PlaStix Posted September 27, 2018 Author Share Posted September 27, 2018 2 hours ago, wimbledon99 said: Loving these builds, Stix. Better than any book at the moment!! Hi Nigel and hope you are well. Thank you for your comments. I have to admit I haven’t read a good book for a while - if I get free time these days I'm either wanting to work on a kit or reading about others people’s kits on Britmodeller! This evening I had a few minutes spare so I got the painted and basically weathered tracks fitted to both sides. I had to remove two links from each side to get them to fit. With Takom's recommended number of links they would have been too long. They actually fitted nice and snuggly and and no glue was involved: Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Great work my friend, truly awesome. I love how the weathering and washes look and the tracks look great too, the rust effect on both the armour and the tracks is most effective, Interesting that Takom tell you the wrong number of links to fit, you would think the manufacturer would have done a trial build or two before doing the instructions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted September 29, 2018 Author Share Posted September 29, 2018 (edited) On 27/09/2018 at 21:49, modelling minion said: Great work my friend, truly awesome. I love how the weathering and washes look and the tracks look great too, the rust effect on both the armour and the tracks is most effective, Interesting that Takom tell you the wrong number of links to fit, you would think the manufacturer would have done a trial build or two before doing the instructions. Hi Craig. Hope you are having a good weekend. Thank you for your comments. Yeah it is odd why they suggest too many. With the two removed they both fit really well. This kit has had it's moments. It hasn't been the easiest to build. I have had to make some alterations to the build order in places - it really isn't a kit for someone who hasn't done a fair few builds before and has some patience. Today I have managed to get the actual build completed. I just need to do the final weathering - adding mud, etc. First job was to get the final 6 parts of PE attached and painted. The front track guard support struts went on first: Followed by the rear struts. These were supposed to be fitted to the rear hull but there was no way the stowage boxes were going to be able to be added without knocking them off - so I added them to the stowage boxes themselves: The stowage boxes were then added followed by the PE support struts. These photos show the completed build with all the PE parts painted: Next on this I will do some weathering but that might not be until the FT-17 is further along. Speaking of the FT-17 - I have started work on the interior today. I will post some photos tomorrow if I get chance. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix Edited September 29, 2018 by PlaStix 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 What a fantastic looking "box on tracks"! Amazing how armour had moved on only 25 years later during WWII compared to these very early machines. I look forward to seeing the further weathering mate, and to see the FT-17 build, liked the look of the FT-17 since building the Matchbox one which came with a Char B1 far too many years ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Looks sensational! AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted September 30, 2018 Author Share Posted September 30, 2018 22 hours ago, modelling minion said: What a fantastic looking "box on tracks"! Amazing how armour had moved on only 25 years later during WWII compared to these very early machines. I look forward to seeing the further weathering mate, and to see the FT-17 build, liked the look of the FT-17 since building the Matchbox one which came with a Char B1 far too many years ago. Hi Craig and thank you. Yes it was a bit of a blocky thing wasn't it? I think the 25 years between wars certainly allowed a lot of development. I have made a start on the FT-17 this weekend - it is certainly an interesting design. 10 hours ago, Andwil said: Looks sensational! AW Thank you AW - most kind. As I mentioned to Craig, I have made a start on the Meng FT-17. Meng's original FT-17 release - with the cast turret - came with more of an interior than this riveted turret version. This one only has the driver's compartment. It is, however the first time I have built a tank with any interior. I'm still not quite certain if I have got it right. Some modellers have a knack of making their interiors look really worn and used. At the end of today's modelling session mine isn't quite there yet and I'm not awfully sure I can get that look this time round. Anyway - most of today has been spent painting up the various parts - following the instructions and looking at examples of the interior online. Initial painting started: Any areas that are to be white were painted with thinned Revell's Anthracite (Acrylic, thinned with water and applied with a flat brush) over which I stippled on Humbrol's Matt White. I was trying to give it a worn appearance from the off - rather than applying the white looking neat and then weathering it. The drivers floor is painted with Humbrol's Matt Olive Drab. This photo shows the interior side walls after having been stippled with a couple of layers of thinned Matt White: This next photo shows the lower floor after the stippled white paint was given a very thin wash of Revell's Gunship Grey, a targeted wash of very thinned Anthracite and a dry brush over with matt white: Pedals and control rods fitted: All the main components of the floor area glued in place: Once the sides and top are in place this is pretty much all that will be seen of the interior: Side walls given the same treatment as the lower floor (above) even though most of these will not be seen: Additional parts painted and glued in place: Test fit of the sides and floors - starboard side: Port side: And that's as far as I got. Next week I hope to get the sides and floor parts glued together and then start work on the outsides. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Great start! If I could offer one suggestion, the driver’s floor and seat could be dirtied up some. AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 What a fantastic start on the FT Stix. I really like the effect of the white stippled onto the anthracite, really very effective indeed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimbledon99 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Have to agree re. the 'white' - It's SO effective!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted October 2, 2018 Author Share Posted October 2, 2018 (edited) On 30/09/2018 at 18:28, Andwil said: Great start! If I could offer one suggestion, the driver’s floor and seat could be dirtied up some. AW Hi AW and thank you. Yes I was thinking some dirt was required but I'm not sure what the best approach is. I may just use a build up of thiined earth paints although I have got Vallejo and Mig muds - I just don't want to overdo it. I might have a play over the weekend with the mud!! Thank you for your suggestion. On 30/09/2018 at 20:29, modelling minion said: What a fantastic start on the FT Stix. I really like the effect of the white stippled onto the anthracite, really very effective indeed. Hi Craig and thank you. I was was quite pleased with the effect of the stippled white. I have been making more use of it recently - like on my P-47 build. It takes some building up and I think it's quite important to know when to stop - otherwise it could have ended up looking like neat white paint! 15 hours ago, wimbledon99 said: Have to agree re. the 'white' - It's SO effective!! Thank you very much too Nigel. I have been doing a little work on this yesterday evening but not had chance to take any photos. Most of the remaining parts for the lower hull have had their inside walls painted so I'm hoping to have it sealed up soon. As I mentioned above I have still got to decide what weathering to apply to the insides. If anyone know's of any good photos of how the insides of the driver's compartment actually looked I would be most grateful. I have got some of retored versions but nothing from the WW1 period showing the state they got into. Kind regards, Stix Edited October 2, 2018 by PlaStix 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted October 3, 2018 Author Share Posted October 3, 2018 (edited) As I mentioned above, I have been doing a bit more work on this each evening this week. I have added some dirt effects on the lower driver compartment walls and on the floor. I have also added some streaks to the sides. I then glued the starboard side to the floors: Finally this evening I fitted the last control and rod on the starboard side: Next up I need to get the top sections together and fitted. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix Edited October 3, 2018 by PlaStix 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share Posted October 6, 2018 Bit more done today - the lid is on and some parts added to the sides: I have also started work on the wheels - very fiddly assembling these: .........actually quite a lot of this kit is a bit fiddly. There seems to a lot of places where parts have to join with no really positive locators. I thought the size difference between this and the Whippet is quite interesting: More tomorrow I hope. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 You really do possess incredible brush painting mastery stix, its almost a given, that whatever you choose to build will be awsome too before painting , one never tires of seeing any of your builds As always from the very top drawer Glynn 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimbledon99 Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 4 hours ago, Hewy said: You really do possess incredible brush painting mastery stix, its almost a given, that whatever you choose to build will be awsome too before painting , one never tires of seeing any of your builds As always from the very top drawer Glynn Ditto!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted October 7, 2018 Author Share Posted October 7, 2018 On 06/10/2018 at 19:01, Hewy said: You really do possess incredible brush painting mastery stix, its almost a given, that whatever you choose to build will be awsome too before painting , one never tires of seeing any of your builds As always from the very top drawer Glynn 21 hours ago, wimbledon99 said: Ditto!! Thank you very much Glynn and Nigel - you are both waaayyyy too kind! Today I have been working on the running gear - it's been fiddly work again at times! First job though was straight forward - I painted the wheel units with a couple of coats of thinned Revell's Anthracite: Once dry I dry-rushed them with Humbrol's Gunmetal: I also assembled the return roller units: .......before assembling the main running gear units. They are still attached to the sprues so I have something to hold while brush painting them: I'm hoping I can get onto some proper painting soon. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 Outstanding work Stix. Outstanding. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 Fantastic job Stix, that seat looks comfortable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAG058 Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 I don't quite know how, but this has all passed me by up until now! Stunning work as per usual though and I look forward to watching. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimbledon99 Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 These builds are just a pleasure to watch Stix, how do you find painting the etch with a brush and acrylics; do you need a primer? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 Catching up over a cuppa Stix,looking superb weathering first class as usual! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 (edited) On 08/10/2018 at 17:25, John D.C. Masters said: Outstanding work Stix. Outstanding. Thank you very much John - most kind! On 08/10/2018 at 20:24, Ozzy said: Fantastic job Stix, that seat looks comfortable. Thank you very much Ozzy - and I think you are right - looks more than some drivers got! On 08/10/2018 at 20:37, DAG058 said: I don't quite know how, but this has all passed me by up until now! Stunning work as per usual though and I look forward to watching. Hi DAG058. No problem - there's so much going on here on Britmodeller I frequently miss loads! Thank you. On 08/10/2018 at 22:12, wimbledon99 said: These builds are just a pleasure to watch Stix, how do you find painting the etch with a brush and acrylics; do you need a primer? Hi Nigel and thank you. With the etch I usualy wash it in warm soapy water and then paint it in pretty much the same way I paint the plastic. On some etch I find the thinned paints 'pull' off the surface more - so I usually just mix in a lttle more paint until it coats without pulling away. I don't use any primer at all - all my painting is done straight onto the plastic or etch. On 09/10/2018 at 09:36, stevej60 said: Catching up over a cuppa Stix,looking superb weathering first class as usual! Hi Steve and thank you. 👍 There's been more bits of real life to deal with over the weekend so consequently not as much time for modelling. I have managed to get the turret assembled and started getting some of the remaining parts ready for painting: The turret needs a bit more tidying up doing here and there but it is nicely detailed: I also got the rear hull framework assembled - a little bit fiddly here and there!: As you can see in the photo above - I also got the tracks assembled - each link had a moulding pip (of varying sizes) to remove and clean up - but there are only 32 links per side: If I am going to get this project finished on time I am going to have to get some work done on this in the evenings - we'll see how that goes! Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix Edited October 15, 2018 by PlaStix 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 I think the Whippet has come out really well and the FT-17 seems to be on the same path. Looking forward to seeing them both complete. Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 Seeing these being built is wonderful. I am really looking forward to the FT-17. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Coming along really nicely Stix. Nice to see a set of tracks with only 32 links! The turret has built up well, reminds me of the ones used on pillboxes in WWII. Having said that didn't the French and some others still have FT-17's on strength at the start of WWII? Keep up the great work mate, I look forward to your next installment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 On 18/10/2018 at 05:00, Colin W said: I think the Whippet has come out really well and the FT-17 seems to be on the same path. Looking forward to seeing them both complete. Colin Hi Colin. Thank you very much for your comments. I'm hoping to get them finished before the end of the GB but it’s going to be a bit of a push, especially if I want to get a base and figures done as well. On 18/10/2018 at 05:37, John D.C. Masters said: Seeing these being built is wonderful. I am really looking forward to the FT-17. Hi John and thank you. There's some progress as you'll see below. On 20/10/2018 at 19:05, modelling minion said: Coming along really nicely Stix. Nice to see a set of tracks with only 32 links! The turret has built up well, reminds me of the ones used on pillboxes in WWII. Having said that didn't the French and some others still have FT-17's on strength at the start of WWII? Keep up the great work mate, I look forward to your next installment. Hi Craig and thank you. Yes it's nice to have fewer links for the tracks. I think you are right about some FT-17 being still in use. It was a revolutionary tank in terms of its turret design. I have done a lot of work on this over the weekend - mostly working on the painting, camouflage and starting the weathering. Just one photo though - I was so busy I forgot to take photos. I'm a bit concerned I might not get this finished unless I get a bit of a shift on! More weathering to do and then hopefully some ore assembly. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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