iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Making the M13/40 dusty or at least trying to. Trying to get that caked on North Africa dust/grit look. Think I'll give some pigments and oils a crack and see if that will help out with the texture. #italiagb #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Getting there slowly, gloss coat is going on this afternoon. Hoping for tomorrow to add the chipping fluid and working on making it look dusty. #italiagb #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Paint and decals are done. Got some more stowage to figure out and then I'll attach it all permanently. Then it's onto the figures #italiagb #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Working on all the stowage items which has been a good distraction from painting. I got sick of trying to manage Vallejo for airbrushing so have bit the bullet and am swapping to Mr Colour Aqueous. Due to this I've been putting off painting the camo as lots to relearn. #italiagb #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Been a busy couple of days finishing off the M13/40 build. Scratch building some jerry can storage for the right side then it'll be onto the painting. #italiagb #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Jagdpanther and Blitz have both been put to the side as its time to start the M13/40 for the #italiagb I'm out of the country for basically all of October so better get my skates on if I want to finish this before I head away. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Got all the bit and pieces now (I think), just trying out what the end result will look like. Still lots to go but I can finally see it coming together. Also my #italiagb kit arrived so that's exciting 😃 #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

When my brain says "well you've started painting, may as well finish" and suddenly the entire afternoon has disappeared 🤔 Camo is now mostly done. Need to go back over it in places as the green was too thin to spray evenly. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Blitz is built and primer is on. Cab is painted and sealed up now. Accessories mostly done, just the ammo crates left to build. Some will be wooden and others plastic from Tamiya. Next up is the all over dark yellow followed by a 3 tone Camo similar to the Jagdpanther. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Foliage is on and secured, moving onto the figures now. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Got most of the detail parts painted so working out placement now. Trying out these AK Interactive filigree bushes for the foliage camo so will have a play around with these. Figures and a cargo truck have also arrived so will get them built and then start on the base for them all. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Thor making his final inspection of the rear deck of the Jagdpanther. Just waiting on some figures and foliage to arrive for this but in the meantime I'll start sorting out the painting of the details. Biber still needs some work but it's getting there. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Biber is built and painted. Bit disappointed that I managed not to notice the decals don't line up with each other but other than that, fairly happy with it. Now onto the weathering and then to figure out how to build a convincing dock. #histscalemodels

Eye is to low in one side so the shark mouth decals don't line up as well as they could 🤔

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Biber has come together quite quickly, only the torpedos to go then I can play around with the paint scheme. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

It's good fun (and at first a somewhat tense experience) taking a knife so the Zimmerit. Got a bit carried away with it on the glacis so I'll step back and leave it for a day or so before carrying on with it. Got this Biber to keep me entertained in my downtime #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Back onto the Jagdpanther now. Just sorting out painting the details, attached the skirts and applied the decals. Pin wash is half done, hasn't worked out as well on the zimmerit so will go back over later. Thought I'd go for some foliage on this one so that to add later as well #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Calling my #bastillebuild done now. Might come back to he R35 and lighten up the wheat colour as it's a bit darker than I was thinking but that can wait for now. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Just a couple of labraseals living their best life on a chilly Saturday morning at Whakaehu/Silverstream. @kakariki.bsky.social #dogsofbluesky

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Started to work on the base for the R35. Trying to replicate it driving through a winter wheat field I. Summer 1940. Have to wait for the glue to dry now and then I can start on the painting and wheat stalks. Also found some time to do some work on the ARL44 base. #bastillebuild #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

After several weeks of family staying and having to give up my office so they had somewhere to sleep (the suggestion that the couch was available wasn't welcome), I'm finally back at the R35. Decals done, now onto the washes and pigments. #histscalemodels #bastillebuild

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Carved out some time to paint the Camo pattern on the R35. I've used an AK real colour marker for the black lines which looks ok from a distance but I struggled to keep the lines a consistent width. If I was to do it again, I think I'd try brush painting them. #histscalemodels #bastillebuild

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

And just like that, the R35 is built. Fun little build, usual Tamiya quality. Looking forward to getting onto the painting now as the Camo is going to be a bit of a challenge. #bastillebuild #histscalemodels

The turret of the ARL is basically the same size as the R35

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

While reading about the ARL development, I came across a photo of one on trials. Seems to suit the look I was going for so I'm going to use that as inspiration for the base. Also toying with the idea of adding some accessories as it's all a bit dull at the moment. #bastillebuild #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Great autumn day at St Clair beach. The dogs do love splashing around in freezing water

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

The ARL44 is in the process of getting dusty. Haven't been able to find that many photos of these in service so just winging it with the markings and weathering. #BastilleBuild #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Spent some time on the details and exhaust system. Still haven't fixed it as the local shop was all out of the rod size I need. They did however have a sale on so the R35 came home with me. #bastillebuild #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Been a bit quiet on the modelling front this week but managed to carve out a couple of hours today to get the paint on the ARL 44. Did manage to break the exhaust system slightly. Good excuse to go to the model shop though 😂 #bastillebuild #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Well #bastillebuild, the ARL44 hull and turret build is complete. Turned out to be a fairly straightforward build, only issue was a couple of parts had been bent and broken on the sprue. Will start on the tracks later as it looks like each link will require some clean up #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Finally opened the box ready for #bastillebuild and much to my amusement, found out it came with a metal barrel and I didn't need to buy one 😂🤦 #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Camo is done only the tracks to go before I'll have a factory fresh Jagdpanther haha #histscalemodels

Thinking I'll redo the skirts as the Camo pattern just seems a bit chunky

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Started on the paint job tonight, next couple of colours for the 3 tone Camo tomorrow (hopefully). Tracks to prime and paint then I'll be finished the build. Will have to pause this one from Friday so I can get stuck into the ARL44 for the #bastillebuild #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Zimm is done (ish). Time to step back and see if I need to clean up any areas. As expected the rear panel was more difficult than it could have been but I figure I can weather it to look like damage to the coating. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Started the Zimmerit. 1 hour in and 1 half of 1 side is done. Going to to be a long slog with this one. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Time for some textures to go onto the Jagdpanther. Once that is done onto the always exciting zimmerit. I've realised I should not have installed the details on the rear as it will now make that section a bit more challenging than it needs to be. #histscalemodels

Glue the wheels together to make a couple of subassemblies this time. Fingers crossed it works out ok

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

The KV-2 is done so onto the shelf it goes. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Fields of jute grass (thanks @twai.bsky.social for the suggestion!) and copper wire wheat sorted. Soon it'll be time to paint it black and start the final stretch. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Working on the base at the moment trying to give it a bit more interest than just the KV-2. I'm thinking I'll go for a wheat field look on either side so just need to figure out a cost effective way of doing that. Gamer grass is just standing it at the moment. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Started on the base for the KV-2. Massive tank so large base . Aiming for a dusty crossroads style base for this one. Will see how it pans out #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

I've been working on breaking up the large slab sides of the KV-2 turret recently. Happy with where it is currently. Aiming for a dried mud and dust look for a late summer on the eastern front tank. Hoping the flory thick washes will help with that. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

KV-2 build is done and the Soviet green is done. I was daydreaming while fitting the tracks and ended up cementing them in place rather than taking them off to weather them. Got those to sort out and then onto the weathering and figures. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Photo etch fenders are complete and build is almost done. Link and length tracks next then I'll start the painting. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

The Vallejo chipping medium did something strange to the paint on the Corsair, perhaps it went on to thick? Regardless it wasn't my best paint work so going to shelve it while I figure out what I'm going to do with it. Now onto the KV-2! #histscalemodels

Paint came off in large chunks so guessing I applied the chipping medium in to thick a layer.

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Nothing quite as relaxing as listening to the new We Have Ways series while scale modelling. Bliss on a Thursday evening. Fake snow arrived so decided to have a play with that. Not sure what this will look like when it dries but so far so good. #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Think I might have grabbed the wrong paint for the zinc chromate primer, it's a wee bit bright 😂 #histscalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Paint is going onto the corsair now. Realised I've never tried preshading on an aircraft so thought I'd give it a go. While waiting for paint to dry I'm going to start this KV-2 and when it's not raining, hang out with my dogs while weeding the garden. #histscalemodels #scalemodels #dogsofbluesky

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Back into it after a short break from the bench. Tamiya Corsair underway while I wait for some fake show to arrive for the Panzer III. Going to paint this up as an RNZAF Corsair from my No.2 Servicing Unit on Bouganville which is where my Grandad served. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

Corsair maintenance by No 2 SU on Bouganville.
Photo credit RNZAF Official.

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

It's the middle of summer here in NZ but so far all we have had is lots of liquid sunshine. It's perfect weather to sit inside and finish some projects. Added a couple of figures to the Elefant so that is all done. As suggested by @dr-robonator.bsky.social trying out a motorbike. #histscalemodels

The motorbike is a stand in at the moment while I try and find a suitable model.

Still lots to do on the base here, currently it's a fairly clean road and footpath and doesn't look like various AFVs have been travelling through

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Not so factory fresh Panzer III now. Will touch up some of the details after I got a little carried away with the white. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Factory fresh Panzer III with Winterketten. Going to give a whitewash paint job a crack on this one so that's next on the to do list. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

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Matt @wodgerdodger.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Got the itch to build something so grabbed this blitz kit from Takom. Just the tracks to go and then I can button it up and the build will be done. #histscalemodels #scalemodels

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