Ernest - regarding the Bronco Crusader, will you be building straight OOB?  Back when they were released I recall reading about some accuracy issues, don't remember if it befell all the marks. 

I know Tigermodels.com has produced a couple upgrade sets for the engine deck, fenders and storage boxes.

Recently seen an upgrade for the 2 pounder gun from insidethearmour.com - their website doesn't list it yet but Hobbyeasy already seems to have it in stock.

regards,

Jack

bufflehead

GREAT!!  But first I need to clean up this disaster..........

 

.......the results of painting and weathering my last build.

I am glad to see you have Smucker's Strawberry Jam on your workbench.  I thought I was the only one using that for weathering. It also makes a good joint filler.

Boyd: Really nice work there on the 229, um 222. Looking forward to seeing how she comes out, colour modulation is another of those new techniques I haven't tried yet.

Bufflehead: Very cool, if she's the Bronco kit I have one too. Pulled it out the other day and glanced though the box. This GB has got me interested again in the Battle of France and Belgium etc.

GREAT!!  But first I need to clean up this disaster..........

.......the results of painting and weathering my last build.

bufflehead

Uh...hey guys!  Is it OK to sneak back in here and get started on my A13 Mk.I/Cruiser Tank Mk.III?

bufflehead

Uh...hey guys!  Is it OK to sneak back in here and get started on my A13 Mk.I/Cruiser Tank Mk.III?

Ummmmm...... hell yeah!

Uh...hey guys!  Is it OK to sneak back in here and get started on my A13 Mk.I/Cruiser Tank Mk.III?

Hi bbrowniii  :  )

I can clearly see the upper horizontal surface is lighter than the angled and vertical surfaces( I put your pics on my computer and changed the exposure rate) and the camo spots look good to me and I guess that is the basic idea of color modulation.

Blended in it's gonna look really sharp...if I understand the theory, the slightly different color panels ,after given equal weathering will give the 'modulation'....it's gonna be great ... looking forward to the next post !

trread

Thanks Tim

Boyd-looks good....can't wait to see more progress pics

Boyd, glad to see you still plugging along. I do have to admit, at least to my poor eyes, it's difficult to distinguish the modulation in the photos (might be the lighting). Could just be me.

Guys

So, this is where I stand with the 222:

I have wanted to try the color modulation process for awhile and figured that the angular nature of this vehicle would be perfect to learn on. So, I painted the bottom of the fenders and the undercarriage in XF-63 German Grey. The downward angled surfaces got XF-63 and XF-2 (White) in a 1:1 ratio, and the flat upper surfaces got XF-63 and XF- 2 in about a 3 : 7 ratio (I was a-skeered to go too much lighter than that...)

Next, I added the brown spots. I experimented with a couple of combinations, but wound up with Tamiya Flat Brown and Red Brown (sorry, don't have the XF#s at hand), in about a 6 or 7 : 3 ratio.

I spent some time practicing on an old T-62 that I have, then let loose on the 222. I didn't really have a 'plan' in mind when I started (probably a bad idea) and I was a little challenged by the fact that this is a really small 'canvas' to work on, but I think I got a pretty good distribution and, for the most part, I'm satisfied with the size and location of my splotches. I do need to go back and add some buff to my brown mixture to lighted up the portions on the upper surfaces, but that will have to wait for, maybe, tomorrow. At this point, things are looking a bit stark.

Sorry the pics are poorly lit, but here you go, my progress to this point:

Please feel free to offer any and all critiques and suggestions.

Also Bob your ME-109 is looking great with it splinter camo wings.

Well done. I really like the effect of the rusted exhaust and the grimmy side plating.

hey guys :  )

thanks so much for all the good vibes on my B1 bis :  ) ... I really appreciate It !.... but just cause I'm done doesn't mean I'm gone....I'll be hangin around watchin all the other builds come across the line and there is some fine stuff coming up....you know who you are... LOL

So thank you all again !

tread

Tread,,,  super job on that baby,,,  excellent all the way around!

Bob,,  the 109 is looking great.    I am biased about that bird,,  one of my fav's. You are doing it justice for sure

Thanks guys.  I did notice a slight issue that I'll have to address-the extended leading edge isn't painted correctly....nothing that a little tape and some time with the airbrush won't fix....I hope....funny how I looked at it for a week or two without noticing until I posted a pic...oh well....

Bob, glad to see you're back at it. Looking good. Stay with it. You're coming down the homestretch.

TREAD - Fabulous, absolutely brilliant   The extra details really show and the weathering is perfect.  Really enjoyed watching this one come together.

Guys: Thanks!

Tread: Wow, all that extra work really paid off! Super job all around!

Bob: Sharp looking Bf-109, can't wait to see her done.

Congrats brother tread on getting this one across the finish line! Sharp work all around, really love all the details you added to this one and the finish is right on.

It's 'catch up' time.....

Gamera-great job on your Char.....and the figures look good also.

Tim-your Panzer is coming along nicely.  I can't make up my mind on the head/body issue....maybe a coat of primer will help....I think it could be the contrasting colors that makes the head appear slightly large.

Tread-great job on your Char also...very nice build.

I finally attached the flaps,  gave the 109 an oil wash and 'de-masked' the canopy.  Please note that the canopy & engine canopy are not secured....yet.  Also, based on the photos, looks like the wing decals are slightly askew....I think (hope) it's just in relation to the extended flaps....or not....

Cheers

Whoop Tread! That is just gorgeous bud. I love those blue hearts. Weathering and attention to detail really paid off.

This has been a great GB and I thank you and everyone else for participating.

Oh man Tread that is sweet looking ! I always like your weathering and this one looks spot on . not over done or under done .....just right . I dont know how much time the French armor spent on the battle field but i have an idea it wasnt very long so your weathering fits the Limited exposure the French armor had .................imo. Also i see you did some limited rusting and heat damage to paint on the exhaust ....just right for me .  The figure looks good from what i can see of it . 

Hi Guys  : )

well, it has taken a long time, but here are the pictures of my finished Char B1 bis 'Bourrasque'.

As usual there is much repitition in my pictures, but they do show something a little different in each.

I want to thank Eric for hosting this Group Build..it has been fun,educational and you couldn't find a nicer,more talented and helpful bunch of guys.

I hope you enjoy the pics, and as always any questions,comments etc are always welcome

tread

Bill and Cliff,

Great finish guys!

Bill, as always, your builds set a very high bar.

Cliff, I love the Char - the weathering is great, especially the mud on the chain - very effective. I can't wait to see the dio develop.

Tim,

I agree with Bill. I think the fig is fine. Once you get him painted up, the contrast between head and body will disappear.

As for me, I am in the final stage of painting my 222. I've decided to give color modulation an 'honest try' with this one - I've taken stabs at it in the past, but always kind of cut corners and kind of half-&%%ed it. Once I get the grey down, I'll take some pics and try to post them tonight or early this week.

Nice work all around on the Char Cliff, definitely one to be proud of.

Cliff, i like it , thats some interesting camo .

Rob & Eric: Thanks guys!

Going to try to finish off the diorama first. The German 37mm AT is pretty much done, you can see a little bit of it in one of the photos- I should have asked Jay to take a photo of it too. Still working on the crew to service the gun.

Then I want to finish a Jadgpanzer IV Lang I've been working on for about 3 years now . After that the GB here should have ended but I'd like to do the H-35 just on my own.

BTW Tigerman I did look into joining your Italian GB but though I've done Italian subjects in the past I don't currently have anything in my stash but one set of Italian infantry in N. Africa. And my stash is so darn big now I really need to finish stuff off instead of buying more

I hope you get to it Cliff. So much eye candy in this GB. I've never seen so many cool Char B1's. Just awesome. I love the figure too. Great job.

WILDMAN - Like the position / posture of the commander.  The color does make it look a little funny but agree with the others.  Put a coat of paint on and see how it looks.

CLIFF - Nice finish  Your color and finish came out very nice and the dirt/ mud texture looks good.  It would be fun to watch you tackel that H 35, sure would look good next to the B1