Tortoise A39 (1/35 Meng) (If your going to do a tank, do a TANK)

[Bertie McBoatface]

46 minutes ago, APA said:

You'll have to ask @Das Abteilung as he kindly sent me what I used.

 

I found it quit tricky to use. Don't soak it too long as it breaks up quickly. Has a habit of sticking together when lifted from the pva and can't be worked too much when placed as it, again, will break up easily. 

It's glued together not woven and the glue must be water based. 

 

Andrew 

 

I plan to wet it with dilute (water washable) PVA and then let it dry hanging up as I do with PVA/tissue paper. I hope that will reinforce it and allow me to bend it into shape. If it gets too stiff, I may be able to soften it with a misting of water from the airbrush. It will be fun trying whatever the result.

[Kingsman]

IIRC the stuff I used was called plasterer's scrim. I got it from someone specialising in architectural restoration. Yes, a roll big enough to last a lifetime. Cotton as far as I can tell.

 

I haven't ever noticed it breaking up but then I only soak it long enough to absorb the watered PVA. Then add it to the model and shape it while wet, adding the good old tea leaves.  I wonder if it would sit right by part drying it first? And once PVA is curing you can't necessarily soften it again

[Bertie McBoatface]

28 minutes ago, Das Abteilung said:

wonder if it would sit right by part drying it first? And once PVA is curing you can't necessarily soften it again

That is a slight concern. My pva is water washable so it may re soften. I think I’ll have plenty to experiment with.  
 

Did you pre-colour it or paint it in situ?

[Troy Smith]

On 03/05/2021 at 18:09, APA said:

I mixed a PVA / Water / dark green acrylic paint concoction which I was hoping to mean I wouldn't have to paint it however it didn't really soak it up and the result is, well, a rather washed out result.

My suggestion for colouring would be green oil paint diluted with lighter fuel,  it is very very thin and seeking, and once evaporated, not greasy.  And, as you mention later that the scrim seems glued with a water based glue, an oil based wash should not affect it.   Just a suggestion. 

 

You also commented  on the paper for the mantlet cover,  coming from shoes.  I read in old Military Modelling mag about using dressmakers tissue, it's smoother a stronger than normal,  I got some off ebay,  

"Butterick Dressmakers Tissue Paper Plain White 5 Sheets 76cm X 127cm"

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/2143153863, £3.20 posted....

 

enough mess about with for a long time.  Maybe another for @Bertie Psmith  to play with,  I've not tried out much, I wanted it to make a flag.

 

Very neat model,

cheers

T

[Bertie McBoatface]

25 minutes ago, Troy Smith said:

I wanted it to make a flag.

What a good idea. I need a flag in my current project. 

[APA]

1 hour ago, Das Abteilung said:

IIRC the stuff I used was called plasterer's scrim. I got it from someone specialising in architectural restoration. Yes, a roll big enough to last a lifetime. Cotton as far as I can tell.

 

I haven't ever noticed it breaking up but then I only soak it long enough to absorb the watered PVA. Then add it to the model and shape it while wet, adding the good old tea leaves.  I wonder if it would sit right by part drying it first? And once PVA is curing you can't necessarily soften it again

I was going to say, I always apply netting wet. It has a better drape. The first lot I wetted broke up because I left it in too long, about 5 mins as I had coloured the pva. Second lot just a few minutes but found as I positioned it it started the break up. Probably just a case of practice. 

 

45 minutes ago, Troy Smith said:

My suggestion for colouring would be green oil paint diluted with lighter fuel,  it is very very thin and seeking, and once evaporated, not greasy.  And, as you mention later that the scrim seems glued with a water based glue, an oil based wash should not affect it.   Just a suggestion. 

 

You also commented  on the paper for the mantlet cover,  coming from shoes.  I read in old Military Modelling mag about using dressmakers tissue, it's smoother a stronger than normal,  I got some off ebay,  

"Butterick Dressmakers Tissue Paper Plain White 5 Sheets 76cm X 127cm"

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/2143153863, £3.20 posted....

 

enough mess about with for a long time.  Maybe another for @Bertie Psmith  to play with,  I've not tried out much, I wanted it to make a flag.

 

Very neat model,

cheers

T

That's pretty much the stuff. 

I tried dying it by adding acrylic paint to the pva mix but it didn't take so had to paint it after. 

 

Oh and cheers 

 

Andrew 

[Kingsman]

11 hours ago, Bertie Psmith said:

Did you pre-colour it or paint it in situ?

In situ.  Didn't think of pre-colouring but it's not a bad idea to make sure you don't end up with any white bits you can't quite get to.  Some acrylic paint or ink in the PVA mix, perhaps

[edjbartos]

That’s one beautifully built and finished tank, superb job....👍

 

Ed

[APA]

5 hours ago, Das Abteilung said:

In situ.  Didn't think of pre-colouring but it's not a bad idea to make sure you don't end up with any white bits you can't quite get to.  Some acrylic paint or ink in the PVA mix, perhaps

Tried that with acrylic and it didn't work 😁

 

Andrew 

[Bertie McBoatface]

6 hours ago, Das Abteilung said:

In situ.  Didn't think of pre-colouring but it's not a bad idea to make sure you don't end up with any white bits you can't quite get to.  Some acrylic paint or ink in the PVA mix, perhaps

 

1 hour ago, APA said:

Tried that with acrylic and it didn't work 😁

 

Andrew 

 

I'll try inking it first. My first task for it involves a rolled up net so it's a suitably small scale for experimenting.

[LeeM]

Wow. What a great job. Love all the scratching. I can only dream.

[APA]

5 hours ago, LeeM said:

Wow. What a great job. Love all the scratching. I can only dream.

Thanks Lee, one day your dream will come true 🧚

 

Andrew