iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 22h

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 · 02/10/2026

I just did the same kit this spring - first time ever done figures, but glad I did! putteringinthestudy.com/2026/04/06/1...

putteringinthestudy.com

1/72 88 mm Flak 18 – Puttering in the Study

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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 · 15/09/2026

This is terrific. I should do this.

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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 · 09/09/2026

GOOD ONE! I never thought of that.

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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

I’m seeing pics just before October with nowhere near the contrast and even these have inconsistent markings, so I think they were resurfacing the deck. I can dirty it up and make it a little more uniform.

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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

1/700 Dragon. Lots of changes in details but no major scratchbuilding.

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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 · 25/08/2026

I saw some pics - I’ll read the story - thanks!

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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

I could do this build so much better if I started over. Might get the TBF/TBM-1 version if I see it and try again. But I also might decide that the Hasegawa is plenty and build that next.

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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 · 22/08/2026

Thanks! I need to go back and do that on that one.

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

Now you tell me! My III looks exactly like a lump of coal. I need to lighten it more.

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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 · 14/08/2026

My Semovente 75/18 M40 is ready! Parshall’s 1942 even indicates I don’t have to model it as a knocked out unit at Alamein II. Played a definite role earlier in the year. I love how I learn things from these builds. Last year I showed pics of my Tony to IJN and IFA reenactors in Osaka.

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Yep! Lots of controversy over this one, but I just loved the idea of blue panels on top of the OD. But was the OD actually RAF Dark Green? My post (maybe tonight) will point out where I drew my blue color from in other 361st photos.

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

That looks great! What’s the manufacturer on the product?

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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 · 07/08/2026

Our local club is having a build day tomorrow and I am getting the M10 parts painted on the sprue tonight so I can assemble and detail paint tomorrow without needing to spray. Everything else (aircraft cockpits etc) is too complex to do on a build day.

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I’m starting on a 1/72 M10 tonight. Been studying interior colors.

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Michael Smith @mcsmith.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I cut the box top flat & store, trash the bottom, save spare parts, file the instructions and any extra decals, photo the finished product, post photos and article on the build on my blog & iModeler, then add links to blog post on various FB pages and here, and add entry on build to my database.

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

Looks like North Africa. There were 60 M40s and all left on NA. The ones the Germans used were M41, 42 and 43. (Might could mod a 41 - different engine and different AA gun).

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