That armor is flying together, well done Gents!

Thanks G.

Loving the look of that, i like the lines on that.

For tonight's update on the Chally, the ID panels on the sides and rear have been hit with Ivory, and a light drybrush of straight white.  The tow cables were installed, and the entire tank hit with some pigments.

While browsing Challengers in action, this was my loose inspiration:

copy and paste characters

Unfortunately my base isn't big enough nor did I have anything to build up a berm in front of the vehicle, but I liked the look of the small shrubs.  And so I present my latest effort:

I just need to re glue one of the bushes that came loose during photography, but other than that I believe it is complete.

Comments, criticisms, or suggestions are welcome!

Hi Robert, Chally looks good.  You could possibly add (though not necessary) an orange tarp on the  turret rear - I think was an air recognition feature.   There was also a trio antennas,  but if you don't have anything thin like stainless steel wire (0.1mm), then I wouldn't bother.

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Bish, nice choice on the Chieften.   I like the texture on those printed mufflers.

regards,

Jack

Robert, i really like that, great finish and a very nice base. Thank you, will update the front page. Do you have a preferance as to what photo i use.

Thanks Jack. I thought that about the exhausts as well. I think normally you need to smooth down these 3D parts, but in this case it will add to the finish.

Robert, you did a beautiful job there!!! Superb!!! And I don't think she needs anything else, just driving across the desert looks fine. 

Thank you all!  I thought about adding the aerials, but I don't have anything on hand that doesn't look out of scale.  The way my luck is with builds in the late stages, I would probably spill my bottle of CA on the tank anyway!

Bish - You can use the 2nd photo.  Thanks for hosting the fun build

It has been a few weeks since I posted any progress on the Matador, but I have not given up, just fell back and regrouped.

In my last post I showed the results of using EasyOff oven cleaner to remove a messed up camouflage paint job. As you can see below the oven cleaner took all the paint off except the olive green primer. I left the canopy somewhat unmolested so I could compare the difference. Then I experimented to see what it would take to remove the primer and leaned the Vallejo acrylic surface primer is so strong it even defies an attack of heavy duty oven cleaner.

In the mean time I decided to purchase a second AFV Club Matador model to make the changes I wanted and could not with the first model without doing major damage. On the second Matador I adjusted the steering linkage so the front wheels are in a turning position. I also changed the canopy so the canvas sides and back are rolled up. The front of the cab is waiting on a product that will allow me to clean any glue off that I get on the clear plastic windows.

The first Matador model is waiting on a product that is specifically designed to remove acrylic paint which I will use on the canopy to compare it's effectiveness to oven cleaner. I don't recommend oven cleaner for removing acrylic paint after trying it, mainly because it can chemically etch the plastic and it is difficult to control.

When the second Matador is ready I will give both models a good primer coat and finish coat of S.C.C. 15 British green Tamiya paint. Then I have Ammo and AK Interactive camouflage putty that I will use to create the camo pattern on both models. In making mistakes I have learned a lot of important new techniques and developed a greater understanding of camouflaged painting.

Harold

Harold it's good to see you back! Sorry to hear about all the extra work you're having to put into your build but I'm cheering for you to meet the deadline!

The Conqueror is getting a couple washes right now. The figures are maybe about 75% complete. Will I be done by the deadline? Only time will tell...

Gamera

Harold it's good to see you back! Sorry to hear about all the extra work you're having to put into your build but I'm cheering for you to meet the deadline!

 

The Conqueror is getting a couple washes right now. The figures are maybe about 75% complete. Will I be done by the deadline? Only time will tell...

 

Harold

Hello everyone! One question, can I do a crossover build? 

Yep, cross overs are allowed. But keep in mind the GB ends in 2 weeks, so you will have to get it on list quick. You do already have the Whippet on the roster, is it that or some thing else.

Yes, I've change my mind about the whippet, I have the tamiya 1/48 churchill VII and was thinking of doing it. The other group build is the weekend GB. :) Kill two birds with one stone so to speak. :)

Thats fine, i will change that over.

Good to see this back Harold, looking good.

Bish

Good to see this back Harold, looking good.

 

Some more progress to report on the Chieftain, i was slowed down some what by the paint. But before that i had to wrap up the turret with the addition of the TOGs. I painted the inside black before putting it all together, the clear part on the front has ha the lense covered with liquid mask.

Than the painting. I decided to use MiG paints as that is the recomended colour by Takom and i didn't want to try and find a match for the sand colour. For the green, i usually use Tamiya NATO Green mixed with some field grey, so i ordered MiG's field grey set thinking i could use it on my figures. But the field grey in the set was very light, so i used the field grey shading which was more like the Tamiya field grey. Not sure if MiG just got it wrong or they are meant for a more artistic style of painting.

One think about the MiG paints, they don't like a cold damp English winter. 24 hours after painting the green it was still as wet as it had been when applied. I had to bring it inside in the warm to dry. After that i free handed the sand and after some touching up, this is what i have.

There still some rough edges here and there. I am not a fan of the paint, it seems similar to vallejo model air, which i don't like eitehr. I won't be getting them again. I think the sand used on the BATUS fleet, which is also used on the Warminster based Demo battalion vehicles, is the same as that used on desert vehicles prior to Op Telic, so if i need to do another of tehse schemes i can use the Gulf War colours. I also maske and added the white V for the arc marker.

Then the decals, not keen on these either. They damage easily and are very matt looking. But they did conform well enough and there's not many of them.

And the tracks where put together, and here's another issue. There are 200 links and the instructions say to use 97 on each side. I put one track together forming it around the idler and sproket and over the top rollers adding slight sga. But when i out the send run together i was one link short. On counting the second lot it had 100 links, so the first must have 101. Not sure what i have done wrong to use the extra link, the sag doesn't look to much. But at least the gap is behind the side skirts, unless i can force it together.

Next up some weathering and hoping for no more problems.

Nice work on the Chieftain Bish... Interesting problem you were having with MIG paint.

It is cold and wet here in the Pacific Northwest too in the winter. I have a large paint booth vented to the outside of the house and when the fans are not running I get cold moist air in the paint booth. I was thinking about trying MIG paint, but it might be better to stay with what I know works.

I have started with Olive Drab U.S. Vallejo Surface Primer. It has become my 'goto' primer for any shade of green Vallejo or Tamiya acrylic paint. The next step will be to glue the Matador bed to the chassis and add tie-down cleats and other delicate parts to the truck bed. I will also paint the seats, streeing wheel and lever knobs in the cab while I am waiting for VMS products to arrive that will allow me to remove paint and glue from clear plastic window parts.

Harold

Thanks Harold.

I do my painting out in the shed and the models are placed in an un-heated spray booth. I am used to haveing to change how i spray in the winter, especially if useing water based clear's during frosty weather, usually trying to do in the morning. I sprayed some tamiya on the sub kit at around the same time as the MiG and ha no issues with that, touch dry in a day. I like to try something new now and again, but still have not found anything i like as much as Xtracolor.

Comng on nicely there, what are the VMS products.

Bish

Thanks Harold.

I do my painting out in the shed and the models are placed in an un-heated spray booth. I am used to haveing to change how i spray in the winter, especially if useing water based clear's during frosty weather, usually trying to do in the morning. I sprayed some tamiya on the sub kit at around the same time as the MiG and ha no issues with that, touch dry in a day. I like to try something new now and again, but still have not found anything i like as much as Xtracolor.

Comng on nicely there, what are the VMS products.

 

https://youtu.be/0rpQTYsqFws

Harold

Thanks Harold, i will check them out.

Bish: Looks good! Sorry to hear about the track issues, I've built a couple of Takom kits so far and haven't had any issues so far (cross my fingers). The camo looks good too, sorry about the paint issues too- I know what you mean there, paint issues is something I do get alot of... 

Harold: You're making great progress there for having to start over- best of luck!  

The Conqueror is almost there. Need to add the rearview mirrors (I was sure I'd break them off during painting so I left them off) and add a coat of matte finish.

Tank crew figures are getting there:

And the two standing officers and Cleopatra need a lot more work:

You have been busy Cliff. Nice work on the Conqueror and figures. I wanted to do something like you are doing, but I am running out of time on this group build. Even after Bish allowed us to finish the projects on his roster I have other projects to finish before I can start on the British Supermarine group build.

I noticed your comment about leaving off the rear view mirrors until the painting is done. I have started doing the same thing with the Matador. Those delicate little mirrors just beg to get hit no matter how hard I trie to avoid them.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, stay safe my friends.

Harold

Love the look of the tank Cliff, and the figures are coming on nicely. Thats going to look good when done.

Thanks guys! I got Tuesday off by having some left-over vacation/holiday time and got a lot done on the figures. The Conqueror is done except for painting the headlights and back-up mirrors. 

Merry Christmas guys! 

And Harold even if you can't finish the Matador by the end of the year I hope you'll keep moving on her, I really want to see her done. 

Gamera

And Harold even if you can't finish the Matador by the end of the year I hope you'll keep moving on her, I really want to see her done. 

 

Harold

Bish, somewhere in this group build I thought you said if a model is on the roster and started before the end of 2020, but finished in 2021 it will be included in the completed model pictures. Is my understanding correct?

Harold

As long as its on the roster, but it does not have to be started. I doubt i will get started on my Huey before the end of the month, but i'll still post it up.