Hey everyone!  Great work here!  Couple of more pics on the 250 and Kett.  I'm working the tracks now and man, they are fragile!  I think this is an old kit and the vinyl tracks are old and just about to go!  They "stretch" but feel like they are going to rip!  Not very strong at this point, but I'm getting it done!  Thanks for checking it out!

Eagle: Really nice work there. I keep hearing about using black as an undercoat but still haven't tried it- love your results though!

Thanks Gamera!

The pic is kinda dark (sorry!).  I use my phone camera (I can't find my digital camera!), but it is actually German grey.  Bish said they would have gone over to the desert in the grey and then been painted with the dark yellow.  I tried to make it look like a quick paint job in the field and did some "wearing down" on the edges and covers.  Not too bad, but my techniques are getting better with every build!

Thanks again!

Eagle90

Oh, I've heard of the black undercoating too!  Also want to try it!  If it works as well as the grey did, it should be a plus for weathering!

Eagle90

Ah, ok, my mistake! She looks really dark here, maybe my monitor is off too. Makes perfect sense since yeah they'd be painted with German grey leaving the factory.

LOL!  No, just my camera!  

The grey really came through well with just a little rubbing with a sanding stick.  I used small pieces of paper for the worn spots like on the back fenders.  Worked pretty well. I'm going to try some dry brushing on the tracks when I get them on too!  Saw that before and it really gives them the used look.  I'm just about done with both the 250 and the Kett, just been trying to play catch up with the 335 GB!

Eagle90

Sorry, I've all but disappeared guys. Great work gentlemen. Excellent figure there Jack.

Good to see you back Eric.

This one is now done, Italeri 1/35 scale Carro Armato L6/40.  

As early as 1936, the shortcomings of the L3 tankettes were being realized by Fiat-Ansaldo. Working towards a replacement fast light tank, many delays were experienced in theories, design, and initial production.   This ensured that once the L6/40 arrived on the battlefield, it would already be obsolete.

One of the first units to be equipped in large numbers with the L6/40 would be the cavalry regiment Lancieri di Novara (as I've depicted here).  Only it's third battalion would serve in North Africa, while the other two were sent to Russia.  During the Gazala battles of 1942, it was composed of two companies with 33 tanks.  It was attached as a recon unit to the Ariete armoured division, but later would transfer to the newly arrived Littorio as was originally intended.  

regards,

Jack

jack, that's one sweet build. I really like the look of the dust around the large bolt heads. The finish is spot on. And awesome figures as well.

What programme did you use for that first picture.

Jack I'm really impressed by your build and the figures are so good. I must admit that before I scrolled down and seen the first pic I thought it was a real photo. The dusting is second to none and thats an unbelievable job on the figures. Little things like the passenger door hinges are spot on, the tools look good, the muffler perfect and the poses and base really make it work. Jack I like that little guy I need to put one on my to-do list. Terry

Bish - thanks!

Corel photo-Paint X7 is the software used to make the photo.  It was fairly easy to do, actually spent more time searching the net for a suitable background pic.

The program has a function tool that utilizes an eyedropper tool to create a mask.  Since my background was already white, it was fairly quick.  Just had to clean up some masking that strayed onto white highlights, such as on the tracks.  The mask is then reversed, (another quick command function), copy visible image and then paste onto the new photo background.

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

Terry - thanks for those kind words.  

If you do pick up the Italeri boxing, you might want  to bookmark this build review:

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Reviews/showReview.aspx?ID=972&Type=FB

Also, if you plan to add a full interior, forgo the above kit and get the resin kit offered by Model Victoria - pretty certain it includes a full interior.  It should be cheaper than combining the Italeri kit with a resin interior, plus you avoid the pitfalls.

regards,

Jack

Jack, that's just gorgeous work! The tank, the figures, everything!

If I may ask is the dust pigments? That's how I wanted my Churchill to look but she didn't come out that way.  

Thanks Jack thats a nice looking kit and a good link, I really like the bolts on this little guy too. I'll check out the resin kit it looks like you'd get a pretty good view of the interior. I say this is a definite must have, man my list just gets longer everyday…I needed to add a few Italian AFVs.  

Thanks jack, i'll look into that. I wouldn't mind trying it with my Pz II, but like you say, finding the right background pic is the tricky bit.

Gamera - thanks!

I used Florys wash products for a large part of the dusty look.  I mixed two of their products together to arrive at the shade I wanted, dust and sand.  Their dust is pretty much an off white colour, while the sand is like a dark tan.

Using a large brush, I covered all surfaces and let dry about 10 minutes or so.  Then with a damp cloth, I'd remove as much as I could in the open areas, giving  a look of dust buildup in crevices and around rivets, etc.  If a detail area got cleaned up too much, I'd just reapply the Florys mix with a fine brush and leave as is.  Also can add water to weathering powders and touch up that way.

I did add some weathering powder dust on the lowers and rear.  Also tried Rinaldi's trick of laying the hull on it's side, sprinkling on dry powders and then flooding the area with Tamiya acrylic thinner.  It gives a nice caked up textured look, but I wiped mine off as I don't like the powdered colours I have, (bottles labeled as desert are either too yellow, or look more like rust than earth).

regards,

Jack

Jack: I thought the first pic was of a real vehicle too at first. Fantastic looking model!

Eagle: Your 2 halftracks are coming along nicely!

Thanks Jack, I've got some of the Flory washes but generally use them on aircraft. I'm going to have to give that a try- heck I can just scrub it off if I don't like it. I'm still trying to figure out the weathering powders and pigments, I'll try Rinaldi's trick on an old model too.

Schatten - thanks!

Gamera - no problem.  You will find that you should lay down a gloss coat before applying Florys products, lot easier to wipe off.

regards,

Jack

That is a sweet build Jack. The figures really set it off. Thanks again for all of your hard work and information.

BTW Eric, it's good to see you back!

hi Eric, thanks and have you found any bench time?

regards,

Jack

Excellent work everyone.

Almost done with my Initial Production Tiger 1,  put on the first of two light Future floor wax coats Wednesday.

Hi guys, I'm officially taking a crack at the Pz.IV again! Here's a recap shot of the project:

Anything white is a styrene addition. The two parts in the foreground are exhausts/mufflers that have been painted separately, and the parts to right are resin and brass accessories. I'm working up more details, there'll be extra bolt heads on the forward areas (30 in all), and more armour plate around the driver's vision port to match the config seen on the vehicle as preserved at Bovington. I'm working on the armour at this time...

M/TB379

jgeratic

hi Eric, thanks and have you found any bench time?

regards,

Jack

Epic fail my friend. This sadly will be my last GB for the foreseeable future. If the GB starter can't finish, let alone barely get going, then they shouldn't run the GB. MHO. So much going on in life with crazy job hours, divorce, and other situations. I will always watch and cheer the builds, but my days of leading them are on hold until things change. God bless everyone for their efforts.

Eric, really sorry to hear your going through a rough patch. I am sure many of us have been there. I quite the hobby completely for 5 years after separating from my ex. Just be nice to see you when ever you have the time.

Absolutely, Eric, you're one of the admin/hosts who introduced me to GBs several years ago and I wish you a speedy passage over life's rough patches,

M/TB379

Eric, sorry to read about what is happening, but do hope things will be on the upswing soon.

regards,

Jack

Thanks guys. The forum has been a nice distraction from everyday life. Lots of good people here that I'm more then happy to say that I consider friends.

Hopefully when things settle down, I'll be able to find more time.

Hey Eric...sorry to hear hard times are hitting you.  Bless you to have strength and peace through it all.  I think everyone is or has gone through life stuff.  I'm in the middle of some myself.  And like you, the modeling is my get away!

I got more bench time and got this far with the 250 and Kett.  Still not my favorite kits.  Nitto will not be bought by me anymore.....I know, old kits, what did I expect.  LOL!  I wasn't sure, now I know.  Live and learn.  Here they are just about ready for decals!

Eagle90