Urban Armor GB, May 1-Dec 31, 2008

Guys: This GB has ended.  Thanks to all of you that particiated, I hope it was not only fun but also a good learning experience.

I will need to go over the thread, see who finished and who didn't, update the participant list and then put together a gallery of finished builds.  As you can imagine this will take me a little time...so please be patient. 

Congrats to those who finished on time and to those who didn't better luck next time...cheers

SMJmodeler

dupes wrote:

mg.mikael wrote: Dang. GREAT finish! I really like how this build came out...I don't remember the manufacturer, but I'm hoping it was Maquette, just because I picked up this same kit for five bucks at the last show I went to. Other than maybe some Doog-style chipping (with the sponge), I don't see much you could do to improve on this from my POV. Seriously, some really good work!

Thanks for the comments, dupes! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this was the Miniart kit, not the Maquette. However, knowing your work dupes, you could make that kit spectacular even if it's Maquette.

SMJmodeler wrote:

mg.mikael: Congrats on finishing in time...yes, go grab the badge!!! Cool and unique subject for this GB...I like the weathering, it's subtle, yet effective. The work on the exhaust mufflers and the tracks is especially well done.  The red/brown washes are perfect!...all the reddish tones balance out the green just right!  You may want to throw a steak or two down the front of the hull, IMO...maybe on lower edges of the hatch, just like you did on the barrel assembly bolts...and a bit of weathering/wear on the tool handles would be nice.  They are so prominent the extra work surely would be noticed. Nice interior too.  This is an all-around well executed build Mike...thanks for joining the GB!

Thanks for the comments and for starting this GB, SMJ!! Glad you like the finished product, I'll keep in mind what you said about more weathering on the tools and the addition of more streaks in key places. Learned alot from everyone on this GB, and I plan to use those tips to make my next build even better.

mg.mikael wrote:

Dang. GREAT finish! I really like how this build came out...I don't remember the manufacturer, but I'm hoping it was Maquette, just because I picked up this same kit for five bucks at the last show I went to.

Other than maybe some Doog-style chipping (with the sponge), I don't see much you could do to improve on this from my POV. Seriously, some really good work! 

mg.mikael: Congrats on finishing in time...yes, go grab the badge!!!

Cool and unique subject for this GB...I like the weathering, it's subtle, yet effective. The work on the exhaust mufflers and the tracks is especially well done.  The red/brown washes are perfect!...all the reddish tones balance out the green just right!  You may want to throw a steak or two down the front of the hull, IMO...maybe on lower edges of the hatch, just like you did on the barrel assembly bolts...and a bit of weathering/wear on the tool handles would be nice.  They are so prominent the extra work surely would be noticed.

Nice interior too.  This is an all-around well executed build Mike...thanks for joining the GB!

smokinguns3 wrote:

i think it turned out great, nice job.

Thanks for the comments, smokinguns3!!!

Not to mention, a thanks go's out to SMJ for starting this GB, or I would have never had a reason for finishing this build.

bbrowniii wrote:

Despite all the troubles you said you had, I think this came together quite nicely.  I really like the weathering.  This is a nice looking vehicle!  Nice job

Thanks for the comments, bbrowniii! I'm still learning and developing my weathering techniques, thus I'm glad you like the weathering on my SU-76M.

Okay, here's those finished pics I promised, sorry about them being a day late.

Finished painting the upper hull in Model Master Russian Armor Green Acrylics. Bottom portion was painted in Model Master Russian Armor Green Enamel, thankfully the colors matched perfectly. As mentioned before the upper hull portions were murder to put together. Hope that's not noticable. As for weathering a triple burnt umber wash was used on the lower hull. Then one burnt umber wash on the upper hull portions. That was sealed with Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear Matte. Then a bit of pastels on the suspension and hull. This was my first indy-track experience, and it actually wasn't that bad. So can I claim that badge SMJ?

All comments, suggestions, and questions welcome! More pics in my WIP thread in the armor section.

YES!!! I finished, and just in time too. How's that for procrastination. 

Sorry about the lack of pics(didn't have time to set up any lighting or an area to take pics.) I promise to get the finished pics up tommorrow, and before I forget HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

For those wndering where my build is I'll have it up in a few hours. The upper hull panels and gun were murder to put together. It makes you think  monkey's made and designed this kit. ARGHHH!!

Thankfully I overcame those problem, I just laid down the final wash. I'm currently waiting for it to dry. Then I'll fix it up and seal everything in. After that just some pastel work and finally the pics.

SMJmodeler wrote:

bbrowniii: Solid build there buddy!  It all came together real nice, and you finished on time...!!! Congrats  I like how you paid attention to all the details...shiny sprocket teeth and guide horns...nicely done! I think a little more weathering might help, but she looks good as is.

SMJ

I agree with you - and I think I will be doing some additional weathering.  Even though I did not sign up for the dio option, I think this needs a base, so once I figure that out, I'll know what weathering I should do...

bbrowniii: Solid build there buddy!  It all came together real nice, and you finished on time...!!! Congrats  I like how you paid attention to all the details...shiny sprocket teeth and guide horns...nicely done! I think a little more weathering might help, but she looks good as is.

mg.mikael wrote:

This turned out to be one sweet looking build!! The Stug IV looks great, can't even tell you had such problems with the tracks. If I could offer a suggestion, the metallic paint on some of the tools like the shovel, looks a bit too shiny, maybe you could dirty up the shiny metal to make it more realistic. Other then that your Stug loos great!

Thanks for the comments.  You are the second person to note the shiny-ness of the tools.  I wish I could chock it up to a flash on my camera, but I think you are correct.  I'll have to tone it down a little next time.

Can't wait to see your SU-76!

This turned out to be one sweet looking build!!

The Stug IV looks great, can't even tell you had such problems with the tracks. If I could offer a suggestion, the metallic paint on some of the tools like the shovel, looks a bit too shiny, maybe you could dirty up the shiny metal to make it more realistic. Other then that your Stug loos great!

*As for my SU-76M, I'll be workin' on it to the last minute. So I'll have finished pics up just before New Year's.*

Alrighty then... here it is, all done... well, sorta

The build is done, the figgies are 'done' but there are a couple of final 'tweaks' I'll have to do (like add the decals - just noticed I had failed to do that).  I'm going to weather it some more, but I want to think about what 'look' I am going for, so I might let it sit for a few days.

This was a fun build.  The tracks gave me fits - I actually had it done about three or so weeks ago (about when I posted my last pics) but then I mashed up the tracks on one side and had to do a repair - I was so fed up I had to walk away from it for a few weeks, but managed to tackle it again last week.

I am still working on my picture taking.  These are pretty good, I think, but not great.

As always, I appreciate any and all comments.  Look over in the Armor section for a couple additional photos.

YAHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found an acrylic version of the paint I need at my LHS. I was using enamels, so I wasn't sure if the acrylic would match. Luckily, it matched up perfectly!!! Now I can go on a blitz of painting, and finish my SU-76M in time for this GB!!!!

SMJmodeler wrote:

smokingun3:  WOW!!!.... That was fast, looks really good too!  Have you considered trying your hand at some drybrushing?  Your build looks nice but some variation of the finish will even take it up another notch!

Nope, i wouldnt no where or what color to use.  and thanks guys.

smokingun3:  WOW!!!.... That was fast, looks really good too! 

Have you considered trying your hand at some drybrushing?  Your build looks nice but some variation of the finish will even take it up another notch!

Well iam done, Painted this with model masters enamels cleard with future and use an oil paint wash for the over all look then sealed it with MM laquer dullcoat and added the anntena.  hope you like i usualy do AirCraft.

here it is all painted i use a 3m scuff pad to give it the worn paint, next is future and weathering.

mg.mikael wrote:

Lookin' good so far, smokinguns3. Looks like you may have some fit problems and a major need for sanding. Nevertheless it looks like it's coming along nicely.

thanks.

SMJmodeler wrote:

dupes: I think you're the only other person with a completed build for this, so please give me your thoughts on extending this GB, OK?

Well, you asked for my , so here it is.

I personally have never felt that deadlines should be extended, especially when it's for a GB that has had a considerable duration - in order for people to get excited about the next one, the old ones have to die out. I understand that people can have problems finishing builds, and that it IS just a hobby, but deadlines can provide a VERY good form of motivation to get something DONE instead of sitting three-quarters finished on the shelf.

One good example is the "In My Stash" annual series of builds - there are still guys finishing the previous YEAR'S builds...if you can't crank out one build per year, perhaps it's time to lay off from committing to so many GB's. 

Thyis is also the reason that I always hesitate to do long duration GB's - the immediacy just isn't there when people know that it's going to last sooooo long, and put off their builds all the way until the end of the allocated time period.

Anyhoo, I don't mean to ruffle any feathers or anything, but that's where I stand on the whole extension subject. (Probably more info than you wanted, huh? )

heres where iam at, shes all buttoned up.