1:35 Tamiya British Universal Carrier Mk II question

Rich,

This is what I use:

I got the idea from FSM's own wbill76 after reading through his build logs.  Basically, I spray the tire/rubber part first without the template., then as most road wheels have some sort of demarcation line, I hold the wheel flush behind the template, and spray the base color through the hole.  I just tape up the ones around whatever size fits so there's no overspray.  Takes a few wheels to get the hang of it.  Luckily, a Tiger 1 has NO shortage of road wheels to do.  FYI, the two sizes that are overcoated with Dunkelgelb?  The only sizes you'll need for a 1/35 Tamiya Tiger 1 Mid Production.

Nice pix Smitty!!!

Do any of you have pix of how you actually put a circle template on the wheel for airbrushing?  It seems to me that sine they're 3 dimensional I would get a fuzzy overspray on the black.  What am I missing?

Thanks again!

I am by no means a pro, but my method is - I always leave the wheels on the sprue and airbrush them when the rest of the assembly is complete, but not the tracks. I also leave the tracks on the sprue and airbrush them at that time, as well. Since the wheels are always attached to the sprue on the outside - it's no problem sanding them down after I cut them off, since that part will be painted black, anyways. But by leaving them on the sprue it's much easier to hold them while airbrushing :)

Lately I have been using a Super Sharpie with chisel tip to paint the rubber parts of the wheels black. It's so much easier than using a brush - it takes me about 5 seconds per wheel :)

I'll chime in.  I am of the same opinion as Tigerman.  Any armor build, I always paint wheels/tires separately, then attach them after the initial basecoat is applied to the entire model.  In your case I built the newer release in 1/35 scale (the "Forced Recon" Tamiya #35249) and it's a pretty straightforward build, but yeah, I don't see how others build everything up and paint.  But that's just me, lots of opinions out there.

On my Tiger 1:

On my M1 Panther II MCV:

Thanks Tigerman! 

I wish I could get a few more responses!  This kit's been out so long there must have been hundreds built, if not more!

Anyone else?  Anyone?  Anyone?...Bueller....Beuller?

Been awhile since I built this kit. I usually paint wheels with tires seperate, then install ater the tires are painted. I don't think these wheels turn if I'm correct. This just works better for me. I don't understand how people can paint the wheels and tracks after a complete build assembly. To me there is no margin for error.