Burned out AFV

If you can read that print Id love to see what you can do detailing a model!!!

Im not sure if this will work for what your trying to do, but in my younger years I used to do some really destructive things and like most boys (I think) I went through the firebug stage and torched quit a few things. One thing I remeber "torching was a model I built of a HUEY. The end result was a very convincing burned out HUEY. You may want to practice this on something you dont care about first. I recommend a NASCAR model :) seriously, a car model works great because of the large flat surfaces. Build the model as you would any other model. I would skip the decals and not worry too much about detail though. Once every thing is dry splash a little lighter fluid on the model and set it ablaze. Only let it burn for a couple seconds. Not long enough to melt the plastic, though a little disfiguration may be appropiate depending on your needs. To put the fire out I recommend placing something like a pot over top of it to make an airtight seal. Water ruins the look you want and though Ive never used a powder fire extinguisher I have a feeling it would ruin it too. Once the model has cooled use pastels to apply a rust colored weathing around the more chared areas then seal everything with a flat laquer.
Some disclaimers. If your not an adult get their approval/ supervision first
Do this outside away from any structures and Cats (very important)

I know this sounds whacky but it works. I think its important to use enamel paint though Ive never tried this with acrylics. Expieriment First to see if this gives you the results your looking for. Please dont try this outright on the model your planning on using in your diorama. Obviously the results are kinda permanent.
The HUEY I did this to made its way into diorama I did of a burned out HUEY in a Vietnam rice paddy. I would post pics of it but it was permanently destroyed when I went through my firecracker stage and I tried to make it look more convincing :(

I used ground up dark orange pastels to simulate a burnt-out tank..... It looked pretty realistic..... I mixed the orange with some ashes.

Awood23, yup the print did come out a tad smallI'll see that does'nt happen again! Being several years over 18, I might try the lighter fluid thing. I do have an old Sherman waiting to get ambushed. I also have some M-80s' in the garage waiting to have the fuse lit.

ooooo, this build sounds fun

I like the pastels idea. That will give a burt rust type a look. Also you should use whites and grays (pastels) to simulate ash.