deafpanzer
Enough about Auburn... here's an update on my StuG. I was so motivated to work on it after attending Mig's from AK Interactive workshop for two hours with John. I used one of new AK products "streaking" washes on the StuG...
Closer shots of the streaks... Applied MIG Fuel & Oil stain washes...
Hope you like streaks... it was easy but time consuming as it took me nearly three hours at repeated paces.
Hey Andy!
Damn, I wish I could have been at that show with you, it looked superb. A nice haul too - I'll look forward too seeing what you do with that Marder
Whick streaking Effects did you buy? I find the regular AK Streaking Grime to be one of the best but my personal favourite is the streaking Rust Effects as it really adds some splashes of colour and obviously works really well on all basecoat colours. You've got some excellent stuff going on here! Perfect, subtle streaking!
I do want the FAQ book but I bought the AK DVD which covers Filters, Washes, Streaking etc and being able to see it actually done in real time is so helpful - I'd recommend it 100% to any user of AK products. I know you use Enamels Andy so I'm assuming you use a coat of Future prior to applying these products? They work sooo much better on a normal Acrylic paint Basecoat. I'm not sure how well they'll work on an ultra glossy Future coat? You should try an all Acrylic build sometime matey and I'll do an Enamel build? The DVD shows Mig applying thick vertical lines on the hull walls of a KT then using a similar brush slightly moistened with low odour Thinners to, what he calls, 'Stump' the thick lines and working over them until a very fine streak is all that is left. I'm sure you'll find something on You-Tube? Honestly, when you see it done it makes it all so much easier and removes a lot of the guesswork. I usually give a few minutes to let the thick lines set a bit before streaking with thinners otherwise they just completely wipe off in one swipe! It looks great so far matey! Perhaps some Rust from one ot two of those big old bolt heads up front will look great? The best thing being-if it doesn't work, wipe it off! The streaks so far are perfect so you've obviously got it mastered!
The StuG C/D upper assembly went together like a dream - soooo simple! I'll have the barrel dropped into the Mantlet for next weekend as it's still in the post. The Friuls will be started next weekend as I've got to much work stuff to do today and a banging headache so they can wait. The Fender that's been torn away should look good once completed. I'll try and bend the other one up like you have using the hot lamp method maybe?
I cannot wait to see this build finished Andy, you are truly a very skilled modeller! I thought I'd never see the day!
I'll keep the updates coming but fear I'll be very restricted on how much I'll be able to get done over the next 2-3 weeks as we are having some renovations made to the house and I'm going to be really busy at work BUT I have the week commencing 21st May booked off as annual leave! My parents are also on holiday that week which means I'll be able to bring the airbrush in from the workshop and get it set up in the kitchen - I'll be able to bring everything downstairs from my modelling cupdoard like my tools/paints/brushes and weathering products etc too so I can devote the entire table to completing my model over that week so I reckon we could have a finished build at the end of May! After it's completed I might have a crack at a base and a couple of the figures too.
Having the airbrush in the house will be great. I prefer having it in the workshop in Summer due to the heat but it's pretty cold here at present so it will make a nice change.
Chazzer - your build is really looking good. Great work! Now it's complete and you have the stowage on the sides of the vehicle and the Jerry cans placed on the spare wheels make sure you show some attempt by the crew at tying it down to stop it falling off as it's a simple job and really adds to the realism- sorry if all of this is already your plan! I favour 10ibs breaking strain fishing braid as it looks perfectly like thin rope in a 1/35 scale! It's a great kit, isn't it? Imo one of the best StuG's there is. I really enjoyed building it and the fact they include even a very basic interior detail allows open hatches, unlike my kit which doesn't have a proper gun assembly!
What camera are you using out of interest? You seem to be struggling with blur/wobble and a lack of lighting. The flash tends to just wash everything out. Get some extra lamps maybe? All I've ever used for my photos is the 5mp camera on my Nokia 6500. It's superb and people have even asked what camera I use as my photos have looked so good (sometimes). My Dad has just bought a new Digital Camera so I may have to look at a proper light box and start playing around with the Macro Facility and backgrounds on Photoshop too. I'm definately no photogropher but I really want to be!
Andy - I'm sending you a pm re figure painting buddy so keep an eye out!
More photos guys - MORE PHOTOS!
All the best and let's keep the GB rolling!
Ben