ICM. Mercedes G4 Staff car.

Angel Yovtshev
Wowwww!!!

Holger Kranich
Nice and clean Job, Kezza! Absolutely well done!👍 The BMF Looks coool!

Kerry COX
It took a LONG time, but finally, I got there. 🙂
Holger and Angel. I appreciate your appreciation gents. 👍
I am entering this in the QMHE comp on the 26th of this month, so I hope the judges will be kind. hehehehe🙂

Brad Furminger
I'm always drawn to pieces that are out of the ordinary. Looks great.

Clifford Keesler
Nice one Kerry.

Martin Oostrom
This is sooooo beautiful.
I applaud you Sir Cox.

Augie
Ooo well done sir!

Kerry COX
Martin and Augie, I am must humbled and appreciative of your comments. 🙂
For me personally. This would have to be one of my favourites, even with all the trauma of the bare metal foil, especially the 'cutting in'. :-/
I should do a little "How to" with the bare foil on how to get it into all these nooks and crannies without having it tare it's self apart when burnishing it into place. 👍

Anthony Flanagan
When you've got it, flaunt it!! Too nice for words. 👍👍😭Y)👍

Kerry COX
WOW. ! :-O Anthony. Thank you my friend. 🙂
I do try to better myself with every kit I do, but some just have that wow factor and begs for a little love and attention and these ICM kits from Russia are answering a lot of modellers dreams.
Great kits with amazing detail. I love 'em. 👍

Anthony Flanagan
The extra love definitely paid off. I would be very interested in your discussion of the use and application of bare metal foil. Cheers!!

Choppa Nutta
Kerry this looks great mate, lovely metal work 🙂

Kerry COX
Anthony. I am most keen to do that video on how to get good (sic) results with BMF, as it scares the shite out of a lot of people , especially when the first attempt is a bit of a bummer. LOL.
I did a couple of 1/48 Tamiya Mustang P-51's in BMF and it was the 'compound curves' I had to overcome that gave me the confidence to keep on using it. Gentle persuasion with it is the key. To coax it into place and get it to stretch just a fraction. OK, watch this space LOL for the exciting and drama filled adventures of bare metal foil application. 🙂
Cheers mate. 👍

Choppa Nutta
I look forward to the video tutorial too Kerry 🙂

Spanjaard
very nice result Kerry

Alec K
Looks awesome 👍

Erik Leijdens
Impressive work Kerry! The BMF was a wise decision 👍

Kerry COX
Hi Erik. 👍 🙂
I am pleased you like it too mate. 🙂
The results I got when I used it on other models I have built was something I felt OK with too, as there is a greater level of care that becomes more obvious too, being a material that behaves differently ever time you use it.
I strongly suggest it to every modeller who wants to create a real bit of 'eye candy' and hope that the ones judging have used it too and they know the pitfalls associated with getting a result with it.
I will be mounting it on a Tamiya display turntable with a cobblestone textured surface as the base, as many times I have seen some models that have so much of the work hidden by just sitting it on a table with one side never to be seen.🙂
Wish me well it makes the right impression. hahahaha 🙂 🙂

Dan M
Wow, so nice and clean and shiny 🙂. It's like I'm attending some retro vintage car expo. Well done, sir! 👍

Kerry COX
Dan. Thank you my friend. That is really nice to know. 🙂
made my day you might say. LOL hehehehe 🙂

Steve -
Kerry, sorry I missed this , a simple WOW! is all I can gasp out for now, to overwhelmed for much else. Such a grand job. 🙂 👍

David Thor
Great job, it really looks shiny and expensive!

Kerry COX
This is my 'little secret'. 🙂
The gloss black is actually the 'base lacquer' black used for the "Alclad" chrome, as it is such a fast drying lacquer and responds to a waxing that just sparkles, literally.👍
And when it came to doing the 'clean up' of the overspray on the bare metal foil strips I had applied, I used acetone on a cotton bud and it was all I needed and it came away so easily, unlike the proper enamel I would usually use that would cause the foil to lift.
If it works for you, go with the flow. 👍

Dave Flitton
Lovely work!

Kerry COX
I do appreciate all of my mates here passing on their kind words and support. It's a big thrill at my age to know I still have the patience and steady hands to get the results I do. 👍
Cheers. 🙂

Christian Bruer
What a clean and sharp work. The overall finish with all the chrome and high gloss looks excellent. Good luck at the QMHE competition, go for the Gold Kerry 👍

Kerry COX
Christian. 🙂 Thanks a million my friend. 🙂 The 'gold' is a nice thought, but I just like showing off really. hahahahaha
If I can inspire my fellow modellers to do their best, then that is well worth all the effort I put into my models. 👍
I know, that every year, I come away from the comp all fired up and with a fist full of receipts for all I have bought to make each build the best I can do. 🙂 🙂 🙂
This year, I am going to take as many images I can and post them for all the world to see what we Aussies can do. 🙂

Steve -
Kerry 👍 just remember the pictures you take will inspire the whole world---no pressure 🙂

Jens
Really an absolute cream piece, WOW 👍 👍 👍

Kerry COX
Scalemates. 🙂
My attending the competitions has been a regular thing since 2001 and my first ever win was with a 1/32 Revell AH-64 'Apachie' I had opened up like a can of sardines.
But every year since then, I have been amazed at the incredibly high standards that have been set and particularly, all the items of interest to all modellers and how they have grasped all that is available to improve their kits.
The 'after market' industry has grown out of all proportion. !
Unfortunately, over the years, I have never really done justice to each meet I have been to by taking better images of what was on all the tables, too impatient to record what is on display rather than try to take it all in.
But this year, I really want to capture as much as I can, as the diversity this year will be extraordinary, for sure.
My sincere thanks to all my scale mates over the years who have been so gracious with their kind words of support and encouragement.
It has meant a great deal to me to have you all as friends, even though we have never met.
But next March, I am looking forward to brandy and a good cigar on Wangerooge with Thomas Mayer , Holger and all those who have been making the journey there each year to share a hobby that keeps many of us alive.
I will keep you posted as to what I saw and did.🙂
Cheers to you all.👍

Rui S
👍

Paulo Castro
That's very good mate. I liked it! Cheers

Holger Kranich
I´m looking Forward Buddy!😢

Spanjaard
good luck in the contest Kerry!

Kerry COX
Thank you everybody.
👍 I am all excited at what is to come. one way or the other.🙂
Win or not is not uppermost on my mind, but seeing all of the people I know well and swap a whole lot of stories is the thing I love.🙂
There is one guy I have a LOT of time for, and he makes the 'card' models, and when you see his work, it is just like the real thing. Just stunning. An 80 year old ex Iranian pilot of Migs and the like. An amazing man.👍
Every year he enters, he walks away with the lot. 🙂 hahahahaha
(Holger), I hope you have a special bottle of brandy set aside mate. ?? hehehehe 🙂

Holger Kranich
When will QMHE begin? You provide us with many pix, do yo`? We will have a good drink together mate but first you have to take "Küstennebel"! Thats Tradition!😄

Kerry COX
Holger. QMHE is from Aug 26/27 and it is the biggest hobby expo in Queensland, but there are smaller meetings in other towns up and down the state. (Qld).over the year. The club I started in Northern New South Wales has a meet for the modellers of the region every year and it's getting bigger each year. Here is the link to the FB for QMHE.
facebook.com/qmheshow/
Traditions I love Holger. And I am game for anything, just as long as it presents no physical danger to me. hehehehe 🙂
It 'seems' that the world is settling down a bit too, so traveling through Europe is now something I will be looking forward to. 🙂
BTW. I am becoming a BIG fan of the ICM and Zvezda kits, as the detail and final results from both are well worth while.
Cheers good buddy. 🙂 👍
l.facebook.com/l.php..QZ9nDA6D-NPl-i6NpfM8

Rui S
Hi Mate.
I Think as long as you don't came by bike you will be ok hehehe
😢

Kerry COX
Hi Rui. 🙂
I was actually thinking of hiring a car at Wilhelmshaven for the week after flying in from Hamburg. !
Or at least getting transported from Wilhelmshaven by bus or ferry and enjoying the sights by foot, as Holger want's to show me e few places of interest there relating to when it was an active airfield during WW2. 👍
Either way, it will be an exciting time for me, and my first ever trip to Europe.🙂
Will you be going. ? :-O

Holger Kranich
Hey Kerry, a german Airline is going to make some final fares. Maybe you can safe some Money? This Website is only in german but you can translate via Google.

airberlin.com/de/offers/search/deals

Kerry COX
Awsome Holger. I will get to planning the trip now, as it was going to be either Lufthansa or QANTAS. But you will be the first to know what I am doing. 😉 👍
Cheers buddy. 🙂

Martin Oostrom
Congrats! Well deserved.

Kerry COX
Thank Martin. I had a ball. LOL :-0

Choppa Nutta
Did you win a trophy Kerry ?
for your German Staff car ?
Very well done ! a hearty congratulations ! 😄

Kerry COX
Thank you so much Choppa. 🙂
Yes mate. I beat the best of the best. That is just so satisfying to do . 🙂
It was a bit of a problem at scrutineering.
Because it had the WWII German number plates, they said it was to be part of the 'Armoured vehicles' and not 'civil'. :-/
And the guys I beat all kicked up a fuss about the classification. !!
But I stuck to my guns and said it was never used in the field of battle, which the senior judge was happy to accept. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Augie
Well done Kezza 🙂

Kerry COX
AUGIE.!!! G'day mate. 🙂 🙂
Thanks my friend. 🙂
It was a fantastic day. I am currently uploading all the models that competed. 👍
Cheers. 🙂

Tim Heimer
Hey Kerry congrats on the metal for your fine work mate!!

Rui S
Congratulations Mate.
well deserved, even with the rivet counters struggling with poor arguments
👍 👍 👍

Christian Bruer
A well deserved award - congrats 👍

John Thomas
just out standing

Cesar Muniz
Exelent job! congratulations!

Greg Baker
I think this should have been disqualified from the competition. I mean seriously, It's not fair to those of us who build models that someone can just buy a show piece car and then use a shrinking ray on it and enter it into a scale modelling competition and pretend like it was made of plastic. I mean seriously... how pathetic... anyone can see through that lie in a second!😉

Angel Yovtshev
Keeza-well deserved, mate!!!

Hanno Kleinecke
A well deserved accolade for an extraordinary build ! Congrats Kerry !

Dan M
Congratulations and well deserved for this wonderful car!

Brad Furminger
Congrats. Hope you've got a great place picked out to proudly display that new hardware.

Spanjaard
congratulations on a well deserved award Kerry

Kerry COX
Everyone. I am truly humbled by your wonderful compliments and they make this old heart sing. 🙂
Mr baker. !!! :-O I love your sense of humour mate.🙂 But what a beautiful compliment. 👍
Unfortunately. The competition on many occasions, an entry is not competing with other models, but rather the club members who judge and know who's model to look from from their clubs. 🙁
This breaks the hearts of those who have put their all into their kits, and the effect is that they will never compete again. 🙁
I really had to argue my case, and I also made sure that the judges READ the notes submitted with the model so that they knew just what had been done and it didn't just magically 'appear', rather than just look at the instructions. :-/
I gripe no more. 🙂
Thanks one and all. 🙂 👍

Kerry COX
Thank you very much James. 🙂

Jens
Congratulations Kerry to the success, deserved and worthy in every class, with the model you would have surely hit every tank in the run 🙂
Congratulations with all your heart 👍 👍 👍

Kerry COX
Jens. That awesome of you to say that mate. 🙂
Thank you very much my friend. 😉

Patrick Hagelstein
Congratulations!!! Well done!

Paulo Castro
Congratulations mate. Very well done.

Kerry COX
Thanks guys. 🙂
This is wonderful to know I have so many good friends. 🙂 hehehe

Cesar Muniz
Hey Kerry, what you said up there about modifications adaptations and fixing problems or inaccuracy on models is very truth, is difficult to judge because the best work that can be possible done, looks natural and you can´t identify it afterwards, if you take one, old Airfix kit and make it look like you just finished one Tamiya kit, that´s a hole lot of work and in the end, someone without the information may not account for it, the best work is that one that nobody is capable to point a finger and tell exactly were it have been done!

Kerry COX
Cesar. What you say is true mate. But my biggest gripe is that the judges all know each other and they are all familiar with who has entered the competition and with what, so their minds are made up well before the competition has even started, and they will NEVER read the notes on any of the comp builds on models they don't know. This has happened time and time again here, and because I was able to speak to the head judge to get my build classified and no more debate had them reading what I had done, and the guys I beat were really mad that they missed out. Sore loosing cheats, but hopefully now, the scene will change. Who knows.

Steve Wilson
Congratulations, Kerry!!! 👍 👍 👍 🙂

Kerry COX
Much obliged Steve. 🙂 I saw many people taking photos of it during the week end. hahaha 🙂

Bart Goesaert
Congrats with the gold, well deserved...

here we have the same going on in the competition... I don't think you can take that away, but some clubs with masterbuilders add their logo to the display, or their name, and I think that this should be prohibited, together with builders adding models to the masters and the advanced section.. or you are categorised as a master, or as an advanced modeller but both???

Kerry COX
Thank you Bart, Your most kind mate. 🙂 When it comes to the modelling 'fraternity' here in South East Queensland, the main settled area taking in all the major and provincial towns in the area,
I am not "Recognised" by the committee of QMHE, as I am not a member of any club but, I am the founding member of the "Tweed valley Scale Modellers Club", and we have, as such, attend every meet that has been happening for the last 25 years. !! but other than that, I make no claims to be good or bad, but placing my models in a comp is purely on the strength of it's overall appearance or the story it tells.🙂
I have been vocal about how the judging is conducted and how much it needs independent and impartial people who are modellers but not affiliated with any one club. IPMS have a 'club' and this is where I am aiming my suggestions that THEY do all the judging.

Greg Baker
Y'know Kerry, after seeing your award winning entry, last night I decided to go one more round of PSR on my current project. I was sorely tempted to go with "meh, good enough" but I thought of this build and said to myself "well, Kerry would do it..."😉

I'm glad I did. 🙂

Choppa Nutta
what does PSR mean please ? 🙂

Kerry COX
That is a beautiful thing to say Greg. I am most honoured indeed. 🙂 That is as good as gold too. 👍

Gordon Sørensen
Fantastic build, Kerry! Well deserved win!

Greg Baker
PSR means "putty sand repeat". I think the inspiration, tips, tricks and general feedback that I get from other model makers on this site is worth mentioning, I don't think I would enjoy building in solitude nearly as much.. but having mates challenge you helps us all improve, no matter our current skill level.

Alec K
I second Greg's sentiments, and now I too know what PSR means 👍. I have some PSR on my bench as well ...

Steve -
Heartiest Congratulations on your accomplishment, you and it are well deserving of the award.
Oh, and by the by; you get the sartorial Best of Show for being the only white t shirt and sandaled winner---Way to stand out in the winners circle (so's to speak) LOL 🙂 🙂 👍

Kerry COX
Steve. LOL. 🙂
Thanks mate. It was a great feeling to be standing there with the silver and bronze winners too, and the emotions were running high too, as the guy to my right is so used to winning every year and he was not all that happy about my "Civil" 'classification' when scrutineered, saying it should have been a 'military' vehicle, as I had the German WWII number plates and a pendant with the German symbol on it. 🙁
But I will take what's give and be happy. 🙂
As for the sandals, the most comfortable things to walk miles and miles of vendors stores and club displays and comp tables for hours at a time in. 🙂
I was more worried about the lack of hair. hahahahaha 🙂

Steve -
Kerry, You hair, like mine, is so soft and fine many do mistake it for baldness😉 Also it sounds as if "someone" was serving sour grapes; Though to give it a re-think 🤔 maybe there were others that were tired of him winning all the time and found a good solid winner in your civil (its polite I'm sure) entry- besides if a high muck-a-ty-muck Nazi rode in such a vehicle, with a flag, you can bet it was "military" to all the little people watching it go by. LOL 🙂 🙂

Kerry COX
Steve. Thanks for that back up mate. As well as that soft hair trump. hahahahah 🙂
I think your right on the ball with 'he wins everything' bit. And he just got so used to having so many cars entered that he was BOUND to win. But I do believe that mine was head and shoulders above what he had entered. His gloss finish had dust in it, 'orange peel' on a couple, but I did wish him good luck before he found out who I was. (I am a sportsman mate). hehehehe

John Thomas
Hey Kerry and Greg. I think what Greg said is true for me to. I have learned much from others Modelers on this site and do get inspiration to do better and I to agree with Greg's "PSR" after seeing great works of others to press on.

Kerry COX
JT. I do believe that this is the aim of Scale Mates. To have a pool of talented and not so talented modellers all feeding off each other, picking up tips and how to improve skills even further.
There ar some here that are truly inspirational, especially the guys and gals that do such fine detailed work that a watch maker would baulk at. For sure. 🙂

John Thomas
Kerry, I agree whole heartly

Steve -
John Tomas and Kerry you are most assuredly correct. The Really Good Modelers, will unfailingly offer advice and help to those interested. The people that hoard their "special/secret" techniques and offer only condescending criticism if any at all, are not our, ScaleMates , sort at all.

Kerry COX
Steve, Well put and couldn't agree more. If there is one thing I have learned here on SM. I can depend on honest from all who have something to say. 🙂 👍

Rui S
Steve and Kerry,
I've no Facebook, I'm registered in some other modellers forums, but I'm always (every single day) here in/on scalemates. It is part of my life since I join it, mostly (but not just) for what you've said.
I've made some good friends here.
Cheers all SCALEMATES

Kerry COX
I must admit. I too am on FB, but my first action in the mornings is to check out the 'Newsfeed' here on SM. Then my day is ready to go. hehehe 🙂

Holger Kranich
Same here, as soon as my "calculator" is running, i have a look at the Newsfeed! Nice with a coffe or better a tea, thats how a day can start cozy! 🙂

Choppa Nutta
haha ! likewise 😄

Steve Wilson
Yep! cuppa ye ol' Tea anda scroll down the Gnu'sfeed... 😄

Martin Oostrom
And I was thinking I was a bit different.
Turns out I was normal all the time 👍

Greg Baker
When I first joined, I totally missed the "mates" part and just focused on the "scale"... but now I'm the other way around. I also check the newsfeed everyday and follow along on whichever builds strike my fancy. I also try to regularly post some update pics of my WIP to share and get feedback on.

Kerry COX
NOW. Isn't that what mates do anyway.? Check in and see if they are ok or a bit off colour. ? Speaking of that. I must renew some old friendships. Thanks lads. Cheers. 👍 🙂

Choppa Nutta
I'm guessing Kerry what with your recent successes and everything that you are currently full of beans 😄
couldn't happen to a nicer guy 🙂
You sound bright and chipper anyhow😉

Steve Wilson
I hope he's not full O' beans, I'd smell the results from here!!! 😮

Kerry COX
Thank you for noticing that the beans are working LOL 🙂
Choppa. At the age I am now, (70), I had thoughts that I would be in a "retirement home" by now, like a lot of my friends have ended up in, 🙁, rotting away at someone elses speed. But thankfully, I have always been a bit of a Monty Python addict and I constantly look on the bright side of life instead of 'acting my age'. hehehehe🙂
In truth, my hobby has saved my sanity and, my will to be just as I was yesterday. 🙂
Scale mates has been a BIG player in this thinking too mate, as I do look forward to opening up the site and seeing just what we have all been up to. Much better than FB and all the worlds dramas. 🙂I owe the lot of you a big hug. 👍. 🙂

Brad Furminger
Good on ya, Kerry. At 47, I still tell my students that though I may look my age, I've never been accused of acting it.

Kerry COX
Brad. All too often, it was those who sadly missed out on some great adventure in life that say "You should act your age". Poor tossers. LOL 🙂
If this is mental deficiency, then give me more of it. hahahaha 👍
What do you teach to your students, or, what subject do you impart.?

Brad Furminger
I teach videogame design and production. A field in which still possessing the exuberance of youth is a definite asset. 🙂 But I love my scale model building to "unplug" and step away from the screen to unwind.

Kerry COX
"Coding". ? !!! As THAT is just hitting BIG TIME here in Australia. Schools everywhere are getting in on the act too. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Brad Furminger
Not so much the coding, but the design/architecture. Coming up with the hows, the whys, and the fun. The coders help us put those ideas into motion. (Not to hijack your thread)

Kerry COX
No hijack here Brad. 🙂 I am pleased to know just how diverse we modellers are. 🙂 I was a civil engineer all my life, slide rule and blue prints world hehehehe. 🙂
I like how we as humans have learned to adapt to or rapidly changing world, and that robot companions are just around the corner. 👍.
Frightening for some, but, that's the nature of the human. To always look for 'better'. LOL