Tamiya 1/35 JSU-152 '1151': The Completed Build! 06.01.11:

Ben looks great, easily your best to date, you are improving in leaps and bounds. Can't wait to see more progress.

Congrats,

Terry.

Good afternoon folks,

Just a quick update:

The decals are on (the 1151 numbers and the two stars), the wheels have been painted and fitted and the tracks are also on.

A basic light Raw Umber oil wash has been applied all over and has changed the colour to something I like far better I used an Acrylic wash for the wheel hubs - about 25% Flat Earth mixed with water and dabbed onto the wheels using a brush. I might have to hit it again tomorrow as now the water has fully evaporated the wash isn't looking quite so effective - it works well though and is something I'll be using a lot more in the future.

A light mix of MIG 'Rubbel' Dust (that's how they spell it) and Dry Mud pigment applied to the lower hull and lightly airbrushed with Pigment Fixer looks just right.

Tomorrow will be the main challenge as I'll be doing the pin washes & attempting some chipping and general weathering to make her pop. Next weekend should see her complete.

NOTE: JUST BEFORE I TOOK THE PHOTOS I DECIDED THE WHITE STRIPES WERE TOO DARK AND I CLEANED THEM UP WITH SOME THINNER SO PLEASE EXCUSE ANY TIDE MARKS AROUND THE FRONT OF THE TANK WHERE THE THINNER IS STILL DRYING!

Thanks for looking guys; I hope you like her so far  

All comments & suggestions etc are very welcome!

ATVB

Ben  

Hey Bill,

Thanks buddy, You right re slowing down - I'm hardly making any mistakes and any I do make I notice before any glue is applied so I can rectify as I'm doble checking the instructions and dry fitting and I just wasn't doing this a year ago.

I'd rather have 4 beautiful models than 8 'not bad' models!

I'm really impressed with the Vallejo stuff. I'm still a fan of Tamiya paints and always will be but the extra variety of colours in the Model Air and Panzer Aces range is really helpful!

I'm definately going to try some basecoats using Model Air and Panzer Aces just to try for some variety in basecoat colours. I hear the Model Air is a 'weak' paint and easily damaged but I'm also told that I need to put a few drops of their Gloss varnish in the AB cup with the paint and it sets rock hard.

ATVB

Ben

Ben,

It's good to hear you're slowing down and taking more time, patience is always a modeler's best friend! I know when I start to feel too pressured/rushed is when I tend to make mistakes so typically try to steer clear of that and when I feel it starting to grow, I just don't build and wait for it to pass. Fortunately it usually doesn't take too long for that to happen.

It's also good to see/hear that you're playing around with different paint ratios and also found a better solution re: the Vallejo stuff. Looking forward to the next round of progress!

Awesome!  Thanks for sharing your recipe for Russian Green.  I'm always looking for different formulations of this color, so this is great.  One note: I have been using Tamiya Dark Green as basecoat for my Russian armor.  The formula seems to have changed as it is less darker than what it used to be, an almost black green.

Brian

Brian D.

Hi Ben,

I really like the color you used for the base coat on your JSU-152.  I thnk you said  you mixed Khaki Drab and Olive Green as well as some Dark Green and Olive Drab.  Do you have any idea what your mixing ratio was for the basecoat?

Thanks,

Brian

Hi guys,

Thanks Nate!

Brian: I'm glad you like it. Personally, it isn't the colour that I was after - I wanted a darker green with a brown hue but a good wash should sort it. I'll try my best to remember the mix but it was a real mish-mash of colours!

I used Khaki & Khaki Drab (XF's 49 & 51) to get the brown tint but this was just khaki without a hint of green so I got the Tamiya Dark green and added it until it I obtained a nice colour. In my mixing cup the colour looked PERFECT but it dried to the colour you see which wasn't the colour in the cup!

• 25% Khaki Drab
• 25% Khaki
• 50% Dark Green

This is a rough approximation but should get you very near to the shade I got.

I've just put my gloss coat on. No more hot rattlecans for me - this time I used the Vallejo waterbased 520 Gloss varnish in the 17ml dropper bottles. Mixed in the AB cup 50/50 with water it dried quickly and hard. Great stuff!

This weekend the decals go on (the numbers that go in the gaps in the white bands and the two red stars at the front either side of the mantlet.

After that washes, then chipping, then fine tuning and finally some pigments following the matt coat and my first build of 2011 will be complete! I would like to think that two more full weekend sessions should see her finished.

ATVB

Ben

Looking good Ben.

Nate

Hi Ben,

I really like the color you used for the base coat on your JSU-152.  I thnk you said  you mixed Khaki Drab and Olive Green as well as some Dark Green and Olive Drab.  Do you have any idea what your mixing ratio was for the basecoat?

Thanks,

Brian

Thanks guys,

Each build is improving in it's own way. Perhaps not overall but eventually I'll hopefully be able to tie all of these little improvements together and start knocking out some really class work.

The biggest aid to my improvement has been slowing right down. When I first started out I'd try and get as much done as possible in a session. Now I mark a point where I would like to get to and if I find myself getting stressy I'll leave it until the next day - after all, modelling is supposed to be a relaxing pastime!

If I get four builds done this year I'll be pleased. I'm going to build my new Tamiya StuG III Ausf B after this (I picked her up yesterday-great kit) and then I've two Dragon mega kits so with only weekends to build on time is at a premium but there's no rush.

Any tips on the Vallejo Varnishes that I've just bought btw guys? They are in 17ml dropper bottles and it says to dilute with water and air brush on. The varnish is a bit white in colour so will this white just disappear and re the water - what ratio? I think the Gloss is Vallejo code 520 and the Matt 530 (I think).  

I'm really enjoying this build-a great kit!

Many thanks,

Ben

Ditto the looks of the tracks. Very nice save.

That's looking quite sharp, Hinsky.  Your skills are truly beginning to shine.

For what it's worth, I've been using highly thinned Clear Smoke (Tamiya) as a post shader on my recent aircraft builds and with patience it can really add some depth to a monotone paint job, or one where preshading gets cvered up.  It'll take a few passes to build up the shading, but I find it somewhat easier to control the effect if it is thinned down as opposed to straight from the jar strength.  After I have fnished all of the painting, decaling, weathering and whatnot, I've found that model master flat acrylic mixed with a drop or two of a buff or other "dusty" color makes for a perfect flattener and highlight shader.  It combines the flattener and gives a dusty appearance once everything is complete.  I would suggest a low airpressure on the old AB when using these two tricks...

Thanks Bill,

She's coming along nicely. I had hoped to do something a bit different with the paint this time but it didn't happen - next time maybe

The tracks have turned out perfectly - you'd think they were Friuls!

ATVB

Ben

Making good progress with this one Ben, have to echo the sentiment on the tracks.

Don't get too frustrated with the whole pre-shading element of things...there are many ways to get the effects you want and if pre-shading isn't working out for you, there's always "post shading" and/or use of filters and other tricks to achieve some variety.

Jester75

Ben, the green looks great but those tracks just look awesome bud!!!

Thanks Jester and Anthony,

I gave the tracks an initial coat of Gunze Steel followed by a wash of MIG rust (the wash didn't really work) so I built up different layers of pigment until I got this superb dusty, rusty appearance. A light mist of thinners to hold the pigment and voila - probably the best tracks I've ever done - plastic kit tracks too!

I'm a bit unhappy about the paint job: I can never get this pre-shade lark to work and just end up covering it all up. It's a bit green too and would probably look more suited to a Sherman but with weathering she'll be fine and with practice and I'll get the hang of pre-shading!

ATVB

Ben

Ben, the green looks great but those tracks just look awesome bud!!!

nice looking shade of green.

Ben,

PM sent....

Hi guys,

Okay: The main basecoat is now on - it's dried a little 'greener' than I'd hoped (I'd wanted a hint of brown to it) but I'm really pleased with her overall. The dark pin washes & general weathering should tone it down and take the edge off the green anyway.

Like I said I've brush painted the Battle of Berlin white stripes as the decals are far too neat and tidy for a Russian build - I wanted them to look sloppy and a bit messy. I am using the number decals so I had to cut out the numbers to get the space right and I used two blobs of Blu-Tack to hold the number decals in place whilst I painted round them.

I've put the tools on but just as I glued it on I realised that the shovel would need to be put on after the decals so that got whipped off quick and the glue removed so I've left it in place held with tape.

The tracks were treated to a wash of MIG rust wash but didn't look quite right so I coated them in various MIG pigments and lightly brushed some enamel thinner over the top to hold the pigment-they came out very well.

I've got next weekend all to myself so I should have her about done. I've got some Vallejo Gloss and Matt varnishes to use insted of my usual solvent based rattlecan stuff; the gloss will be applied midweek when the paint is fully cured so I'm ready for decals next weekend. There are two small red stars that need to go over the white stripe at the front of the tank either side of the mantlet too. Some chipping and painting of the wheels should see her about there. I'm going to try stacking some stowage on her too ie a couple of them wooden crates, some track links and thinly rolled milliput to represent some tarp is in order I think!

Does anyone use the Vallejo 520 Gloss & Matt varnishes (100% Acrylic Resin)? I've got some in the 17ml dropper bottles but it seems a bit 'milky', will this milky white disappear? A friend is giving me some tips on using it but I haven't spoke to anyone else who uses this stuff. apparently It's very highly rated.

Check her out so far:

Thanks for looking guys - all feedback and suggestions greatfully received!

Have a good week & take care,

Ben 

3 weeks have gone by and I missed this one entirely.  Well almost entirely.  Looking good.  Hope I don't miss the update

Hey guys,

Anthony - JSU Redux? Remind me buddy - I'm getting old & forgetful

DP - Andy, nice to hear from you matey!

I've just painted the beast and she looks killer! It's certainly a one off colour! I was planing to use Khaki Drab and Olive Green only but it was way too brown so there's been a touch of Dark Green and Olive Drad in there too and it's EXACTLY as I wanted it.

The tools and cleaning rod will be all be weathered down so don't worry about the metal ends - thannks for the heads up though buddy.

I'm going to paint the wheels now and get some weathering done on the tracks. I can't touch the build now as I've only just finished spraying her.

WIP update later!

ATVB

Ben

Now I think I am starting to fall in love with your ugly beast... the tracks are probably my favorite.  Thanks for the information about AM wooden boxes.  No need for you yo send it all the way over here.  Save it next time I come to England maybe in few years.   Maybe some too.

I agree about the risks of using those rattle cans.  In the past I have been using those from Walmart but it has been difficult to control the spray.  I have heard only good things about Mr. Surfacer primer recently so I had to give it a try on my Marder II... it is probably the best experience so far and much easier to control except that it is harder to clean the airbrush afterward. 

Looking forward to your next update!  Be sure to tone down the silver ends of cleaning rods?  

Very nice work Ben,moving along nicely.lookinng foward to see your painting and weathering

PS,were you able to check out my improved pics in JSU-152 redux ?   I can take it

tigerman

I thought it looked pretty cool just in the primer. Should be even better with the base added.

Hey Tigerman,

I thought so too! Like I've said earlier - It's a great primer - highly recommended.

I'm covering the 6am - 2pm shift this morning (it's 10am here in England now) so only 4 hours to go until I can get some real colour on her!

ATVB

Ben

I thought it looked pretty cool just in the primer. Should be even better with the base added.

terry35

Hi, Ben. Great progress, looking forward to seeing the green. everything comming together now.I noticed you are using the Vallejo primer, is there any reason for that? I'm only asking because the paints I use are Vallejo and games workshop. I only use games workshop because the shop is on my way home in the evenings. Well what I'm really asking is are you using it because it is a better quality or just because its handy to get?

regards,

Terry.

Hi Terry,

Up until now I have always used the rattlecan primer that my LHS stocks that is made by Humbrol.The problem I found was that when you sprayed it, it BLASTED a whoosh of primer everywhere that, if you weren't careful, would hide every detail and cause runs.

The big cans of 400ml Vallejo primer are much better value for money (£3 extra gets you 250ml more primer) but the best thing about it is that it sprays a really soft, fine mist that settles perfectly and used properly couldn't run or block out details - I'm a definate convert!

Hope this helps,

Ben

Hi, Ben. Great progress, looking forward to seeing the green. everything comming together now.I noticed you are using the Vallejo primer, is there any reason for that? I'm only asking because the paints I use are Vallejo and games workshop. I only use games workshop because the shop is on my way home in the evenings. Well what I'm really asking is are you using it because it is a better quality or just because its handy to get?

regards,

Terry.

Hi chaps,

You guys are terrible for not reading WIP wording

It's been painted in Semi Gloss Black! That's my undercoat for the green! It's jet black at the minute!

I'm painting her in a mix of my own concoction of Olive Green and Khaki Drab tomorrow.

Note: I've just looked at my last photos and it does look kind of green doesn't it but trust me - it VERY black at the minute! Tomorrow I'll be painting the proper basecoat and seeing how I get on as I'm taking my time with this one.

ATVB

Ben

looking good Ben gotta go with Karl on the colour being dark you have a great opportunity for some fading as he suggested the build itself looks very good i like these big lumbering giants and enjoyed building the JSu-122 a lot

Very cool, Ben--now give 'er some lighter green shading inside the panels and you'll be cruising! That looks too dark yet for my tastes to start the weathering--unless you're going to give t a heavy shade of tan "dusty" wash?

Good afternoon folks,

I'm working from home this weekend covering the emergency work phone with the work laptop so I'm working in between the odd phone call.

I've started early and have given her a quick all over coat of Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black in preparation for the main base coat tomorrow.

I'll be hitting the tools with paintbrushes today and getting them ready and the wheels will be getting painted tomorrow.

I removed the tracks and gave them a coat of Gunze Steel on top of which I'm planning on building up layers of dark and rusty washes followed by various pigments to obtain a nice dark lightly rusted finish to the tracks.

The Khaki Drab & Olive Green 50/50 basecoat mix will be applied lightly to allow the black base coat to show through and will hopefully provide some interesting tonal variation - hopefully!

By the time I get my WIP updated tomorrow the JSU should be ready for weathering and will have decals applied etc.

Tracks painted with Gunze 'Steel - the tracks still remain fully removable to allow for full painting of the wheels and weathering of the tracks and lower hull:

Semi Gloss Black all over and tools:

I hope you like her so far.

WIP update to follow tomorow

ATVB

Ben