For the current contest, the “scratch-built” category still exists, but compromises were made.

Drumroll!

There were 3 “runners up” to the “Grand Prize,” and all three artists will receive 2 signed books–the 2 most recent, unless they have a preference.

Todd Garrepy must be rewarded for his imaginative use of LEGOS???!!! to make a model of USS Walker.  Building anything that looked like a ship, much less something that was clearly a 4-stacker out of LEGOS must have been like planning and executing a sphere made of Rubik’s cubes!

Rick Essert made an outstanding model of Walker sinking a Grik Indiaman.  I don’t know why it seems to have disappeared from the website, but it IS very nice, and I had the pleasure of seeing it in person while on my book tour on the west coast.  I will try to figure out why I can’t find the picture, and if necessary, re-post it.

Wayne Hawkins built a virtual fleet of ships, entirely from scratch.  Very nice.  His detail–particularly on non Destroyermen specific ships, is amazing for the scale he chose.

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By unanimous agreement of the “judges” and myself, the “Grand Prize” must go to Bill Early, whose model was almost perfect for its depiction of USS Walker as she appeared in “Rising Tides.”  The foundation of his model was  the 1/240 Revell kit, but he went to a tremendous amount of effort to “personalize” it.  Ultimately, the detail he included on the scratch-built “Nancy” was sufficient to take the cake, and make him the overall winner, regardless of category.

Congratulations to you all!  Give me a shout and send me your contact information and I will send your prizes!  Thanks for participating, and I hope everyone had fun!

New model contest begins!

Based on how many contacts I had from people who were “building” Walker, or some other subject in the series–but couldn’t finish in time–I decided to “re-boot” the contest!  I don’t have a “finish” date just yet, but I will give plenty of warning.  Let’s get them started ASAP and when posted, we’ll try to make sure they are all together this time so they’re easier to find and compare.  I hope the “winners” of the previous contest will join me as judges for the next–unless you choose to compete again!  Prizes will be the same, but will be based on absolute “Best,” with two “runners up.”

We’ve had some additional entries into the model contest. Details can be found here — Model Contest

From reader Rick Essert who writes:

I also wanted to point out the additions to the Campbelltown; first I hope you can see the coke machine, 2nd I added the blower which wasn’t on the model, and 3rd  added the Alliance battle flag.  I also added gun blasts, burn stains from Grik fire bombs, as well as other obvious features to both models.

 

Also – Wayne Hawkins has updated his picture gallery at the original model contest blog entry as well.

Leave a comment for Taylor in the mean time!

“Destroyermen: Into the Storm” and “Destroyermen: Crusade“ are out and doing well, and it won’t be long before the third installment, “Destroyermen: Maelstrom” is released.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the kind words and support.  There hasn’t been much activity here on the blog for a while, but I have been getting a lot of direct contacts.  Great stuff, and it’s been a blast corresponding with some of you.  One suggestion I’ve had over and over again is to put more pictures up with the “other stuff.”  I have finally added a couple, and I plan to do more.  Eben Bradstreet has painted a Grik warrior that is absolutely outstanding.  Be sure and check his site and look at some of his other stuff.  Does anyone have any suggestions for other views or scenes you’d like to see?  Give me a shout. 

Also, don’t forget to get your submission in for the next quarterly “Order of Darwinian Delight“ competition!