Episode 54: Barry & Jim's Adventures (and Frustrations) with the 1/16th Universal Carrier Kit

In Episode 52, when Jim expressed interest in the new 1/16th-scale Gecko Models Universal Carrier kit, Barry suggested a “buddy build,” with each of them tackling the beast—something he now regrets. (That started with cleaning up two lengths of track, each with 165 to 167 links, and connecting them with some 668 tiny pins, crazy-making work they discussed at the end of Episode 53, after Jim chatted with Francois Verlinden.)

This episode is devoted to their ongoing frustrations with the build (and, for Jim, some fun, too). Although Barry initially suggested the idea, he later worried that no one would be interested in talk about a kit few if any of the listeners might build. But Jim thought it wound up being about more than the build, focusing on how your hosts each approach modeling and the inherent and inevitable problem-solving.

Or, as the pod’s most dedicated listener and volunteer Quality Control Editor Joan Biediger said, “I loved the episode—the back and forth about what works and what doesn’t. Also you each have different approaches to certain things. I have no interest in that particular kit, but I found the episode quite enjoyable anyway. I think because it was about solving problems, talking about things that go wrong and how to deal with it makes it interesting at least to me.  It’s pretty good when you can hold the audience on a kit that said audience isn’t really interested in, lol.”

So, here you have it. Below are pictures of Barry’s progress.

Barry notes: “Here are some pics of my build.  The one with the too-loose tracks has 165 links. I removed one link and it looks pretty good. I strengthened the flimsy front bogie with some brass rod.  Also attached is a pic that shows my fake air cleaner that can be seen through the screen.”

Now, some pics from Jim’s work bench. He’s been off from school since mid-December, returning Jan. 27, so he’s had a lot more time to build, paint—and screw things up.  

A few more things: Jim wrongly mentioned a meme about cliches in dioramas, like the pointing/shouting sergeant in his scene, when in fact it was a very amusing post by our Aussie pal Jamie Stokes on Planet Figure. Read it and chuckle!

Here’s a link to Arnhem Jim’s blog, which also got a nod (the specific carrier Jim is building, T248395, can be seen here). Barry mentioned Martin Kovac’s excellent Night Shift modeling videos, and those can be seen on his YouTube channel here, and Rob Riviezzo’s helpful article about his own experience building the kit (his Rob Riv’s Modeling Insanity blog can be found on Facebook here).

Finally, the boys talk once again about the DSPIAE electric reciprocating sanding pen. They’re both digging it—it’s been especially useful for cleaning up this weird Gecko plastic—and Jim has since bought the company’s electric sharpening/grinding pen, too. You’ve got to have the right tool for the job, always!