iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 21h

Next project - an accurized build of the 1954 Marx Toys White House. First up today was the front portico base. This area changed in 1952, so I had to go back to this 1913 photo to get the correct appearance for 1948, which is the time period I’ve chosen. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Finally finished the post on my latest Essex-class build. - this time a more or less straight out of the box build other than decals. Okay, and radar jamming equipment. And accurized Skyraiders. But that's it. putteringinthestudy.com/2026/10/03/u... #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Finished the UH-2Bs and kit Skyraiders converted to EA-1Fs. CVS-11 is d9ne. Post this weekend. #HistScalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

It turns out the decals in the Trumpeter kit are from various cruises, not just 1968. I finished them as A-4C from VA-36, F-8C from VF-111 and E-1B from VAW-121. Having to modify the provided Skyraiders into EA-1Fs - extended cockpit - and still have the UH-2A/B helos from HC-2. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Spending the night in a hotel but brought along supplies to decal some 1/700 aircraft. There’s also a 1/72 tank kit in there if I feel like assembling something. This is my rig for ETM build days. #histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The planes aren’t that bad, actually. I got the Crusaders and Skyhawks assembled and the Crusaders detail painted and gloss coated - ready for decals. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

My 1/700 USS Intrepid (CVS-11) on her third Vietnam tour in 1968 is done. Won’t do a photo shoot till the aircraft are in place, and that’s likely another three weeks, but I am happy to have it on the shelf with my other nine Essexes. #histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Intrepid is done except antenna, final weathering and air group. Starfighter decals have been crucial - kit is missing island markings and none of the hull numbers are shadowed. #histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Got a little sidetracked on research trails, but day 4 on the Intrepid has gone fairly well. Used Starfighter decals for flight deck # (the kit ones are not shadowed), generic white striping and a few more of the kit decals. And the jamming equipment box is in place on the island. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The sound you hear is me screaming as I fall down yet another rabbit hole - this time why I'm going to so much work to make a tiny plastic box for the side of my 1/700 Intrepid's island that the kit was missing. It turns out there's a story. putteringinthestudy.com/2026/08/30/t... #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

A good day 3 on Intrepid. Running into inaccurate decal issues, but nothing the more accurate Starfighter set won’t fix. Found a missing radar jamming equipment room & structure outboard of the island, but I’ve built that before on CVA-31 so I’ll scratch that up tomorrow. #Histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Finally finished post on my 1952 Korean war era USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31). putteringinthestudy.com/2026/08/29/u...

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I hate, hate, hate this flight deck color/panel configuration, but given that it’s engraved into the kit’s flight deck I am locked in to a late 1968 CVS-11 configuration. Will probably reduce the contrast through weathering, but it is accurate for the specific period. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I cannot say what a pleasure it is to assemble an angled-deck Essex from a kit. No research, measuring, and cutting pieces. Just snip, sand and glue. In two nights I have what takes me weeks, if not months from scratch, as the last three photos show for CVA-31/CVS-12. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Forgot to mention one thing about my 1/700 CV last night. I wanted a way to “temporarily” secure the aircraft to the deck. AI suggested acrylic gloss medium. It worked out pretty well - even eventually held up tricycle gear jet fighters. Is a bit “gloppy” but OK for me. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Post is still a couple of days away, but the air group is done and the 1952 USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) is done and on the shelf. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

BHR 52 air group taking shape. Lots of decals! #Histscalemodels

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Reposted by Michael Smith

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 25/08/2026

Do not normalize children dying from measles. Measles was previously eliminated in the US, thanks to vaccines. When children die from measles, it means that adults have catastrophically failed to protect them because they have rejected basic science.

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

And the third BHR is done. I now have the Bon Homme Richard off Japan in 1945, off Vietnam in 1968, and now off Korea in 1952. It was the only U.S. carrier to serve in attack role in WW II, Korea and Vietnam. Still needs its air group finished before display. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Spent the afternoon finishing the island of the 1952 Bon Homme Richard, mostly by adding masts and radars. Once the glue is dry will finish painting, add the US flag and this ship is done! (Except for the air group). #histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Back at work on my Korean War Bon Homme Richard. Consulting the 1952 cruise book and online references to figure out the radar rig and which parts from the stash I can use to replicate it. #histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Finished my fourth 1/72 Avenger - a replacement for the VT-84 model I built January of last year. The new HobbyBoss is a very good model except for fit of clear parts. Also, decals are high quality & low accuracy. putteringinthestudy.com/2026/08/22/t...

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I promise I’m not building the whole air group! But Operation JAMBOREE Bunker Hill aircraft are good subjects with that yellow cowling. Have already replaced one F4U with a newer one, and now the ‘25 HobbyBoss TBM-3 replaces the ‘95 Hasegawa kit. Which I have other plans for … #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I think I may be done for the day. The kit decals are … pretty bad, and I need a drink before I make the decision whether to ditch the numerous tiny stenciling ones. But got a “lot” done. (Kit behind is the one it’s replacing - I have another job for it). #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Finally completed the most colorful P-51D of them all. Maybe. #HistScaleModels putteringinthestudy.com/2026/08/15/1...

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

P-51 shelf is getting a little crowded. Have now elbowed both Me 262s out of the way, but … that’s kinda what they did. #Histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

My buildof one of the Bottisham Four, lead Mustang E2-C, flown by the 361st’s commanding officer Colonel Thomas J.J. Christian, Jr. Pics and post - with explanations of why I chose the colors I did - tomorrow. #HistScaleModels 1/72 Tamiya kit, which went together beautifully.

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Ready for decaling after an insane paint job. #histscalemodels Fortunately the real thing was a very sloppy paint job so I had room for error!

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Using the practice tip of pink primer for the yellow nose on my 1/72 P-51D. Too pink, I discovered. Took forever to cover with the airbrushed yellow topcoat. So the shown white/red ratio of 8:1 is still too red. (Love the Tamiya kit - ease of assembly and fit is spectacular). #Histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Ready for tomorrow’s build day at East Texas Modelers in Tyler! 1/72 M10 and P-51D primed and base coated so I can assemble and do detail painting while trading tips and experiences and discussing how much we hate PE parts. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Ordered my #ItaliaGB build. After deep consultations with my tank nut son I chose a 1/72 IBG Semovente M40 da 75/18 Italian Gun by IBG. Still on the fence whether to do it in Italian markings in North Africa or German (after the armistice) in Italy. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

The massive improvement in quality of the 1/72 Hobby Boss Avenger is clearest when you compare the bomb bay & wheel well interior to the Airfix, Academy & Hasegawa kits. Two don’t have any, and the third is representative only. And the parts just couldn’t fit together any better. #Histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I hate Avengers. But this kit is making it as painless as possible so far, with externally mounted windows and masks. #histscalemodels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I have been using more expensive sprue cutters. My son gave me what I thought were a cheap pair and they are terrific. I put away my old ones and I’m using this one now (borrowed an unopened one he gave his brother for the pic). Highly recommend. #histscalemodels

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Reposted by Michael Smith

Papíráčky @papiracky.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

There's #histscalemodels and this feed bsky.app/profile/did:.... That works well and there's plenty of room for more people to join 😉

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Finally broke out the FineMolds aircraft seatbelt set that I got last July in Tokyo for the Hobby Boss TBM-3. They look “really” good! Now am I going to be able to put them on? #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

One of the kits I picked up this spring was a vintage 1/72 Airfix Grumman J2F “Duck”. I built it over the last month to continue trying to clear my stash, especially of smaller and older kits. putteringinthestudy.com/2026/07/02/g... #HistScaleModels

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Reposted by Michael Smith

Jane @jane.meangirls.online · 29/06/2026

they did it

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Done with this old Airfix kit except for aftermarket canopy and finish coat. #histscalemodels #buildthestash

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Next project is another offering to the #BuildtheStash gods - an ancient Airfix 1/72 Grumman Duck J2F. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

From this morning’s Lauds: “Give us today the fruits of the Holy Spirit: make us patient, kind and gentle.” Tall order for some of us. But a good goal for the day.

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I completed the Sweet 1/144 FM-2 & Flight Deck Set, a small flight deck diorama of a Casablanca-class escort carrier with eight cartoon "cat" deck crew figures (a Sweet trademark). The FM-2 markings are authentic to a Gambier Bay pilot. putteringinthestudy.com/2026/06/07/1... #HistScaleModels

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Reposted by Michael Smith

Mark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

To be fair, he really needs daytime rest after being up all night posting fantasy A-I images of himself on "Truth" Social, as all presidents do.

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Finished vintage 1974 ESCI 1/72 Sd.Kfz. 124 “Wespe" self-propelled artillery vehicle as a generic unit at Kursk in 1943. putteringinthestudy.com/2026/06/06/1... Only kitbashing was cutting out the rear panel to show the kitbashed shells and (separate) cartridge shells. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The old (1974) 1/72 Wespe on its mud and grass base is done. Post up tomorrow or Saturday. #HistScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Yep, some serious modeling going on tonight. The FM-2 flight deck set is has its sleeping kitten in place and bridge signaling cat ready to go. #HistScaleModels #ScaleModels

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Almost got the Wespe completed tonight but ran into some necessary track repairs. #histscalemodels

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