iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Those fenders look great, Greg! Glad my methods proved to be of some use, and I'm sure you'll develop your own techniques the more you work with PE. Great show!

020

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I was also surprised at how lovingly they were restored. Down here in the south, you can find these old tractors rusting out in barns, junkyards and farmer's back 40s but I've never seen examples that look like they've come off the assembly line!

120

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Not exactly the same as the D7 tractor (of which I have an example in the stash) but fairly close! Useful images for the engine plumbing, at least! #histscalemodels

0140

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Was coming home last night from a social event when the boy spotted these two old lovelies on display on the C.W. Matthews front lawn. Needless to say we whipped into the parking lot so quick to grab some photos. Caterpillar Models 35 and 15, respectively.

4482

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The obvious answer is to ditch work!! These guys are looking great, Twai!

130

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

They come as a set of 5 (there are two sets worth of figures seen here minus a couple I didn't print) for $13, which is the steal of the century considering a single figure from a 3D print studio runs $20-25 before shipping.

140

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

I imagine you're going to have a lot of fun painting them up. Can't wait to see them.

020

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

Ahahahaha where on earth do you find these things?

180

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

Thanks, Stef. The figures are from FC Model Trend, but only available as the digital files.

121

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

2476

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

3282

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Well, if any EU or UK friends want dibs let them have it before me.

010

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Pretty much exactly how that went down.

120

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Biggest cock up? Probably when I glued down the fording shield on my M551 from RFM and dutifully masked the little window. Painted everything up, removed the mask and remembered there was bare tan plastic on the other side of that window.

130

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I would definitely build it, but i don't know how MBK deals with shipping stateside.

110

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

That's the one. Also used it on my M38 build a while ago. 😎

140

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

Thank you! And yes, MERDC is the order of the day. M60s were phased out of active service when I joined, but growing up they were all over. I remember crawling through them at open houses on Fort Benning.

030

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

Some late nights, some quite afternoons... I take what I can get! 😁

020

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

Howdy, Stef! He's becoming quite the night owl, but gives us a little time during the daylight hours to saw some logs. Thank you, and yes I'm researching the best way to do MERDC in anticipation.

140

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.

6817

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Well it's phenomenal work and I am so impressed with the gloss finish. It has a real depth of luminosity! Also, please, no rush on whatever you're cooking up for me!!

120

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

This is the best answer. Any "tan" color mixed with red will keep the correct saturation vs. using white which pretty quickly turns pink. HOWEVER At faded red cloth is pretty much pink. At scale this would present even pinker than what you would normally think due to scale effect.

060

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'll miss seeing your work, but yu gotta do what you gotta do! I am halfway behind you with this baby. Yesterday I sat at the bench and stared at parts I knew I didn't have time to get into, 🥲

150

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I would pre-dust with a buff or deck tan, thinned to about 5:1, sprayed at around 10 PSI. Then I'd deepen the variations with an oil wash and maybe finish with some light speckling of various dirt colors.

050

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Of course, my friend, you forgot to mention that Monk Bar Model Shop is tucked away behind a 14th century gate house. 🫨

240

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Just looked on Google Maps street view and WHEEEEEWWW the crowds! Personal nightmare, that.

220

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Is the Shambles that "best preserved medieval street" deal I keep seeing on reddit?

110

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

It'll build up nicely, I think, if you go for it. There's also the UN version which lets you do that all white paint scheme (which would be my choice)

000

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I've had this one in my shopping cart many times over the years, and never pulled the trigger. Judging from the instructions, its a typical Meng kit, though the turret may take some encouragement to go together plumb. I say go for it.

120

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

I've come to accept it, thanks! May I say your recent paint work has been phenomenal? Wish I could play with the rest of y'all in the group build. Ethiopia and Italy did have a couple of little things in the 19th and 20th century, so ipso facto.... 🤣

130

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?

3503

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

Thank you! It'll be my first time painting dark skin complexion but I'm excited to try.

100

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

Thanks, Stef! Gotta say I had hoped the bashed figures would work, but when I found these I was pretty happy.

011

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

I love the Mohawk! Always gives me dragonfly vibes! Great work!

010

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

2341

Matthew Long @dr-robonator.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Super cool! I'll be following along!

020

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

3355

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

Ah dang!! Hope he gets it figured out. Rich is a stand up fellow.

010

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

You did not because I haven't taken them!!! There's like... two things left to do with it (a tree and a bit of clean up with the snow) that I can't bring myself to do right now! 😅

110

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

He's a major league chonkster! Kid's gaining 2 ounces a day roughly.

260