SimonL Posted October 31, 2022 Author Share Posted October 31, 2022 Thanks John. Working from home today so got a little lunchtime painting in. The tracks got their first coat of Tamiya NATO Black. I used a coat of Tamiya Olive Drab as a primer for a couple of thin coats of Vallejo 887. Really happy with the texture on the turret - much better than the too smooth look to start with. Which is good, as I was a little anxious about doing it! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted November 7, 2022 Author Share Posted November 7, 2022 Been slowly getting the wheels painted. In the meantime sorted out some tie downs for the pioneer tools using some thin pewter sheet from the capsule for a bottle of bubbles from a long time ago - stored away for doing seatbelts in aircraft. It’s probably not terribly accurate, but it looks better than leaving them plain. They look a bit messy at first, but once covered with paint (over Tamiya OD as a primer), I think they will do. I always like this stage, when all the various random glue stains, mismatched bits of plastic and add-ons, as well as other marks get covered up. Back to painting wheels. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 The pewter foil looks good Simon. The only thing that you need to add to them (that's if you have any) are some etched buckles. There's usually some on Sherman etched sets. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 Hi Simon, Coming along nicely, still not my favorite part, it is a long-awaited one, many (if not all) the mistakes that have been made, either by us or by the manufacturer, disappear by "magic"... lol Cheers and TC Francis.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted November 8, 2022 Author Share Posted November 8, 2022 21 hours ago, Bullbasket said: The pewter foil looks good Simon. The only thing that you need to add to them (that's if you have any) are some etched buckles. There's usually some on Sherman etched sets. John. Thanks John - I don’t have any, perhaps next time? Baby steps 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 Ok, hit my first significant problems with this build. First, I managed to break a couple of axles on one of the bogie parts. Not too hard to fix, just a bit plastic rod that needs some fettling. This is more serious. The front of the bogies that the instructions tell me to use (parts 28 and 29) have rather gruesome sink marks. The equivalent parts not to be used don’t, all though have very deep indentations. What do I do? I suspect I will need to have a go at filling and then slathering on some “mud” to hide my attempts at fixing. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted November 14, 2022 Author Share Posted November 14, 2022 But the bullet and put the running gear together this evening. Wasn’t that hard once I had done one or two. The little spacer was much easier I imagine than the spongy layers approach. One evenings work and they are all done. Just some tidying up of seams and the skids to be done. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 Hi Simon. I bought this kit at the Telford show this weekend, and I've had a look at your problem. They're not sink holes. They should be there, but they are not very well defined. From what I can find, those "indentations" should have either bolt heads in them, or small circles with holes in the centre. My one will be built as (yet another) Israeli M50, so I'll ascertain as to which type my one requires, and drill the holes a bit deeper, and then insert either a small disc with a hole in it, or a bolt head. But whatever you do Simon, don't fill them. John. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 (edited) Just a short update today. Fitted the skids and then a dry fit to the hull. Good news, all the wheels are level on the ground. Edited November 16, 2022 by SimonL 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted November 21, 2022 Author Share Posted November 21, 2022 At last, the package from Poland has arrived! In the meantime I’ve been keeping myself busy painting the pioneer tools. The wooden handles are a bit “vibrant”, hoping the weathering process will tone that down a bit. Ivd also been working on the stowage and bogie assemblies. A few bits of touching up to do, but they are beginning to look the part. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted November 22, 2022 Author Share Posted November 22, 2022 Didn’t take long to get the main armament sorted, even with painting as I went. I lightly roughened the metal barrel before painting it. First the parts. Halfway through. And finished. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 Coming along nicely Simon. Keep up the good work. George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 It's looking good Simon. Very nice paint job. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 Thanks George and John. Very happy with how the paint job worked out. Sorted out the decals over the last few days. First I used a nice flat brush to paint on a coat of Italeri Acryl gloss. First time I’ve used Star Decals. They are very thin, and a little fragile, but look good once on. Only issues was the AoS markings, which were a little out of register. I replaced them with items left over from my RFM Firefly Vc. Not quite the same, but I think they look better. I took my time, and once they were all on I sealed them in with another coat of gloss. That’s it’s for a week or so - off to Melbourne for work. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 This is really coming to life now! Really great workmanship on show here, awaiting the next update now Stay safe Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfoot Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Looking really good with the markings on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) Back home after my first trip out of Western Australia in 3 years. Flying was an interesting experience after all this time. Started the process of making the tank look a little used. Started first with a brushed on coat of Vallejo Model Wash Khaki Green, which actually was more a dirty muddy brown. This is not one I have used before, and I rather like it. Adds a nice subtle grubbiness. This suited me fine, as the next step was to add some mud. Not done this before so I thought I would try an off the shelf solution, using Vallejo Thick Mud. This is a thickish paste, which well looks like mud. I brushed some on roughly using an old stiff brush. I was rather surprised how effective it looked. Once it had dried I added a brushed on coat of Vallejo Model Wash Oiled Earth to make it a bit darker, I also used this to just add some variation to the sides as well. I then finally got to glue the bogies on, and here is where I have got to at the end of the weekend. Edited December 4, 2022 by SimonL 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 No progress to repost today, but look what turned up direct from Asuka in Japan (a little over 2 weeks after I ordered it). There was also a little extra gift of some stowage in the package: I suspect I may have some questions for the Sherman super thread shortly. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef N. Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Lovely work Simon. Those Vallejo washes look very handy and leave a good effect.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share Posted December 8, 2022 Oh oh - I think the Sherman III may have to wait. Look what the missus got me for my birthday. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 11, 2022 Author Share Posted December 11, 2022 Got the tracks on today, and ran into a little problem. Not matter how much I tried to increase the tension by moving the rear idlers around the tracks just looked too lose. I carefully removed a couple of links on each side and then glued the tracks back together again. In the process managed to damage the paintwork, but I don’t think it looks too bad. There was a fair bit of flaking of paint off the tracks, but too my surprise it does actually look that bad. Nothing that a few touch ups can’t deal with, and with a dab of mud should be ok. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted December 11, 2022 Share Posted December 11, 2022 They look fine Simon. You worry too much. At least now I know what I've got to look forward to. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 11, 2022 Author Share Posted December 11, 2022 Thanks John. I think for my next one, if I use the provided tracks I will just paint them with Tamiya acrylic as an undercoat and not bother with the primer. Oh, and be prepared for them to be too long! (Too long is certainly better than too short!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 12, 2022 Author Share Posted December 12, 2022 Weathering the wheels and tracks today. After touching up the tracks where needed, I first I brushed on Vallejo Khaki Green model Wash on the tracks. I then slopped on some the Vallejo mud over the running gear and tracks and followed up with a patchy wash of Vallejo Oiled Earth Model Wash. This I extended a bit up the sides as well. Rather pleased with how it looks. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted December 13, 2022 Author Share Posted December 13, 2022 Added a little bit of a pin wash using a a mix of Vallejo Dark Grey and Dark Brown model wash. only noticed AFTER taking the photo that there is an errant hair in the picture - luckily not stuck to anything. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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