll do some tests with mat varnish, or Alclad aluminum tones... As this model was not cheap (even if I found this one at a reasonable low price) I do not want to buy any improvement kits, for example the "turned aluminum engine bells", I 'll try to do something myself... We will see...

The other main problem is the huge and massive landing gear of the laboratory pod... So I disassembled the body carefully ! This "polyurethane" cast model is very fragile...

I'm also trying to improve the small side jet bells...

OK... Here is my "cheap" solution for the 4 "big bells", 2 layers of Alclad Aluminium, see the reflection on the Moon Buggy (1/72), it shines but is not a perfect "mirror".

More "complicated"... But the result even if it is not perfect, is already better and it is fine for me.

I've watched "again" the episode "All that glisters", where we can see in detail the landing gear of the laboratory pod.
I really do not like season two at all...
Stories... Acting... Colors... "humor"... Guest "stars"... I hate all of these episodes, the will of the producers to reposition the show is comprehensible, but the result is just ridiculous...
Anyway who cares ?... So, At least we can see new cool space ships and vehicles.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Product Enterprise
Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Mattel
Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Dinky Toys

Akira Collection - Kaneda's Bike: Mcfarlane & Bandai

2011-04-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Trident Starfighter : Dinky Toys

2011-04-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Starbird Spaceship : MB

2011-04-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most elegant designed spaceship toys ever.
I was not attracted by the functionality of the toy. The sound it produces is really annoying, that's why I never wanted to own this ship when I was a kid...
When I changed my mind, of course, the ship was not available in stores anymore.
I found those two Starbirds (One still in the box) on Ebay some years ago. And I am very pleased to have them as part of my collection today.

Buck Rogers Draconian Marauder : Mego

2011-04-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

The Draconian Marauder is the opponent of the Starfighter in the movie “Buck Rogers”. I never really liked the design of the Draconians, I really prefered the Starfighter style. The toy was built by Mego and the finish has nothing to do with Kenner, Mecanno or Hasbro in the eighties. The plastic is very fragile, the parts does not fit properly, no transparent part (canopy). Anyway, I was happy to find one in its box on Ebay at a very cheap price.

The Six Million Dollar Man Figures : Kenner

2011-04-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

The Garden... Still so many things to do...

2011-04-09T08:19:00.001-07:00

The "pond" Project... Initiated in 2008...

2011-04-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

Nothing original, but still... Butterflies are back and it is good to mention it as they're getting scarce

Here is the second Dragonfly, less colored than the first one, I had the opportunity to shoot it closer.
What can I say, I like human flying machine... No really??? I love our flying machines, but this is just
nature perfect engineering !

Check list completed ! Ready to take off !

And of course a very common brown frog, I would prefer some green, but at least this one let me sleep.

Stone experiment... I'll come back on this later...

"Small" friends awakening...

My pond is invaded by the "Pseudorasboras"...
From Wiki : "This fish was introduced in the 1960s into ponds in Nucet, Dâmboviţa County, Romania and it made its way into Danube, then spreading throughout Europe. They pose danger to another species such as the sunbleaks (Leucaspius delineatus), as they are the carrier of a parasite (Sphaerothecum destruens) which while not damaging to the topmouth gudgeon, attacks other fishes like the sunbleaks, which are unable to spawn and have a higher mortality when infected."
So... The nice fishes that came naturally in my pond and that I like to watch "dancing"... is a parasite ! holding more parasites... Cute isn't it ?
No problem ! Its crazy reproduction rate will make him the ideal lunch for my "kingfishers" (Martin pêcheur)...

Spring is here ! Nature awakes !
And we have a nice week-end, so I decided to enjoy the sun outside !
I started to clean the first pond, started two years ago (edges not finished yet).
I will also go on, with the second ponds, using the learning of the mistakes I did on the first one...
The plants around the ponds are still too small in April, so I do not have enough shadow to be protected from the growth of algae, this nice sun that we have in end of march is causing a real revolution in the balance of the water quality.
But I will act, if this gets out of control...

RC Cars Projects : Mainly 1/10 Tamiya

2011-04-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

OK... This project will come back, this year 2011, with the extension of the track, I will double the size...
The car are mainly vintages cars refurbished ! The Budget?... Zero !
We had already a lot of fun last year, and I hope to be able to publish movies this year.

Star Wars Collection "quick" preview...

2011-04-09T01:03:00.000-07:00

This INSANE collection started in 1977...
NOW... Fuck Star Wars !
Give me back my life !!!!!!!
I've stopped collecting "everything" in 2008...
I still try to find some of the vintages in boxes and MINT condition !
Being a Crazy GEEK... Takes too much room in my life...

Buck Rogers Starfighter : Corgi refurbishing (or Custom)

2011-04-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

As I have several models in perfect condition, I decided to buy a damaged one, to have some fun customizing it, Starting by cutting the protective blade that Corgi added to avoid any accidents... It is fun but nothing else this model worth nothing anymore... But I do not care, as a kid I tried to do the same... And I fucked up the job of course...

Shogun Warriors 24" : Mattel Popy Jumbo Bandaï

2011-04-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

PBY/OA 10A Catalina : Revell

2011-02-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

Scale : 1/48
Cockpit & Details : From the box
Painting : Tamiya
Varnish : Tamiya

The work is not over yet, I still have to paint some small details like, windscreen wipers, paint chips, oil stains. etc...

Camaro Stylo Gorillaz Scalextric + Custom Paint

2011-02-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

Scale : 1/32
Painting : Tamiya
Varnish : Tamiya

I just love Gorillaz ! I'm crazy about this band and their videos.
I've realized that, among my slot cars collection, I have a Camaro !
I did not do a full conversion, as the model is quite OK on the track and I do not want to damage the frame and the wheels.
So, I did focus only on the painting.

F14 Tomcat Eggplane : Hasegawa

2011-02-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

Scale : ?
Cockpit & Details : from the box
Painting : Tamiya
Varnish : Tamiya

Star Wars Darth Vader TIE advanced fighter : MPC Ertl

2010-01-01T01:29:00.000-08:00

From the box
Painting : Tamiya & Humbrol
Varnish : Tamiya

Battlestar Galactica Cylon Raider : Revell

2009-12-29T01:56:00.000-08:00

From the box except panel line scribing
Painting : Tamiya & Humbrol
Varnish : Tamiya

Painting a first thin layer of light grey

Ingram 3 AV-98 Patlabor: Bandai

2009-12-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

Details : From the box
Painting : Tamiya & Humbrol
Varnish : Tamiya

SH 60 SeaHawk : Italeri

2009-11-28T09:18:00.000-08:00

Scale : 1/48
Cockpit & Details : scratch
Painting : Tamiya
Varnish : Tamiya

M42 Duster "convertion project description" : Heng Long RC 1/16

2009-02-21T02:38:00.000-08:00

M41 Walker Bulldog "Work in progress" : Heng Long RC 1/16

2009-02-07T13:26:00.000-08:00

Scale : 1/16
Added details : scratch
Painting : "factory"
(I'll repaint it later)

Panther Type G "Work in progress" : Tamiya RC 1/16

2009-01-04T15:29:00.001-08:00

Scale : 1/16 RC
Added details : scratch
Painting : Tamiya
Varnish : Tamiya

I've decided to improve the "paint-chipping effect" on the whole surface on the tank, I have to learn about "pigment weathering" now. At this stage the result looks really too clean !

Batmobile "restoration" : Corgi

2008-10-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

Scale: 1/40 ?
Restoration
Painting: Tamiya
Sticker : Xerox
I purchased it on Ebay for 3,5e

Inside the body...
It was quite a mess !
The front suspension was broken in pieces but easily repaired.

The windscreen is broken also, and without spare parts, I had to repair it and have it polished with "Klir", therefore it's not perfect but is clean enough.

TIE Fighter Star Wars : Finemolds

2008-08-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Scale: 1/72
From the box
Painting: Humbrol Tamiya
Weathering: Winsor&Newton
Varnish: no

Expo Amay Model Club Juin 2008

2008-07-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Exposition
Amay Model Club.
Un tout grand merci
au Team d'Amay pour
l'accueil.

Terminator : PVC kit

2008-03-24T10:25:00.001-07:00

Scale : 1/5
longslide 45 : scratch
Painting : Humbrol
Varnish : Tamiya

A-Wing Star Wars : MPC

2008-03-02T09:46:00.001-08:00

Scale : Unknown (1/72)
Detailled in scratch
Painting : Humbrol & Tamiya
Weathering : Winsor & Newton
Varnish : Tamiya

Ki 27 : Hasegawa

2008-03-01T04:37:00.001-08:00

Scale : 1/48
From the box
Painting : Tamiya
Weathering : Winsor&Newton
Varnish : Tamiya

Ki 44 : Hasegawa

2008-03-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

Scale : 1/48
From the box
Painting : Tamiya
Weathering : Winsor&Newton
Varnish : Tamiya

Ki 61 : Hasegawa

2008-03-01T03:23:00.000-08:00

Scale : 1/48
From the box
Painting : Tamiya
Weathering : Winsor&Newton
Varnish : Tamiya

Zero A6m2 : Fujimi

2008-03-01T03:01:00.001-08:00

Scale : 1/48
From the box
Painting : Humbrol
Weathering : Winsor&Newton
Varnish : no

Zero A6M5c : Tamiya

2008-03-01T01:47:00.001-08:00

Scale : 1/48
From the box
Painting : Tamiya
Weathering : Winsor&Newton
Varnish : Tamiya

EVA 04 EVANGELION : Soul of Chogokin

2008-02-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

Scale : ?
Manufacturer : Soul of Chogokin
Found on Ebay
Mint In Box

ODYSSEUS ULYSSE 31 : POPY

2008-02-10T10:45:00.001-08:00

Scale : ?
Manufacturer : Popy
Found on Ebay
All accessories (missiles) included

SPACE 1999 EAGLE (huge toy) : MATTEL

2008-02-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

Scale : ?
Manufacturer : Mattel 1976
Found on Ebay USA
Original box & accessories included

Family pictures... From the seventies to 2011 ! I still do not have an accurate 24" eagle... The Mattel is fun but nothing to do with what I expect from a model of that size...
And the product enterprise is really too expensive... So I know that "one day" I'll build my own studio model... I already gather technical data, modeler information, raw material and parts! To be continued...

Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Product Enterprise
Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Dinky Toys
Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Iconic Replicas

SPACE 1999 EAGLE : Dinky Toys

2008-02-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

Scale : ?
Manufacturer : Dinky Toys 1974
Found on Ebay Uk & Flea market
Original box

Here is the latest addition to my "Dinky Toys Space 1999 Eagles" Collection, it is another freighter (360) but with the blister packaging (very fragile).
It is also a variant of the blue freighter, this one doesn't have the middle central bar in the front and rear of the structure.

Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Product Enterprise
Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Mattel
Other Space 1999 Eagle Models : Iconic Replicas

ALBATOR (Harlock) COLLECTION ("part of...")

2008-02-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

Scale : various
Manufacturer : Bandaï, Takara, etc...
Found on Ebay, Flea market, specialized shops...

Heinkel He 70 G1 : Revell

2008-02-05T14:03:00.001-08:00

Scale : 1/72
From the box
Painting : Tamiya
Weathering : Winsor & Newton
Varnish : no