Matt Machine

I have finally got some more done on the beastie. A matt coat has now been applied and I have finished off the figure, he is an Alpine item with a Warriors head. I used tamiya XF60 as a base and then used various shades of the base colour and vallejo khaki. The rest of the figure was painted using various shades of vallejo colours.













The end is in sight, I now need to add some weathering to the lower hull using MIG pigments, add some metallic areas, add the hull and co-axil machine gun barrels (RB model brass replacements) and finally finish off the base with a bit of groundwork!

Green Machine

Slow progress of late on the Stuart but it's getting there slowly. I have started adding some light chipping and made a start on painting the stowage as well. A coat of klear and the decals where added yesterday so next will be some fading with oils plus pin washes.

Stowage and Paint

The stowage has now been made using a mixture of magic sculpt and spares box items. The rear stowage bin will eventually be filled with some netting and possibly a jerry can.Most of the stowage will stay on the vehicle and be painted in situ.







I have also managed to get some paint on after a coat of primer. Tamiya XF 62 olive drab was used as the main colour followed by progressively lighter shades sprayed into the centre of panels etc using a few drops of Tamiya XF 15 flat flesh added to the base colour. I find that the flesh colour works really well with green colours much better than say pure white.

Done Already!

Here's some more the main construction is now complete. I was going to fit the side skirts but the fit was bloody awful so in the end I decided to leave then off the model for sanity's sake. All that is left to do is add the machine guns which can be left off until the very end and continue adding lots of stowage.
As you can see I have started on the turret by adding a resin tarp and some spare panzer 3 track, looks more interesting than the kit grousers. I will be adding a mixture of spares box stowage and items made from magic sculpt. This will enable me to paint most of it off the model.

Back to the Stuart

Well I have started work again on the Stuart closing up the hull and starting to add all the little bits. I found a lonely figure in my figures box which should be ideal for the finished model. Its an Alpine body with a Warriors head.

All Finished!

The last two models are now finished, the quads are rather nice kits if a little fiddly to assemble once all the painting etc are completed. Now I can get on with the Stuart!

Two Down Two to Do!

Just finished the Hetzer today after some frantic modelling. The reason for this is the deadline for the models has now been moved to this Friday! talk about pressure, I could do without it at the moment especially when I am trying to finish the models to my usual standards. Oh well at least I am getting paid for my work so shouldn't grumble I suppose. Next is the two quad guns which should not take too long.

I had a great time at IPMS Newbury's show on Saturday, plenty of great models on display and some very interesting people too. Inevitably I came away with a couple of models to add to the ever growing stash but hey that's what model shows are about getting a bargain or two!

Rapid Progress

Well I have managed to make some rapid progress on my builds, except the Stuart which is coming together slowly whilst the other builds take priority. Got the main colours down on the Hetzer after the second attempt. I used masking fluid the first time and it just did not work. So after stripping the model I went for a combination of masking tape and silly putty. The resulting finish is much better. The Quad guns have had a blast of OD and both models have now been given a coat of klear and decals.







I need to get these finished in the next couple of weeks for my client and can now concentrate on the weathering with plenty of time to spare. I will be at IPMS Newbury's show on Saturday manning the Locate&Cement stand so do pop by and say hello if you are at the show.

M5A1 Late Version Stuart

Here is the latest on the bench, AFV club's superb M5A1 late Stuart. So far everything is going well, the detail on the kit is very nice indeed.









I am also doing three commission jobs whilst doing the Stuart, a 1/35th Tamiya Hetzer built in an afternoon it's that good! and two 1/35th Dragon quad trailers again a very easy build but with great detail.









should keep me busy for some time!!

Mighty Midget!

Finished off the Defender today, I just added some thinned tamiya smoke around recesses and details. No panel washes as the real choppers are kept very clean. Very pleased with the result especially the crystal clear canopy!

Fast and Furious!

Well the little defender is certainly a quick model to build! The main sub assemblies where all washed then mounted on cocktail sticks for painting and the main canopy glazing glued on and masked. After primer I sprayed a mix of Tamiya XF-20 XF-49 and XF-2 then went back over with a lighter shade. Today I have given it a gloss coat and added the decals. A nice simple step as there are only 5 decals per side.

Chopper Progress

I have been fitting in a little modelling on the Defender over the last week, after many hours of toil I managed to get the whole model built up, Oh OK it only took me a couple of hours! Added some tape and plastic seat belts and hollowed out the engine exhausts too. Next some primer and some canopy polishing.