To all you good little boys and girls......If you could ask Santa for one wish (okay, two) that would make this website easier to use....or an area you think we don't cover right now, what would that be?? I don't want to take up volumes of space here...so if it needs a lenghty description...please send it to me offline. Santa knows you have been very good this year.....and if he can reward you with a better website....he will !!! And Mrs. Santa appreciates all that business that helps keep her elves busy. But there IS room for improvement. Are there any companies that you find you might order from here....because of other items carried here....rather than try to order from someone you are not familiar with??
I am printing off and collating everything that is posted to this one message. And then speaking directly with Santa about your wishes. Results will be posted after the first of the year.....and maybe implemented then.....
Please think about this....Garfield and Meeta have done soooooo much to promote this segment of our hobby.....and he builds AIRPLANES, for Gosh Sakes......so, here's your chance......
And Ken, I already gots your thoughts printed out!!!!
I'm hoping to get a lot of input from overseas, too....we may perceive things differently over here, and something we take for granted may drive you crazy......
Santa's first thought.....How about a section with Names, email addresses, age, location, and areas of interest?? I mention this because a guy walked into my work today wearing a Narrow Gauge Railroad Convention T-shirt....come to find out he just moved to my town....lives 5 miles away....and we can get together and talk models!!! Same idea here.....There have been references offered by members...but no way to track back- or find those. Going to a show would be a whole lot easier than the "Hey, Who's going to the show?" postings, if you already knew who you could contact!!!
Santa...no lap...just a Miller Beer...waitin' to hear from you......
I like the idea of a Track 48 member contact list.
Also what interest would there be for having a Group Build. (oh, say a Sherman build, an Afrika corps build ,eastern front build or whatever else the group might be agreeable to)
First and foremost, and at the risk of sounding a bit clichéed, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Garfield, Meeta and Konrad for the site. It's not the biggest, but it's got a great feel to it, and everybody here's always friendly. There are some great guys on here, and there's always something to read about.
My only wish would be for the forum to move to a PhpBB board, but I realise this is dependent on programming skills and server solutions. I still prefer this board to Missing Lynx where posts disappear after a while, so if you spot something after a week you'll never get a reply.
Oh, and a link back to the Track48 page at the top.
Merry Christmas one and all, or just wishes of good health and Happy Modelling if Christmas is not your thing.
I am sending you my info to add to the T48 contact list.
Joe,
The group build is a good idea, but it seems not so interesting here in the past as it has been mentioned here a couple of times without success. Anyway there may be 1/48 group builds out there you can enter if you want. For instance I participated on two different 1/48 groups this year, adn if we make one here I will join too.
Nik,
I cannot get what you mean when you say post dissapeard at M-L. If you want you can check out all post are there since the beginning on september 2006. FYI T48 and M-L are N54 boards and work in the same way. The only difference is T48 has on the feature that makes recent post goes top. Nothing else.
If you are talking about the pics in the post, N54 temporary folder only last for one week, so the images are deleted automatically by the system after that period.
Lu: Yes, it's the feature that new posts go to the top that I like. A couple of times I've found topics on page 2 or 3 on ML, and I know there's no point in replying because it will never be seen.
I 85% build my models (this is even before paint!) and never finish them.
For example;
- Lu helped me out with pictures of the armoured jeep, and I pretty much finished all of the plasticard work, but never finished the machine gun post, so it's still sitting in a box waiting to see the world again.
-I've got numerous Shermans in various stages of 'battlefield damage' but never quite seem to get one to priming stage.
-My softskins and armoured cars are all hovering on that 'should I wait for more PE and canvas" adolescence
I would say a group build might engage my drive enough that I might even crack open my paints again. But then again, it might be easier just to watch other peoples builds progress....
Dave Reed (Login dave37167) Registered Users 67.177.172.176
Santa Sez.....
December 20 2007, 8:01 AM
Good thoughts, so far. There will be technical changes to the site...not sure yet what all of them will be. Lu, since you work with ML, matbe you can email Garfield directly with anything technical that he might need to know. I like the movement of the newest replies to the top, too.
The group build sounds fine.....but even in our club, everyone starts out enthused...but few finish them up. So, ummmmm, maybe a build??
I'm glad you like the contact idea....that will probably happen as a "directory" tab....seperate from the "links", which will still include industry and other related sites.
And, Dragos.....I really hope we find you a like-minded Sherman-a-holic in your country !!! But at least with the Internet, WE are only a keystroke away !!!! Santa is going to do a corrected HB Sherman M4A1 with TopGun hull, corrected turret with Faxon parts, and a turned barrel. Hoping to post pics of this after the first of the year. Until then I have to keep on those Elves. They keep stealing the bottles marked "Elderberry wine" for some guy in Texas. Drunk on their butts all the time.....I have to keep checking on them....or no Merry Christmas in Texas, I fear....
Dear Santa Claus, I am more than happy, to join this wonderful forum, full with so nice people !
So, I am more than happy to give my contact informations.
And, I am not alone here. My very good friend and brother, Ovidiu Cupse, already post his work in this site:
He live up north in Cluj (Bucharest is in south of our country), so, we are together only by internet, most of the time. He is not shermaholic, enjoying german stuff mainly, BUT I do my best to solve this "little problem"...
Merry Christmas !
PS. Your M4A3(76) project sound very interesting... I want to do the same thing... with the same stuff ... Mr. Bob just send it my hulls, I think that i can get them in the first days of 2008...
Dave, you have some excellent ideas and change can always be a good thing! It might be good to make this Site for all 1/48th Scale Modellers regardless of subject matter. I'm sure there are some folks here that also build Aircraft, paint Figures and build Dioramas (I know I do to include the occaisional trip into the world of SCIFI and Fantasy). Heck, why not include the Flyboys?
As far as Track 48 in general, I must say that I have never, in all my years of Modelling, met a greater bunch of people than those here that participate in the Forum and the Site as a whole. God Bless you All!
Bob
Bob and Steve
Top Gun Military/IRON DIVISON Resins
www.topgunmilitary.com
I'm with Bob, of Bob and Steve, about opening Track 48 to all 1/48 modelling. As I've mentioned in an earlier thread this will increase membership, and infuse the site with new approaches, techniques, and concepts in our favorite scale. 1/48 aircraft is fairly commonplace, but I would like to see what anyone may be doing in ships, boats, and naval craft in this scale. 1/48 scale Orelikons and Bofors, and other naval guns, are available for model shipbuilding, and ciuld be used in armor conversions and dioramas.
Dave Reed (Login dave37167) Registered Users 67.177.172.176
Points well taken....
December 20 2007, 7:29 PM
Thanks Guys....Leo, your idea has a lot of merit. The question I have is.....how do we get that message to them?? I can post something if we do that.....Would you want a seperate section for them to post to?? We can do that, but would you limit it in any way?? I want to encourage ANY 1/48th items to appear here, but I think we will have to have some guidelines. If we allow ANY aircraft...then the bandwidth might be swamped with 1/48 jet builders....for instance. I, personally, think there should be SOME kind of armor tie in SOMEWHERE in the crossover. For instance, I will be building my Deuce and a half as a lumber company truck in a re-supply scene at a lakeside dock....with a floatplane tied up there. But there will be lots of military equipment(ex) and anything that I think will work from my crossover of Aircraft/Railroading/Armor/Dollhouse.......The Scramble fuel drum on wheels and wheeled compressor just SCREAM to be used in an armor setting. How many of you even know they exist?? This is part of what I intend to bring to T48 next year....and I welcome all the help you can offer !!!!!
Dave
Hi Dave. Maybe you could structure the site similarly to Armorama's where they have a separate forum for each category, plus diorama building, tips and techniques, etc., all accessable from a main page. I think someone else already mentioned this, a listing of all known AM parts and their manufacturers/dealers/stores and locations or email would be very useful.
Leo, et all.....I think when the website gets modified...it may be along these lines. Might be a tabbed menu with dropdowns. That would offer a more flexible format....but it remains to Garfield and his tech people to see how the site can be revised. I know they are trying to incorporate as many features as possible....to allow the site to grow and be vibrant. What we have isn't bad now....but the future looks bright!!!
I don't know how easy this would be but how about a listing of available kits (including resin?) with the aftermarket stuff listed for each. For example I didn't know about the WW2 Productions early Panzer IV tracks until they weren't around anymore. This would also help the aftermarket guys spot oprenings, like the early tracks to compliment the Battalion Bits conversion that's half built waiting for tracks
I'm sure there's a lot of stuff out there we would buy if we knew it was there.
I wish everybody a Happy Holiday and will catch up when I get back to my computer.
That is 'Xactly what I want to do when the changes are made....been working on the "mission statement" for this......Stay tuned....probably early next year.
Anyone have any other suggestions...post them here...or send them to me directly. We are ACTIVELY trying to make this site more "user friendly" for you folks!!!!
Dave
As the prominent 1/48 Armour site on the web today, we are the best suited to pull together a full listing of ALL 1/48 AFV kits and parts on the market today. This will be a massive job, and decisions will have to be made on WHERE TO STOP, as parts melt into the other 1/48 model realms, like railroad and aircraft.
We would have to break it down into media... and manufacturers
(1) Injection plastic
(2) Resin
(3) Photo Etch
(4) Die-Cast
(5) Decals
...and God only knows how many other subsections.
Dave: You could post some lists and then ask the crew out here to add to it, and I'm sure within a week you would be buried in additional stuff.
Hi Dave! I would have to agree with George on this one; if both of you would be working on this, what an absolutely awesome website we would have. It's already an informative and visually stimulating site, but with the changes you two could bring to it, I really don't see how it couldn't be the number 1 site on the web! I know George has been in the print industry for some time, but I really don't know your background. I suppose this is where the bios would come in handy. As someone from the print industry myself, I know it can really help to have that additional set of knowledgeable eyes on the subject matter. Whatever you two do, I know T48 will be the best!
George, it would be my pleasure to work with you on this.....email me your phone number...I have free long distance to Canada. As soon as Garfield knows what we can or can't do....you and I will structure a setup for inventorying the info. Then we will put the word out...and see what shows up. You and I can hash out the sub-catagories.....And for sure, I will welcome any help on this. Ken already sent me some great suggestions offline.....and I hope anyone else who cares to- will drop me an email with their suggestions......This is something I have wanted to do for a looooong time. Just to start the ball rolling.....How many of you guys know about Gator Glue?? Developed by a ship modeler for gluing on P/e railings......It dries clear...takes paint...and stays FLEXIBLE. No fragile joints and parts that can fly off. Oh yeah, it also allows you to move the part around a bit before it sets up......water soluable too. I'l never use super glue again....Do a Google for this or Gator's Masks....or go to Armorama/Model Shipwright. Kenny Loup writes for them....and it was very promptly shipped from Florida.
Absolutely no connection with him....but when you are so happy you can't see straight...just send me cash!!
Dave.....and there's a lot more in the New Year....... Oh, Yeah...
Okay, one more for Christmas......go to your local Railroad Hobby Shop. Ask them for the O scale Tichy train 55 gallon drums. They are ONE PIECE...injection molded.....with seperate tops. no seams...just a molding pip on the bottom. They come in black...or a dark, rusty brown color. These are the same people who make nut/washer combinations...and rivets, too...like Grandt Line. Now aren't you sorry for all those bad thoughts about model railroading?? !!
That's TWO from Santa this Christmas.......
Oh yeah...want them squashed......hold them against a light bulb, on the side or bottom of the bulb....then squash them when the plastic gets soft. Oh yeah....and go "Hot,hot, HOT, oweeeeee" while doing this....but it works great....Santa signing off now........
Back in April or May when we were discussing some kind of database for AFV information and the like, I took the liberty of registering the track48 name at pbwiki.com (with Garfield's permission, of course). I procured up to 1 GB of webspace for the wiki (for free) and the Google adsense ads are non-intrusive. The URL is as follows:
Unfortunately, I haven't really had the time to do anything with it, nor do I have the AFV expertise of many of you here. I've put up a couple of test links, but that's all so far.
I do have a bunch of web experience, however, and can help out in that way.
So, if you think this wiki can be used in some way, LMK and I'll get the thing set up for more users.
Isamu, You might be the answer. I have just enough computer knowledge to be, A: Dangerous, B: Ignorant, or C: Confused....I don't know about George, but you certainly are welcome to join this. Drop me a line direct...and let's bounce some stuff around. Maybe we can do a three way email to each of us. I can call George for free- so that helps a bit.....But Thank You for your offer.
George....you computer literate??
I'm afraid I'm in the same boat as you Dave, I know just enough of this web stuff to get myself in trouble. Don't count on ME for any computer expertise.
