Takom M60A1 Decals & Weathering

The decals such as they are are now on the model and after a quick matt coat I've started on some filters and pin washes to begin the weathering process. Also as this is the last post of the year I'd like to wish you all a very happy new year.

Takom M60A1 Paintwork

After a primer coat of mr surfacer black I have now got all the camo colours on the model and yes it looks awesome in the MASSTER scheme. The particular vehicle I am modelling has hardly any of the black patches normally associated with this scheme. 

I have found one picture online of the real thing and this confirms at the time the picture was taken there were very few areas with black added. The picture was taken at an open day in 1975 and the tank looks like it had just had the camo painted on it was that clean. 

So now I will let this dry for a day or so before adding a gloss coat and continuing with the detail painting.

Takom M60A1 Fast Progress

Well I can't believe I've finished the building of the model already! Once the lower hull, suspension, wheels and tracks were sorted the rest of the model came together really quickly.  I only added a few extra details, mostly of bolt heads here and there. 

The only tricky aspect of the whole kit was the searchlight which is very fragile and made up of multiple small parts. Hopefully it will fit ok later on. Turret rack stowage was from the spares stash with some magic sculpt and duro tarps to bulk it up.  

The Festive Message

Well it's that time of year again where we reflect on the year just gone and look forward to the new one and the Christmas period. It's been a tough old year again for my modelling mojo, suffering yet again a massive slump in enthusiasm. No idea why this time around but I seem to be over it now.

I did however manage seven builds this year so an improvement on 2022! What I did build I really enjoyed and am looking forward to some cracking builds for next year. I am also still planning on changing my display bases for more custom sizes to try and gain some extra space in the cabinets and make the bases more interesting. 

Stonehenge Modellers displayed at three shows this year, Yeovil twice & Avon. It was again great to see old friends and enjoy some superb displays and models. Next year may see us attending a couple more shows which will be nice. 

So thanks again for following the blog and leaving such great comments throughout the year. I hope you enjoyed this years adventures even though the pickings have been slim! As ever here's Dita to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Takom M60A1

Next on the bench is this rather nice kit from Takom, an early M60. So far the main focus has been on the suspension and wheels which are all very well detailed. The hull also has a nice bit of texture too.

Unusually for Takom they provide you with rubber band type tracks instead of the usual individual links. Nice but I found them slightly too loose and lacking in detail. As luck would have it I have a set of old workable tracks in the spare stash from a failed project many years ago and they fit perfectly. 

   

Airfix Ferret Complete

Here is the finished model on a small base. Very happy with the whole project and am now perusing the stash for the next victim.

Ferret Final Weathering

Final stages now with firstly a very light spray of heavily thinned tamiya buff on the lower portions of the model followed by some dust effects using wilder aqualine tones. I kept it very subtle and just gave it a hint of mud and dust so as not to lose all the details and swamp the model. 

Once that was done the wheels, hubs and antennas went on to finish it off. The model will be going on a base once it arrives next week. I'm very pleased indeed with the finished kit. Airfix have done a damn good job of getting a plastic ferret out and it builds up very well indeed. Yes some areas are a little on the chunky side but with a little care and some extras if you so wish it can be refined without breaking the bank. This won't be my last one that's for sure!

Ferret Matt Varnish

The ferret has now had a matt varnish then all the lights, periscopes and glazing sorted out as well as the turret gun & hatches fixed in place. I'm very pleased with the appearance of the model so far. Next I'll add a light dusting on the lower portions with tamiya buff before adding some dust effects to finish it off.   

Ferret Filters & Washes

I've now started to add weathering with a couple of neutral filters then pin washes using various modellers world oil washes to build up some grime and add some depth to the recesses and details on the model. Next I'll add some scratches and very subtle chipping before a matt varnish. 

 

Ferret Detail Painting & Decals

The ferret is now really coming to life with some detail painting and decals. I started painting up the tools on the front hull then the tarp and jerry can both received different shades of green. Wheel nuts were also picked out in red on the hubs. 

Decals are a mix of airfix, accurate armour and spare takom items. I went with option A for the reg number as it is depicted as a vehicle in Germany. So it's a good bet that it would have stayed in BAOR and had upgrades such as the later light clusters during its life there.