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.
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
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
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...
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
I’m optimistic we are not headed for a third consecutive overtime home game. Go Cowboys! #dallascowboys
October 19, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I’m optimistic we are not headed for a third consecutive overtime home game. Go Cowboys! #dallascowboys
Coming along … #histscalemodels #heaviesgb
October 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Coming along … #histscalemodels #heaviesgb