Here's the model after a session of pigments and adding all the separate parts. I used a mix of VMS 04 sand "A" & 04 sand "dull". Both worked extremely well. For the rubber tyres I first gave them a misting with VMS matt varnish just to dull down the very shiny rubber then once dry dusted them with pigments. I then removed the access with my finger. Again the varnish worked very well and I must say it's very robust on the model with no wearing away or as you sometimes get with other varnishes shiny areas due to excessive handling. The front headlight guards were a devil to fit as the ends need to be bent to 90 degrees and then only the very tips! However once in place they look great. I still have a bit more to do with the pigments and also need to add some staining possibly to show oil & grease.
Today I've started adding all the glazing and lights to the forklift and a very tricky job it's been. Because I elected to add the glazing after painting the model some pieces needed a little sanding on the edges to fit properly. Slow and steady is the way to go here. I fixed the glazing in with tiny amounts of tamiya extra thin glue. If you are careful and let capillary action take the glue into the joins a strong and non fogging bond can be had. Over the weekend I also painted up a figure to go with the model and finished off the pallets. Lots more still to add and final weathering with some pigments needs to be done as well but it's getting closer to the finish line.
Today I received my expected items from VMS. Really fast delivery as ever as it was posted Monday. I've topped up again on some more pigments and also bought some of their new acrylic varnish & paint remover.
We will look at the clean slate remover first and here I used it on the lanchester to remove the lumpy and unsatisfactory paintwork. This stuff is non toxic and only has a slight smell which isn't really unpleasant. You just pour some on the model using a suitable container then let it sit for a while. You will see the paint start to lift and ripple on the model. Using a stiff brush I then removed the paint, it even strips the primer off leaving bare plastic. I am really impressed with the clean slate, it does what it says and is excellent. It should be noted that it's only for acrylic paints as well.
On to the VMS varnish now, they have just released three varnishes, matt, gloss & satin. I used the matt on the forklift after my problems with the last bottle of AK rubbish. The varnish needs no thinning just a really good shake of the bottle. I then sprayed this over the parts and immediately I saw a really good matting of the surfaces. I went over with four light passes and the model went dead flat. Better still there were no lumps and it went through the airbrush brilliantly. I'm really pleased with the finish and with the ease of application. You can also use the varnish with a brush for touch ups or small areas. It's early days yet but I can say this is the best varnish I've ever used.
As you can see a superb matt finish. I've also been working on a base for the model and a figure to go with it.
So a busy day so far with the rugby just starting too! You can get VMS products direct from them or selected stockists which they list on the website. VANTAGE MODELLING SOLUTIONS
The lanchester figure has now been primed and is ready for paint. You can see how well cast it is.
The lanchester however has had some issues with the admiralty grey. On initial spraying it would not adhere to the primer and seemed to be drying before hitting the model. Even a drop or two of retarder couldn't stop a lumpy paint finish. So I'll have to strip it back and have another go.
The little 251 has now had a coat of primer as well.
So with the lanchester needing a strip back & the forklift needing a more reliable matt varnish I'm going to work on the 251, forklift accessories & Lanchester figure while I await deliveries!
Here's the figure built up and very good he looks too. The resin is really nice and detail is crisp. The arms locate via pegs and the fit is so good no filler is needed. I really like the relaxed pose with a cup of tea! I also made up one of the brass buckets and typically it did not fit the holder. No problem as I just used a spare one and made a new handle for it. I'm thinking of a scene where the chaps having a well earned meal break so have already researched WW1 British rations so I can make some up to go on the crate.
Also today a belated birthday present arrived from Japan. I received some vouchers for my birthday so decided to get this smashing Fine molds JGSDF type 60 APC and etch set for a very good price. I've coveted this kit for some time so it's nice to finally own one. Expect to see this one on the bench soon!
The postie delivered a few bits for the Lanchester today. First up are a couple of very nice RB models buckets, I've used them before and painted up they look great. Next the figure from CSM which looks perfect for the little base I'm thinking of. CSM have released three different figures to go with the kit which I think is a nice idea. Lastly the Meng admiralty grey also arrived and I've already done a test spray to check the colour and how it goes through the airbrush. On both counts I'm happy with it and I think over a dark grey or black pre shade it will work very well.
As you many be aware I've been using AK interactive ultra matte varnish for some time with excellent results but the last two bottles have not performed as well. Today I started spraying the forklift and again the varnish just did not want to work. That's after shaking the bottle until my arms fell off, warming it up in a bowl of warm water and stripping the airbrush down. The bloody stuff just would not spray correctly spitting great gobs of varnish over the parts. Yeap, I checked for moisture in the a/b & the compressor pressure was set correctly but no, it was friggin awful! I think again this is another bad bottle which makes me angry as it's a new one and this stuff isn't cheap. So in the bin it has gone followed by some choice words. I'm now going to try the new VMS varnishes and hopefully these will give more consistent results. A bit pissed off as I was hoping to have the forklift finished by the weekend,scratch that idea!
The decals went on last night and very nice they are too, settling down with no issues. I will be adding one more pin wash to the model as I want a bit more grime around the forklift working parts. I can then get the oil fading done.
The lanchester has now had a coat of primer. I now have to wait for paint to arrive for the admiralty light grey colour. For that I found a meng acrylic colour which hopefully will spray OK.
The forklift pallets also had a coat of primer then after an hour or so the main colours went on. Very pleased with them especially the container which I sprayed using tamiya field grey, the decals are from the spares stash. They can now get some weathering.
So another busy day at the bench, I'm on a right roll at the moment so am making the most of it!
Again with an empty bench and nothing to do last night I delved into the stash and emerged with this little kit in my paws.
So out came the tools & glue and off I went. Fast forward to this morning and the model is almost built. I think that's why I enjoy these 1/48th subjects so much at the moment. They are just some much fun and easy to build. The only improvement I have made so far is new handles for the back doors. I've built it so the interior can be painted up first before the rest gets painted.
I've been working on a couple of pallets for the finished forklift base and have used an old resin one I had lying about & also made up one similar to others I've seen in reference pictures. A simple yet satisfying exercise needing only plastic card, rod and a small amount of guesswork!
The actual forklift has had another couple of washes & filters and should be getting some oil dot fading done this weekend.
Meanwhile here in the UK the country is in a state of hysteria as it's snowing! What with constant updates and warnings I'm beginning to think we have never had any of the white muck, perhaps all the big snow storms we had when I was a lad are just a figment of my imagination? Always had to get to school and we were always out in it. Seriously what is wrong with this country, we have become a land of pussies. Sure we are not geared up for it but even so it's nothing compared to what the US, Canada and some of the northern countries of europe deal with every year. The press here are fair wetting themselves over it and as for the government & local councils, well nanny state rules in the UK!
The bloody stuff will be gone in a few days then it will be a plethora of fucking flood warnings. I think it's time to emigrate!!
Well after just four days the model is built up! It was so easy to build and I loved the simplicity of it as well. I have added a couple of fuel cans, a shovel and made up a grapnel, which during my trawl of the web showed up in a few pictures. I believe it was used to pull up barbed wire. The un-ditching boards were given a rough wood grain finish using a coarse sanding stick and the wheels went together superbly. I'm very impressed with them as I am with the whole kit, a real pleasure to build.
Now for a search for a good match for admiralty light grey & more work on the forklift.
