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Mike Hicks

@authormichaelhicks.bsky.social
1.9K followers 1K following 8K posts

Books, movies, cats, travel, food, end of the world, and whatever else comes to mind.

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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Shot IC 1396 last night with my Dwarf 3. The original image is the second one; a friend introduced me to Astrowizard, which with a little fiddling produced the first image. Happy with the result!
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Last night's shot of IC 1396 with my Dwarf 3...
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
1900 words added to the latest novel. I'll take it... 😎 #AmWriting
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Just preordered a #Dwarflab #Draco telescope!
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Back to getting in some writing on the latest novel... #AmWriting authormichaelhicks.com/book/ashes-o...
authormichaelhicks.com
Harvest Series, Book 4: Ashes Of The Harvest
A year after the events of Reaping The Harvest, humanity remains at war with the insidious harvesters. While the bioweapon created by Naomi Perrault has held ba
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Okay, time to try and get some writing done... authormichaelhicks.com/book/ashes-o...
authormichaelhicks.com
Harvest Series, Book 4: Ashes Of The Harvest
A year after the events of Reaping The Harvest, humanity remains at war with the insidious harvesters. While the bioweapon created by Naomi Perrault has held ba
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I've had a growing fascination with the People's Republic of China over the last few years and decided to put down some thoughts on the topic. authormichaelhicks.com/is-china-our…
authormichaelhicks.com
Is China Our Enemy?
I've had a growing fascination with the People's Republic of China over the last few years. While I'm absolutely no expert, I think I've learned enough to concl
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
I'm writing this in the hopes that it may help out other folks moving to France who want to be able to drive beyond the 12 months you're legally allowed using a foreign (in this case U.S.) license! authormichaelhicks.com/the-joys-of-…
authormichaelhicks.com
The Joys of Earning a French Driving Permit
I'm writing this in the hopes that it may help out other folks moving to France who want to be able to drive. My perspective is that of a United States emigré
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
In case you hadn't heard, I've been working on a fourth book in the Harvest Series (formerly the Harvest Trilogy, ha!). The good news is that the draft is around the 90,000 word mark, with a fair bit left to do. authormichaelhicks.com/progress-upd…
authormichaelhicks.com
Progress Update on Ashes Of The Harvest
In case you hadn't heard, I've been working on a fourth book in the Harvest Series (formerly the Harvest Trilogy, ha!). The good news is that the draft is aroun
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Time to get some writing done... #AshesOfTheHarvest
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
It looks like my muse has finally returned since my dad died in January. It's good to have her back.
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Nina’s current nap takes priority over model-building. Obviously! 😹 #HistScaleModels
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
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.
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Nina the cat evaluating my work. I suspect I'm heading for remedial model-building training... #HistScaleModels
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman build update: track links. Track links. And more track links. Did I mention there are a lot of track links?? 😆 #HistScaleModels
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
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:
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
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. 😿
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
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.
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
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)...
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Welcome to Checkpoint Charlie! We continue our tour of the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, entering the Cold War hall... #HistScaleModels
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Next up in our tour of the Musée des Blindés at Saumur is the restoration of Tiger I 114! #HistScaleModels
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
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!
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
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.
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Time to rewatch The Longest Day... silverscreenoriginals.com/longest-day-...
silverscreenoriginals.com
The Longest Day (1962) | Silver Screen Originals
ORIGINAL quad movie poster for THE LONGEST DAY  (1962) starring John Wayne, Kenneth More, Richard Burton, Sean Connery and Henry Fonda. Directed by Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton and Bernard Wicki.
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Next 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
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
For anyone who's interested, here are some happy snaps I took at the Musée des Blindés (Saumur Armor Museum) in the summer of 2024 when my wife and I were doing a recon of places to move to in France. #HistScaleModels I'm going to post them in order as we went through. Any questions, fire away!
The Sherman tank "Corse,
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Hey, just a thought for the #HistScaleModels folks: I have a fair number of pics from the Musée des Blindés (Saumur Armor Museum) from the summer of 2024. If anyone wants me to post anything in particular, I'll be happy to post if I have pics of what you want. Otherwise I won't clog up the feed. 😎
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
I'm gonna add this to my calendar for next year! Definitely going to try and attend, and if I have my stuff together, may even submit an entry. More details in alt text... #histscalemodels #Modelisme #MaquetteMilitaire #ConcoursMaquette #MuséedesBlindés #ScaleModel #MilitaryModel #saumurtankmuseum
 | 2027 MODEL COMPETITION THEME

📍 May 15–16, 2027 — Musée des Blindés

Theme: Operational Support Since 1916

Military logistics in action.

Includes:
🔹 recovery & maintenance
🔹 human & material logistics
🔹 medical support in operations

Land, amphibious vehicles & aircraft only (1916–today).
❌ No maritime or rail transport.

Inspiration:
➡️ Verdun Sacred Way
➡️ Red Ball Express
➡️ Ho Chi Minh Trail
➡️ repair scenes & logistics operations

Focus: mechanics, convoys, repairs, transport & field support.

Craftsmanship and painting quality are key.

Have fun & surprise us! 🎨🏆✨
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Continuing to chug along on the AHHQ 1/16 M4A3E8 Sherman build. Now working on the suspension. #HistScaleModels I have to say, not having done any of this for about 45 years, that Tamiya glue is awesome! The last I remember using years ago were squeeze tubes of Testors cement! 😆
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Build day number 2 for the AHHQ M4A3E8 Sherman. Took a day off yesterday to deal with a migraine, then finished Step 1 (lol) today. Question: any #Histscalemodels suggestions for how to fix warped parts? One of the sprues in the kit & some of its parts were warped pretty badly. Hair dryer?
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Question for the #histscalemodels folks: does anyone have suggestions for tweezers for bigger, clumsier (lol) hands? I got some as part of a basic tool kit, but they're all about 4 1/2" long and they're just too darn small/short for me to hold comfortably.
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Question for the #histscalemodels folks: could someone explain what the "1.2.3.4" indicates in the instructions for the M4A3E8 by Takom/Andy's Hobby HQ? I've been out of circulation a long time and I don't recall or perhaps had never seen that, and I couldn't find...
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Humble beginnings! First bits assembled on my 1/16 M4A3E8 Sherman from Andy's Hobby Headquarters, and first scale model building done in 40+ years, lol! #histscalemodels
The partially assembled rear hull plate of the 1/16 M4A3E8 Sherman tank model.
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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
The last time I built #histscalemodels was 1981 or so, then donated what was left of my armor collection to ASU Army ROTC. My wife said I needed a hobby (LOL), so I decided to dive back in with Andy's 1/16 M4A3E8. Probably biting off more than I can chew, but there's no rush. Looking forward to it!
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