Firefly

Great model, great photos

Superb gradation on the paint scheme.

Love the camo colour, immaculate build.

Fantastic model, but the unusual and very well made base really sets it off. The combined effect is superb.

Superb

Ive seen some of your others on here. There's no doubt you are a master of your craft.

I went for the Marines Sherman as it has the wooden side armour and deep wading gear, but main reason is that I'm going to use it to practice my air brushing as I'm doing the 4 colour cameo pattern.

Thanks all, Yeah I wanted the 17 pounder version, but had to wait awhile before I found one on e bay, not very impressed with the quality of the kit. My next project is an academy Marines Sherman which I've just started, the quality of the mouldings are far better.

Hi Thanks again everyone, I will try and take some better photos, trouble is my photobucket is on my early I pad and I'm not getting particularly good shots from it. I've just posted my Achillies tank on the afv section, don't think this will have quite the reaction that my typhoon has so I think it was a bit of beginners luck. I think the thing with this was that I had a very clear idea of the effect I wanted to achieve and it seemed to work out, to be honest I think I've peaked as the tank I've done is only average and probably more of an indication of what my abilities are really like! Will do the photos when I can, cheers all.

I'm quite new to this forum, I can't believe what people are producing. I'm into armour but have to say I absolutely love this, awesome work!

Your the reason I don't put my models on a dioramas, I couldn't begin to get close to this. I'm sure it represents a massive amount of work but it's certainly worth it, you deserve the praise your getting.

Hi everyone, my first post in the afv section, so a quick introduction. I returned to modelling after a 30 year break and for Christmas I had the airfix 1/24 typhoon which has been posted on here. The main focus from now on will be armour so I picked up a discontinued ( I think) Achillies by afv club on the Internet. Part of my reason for not coming back to the hobby was the incredible standard of weathering that is now possible, but having looked into it more I thought I'd give it a go using some of the amazing weathering products available. This is the part I enjoy the most and this model is my test bed. I have used ultimate dark dirt, various washes and streaking products some oil paint and lastly I have just received Ak dirt and dust deposits, which I would highly recommend. Anyway here are the photos...... http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp192/apackham/Mobile%20Uploads/8E7816FB-E7C2-4C3D-B7FE-810A234BDD43_zpsig83v Sorry, my photography leaves something to be desired.

Love it. Can you tell me what colour you used for the bare metal that is showing on the bucket where you have simulated the yellow paint has worn off?

Superb

At the end of the day we are all trying to make something that looks real, and you have certainly done that. Very skilful.

You must have great eyesight and steady hands to get that detail, amazing

Fantastic

No problem, the old eyes are failing, hadn't made out the face on the end. This is why I started my first build with 1/24 scale!

A true master of the airbrush

Absolutely faultless

Great subject, fantastic finish

What a strange comment to make? Why would anybody lie about the last time they made a model, what purpose would it serve. Anyhow ignoring this one unnecessary comment can I again thank you all for the positive response, it has really motivated me. The problem I have now is not to get carried away, I had absolutely no modelling equipment and have been steadily building tools and paints back up, thankfully it's not a particularly expensive hobby. I also have 3 kits waiting to be built. My father has recently bought a new airbrush and gave me his old one, and I have his compressor on ( permanent) loan...but I'm already of thinking of upgrading to an Iwata. Anyhow a quick photo of my Achillies tank interior, possibly over weathered, but this tank is being used as a test bed for practicing afv weathering and I'm looking forward to starting spraying the exterior. Cheers

Well I can see the products you have used and I've seen how you have used them, but I'm making an Achillies at the moment and I know it isn't going to anything like yours when I'm finished. Some have and some don't.... You definitely have it, amazing.

Great model and great photos

Hard to believe it's only 1/72 with that level of finish, very skilful