Thanks MD. Yes, I think modeling a specific tank is not easy, especially when it is well documented, because then there is more and more material for the critics to say, this or that is not correct. Not a simple task at all because of all the small things, plus those speed bumps you mention.

This making a base thing is growing on me now... oh no! they take up more display space!

Thanks Malone-I have two Tamiya Tigers that will be in need of zimmert (one of these days) and the Tamiya product looks good.  Regarding the issues building a specific tank (or plane....or car)....drives me crazy....there is always some little detail that I can't replicate and it bugs me to no end...

Stik-great looking Tiger and the base adds to the build....I really need to make a base for one of my builds....but for me, it's not only the space but the time & skills...lacking in both categories....

This is my first base since a couple of dioramas done for high school over 30 years ago. I have very little idea of what I am doing here and am learning as I go... I hear you loud and clear about skills... time is a bit of an issue right now as well. Everything needs to be done by Saturday afternoon.

Dan: Your tiger is looking gorgeous!

Malone: Really nice camo work! Is that freehand or masked?

Stik: That base looks very nice to me. I can't wait to see it all finished!

Me too... as much as I have enjoyed and learned on this project, I am ready to be done with it and move on...

A little more work on the base this afternoon- another layer of fine sifter dirt, and coarse sifted dirt added in a few areas

overall

and some close ups

Sorry,  but does anyone know which page is Shawker's KT? Sorry, I'm tired. 

Dan, lovely work on the Tiger. I really like the paint scheme and the cam nets are a great touch.

Malone, that's looking good.

It's looking better with every update, Stik!

Thank you Sparten- I can finally see the finish line with this project!!! Banzai!!!

So today I did more work on the base and began weathering on the tank itself. Fist a coat of Humbrol Matt Clear on the tank- my favorite topcoat. Then a light heavily thinned coat of Model Master Acrylic Raw Sienna overall on the tank and on the fine dirt areas of the base. Followed by a heavy coat of Model Master Acrylic Raw Umber on the muddy areas of the tank and on the churned up mud areas.

After that I began adding the natural "Flora" to the base- some prickly pear cactus that I obtained and a few areas of grass

I will do another airbrushed lightening coat of dirt tomorrow to the base and add some mud around the track edges

Marvellous work, Stik! I really like the contrast between the bse and that unusual green camo scheme!

Dan: Nice work there again! I'd like to point something out but I just like the whole darn thing, everything looks good!

MD: Not sure why you didn't like the zimmerit, looks good to me!

SP: Ohhhh, nice work there on the base. Love those prickly pears!

Thank you guys. This base thing is all new to me and I am figuring it out as I go...

Stik-I just realized that you have weathered the underside of the Tiger-well done!....that's an area that I don't focus on knowing that no one is ever going to pick it up and look at the bottom of the chassis.

Yes, I made sure that was covered... even though the tank will be glued to the base...

Coming along great Stikpusher - some more Tunisian Tiger I photos - finished streaking ... dusting next. Armor86

Stik and Dan, coming along very nicely gentlemen.

A86, yours is looking very sweet! I think between the two of us, we have 1st company 3rd platoon covered nicely ;-)

Dan-I concur with Stik & Eric-your Tiger is looking great.

final update before last bit of weathering and calling this one done...

the remaining crew figures- I have since tacked down the TCs goggle strap that I added from lead foil strip

and a couple views of it mounted on the base, gunner glued in place in the TC hatch and most weathering complete

As this is being typed, the glue should be dry after gluing the TC and Loader to the top deck and I want to give one more airbrushed "dusting coat on to tie it all together. I should be finished here later this evening with completed pics.

Wow, she looks fantastic SP!!!

I agree with Cliff. Truly amazing work!

Thank you guys- I am calling this one done... and quite pleased to do so... 

1st Kompanie, 3rd Platoon, 1st Tank, 501st Heavy Tank Battalion, Tunisia, Spring 1943.

Did I mention that your work is really stunning and very inspiring?

I hope I can finish my Kingtiger in time. I got distracted by other projects, but I am working on it again. I'll post some pics when the upper hull is finished (about 40 parts and the PE grills are left). I'm going to paint my Tiger 2 with a 3-tone color scheme and apply a whitewash over it. I want the white paint to be worn down a lot. Any tipps on how to achieve that? I thought about using Vallejo'S chipping medium...

Thank you sir. I have only done a few white wash paint jobs. But I like to use a small brush to get the rough look of those schemes. I use flat white over the base color and it can be applied that way to give a realistic scale finish. If you use enamel over an acrylic base, you can go back with thinner to age it to your liking within a day or two.

Would this technique work? I read about it somewhere, but with different products:

• Paint th model with Gunze acrylic paint
• Some basic weathering
• Seal everything with Alclad gloss coat
• Apply Vallejo Air white
• Remove some of the white paint using Vallejo chipping medium
• More weathering
• Blend everything together using a white enamel wash (MIG)
• Alclad flat coat

Stik -- inspirational work! You've stuck at it for a long time and done some very fine and unusual work -- bravo all the way!

I swear I'll finish my KT -- the missing bits turned up, now I have to reorient to the build and get to it. I have two other jobs going back to back which should be off the bench this coming week and the KT is back on!

Mike/TB379

Schatten, most of those products that you mention are ones that I do not use so I can not comment one way or another. But that sounds like a process that will work.

Mike, thank you for your kind words.

Stik - woohoo! ... man that looks great!  

From the weathering, the figures and to the ground work - it all ties in together very well.

regards,

Jack

SchattenSpartan

Would this technique work? I read about it somewhere, but with different products:

• Paint th model with Gunze acrylic paint
• Some basic weathering
• Seal everything with Alclad gloss coat
• Apply Vallejo Air white
• Remove some of the white paint using Vallejo chipping medium
• More weathering
• Blend everything together using a white enamel wash (MIG)
• Alclad flat coat

Isn't the chipping medium just like the hairspray technique?

The product is sandwiched in between the gloss coat and white paint, it's purpose being to facilitate the removal of white?  I've never used that product, but have tried the hairspray method, so I'd be curious to know for certain.

regards,

Jack