And Now For Something Completely Different

Mike,
beautiful job!
i was flabbergasted when you said you used an Aztek for all the work.
it is the same airbrush i use, but it gets nothing but bashed on the Paint forum.
i was getting the impression that no 'serious' modelers used them. :-)

is the 'fine tip' the tan one?
i have not tried to do anything that requires precision work,
but i use the tan nozzle mostly.
i use the black for Future and the grey/purple looking one for Dullcote.
could you tell me what kind of set up you run?
i shoot mostly Tamiya acrylics thinned between 2:1 and 3:1 (paint:thinner)
20 psi, tan nozzle.
are you using lower pressure?
how far from the plastic is the nozzle?

thanks,
ed.

Brian;

You're too late. They already have a Pink Panther! Tamiya kit #35076. It's an SAS Land Rover!! But I could handle black!! Could really be quite a challange to do it and still be able to see any detail.

Bill

Hey, you're right, Bill! Forgot all about that kit.

I was, of course, thinking more along the lines of a pink or black Sd. Kfz. 171 Panther D, A, or G!

Got'cha!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk OK, who's gonna do a Leopard 2A5, appropriately spotted?

Heh, heh, heh.... it's your suggestion! We'll expect the results in the future!!!

Ron

I don'l really think I can say anything that hasnt been said yet. I can say, however, that when I saw that tiger, my jaw litteraly dropped. I think my sig says it best.

Definately worth more than one look guys.

Somehow, the way you guys have presented this "Themed" approach it all just feels natural, not forced. By the sounds of it, you guys have definately become "trendsetters" Thanks for sharing.

Sherm, congrats on the big 2k, but isn't this a bit of a come down? You are often called an " Armour modelling god" at this site, now you have been demoted to a Modelling General. Ah well, at least they didn't call you a Field Marshal - given your inclination to all things OD.


Happy Modelling
Peter

Hey Ed,
The Aztek is a victim of expectations greater than ability I fear. I've fought that fight in the paint forum and in most cases I think what happens is people expect the Aztek to do something it is either capable of doing, they set their own expectation higher than their ability, or as a result of failed expectation blame the airbrush. Very few practice or experiment they just fill, point and shoot. If you look back through the archives you'll see almost as many derogatory comments on lost time, difficult handling and prblems with brushed like pasche, thayer chandler and iwata.
Not to say Aztek doesn't have its shortcommings, but if you don't expect it to do more than it is capable of, you won't be disapointed. I think alot of people are turned off by its light weight. But I digress.

I use pretty much the same set up you use. The tan tip for most of my work. By adjusting the flow (the roller in the back) you can really get some nice paint control. For really fine work, I use the black tip. I also add a few drops of acrylic airbrush medium which seems to keep it running smooth. A quick clean between cups and I'm ready to go. I also keep a "sacrificial board" near my paint set-up when I shoot. This allows me to make sure everything is flowing properly, and make any fine or tight adjustments necessary before I shift to the model. I always make a couple of passes just to make sure before I lay down some paint on the model.

The 3:1 or 4:1 mix is pretty good for dark colors and I use a 2:1 or 1:1 for light colors. (less particulate in the paint) On really fine work, I get real close to the object. And knock down the pressure a little, between 15-20 psi.

Don't try to do it all in one pass. You aren't doing illustration work so the paint you are using is heavier. It will stay sharper and you will be much happier if you make a couple of passes when you do fine work. (This may be where alot of guys go wrong and expect the airbrush to do too much) Since this is acrylic paint on primered plastic it will have different application characteristics than guache on illustration board. Thus what may be accomplished in one pass when doing illustration work may take a few passes on the model. Patience. Practice and Patience. Spend a day playing with the Aztek and trying stuff out. Every combination etc. to see what offers the best results. Different lines, the way you hold it, is it perpendiuclar or are you shooting at an angle, different tips, pressure combinations. I also use a bird feeding syringe (available at pet stores) for measuring paint going in the cup. This gives me consistent results and I keep a little notebook of paint color formulas, additives, and thinning ratios.

It is a very capable brush and works well on most everything. I had thought about picking up an Iwata just to try something different but the more I think about it the time I would lose in cleeaning, tuning, repairing and or waiting for parts etc. I could better spend my time building. Although that new metal body Aztek has definately caught my attention.

As I was doing this project I seriously thought about the Leopard and Panther that has been mentioned. Just for a change of pace but I think more importantly others are willing to try something like this. Too often we get carried away with matching exact colors, amount of detail and variant configurations with what particular markings that I think detracts from the overall experience. As Robert said, this was sort of inspired by a few of the rivet counting threads and the purist vs. the leisure builder. Mind you I will count some serious rivets and I appreciate those guys alot. Because of them we have a wonderful aftermarket to choose from and the quality of kits has gone up. I am guilty of wanting to look at my kits or builds and wanting the exact copy of the 1:1 vehicle. If it existed on the real thing I want it on my model, but I also think that it can be balanced with personal enjoyment and frivality that makes this a fun hobby.

Now excuse me, time to look under the bed and in the closet, I think Whitmann's ghost is prowling around looking for the defiler of Tigers.

Thanks for the compliments,
Mike

Mike,
i appreciate you taking the time to reply in such detail!
ever since my buddy helped me get straightened out w/ paint, thinning, pressure, thumbwheel, etc, i have been VERY happy w/ my Aztek. i am in agreement that it is not the tool that is the problem. i have not figured out how to get (relatively) fine lines just yet, but i think i am getting closer.

i did not think the black nozzle was the one for this, so i can't wait to try it. i have been using the black nozzle for 'high volume' applications like Future. i will have to experiment more.
i did lower the pressure some, and tried to use the tan nozzle close in to highlight some panels on a small winged thing last night. (perfect test bed chorus the tread-heads!)
results were better than i expected, but needs some practice.

i don't want to keep this OT discussion going, and deflect the thread from the excellent work you and Sherm did, so i will hush up now.

thanks for the advice & inspiration.
ed.

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk OK, who's gonna do a Leopard 2A5, appropriately spotted? And I suppose we could expect a black or even PINK Panther, as well!

i'll volunteer for either the spotted Leopard ( now i know why i bought that 2nd kit; is it ok if it's a 1A4 instead of a 2A5? and in 1/72, of course...) or the pink Panther ausf g ! (Libyan desert camo ?) and i'm trying to save up for a digital camera, but i have to stop buying kits for awhile... the dilemma of having something to build or something to document what i'm building is a new one for me (never wanted to take pix before seeing all of this great work u folks r doing; now i can't wait to show my stuff to u, even if it's nowhere near the standard i've seen around here !)
on the main topic, these 3 builds r just some of the most beautiful work i've ever seen, from concept to execution.
i continue to be amazed and inspired by u people, and i'm trying to apply all the stuff i'm learning here to the models i'm building, technique by technique.
thx for being so generous with ur work, ur knowledge and ur time, all of u... FSM rules !
frosty

Oh! I'm too late then... I just bought, like today (!), a 1/72 Revell Leopard to do the spotted cammo...! Beat me to it, Frosty...

I guess I'm gonna have to find something else then! The Elefant..? Would not be as striking would it not..! Maybe the Pz II ausf L 'Luchs' (Lynx)...

Imagine the fun one could have with an Ontos??? Greek for 'Thing'... I believe.

Ron.

how about a Mouse (Maus) scaring an Elephant

dj,

great idea!! I don't have much paint on my Elefant, yet!! Trunk could be a problem, though!! lol

Frosty;

QUOTE: the dilemma of having something to build or something to document what i'm building

That's what birthdays and Christmas are for!! LOL

Both of you could do a leopard, though. Would be cool to see how the two of you approached it differently!

Mike;

Thanks for all your comments on the Aztek. I've got one and have used the red tip mostly. (I mostly paint enamels). You've given me great food for thought.
My brush is doing weird things and blowing whatever I'm using at an angle out of the tip. Doesn't matter which tip I use. I've really cleaned inside the thing, so don't know what's causing it. Only think I can think of is that I knocked something out of alignment in there. Going to have to pack it off to Testor to be checked out, I guess.

Best to all of you;

Bill

Frosty, DJ,

I double dog dare you.

Mike

Wipw - That models perfect - All you would have to do is use "the Stretched Sprue Metod" to put a curl on the barrel - there's your trunk curled in the air. The ears may be another issue

BTW - Smith M - nice cartoon

Lots of room for additional projects in this thread guys and gals ....... Leopards, Panthers, Maus ... bring em' on.

Well, I've been feeling a little silly lately, so I may just go out and buy a panther this weekend to have a pink panther. It sure will be interesting to see how that turns out. (I wonder if the new Dragon 1/72 panther will be in yet)

Nice work guys!!!

I think it all looks great except the scrambled eggs around the general's stars [:0]

I also use an aztec to airbrush. Mine is single action, requires a little tweaking each time, but practice is all it takes to develop a technique. Today a friend of mine watched me paint and kept asking " why this, or why that" and I told him "this is what works for me" (pressure, thinning, etc) so anyone having a problem with any airbrush just need to do what Renarts said, and PRACTICE

Thanks for sharing these fine pieces of work. Can't wait to see the base for the tiger.

I second wipw's motion for the FSM gallery! How 'bout it editor's? I think they both deserve a special article.
Incredible builds and originality, guys!! Absolutely makes me want to build a tank.
Robert, congrats on your 2k achievement. How do you find time to model so well, share with us here, and keep the Mrs. happy? Mrs. Sherman also deserves the highest of admiration (Does she outrank you at home?) Maybe she should market her work to the modelling world. Great work Ms. Sherman!
Mike, I have to admit it. I model in aircraft and so don't view a lot of tanks, but that camo scheme looked so real that it took me a while to get what was really going on! (could be something to do with having JUST watched yet another tiger attack story on CNN, seriously!) The white chest and nose really show your attention to easily overlooked details that make all the difference. Get that high grass thing going for your upcoming FSM spread!
Awesome work, gentlemen.

One for Shermanfreak:

The Grizzly

A Canadian made Sherman.

Mike, Bill, I'm on it! Frosty, let's show them!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Build22 Wipw - That models perfect - All you would have to do is use "the Stretched Sprue Metod" to put a curl on the barrel - there's your trunk curled in the air. The ears may be another issue BTW - Smith M - nice cartoon

Ouch! OOOO! Terrible thing to do to a main gun!!

I found it on the shelf last night... not too well painted, asking for a repaint. PATTON'S PATTON An M48A3 just beggin' to be made into the General's ride.

Give me a few weeks...(after Halloween) Maybe I'll even be able to post a photo by then.

Ron.

What do you mean Ron,

According to my Tamiya instructions ( in every model since the beginning of time) "the stretched Sprue Method" can do anything (lol) It is the great equalizer, the cure all of modeling !!!!

What! I thought the cure-all for anything was duct tape...Where did I go wrong!!! Oh the shame,,,,the shame.

Bill

*Get's dfown on his knees and bows low*

I bow to the Masters in the presence of incredible greatness! Maybe someday I'll have something that good.

Sherm, I'd never have thought about doing Civil War Armor. Yours are outstanding! I love how you adapted the insignia of the unit to fit on the tanks. Ingenious! And Congrats on your 2000 Post!

And Mike, the Tiger is breathtaking! TenchiMuro is right, you should take those to some Contests. I smell trophies in the winds!

The only "what if" kit I ever built was the German batttleship Tirpitz. I rigged a whole new Antenna arrangement, replaced some guns with modern Italian made guns, mounted a few CWIS Gatlings, AA Missiles, and a few Exocet and Harpoon launchers, and even added a helicopter on a helicopter deck! A few Navy guys said it was a believable concept.

Keep up the great Work guys!

Never did anything with Armor though. As kullgan said, too many other thyings to build!

okay, who wants to do the scorpion?

Doing a tank after the person it was named for sounds interesting. (especially a civil war on)(hmmm... maybe sheridan)


Those 3 were interesting ideas. great work, robert and mike!!!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Build22 What do you mean Ron, According to my Tamiya instructions ( in every model since the beginning of time) "the stretched Sprue Method" can do anything (lol) It is the great equalizer, the cure all of modeling !!!!

You had me there, thought you were serious for a second!

Actually, we DID use the method on the main gun of a 1/72 scale Tiger I when we were kids (Airfix kit... all that was around 'back then'... really.). It curled into a nice little cork screw just like the German tanks in the 'Haunted Tank' comics we used to love.
The next battle though, the tank was useless... dumb idea at that time...

Ron

Bill - you're right - I stand corrected - duct tape is actually the cure-all for everything

Ron - yeah, see that it could be done.
I'm just goofin'. I'm sick and tired of seeing "the stretched sprue method" everywhere

Great work guys - love the base for the Lee.

Mike's tiger is unbelievable ( maybee we should start calling mike "Tigerfreak")