Sam's Mini Armor

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Sam's Mini Armor Building & weathering 1/35 / 1/48 scale models. Progress shots, techniques, and finished pieces.
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My later 1/35 Academy M1151 build, and a fun one to compare with my older build of the same kit.This time the story is i...
10/16/2026

My later 1/35 Academy M1151 build, and a fun one to compare with my older build of the same kit.
This time the story is in the small stuff: roof stowage, a traffic cone, the spare tire and the DANGER / STAY BACK sign on the back.
The sand finish is dusty without hiding the panel lines or the markings, which detail catches your eye first?

10/13/2026

My 1/48 Trumpeter Sukhoi Su-24M, up close.
The markings, the tail art, the ordnance under the wings and all those panel lines.
Which detail do you like most?

The 1/48 Academy SBD-5 Dauntless is a good reminder that a kit really comes alive in the small details.Filling gaps, cle...
10/12/2026

The 1/48 Academy SBD-5 Dauntless is a good reminder that a kit really comes alive in the small details.
Filling gaps, cleaning up seams, and adding or restoring rivets and panel lines can make a huge difference before the paint even goes on.
Then the faded finish, washes, and weathering bring those details together without hiding the aircraft's shape.
When improving a kit, what do you enjoy most: correcting the fit, adding surface detail, or weathering the finish?

This 1/48 Plastikovy Model Sukhoi Su-7BKL is one of those builds where the bare metal finish really defines the whole ch...
10/03/2026

This 1/48 Plastikovy Model Sukhoi Su-7BKL is one of those builds where the bare metal finish really defines the whole character.
I tried to keep the aluminum tones varied and worn so the panels, markings, and surface detail still had plenty of contrast.
The different angles show how much the natural metal changes with the light across this big Cold War airframe.
Which view do you think shows the bare metal finish best?

This 1/35 M-55 started with the Tamiya T-55, but 3D modeling and printing made it possible to turn an available kit into...
09/25/2026

This 1/35 M-55 started with the Tamiya T-55, but 3D modeling and printing made it possible to turn an available kit into a completely different variant.
Designing conversion parts opens up a lot of possibilities when the exact vehicle you want simply does not exist as a kit.
For me, that is one of the most exciting uses of 3D printing in scale modeling.
What existing kit would you like to see turned into a conversion set?

Here’s my 1/48 HobbyBoss TBF-1C Avenger, a build where the big airframe really gave the weathering room to show.I tried ...
09/18/2026

Here’s my 1/48 HobbyBoss TBF-1C Avenger, a build where the big airframe really gave the weathering room to show.
I tried to keep the finish worn without losing the contrast in the markings and panel detail.
The cockpit and underside views are probably my favorite parts of this set.
Which angle do you think shows the Avenger best?

Six different 1/35 vehicles, and each camouflage color reacts differently to weathering.Dust can soften and fade a finis...
09/11/2026

Six different 1/35 vehicles, and each camouflage color reacts differently to weathering.
Dust can soften and fade a finish, while mud, splashes, rust, and chipping create contrast and show how the vehicle has been used.
Putting these builds together shows why the same weathering approach does not work on every camouflage scheme.
Which combination of camouflage, dust, mud, splashes, rust, and chipping looks most convincing?

This 1/48 Hasegawa Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan is one of those builds where the weathering really changes the whole character.I...
09/04/2026

This 1/48 Hasegawa Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan is one of those builds where the weathering really changes the whole character.
I kept the finish worn but still readable so the markings and shape stayed the focus.
The different angles show how much the look changes from top to underside.
Which view do you think shows the aircraft best?

A look back at one of my 2023 builds, the 1/48 scale Ukrainian 🇺🇦 Sukhoi Su-24M “Fencer” from Trumpeter. The striking di...
08/20/2026

A look back at one of my 2023 builds, the 1/48 scale Ukrainian 🇺🇦 Sukhoi Su-24M “Fencer” from Trumpeter.

The striking digital camouflage made this a challenging but incredibly rewarding project. I especially enjoyed bringing out the aircraft’s intricate surface details, contrasting gray tones, colorful markings, and operational character through subtle weathering.

The close-up views reveal the complexity of this impressive aircraft, from its variable-sweep wings and landing gear to the external stores and countless stencils. Even after a few years, it remains one of the most distinctive modern jets that I ever built.

What do you think of the digital camouflage?

04/25/2026

Realistic rust in layers 🔥

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