Winter Warriors GB 2008

dupes-thanks man...that snow did look excessive on the tracks at first didn't it?  I knew the look I wanted and I'm really happy with the results.  I'm putting on some final touches, then starting the figures.  I don't know why I loathe them so much...they add SO much to the build, but they are so difficult for me...Thanks for biffa's build info too. 

oh,...and don't forget to read my PM I sent you a few days back...if you haven't already...

Wow.  Okay, I quit.  I'll have to go find another hobby like knitting.  SMJ, that's impressive!

mg42gunner-Thanks for the compliment.  I'm glad you associated the tank's weathering with it's environment, thank was the goal. 

...noticed your avatar..."kraftwerk"...are you an 80's "new wave" bands fan???

arki30-too kind, too kind...Hey, if you take up knitting can you at least make me a nice sweater sometime?,  I love this winter stuff so much I may need it.

detailfreak-That interior looks superb!!! The grime and wear is just perfect, excellent work sir...

bufflehead wrote:

OK here's my progress so far.  Haven't done a durn thing to it for a week....its been all work, work, work for me.  And now I have a major cold .

Winter warriors, here is the M36 after whitewash cammo applied. I'm attaching a picture of a TD during the winter of '44-45.  The whitewash was applied after the base coat, decals, a wash and a shot of Testor's dullcoat. I used Model master flat white acryl with an old Testors brush with the bristles cut down to size to replicate a brush size closer to scale. (this turned out to be alot of work) The intent of the cammo scheme was to blend in with the wooded areas of the Ardennes.  To be honest, it almost took an out of body experience to do this to a model after the nicely applied base coat and decals, it was strange actually trying to leave brush strokes. (my wife actually commented that I made a mess of the model when she took the photos) But I kept reminding myself that this was hastily applied in field conditions.

tellis,

Getting the brush stroke effect is nearly impossible.  In fact the effort is futile IMHO.  I address how to acheive the "whitewash" effect in my Winter Camo' Tutorial...did you see it?  Study your photo again, notice how some areas have no whitewash at all, or it's worn off...that variety is what needs to be replicated.  Go take a look at the toot' it's actually very easy to do and doesn't require an "out of body" experience.

Tellis - looks like you've managed to get pretty close to the ref. pic with that method. Hadn't considered going with the "mini-mop" for my build. Keep it up!

Detailfreak - progress looks real good so far. Who's interior are you using? I don't think I've ever seen those ostketten before...should make for a good build. Oh, if you could keep your updates to say the best 5 or 6 pics at a time that would help out me and my crap dialup internet a lot.

Hi guys once more i see some great progress shots,

SMJ, very nicely done with the weathering i do believe you have captured the look of a well used russian tank in a wet snowy/muddy russian winter and thats what its all about, i like it.

Detail freak, looking nice there those tracks are going to look sweet when this thing gets winterized  im looking forward to see them painted.

Ernest, i never notice you were building the new dragon pz IV it looks awesome i have this one to build so i interested in all you have to say about it, keep up the nice work.

Dale, the zim job looks cool and might i say very brave of you, very well done.

tellis, i like what you have done with the whitewash the only thing i would add is to weather the vehicle a little after the application of the whitewash to help blend it and tone it down some,  nice looking job.

Bobbaily, i will paint the tracks on the vehicle as it looks right now although the upper and lower hulls are not glued yet to make for easier access. here is a link to an article i did last year it explains basically what i will be doing. http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1458&page=2

FeldMarSchall, nice KT keep her coming.

finally my final build update the kit went together flawlessly and was a joy to work on, next up will be the painting.

broke down ready for painting

*edit* SMJ the photo directions you see in the pics are some of dragons better ones or maybe this kit is just straight forward perhaps but either way i had no problems figuring this one out.

biffa,

Thanks for the compliment on my SU122.  That kit you got going is really nice.  The detail looks great...are you adding any more PE?  I've never built a Dragon kit but your build has sparked my interest.  I have been so busy on my tutorial that I haven't been able to follow everyones builds.  What look are you going for, besides of course, winter?  Figures?  I'm curious to see what you come up with, and will be watching closely...keep the pics' coming!!!

Ron-thanks for the link.  Will be a big help.

A lot of great work being displayed here guys.  Good job.

Dupes and Company - I'm still with it.  Just finished with the build and initial painting on the Academy M7 Priest. I'm way overdue with photos and updates, as well as looking at everyone else's progress.  I've been out of pocket quite a bit.  I'll try to get some pics posted this weekend.

Larry

Biffa, thanks for the feedback. My next step is a wash (raw or burnt umber). You're right, it does need to be toned down, it does come across a bit "loud" until it gets weathered. This is my first group build, I am both humbled and inspired. It has been alot of fun to watch the progress of everyone and benefit from the feedback from fellow modelers.

Dupes, thanks for starting this one. My M36 would have probably ended up another OD green WWII vehicle on my shelf.

Absolutely Tellis! I hope that everyone else is having as good a time as I am...and hopefully learning something, too. Definitely a technique that I wouldn't have been terribly eager to jump into if I hadn't seen some other efforts in the same direction.

And we certainly can't have a ton of old, boring OD vehicles on everyone's shelves.

Larry - good to see you! Shoot us some pics! 

Well guys i have been moving on with this although i didnt document the begginning of the painting i will give a brief explaination,

Painting.

step 1, the model was primed with rattle can black auto primer.

step 2, with the airbrush it then recieved its green basecoat i carefully did the centers of the wheels and lower hull leaving the tires black to save painting them by brush.

step 3, again with the airbrushed i painted the tracks again careful not to cover the tires.

once i was happy with the basic paint job it was time to begin the weathering.

Step 1, i gave the model an all over wash with a mix of burnt umber and yellow ochre oil paint

step 2, i gave the model an all over wash of van dyke brown oil paint.

step 3, the decals were applied.

step 4, i added some wear and tear using van dyke brown oil paint applied with a sponge.

Painted with 2 washes and decals on.

and the running gear

wear and tear added

a little more weathering and i will be ready to seal it in and apply the whitewash, i will try keep up with the progress pics a little better  

Looking good Biffa!

We'll excuse you from being negligent in your documentation so far...but now that the fun part is here (yay!), I'm going to expect complete daily reports.

How do you manage to not spray the hull when you're painting the tracks post-install? Some sort of mask? I've always wanted to try the "paint everything at once" method, but there are some items I'm not sure how I'd get at without making a mess.

Hey Dupes, i set my airbrush on fine and just get close and take my time i dont mind over spray on the lower hull behind the tracks in fact i intentionally do it because it assists in the weathering later, with this one i left the upper and lower hull seperate (because the fit was so good) untill after the painting was done then attached them for the weathering

biffa wrote:

broke down ready for painting

Hey Dupes, can you do me a favor and switch out my kit for this build to the Tristar 1/35 Pz. Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E/F?  I've been having a blast researching some of the earlier German light tanks, because of my Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. F for the War in the Desert GB.

I'm going with a Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) with the 19th Panzer Division, Russia 1942.  One of the schemes in the Color and Markings section is one with a well worn winter scheme that's just too gorgeous to pass up!  

Look forward to some progress pics later this week! 

biffa,

The technique you use in the "wear and tear added" step is phenomenal!!!  I've heard you are in a class of your own at this "chip & scratch" thing and I can see why.  The apparent "weight" gain of the tank and the resemblance to steel is amazing, I cannot commend you enough...I gotta try my hand at that.  Can you give me a little more detail on your Van Dyke oil paint technique...mix ratio, etc...Please take a real close-up of the turret if you would... Did you add any graphite yet?  I notice the edges have just a hint of shine...is that the Van Dyke oil too? Do tell, do tell...

I can see you're good with an airbrush, but there's no way on earth you can hit the insides of those road wheels with the base green color with those tracks on.  How do you address that or do you just leave them alone?  What about the wheelside face of the tracks?  I read you don't mind the overspray on the hull when you spray the tracks, but what about the overspray on the wheels?

espins1 wrote:

Hey Dupes, can you do me a favor and switch out my kit for this build to the Tristar 1/35 Pz. Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E/F?

Not a problem sir! I'm quite interested in your build actually, I've got a 38(t) Ausf.G I want to do up in Hungarian markings...the Maquette kit though. Figured if it was a complete dog I'd go to the Tristar version. Have you built any of their stuff before? I have their Pz.IV Ausf D I picked up for a song, looks AMAZING in the box.

Thanks Dupes.  This is my first attempt at building a Tristar kit and I must say I'm impressed with what I see in the box.  I've also read a lot of good things about the kit so I'm looking forward to building it.

Here is the scheme I'm going to try to replicate, I think it looks really cool and hopefully I can do it justice!