While the kit is largely straightforward, adding Eduard PE to the Trumpeter S-Tank Stridsvagn 103C is testing my abilities and sanity. Teeny weeny parts are not gonna make it. Fight the battles you can win. Loads to do yet, but so far not so bad. #histscalemodels

Off I go with the Trumpeter 1/35 scale Stridsvagn 103C...the S-Tank. Shonky wheel fit due to poly caps (why?????) is the standout thus far. ##histscalemodels

While I'm sorting out display/storage space here is a look at the Tamiya Sheridan I built a while back. It was my first 1/35 scale kit when I ended my 50 year break from the hobby. Tamiya metal barrel and chainlink upgrade plus home made bustle based on David Doyle's book. #histscalemodels

I'm sure many modellers have storage/display space issues. But when you're stupid enough to collect die cast cars, as well, its all on you. These beauties are being retired to the loft. Tamiya T34/76, Panzer I & R35; ICM FCM36. #histscalemodels

Game #1 of the 26/27 season. Southend United 1 West Ham United 1 at Roots Hall. A 10k+ crowd saw a typical pre-season friendly with plenty of personnel changes and a few decent moments. The Hammers have work to do. Southend's new players look bright. Fun times.

Cyclops the AFV Club Churchill Mk III is done. Lots learned. Pretty satisfying, as it goes. #histscalemodels

I've got the decals on the AFV Club Churchill Mk III and am busy adding the details before weathering. The decals are decent, going on nicely with little swearing. Happy days. #histscalemodels

I've got some primer on the AFV Club Churchill III. Its satisfying to see the thing looking tidy. Primer covers up the wonky elements of the build which aren't too terrible, but I know where they are. I'll chuck some green paint on it over the weekend #histscalemodels

Look at this beauty

Just for fun, here is another local celebrity on the Essex Riviera

The AFV Club Churchill Mk III is ready for paint. Plenty of challenges in the build made harder by inconsistent instructions and poor fits here and there. I'd say this is the toughest build I've attempted successfully. A few days off from it will be welcome. #histscalemodels

Its a tad warm on the Essex Riviera today. I survived a 5k run by the sea at 0800. The AFV now Churchill has tracks. The poly kit items are pretty chunky. I stitched them together with 5 amp fuse wire. It flattens out pretty nicely. Am now test fitting the fenders. #histscalemodels

Awkward times with the AFV Club Churchill which pinged and flexed it's way to submission by tea time. I must have effed up somewhere. The instructions are public enemy No 3 or 6. It got done. Three pints in the Railway Hotel has helped. #histscalemodels

These are today's acquisitions in line with my self imposed ruling to most definitely stop collecting this stuff on pain of death, etc.

I've spent a few hours on the AFV Club Churchill Mk III, today, in between chores and errands. I'm reasonably pleased with progress. There will be adjustments/filling as the hull top goes on. The PE looks ok. #histscalemodels

Getting there with the AFV Club Churchill Mk III. I am grateful for the warnings about the fiddly running gear. Happily a bit of thought showed me the way because the instructions are vague at best. I'll hopefully have time to do more over the weekend. #histscalemodels

Number one son gave me an AFV Club Churchill MkIII for my birthday. No swearing so far, but warning signs are everywhere #histscalemodels

This lovely Sherman took the lead after Jim Clark's tank had problems on the Sunday run of Armour & Embarkation 2026. We're somewhere in Dorset between Martinstown and Broadmayne in these pix.

Another pic from Armour & Embarkation 2026. Jim Clark's Sherman looking lovely as ever en route from Bovington to Dorchester. Getting a decent snap with the "tank crossing" sign has been on my to do list for a while.

There were lots around in Turkey back in 2014. I've never seen a panel van.

I hadn't been for a run in a week and thought the seafront early this morning would be ok. Fool. This lovely little beast was gently simmering at the end of my route.

Armour & Embarkation 2026. I made this one mono because it isn't sharp. I blame my driver (he isn't on Bluesky). The image works pretty well.

Fun times at Armour & Embarkation 2026. Dorchester was liberated (for the sixth time) and most of us got back in one piece. A wise woman described the event as "Noisy, smelly but generally splendid". I'm still wearing my wristband.

Armour & Embarkation 2026 was a weekend of pure magic....

Sunday is the day we go off road. Armour & Embarkation 2026 begins tomorrow.

Calling the Tamiya M151A2/Tow missile launcher stash queen done. Awful decals didn't help and I'm sure my go at the cammo scheme is speculative. Otherwise it was fun to do. I do love a MUTT. #histscalemodels

Busy times in Martinstown, our traditional lunch stop on the Sunday run. These pix date from 2022. Armour & Embarkation 2026 kicks off with the fish and chips run to Weymouth on Friday evening. We don't take the tanks on this run, but there will be plenty to look at. Medium cod and a wally, please.

We are always considerate to equine traffic encountering the Armour & Embarkation convoy. We'll be out again next weekend. Over a hundred vehicles make up the convoy, which includes tanks, half-tracks and armoured cars in addition to a range of trucks and other vehicles.