#5 Italeri M24 Chaffee- COMPLETED!

I like the blue better (on my monitor at least) but it really comes down to which one best represents the model as you actually finished it.

Since you are using a Canon (good brand, my personal favorite in terms of camera lines), check and see if it has a "Custom" WB setting option. If it does, then you can use that to get a more accurate WB setting than using one of the default settings. To use the "Custom" setting, set a white object against the blue background with the same lighting, take a photo, then set that photo to be the reference for your WB settings. It will make a difference as it will help your camera better "see" the color references against the background. Periodically you may have to re-shoot the WB setting if your lighting set-up changes and/or you change the backdrop or see a problem with the colors not presenting correctly (i.e. Allied scheme vs. 3-tone German, etc). The macro-setting is also producing a sharp result as well, welcome to the wonderful world of playing around with digital photography!

wbill76

Really outstanding piece of work Andy! Agree with Karl, the blue isn't working with your camera and the tonal qualities of the olive drab. White is probably going to provide you the best end result in terms of "true" representation given what I can see from your camera's "reactions" and current settings. Monitor settings vary of course so only you can truly say which one is accurate vs the "in hand" model.

Bill- Good news, finally got it figured out with my new Canon camera .  Adjusted the white balance setting and it had the wrong lighting setting too based on fluorescent lighting. 

I think the pictures came out much better... it looks like light blue works better now and I tried to use white but I think it didn't come out too good.  See the differences here...

Another look...

I set my camera to Super Macro which has helped too.  Which results did you like the best?  Thanks for bearing with me while I am learning how to use the new camera. 

terry35

Andy that is stunning work. the wood finishes the overall vehicle and the fig's all just brilliant.

Terry.

Thank you Terry stopping by!  Sorry to hear about your Marder... that was beautiful one too.

Thanks for that Andy . I would like to see a new model of the Duster also , i built the old Tamiya kit of it ...............man that thing is an antiique ! A new release by AFV ,DML or Academy would be very welcome !

Looking forward to your next build .

Andy that is stunning work. the wood finishes the overall vehicle and the fig's all just brilliant.

Terry.

Carl-  My Chaffee is nothing compared to your 234... I am still in awe about your latest build.   Thank you for the compliment!   I have been always a big fan of Chaffee since the day my father-in-law told me that he drove it and M42 Duster when he was in the Army after the Korea War.  I hope an updated Duster kit comes out soon!!!

Roy- Maybe I can do two trips this time.  Thanks for the encouragement.  Looking forward to this... I understand that you will not be too busy this time so we can exchange war stories.  Wait a minute... I never served in the armed forces because they won't let me...

Buckeye- Thank you for the nice words!

Mike- Light blue worked well with my German armors in the past but not with this Chaffee because of OD and my BlackBerry don't get along, weird?  I plan to use my best camera and give it another shot over the weekend.  Thank you for stopping by... always good hearing from you. 

Nate- Glad you stopped by.  Thanks like always.  Looking forward to the Pz III GB! 

Excellent job Andy. Your figures look particularly nice!

Nate

Very nice....love the figures and details like the tools.

As for the photo, I use a light sky blue and have not have problems but whit balance needs to be checked.

Rounds Complete!!

Awesome work there all around!

By all means, enter it!   All you need to do is get it registered that morning.  Once it gets put out on the display tables, it's already been judged.

Even if you can't stay until the awards are announced you can make arrangements.

Andy , she's a beaut ! I never thought the M24 to be a very interesting tank , but you brought this little guy to life !!!! Beautifully done Andy !!!

John- Always good hearin from my Hoosier friend!  Thanks for looking. 

Roy- Glad you liked it!  Thanks for the compliment.   Not too sure if I should enter it at AMPS in Auburn.  Do I have to be there for whole three days of the event?  Was planning to go up on Saturday like I did last time and believe it or not I have started saving $$$ for this.

this is good for me:  it pushes me along with my Korean war version.  I'm stuck because I'm scratchbuilding the roof mounted MG pintle.

Nice work Andy!  I'm sure I'll see it live next April.  Hopefully I can have mine out there as well.

That sure is some very fine work Andy! It sure looks great!

Kevin- Thank you for the great words.  I promised myself while I was working on Chaffee that I should build more American armors because I enjoyed the American GIs the most. 

Bill- Thank you buddy!  I agree... I am going to try white next as soon as I return home from KY.  That's moonshine... plenty of here where I am now.   It would be awesome if you can build a M24 Chaffee if Dragon is going to release one... you could use a nice break from those panzer grey and dunky colors.

the doog

Andy,

This came out stunningly nice! (Watch for the new Dragon AND Trumpeter release now any day! lol!) It really captures a "mood" of a wet morning out on some Belgian road somewhere.....hmmmm. Got a base?

LOL!  Thanks Doog... it will be great if they release new kit soon!   At least I had fun building this old kit.  Thank you for following my WIP.  Bill already got here before I could hit him up for suggestions.   Yes, I am planning to build a base later this summer as soon as I finish my Panzer IV for a GB.

You all settled in NC yet?  Bet you are loving the humidity... lived there for 8 years and I didn't like the summer part there. 

Really outstanding piece of work Andy! Agree with Karl, the blue isn't working with your camera and the tonal qualities of the olive drab. White is probably going to provide you the best end result in terms of "true" representation given what I can see from your camera's "reactions" and current settings. Monitor settings vary of course so only you can truly say which one is accurate vs the "in hand" model.

Wonderful build there Andy... just supurb all around!! The figures really add to this... they are probably the best 1/35th figures that I've ever seen! Having a soft spot in my heart for the Infantry, well... these guys are just top notch!

OUTSTANDING!

Andy,

This came out stunningly nice! (Watch for the new Dragon AND Trumpeter release now any day! lol!) It really captures a "mood" of a wet morning out on some Belgian road somewhere.....hmmmm. Got a base?

I think that without a doubt, the blue background DOESN"T work. Black is much better than the gray, but I think you'll find that white is best. You have to make sure that your white balance on your camera that you're using is correct though. Hit up wbill for suggestions on how to do that--he's the guru of white balance! Bill!)

Guys, finally I am calling this M24 Chaffee done.  Before I can post final pictures, I am doing an experiment here to determine which posters work best as a backdrop.  This time I am using light blue, black and gray posters. 

LIGHT BLUE POSTER:

It made OD look brownish like Doog noticed... I don't think I will use it again except for German armors with Dunky paint.

BLACK POSTER:

Not too sure about this black poster... it looks like it is causing the light to bounce back to the camera?

GRAY POSTER:

I think I like gray better than light blue and black posters.  Will try white and darker blue when I have the chance... what do you think, guys?

Shellback

You took these pictures with your blackberry ? 

And here i thought i needed to buy a Nikon !

Sweet looking M-24 !!!

Carl- Yes, with my beloved BlackBerry Tour device. LOL   I have tried iPhone, iTouch, HTC EVO and Samsung Epic earlier and none of them could take good pictures at close range like my BB Tour.  I find it alot quicker to upload pictures to Photobucket directly from my BB.   Sorry for the late response!  

deafpanzer

Don't ask me how Mike (Redleg12) came up with this number... here's quick update.

The wood handles of all tools are finally finished!  Used W&N Burnt Umber paint on top of MM enamel Wood paint.  

"Close Encounter of Third Tools"...

Tracks have been dry brushed with MM enamel Steel.  Light application of MIG pigment is next... hopefully tonight if I am not too tired after all day trip to Fort Wayne to visit a brother-in-law who we have seen only once for last 15 years. 

 

Have very exciting news to share... the tank commander and my Chaffee have met for the first time and I think they are getting along very good... will let you know when they set a wedding date.

Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome! 

 

deafpanzer

Don't ask me how Mike (Redleg12) came up with this number... here's quick update.

The wood handles of all tools are finally finished!  Used W&N Burnt Umber paint on top of MM enamel Wood paint.  

"Close Encounter of Third Tools"...

Tracks have been dry brushed with MM enamel Steel.  Light application of MIG pigment is next... hopefully tonight if I am not too tired after all day trip to Fort Wayne to visit a brother-in-law who we have seen only once for last 15 years. 

 

Have very exciting news to share... the tank commander and my Chaffee have met for the first time and I think they are getting along very good... will let you know when they set a wedding date.

Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome! 

 

You took these pictures with your blackberry ? 

And here i thought i needed to buy a Nikon !

Sweet looking M-24 !!!

Beautiful work Andy. Definitely one to be proud of.

Anthony- Thanks buddy!   Always good hearing from you and I am looking forward to our Pz III GB. 

Greg & Tim- Great information about the patches.  This is something we should bring up in Korea War GB if you are cool with that.  Loved that Korea War patch... this is something I would love to include on the diomara base! 

beautiful work Andy,great job on that OD.

                                         Thanks Iraqiwildman,just read a short unit history myself.Seems they distinguished themselves as highly skilled nightfighters in the advance into Germany's Roer area.some great stuff from a distinguished unit.

                                                                     Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Wolf patch is the 104th Infantry Division.

                                      Andy, I came across these items while dumpster diving so to speak. Actually a little event called pickin days,where people can put old appliances and stuff they don't want out on the curb for pick-up. Just thought they would fit in with you're Korean war G.B.. I'll scrounge up you're address and get them out to ya.

                                   I do not know which unit used the Wolf badge,and the wife says she likes that so I may have to keep that one. But the Korean War patch I'm sending to you.

                                                          Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Greg- Thanks buddy!  Already have an idea what to do with the base.  I will holler for help if things go bad.