MILITARY VEHICLE MODEL COMMISSIONS

I have been contacted by many different people about having me build a model or models for them to add to their collection. These folks include history buffs, militaria collectors, and people who simply want a collection of models but lack the time or skill to create them. This section will help explain the different levels of models available, what the process is, and what you can expect when asking for a commission. I can create any military vehicle, tracks, wheeled, etc. from any time period or nationality you can think of. I can create dioramas or paint figures for the vehicle or scene.

LEVELS

Models, like most anything else you can think of, come in varying levels of build, finish and display. I'm often asked, "How much do you charge to build a model?" This is similar to walking onto a car lot and asking "How much is a car?" The answer will range greatly upon the expectation of the collector. There are three basic levels, and these can be customized according to the collector's wishes.

STRAIGHT-OUT-OF-THE-BOX (SOOB)

SOOB models are basically built straight from the kit's parts, with no added details such as photoetch, individual link tracks, figures, etc. This generally means that, although finished professionally, the model will suffer from whatever innaccuracies or lack of detail that the kit has. It also greatly depends upon the make and manufacturer of the kit. For instance, a newly released kit will look better beside a model which was originally issued 10 or 20 years ago.

DETAILED

"Detailed" models generally have any innacurate or inadequately detailed parts replaced by either aftermarket or scratch built parts. This might include a photoetch brass set, individual link tracks, or other replacement parts.

SUPERDETAILED

These are the ultimate; museum quality models you might see in magazines or winning awards at comtetition. They will have a large number of parts replaced or detailed. For instance, on a tank kit, the barrel, tracks, fenders, etc, will be replaced, photoetch details added, etc.

Among the extras that can be potentially added to a basic model kit are photoetch brass sets, which replace thick or inaccurate kit parts with thin brass, giving a more detailed and to-scale appearance; individual link tracks, which replace the vinyl tracks often supplied in tank kits with what are essentially replicas of the real tank's tracks; turned aluminum gun barrels; resin accessories such as canvas tops, crew gear, or conversion parts. One could also have a custom base created, with an etched nameplate and perhaps even ground material suitable for the vehicle's environment. The possibilites are nearly endless!

MY STANDARD

Whatever the level of model you desire, you can be assured it will be finished to the highest level. I utilize artist's tools, including oil paints, pastel chalks and colored artist's pencils in addition to the traditional airbrush to finish the models. Research is done to discover the environment the model operated in, from desert to mud, and is weathered for those conditions. Even with an SOOB model, I typically replace kit machine guns, add realistic clear headlights, replace molded cables with real scale cable, and attach crew gear to give the model that "lived-in" look. My highest concern is to satisfy the collector. I can advise on the best model kit to represent a particular vehicle, from a Panther in the Ardennes to an Abrams in Desert Storm. I have over 30 years experience in modelling and have won over 100 awards nationwide. I can provide numerous references.

THE PROCESS

You might know specifically what you want or have only a general idea, but the first step is to contact me via email at mailto:modelerv@rr.cfl.com. Let me know what you are looking for, and I will create a "bid" for the model, with price and estimated delivery time, and my advise as what is needed to create the model. My price will include the cost for acquirng the neccesary items, although many times collectors already have the kit needed. Most of the cost is simply my time and effort towards the project.

Pricing can sometimes be complex, but it's like buying a car; the more you want, the more you will pay! For example, if a collector wants a SOOB model of a Jeep, it will be far less expensive than another who wants a Famo and trailer towing a Panzer IV, with superdetailing! Also, resin or other aftermarket kits will be more expensive to create because of their higher labor times. A good starting point is anywhere between 3 and 10 times the retail price of themodel, but this is only a rough estimate. Each project is handled individually and custom priced.

After we agree on the price, I require a 50% down payment, and the work can progress. I send frequent emails to you, along with digital pictures of the work as it progresses. That way, you are a participant in the process. When complete and approved by you, the remaining 50% is billed to you, and upon my receipt, I send the model. My models are always sent double boxed, insured and tracked. This minimizes any chance of breakage. It is inevitable that some small parts may break loose during shipment, so it is advisable for the collector to have some rudimentary modelling skills to effect such repairs.

Feel free to contact me with your ideas and wishes. It will be my pleasure to let you know what would be involved with creating your project. Thank you!