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.
One side of road wheels done, and duckbill 3D tracks partially excavated. #histscalemodels
December 16, 2025 at 5:53 AM
One side of road wheels done, and duckbill 3D tracks partially excavated. #histscalemodels
The 3D printed duckbill tracks for my Cobra King “Jumbo” Sherman are a mess, but boy, are the looking good and fitting well! #HistScaleModels #FestiveTankChallenge
December 14, 2025 at 7:18 PM
The 3D printed duckbill tracks for my Cobra King “Jumbo” Sherman are a mess, but boy, are the looking good and fitting well! #HistScaleModels #FestiveTankChallenge
Just finished a 1/72 model of the Stearman our son rode on for his 17th birthday. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/12/14/1... #histscalemodels
December 14, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Just finished a 1/72 model of the Stearman our son rode on for his 17th birthday. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/12/14/1... #histscalemodels
I’m starting my 1/72 Jumbo for #FestiveTankChallenge this afternoon.
I thought I’d try the #FestiveTankChallenge again … a Sherman … so I have this … what was I thinking?!? I will be working on this till Christmas 2027 … #HistScaleModels
December 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I’m starting my 1/72 Jumbo for #FestiveTankChallenge this afternoon.
Stearman is coming together nicely. #Histscalemodels
December 11, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Stearman is coming together nicely. #Histscalemodels
Back at work on the Stearman. Starfighter resin cockpit and some spare Corsair cockpit decals. #histscalemodels
December 9, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Back at work on the Stearman. Starfighter resin cockpit and some spare Corsair cockpit decals. #histscalemodels
December 9, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Vacation read about the early US space program. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/12/09/g... #booksky
December 9, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Vacation read about the early US space program. putteringinthestudy.com/2025/12/09/g... #booksky
Saw Texas this morning in overcast and then bright sunlight and … the paint appears totally different. Goes from dark blue gray to exactly the bright light blue I said it wasn’t. I feel ridiculous now worrying about what shade I use for 5-N on a model! #Histscalemodels
December 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Saw Texas this morning in overcast and then bright sunlight and … the paint appears totally different. Goes from dark blue gray to exactly the bright light blue I said it wasn’t. I feel ridiculous now worrying about what shade I use for 5-N on a model! #Histscalemodels
Re my Hammann, I didn’t study this photo of her recovering Lexington sailors at Coral Sea till after I finished it, but not seeing anything I’d have changed. Aside from the camo color transcription issue the Tamiya is a solid kit OOB and I’d recc as a good start in 1/700. #histscalemodels
December 7, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Re my Hammann, I didn’t study this photo of her recovering Lexington sailors at Coral Sea till after I finished it, but not seeing anything I’d have changed. Aside from the camo color transcription issue the Tamiya is a solid kit OOB and I’d recc as a good start in 1/700. #histscalemodels
Thinking of Pearl Harbor today, on the 84th anniversary. I’m in the middle of Mark Stille’s new book, and as always studying how to make the berths on Battleship Row. My Fox 7 (Arizona & Vestal) is mocked up, but that’s as far as I have gotten. #Histscalemodels
December 7, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Thinking of Pearl Harbor today, on the 84th anniversary. I’m in the middle of Mark Stille’s new book, and as always studying how to make the berths on Battleship Row. My Fox 7 (Arizona & Vestal) is mocked up, but that’s as far as I have gotten. #Histscalemodels
For ww2 ship modelers, here’s Texas still being repaired at Galveston but with a fresh coat of Navy Blue (5-N). It’s darker in person than a lot of images online which make it look light blue. Rides higher at the bow unloaded and current boot topping tracks that. #histscalemodels
November 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
For ww2 ship modelers, here’s Texas still being repaired at Galveston but with a fresh coat of Navy Blue (5-N). It’s darker in person than a lot of images online which make it look light blue. Rides higher at the bow unloaded and current boot topping tracks that. #histscalemodels
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!