Historian, author, retired National Park Ranger, former museum curator. Proud native San Franciscan.https://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mwokbdarrs2n#scalemodels #histscalemodels Progress on the 1/35 M3 halftrack from Andy's/Takom. Very happy with overall fit and detail. Just started weathering, including distressing the seat cushions as if they'd been sat in. Only complaint is the thick decals. Had to flood them repeatedly with MicroSol.29 Sep 2026 19:19 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwokbdarrs2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mwh3bumhx22zQuestion: If people have never filed a claim, what fraud has been committed? [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Sep 2026 20:02 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwh3bumhx22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mw6zse3qbc23Other historic sites with Trump renaming possibilities include Manzanar, Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, Wounded Knee, Andersonville …23 Sep 2026 15:14 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw6zse3qbc23https://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mvlwywbbjc2z#scalemodels #histscalemodels Looking for advice on weathering. My latest effort is a 1/35 US halftrack, and I'd like to make the undercarriage look like it's seen some road miles. I found the attached photo of an overturned big rig and want to simulate the dusty gray-ish finish. Hints appreciated!16 Sep 2026 01:03 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvlwywbbjc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3muse3r4xbk2m#histscalemodels #scalemodels There's only one real hobby shop within 70 miles of me, and he's going out of business shortly, so I reluctantly visited a Hobby Lobby. In the model section I found a wall of car kits but only two airplane models and a weird carrier kit. It's NOT a replacement store.05 Sep 2026 20:48 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3muse3r4xbk2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mu4ajchaec2a#sanfrancisco I’m used to cleaning up all flavors of graffiti but this one kinda creeped me out.28 Aug 2026 01:46 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu4ajchaec2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mtwzg3hh522e#scalemodels #histscalemodels I understood at the outset just how small a Panzer I was, but this side-by-side comparison really struck me; the tank was actually a smidge shorter than a WWI Model T ambulance. (Both 1:35 scale.)25 Aug 2026 23:55 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwzg3hh522ehttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mtukgqwogs2x#scalemodels #histscalemodels Panzer I done, except for a little dirt. For now, it's time to go on the shelf. This is essentially straight out of the box. Only additions were track links used as extra armor (overage from the tracks provided with the kit) and a tarpaulin made from rolled paper.25 Aug 2026 00:22 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtukgqwogs2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mtr4baarbs24Excellent resource! [contains quote post or other embedded content]23 Aug 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtr4baarbs24https://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mtoqda45lk2i#SFNews #SF #SanFrancisco The fog comes on little cat feet / It sits looking over harbor and city / On silent haunches and then moves on.22 Aug 2026 16:52 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtoqda45lk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mtmquomu3k2m#scalemodels #histscalemodels Well, the little Panzer I is coming along. The worst part was the individual track links, but that's behind me. I went a bit light on the "dunkelgrau" because on a model this size the official color looks like a lump of coal, so I lightened and post-shaded.21 Aug 2026 21:56 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtmquomu3k2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mthvkhkvns24#histscalemodels Working on aging Panzer I model kit. So tiny, especially after working on Sherman’s and other German armor. Hard to believe this is 1/35 scale.19 Aug 2026 23:36 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mthvkhkvns24https://bsky.app/profile/johnamartini.bsky.social/post/3mrsfcycpck2i#SanFrancisco SF Then & Now. An occasional posting of contemporary versus historic views of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Today, the Golden Gate (pre-Bridge) circa 1906, and today. Two houses on the bluff were lighthouse keepers' homes. Must have had spectacular views!29 Jul 2026 16:55 +0000at://did:plc:xja3z35nxae7nx47cfea72z2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrsfcycpck2i