Jack: Neat looking, very cool!

Jack - Looking good - two tone - enclosed update photo DAK 501 - have applied a wash - tone and some rust - close up details and material I'm using ...  Armor86

Ah yes, the AK stuff. How do you like using those items as opposed to other things you have used for the same purpose?

Jack and Armor86, those Tigers are looking splendid. Fine job on the numbers.

Thanks Eric and Plankton - I just got most of it for XMAS (AK) and so the DAK Tiger will be the first attempt using it. I'm taking a much slower approach and have been watching YouTube videos on how others are using them. The wash and filter should work the same way that oils paint work. AK / MIG white spirit works well with oils.

Next up - Chipping common surfaces, tracks, road wheels, idl wheel, and running gear.  Use different pencils and enamel. (steel, worn metal)  

More wash (DAK) - mixed brown and rust. DAK Streaking crime top and side surfaces.

Dark pin wash - shadows

Last up with Dust / Dirt - I personal like using water mix with pigments and it allows me to brush it down (remove) to where I like it ... the AK is enamel based and you have to thin it down as it is applied.

Armor86

Armor86: Looks good! Just discovered the AK Product line and really liking the results from them.

Armor 86, I look forward to seeing what you do with that stuff. Apparently our AMPS Chapter has a batch of that stuff that is being passed around for each of us to have a go with. 

Well today was good for me, I got some "cheater" detail items- a PE fret of straps to use, and a decal sheet of AfriKa Korps (and SS) uniform insignia

and I have been painting up some stowage items- stahlhelms and rucksacks

and mainly doing figure painting... I still need to do another wash or two on the newest guys face and paint the center of his epaulettes black to match, but he is almost at the same point as the other two as of now...

and how the will probably be posed...

tomorrow I will apply the insignia decals to the figures, do the painting that  I mentioned above, and do all the mud work on the lower hull...

Hi fellas... great progress by all of ya. IBuild148, looking forward to seeing more of that base. Dan, Jack and Stikpusher your Tiger's are looking superb. I'm really enjoying seeing them come together. I love seeing the different schemes coming out of 3 DAK vehicles. Nifty stuff. Really diggin' the figures StikP. They always add so much to a build. I've really gotta suck it up and finish painting some of mine...  I can only hope they turn out as well as yours. 

As for me... slow progress just about sums it up. Given my pace, I am really hoping I can finish this thing before the end of August. Sooo much more to do, geez!

I started beating up the turret a bit. Chips, etc. Still working on the wheels/tracks weathering. I'd like to get them on by the end of the coming weekend. 

Well, back to work... 

Looking real good there HP!

Great work guys! I agree on your figures being awesome, Stik!

SP: Again really nice work there on the figures and the bags.

Dave: Think I said it before but I just love the zimmerit and camouflage. And the chipping on the cupola and machine gun mount looks very natural.  

armor86, your tiger is getting better and better by the day...

stik, i think the italian green was a verey good idea man...  offbeat color but i feel very realistic...  and the figureres are coming together very good as well...  

hassen, i am very impressed with the panther man, very...

asa for me, ive been plugging away at the fenders for like two weeks now...  very tedious stuff.  i'm finally getting to the turret...  and there's not much to add there...  so after a few adjustments and some minor clean-up ill hopefully be moving to my most feared part of my builds... primer...  i pray i didnt goo things up too much...  pics on thursday...

Day after Filter applied - Starting to look like a DAK vehicle - photos after applying first coat (AK-065 Africa Korps) - Armor86

Back end coming along with spare tracks added - after taking photo note the loosen spare - still need some glue ....

Before and After photo.

Top view

Any thoughs if I should put a second coat (filter) before the next step .... wash ... Armor86

More weathering done here... mud....

this is the look that I am re creating

and the crew after the decals were applied this morning (talk about some intricate work)...

Dan: The filter looks great! Realistic dusty effect there and the camo nicely blended together. Not sure if she needs another or not, hard to judge something like that from photos.

SP: Mud looks good! Looks pretty close to the photo to me. If I may ask what are you using there for the mud? It looks really good, I might have to try some.

I make my mud from sifted dirt out of my front yard, water, and Future. Future gives the mix long term staying and adhesion qualities that straight mud does not have. The mixtur ratio of liquid to dirt can be varied to increase or decrease texture in the mud.

stikpusher

I make my mud from sifted dirt out of my front yard, water, and Future. Future gives the mix long term staying and adhesion qualities that straight mud does not have. The mixtur ratio of liquid to dirt can be varied to increase or decrease texture in the mud.

So to duplicate your results I'll have to fly out to the west coast and dig up your yard? 

Seriously thanks! I agree that often the best thing to use is the real thing. I've seen stumps in 1/35th made out of resin, I've always used twigs, they look more like wood to me than even the best painted resin ones because the twigs really are wood!!! 

I never thought about mixing it with Future though, I'll have to give it a trial run. 

Thanks guys for all your comments.

Dan - I like how your Tiger is coming along.  Interesting what you will do with all those AK products.  I don't do much filtering if any, so it's more a personal preference of how far you want to take it.  I do notice you have left the tubing on the rear deck a black colour, but I may be jumping the gun as you have just started the weathering stage.

Stik - those figures really do add to your build, and the mud effects  looks great, very convincing!

Dave - Panther looks right on, rich with detail.  Question about the wire cutters (or anyone can field this one), but the ends of the handles, are they part of the tool or attachment point to the hull?  I may have to repaint mine.

--------------------------------

I've got hull deck equipment painted up, all cables attached ( yes, they are copper wire and notice some  touch up is required).  Back plate detail also done along with some weathering, taking the dusty route.

regards,

Jack

Gamera, you are more than welcome to dig up and sift dirt from my yard.... I'll sit under my shade tree with a cool refreshing beverage and give constructive criticism ;-)

Jack, that weathering looks like youre off t a great start. The dust is very convincing! Thank you for the kind words on the figures.

Hey Jack - Tiger looks good - like its been through a dust storm - I have add camo netting and started the wash cycle on the turret - did a little more filter on the hull - photos below. Armor86

Looking real good there Dan. The nets really add to your build!

Thanks Plankton - see how the wash goes next on the hull. Review several photos of 501 - vehicle #132 to figure out where to place it. Armor86

Yes, I have seen several photos of that vehicle and it's netting. You captured the look of those photos.

Exceptional work, guys!

Yeah Dan, she looks good dirtied up and the camo netting is great touch.

Man, all these Tigers are looking great. (like Tony says, lol)  I really am liking all of the weathering. Making me wish I had a early/mid Tiger to build. (I have a Tamiya late version I'll build sometime...)

Thanks for all the encouragement on my Panther, fellas. 

Jack, I'm glad you mentioned the wire cutters... as I have, at this point, forgotten to add the brackets that would hold the handle ends in place. As I'm sure you've probably read, or researched by now, the handles were made of some material other than wood and appeared reddish/orange/brown color. I've read and seen several different examples of the end caps. I've opted for a darker color as I like the contrast. I've even seen examples of the cutters themselves being painted over in the vehicle base color, etc. So to sorta answer your question; yes the end caps that you see are part of the tool itself and not part of how it was attached to the vehicle. Color could be argued probably be argued at length, but more often than not they seem to appear darker than the handles proper.

I have read that some items on German WWII tank tools were made from "Bakelite", an early plastic. It was very sturdy heavy duty stuff. Anybody remember old rotary landline telephones? Those were made from that stuff. Anyways, I have a late WWII production P38 pistol in my collection and it has Bakelite grips. They are a dark Red Brown in color, and for lack of a better term, almost look like particle board in their composition.

ALRIGHT FINALLY SOME PHOTOS...  AND YEAH THE BAKELITE IS A RED BROWN...  FOR OUR SCALE I USUALLY JUST PUT A DROP OF RED BROWN IN SOME BLACK AND LEAVE THE END CAPS BLACK...

And a photobucket fail. Sorry guys. I didn't catch it till now. Shall return tomorrow.

Hindsight 20/20. Glad pics didn't post I guess. Forgot to add about fifty bolt heads and wing nuts. I shall prevail though.