A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: BACK TO WORK!

Working on the Marauder will, apart from giving the Hobby Co something to display, lay the ghost – at least in part – of my disastrous Monogram build that went so badly wrong a year or so ago.

18th September 2025

A day that began with a hair cut. It may be a sign of age, but I really can’t abide my hair being too long, so try and have it trimmed every three weeks. This morning saw my almost monthly appointment with my good friend Craig, who lowered my ears and made me feel if not entirely clean-cut, then something close!

Once home, it was back to work.

Taking a week or so off is a lovely break from all things modelmaking, but I do find it difficult getting back into the swing of things once I return to my studio. This morning I had the first of four individual articles to write for Brett – two show reports, a kit preview and a new build – so I was jumping from one stool to another as each task was completed. With a full weekend of work ahead (yep, I work most weekends when we are not out at the football or in need of other distractions…) I’ll get everything done and then my attention can turn to newer projects.

One of those was discussed during a most enjoyable meeting with Andy Farmer. Andy is, amongst his many other duties, in charge of the Hobby Company’s stand at Scale Model World, so was keen to see what I was prepared to bring along to the show this year. Part of his needs are some ICM builds, some of which I already have, others I do not. Already in the bank are the 1/32 Tiger Moth, 1/48 OV-10 Bronco, and my conversion of their Ju88 into an Me109 carrying, Mistel. On top of those and keen to do something brand-new for the show (I like to have something new for each SMW show) I’ve agreed to do their 1/48 B-26B Marauder, I kit I bought earlier this year, but as yet have not started. 

Working on the Marauder will, apart from giving the Hobby Co something to display, lay the ghost – at least in part – of my disastrous Monogram build that went so badly wrong a year or so ago. Filled with enthusiasm after my sojourn into the world of Monogram’s Century Series, I hoped to be able to add another favourite to the collection, only to fall by the wayside as the finish went from okay to absolute garbage in the blink of an eye. Wrestling with it for a few days, I realised that nothing was going to make it okay and despite fans of my work telling me it looked okay, it fell pray to my size 11 right foot and ended up in the bin. Weeks of work down the drain, but relief that I no longer had to fight an enemy that was showing no signs of backing down. It won. I lost. Time to move on.

So the ICM kit should be a fun build that I hope will look pleasing once done. Though I have some additional parts, my plan is to build it from the box, focussing on neat assembly and paintwork. Speaking of which, I came across a stunning model this morning. Though I can’t remember where I saw it (other than it being on The Book Of Faces) the model was of an M1 Abrams with all of the modern bits and bobs scabbed on. What made this one stand-out was that it was not in any way weathered. The finish was absolutely immaculate, all of the details being defined by a simple dark wash, every single feature painted perfectly. The modeller had let the incredible detail speak for itself, the result being a truly stunning replica that showed in glorious technicolor, just what was possible when a picture-perfect impression was the goal, rather than one covered in the grime of use…

See you tomorrow.