Michael Smith
@mcsmith.bsky.social
Lawyer dad in Marshall, Texas, mostly federal courts & patent litigation. Interested in WW II, scale modeling, history, books, & learning. Scale fundamentalist - only 1/700, 1/200 & 1/72. Extremely fond of the rule of law and almost as fond of Canadians.
How it wasn’t named the Mailcat amazes me.
Some famous vehicles made by Grumman Aircraft over the years.
Yes, even the postal truck.
Yes, even the postal truck.
November 29, 2025 at 5:05 AM
How it wasn’t named the Mailcat amazes me.
Finally, a 1/700 destroyer build that I'm proud of. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/11/29/u... #HistScaleModels
November 29, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Finally, a 1/700 destroyer build that I'm proud of. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/11/29/u... #HistScaleModels
I feel seen.
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 26, 2025 at 11:56 PM
I feel seen.
Priming time for next project - a 1/72 M4A3E2 Sherman from our friends in Ukraine at UM for #FestiveTankChallenge2025 #HistScaleModels
November 26, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Priming time for next project - a 1/72 M4A3E2 Sherman from our friends in Ukraine at UM for #FestiveTankChallenge2025 #HistScaleModels
Have to finish the railing on the bridge roof, add a few floater net baskets, and paint the flag, but then I think we’re ready for finish coat and decals. I tried railings and it looks way better without. #histscalemodels
November 26, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Have to finish the railing on the bridge roof, add a few floater net baskets, and paint the flag, but then I think we’re ready for finish coat and decals. I tried railings and it looks way better without. #histscalemodels
That’s it for tonight. Almost all plastic parts on. Started to add the PE parts - the bridge wing bracing and midships catwalks were not hard and look great. The one issue with the Tamiya kit is a lack of deckhouse detailing (hatches, etc). But adding PE hatches is easy. #HistScaleModels
November 23, 2025 at 6:36 AM
That’s it for tonight. Almost all plastic parts on. Started to add the PE parts - the bridge wing bracing and midships catwalks were not hard and look great. The one issue with the Tamiya kit is a lack of deckhouse detailing (hatches, etc). But adding PE hatches is easy. #HistScaleModels
Studying this picture all day trying to decipher the structures around the radar on the foremast - odd shape I could not figure out or find anything like on any other DDs. The I finally realized … it’s a sailor standing on the yardarm working on the base of the radar. Duh. #Histscalemodels
November 23, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Studying this picture all day trying to decipher the structures around the radar on the foremast - odd shape I could not figure out or find anything like on any other DDs. The I finally realized … it’s a sailor standing on the yardarm working on the base of the radar. Duh. #Histscalemodels
Very pleased with how Hammann is coming along. Good kit, with an assist from the excellent instructions from the TWW PE set.
November 23, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Very pleased with how Hammann is coming along. Good kit, with an assist from the excellent instructions from the TWW PE set.
Absolutely agree re: curated projects. I gave my local club four large boxes of kits I knew I didn’t “want” to finish. What’s left I at least want to, and I’m much more careful about purchases now.
November 23, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Absolutely agree re: curated projects. I gave my local club four large boxes of kits I knew I didn’t “want” to finish. What’s left I at least want to, and I’m much more careful about purchases now.
Finally documenting the new floor, display case, and screen. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/11/23/m... #HistScaleModels
November 23, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Finally documenting the new floor, display case, and screen. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/11/23/m... #HistScaleModels
Started on the 1/700 Tamiya Hammann. Because it's a good kit I want to do a better job with the camo scheme. Airbrushed Deck Blue, Ocean G (lower hull) and Haze G (upper hull) and am adding camo as I assemble. Reason for 2-color is it's easier to put darker panels over lighter. #HistScaleModels
November 20, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Started on the 1/700 Tamiya Hammann. Because it's a good kit I want to do a better job with the camo scheme. Airbrushed Deck Blue, Ocean G (lower hull) and Haze G (upper hull) and am adding camo as I assemble. Reason for 2-color is it's easier to put darker panels over lighter. #HistScaleModels
Finished my first Sherman - a 1/72 Revell kit. Had so much fun I've already ordered by second - a M4A3E2. #HistScaleModels putteringinthestudy.com/2025/11/19/1...
November 19, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Finished my first Sherman - a 1/72 Revell kit. Had so much fun I've already ordered by second - a M4A3E2. #HistScaleModels putteringinthestudy.com/2025/11/19/1...
Reposted by Michael Smith
Give Guyton an oscar!
November 18, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Give Guyton an oscar!
I am in. My tank fanatic son has helped pick out a 1/72 M4A3E2 with aftermarket duckbill tracks for a Cobra King at Bastogne. It’ll be my second Sherman (once I get the current one written up). #festivetankchallenge2025
November 18, 2025 at 2:47 AM
I am in. My tank fanatic son has helped pick out a 1/72 M4A3E2 with aftermarket duckbill tracks for a Cobra King at Bastogne. It’ll be my second Sherman (once I get the current one written up). #festivetankchallenge2025
About done with one more. #histscalemodels
November 16, 2025 at 12:11 AM
About done with one more. #histscalemodels
Tanking tonight. Building a less than stellar Revell as my first Sherman. Markings are for a 3rd Armor Div 32nd arm Rgt M4A1 76(W). Can’t find any info on this unit so I’m using “In The Mood” for camo & markings guidance. More weathering and orange recognition panel yet to come. #HistScaleModels
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Tanking tonight. Building a less than stellar Revell as my first Sherman. Markings are for a 3rd Armor Div 32nd arm Rgt M4A1 76(W). Can’t find any info on this unit so I’m using “In The Mood” for camo & markings guidance. More weathering and orange recognition panel yet to come. #HistScaleModels
Progress on several projects. The Starfighter cockpit came in for the Stearman, the tracks and hull on the M4A1 Sherman are complete. And two days after “finishing” the 1/700 Benham, I redid the foremast to correct the height and add a radar & details. Everything not blue is new. #HistScaleModels
November 12, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Progress on several projects. The Starfighter cockpit came in for the Stearman, the tracks and hull on the M4A1 Sherman are complete. And two days after “finishing” the 1/700 Benham, I redid the foremast to correct the height and add a radar & details. Everything not blue is new. #HistScaleModels
Just finished another little DD to escort my 1/700 carriers. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/11/09/1... #HistScaleModels
November 9, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Just finished another little DD to escort my 1/700 carriers. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/11/09/1... #HistScaleModels
Plugging away on two projects today, first at the East Texas Modelers group build in Tyler and then this evening at home. Adding (and switching out) parts on the 1/700 Benham destroyer, and started on the 1/72 M4A1 76(W) Sherman. #Histscalemodels
November 9, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Plugging away on two projects today, first at the East Texas Modelers group build in Tyler and then this evening at home. Adding (and switching out) parts on the 1/700 Benham destroyer, and started on the 1/72 M4A1 76(W) Sherman. #Histscalemodels
1/72 Stearman is on deck. Primed and many, many coats of prewar orange-yellow with True Blue tail - like the displayed Enterprise TBD. Will match the CAF Stearman in Marshall that Parker flew on in 2019. #HistScaleModels
November 2, 2025 at 7:36 PM
1/72 Stearman is on deck. Primed and many, many coats of prewar orange-yellow with True Blue tail - like the displayed Enterprise TBD. Will match the CAF Stearman in Marshall that Parker flew on in 2019. #HistScaleModels
First occupant of the new 09 cruiser/destroyer dock - a MidShipModels 1/700 USS Benham [DD-397) destroyer. Benham was a TF 16 stalwart in 1942, sunk while successfully screening the battleship Washington during the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal of 15 November 1942. #Histscalemodels
October 31, 2025 at 4:15 AM
First occupant of the new 09 cruiser/destroyer dock - a MidShipModels 1/700 USS Benham [DD-397) destroyer. Benham was a TF 16 stalwart in 1942, sunk while successfully screening the battleship Washington during the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal of 15 November 1942. #Histscalemodels
And that's a wrap for me for the #HeaviesGB build. I finished the two in my stash, plus a third I picked up last month. A 1/72 B-17, and two 1/144 transport aircraft. #HistScaleModels
October 27, 2025 at 1:01 AM
And that's a wrap for me for the #HeaviesGB build. I finished the two in my stash, plus a third I picked up last month. A 1/72 B-17, and two 1/144 transport aircraft. #HistScaleModels
Finally finished my Dixie Clipper. It's my second 1/144 four-engine aircraft, and shows the seaplane as it appeared when it transported President Roosevelt to the Casablanca Conference 1943. It's my third and last entry in #HeaviesGB ! putteringinthestudy.com/2025/10/27/b... #histscalemodels
October 27, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Finally finished my Dixie Clipper. It's my second 1/144 four-engine aircraft, and shows the seaplane as it appeared when it transported President Roosevelt to the Casablanca Conference 1943. It's my third and last entry in #HeaviesGB ! putteringinthestudy.com/2025/10/27/b... #histscalemodels
“Dixie Clipper” showing the rarely modeled dorsally mounted Copperhead 1500 blockbuster bomb. As usual, my patience with a build runs out some time before completion. #histscalemodels #heaviesGB
October 22, 2025 at 3:17 AM
“Dixie Clipper” showing the rarely modeled dorsally mounted Copperhead 1500 blockbuster bomb. As usual, my patience with a build runs out some time before completion. #histscalemodels #heaviesGB
Reposted by Michael Smith
October 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM