iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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 · 05/07/2026

Gotta get some of that purple in there! 😀

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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 · 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 · 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

Now THERE is some serious texture on that Merkava!

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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 · 13/06/2026

And this rounds out the main collection of post-WW2 French Army vehicles, including the Pluton SRBM.

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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

But neither the Leclerc MBT nor the EBR-90 can compare to THIS awesome weapon of war! And the mannequin's expression shows he clearly knows he's got a good thing going.

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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 · 11/06/2026

Then we have a variety of Soviet tanks and other armored vehicles... #HistScaleModels

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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

The first item we come to is a cutaway of a Soviet T-72. I actually rode in one, in the commander's position, a long time ago. It's hard to imagine how cramped these things are, especially for a guy who's just over 6ft tall, lol! #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 · 09/06/2026

Now there's some detail - and some really delicate work! Also, I happened to have this pic from the Saumur Armor Museum, I believe of what I believe is an FT-17, in case it might be of help with your build. Sorry I don't have any from the sides/rear, though. 😎

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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I happened to have these shots of the R35 at the Musée des Blindés at Saumur (sorry I don't have any from the side/rear). The variance in the line width actually may actually lend more realism to that excellent paint job of yours. 😎

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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

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!

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Mike Hicks @authormichaelhicks.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

IKR? And it's only a 3-hour drive from here! 😎 There's just so much interesting stuff there, plus the Musée de la Cavalerie. Here's a few random pics showing the restoration of Tiger I "221" when I visited in 2024... #HistScaleModels

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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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