Urban Armor GB, May 1-Dec 31, 2008

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!

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.

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!!!!

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.

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.*

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!

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.

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...

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.

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!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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! 

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.

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.

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