Ian Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Kit - Academy. Paint - All Tamiya acrylics. Decals - Star 35 C 1149. Extras - Stowage from spares box. M7 Priest HMC 98th Field Regt. Italy, Summer 1943 Bought on impulse about eighteen months ago, not a huge fan of artillery builds but I had the decals already so I decided 'why not'. It's not one of Academys better kits, when this was issued, I'm guessing that the M3/M4 generic moulds were getting a little tired, no matter the lower hull builds quickly and easily, the interior is not 'the last word' but busy enough and the upper hull, well you need to be vigilant as you're bringing it together as there are gaps which can turn in to chasms if you're unlucky. Painting was a bit of a hike as I needed to get the fighting compartment base painting and fading done, then the dark green camo on the outside which was masked then the 'pink' for the outside sprayed and matched to the interior - probably created more work for m'self doing it that way around, I just didn't fancy cutting the camo masks to protect the 'pink'... much easier to protect the dark green. I didn't use 'exact' tones, I applied my favourite Mk.I eyeball method... on its own it looks perfectly fine but alongside my M3 Scout Car from last year it looks really pink !!. That said, GO 1650 of December '42 did specify - "The basic colour common to whole of MEF is designated 'Desert Pink' - the disruptive patterns will be in Dark Green (PF No.1)..." The directive 'officially' was recinded in April '43 ahead of the Italian invasion but it took time for all the vehicles to be re-painted in the new Light Mud & Blue/Black colours. So that's it, please feel free to ask any questions, hurl any abuse or make any comments. Next AFV on the bench will be an M3 Lee in late war SCC13 Jungle Green, and given the multi-faceted hull, I will probably go down the full-modulation route with the paint finish. All the best from New Zealand. Ian. 49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 I like that very much! Impressive build and great weathering. Good to see a non olive drab finish 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef N. Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Excellently done. Painting and weathering expertly done. Well done on mastering that old kit. Nice one.👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 5 hours ago, Ian said: It's not one of Academys better kits, when this was issued, I'm guessing that the M3/M4 generic moulds were getting a little tired, no matter the lower hull builds quickly and easily, the interior is not 'the last word' but busy enough and the upper hull, well you need to be vigilant as you're bringing it together as there are gaps which can turn in to chasms if you're unlucky. It doesn't matter when you can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. That's a very good looking Priest. Excellent painting and weathering, with great add ons. And the stowage is tied down! Bonus! John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Another cracking build off your bench Ian - with your signature superb paint and weathering! Top job!! 👍 Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Fantastic painting and weathering. I really like it. Nenad 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Nice one. You have encouraged me to return to my Priest which is buried somewhere at the back of the wardrobe. As you say, it's not the best kit ever but you clearly show that It can be beautifully done. Though possibly not by me, lol. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted July 25, 2021 Author Share Posted July 25, 2021 12 hours ago, Bullbasket said: And the stowage is tied down! Bonus! John. Cheers for seeing that, John - it's a like mantra with my armour builds, If it has stowage tie-it-down because if you don't you're gonna lose it on the first corner you turn !! Cheers Ian. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 10 hours ago, Ian said: If it has stowage tie-it-down because if you don't you're gonna lose it on the first corner you turn !! Exactly!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 I've not seen many of these built. Excellent paint and weathering. Looks very realistic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 nice to see a build in an unfamiliar scheme. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Looks excellent, great attention to detail! Hans 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanfrandragon Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Really nice weathering and stowage, and the tarp looks just right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 Great job. Nicely built, painted, weathered & stowed. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 I really like that - you-ve nailed the surface weathering! Nice job! Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Like it, very nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APA Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Beautiful stowage 😁👍 Andrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muchmirth Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Beauty of a tank that! Very authentic looks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planes123 Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Great camo and weathering of the model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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