iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It does feel good to shift into paint mode after so long cutting plastic. Primed Mr. Surfacer 1500 Black and then a blend of AK RC NATO Brown, Rotbraun, and Flat Black for a rust layer and speckled it with AK 3rd Gen Dark and Medium Rust. Figures cleaned up and primed as well. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

If anyone has had the displeasure of putting together Panda tracks, they will understand why I made the effort to print out a whole set of replacement running gear. Getting everything to mate up was treacherous, folks, but worth it. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Hello #histscalemodels! I've been plugging away on the M60A3 and am pleased with my progress. Road wheels, track, and fender sponsons are all that's left.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Yes, the story has all but finalized on this scene, #histscalemodels. The Ethiopian BMD crew receives a quick briefing from the unit commander before heading into action against suspected Tigray forces. As usual, a simple little thing has mutated into a multi-vehicle diorama. 🥲 Will I ever learn?

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I realized the figures I'd cobbled together looked off. The plastic Miniart helmets didn't match the detail of the resin sculpt. Enter these gents, freshly printed last night. I've now got a good line on a scene featuring Ethiopian troops during the Tigray War. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A little more on the BMD-2. Turret mostly assembled and I modified a couple resin prints with Miniart Soviet style tank crew helmets. As the build phase takes shape I am imagining these guys as a Soviet successor state soldiers with their inherited track. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Hey, #histscalemodels! Have I been hard at work on the on-going group build? No. But have I been working on the M60 currently half finished on the bench? Also no. What I -have- been doing is playing with this HobbyBoss BMD-2 for reasons that escape even me. S'fun tho.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#histscalemodels Let's call the turret complete. Apparently, tankers are never beating the pack rat allegations. I spent a lot of this afternoon expanding on the stowage, camo net, tarps and bags and other random stuff. Can (and will) probably add more, but I like the current profile.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I started the M60 about 15 days ago and it feels like I should be done with the construction already, but alas, a snail would outpace me currently. Here's the model as it sits, #histscalemodels. Optimistically planning to have the turret 100% done by the end of today, then it's off to Hull.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Ive been avoiding a tricky section of PE, but it's the last step for my M60 turret. They're the tow cable mounting hooks, in which one must fold a tiny sliver of brass into a J shape 12 times. Oh, and they have to be perfect or the tow cable won't rest in them. Here's how I did it: #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Got the gun tun assembly situated and mounted. Placed a muzzle plug to reinforce the field training ops vibe I'm going for. Next will be the second smoke discharger cover and a Hoffman device and that should finish up the turret. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The PE for Takom's M60A3 is pretty sparse and not overly complicated, but it does require the bending of the bustle rack mesh which, even with the included jig, is a hassle. Not as much as bending the tow cable brackets onto the turret with no spacing guide, but still... #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Okay! After trying several suggestions from my esteemed chums, I came to the conclusion that only Tamiya putty had the right "feel" for the canvas covers. I refined my workflow to incorporate thinned PVA to help the de-tacked putty adhere and got what I think is a good result. Y/N? #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Alright, #histscalemodels. I need some advice and hopefully this ragtag bunch of yahoos have an answer! I'm working on my M60's turret and I want to replicate the canvas covering of the M239 smoke dischargers seen here.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

That's the cupola sans the M85 machine gun. Takom gives us a slide molded barrel with a hollow muzzle, but it lacks in every other measure. Need to decide if I can improve the kit part or replace it. Also considering drilling out the vision blocks and using UV cure resin as glass. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The cupola on the M60A3 features a sight enclosure protected by a vinyl cover. Takom would have you make due with this little lip molded onto the door. Bunk that. I've made a replacement from .03mm brass tube and Tamiya Quick Type putty. That's right folks, we're hyper-detailing! #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

A blast from the past! Tamiya's M51 Israeli Sherman and Takom's M46. Both of these were built in 2020, and it was actually the second time I'd built the M51. This time as you can see I went all in on after market. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Getting the weld beads down on the M60 turret. These are probably a bit over scale, but any smaller and it'd be pointless to make them. 🤷‍♂️ #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Yes, there are still a few little details on the T-55 diorama to finish, but I wanted to start on this chonky tonk, #histscalemodels. Cast armor texture is on as well as some casting marks courtesy of Archer Fine Transfers.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

They say when baby naps you nap. Well, whoever said that didn't have notes to write and walk-arounds to pore over! #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Hi, it's Bob Weaddababy-Eetsaboy. Niko Augustus Long hit the deck at around 9:30pm on Tuesday and we haven't slept a wink since.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Zimi Model has now acquired ModelCollect (Fist of War). Who is next on the menu for Zimi's seemingly insatiable appetite?

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Ok, #histscalemodels, as I'm wrapping up the T-55 diorama, I'm starting to plan my next project. As usual, I'm in the mood for something simple that I'm sure will transform into a major project halfway through. As it stands, an M60A3 in a hasty fighting position with a single figure chilling out.

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Reposted by Matthew Long

Velga The Observer @velgatheobserver.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

I'm open for commissions if any of you are interested in some cozy & immersive fantasy art :) #art #illustration

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

On today's episode of "An Hour's Worth of Work No One Will Ever See", this pallet, soon to be covered with ammo boxes. What is my life? 🫪

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Work on the trailer for the UAZ, #histscalemodels. I know there are a couple of layer lines visible, trust they will be covered with snow, mud and grime soon enough!

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Whew! This is where we sit for today, #histscalemodels! Most of the hard work is done, all that's really left is extending the mud and grime from the lower hull up to the upper hull. Ref pics show Marina wasn't -filthy-, but I think a very light unifying layer of dirt is appropriate. Then: tracks. 😮‍💨

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Manually chipping is a real tedious job, but it's hard to argue with the results! #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Why, yes. I have spent all morning carefully applying weathering effects that NO ONE will ever see. But I know they're there, and now you do too! 😌

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Rode the struggle bus for quite a few stops getting these decals to settle down, but we did it. Also had a moment of panic when I realized that Marina lacked the driver's splash guard. Some emergency surgery squared it away, it I'm still kicking myself for not noticing it earlier. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Camo is down. 😮‍💨 The painting guide Takom supplies is... garbage. The actual photos of Marina aren't super clear, either, so there was a lot of guesswork and outright fabrication on this one! #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

This technique is really a pain, and I'm not entirely certain worthwhile over traditional post shading. The tonal variation is nice and subtle, but I still have two camo colors to go and weathering, so it may just disappear entirely underneath it all. 🤷‍♂️ #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

It's Prime Time, #histscalemodels! Getting stoked about the painting techniques I'm going to use on this one.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I actually couldn't stop thinking the UAZ was off, so I revisited some of my reference images and realized I was missing the wet, dirty splash line around car running boards. For this I used AK Streaking Grime applied thick and then dribbled with white spirit. How's it look? #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Trumpeter UAZ-469 all done, folks. Thanks for following! #histscalemodels #finishedmodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Doing some inside work due to temps in the garage being incompatible with life. First pic: hairspray chipping dust layer with Tamiya acrylics. 2nd pic: refined with oils. Amazed I was able to color match the dust layer (Neutral Gray and Buff) with oils (Lamp Black and Ground White). #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Figure #1, the driver of the UAZ is done, #histscalemodels. I'm about to snip his support and get him installed.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Home stretch on the UAZ-469, #histscalemodels! Some very minor parts I've been saving for absolute last, a few little details to paint in/clean up, and then I can get the figure installed and seal it up for good.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Okay, #histscalemodel friends. Need some opinions. The decals would not cooperate with the gloss layer, so I sprayed a satin varnish which seems to have engendered the decals to sit flat. HOWEVER, I was really hyped on an automotive gloss look for the UAZ. Can I give it one more gloss coat or no?

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Base coat and first coat of gloss down on the UAZ. I will pinwash this layer, then gloss again and decals, since they are supposed to be flat while the original paint will be shiny. Ad-hoc spray paint camo will go over all that. Canvas roof is removable so I can place the figure. #histscalemodels

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Back on my malarkey, #histscalemodels! I have the interior of the UAZ-469 painted up and now it's time to add all those little external details. The canvas roof looks like it will need some encouragement to fit right, but I think I can convince it 💪

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Kako se kazes: "I'm done with this joker?" Last Croatian T-55 update for tonight, #histscalemodels. Construction is done and it awaits prime time! Gonna take a breather for a couple days and I'll see y'all in a few!

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

I'll be in the cold cold ground before I use some dopey plastic parts when I can zhuzh it up with some shiny metal, #histscalemodels.

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Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

The T-55 is coming along. In truth, construction is nearly done. I just have the less labor intensive fender to do and wiring up some ancillary stuff. Very happy with the fuel tanks, though! Looking forward to getting paint on this one because it has been such a dog to build. #histscalemodels

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