Tojo - I'm diggin' it. You've done a really nice job of making it look well worn. I'm looking forward to seeing more... 

Gamera - I had a multi-year hiatus from the hobby, returning in ~2010. I came from the same school as you. Build - paint - oil wash and dry brush - done. If I was feeling particularly adventurous, I'd use painted putty to simulate mud. It's been a steep learning curve. My first (an only) chipping experiment didn't turn out so well. I'm still trying to figure out a step by step process as there are so many things to remember any more.... 

Tojo, I like.

Regarding techniques: I use whatever I feel comfortable with, and a little more. This model was my first effort using splattering. I just loaded up an old brush with wet pigment and "flicked" the bristles. It's really easy to over-do......    But I still dry-brush, and I still use (lots of) washes. I have yet to try oil dots (don't own any oils, yet) or color modulation, pre- or post-shading (don't own an airbrush). I make/mix all my own washes and use hardware store automotive primers. The one technique I'm anxious to try that may be a touch tricky w/o an airbrush is paint layering using hairspray for winter whitewash. I have found a line of acrylic rattle can colors, so some experimentation is on the schedule.

It's quite possible that a fully equipped model room is in my future, and that will mean a paint booth, forced ventilation, and, dare I say it, an airbrush. In the meantime, I admire all the awesome results made through the use of all the various techniques and products I don't use.

Wow, wordy, aren't I.

Oh, and Shellback, I really like your KT.

Anthony, very effective whitewash. I really like the worn look. It's on my to-do list someday.

Thanks for all the feedback and comments guys

1st, thinks to all for the comments and feedback.

Anthony that looks terrific.

Also with regards to techniques I will just add that there is no shortage of those.  The guys on Armorama mentioned a new one on me.  For distressed camo and white was...Dipping the model in water, pulling it out and spraying right away and back into the water again.  Here a a couples of links.  LINK 1   LINK 2  I want to try that.

OK... weathering is done. I think so anyway. I found myself putting little spots here and there and finally I had to push away before it was too much. All those little white dabs was not as hard or time consuming as it looked. ::)

Road wheels just about done. Tracks and tools and it will be time to to bust a tiny little bottle of champagne on the glacis.

But if anyone has any tweaks to suggest... lay on me!

And her's is an updated progression comparison.

thanks,that is a great whitewash and weathering Marc

Thanks guys, I'm going to keep hacking away at it. I picked up a Eastern Express SU-152 some months  ago for fifteen bucks I intend to beat the hades out of weathering- if I screw it up it's not like I just ruined a forty dollar Dragon or Tamiya kit.  

Marc: Nice!!! The uneven whitewash looks great and the details are really popping out! And I'm going to have to give the dunking method a try too, when you do it please let us know how it goes.

Hey Marc...  To me that looks cool as h3LL. You've really nailed the "I've been through one heck of a hard winter" perfectly. I was really kinda torn on whether to define the zimmerit or not because I didn't want to take it too far. It appears as though that's the way to go visually. Top notch, sir! Those little nicks and scratches are great too. I like that you have to look around for them vs. having them jump out in your face. Side skirts = bellissima! Do you have a stencil for those turret numbers or are they decals? This deserves a little MM in celebration.  Perfect chance to try out those new whiskey stones. lol

As for the water dippin'... I like the KV example much better than the 223. If that was the only example to see, I'd pass as it looks too aggressive to me. The KV looks pretty cool though. Maybe an easier way to achieve what you have here? I might give it a go on an old Tamiya Pz IV D that I built specifically to try the hairspray deal to see how it works. 

Marc -- you have nailed it! Your whitewash over camo plus rust and dirt are uber-realistic, they evoke the intended mental image perfectly! My hat is off, sir!

Mike/TB379

Anthony, Gamera, Dave, Mike... Thanks guys.

Dave those are the kit decals.

Gentlemen, fantastic work and I applaud all who have shared. I'm also blown away by the 2026 posts to date! Unbelieveable! You guys are special. I hope to have an update by Sunday. Hope to.

tigerman

You guys are special.

Okay, despite the poor interior pictures, you get the idea. I decided to go with it. I'm cammoing the wheels next and will paint the tools to give it a variation. I Probably will hit the camo with a lightened base (green).

Looks good Eric-I like that camo scheme....and a Jagdpanther just looks mean.

That's the Tamiya kit, isn't it?  If so, the extra headaches the Dragon kits provide really aren't worth it (in my simple mind).

And I noticed that you paint the camo with the tools attached-any special tricks to going back and painting the tools?  I've not tried that method before.

Camo job looks real good Eric

Thanks gents. I was trying to emulate the boxart, but with mixed results.

Bob, never really tried it like this before, but decided to give it a go. My optivisor and maybe an index card behind the tools, so I don't paint any of the hull by mistake.

Eric, lovely camo job. I think it looks better than the boxart as i prefer the wider yellow bands.

It'll look much better when it gets weathered.

Sweet airbrishing, Eric! Another winner in progress!

TB379

Thanks Mike.

Looks real good Eric.  Looking forward to the weathering... and good luck with the tools. I usually complete them off vehicle and then attach for the weathering bit. The Panther I just finished I jumped the gun slightly by mounting them before I had all the wear and tear on them. It was a real bugger to get the effect/paint around to the back side of the tools so they didn't look scratched on just the front... Will be interested on how you do. (Then again, I still need to get my hands on some magnification.)

Eric: that's a nice looking JagdPanther!

Doesn't that kit come with the louvers for the rhs engine vents?

Eric, I am really impressed with your paint job. really an excellent job. In fact your build overall is looking mighty fine.

pyrman64

Eric: that's a nice looking JagdPanther!

Doesn't that kit come with the louvers for the rhs engine vents?

Thanks and yes, I believe it did. In my hurriedness, I really didn't pay attention to them, but saw them. I didn't see anywhere in the directions to use them.

I painted the periscopes and that was a challenge for sure. I still need to weather them, but I got them painted. So far so good on the base for the metal on the metal part of the tools. Overrall, a good day for the bench. I need to get the wheels done, so I can start the tracks.

Eric, looks to be a flawless execution on that camou job.

Finished my other project for the 1942 GB:  

... and returned to my tiger build.  Working on the commander's copula, realized I would need to get the figure ready to help determine the position of the hatch cover.

I had ordered a set of three crew figures (Squad48), planning to add one to the lone Tamiya figure that came with the kit.  Upon comparison though they are quite bigger.  Also compared to one of Alpine's foray into the 1/48 range, Tamiya's figure was again noticeably small.   So no extra crew on this one, just the one individual kit figure.  

The figure required clean up of the mold lines, and filling in  crevices with putty/surfacer.  Replaced the shoulder boards with paper, and removed the pleats on the pockets to represent the late 1942 pattern tropical tunic.

I found some Vallejo paint mixes on Coloradominiatures website.  I tried out the jacket mix, airbrushed on as a primer.    Very strong olive colour was the result.  My aim is something more khaki brown, so will give it another go tomorrow.  One thing I hate about winter is the short daylight hours.  Mixing colours under artificial light is like getting a cat in a bag, never know what you'll end up with.

regards,

Jack

Beautiful Spitfire Jack. I've long wanted to build one.

Quite a noticeable difference in the sizes of the figures. You're off to a great start on it.

Eric, great job with the camo on your JP!!!

Thanks Andy.  

I have about half the wheels done and will hopefully finish them up before the weekend. I only have sunday off, so I'll have to rock the late hours this week to meet my goal. Fortunately there aren't many decals to put on, so that should go fairly quickly.

Eric: I like it! Nice work!

Jack: Gee, I'd known there was some differences in the size of figures but not that much. And BTW great looking Spit!

Thanks Cliff. I usually respray the camo about 3 times, but I said if I do that, I'll never get this model built!