Hi there,
This is something that I've wanted to make for a while, and finally set about doing it...a scratchbuilt, 1/18 scale World War I tank!
Now, I'd like to preface this by saying that I've been dabbling in scratchbuilds for about two years now...and I can say with certainty that a true purist of accurate historical detail will find quite a few details missing or inaccurate. I'm by no means an expert on military armour, so keep that in mind. With all that said, I aim to improve my work, so by all means offer open criticisms...I promise I can take it
Anyway, the basic structure is made from 060 styrene:
As you can see, I roughed out, cut, and glued three basic forms for the base.
Sponsons:
Basic structure together:
For the rivets, I chopped up 1/16" styrene rod into discs and glued them on individually:
Fully riveted (after many many hours):
More to come!
This is my second go 'round at weathering the tank. I sprayed it with a military/camo green color, and set about with the dirt, grime, and rust. I've gone back twice to expand upon the subtle effects, and would love to have some input/suggestions...I fel there may be more to be done.
Interior hatches:
Let me know what you think, and thanks for looking.
Here's my learned and considered input:
Please build more such works and post pictures. That is beautiful.
Bill
Very impressive work!! I think that it looks better than the Emhar offerings.
How many hours do you think you have tied up in this?
Good work...
But will be better if you work some more on the tracks... :)
Wicked cool man!!!! Those WW1 tanks have always looked pretty cool to me, and you are doing this one justice!
Brian
Wow, everyone...thanks for the very kind responses! It's encouraging to know that other modellers think I'm headed in the right direction. The treads DO need more...something. I was thinking perhaps a metallic drybrush (perhaps silver and copper mixed) with some rust. I've noticed on some models that the treads are all gunked up with mud...how is that effect created?
Again, thanks for the nice reception on this.
Taking some of your suggestions into consideration, I decided to do some further work to the treads. First up, I masked off the rest of the tank:
I sprayed the exposed treads with a thin coat of Krylon Nickel...I wanted a bit of texture, as well as cut down on the opacity somewhat so that the dark green would still come through a little bit. I then did a sloppy wash of a black/brown mixture, wiped away the excess, and took the raw sienna/rust color to the rivets.
And a black and white one just for fun:
I'm going to muddy up the tracks a bit, and add some more dirt and grime into the nooks and crannies of the tracks as well. I checked out the Mig Productions link, and may try to engineer something a little more homestyle. Would a plaster of paris mix, or perhaps some fine sawdust mixed with elmers work for a mud consistency?
Thanks again for the great feedback...don't hesitate to keep it coming if you see another issue.
Mig's method is Mig pigments for color, real sifted dirt or sand for texture, (many guys also add railroad grass, your larger scale may benefit from this), and plaster, water, and a resin to harden it all.
You could certainly use plaster and water, with someting to color it, and some dirt or sand for texture.
Holy attention to detail I am a freaking humble scratch builder closet Michael Angelo Batman!
Great work and I really appreciate your humble approach, but seriously share with us as much as you can find time. You are a great asset to this forum Sir.
That really looks great, and the weathering of the tracks is very nice.
I look at dozers frequently (I have one stationed just up the road) and have noticed that the tracks rarely have much rust, because dirt is such an awesome sandpaper. What rust you do see tends to be in protected spots like around bolt heads, between the track links (where the metal to metal hasn't rubbed the shiny) and other similar hiding spots. I might suggest you add rust stains right along the cleats but otherwise the track weathering looks very accurate.
The overall job is great, like you said its probably not 100% accurate but it looks like a WW1 British tank to me.
Thanks again, guys.
Not sure of I have the weathering remorse about this or not...
I did up some plaster of paris mud, mixed with black and brown acrylic paint. I tested it, and it dried to a lighter, grey-brown color that seemed plausible as dried muck. I then applied it to the treads and some logical areas...I'm wondering if I have to go further, or if I've gone to far, or if the model looked better before.
I tried to add a bit of depth and color to the muck by applying a black/brown mixture, and then highlighting with some light tan/beige.
Now THAT'S a tank!
Leave it alone man it's perfect. Great job.
Looks Great!!!!! I would suggest following your instincts on weathering. If you start to not be sure about the approach you are taking I like to get some perspective and then come back and look at it. This IMHO is perfect that way it is.