Thanks G. I'm down to staring at it, trying to figure out if there's anything else I need to do before paint. That's one thing about these mix-and-match models, there's no "I'm done with the last page of the instructions, time to paint" or even better, "No parts left in the box, let's paint" moments. It's a brain drain sometimes.

Brackets for the crew tarp and stretcher, made from scrap:

IMG_6571 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Pretty close to primer time, I think....

Dang it, Russ. You got me wanting to build my own Frankentank. I haven't been this motivated to add scratchbuilt goodies to an armour subject since my M-48.

I may have something to work with next week. 

It's all your fault lol.

M. Brindos

Dang it, Russ. You got me wanting to build my own Frankentank. I haven't been this motivated to add scratchbuilt goodies to an armour subject since my M-48.

I may have something to work with next week. 

It's all your fault lol.

I've heard that before,

Careful Mike, once you start scratching stuff and mixing it up, you're hooked.

 

Lookin' like the cat's MEOW all the way Russ!!

RBaer

 

 

M. Brindos

Dang it, Russ. You got me wanting to build my own Frankentank. I haven't been this motivated to add scratchbuilt goodies to an armour subject since my M-48.

I may have something to work with next week. 

It's all your fault lol.

I've heard that before,

Careful Mike, once you start scratching stuff and mixing it up, you're hooked.

 

 

 

 

 

I've already done a bit of that and I loved it. But I have yet to go full hog on a total custom tank. 

Like I've said before, I have a ton of spare upgrade sets at my disposal.

I know I'm going to have fun!

'Stang, thanks!

Mike, I have come to really enjoy having a finished build that's unique, and knowing that there' a lot in each build that I did. The AFV Club model that's part of this blog is the closest to OOB I've done since I was a pre-teen, and I am well past that now.

We had good painting weather yesterday, warm and no wind, so I shot color on Gimel, finally.

IMG_7207 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

These two will NOT end up as shelf queens!

She looks good!!! 

Looking forward to seeing her with her road wheels and tracks on. 

Soon I hope!

I can't wait to see a wash pop that detail out! 

Me too. I'm going to try something new to me, Tamiya panel line wash, see what happens....

Too much work, no modeling time, except for a few minutes snatched here and there. I started detail painting on both, and lightening the base coat on Aleph to be more in line with '70s era IDF sand. Gimel will be darker.

Apeph, after a very diluted wash using Vallejo mud and alcohol, then "scrubbed" using a Q-tip and water:

IMG_7714 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_7713 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I get a good lightening, and am able to do some tonal variation, depending on how much wash I remove.

And Gimel, no wash but some detail painting, no markings yet:

IMG_7716 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_7715 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I'm still up in the air on stowage on both of them, but each will get some.

Oh they're lovely so far, Russ. 

Do you plan on crewing them, or will these just be for the display case?

I'm working on my own Gimel because of this. I've got a little modification started, of course, but I'm not sure just how detailed I'll go yet. Thank you for the inspiration!

The Israeli sand looks really good!!!

I can tell I'm gonna be lurking in your threads and stealing/borrowing ideas for my builds. Your work is great. Very motiviating.

BK

Mike: BLOG! Please? And figs are a very strong possibility, especially for Aleph. Part of my morivation for building the tank in the pic is the pose (?) of the TC in the pic.

G: T'anks! IDF colors are really interesting to me, especially when I hear someone say "that's not right".

BK: Thank you, and thanks!

There isn't much to show yet, Russ. 

So far I've started modifying the cupola and I'm scratch building some skirts. 

No real progress yet.

Edit:

The gun tube was in one of the spares boxes. No idea where it came from but it's longer than the kit gun tube by 8mm and has better details.

I like where you're going already Mike.

I just snagged an old Academy Merk3 kit, and I can safely say that it won't be built as a Merk3....    

I've added a stowage box to the back of the turret, bisecting the bustle rack. That made assembling the bustle rack all that much more challenging. 

I think I might begin a build thread soon lol. Thanks for letting me hyjack your thread for a minute there, Russ.

I'm very much looking forward to the next step you've got to show us. 

Mike: That looks cool! Would like to see a build thread on her! 

Mike, keep up the build thread, looks good so far.

I'm leaving tomorrow, got a week in Barcelona, but will be hungry when I get back, should have some progress of my own soon after.

Gee whiz Wally, it's been a long time since I posted on this thread, but Aleph is almost done. Yes, the upper right basket rail is bent, I'm afraid if I try and fix it, it'll break, again. Next time I'll use brass wire for those parts for sure. So just a few details and parts and this one will be finished, and I can finish Gimel too.

Pics as it sits now:

IMG_8186 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_8185 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_8184 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

More later!

Again, good looking tank , Russ! The M60A1 was my tank, I have a real soft spot for them.

Ray

She looks great! Looking forward to seeing her all finished up. 

Thanks G, very close now.....   I'm also going to use a new thread to finish Gimel, should have done that long ago, but I was lazy.

Down to tow cables, tow shackles and glossing the cupola view ports and I'm done'

IMG_8193 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_8192 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_8191 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_8189 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_8188 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

On to Gimel next, or very soon.....

Oh that looks good!!!

Thanks G. I got the tow cables ready yesterday, should finish this one as soon as I get a day off.