Italeri's 1/35th scale SWS and the Trumpeter C. Almost finished but not quite ready for prime time. Don't pay any attention to all the errant strands of polyester fiber on the SWS.
Sunday, October 18, 2026
T-55 by Chan Jackson
Chan finished the 1/35th AMT/ESCI T-55 in NVA markings with decals from Star. The figures are by Paracel Miniatures
The model was primed with AK primer and finished with Tamiya and colors from the Vallejo "Modern Russian" boxed paint set. It was weathered with Mig and AK pigments and oils. Verlinden photoetch was used for added detail of the 1990 vintage kit.
Friday, September 11, 2026
Phanomen Granit 25 H Conversion Work-in-Progress by David Blankenship
The basis for the conversion, Italeri's venerable Kfz. 15 Horch kit, makes a solid platform to build upon.
A period photo of the Phanomen Granit 25.
Pre-war, Phanomen built civilian ambulances and vehicles for the Deutsche Reichspost. Production of Sanitatskraftwagen (Sankra) for the Wehrmact began in 1936 and continued until the end of the war.
The Model 25 H (for Heer) was produced from 1936-41 and hundreds were delivered to the Wehrmacht. The exact number is not known but it was the most widely used ambulance in the German inventory. The Model 25 H was followed by upgraded Model 31 and 1500 vehicles.
Given the vehicle's wide-spread use during the war, I am surprised there are no 1/35th injection molded kits available of the Phanomen Granit series of ambulances from any major scale model manufacturer. 1/72nd and 1/87th scale scale kits are currently available from Attack and others but the only 1/35th offerings are vacuforms or resin (Azimut, Wespe) from decades ago that are impossible to find.
The conversion begins with the Italeri chassis and front end receiving a few changes to match the 25 H.
The back end is built up using 0.20 sheet styrene. The 25 H's wheel hubs differ from the Horch so circular rings were cut from 0.10 sheet styrene and inserted in the kit rims for detailing later. The fenders have been added and the rear superstructure built up.
A bit further along. Wheels added and the roof test-fitted. The roof was made by layering two sheets of 0.20 sheet styrene and glueing it to a slightly wider piece that matched the dimensions of the body. When the edges of the laminated pieces are beveled and sanded, it looks seamless.
More details added: luggage rack, rear doors, door handles and hinges, wheel bolts, front lights (made from the Horch's wheel hubs since the H 25 had larger lights than those in the Italeri Horch kit,) and windows made from thin sheet butyrate.
View from the rear. Doors temporarily attached with Blu-Tack, door handles and mechanisms in place, the interior nearly finished, and rear bumper under construction. The windows are covered with fine plastic mesh from the box labelled "Save this scrap of whatever it is because it might come in handy 10 years from now." It perfectly replicates the wire mesh used as added protection in deflecting shrapnel, small arms fire, and grenades.
Stay tuned for future updates
Thursday, July 30, 2026
T34 ARV by Chan Jackson
Chan combined the ancient Zvezda T34 kit with a DEF Model conversion set to create this T34 armored recovery vehicle. He painted it with the AK Russian Paint Set and weathered it with pigments and oils.
The figure on the vehicle is Tamiya with a resin head. The standing figure is a Pegaso offering. Both were painted with Vallejo acrylics.
M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman by Chris Davies
Chris added the Verlinden accessories kit to enhance is his Tamiya Jumbo Sherman
Monday, July 27, 2026
M2A4 Stuart by Chan Jackson
This model of a Marine M2A4 used on Guadalcanal is Chan's first 3D printed model. The kit from SS Models/Yao Models offered good fit at the cost of considerable cleanup of parts and very delicate track links.
The tank was painted with Tamiya and AK paints and weathered with the usual pigments and oils.
The figure is from Scale 75 and the stowage is Value Gear.
Chan says he liked the kit but is not sure he will tackle another resin kit due to the steep price tag and delicacy of the small parts which were easily broken.
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