The Raptor's Nest: 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A little more work on the Kuznetsov

The model came with pretty good decals, however, I thought they would be next to impossible to put down. So, this is free hand painting. Its not perfect, but I think I can make it better with some touch up. Also, when the planes are sitting on the deck, that will take away the view of the lines. Also, there needs to be some more orange paint around the outside, as well as some black on the ends of the ramps. Still a good bit of work to be done...Im ready for it to be finished - Im ready to move on to something else. This was a lot more involved than I thought it would be.

Joe Robbie Stadium (Screw Landshark!)

Dolphins game this weekend

The Dolphin molesting my wife.

Yeah, I own the place.

Part of the Dolphins Hall of Fame - Dan Marino and the Marks Brothers

Pat White

Chad Henne

Dolphins Huddle - a cool pic I think with Ricky Williams and Chad Henne in the front

JT and Wayne Huizenga

Entrance - each defensive player was announced and they ran out through smoke. Channing Crowder probably had the best entrance, although a bit gangsta. Vontae Davis and Sean Smith waited for each other and did a dance together. I think they should have spent more time figuring out how they were gonna cover Andre Johnson...

Jason Taylor is PISSED OFF at Davis and Smith...for good reason.

A little eye candy. NFL cheerleaders have zero skill, but for the most part, the Miami chicks were SMOKING.

Finally, a brush with fame, if you want to call it that. Marc Anthony - black shirt, in the middle, and J Lo (god, what a big butt!!! For real!!!) in the blue to his right.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Destroy the infidels! Turkish Heavy Cav - WIP

My last post of the day is my WIP of Perry Miniatures 28mm Turkish Heavy Cavalry, circa late 11th century, early 12th century during the 1st or 2nd Crusades.

Russian carrier Kuznetsov and Typhoon class sub Dmitry Donskoi - WIP

Im working on a ship diorama at the moment - it is the only Russian aircraft carrier, the Kuznetsov, and it will be escorted by the Dmitry Donskoi (a Typhoon class sub terrorized the United States during the Cold War, and is seen in The Hunt For Red October). The Donskoi is literally the easiest model I have ever worked on (I think there were 3 pieces? Maybe 4?) but I just love the way it looks - very menacing!

I painted the first coat of Vallejo Sky Grey as the hull of the carrier, Black for the sub. Tonight, Im hoping to spray the deck a dark, almost black, grey.

And, the Kuznetsov's flight group

Punch it!

And now my crowning modeling/painting/lighting achievement - the Fine Molds 1/72 Millennium Falcon. This bad boy was a labor of love in lots of different ways.

Melissa bought this for me for my birthday, 2009, just before the model was discontinued.

ISD Avenger

This was my first attempt at lighting a model - a Star Destroyer! This model has well over 300 feet of .25mm fiber optics in it. Sadly, it appears that the bridge lights, as well as the main middle engine dont light anymore. There must be some crossed wires between the ones that lead up to the bridge and the main engine. Oh well - it still looks decent, and I learned how to light models. I learned a lot about what NOT to do when lighting things.

15mm Roman Cavalry

These are my first attempt at 15mm soldiers. They are really little, and need serious highlights to make them really stand out (which these dont have!). Anyway, I hope to try some more soon - I think they look best in numbers.

Here is a comparison between 28mm and 15mm.

Siberian Barbarian Chick

No disintegrations!

Boba Fett! Boba Fett! Where?!? This was a fun model to build. It is a conglomeration of about 25 parts from various Games Workshop figs. The base is made from a Vitamin Water frosted cap, painted black, and I have a 3 volt watch battery running a 3mm red LED light under the cap.