Time to get some writing done... #AshesOfTheHarvest
Mike Hicks
@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
Books, movies, cats, travel, food, end of the world, and whatever else comes to mind.
It looks like my muse has finally returned since my dad died in January. It's good to have her back.
Our first portable AC unit came today and I set it up and turned it on. The second one is hopefully coming soon. This is going to be the new reality in most of Europe, sadly; we live in Brittany. The heat waves we're seeing now aren't "anomalies" any longer; the future of climate change is here.
Thanks to whomever suggested I use a hot water bath to relax (slightly and gently) the upper and lower hull sections of the AHHQ M4A3E8, which were both warped a fair bit out of the box. That seems to have done the trick to straighten them out, with a bit of gentle twisting... #HistScaleModels
Decided to fork over some cash from my book royalties (one hobby supporting another, lol) for a Hozo NeoSander and NeoBlade. Getting back into the hobby has been great, but time hasn't been kind to the joints in my hands and filing/sanding, especially, ain't fun! #HistScaleModels
The tracks are finally built for the AHHQ 1/16 M4A3E8 Sherman build. Yay! Now doing more work on the hull. Not happy with the mold seams on the bogies; I took a run at cleaning those up earlier, but they definitely need more work (that's what Nina the cat said, anyway). #HistScaleModels
Nina the cat evaluating my work. I suspect I'm heading for remedial model-building training... #HistScaleModels
The Sherman’s tracks are mostly done, except for the 130 or so teeth that I have to add. Going to get back to the rest of the suspension and other bits… #HistScaleModels
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo ago47 links each side so far for the AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build. Only 32 more per side, plus adding the rest of the teeth, lol #HistScaleModels
47 links each side so far for the AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build. Only 32 more per side, plus adding the rest of the teeth, lol #HistScaleModels
AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build update: track links. Track links. And more track links. Did I mention there are a lot of track links?? 😆 #HistScaleModels
Okay, we're going to wrap up our tour of the Musée des Blindés in Saumur today! <flourish of kazoos> The rest of the pics are a combination of Cold War and current day. Enjoy! Three batches of pics:
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo agoOkay, #HistScaleModels, we're heading back to the Cold War at the Musée des Blindés! We find ourselves in the hall focusing on French vehicles. I love the Leclerc, and the EBR-90 is simply badass.
Our 19 year-old cat had what I suspect is another mini-stroke. For five minutes or so, she went completely blind, her pupils dilated fully open, with her turning around and around, bumping into everything. As with the previous time this happened, fortunately she regained her sight. Ugh. 😿
Okay, #HistScaleModels, we're heading back to the Cold War at the Musée des Blindés! We find ourselves in the hall focusing on French vehicles. I love the Leclerc, and the EBR-90 is simply badass.
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo agoRemember when I said we were heading into the Cold War hall of the Musée des Blindés? Well, we're heading briefly BACK into WW2, lol! I'm just posting these in the order I took them, so I must've backtracked somewhere. Who knows? Anyway, enjoy! #HistScaleModels 1/2
Remember when I said we were heading into the Cold War hall of the Musée des Blindés? Well, we're heading briefly BACK into WW2, lol! I'm just posting these in the order I took them, so I must've backtracked somewhere. Who knows? Anyway, enjoy! #HistScaleModels 1/2
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo agoWelcome to Checkpoint Charlie! We continue our tour of the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, entering the Cold War hall... #HistScaleModels
The pennant strings are now up for the forthcoming music festival and the biannual medieval festival next month here in Josselin (this is looking out our bedroom window)...
Was at the shop with my wife a few doors down from our house. Saw the La Poste van pull up to deliver my PT-596 kit. I thought I'd just jog down to meet the driver. I think I pulled both hamstrings. It sucks getting old! But at least I've now got the model in hand, lol! #HistScaleModels
Does anyone have recommendations for (or against!) 1/16 U.S. WW2 tank crew figure sets? The AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman I bought only has an infantryman - not very helpful! I see a number of after-market sets, but have no idea which might be decent and which aren't. TIA for any advice! #HistScaleModels
Welcome to Checkpoint Charlie! We continue our tour of the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, entering the Cold War hall... #HistScaleModels
This baby just shipped from the ebay seller: Italeri 1/35 PT-596. I've wanted one of these for a LONG time. I'll probably work on this one after I'm done on the Sherman. #HistScaleModels
A not terribly exciting update on the AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build: track links, track links, and more track links. 79 per side. I've assembled one sprue's worth. Only four to go! LOLOL #HistScaleModels
And now we wind up the WW2 hall of the Musée des Blindés before we venture into the Cold War era! Love the camo on the middle tank. Also, I'm considering a diorama in future of the Char B1 "Eure" that took part in the Battle of Stonne. Fascinating story! Link in last post here. #HistScaleModels
Next up in our tour of the Musée des Blindés at Saumur is the restoration of Tiger I 114! #HistScaleModels
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo agoNow it's time in our tour of Musée des Blindés for some heavy metal! Here are 12 pics in 3 posts of Panthers, the King Tiger, and an armored car that snuck in there, lol! #HistScaleModels
We're continuing on our tour of the Musée des Blindés at Saumur with more pics of Heavy Metal: King Tiger, Jagdpanther, Bergepanther, StPz IV, Hummel, and a Jagdpanzer IV that had a *very* bad day! #HistScaleModels Among other things, the different Zimmerit applications are interesting!
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo agoNow it's time in our tour of Musée des Blindés for some heavy metal! Here are 12 pics in 3 posts of Panthers, the King Tiger, and an armored car that snuck in there, lol! #HistScaleModels
I thought I had already posted this, but don't see it. So apologies if it's a dupe! It's Track Week time for the 1/6 AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build. Yee-haw. Fortunately the kit comes with a jig to help this process along. Tedious but not difficult, except I accidentally... #HistScaleModels
Now it's time in our tour of Musée des Blindés for some heavy metal! Here are 12 pics in 3 posts of Panthers, the King Tiger, and an armored car that snuck in there, lol! #HistScaleModels
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo agoContinuing through the WW2 hall of the Musée des Blindés, we find some German tank destroyers and assault guns, a Panzerwerfer, and 20mm and 88mm AA guns... #HistScaleModels
AHHQ 1/16 M4A3E8 Sherman update: Bogies finished, along with the lower hull. I'm going to wait to do the wheels until later. In the meantime, it's gonna be time to build tracks! #HistScaleModels
Continuing through the WW2 hall of the Musée des Blindés, we find some German tank destroyers and assault guns, a Panzerwerfer, and 20mm and 88mm AA guns... #HistScaleModels
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo agoNext up in our Musée des Blindés tour: the WW2 hall. This'll be in a few different posts, as the museum has a LOT of vehicles from this era on display (no surprise). This post has three sets of pics covering the first batch of German vehicles.
Next up in our Musée des Blindés tour: the WW2 hall. This'll be in a few different posts, as the museum has a LOT of vehicles from this era on display (no surprise). This post has three sets of pics covering the first batch of German vehicles.
Continuing our little tour of the Musée des Blindés, the first major hall is WWI. I didn't take a lot of pics here, as WWI armor isn't really my thing, but it's obviously a critical aspect of armored vehicle history. I can't imagine being a crew member in one of these things! #HistScaleModels
Mike Hicks@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 2mo agoNext on our little tour of the Musée des Blindés, you're greeted by an M24 that has some cutaway panels so you can see the interior. The museum, as you can see, is divided into several main halls. And the museum staff are spoilsports, not allowing you to climb on the vehicles! 😆 #HistScaleModels