Yeah, looking at Googled images they're almost balck. If the washes don't work I'll need to respray. Not a problem though. I have a couple of decals on but I can go around those.

Loking good Steve. No, they didn't fade in the sun, not sure if its the liughting or what, but the first image looks about right. Our Apaches are painted the same helo Drab as US ones.

I wasn't interested in doing Harrys ship either.

I finished the primer, painting and gloss coating phase, now on the tedious decal placement. thanks for the links Bish, I'll see which one I want to do since I'm not intrestsed in Harry's mount, no disrespect to the crown.

The green turuned out lighter that I intended so I hope to off set that and darken it with washes. I was thinking, fading in the desert sun, but I'm not sure they faded that much. The washes should work.

And of course, broke of more stupid parts like the landing gear step thingy and the tail boom and underside antenna

Yes, same here - look forward to see how the main coat looks over that 'marbling'.

Don't put too much trust on AK Real Colors British paints.   Researcher Mike Starmer who was consulted for the British colours,  was not pleased with their final product:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/missinglynx/viewtopic.php?p=1398795#p1398795

Note too that AK  has released a 2nd edition of their Real Colors vehicle book, and have more closely followed Starmer's guidence, and he is much more satisfied with this second effort on the British section.

regards,

Jack

Eric: That looks good! Curious how things go with the mottling, please keep us posted! 

And please stay safe and keep your head down. 

Thats looking good Eric, can't wait to see the paint go on.

Thought Finescale cut me off - but I guess not. There was more login trouble. Hopefully I'll get this build done.

Since I last posted I've moved operations from Minneapolis - the scene of the new French Revolution - to the San Francisco Bay Area which is the scene of utter insanity. But because everyone is supposed to stay inside, it doesn't matter as much as it might.

Anyway, the Valentine is more or less assembled and primed. The link and length tracks were a little tricky - and were hardly needed because the British version has skirts which hide all of the sag. Beyond that, it's simply a terrific kit.

After priming in black I put on an irregular "mottle" coat - part of it is thinned buff, some is a very light yellow oxide. This is a little bit like "black and white" weathering but I think it works better.

Mottle by Eric Bergerud, on Flickr

Next we'll apply a home made rendition of British "Light Sand." I used a sample from the very good AK Real Colors and think I have a good match. When that's down and the few decals put on, we move on to filters, oil rendering and a lot of pigments. Not sure if I'll have time to make a simple display sand.

Eric

That looks good Steve.

I don't put on some stuff like rear-view mirrors on tanks till I'm almost finished- I know I'll knock them off otherwise. 

looking good steve. the ones that got me were the ones sticking oput the side just above the engine. I have no idea what they are for, but i think on the real aircraft they swizel. I forget how many times i knocked them off.

The Chally looks excelent BK! 

Bish, I got dow to the part where one sticks on the little unamed parts. You know the ones no one knows what they are unless they worked around the things. Handles and hand holds I know. There are a couple things I need to scratch after my big meathooks broke them off!

I think one more good sitting and she'll be ready for prime. After that my favorite, paint and weathering.

plasticjunkie

Geez BK, that is simply gorgeous!!love the tonal changes! 

 

BK

Geez BK, that is simply gorgeous!!love the tonal changes! 

Gamera

Brandon: Wow!!! She looks great! Don't worry about the lighting, I can see her fine.

 

BK

Bish

I like that a lot, very well done BK. Thanks for shareing with us, will get the front page updated.

 

BK

jgeratic

Nice job Brandon, I like that.

 

regards,

Jack

 

BK

Brandon: Wow!!! She looks great! Don't worry about the lighting, I can see her fine.

I like that a lot, very well done BK. Thanks for shareing with us, will get the front page updated.

Nice job Brandon, I like that.

regards,

Jack

Alright, I am calling this one done. What a super nice kit. No issues, no flash, virtually no clean up, perfect fit, excellent in every way. If you had thought about it, get it, it's simply fantastic. Easily one of the best kits I have ever laid hands on.

I painted it using Vallejo paints and Mr Hobby clear red for the glass parts. I was going to add some pastels but I don't have room for the base yet so I'll wait till I build the base and weather them together. Anyway, here you go in all her glory. Sorry for the poor pics, I don't have room for my booth or lighting anymore, so this will have to do 'till I move.

Bish, thanks for the chance to build such a great kit and hosting this amazing GB. It was a blast. Let's use the 1st shot for the pic. Thanks again.

BK

Gamera

Thanks Bish! As long as it's kosher with you boss!!! 

 

Very. We don't see enough post war British armour and types like this are very rare.

Thanks Bish! As long as it's kosher with you boss!!! 

Gamera

Brandon: That looks great and the you're making great progress on her.

Bish: Not sure I even officially entered her. As said I'm not sure she's be anywhere near done by the end of the year. But anyway she's the 1/35th Conqueror Mk II from Amusing Hobby.

And thankfully the track links just snap together. No issues with them, only two sprue gates on one side and no sinkholes or injection pin holes. Just a few swipes with a sanding stick and each is done. It's just so many to do.

 

I remember you asking which one otehr thought you should buid, but wasn't sure if i had missed the post where you had decided. Glad to see this one, will get it on the roster.

Brandon: That looks great and the you're making great progress on her.

Bish: Not sure I even officially entered her. As said I'm not sure she's be anywhere near done by the end of the year. But anyway she's the 1/35th Conqueror Mk II from Amusing Hobby.

And thankfully the track links just snap together. No issues with them, only two sprue gates on one side and no sinkholes or injection pin holes. Just a few swipes with a sanding stick and each is done. It's just so many to do.

Gamera

Well, was hoping to have the figures done and then Thursday some routine dental work turned into a root canal. Now I'm working this weekend to cover for the maintenance guy who's going to the hospital for hernia surgery. So nothing much done.

Anyway I took the track links for the Conqueror with me to work and got a little done on them. I guess that's something...

 

 

 

 

Do those tracks click together or are they glued?

I just realised i don't have thise on the front page. Can you remind me which kit it is.

Thats looking good BK, coming along really well.

Just a quick update on the Chally II. Since the lower hull basically disappears under the skirts I have gone ahead and weathered it out. I will weather the lower portion of the upper hull, then join the two and add all the extra bits. Once I near the end I will further dust it up with some pastels. I have a really good pic of this exact tank in Iraq 2003, so the reference for it is execellent.

On the tracks I used the kit ones. I then primed them with Tamiya grey and painted them black with Vallejo. I then hand painted all the UK light sand links; the took hours. I then washed them up with an AK Dust effects wash and let it dry. The tracks were a lot of work compared to everything else, but the look the part now.

More to come. 

BK

Well, was hoping to have the figures done and then Thursday some routine dental work turned into a root canal. Now I'm working this weekend to cover for the maintenance guy who's going to the hospital for hernia surgery. So nothing much done.

Anyway I took the track links for the Conqueror with me to work and got a little done on them. I guess that's something...

Thats looking very nice Steve, glad the canopy worked out.