Latest Acquisitions - pt.3

[Duke Maddog]

Fantastic scores!

Adam Makos almost didn't write A Higher Call. When he first approached Captain Brown to write his story, Captain Brown said he needed to write about the German pilot who refused to shoot him down. Adam Makos didn't want to because he was determined to only write about American or Allied personnel only. Captain Brown assured him that without Franz Stigler's part in this, there was no story, and he would not give his side without having Franz' history included. Because Adam relented, we have the book.

[BlackSheep214]

I didn’t know this. Well, Captain Brown is right and I’m glad Mr.Makos relented and agree to write both sides of the story.

[Stuart]

Yup, a handful of Pershings arrived in the ETO at the end of the Ardennes campaign and were parceled out to several US Armored divisions. In addition to the now famous duel with the Panther at Cologne, several fought at Remagen during the capture of the bridge there. Another was knocked out by a Tiger in a close range night time engagement.
The design was underpowered, but otherwise was pretty solid, particularly the suspension, being the basis for the next 30 years of US evolutionary tank design until the Abrams.

Cool - thanks for the info Carlos, it is an interesting beast - I can certainly see where it would have led to the Patton series. it'll be interesting to see how it compares size wise to the Shermans I have on the shelf.

I love Spearhead. A fast read and it puts you right into the action from the get go. The Pershing tank is definitely on my must have kit.

That’s why I have the Panther tank in progress. Just need to figure out the number on the shot up tank and its commander to verify for decals.

Adam Makos first book is A Higher Call - another good book. I haven’t read Devotion and Voices of the Pacific yet which is his last two books. Spearhead was his second book.

It is indeed a good book, I'm really enjoying it. I've just read the bit where they got ambushed in the woods by a group of truck mounted flak guns - Jesus wept! I'm amazed any of the infantry sat on the tanks actually got away from that.

I should really read a higher call, it's always been on my 'to read' list. Devotion is really good also and well worth a read, much better than the film based on it.

[Duke Maddog]

Recently I needed some blades and debonder, so I ordered some:



I figured while I was at it, I might as well pick up a couple model kits since it's been awhile since I bought myself some. These are what I chose:





They might look the same, but there are subtle differences in them. And, they are not British, German or US!

[speedgraflex]

Debonder looks cool, Duke. I can’t wait to see you use it! Regarding knife blades, why doesn’t anyone simply sharpen them with a whetstone? I’ve been doing that for ages. I’ll use rough sandpaper or even a file to knock off any glue blobs then wet grind on my stone until the edge returns. What we use are close kin to scalpels and surgeons have those sharpened. Or is there something I don’t know?

[Brandons_Iron]

I sharpen my #11 with my sanding sticks. I've been using the same blade for years. Sharp as all get out and I've nearly lost a limb once or twice to it. I have new blades that I'll likely never use. So, you are not alone.

[speedgraflex]

That's good to know. I thought was doing something that was taboo.

[BlackSheep214]

I’m guessing those are French Naval ships.

Replacement blades are a must. I do occasionally will use a whetstone to keep it sharp but after a while, I’ll replace with a new one. I prefer the newer Xacto Z series blade but have noticed my local Walmart hasn’t had them in stock for the past year or so. I really like them because they are super sharp. I still have some left.

I discovered debonder a few years ago and have used them on occasion. They do work but they also can melt/soften plastic if you’re not careful.

[Stikpusher]

Debonder looks cool, Duke. I can’t wait to see you use it! Regarding knife blades, why doesn’t anyone simply sharpen them with a whetstone? I’ve been doing that for ages. I’ll use rough sandpaper or even a file to knock off any glue blobs then wet grind on my stone until the edge returns. What we use are close kin to scalpels and surgeons have those sharpened. Or is there something I don’t know?

I never could achieve the edge by sharpening on my own that a new #11 blade has. Not to mention the tip that is critical for trimming masking tape is frequently lost over time with usage.

[speedgraflex]

Understood, Carlos, your reply is appreciated, I’ve been using #11s in first more of a graphic design slash photography approach so maybe I’m not pressing in the same way, but I am able to hone a finer edge on my blades than the factory spec—for what it’s worth I’m still using some blades from college. My grandfather’s whetstone is the one I still use which I think is still sold online, or at least it was. My gripe with almost every size X-Acto isn’t the blade but the handle twist screw blade holder which seems to always need to be twisted before use. I’ve been trying a cheap Uschi sold X-Acto which has less of a tendency to loosen through use, but it’s lighter then a traditional handled X-Acto so I don’t use it as much. Cheers