Gamera

Ya know I still haven't tried the dirt in the paint technique yet. I've been using a paint called 'stucco' which you can buy at the craft store. And yes it has something in it that dries with a bumpy

Another option to look into,thanks.

Thank you for the compliment, I'm gathering substances now for trials. I was figuring that after being transported to the jumping off point for the Russian offensive the dearth of depots on the Eastern front must have been few and far between,coupled with the fact that these light tanks were not designed for the extreme elements they eventually faced, the crews were probably too busy trying to keep them just running.Add in the fact that their orders were changed to break off and take the Ukraine kept them constantly on the move. I just took all that to the extreme.

Ya know I still haven't tried the dirt in the paint technique yet. I've been using a paint called 'stucco' which you can buy at the craft store. And yes it has something in it that dries with a bumpy look like stucco. What I'm using now is the 'Martha Stewart' brand. 

A very nice build indeed. For mud I use very fine loam from our yard and have also collected clay from Ft. Knox and such. I usually nuke mine before mixing it with white glue, depending on how thick I want it will determine how much I water the glue (future also works good). Also a bit of soapy water in the mud / glue mix does help reduce surface tension. Of course, for spatter, artist's acrylic works well, projected by a tooth brush. You'd be surprised how much that mud flies around and cakes up. 

Unless supplies of paint were bad, tankers were expected to keep their tanks free of rust and the entire crew helped the driver with this as needed.  When I was a driver, I was always greasing, adjusting or painting something. 

:D Ron

stikpusher

You can experiment with adding different mediums to paint to create that built up mud look. Powders, sifted dirt, Model railroad products, pigments... your imagination is the limit. I have a cheapskate method of using sifted fine soil with Future to make my mud and them I later paint it to color. I may try some sifted sand one day to see how that works.

Ya know Stik, I tried a couple of things; putty,clay,but didn't consider mixing in with paint. My efforts just didn't cut muster but you've pointed me in a new direction. I just figured that we try to keep our paints free from debris. Thanks.

You can experiment with adding different mediums to paint to create that built up mud look. Powders, sifted dirt, Model railroad products, pigments... your imagination is the limit. I have a cheapskate method of using sifted fine soil with Future to make my mud and them I later paint it to color. I may try some sifted sand one day to see how that works.

Gamera

That's some really nice work, I really like the mud and dirt on the running gear.

Kind of you to say Gamera,it is the most disapointing part to me, just couldn't achieve that 'built up' look I have seen in these pages. Just looks painted on to my eyes and the pictures don't help.

That's some really nice work, I really like the mud and dirt on the running gear. 

Modelrob

Very nice build you have there. I really like the weathering on it

Having just checked out your halftrack, high praise indeed. Thanks Rob.

Very nice build you have there.  I really like the weathering on it.

Robert

TigerII

I feel you did a very nice job on this tank. As Stikpusher commented, we ARE our own worst critics when it comes to our work. I am pleasantly glad that your first armor kit was a 1939-1941 era tank. Usually first time armor builders go for the Tiger I. It's always nice to see some of the earlier German tanks that made Blitzkrieg warfare what it was. I prefer the Pzkpfw III or IV. Again nice job.

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Many thanks for the vote of confidence. This particular vehicle took part in the 1st Lights push in France and the drive to the ocean. Recognized as cumbersome( in brigade form) in operations, absorbed and reformed into the 6th Panzer and posted East for Barbarosa and Moscow.The crew joked that all the light Panzers made it as far as 'Anton' in one part or another as they had to cannibalize parts due to the lack of parts and operating efficiency in the climate.

 

[quote user="disastermaster"]

I'm a weathering nut
 The only dink I could see is the abrupt link in both tracks at both front idler bogies.

 But hey, this is your first armor post (or build?)

I think it looks fine.
You can only go UP from here.

Yea, trouble with the tracks and first armor build, hopefully see you" up" there sometime. thanks
                                                                                                           

Bish

I think thats pretty not bad for some one who doesn't build armour. A bit to much rust for my taste, but not implausable.

I would slighty differ froim Steve. My general approach is if it looks like it needs a little more, don't, its about right. Its just a case of learning when that stage is.

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Noted and appreciated Bish. Just extend the learning curve.

 

templar1099

Thanks Stik, I think if you click on a pic it takes you to the whole library and you can slide through, be careful of what you wish for. Funny you mentioned figures because I attempted the one with the kit, flesh tone killed me,but never say never to a diorama.... some day.

 

If you don't work at it, you can not improve. Keep at it, try different styles, paints, and techniques, and in time you will find what works best for you. Flesh tones are really a beast, but there are also a bit of personal tastes involved. 

I'll have a look as you suggest 

I feel you did a very nice job on this tank. As Stikpusher commented, we ARE our own worst critics when it comes to our work. I am pleasantly glad that your first armor kit was a 1939-1941 era tank. Usually first time armor builders go for the Tiger I. It's always nice to see some of the earlier German tanks that made Blitzkrieg warfare what it was. I prefer the Pzkpfw III or IV. Again nice job.

I'm a weathering nut
 The only dink I could see is the abrupt link in both tracks at both front idler bogies.

 But hey, this is your first armor post (or build?)

I think it looks fine.
You can only go UP from here.
                                                                                                             

I think thats pretty not bad for some one who doesn't build armour. A bit to much rust for my taste, but not implausable.

I would slighty differ froim Steve. My general approach is if it looks like it needs a little more, don't, its about right. Its just a case of learning when that stage is.

Thanks Stik, I think if you click on a pic it takes you to the whole library and you can slide through, be careful of what you wish for. Funny you mentioned figures because I attempted the one with the kit, flesh tone killed me,but never say never to a diorama.... some day.

We are usually our own harshest critics. Not bad at all, me thinks. I would like to see a few more shots of the finished build. It looks like you turned out one well used and worn Panzer. Now you just need a base and perhaps some figures to really put it into the context that you described.