Clifford Keesler
I always judge for myself.

Rui S Author
I agree...

M.Julian Marles
Nice! This was the first ESCI kit I ever built..apart from the high flash level it builds into an acceptable little kit...😢

Rui S Author
Hi, M.Julian. Thanks'. I'm Leaving the Dragon ones to the end hehehe. My first ESCI was the 7.5 cm. Light Infantry Gun German Artillery Unit 1:35 (I will also make a photoalbum from it). That's true, but dealing with flash and seams it's part of the hobby and it's ok for me (and sometimes even relaxing)...

M.Julian Marles
Yep i have the italeri version of that one 🙂

Rui S Author
Be aware M.Julian, because the italeri instructions also have some errors...

M.Julian Marles
Thabx for the heads up

Choppa Nutta
Cool project dude, trailer is looking cool, you need to jump back on this one 🙂

Rui S Author
Hey, Thanks for the encouragement Mate. Appreciated😉

Rui S Author
Restarted work. Let's see if I can finish this😎

Andrea Morris
Got the mojo back 🙂

Rui S Author
Sorry Dave, I'm not sure what you mean 🙁 but it is back

Andrea Morris
Mojo = enthusiasm 🙂

Rui S Author
Ahh OK, Sorry for my ignorance. Yes, it is as said 😄

EnsignExpendabl
There's a certain satisfaction to getting a terrible old kit into a presentable state that you just don't get with modern high quality kits. Good job!

John Dunbar
Hey Rui, nice start!! 👍

Rui S Author
Thank you mates, comments much appreciated.
@EnsignExpendabl, You are absolutely right mate, as I prefer to save instead really spend lots of money in after market or very expensive new models.
I really enjoy improving the old hobby stuff with some improvisation😉
@John, Finally I think now I'm getting near the end of it.😎

Rui S Author
The fight with too stiff and hard tracks and a broken one. Simultaneously trying to simulate track Sag.

Roy McKenzie
I like the small improvements you did. The grill looks great opened

Andrea Morris
Good progress!

Rui S Author
Thank you, mates, appreciated.
@Roy I agree and it was very easy to do it with that small saw😉

Rui S Author
Added some more detail and highlight in the hull.

Tomska
Nice work improving this ancient Esci kit! I recently built an equally terrbile Esci Sdkfz 10, and it is indeed quite satisfying to improve the old kit yourself, instead of buying loads of aftermarket.

Rui S Author
Hi Tomska,
Thx for your nice comment, much appreciated.
I fully agree with you, mate. It's quite rewarding to get your best from an old kit.
You should post some albums of your work...🙂

Rui S Author
Camouflage colour applied over the grey base colour.

Rui S Author
Started figure painting, base paint, some kind of colour modulation, detail painting and gloss varnish for future wash's, filters and chipping.
Some more detail added😎

Rui S Author
Applied Filters and Chipping😉

Choppa Nutta
Really nice work Rui ! 👍 🙂
btw set your Teaser to latest mate😉 😄

Rui S Author
Hi Mate,
Thank you very much for your really nice comment Choppa. Coming from you has a special taste.
Ok, if you say so, I will change the Teaser, but it is still a work in progress 🙂

Choppa Nutta
Not to salty I hope haha 😄
anyhow, doesn't matter that it is a work in progress, we all wanna see at a glance progress is being made😉 😄

Seriously though, nice work, one thing though, better lights and a contrasting background, a sheet of warm light blue or something just to help the model pop out the photos a bit more make your good work easier to see 🙂

Andrea Morris
GREAT work Rui 🙂

Rui S Author
@Choppa, Of course you are right Mate.
Normally I take photos with a white background and different lights or natural light. I will do it later on the process.
This ones are from my working place just to memorize the progress.
@Dave, Thank you for your GREAT comment. much appreciated.
I think, next phase will be:
Adding more details and gear, apply dry pastels and mate varnish. Also detail painting and washes in the figurines.😉

Choppa Nutta
sorry don't mean to be picky but you're doing nice work here and it is worth getting that white sheet out to present it well 😄

Anyhow, looking forward to seeing it to completion 🙂

Rui S Author
Me too, my my friend, me too.
I will do it slowly and meanwhile I will try to take better photos😎
I've got the MOJO to end this one and the other two also.
Let's see how long it will take hehehe

Andrea Morris
Keep that mojo pumping 🙂

Rui S Author
Thanks Dave, I will.

Choppa Nutta
yeah, What Dave said ! 👍 😄

Rui S Author
Este é o meu País.
Não precisamos de electricidade na torre Eiffel.......👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
Parabéns PORTUGAL

M.Julian Marles
Looks great. It goes to show that very old and supposed outdated kits can look great with a nice paint job. I also like how you've reworked old figures into something new😄 as for football I guess the Welsh had a pretty good run!😉

Rui S Author
Thank you for the nice comment, M.Julian. much appreciated.
I'm glad you liked the paint job and the cannibalized old figures, (some older than others).
Yesterday I gave some talcum powder and pigments to simulate dried sand on the 10/4, and matte varnish on all.
I will post some new photos later😉

Kerry COX
Some great effects you have achieved Rui.👍
The ware and tare of desert life has been well represented.🙂
I do like the road tyres on the front having the dust but a well blackened area from some hard miles. 🙂
Well done mate. 👍

Rui S Author
Hi Kezza,
Thanks for your nice comment Mate.
I'm glad, really glad, you like the work so far. I hope I don't over do that effects.😉

Kerry COX
Rui, the big thing about desert trucks, and your research images will show too is the grease that streaks outward from the hub caps/covers and the sand that gets stuck to it. 👍
And you have done that 'faded/bleached' upper surface paint well.
But as I say, the whole look is most convincing. 🙂 🙂

Rui S Author
kezza, Thank s Mate.
Yes, you are right and I tried yesterday to do just that with the talcum powder and pigments as said and previously applied black satin oils.
It is just that, what I also hope I didn't over do it.
You will see it in the next photos.😉

Rui S Author
I just add some photos, (not the best but quick ones) just to show that.
The matte varnish removed the satin look that I will add later on with satin varnish.
Also a photo with some more detail work on the windshield.

Andrea Morris
Excellent work & no I don't think you have overdone the weathering.

Choppa Nutta
Respect Rui, this is shaping up nicely ! 👍 🙂
looking forward to some photos in daylight, hint hint😉 😄

Rui S Author
@ Dave, Mate you have been most supporting. Thank you very much. 😄
@ Choppa, hehehe I hear you Mate...😉 Thanks

Michael Razz
Esci is for those real modellers that go for it!Love the small details on that canonfloor
And i angree with Choppa,you truck needs some sunlight 🙂

Kerry COX
Oh, ! Es ist so heiß hier draußen Klaus, ! Ja! Sie könnten Spiegeleier in der frnder machen !!. 🙂 👍.
Did I get that right. ?🙂
A most convincing heat of the day scene. Well done Rui. 👍 🙂

Phil Marchese
Nice.

Wesley De Braekeleir
very nice job! beautiful painted figures.

Kerry COX
Looking at your work a little closer Rui, I have noted how much alteration to the figures positions you have done, and it's NOT easy to do. Exceptional mate, 👍

Rui S Author
Hi Mates,
@Michaël, this is still a work in progress and this photos where just a dry test fit. from there, I've glued some more items and details in the cannon floor and all the figures (after some more detail painting). I hope to manage some new and better photos of the model prior to start the dio base. Hopping....

@Kezza, I think your German is worst then mine Mate hehehe, but I caught the idea😉 It's going to be another long hot day for those guys on a betted up half track. At least is that I'm trying to depict. As to the cannibalization I enjoy to alter all those well known Tamiya, Esci, Italeri figures. I have lots of them so I don't waste my money buying from better brands.

@Wesley, THX a LOT, but I've to say that I'm still struggling a lot with figures painting mainly faces so with so much flesh showing on some of the figures, this was a well come challenge to improve my skills. Still learning. Has we all know practice, is the key.

So Mates, I got speechless for a while with all your very nice comments. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, greatly appreciated. 🙂

Wesley De Braekeleir
Painting figures is a very time consuming job en not easy in 1/35 scale. Like you say, we learn allong the way!! And curse a lot! 😉

Andrea Morris
@Wesley Oh so true 🙂 @Rui keep at it mate, you'll nail it.

Thomas Mayer
@ Kerry: Not bad, my friend! Not bad! Had you German at school?

Kerry COX
Oh Thomas. I cheated mate. :-/
I put it through that 'Google translator and I posted it, but it was more fun trying to say it LOL 🙂
I remember seeing a film of the Germans in North Africa, cooking eggs on the hot steel of their panzers that was baked by the sun. 🙂
And Rui 's work is so good, it just bought it to mind. hehehe 🙂

Thomas Mayer
Did Google also pronounce what you have "translated"? :-D

Kerry COX
Well Thomas, not with a good German accent. LOL
But I do remember my German father in law and the things he encouraged me to learn, and in my mind, I did OK. 🙂

Rui S Author
@Wesley & Dave I agree. Lots of small scale test and experiment work and LOTS of cursing, that's for sure. I'm don't know if I will nail it but I will try.

@Kezza, if Thomas is saying "not bad" is because your German is much better than mine.
Now I know that. The Google translation to Portuguese was not 100% correct that's why I said that. But to pronounce or even try to learm the language is way behound my skills, hehehe. I wil keep wih my bad English and Spanish😉.
As to the film you mention, I've seen it (it's on a panzer II mudguard) but some say that it was a fake for propaganda proposes... Anyway, thank you all for your complements, they sure help me a lot.

Kerry COX
As always Rui, your so humble in your replies. 🙂 👍
We all love your work, and especially all your research material you post. 🙂

Rui S Author
I hope you are right Kezza 🙂, but when I'm into modelling the research goes to a 2ª plan unless is something related with the subject I'm doing at the moment or thinking to do next, or if a mate asks for help. Especially about German WWII afv affairs. 👍

Kerry COX
I am still in awe Rui. Just ONE suggestion. The boots of the guy with his feet on the wind shield. Dusty with souls almost white. 👍

Rui S Author
Thank you very much for your words, James. Coming from a Master it makes me feel great, but hard to believe. 🙂
@ Kezza, how are you my friend? You know that in my case a work in progress will last forever, hehehe. 😄
It is waiting for the trailer and a final puff of dust all over the horizontal parts and undercarriage. But thanks for your suggestion.😉
Also one day... I need to take some better photos, has Choppa advise.😎

Kerry COX
We can talk over a beer or three next year Rui. 🙂 🙂 🙂 👍

Rui S Author
Not completly done yet🙁

Kerry COX
Still impressive Rui. No matter from what angle. 👍 👍 👍 😉

Rui S Author
Thank you for your nice words, again Kezza. I've not done yet what you sugested, because i've not touched this one since, but today i took some new photos of the all crew in position.

Neuling
Good work on this kit!

James C
Fantastic detailing Rui. The assorted stowage items and crewmen look amazing. 👍

Kerry COX
You can almost feel the heat of that Sahara sun. ! 😉

Chaz Gordon
Great work. I see poor kits as a great opportunity to put in some very satisfying correction work.. The results of the efforts you put in really show.

Rui S Author
I'm very happy that so many great modelers, like this still in progress kit. Thank you all very Much mates. Much apreciated.
@Neuling, Nice of you to stop by.
@James, i never had so much canibalized figures has this ones.
@Kezza, I've still to had some dust on .
@ Chaz, I'm still learning, so i still use older kits on my stash. I realy like to improve "bad" kits to a satisfying level. It gives me a lot of pleasure and not to use aftermarket itens to achive it, mor so.

Andrea Morris
Why the surprise? When your doing such great work!

Olivier
I think the guy sitting at the back must be very uncomfortable.

Chaz Gordon
I think today, any sizable stash will be mostly Old kits. I'd estimate mine at about 80% with the tool being from the 60s, 70s or 80s, another 15% from the 90s, the remainder tooled since 2000. To be fair, a chunk of the 60s & 70s kits are Tamiya, and may as well have been tooled in the 2000s for the quality, but there are as many 70s MPC kits which leave a lot of work to be done.

Rui S Author
@Dave, thank you for your Nice words. It is not so much the surprise, it is more the happiness that the work and the effort is beeing recognized and deserved the comment of modelers with a high level talent, if you get my drift.
@Olivier, yes i agree, maybee he is drinking shnnaps from the canten to ease the pain??? I've tried to replicate the guy on the project photo (n. 28). Bythway a very interesting photo with an intrigging unit sign.
@Chás, you are probably right. That's my case for sure, but has i've said multiple times in sacalemates i never underestimate old Tamyias Italeris, Airfix, Esci and others, i like them all, not to say i love them. And i praised very much that older brands because they started all this. And yes many of those early and much cheeper kits leave a lot to improve, That's why i've been working with some of them.

Kerry COX
Well said Rui. 👍
You covered all the bases on why we do what we do with what is available. 😉
You have excelled and have us all talking about it. 👍 🙂

Rui S Author
Well Kezza, you are beeing to kind, my friend. THX.
I've just post some new photos of this old project because I didn't have any with all the crew in. But you are right about us and the hobby. Still I've yet to use some aftermarket pieces that came with some of my evilbay buys and the Dragons; Miniart; and newer brands that i've in my stash😉

Ricardo Reis
Usual subject, at least for me. Nice! 👍

Rui S Author
@Ricardo, Nao sei bem a qual dos assuntos se refere, mas Obrigado.

Ricardo Reis
Queria dizer "unusual"! 🙂 Refiro-me ao half track com a peça em cima, não conhecia.

Daniel K
Very nicely done. The crew, weathering and all the small details tell a story.

Rui S Author
@Ricardo, Ah, ok. Os alemães colocavam canhões antiaéreos (as vezes quádruplos) em tudo o que mexia. Halftracks; camionetes; blindados; jipes. Era o que houvesse. Neste chassi até há um modelo com um PAK antitanque de 50mm. Neste caso a Esci, foi a primeira a lançar este kit, (primeiro na versão de transporte e depois este modelo, nos idos anos 70). Hoje em dia já há vários Italeri e Dragon, entre outros.
@Daniel, Thank you for your Nice comments, I realy apreciate it and I'm glad you liked it.

Olivier
Rui, are you sure that the photograph n° 28 is Afrika Korps ?

Rui S Author
@Olivier, I can't be 100% sure, but i found it on a book dedicated exclusively to the Afrika korps. Anyway, in my research I never found this "camel" sign anywhere.

Olivier
OK. Because the unit sign I cannot link to any DAK unit. Still an interesting image in particular for the trailer.

Rui S Author
Sorry, it was on a site dedicated to A.K. not a book. And yes, that's the intriging aspect of it.

Oscar Benavent
So cool! Congratulations, a nice job 👍

Rui S Author
Thank you very much Oscar. I'm really glad you liked it.

Roy McKenzie
that looks great, love the figures.

Rui S Author
Thank you Roy, Nice to know that you like. Much apreciatted.
Since I start cuting hands, I never stoped again and start cuting legs, arms, boots and everything else.😉

Oscar Benavent
:-D it's the same reasons that said Fredy Krueger to the police when he was catched!

Peter Hardy
I gotta get another hobby Rui, you're crushing me here! 😉

Rui S Author
@Oscar, hehehe. Yap, I'm the Hooby Fredy, since.
Glad that there is not a scalepolice 😄
@ Peter, Hey Mate don't need that. We need you and your talent here😉

Rui S Author
TEST

Peter Hardy
Loud and clear on the other side of the world Rui!

Cesare Marini
very beautiful!

Rui S Author
@Peter, I wrote "TEST" because I reactivated this thread to do a test with Tim, about the photos rotation feature.
Two photos in this album had been rotated and the thumbnails were missing. A old existing & anoying bug, fixed by Tim right away that day.
Didn't reply to you before because I didn't want to pull up the thread again.

@ Cesare, Thank you for your kind comment. I'm glad you like this one. Always apreciated.

Al
I've got the older version of this kit molded in the dark gray and it's a tough one to work with; congrats for doing a stellar job, especially with those rather difficult and sometimes strangely posed figures of theirs. (I'm thinking of the Italeri Schwimmwagen with the officer holding his elbow up over his head LOL).

Rui S Author
Thx a lot Al, much apreciatted and I'm really glad you like it.
I really liked all the work needed to make the kit and figures something decente. the result always serves as an incentive.
I'm leaving my best kits for when I have more experience.😉

David Pearson
Great attention to detail, looks really good.

David Taylor
Stunning.

Rui S Author
Thank you for your nice comments, David Pearson and David Taylor. I'm realy glad you like it. Much apreciated.

Jean-Daniel Aebischer
Very nice achievement, excellent result, when we know the mediocre quality of the model, beautiful work. I have one to assemble, but I will put Tamiya or ADV tracks on it, those of the kit are much too fragile. I hope to arrive at a result as good as yours.

Rui S Author
@ Jean-Daniel, Thank you very much for your kind comment. Yap I've to agree with you about the kit, so I'll try to enhance the model a bit more with a decent dynamic diorama.
After the Elephant and before the Mariupol Dio, it was time to remove this one from the shelf of doom, waiting for ages.
It will be my version of the dunes. Still a lot of work to do, but I'm determined not to start a new diorama before finishing the two I have on hold.

Randy Kriegel
Very nice work 👍

CaptGPF
Wow Rui! You outdone yourself with that build - the figures are well done, and the work you put into the half-track is nothing short of transformative! ❤️❤️❤️

Dave
This looks great so far. Can't wait to see where you take this in a diorama.

Clifford Keesler
Very nice!

Rui S Author
@ Randy, Thank you, for your praise. Apreciated
@ CaptGPF Thx very much, for your unconditional support
@ Dave, I've to thank you. This batch of photos was inspired by your words. P.S. I did tell that I would like to do a dyinamic Diorama with it, But I don't intend to do more figures for it, so maybee a nice vignett...
@ Clifford, Always glad to see you here Thx a Lot.

For those more initiated in bases, or others more/less interested, this is my way doing a sand dune system, using current materials.
Some photos showing where it is progressing, this is the state in which it is currently.

Jeff C.
Very nice work on EVERYTHING! The figure modifications the painting, weathering and landscape. BRAVO!!!!!

Dave
Great work. Love how you have the figures set as one who is looking at the ride, one who looks like he wants off the ride and the third one has no idea as to what's about to happen.

David Taylor
I must fess up,I've never built an Esci kit in all my years of fiddling.

Rui S Author
@ Jeff C., wow. Thank you very much for your most kind comment, it makes me very motivated and proud.

@ Dave, glad that you like my work and comment it. Very much apreciated. Yah, glad and interesting you mention that, becouse the angle at which I decided to place the half-track on a sloping sand dune also came from the balanced positioning of some of the figures (if you notice the guy sitting on the left is leaning forward and the one with his SAS legs, he's already watching the film and holding his helmet). Little do they know what will happen on the other side after the jump... a leap into the unknown. 😄

@ David Taylor, for a long time, only Esci had this halftrack in 1/35. I've done also the 7.5 cm Light Infantry Gun. German Artillery Unit. ESCI | No. 5011 | 1:35. Another must before other brands launch the same kit later.

The damn sand dune took way too long. I went back and forth with the application and gluing of the powder and paint, but finally it seems acceptable to me and it already allows me to take some interesting photos. I hope you like them too.
Now all that's left is to finish painting the trailer convincingly and the base frame.

Pietro De Angelis
Fantastic masterpiece of vintage craftsmanship,
in this sector Rui you are unmatched!

Gary Curling
Lots of hard work played off.well done

CaptGPF
I have to agree with everyone - all that work paid off in a cracking Dio! Thank you for sharing your build journey, and for the eye-candy, Rui!

Mark Sherwood
I can feel the heat from here. Brilliant Dio Rui. 🤘🥸👍

Rui S Author
@ @ Pietro De Angelis, thank you very much for your support and kind comment, very much appreciated and important to me. Nevertheless I think your statement is a bit exaggerated, there are more mates here who also get good results with not so good kits and no aftermarket stuf, but thx again for you praise.

@ Gary Curling, Thx mate, not finished yet. Glad you liked and comment.

@ CaptGPF, Thank you so much for your comment and great support ,always very much apreciated. Glad you like this long build journey, now finelly near the end.

@ Mark Sherwood, thank you for stoping by (you know the remedy, one or more cool bears and all it's good). Glad you like it so far, I'm on the final stretch with the base and wrap this one.

The trailer is now painted in accordance (or almost) with the Half Track. Just the final touches on the base and it's done.

Alec K
Wow, nice way to resurrect a beautiful shelf queen Rui 👍 👍 👍

Dave
The tailer looks incredible. Sitting here trying to figure out how you made that cover look so good.

Mark Sherwood
That tarp' on the trailer, top notch Rui. I'll be hoisting a few over the weekend too Mate.

David Taylor
Looks brill.You need to do a tutorial on that trailer tarp.

shadowlight
I second the need for a tutorial on the tarp.
By the way where do you locate the halftrack to be? Because the sand color in Tunisia is much more reddish compared to Morocco for example.

Rui S Author
@ Alec K, thank you very much and I agree with you, I've wanted to finish this scene for a long time, it's always rewarding to finish another piece of work.

@ Dave, Thx again for your support. I'm glad you enjoyed the trailer coverage. As always, my work is empirical, I'll experiment until I like it 😄

@ Mark, Thank you for your nice comment, very much appreciated. Looking forward to seeing your builds.

@ David Taylor, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I'm not sure the tarp deserves a tutorial, nor am I sure how to do it, but it seems there are several mates interested, so the new photos (reverse sequence) show what happened.

@ shadowlight, thx for your comment. As mentioned above I added new photos on how I made the tarp.
As for the location, I would say somewhere in Libya; Egypt or Tunisia.

Jan Peters
I like what you have done with this old kit, you have made clever improvements, added nice details and I especially like the way you have done the figures to add life👍🏻

Rui S Author
Hi Jan. Thank you very much for your kind comment. I'm glad you like my work on this one. Apreciated. I think old kit's are easiar to improve and also deserve a chance 😉

Lorraine Lin
Rui, I just went through all the photos and realized that the truck was built 10yrs ago! The trailer and the new dio looks very fantastic, I will watch this master show.

[img1]

Dave
Thank you for the reverse photos of tailer trap and information, this helps a great deal.

Jennifer Franklin
That is well done Rui, it looks pretty darn amazing.