Matthew Long
@dr-robonator.bsky.social
Historian: armored warfare, Fin de siécle technology and culture. Mostly talk about tanks in pop. culture and scale models.
Trans rights are human rights. Don’t ban books.
Trans rights are human rights. Don’t ban books.
Yeah, I'm quitting reddit. Again.
December 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Yeah, I'm quitting reddit. Again.
Ran out of steam to paint the camo pattern on the second figure's jacket because I spent SO LONG getting the base to look like Syrian sand and dirt. Still not sure I achieved it, but no matter. It's done. Thanks for following, #histscalemodels
December 5, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Ran out of steam to paint the camo pattern on the second figure's jacket because I spent SO LONG getting the base to look like Syrian sand and dirt. Still not sure I achieved it, but no matter. It's done. Thanks for following, #histscalemodels
Little BUGGER! 😜
Just kidding, Stef, this is a beautiful coat. You got nothing but respect from this end.
Just kidding, Stef, this is a beautiful coat. You got nothing but respect from this end.
December 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Little BUGGER! 😜
Just kidding, Stef, this is a beautiful coat. You got nothing but respect from this end.
Just kidding, Stef, this is a beautiful coat. You got nothing but respect from this end.
Once again I am amazed by the level of fidelity Meng has crammed into their 1/72 scale kits. I'd written the scale off for armor because the few Trumpeter 72nd stuff is built in the past came out much too like those badly proportioned diecast models sold in the toy aisle. #histscalemodels
December 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Once again I am amazed by the level of fidelity Meng has crammed into their 1/72 scale kits. I'd written the scale off for armor because the few Trumpeter 72nd stuff is built in the past came out much too like those badly proportioned diecast models sold in the toy aisle. #histscalemodels
Had to brush paint the sighting mechanism, and took a page out of Japanese sci-fi modelers' book by stippling the paint in random places, waiting for it to dry, and going over it again. After chipping it looks nice and worn with tonal irregularities.
November 30, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Had to brush paint the sighting mechanism, and took a page out of Japanese sci-fi modelers' book by stippling the paint in random places, waiting for it to dry, and going over it again. After chipping it looks nice and worn with tonal irregularities.
Got the ZPU-2 base coated and chipped. Successive tones of AK Real Color 4BO lightened with buff did the trick. Moved onto painting the sighting mechanism which makes me wonder if I should have done this in sub assemblies! 😵 #histscalemodels
November 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Got the ZPU-2 base coated and chipped. Successive tones of AK Real Color 4BO lightened with buff did the trick. Moved onto painting the sighting mechanism which makes me wonder if I should have done this in sub assemblies! 😵 #histscalemodels
As usual, I think they look better in natural lighting from about arm's length 😂 🤷♂️
November 29, 2025 at 12:23 AM
As usual, I think they look better in natural lighting from about arm's length 😂 🤷♂️
#histscalemodels, here is where we sit. I didn't notice that McBeard's hand wouldn't grasp his rifle without serious surgery and I was too far along to start cutting. The second bloke needs a bit more work on his face and I've yet to paint the camo on his jacket. Not even attempting his keffiyah. 😅
November 29, 2025 at 12:23 AM
#histscalemodels, here is where we sit. I didn't notice that McBeard's hand wouldn't grasp his rifle without serious surgery and I was too far along to start cutting. The second bloke needs a bit more work on his face and I've yet to paint the camo on his jacket. Not even attempting his keffiyah. 😅
Figure number 2 is in progress. His coat will be woodland camo, which I wasn't too thrilled to paint last time, but it does look good
November 27, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Figure number 2 is in progress. His coat will be woodland camo, which I wasn't too thrilled to paint last time, but it does look good
Figure #1 is done minus his rifle. The mount for the AA gun is also done, as is the bit of stowage and final details. Last photo is how it sits on the primed base. #histscalemodels.
November 27, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Figure #1 is done minus his rifle. The mount for the AA gun is also done, as is the bit of stowage and final details. Last photo is how it sits on the primed base. #histscalemodels.
The Unimog is 97% complete. The AA gun, stowage, and figures is next. Then I can finish up the base and call it done. #histscalemodels.
November 27, 2025 at 5:25 AM
The Unimog is 97% complete. The AA gun, stowage, and figures is next. Then I can finish up the base and call it done. #histscalemodels.
You're not gonna believe this...
November 27, 2025 at 1:51 AM
You're not gonna believe this...
The current stash. Not as impressive as some, but still more than I could build in any given year. I'm thinking the Croat T-55 will be my last project of the year... Or maybe I'll have the guts to start an airplane? #histscalemodels.
November 26, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The current stash. Not as impressive as some, but still more than I could build in any given year. I'm thinking the Croat T-55 will be my last project of the year... Or maybe I'll have the guts to start an airplane? #histscalemodels.
Did a little refinement of the paint and added the seats.
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Did a little refinement of the paint and added the seats.
#histscalemodels, I am done with the initial paints and chipping. How'd I do?
November 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
#histscalemodels, I am done with the initial paints and chipping. How'd I do?
So, Andy's sent me this 1/72 T-72 from Meng instead of what I actually ordered. They made it right in the end but I had this non-standard scale kit lying around... It was a joy to build; a suberbly engineered little gem. Looking forward to painting and setting it in a vignette. #histscalemodels
November 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
So, Andy's sent me this 1/72 T-72 from Meng instead of what I actually ordered. They made it right in the end but I had this non-standard scale kit lying around... It was a joy to build; a suberbly engineered little gem. Looking forward to painting and setting it in a vignette. #histscalemodels
Something something....
November 23, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Something something....
I guess you could say it's PRIME TIME! 😅
November 21, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I guess you could say it's PRIME TIME! 😅
New project, #histscalemodels. I'm having a WHEELY good time with all these wheeled vehicles. (Not really, the AK, née ICM Unimog was a slog to assemble!) But nevertheless we're ready for paint! These Free Syrian Army blokes are filming a bit of the ol' viral video.
November 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM
New project, #histscalemodels. I'm having a WHEELY good time with all these wheeled vehicles. (Not really, the AK, née ICM Unimog was a slog to assemble!) But nevertheless we're ready for paint! These Free Syrian Army blokes are filming a bit of the ol' viral video.
Hey #histscalemodels friends. Quick question regarding airplane bits: what's the difference between an A-1J Skyraider and an A-1J Skyraider TFace? Eduardo sells both but for the life of me I cannot figure out the difference.
November 18, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Hey #histscalemodels friends. Quick question regarding airplane bits: what's the difference between an A-1J Skyraider and an A-1J Skyraider TFace? Eduardo sells both but for the life of me I cannot figure out the difference.
Not the best photoshop, but I think it gets the point across.
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Not the best photoshop, but I think it gets the point across.
This was a fun build, #histscalemodels. Thanks for following along.
November 15, 2025 at 6:51 AM
This was a fun build, #histscalemodels. Thanks for following along.
Since most of this will be covered by the jeep, I wanted to show it off. Going to place the remaining pieces and then I'll be right back with the glamor shots.
#histscalemodels
#histscalemodels
November 15, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Since most of this will be covered by the jeep, I wanted to show it off. Going to place the remaining pieces and then I'll be right back with the glamor shots.
#histscalemodels
#histscalemodels
Appropriately mountainous, I think! #histscalemodels
November 15, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Appropriately mountainous, I think! #histscalemodels