1/76 88mm Gun and Tractor

[Smudge]

Cheers, Guys. Apologies for my absence of late. Here's a couple of updates.

 

 

 

Most of the assembly is done, just need to do some detailing and painting.

 

Cheers.

[Lawzer]

Liking that a lot! 👍

[Rodders154]

Really good it was this kit that lead me to build the 1/35 Tamiya ones

 

Rodders

[Chewbacca]

28 minutes ago, Rodders154 said:

Really good it was this kit that lead me to build the 1/35 Tamiya ones

 

Rodders

+1

[John]

My main memory of this kit from back in the day is that it had a lot of sharp bits... 

 

Lovely job though. 

 

John 

[Smudge]

On the home straight with the 88 and Halftrack. Been experimenting with some weathering powders and 'pin' washes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I nabbed the jerry cans and ammo boxes from an Academy kit, to busy up the storage rack on the half track. Maybe add a few more bits and pieces if I can rustle something up. 

 

Any constructive comments about weathering appreciated. 

 

Might add this little fellow, but the other soldiers are a bit 'blobby'.

 

 

Cheers guys.

[Smudge]

Well. the weathering went ok'ish. A big problem I had was sealing the powders in with a matt varnish. A lot of the effects seem to get lost once the varnish is applied, and equally annoying was the less than matt finnish of the matt varnish, which despite several coats and lots of vigorous shaking and stirring always dries to a satin sheen, which is a bit frustrating. I tried Vallejo and Humbrol 'Matt' to no avail 

Anyway, here are some pics of the now essentially finished 88 and Halftrack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few little details that I would have liked to add, but I'm running out of time, so calling it done now. I always wanted to make this kit, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, so thanks to the Airfix GB for getting me motivated. 

 

Thanks also to everyone involved. More pictures to follow in the Gallery. 

 

Cheers.

 

 

[BIG X]

That's a nice end result Smudge - I know what you mean about varnishing over weathering.  I know I 'should' maybe add the varnish in several thin 'dry' coats - but once it's in the brush I ALWAYS go over the top and put too much on.  This really 'wets' the model and moves the weathering around.

 

However - there is one little tip I can confidently pass on - more from experience than any skill.

 

When I first started out I tried loads of different matt varnishes - with 2 results...  Either they weren't matt at all OR they turned the model white - as though it had been outside in a severe frost overnight.  Finally - some kind soul on here pointed me in the direction of WINSOR AND NEWTON GALLLERIA MATT.

 

This is truly 'dead' matt and doesn't go 'frosty'.  If you are heavy handed  - like me - if you put loads on it goes 'glossy and wet' - but still dries perfectly flat and matt.

 

ANYWAY - enough waffle - smashing build

Steve

[nimrod54]

I think you have made a cracking job of this half-track and 88mm, and the Bofors. They are well painted and the weathering looks fine to me. Well done on two lovely looking builds. 

[Lawzer]

Lurvley! 👍

[Smudge]

Thank you chaps, very kind. And thanks for the tip BigX,  I will have to get some Winsor and Newton, sounds like just what I need.

Cheers.

[Ventora3300]

Excellent build, Smudge, and lovely model as a result. I like the windscreen glazing you slipped in, with the top section open for a bit of forced ventilation in that desert. Well done. All the best. Mike.