Stu

Hi, Bookending my 35th Panther build I've completed a couple of Revell 72nd AFV's. First up a T-90S (if that's the right version) of the Indian Army. The desert camo was extrapolated from a couple of web pics. Surprised at first by the number of parts but it made for an interesting build. The only part I really struggled with is the boil-in-hot-water tracks. One went on tolerably well but the other ended up as a sort of DIY link-and-length but thanks to the skirts isn't too obvious. Airbrushed with Tamiya mixes and given a home concocted wash and dry brushing. The base is my attempt at a bit of Indian desert to give it a bit of context. I'd happily build another of these, the Algerian one looks interesting. Second up is a Jagdpanther built basically OOB though I finished it in plain Dunkelgelb as I wanted to try the AK Interactive stuff I picked up at OnTracks - a wash and a streaking grime. My first encounter with link-and-length tracks. That was interesting with a couple of errors that had to be rectified so the nice deep skirts have their uses. Compared to theT-90 it's a fairly simple kit so I was mildly annoyed to find they didn't include the four towing eyes which I had to badly bodge as their absence, once realised, grated. The main paint was Gunze with the AK stuff used over it. The one thing with 72nd, something I've told many times, is less is more so the weathering has been keep down. This was kept to one pass with the airbrush then walk away. Pleased with the result As always any comments, advice, pointers, etc appreciated. Cheers Stu

Hi, Finally managing to update this. I'm calling it finished and all things considered I'm pretty happy with the result though there are plenty of errors of commission and omission. There are a number of excellent Panther builds on here at the moment that rather put mine into perspective but I've certainly learned a few things. I re-did the number to something smaller and better spaced and almost got away with it if you don't look too closely. Left off the skirts as I had trouble getting them to fit correctly. This is most likely a build error somewhere along the line. It's a pity as it rather shows up the "rubber band" tracks. Anyhow thanks to Dave for the kit and to all on here for their advice/support etc. If nothing else it's a bit of confirmation I'm a deal happier with 72nd and I've put a couple of them on here for advice and comment as well. Cheers Stu

Very nice, good to see a bit of variation from High Speed Silver. Stu

Excellent work Stu

Hi, Thanks Guys for all the interest. Sarge, as for unit I'll have to confess to a big dollop of "modellers licence" as my knowledge of Panzer units is precisely zero... will be back with it when we've done helping with house move. Not sure whats more mentally challenging, building a kit or putting up curtain rails stu

Hi, Thank you all for the comments. As for the finish it's a mix of both. The green and brown camouflage colours and spots were hand painted, and it shows close up, nothing like Plastix's hand painting. The colours then look appear strong, harsh and looked plain wrong. After a coat of gloss acrylic varnish to seal the finish I toned them all down firstly with a thin coat of Tamiya buff and then a wash of thinned Humbrol Dk Earth applied with a brush. Still some more to do. Hope this explains things. Cheers Stu

Hi, With Dave metaphorically giving advice and encouragement from the sidelines we have come to this. And apologies for the pics. My ancient digital camera has finally packed it all in and these are from my cheapo smartphone. As you can see things have moved on a bit. A certain amount of weathering done and I've still got to tackle the track and spare links which I'm not looking forward to to be honest. Things will come to a bit of a halt now as Number 1 daughter and family move home the end of the week and we, myself and the boss, have been invited to assist........! So thanks for the comments and encouragement and as always any comments, good or bad as I won't offended as it's a bit of a learning curve, appreciated. Now off to charge some battery packs :-) Cheers Stu

i will be following this with interest :-) Stu

Like buses, Sarge, like buses...! A bit more completed. As I mentioned before the paper overlay doesn't make adding hull detail any easier. For the skirt attachment I had to add small plasticard additions to the mounting points to bring them out a bit further. It seems to have worked as the attachment seems pretty solid. It was then all given a coat of primer and and after a suitable interval a coat of Gunze Dark Yellow From here on it'll be all downhill, in more ways than one............................. :-) Stu

Hi, Thanks to those who've commented or tagged this, appreciate the support. :-) Ozzy, I've been looking at your build with a certain amount of awe. Having some experience of "large" etches, albeit in a railway context, and knowing how unforgiving they can be if things go a bit awry you have my admiration. - actually I was going to question your sanity :-) The etches look more comprehensive than the paper ones and looking carefully at your work I think I'm going to add some additional bits, on the mantlet for example, from the blank panels that they do provide. As for comparing etch vs paper I think the paper ones are probably a better bet for someone of my limited afv experience. The only issue is when you have to add stuff on top of the paper as can be a bit fragile (don't ask...!) I've resorted to brass wire pins for the box - no idea what it is - on the right of the hull and some small plastic square spacers for other parts to get a reasonable plastic to plastic join. Dave, the friend who donated this kit, also loaned me his Squadron Signal Panther book which is a great idiots guide so I'm beginning to get some idea. Anyhow thanks for the interest. Cheers Stu

Having got back into AFV's I intended to stick to 72nd rather than anything bigger. That was until a good friend donated a Tamiya Panther G, one of their earlier efforts I believe, and a sheet of embossed paper laser cut Zimmerit by Monroe Perdue to go with it with a cheery "have a go at this" So i have. The instructions are quite clear about priming the model as a good base for the paper overlay and using PVA glue to fix it. Being Tamiya the kit went together without any issues and it was primed with a Halfords grey primer rattle can. Applying the overlays was largely straightforward though some of the more complex ones were damped with water to get them to conform more easily. A little trimming was needed when they'd thoroughly dried and I'm quite pleased with the result though the dome over the hull MG could well do with a bit of patching. Now I'm notthat experienced in 35th AFV's and don't know that much about German WW2 armour so there's going to be some errors so if anyone has any advice/comments/observations then please do so. I'm tempted with an ambush scheme which I suspect is easy to do but difficult to get looking "right". As for 72nd well we have OnTracks just down the road at Folkestone next month so I'm hanging on to my pocket money till then. Cheers Stu

Thank you Steve :-) Knocked out a simple base from mdf offcuts and some pounded up concrete found in the scenery box. As the weather was fine and sunny took it outside to try for a couple more photos, hopefully a bit better. Cheers Stu

Picked up cheap at the Hornby sale this is something of a practice piece after doing their Matilda. From a bit of digging around I understand the model is based on a prototype and you can't really model a service machine. It's seems a neat if simple model and goes together quite well though I ended up putting in a brass rod as an axle for the drive sprockets as the vinyl tracks did a good job of trying to break them off. For Christmas I treated my self to this http://www.migjimenez.com/en/the-weathering-magazine-publications/769-how-to-paint-172-military-vehicles.html and was rather taken with the"ambush" scheme on the Panzer46 model and decided to give it a go. Although the result is totally fictitious and I've probably made numerous mistakes I really enjoyed doing it and any comments, good, bad or indifferent appreciated. Think another coat of matt varnish needed though. Cheers Stu

No but http://www.ppo.co.uk/bimbo/index.php/types-of-puppet/vent-puppet-range/9-puplic-information/licensed-characters Even in this age of can't see the join CGI the early Gerry Anderson progs have a certain quality. Stu

Excellent, look forward to seeing this come together. Assume you'll be watching lots of episodes on the web, purely in the interests of research obviously :-) Stu

Hi, Apologies for the delay in replying, went down the 48hr bug that seems to be doing the rounds here. Will check out the links/costs etc and contact Parabellum. The Revell T-90 and Leopard 2A6 I'd previously ordered have arrived. Amazed and mildly worried by the detail and complexity. Now need to do a bit of research and get a reference or two. Put up some pics of the Matilda Again many thanks Stu

I haven't built an AFVin a long time and it's a great deal longer since I attempted a small scale one, probably the 60's if I'm honest. I picked this up purely on impulse at a recent Hornby sale for a few quid and eventually made a start, somewhat halfheartedly, putting it together. The more I did the more I got into it and enjoyed the build - novelty value possibly - even though I didn't make too good a job of it when viewed in the cold light of day. It was painted the artwork suggested colours which I now know aren't very accurate but once done and weathered I was actually quite pleased to the extent of doing a simple base to give a bit of context. A few pics and any comments,good or bad, or any advice appreciated. Have got a couple more 72nd tanks in the stash now so perhaps I've been bitten. Cheers Stu

Hi, Arachnid, had a look at Parabellum's website but couldn't see a link on there to Black Dog but will contact them. Demiles, getting back into AFV's after a looong time and finding 72nd suits me better. Have found a source of tow cables so looking for crew and equipment to improve them a bit, Saw Black Dog mentioned in an article so went looking for those but if there are other sources be just as happy. Sorta getting the feeling 72nd armour is less well served than the larger scales. Many thanks Stu

Hi, Thanks for the link. I had checked it out, one weblink didn't work, some didn't appear to do 72nd and one that did had only a couple of items hence the question of alternative suppliers. Anyhow thanks for the interest. Stu

Hi, Looking to get some 1/72nd bits. There doesn't appear to be much availability in the UK and whilst I found Black Dog's own online shop was rathere taken aback by the postage costs though that may be normal for all I know. Any advice on where to get their range appreciated. Stu

Very very nice. Whose paint did you use ? Stu

Brilliant, I'm sitting here humming the theme song :-) Stu

Also http://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/precision-paints/railway-colours.html https://www.howesmodels.co.uk/subcat/RailMatch%20Paint%20-%20Enamel Stu

Hi, Thanks again for the comments. Jay, Michael - the paints are all acrylic Silver - Tamiya Chrome Silver; even I've got to work hard to muck up that colour Green - Mr Hobby H73, Grey - Mr Hobby H76 Hope that's a help. I'll try to remember to do a few more pics when we've given the grandchildren back in a weeks time though I might well be confined to a darkened room by then :-) Stu

Thank you for all the comments and "likes" - much appreciated :-) Jay, re your comments on Matterhorn Circle decals that's exactly the problem I had so now don't feel so bad so thanks. Cheers Stu