Nearly finished work like this is super motivating to me. Watching how the weathering/detailing makes a piece of armor come alive is so much fun! I'm really happy that I've finally stumbled into the armor forum - your work and many others' finished kits here are truly wonderful.

The only comparison as to the wonder I feel when looking at some of the work here - such as yours - is the way I felt when I was 7 or 8 and was allowed to buy or was given as a gift, a Dinky Toy. They were about the most detailed military toys around when I was a kid. The plastic kits today are more detailed by several orders of magnitude and the kid in me appreciates that.

1943Mike

Nearly finished work like this is super motivating to me. Watching how the weathering/detailing makes a piece of armor come alive is so much fun! I'm really happy that I've finally stumbled into the armor forum - your work and many others' finished kits here are truly wonderful.

The only comparison as to the wonder I feel when looking at some of the work here - such as yours - is the way I felt when I was 7 or 8 and was allowed to buy or was given as a gift, a Dinky Toy. They were about the most detailed military toys around when I was a kid. The plastic kits today are more detailed by several orders of magnitude and the kid in me appreciates that.

 

Mike I really  apprecate your comment.  It means a lot to know people like the work you do.  Your comment encapulates the feelings that all modelers have for this hobby.

Thanks!

Lol, I'm not as eloquent as Mike but as I've said before I really like looking at your work and thanks for sharing with us. 

Thanks!

Here is some more.  Added decals, painted tools, some streaks, and then flat clear coat.

Turned out really nice!  Cool subject.

Another MrT masterpiece.  Pure eye candy.  This has been a super thread, and keeps me motivated to learn advanced painting techniques.  Your work was what got me to go get some oil paint to try out washes.  It actually worked out better than I thought it would.  So thanks for the motivation!

Love watching your work.  Thanks for posting the WIP.

D

Great job! I love the look of that big gun, the painting, the details, the fading, weathering and the finish.

Thank you kindly gentleman!

Here is the next chapter.  The Bruiser is a dirty fighter.  I still need to add the tow cables and the headlight lens.  The it is on to the crew.

The gun is finished.

Next the crew

The figures went together great. No issues.

Up to your usual high standards, super job!!!

I have to ask, so did the figures come with the kit? I searched for years for a good set to go with the AFV Club kit and finally found the set made for the model. I paid quite a bit for them as well.

The gun has come out great and those figures will makea great addition. I take it your making a base for it.

Gamera

Up to your usual high standards, super job!!!

 

I have to ask, so did the figures come with the kit? I searched for years for a good set to go with the AFV Club kit and finally found the set made for the model. I paid quite a bit for them as well.

 

Yes the figures come with the kit.

...and thanks!

Bish

The gun has come out great and those figures will makea great addition. I take it your making a base for it.

 

Yes a simple one.

Thanks!

It is looking great so far.  The figures look really good.  Hopefully Tamiya will sell them as a separate kit to fill out the guns (M40 and M43) that I already have built.

HeavyArty

It is looking great so far.  The figures look really good.  Hopefully Tamiya will sell them as a separate kit to fill out the guns (M40 and M43) that I already have built.

 

Thanks!

Great build of that M-40. You do excellent work sir. The figures will definitely give that human element. Being a former Artillery Forward Observer I always wondered why kit companies always put a figure with binoculars along with the gun crew. I figure that this figure is the Forward Observr and I guess this is a 'Direct Fire Mission' instead of an indirect one, since in my day I always humped with the Infantry and was able to call in fire support (105mm) when needed. All in all I can tell that this is going to be an awesome diorama/vignette. 

TigerII

Great build of that M-40. You do excellent work sir. The figures will definitely give that human element. Being a former Artillery Forward Observer I always wondered why kit companies always put a figure with binoculars along with the gun crew. I figure that this figure is the Forward Observr and I guess this is a 'Direct Fire Mission' instead of an indirect one, since in my day I always humped with the Infantry and was able to call in fire support (105mm) when needed. All in all I can tell that this is going to be an awesome diorama/vignette. 

 

Thanks

First figure done.

Wow awesome job In that complex kit . Well done sir 

crown r n7

Wow awesome job In that complex kit . Well done sir 

 

Thank you!

Looks great.  The figure with the binos is out of place though.  He would be much better just standing there watching them load the round.  Maybe you could drop or replace his arms and turn him so he is just watching/waiting.  His position is the gunner and he looks through the PanTel (Panagraphic Telescope) sight on the left side of the gun.  He turns the wheel there to adjust the direction of fire (left-right, azimuth).  He is not an observer as the binos imply as he usually can not see his target since it is usually 8 or more kilimeters out in front of his position and can be over a hill, behind trees, across a body of water, etc.  A range of around 12-15+ kilometers is the most common; the gun could go out to 23Km.

HeavyArty

Looks great.  The figure with the binos is out of place though.  He would be much better just standing there watching them load the round.  His position is the gunner and he looks through the PanTel (Panagraphic Telescope) sight on the left side of the gun.  He turns the wheel there to adjust the direction of fire (left-right, azimuth).  He is not an observer as the binos imply as he usually can not see his target since it is usually 4 or more kilimeters out in front of his position and can be over a hill, behind trees, across a body of water, etc.  A range of around 12-15+ kilometers is the most common; the gun could go out to 23Km.

 

Maybe there are some pretty girls down range.

lol

MrT

 

 

HeavyArty

Looks great.  The figure with the binos is out of place though.  He would be much better just standing there watching them load the round.  His position is the gunner and he looks through the PanTel (Panagraphic Telescope) sight on the left side of the gun.  He turns the wheel there to adjust the direction of fire (left-right, azimuth).  He is not an observer as the binos imply as he usually can not see his target since it is usually 4 or more kilimeters out in front of his position and can be over a hill, behind trees, across a body of water, etc.  A range of around 12-15+ kilometers is the most common; the gun could go out to 23Km.

 

 

 

 

Maybe there are some pretty girls down range.

lol

 

Or the CO's Jeep is heading their way for a spot inspection. 

All joking aside thanks Gino, I'll keep that in mind for when I start on mine. 

And nice work on the figure Mr. T, the whole darn thing looks great. 

Gamera

 

MrT

 

 

HeavyArty

Looks great.  The figure with the binos is out of place though.  He would be much better just standing there watching them load the round.  His position is the gunner and he looks through the PanTel (Panagraphic Telescope) sight on the left side of the gun.  He turns the wheel there to adjust the direction of fire (left-right, azimuth).  He is not an observer as the binos imply as he usually can not see his target since it is usually 4 or more kilimeters out in front of his position and can be over a hill, behind trees, across a body of water, etc.  A range of around 12-15+ kilometers is the most common; the gun could go out to 23Km.

 

 

 

 

Maybe there are some pretty girls down range.

lol

 

 

 

 

Or the CO's Jeep is heading their way for a spot inspection. 

All joking aside thanks Gino, I'll keep that in mind for when I start on mine. 

And nice work on the figure Mr. T, the whole darn thing looks great. 

 

Thanks!

Gino's knowledge is always helpful.

Figure no. 2 complete.

Again that's some nice work. Really like how you shaded his uniform. 

Gamera

Again that's some nice work. Really like how you shaded his uniform. 

 

Thank you kindly!

Pass the ammunition....