TrackHawk

Thanks for the help everyone. I still have a ton to learn. Trying to keep from getting frustrated is the hardest part

Up to now, I've been building very basic tanks and AFV. Only started this past year and maybe on my tenth model. I recently started a small Tamiya 1/48 tractor and decided to do a very heavy rust effect like it's been sitting outside for years. My steps were: Paint a brownish-grey (AK Paint) Add Vellejo Rust washes and Vellejo Rust pigments Finished it all up when I was pleased with the look with Tamiya flat clear coat The last part is the disaster. I sprayed it on, and immediately the paint orange peeled. It got worse after that, the washes and clear coat had a bad reaction where things almost looked melted. the pigments turned pink, parts of the plastic were now showing. It was so bad I tossed it So my question is; is there a set of rules to follow with all this. IE, never put X over X, or only do this over that in a certain order? I reordered the little tractor and want to do it right, and not screw up again Thanks!!

I just finished building mine. If you can, look into the metal upgrade tracks. I took one look at the ones that came with the kit and said forget it. Got the metal ones off eBay. Price was steep, but was totally worth it. They also add a lot of weight to the tank and make it a nice base. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-35-Finished-Metal-Track-Links-for-MENG-TS-036-Merkava-Mk-4M-Tank-Model/153552434216?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 I also haven't painted mine yet, the Merkava colors are so confusing, they're all different. I'm just going to mix something that looks pleasing to my eye and go for it

I'll take a look later, thanks!!

Hi fellow modelers, Still new-ish to the hobby and working on my next kit. The 88mm Flak Gun - North Africa version. As I'm working through this, I'm realizing with all the figures, gun, motorcycle, ammo boxes etc, this kit is really meant to be set up as a scene. I hadn't planned or thought of that, but looking at a few pictures it seems very easy for this model to have a basic sand base like the one in this photo - https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/35283north_african/index.htm So my question is, before I dive right in and assume I just need to glue some sand to a board, what other dumb mistakes will I make and then say later on "Oh, I wish I know that!" Could I go with something other than a wood board? Best sand to use? Thanks!!

Thanks Ray! Very helpful. It's funny, I'm working on a new kit, a Flak 88mm gun from Tamiya, and really took my time studying and planning and found that even though I did paint a few small pieces first, I could have just as easily painted them after too. Some though it made sense to do before. As Pete said, all about planning.

Here he is, upper left corner on the Wasatch.

Hah, thanks Mike. You nailed it. I'm only on my 6th tank model now and just getting into this hobby, building a ship, let alone one that needs to be even somewhat close to what my uncle served on my be way too tall of an order. Granted, he is 95, but still sharp as a tack which is amazing in itself. I may pass on all this and think of some other options. Thanks Ewen, very helpful!

Ahhh, phew. ok good to know. Thanks

I don't know much about ships and the names/classes. I could use some help Only info I have is he was on two different ships. The Wasatch and the Blue Ridge. Both a Mt McKinley class ships according to Wikipedia. I did find a Blue Ridge by Trumpeter, but my question is, are there others I should be looking at. IE, if I found any Mt. McKinley class ship, would that be the same? Is Blue Ridge and Wasatch the name they just put on ships that were identical? I'd love to be able to surprise him with the same or as close as possible, he's 95 now! Side note of interest, his two brothers also fought in WW2, one was in Africa, one was a medic on a train in France. all came back home Thanks!

That's extremely helpful, just what I needed to know!! Thanks!

Thanks! I think this is the answer I was looking for. For me what's been confusing is I've actually watched many videos of people painting things like mufflers, tools, engines, and so on, and never once saw them leave anything unpainted nor did I see them glue those parts on. To me it's been a mystery. I guess my only question might still be, in those cases where they are painting an entire sub piece, do you think they're then scraping off some of the paint? so they can use thin cement?

Hello all I'm somewhat new to modeling, I'm on my fifth AFV and still very confused on how to get to the next plateau. Here's where I'm stuck. When watching almost any modeling video, everyone making more advanced looking models are leaving off different components out of the build so they can paint them separately. I understand why this is being done, and the outcome is much nicer than trying to paint the whole thing assembled. But, what none of these videos show is how are these then being glued together once they're painted? I get it that you can probably use CA to glue painted parts, or you can scrape some paint and use model cement, but what do most people actually do? What is the nest order to build / paint / build For the tank I just built, because I lack the skills, I again put every piece on while building and had the bright idea to mask things while I painted the body. that didn't work so well. So now I'm back painting little tools and mufflers while they are already on the body and it's going to look like crap. I want to be able to paint sub-assemblies and tools and mufflers and put hem all together after, but not sure how to get there. Thanks!