Famotabulous...

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Famotabulous...

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 12:01 PM

Hi Ya’ll,
Well while still on a bit of high from actually finishing a model I figured I’d take advantage and get a few kits painted that have been patiently waiting. I built this Famo about 3 years ago while I was still in college. Since I barley had the room to build it at my somewhat paltry workbench (coffee table in the living room) I decide not to try and paint it until I had some more practice and room. Well three years later I dusted the big fella off puffed my chest up to try it. Now I wrestled with a paint scheme for quite some time. After this diorama idea came to me I made up my mind and busted out the Panzer Grau, some rubber cement a scotchbrite pad and a little Badger Model flex - reefer white. I’z be honest I was a little apprehensive about trying a new technique on a 70$ model but hey what’s life without living! It really wasn’t hard at all. So her it is at its current stage. Now comes a spritzing of semi gloss and the ubiquitous filters.

The diorama more or less came to me in a dream… not really but….well yeah kinda!! Have wanted to do a snow scene for a while so bam.. a snow scene. Then I though hey self how about another tank upside down in a river…. Hmmm But I didn’t want to build anything just to dunk it so after a little rummaging I found this DML Stug III D I built about 6 years ago that had been dropped. The bank is plant foam and the culvert is from the train dept in my second home……HOB-LOB!!! I am still debating the final details of the diorama but ya’ll get the idea… I hope…

I got some Verlinden German snow dudes that I have been wanting to use for a while.. now if only I can find’em…. Probably hanging out with Jimmy Hoffa and Larry_Dunn’s compressor… sorry Larry ….couldn ‘t resist!

Any ideas or comments are very welcome…

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 12:17 PM

very nice idea, I am assuming that one free block of green stuff is a bridge, make the bridge under seige from the opposing team and a mg34 nest set up on a sandbag barriers next to the bridge, scatter some equipment around (helmets, rifles, shovels... so on so forth) to make it look like a hasty chaotic retreat is being made, and makes some german infantry fighting like hell to get their sutff across the bridge. its all jsut a thought, u can use any or all of it if u like. or none of it. overall, sounds like a very good plan

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 1:57 PM

Famo looks great so far Kenneth !!!

Keep us posted on how your dio comes together.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 3:15 PM

Kennethc hi Smile [:)]

the famo looks awesome!!! Cool [8D]

can you briefly explain to an idiot like me exactly how you did the scratched and chipped paintwork please?
any tips would be greatly appreciated.
regards,
nick

Kind regards, Nicholas

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lizardqing

Member since
July 2003
From: Dahlonega, Georgia

Posted by lizardqing on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 3:31 PM

looking great Kenneth. looks to be cool dio in the works too.

Chris The Scale Firehouse The Lizard's Workshop

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Buddho

Member since
March 2003
From: Newport News VA

Posted by Buddho on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 3:36 PM

Great looking Famo, Kenneth

The closeup shows one heck of a paintjob!
The dio sounds good too, can't wait to see the finished results..

Regards, Dan

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 3:46 PM

TY ya'll for the comments...
FrozenColorado, Sounds very neat... but I think I am going for a bit more layed back diorama to fit the behind the lines nature of the Famo ... However I will keep those thoughts for another one... Thanks

Nick,
I just sprayed the gray... no weathering of any sort. Then I took some rubber cement and blotted it LIGHTLY on the model in specific high ware areas with a torn scrub pad... If I remember you are in the UK but we call them Scotchbrite pads in the states... Just a pot scrubber pad. When that drys over spray with white. Let that dry a bit the rub with your finger or an old toothbrush to remove the rubber cement. That gives it the peeled paint look. Its VERY easy to do... Try it some time....

The earth behind the bridge isn't sculpted yet but that won't take long.. then its fun with fake water.... I'll keep ya'll posted

Thanks again ya'll.

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cassibill

Member since
February 2003
From: Indiana, USA

Posted by cassibill on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 4:33 PM

keep going, looking good. Keep us updated.

cdw My life flashes before my eyes and it mostly my life flashing before my eyes!!! Big Smile The 1/144 scale census and message board: http://144scalelist.freewebpage.org/index.html

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Spamicus

Member since
April 2003
From: Central Wisconsin

Posted by Spamicus on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 5:39 PM

Great looking Famo Kenneth. I hate it when my tank's upside down. (Had some life experience along those lines). It's a good dio idea, make sure you add plenty of "gawkers".

Steve

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 5:43 PM

Kenneth: The chipped paint look on the FAMO is just great. Looks really realistic. That upside tank in the river dio is also a neat idea. I have seen on somewhere in FSM? a few months back.

Please keep us posted about those works. Should be great.

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wipw

Member since
January 2003
From: Utah - USA

Posted by wipw on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 6:05 PM

Really nice, Kenneth. You give me some inspiration for my still uncompleted shelf full of projects!! I love the look. Thanks for reposting the instructions. Now if I can just find some rubber cement!! lol

Bill ==========================================================

DML M4A2 Red Army ==========================================================

========================================================== -- There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness". (Author unknown)

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mark956

Member since
February 2003
From: USA

Posted by mark956 on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 6:16 PM

Great looking Famo Kennethc.
mark956

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 6:29 PM

it looks cool the Famo and it would be great to see it done. or half done or a nice step by step

QUOTE: a torn scrub pad... If I remember you are in the UK but we call them Scotchbrite pads in the states...

there called the same thing over here Scotchbrite or Brillo Pads

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jkeller

Member since
December 2002
From: Grand Blanc, MI USA

Posted by jkeller on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 6:42 PM

Kennethc,
I really like the paint job. I tried to get that effect with the salt technique but it didn't come out as good. I think I got the salt to wet. I'll have to try your method it seems more controlable.
Joe

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 6:53 PM

Looks very cool Kenneth, should be awesome when finished.

Eric

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 7:06 PM

Outstanding Famo Kenneth!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 7:11 PM

Looks great. I'd like to see some pictures when you are finished.

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 11:57 PM

Kennethc thanks for the lowdown...and captaincaveman thanks for the "translation"!! Big Smile [:D]

regards,
nck

Kind regards, Nicholas

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 1:23 AM

Loks great Kenneth, love your technique for scratches.
Keep us posted on the dio - sounds good.

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djmodels1999

Member since
December 2002
From: United Kingdom / Belgium

Posted by djmodels1999 on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 1:38 AM

Wow, this looks great Kenneth. The chipped paint effect is simply superb. Very realistic. Makes me want to take a paint jar and re-apply some white wash all over! The idea for the diorama is good, very good. I'm wondering though if the wheels and tracks of the upside down Pz should not be in a different position..? I mean the suspension is not carrying the weight of the vehicle anymore so would the position of the suspension arms, and therefore of the tracks and wheels, be different than a normal running vehicle..? What do you think..?

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 2:02 AM

Great looking Famo Kenneth. Love that chipped paint look. Wish I was that subtle with my efforts!

Was the Famo an easy/enjoyable build? The kit is really expensive here, but my love of half-tracks and the sheer size of the thing really appeals.

I like your comment about 'gawkers' Spamicus, I agree they would really add to a diorama. Even more curious about your 'life experience'!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 2:28 AM

Looks great Kenneth!
nice chipped-paint effect!
very realistic!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 7:17 AM

Thanks a ton ya'll,

Capt. Caveman, TY for the "english" word.... You got to remember I am from Arkansas... I don't know these things... Big Smile [:D]

djmodels1999 You are right, and I thought about that for a bit, but concluded the suspension would have some amount of droop but not that much because of the very high spring tension.. But even so the tank will be eventually completely submerged, so decided it wasn't worth the effort since it won't be noticable in the end.

So far I have about 30 min work in the diorama. I should make so progress this weekend.

Thanks again ya'll I'll keep ya posted.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 7:54 AM

Kenneth i didnt meen anything by it Smile [:)]

any tips are more than welcome Big Smile [:D]

is the green foams stuff the type of foam you stick flowers in for shows?

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:02 AM

Capt. I am just messing with you. Big Smile [:D]

Ain't no thang... Yep that is floral foam. Its so easy to work with... I scluped a lot of the hill side with a "scotchbrite" pad. I am gonna use plaster to fill up most of the water with only the top bit out of resin. It would take about a gallon to fill up that ditch to the level I need... I need to get that done tonight... Its gonna be forever drying... I am looking forward to weathering the Famo. This will be my first attempt at doing snow and ice build up on a vehicle... A little nervous...

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erush

Member since
May 2003
From: USA, GA

Posted by erush on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:24 AM

Kenneth, excellent job on the Famo so far!! The chipped paint looks great and the dio so far looks great too. One thing on filling the ditch, instead of using all plaster in there too, fill it with more of your foam and pour a thin layer of plaster over that, then your resin on top of that. That'll make it easier for the plaster to dry and keep the weight down. Just my My 2 cents [2c]

worth.

Keep us posted, can't wait to see it finished! (I saw this yesterday and meant to reply but got distracted, I was at work and had to work, I hate it when that happens!! Wink [;)]

)

Eric

Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.

"Friendly fire...isn't"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:41 AM

German snow dudes, give me back my compressor! Laugh [(-D]

I think the FAMO looks great so far. I like the way the white paint is coming off the big track. Looks authentic.

What's a Scotchbrite pad? We call them Brillo pads here in the Northeast. Smile [:)]

I'm thinking of whitewashing a little gun I may build as a supplemental project for the towed gun build. I may wind up using your method -- I had wanted to try that rocksalt method. Hmmm -- decisions decisions.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:57 AM

Larry, scotchbrite is just a brand name.... You can get them in the automotive section of dept stores as well... Auto painters use them to rough up or clean surfaces...
I read about the salt method... It just seemed so un predictable and troublesome. I have seen some awsome examples of the salt method but as for being easiest I would recomend the rubber cement...

Erush, Your right I should probably put another layer of white foam down to take up some room. I can knock that out pretty quick... I had to cut a arch out of the block behind the bridge to give it some depth. I got lucky and found a food jar with just the right size opening to cut it out.