https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/christmas-train-set-up.html

My new cheap train with a temporary set up with some of my other cheap stuff to create a Santa's Workshop set up. I think something like this may be a major part of my Santa's Workshop set up. Of course I still need the actual toy construction and assembly line, and Santa's office, and reindeer stalls and who knows what else?

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/maisto-dune-buggy.html

The Meyers Manx is the grandfather of all dune buggies. It was mass produced in the 1960s and today there is even an electric version. Maisto makes a similar dune buggy and when I saw it in the stores I had to get it. Last year I watched all the Beach Party movies and there is a lot of role playing game potential there. So this Maisto dune buggy model is cheap and gives a little variety to the surf scenes.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/panzer-selbstfahrlafette-iv-ausf-c-or.html

This gun was used by the Germans in WWII as an anti-aircraft and anti-tank gun. It was mounted on a self-propelled chassis and also as a ground mount. This article tells how to make the ground mount version.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/old-roco-kubelwagen.html
Old Roco Minitanks Kubelwagen is in need of some repair. So I fixed it.
This vehicle is likely a 40 year old model and yet it's not too bad.
Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/supply-and-hq.html

Supply and HQ items made from little scraps in the spares box. I always keep a little box of scrapes of plastic and use them frequently. Even sprue can be helpful.
These items are boxes, barrels, ammo and other bits from model kits that I have kept some from decades ago. It all gets used eventually.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/kebelwagen-repair.html

The same old Kubelwagen from a few days ago has undergone some field repair work and is not fully functional in all areas.

Roco Minitanks Kubelwagen that may be as much as 40 years old.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/sws-halftrack-from-roco.html

SWS Halftrack by Roco Minitanks. Part of my project to rehabilitate and restore and upgrade some of my 40 to 50 year old Roco Minitanks.
This one was upgraded years ago and has served as an inspiration to me to work on some of the other vehicles. So get your old Roco out of the attic and get to work!

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/sws-restoration.html

One thing I have also done with the SWS halftrack is take wheels from old dead SdKfz 234 series armored cars and use them on the front as a spare tire. The 234 is one of those old Roco that in real life was somewhat rare but in Roco collections is very common. I have not shown that in this series of vehicle photos but it is something I do.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/upgraded-tiger-ii.html

Since about 1963 when I got my first Roco Minitanks and Airfix figures I have mixed the HO scale Roco and the OO, later 1/72nd scale plastic figures. Although the figures are a bit larger than the proper scale for the vehicles, I think it provides a heroic nature to the figures and gives us a reminder that it is men and not machines that fight wars.

Here is a notional Tiger II that has been upgraded to a narrow turret and a new gun. Had the war continued there were several plans to upgrade or replace most of the German armor over the next year or two. Happily the war ended and such plans were never realized.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/tiger-ii-and-sws-and-stuff.html

I have been taking old Roco and upgrading them, adding parts, or getting them form other people who have done the same to their vehicles.
The are easy to modify because the plastic glues easily and the models can be cut or drilled with regular model tools. Since in WWII the Germans used a bewildering variety of vehicles with many factory and local modifications it is fun to create new stuff using old stuff.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

https://bunkermeister.blogspot.com/2025/03/yellow-dune-buggy-part-ii.html

These versatile little vehicles can be used for surfers, off roaders, road warriors, technicals or other purposes. They are really cheap and I got them at WalMart.
I have about six of them now and most, maybe all, will go to my surfers. Probably a few will get repainted and maybe have a surfboard mounted on them.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog