That looks nice, but I have 2 problems with AK's sets:

First of all I AM cheap. Actually I'm not, but I don't like spending extra money on paint i can mix myself by adding a bit of tan to OD.

In addition to that, I absolutely dislike Vallejo and AK paints for airbrushing. I just don't get the nice results I normally get with Gunze or Tamiya paints, so I prefer to stick with those brands for everything that's not brush painted. I do use Vallejo for all the little bits I don't spray with my AB though...

Ah, I don't see any reason you couldn't get the exact same results with a little tan. If you've got an eyedropper and just add a few drops and mix it in good it should work the same way.

I don't use an eye-dropper but a short length of straw (the one with a larger diameter) works just fine for me

Did I mention I'm cheap when it comes to mixing paints?

Gamera: Thanks,  I used Tamiya Olive Drab TS-3 on my first sherman, there's mix is pretty dark.  But XF-62 looks much lighter

Blitzwing: Thanks,  looking forward to seeing your Cromwell.

Daddydan: Welcome aboard, I have not built a Tamiya Sherman.  But the Dragon ones are pretty sharp.

Schatten Spartan: Thanks the US cargo truck is a pretty easy build.  If Dragon made one of those, you could pop the hood up.

After gluing up the wheels and the cargo bed roof supports, this work horse is ready for Primer.  I plan on painting the front window frame separate from the main body.  I used double sided tape to hold the roof over the cab for photos, that along with the seats will be glued on later.

Dan: Nice work there- looks like she's ready for the Red Ball Express!

I've finally started on my Cromwell tank and embarrassingly enough, making very slow progress on a kit that is almost falling together like a lego set. This is definitely one of Tamiya's best efforts. I'm going to be building mostly out of the box, although I have a set of track links by Hobby Boss, and a barrel from Aber. 

I'm looking to painting the interior of the turret tomorrow so I can put the rest of the turret together. 

This is what I've done so far.

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BW: Yeah, the Cromwell is an excellent kit. Looks like she's about half assembled.

Blitz: Nice work! I didn't even start on my projects yet so you're a whole lot further along than I am...

Dan: Nice to see her with her wheels on! I'm really looking forward to seeing you paint her now!

Started on the tracks for the M4A3E2, meanwhile here' s the other parts for the small dio I'm going to try to get set up:

No, things do not end well for the PaK 40....

Man, I can't wait to see that dio, Cliff!

That Tamiya Pak-40 is the perfect diorama addition IMO: Dirt cheap, easy to build and still looking quite well!

Clemens- thanks!

The Tamiya Pak-40 was one of the first 1/35th models I built waaaaaay back when. I looked at some of the more expensive kits of the AT gun but this one works, plus if you're going to bust up a model I'd rather go with a cheaper one like this!

BTW: where did everyone go!?!

I know eagle has been having some drama's with his basement/mancave and work has been keeping him busy lately. Some nice work there gamera, looking forward to seeing this dio progress.

It's been a busy week for me but I'm looking to have some quality time this weekend.

Thanks guys! And good to know I'm not here in an echo chamber all by my little ol' self!

Shiv: Ouch that sucks, I'm assuming you can still salvage them?

And I do know what you guys mean, I haven't gotten much done since I posted those photos. I had hoped to at least get the base set up but nothing...

Salvaging the tracks isn't an issue. I just made more work for myself is all.

Ah good to know Shiv, I wasn't sure there!

Bish I had planned to have my Firefly completed before the Orphaned build but I've had a lot of delays on the Brummbar so I'll complete it after that build. Never built a Firefly, looking forward to that one.

Gamera & Schattenspartan: Thanks

Blitzwing: Nice work on your Cromwell.

I used up the last TS-5 olive drab that I have, then I airbrushed two light coats of XF62 to lighten it up.  Tamiya's olive drab TS-5 is much darker than XF62.  I did use a circle template on the wheels, and there's some over spray on the flat black.  So after touch up on the wheels, and adding the renaming parts to the cargo truck, this 6x6 will be ready for Future floor polish.

Dan: Looks good! I'm guessing there aren't a lot of decals so you should be moving right along to weathering.

I'm putting the tracks on the Jumbo now, I was trying to do something a little different but didn't like it so I ended up spraying the whole running gear and lower hull with 'mud' again- I think I'm getting in a bit of a rut!

She's looking really sweet Dan!

cliff: I hear ya about the tracks. Getting them to look right ain't really one of my strengths in armor building...

Hey everyone!  My apologies for the delays in posting.  Have been out of town doing some NEXRAD stuff and have been having a heck of a time with "life" stuff.  But, it can only get better from here!

Awesome work so far everyone!  I'm loving the builds in here.  Great work and lots of knowledge being shared!  Thanks to all for participating!  If I missed any completions, just let me know and I'll fix that!

Eagle90

Looks like everyone's just moving right along!

I pulled the Pershing box off the shelf last week, put it and the accessories in one place, together with the references I'll be using. That's actually good progress for me.....

LOL!  Hey RB, you are farther along then I am....still haven't figured out what I'm building yet!  

Eagle90

Good thing GB's last more than a couple of weeks.....

It's been a busy few weeks but I've finally gotten a move on and almost finished construction. I'll be trying to get the HobbyBoss tracks onto the kit tomorrow and if I'm lucky, may even get some painting done.

Any pointers on Tamiya colours? Do I go with the recommendation on the instructions or should I choose a more olive colour which appears more common?

BW: Looks pretty darn good! You know I did that kit years ago and painted her a little off olive drab- I'm not sure if it's right or she should have been British Bronze Green. 

I am making sandbags, I think some are a little over-sized but I really don't feel like going back and redoing them though! 

Blitzwing - the Cromwell was likely painted in the British version of olive,  called SSC 15.   It is described as being very close to the American olive paint, the difference becoming more apparent as it aged, and begins to show more of a green hue.

Mike Starmer researches British colours, and here is his formula for Tamiya paints:

5 parts XF81

1 part XF58

1 part XF71

This is what I ended up with using the above mix on a Canadian Firefly:

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Gamera - looks like you are having fun with your project, looking forward  to when it all comes together. 

regards,

Jack

Wow, she looks great Jack, very nice work.

Lol, looking at my photos now looks like I'm building a castle out of pieces of Chiclet gum...

Gotta keep chewing, I need a bunch more bricks!

Dan nice clean build, its looking great should be fun weathering.