SPA Modeler

A couple days ago I finally was able to finish five more armor models and free up more space on my workbench. All of these are the latest Japanese Ground Self Defense Force vehicles offered by Fujimi and Aoshima. I'm thrilled to be adding to my Japanese Army.

The first model, Aoshioma's Type 73 3-ton cargo truck:





I dusted it up quite a bit, but it doesn't show well in these pics. Here's some of the weathering in the bed of the truck:



Just for fun, I loaded it with some Value Gear cargo to see how well it looks loaded down:




Next up is the 3.5-ton Japanese SAM truck:



I'm not sure why the window looks so messed up. It didn't look that bad when I removed the masking.



She was a toughie, but she's finally done.

Next is the 3.5-ton Radar truck that supports the missile truck:





I did notice the silvered decals. Those were dealt with accordingly.

It may not be completely accurate, but I do like the look of this control panel:



Here's a shot of the whole SAM system together:




Next up was this little "Japanese Ontos" or "baby Ontos" as others called it. This is one of the Japanese Type 60 106mm Self Propelled Recoilless guns. This one is completed in firing mode, whereas the other will be done in travel mode:







I actually completed this with the upper hull and engine covers removable so the interior can be seen. The other one will most likely be cemented shut.


Last but not least, this is my Type 10 with Dozer blade mounted. My previous Type 10 was supposed to have a dozer blade on it, but it fell down off the table. A couple vital pieces that were supposed to hold the dozer blade on the tank disappeared so it was built as a regular tank. I bought and built this one to replace it:






Just for fun, here's a size comparison of the little Type 60 106mm Self Propelled Recoilless gun and the Type 10 Main Battle Tank:



You can see where the upper hull slipped a little when I took this pic, but it is done. Maybe some day I'll glue it down.

Okay, that's all my models I've completed so far. This now brings me to 675 completed armor models in 1/72 scale.

Thanks for looking in, comments are welcome.

Very nice Duke. I haven't done armor kits in decades - and I mean decades... LOL!

Thanks Blacksheep. Come on over to the Dark Side. We have cookies.

Thanks again for the compliments.

Nice work Mark Are you going to bring them at AMPS or IPMS this month?

Duke Maddog wrote: Okay, that's all my models I've completed so far. This now brings me to 675 completed armor models in 1/72 scale.

Thanks for looking in, comments are welcome.

Great stuff Duke!

Watching these great builds, sort of difficult to believe they are all 1/72 scale, so detailed and well done.

But euhm, 675 completed models... do you really mean 6 7 5 ?? Amazing!

- Kari

Stunning work, especially in itty-bitty scale. I can't see 1/48....

Thanks Carlos! Yes, I plan on having them at IPMS. Not sure I'll be able to make it to AMPS.

Thanks Kari! Yes, I do mean 6 7 5 completed armor models indeed. If you look back at my Introduction post when I first signed up here, you should see the overall pic of my entire armor collection back when it only numbered 545 models. I've been building and keeping track ever since. Once I complete 700 of these bad boys; I'll post another complete pic of the entire collection. Stay tuned, I should have them done in another few months.

Thanks Lyle! I do have to take my glasses off to see them well myself. Besides, that's why I blow up the pics so you can see them!

Thanks again for the great replies guys!

Duke Maddog wrote: Thanks Kari! Yes, I do mean 6 7 5 completed armor models indeed. If you look back at my Introduction post when I first signed up here, you should see the overall pic of my entire armor collection back when it only numbered 545 models. I've been building and keeping track ever since. Once I complete 700 of these bad boys; I'll post another complete pic of the entire collection. Stay tuned, I should have them done in another few months.

Thanks & Sorry! I have totally missed that post

More than an amazing collection Duke! Not to mention all your great airplanes, some rare birds "flying" in the roof, really cool!

- Kari

KSaarni wrote:

Duke Maddog wrote: Thanks Kari! Yes, I do mean 6 7 5 completed armor models indeed. If you look back at my Introduction post when I first signed up here, you should see the overall pic of my entire armor collection back when it only numbered 545 models. I've been building and keeping track ever since. Once I complete 700 of these bad boys; I'll post another complete pic of the entire collection. Stay tuned, I should have them done in another few months.

Thanks & Sorry! I have totally missed that post

More than an amazing collection Duke! Not to mention all your great airplanes, some rare birds "flying" in the roof, really cool!

- Kari

Thanks Kari! All told I have somewhere around 1100 models finished. I'm running out of space to put them all.

Jim, congrats on your five completions for the year. That is a very respectable total. I think my yearly count to date is somewhere around 15 myself... I need to check it out and see. Thanks for the compliments on my work, they are very appreciated and keep me motivated. I agree with the need for the 'dozer tank for traffic; LA has it's fair share as well and it's been getting worse!


Thanks again for all the great comments guys!