Orange Box Pershing (T26e3)
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 01:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Ryan - I made this tank a while back and this blog is making me want to take another shot. That's the mark of a great build log IMHO. The dust you sprayed onto the fenders is really effective ... I'm usually too scared of mucking up the paint to spray on dust that way. I'm not overly jumpy, but I fear the one twitch on the airbrush trigger that will ruin things.
Bill,
Thanks for looking....most high end airbrushes have a "trigger stop" to prevent shakey hands and itchy trigger fingers.
Another secret is to mix enough OD green up front so if you do wander a bit you can surgically touch it up. This is exactly what I did here....the dust coat was a little heavy so I came back in and dusted some OD to better blend it in. Usually when you think you have enough dust on it's too late, I always have a test tank ready to let me see what 2-3 passes of the dust look like.
Once the dust is on it still just looks like aribrused paint, it's the spatter of pigments that bridge it all together. I also would recommend masking the running gear and fenders seperatly and dusting them independantly of each other. A dark paper mask will help you see what the dust cote is doing.
Ryan
Florida, United States
Joined: June 03, 2003
KitMaker: 1,095 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 02:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Very interesting, I have never seen anyone use paper towels to diffuse lights 
I'm assuming that you don't leave the lights on long enough to ignite the paper towels? .
I stole ryans idea for the poor mans cheat light box and used tissue paper instead of paper towels. The kind you use for gift wrapping.
Cant wait to see this in person Ryan! looking flippin awesome
Fideli Certa Merces -- "to the faithful there is certain reward"
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 06:32 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Very interesting, I have never seen anyone use paper towels to diffuse lights I'm assuming that you don't leave the lights on long enough to ignite the paper towels? 
The weathering is looking really good, the texture is especially nice.
Yes the lights are not on for long....you can feel the heat coming off of those 100 watt bulbs! I would imagine it could get ugly if I left them on for a long perion of time. I don't even like to leave the model under them for very long.
Ryan
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Friday, February 25, 2011 - 08:35 AM UTC
Update time...
I set the lower hull aside to work on some Turret detail painting. The spare track and track adjusting tools were brush painted with AV black. Vision ports on the commander's copula were brush painted with a custom mixture of Wal-Mart Apple Barrel craft paint. A final step of Dull Cote sealed things up.
Ryan
United States
Joined: January 23, 2010
KitMaker: 25 posts
Armorama: 21 posts
Posted: Friday, February 25, 2011 - 09:58 AM UTC
First off sweet job. From the first set of pictures"How do you keep the assembly clean" no sand mark's glue run off etc, is it through careful execution? How do you sand and file your gun barrel, that would be a article. Thanks for the track idea's very clear and useful!
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 12:43 AM UTC
Quoted Text
First off sweet job. From the first set of pictures"How do you keep the assembly clean" no sand mark's glue run off etc, is it through careful execution? How do you sand and file your gun barrel, that would be a article. Thanks for the track idea's very clear and useful!
Thanks Aaron,
My profession as a cabinet designer spills over into my hobby.
I work off of tight tolerences and exacting measurements day to day so I tend to carry that through to the models. I also am a aircraft modeler were wings and landing gear need to be at the correct angle etc.
I would say the most important thing I do is test fit everything before commiting to glue....also I use the Tamiya extra thin cement. Sometimes I will go back and sand or blend in the shiny glue spots for the photo.
On the barrel, again no real secret...just dry fit and try to keep the unit round by not sanding in one spot too long.
Ryan
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 02:09 AM UTC
Almost done!
Not much left to do...I need to finish the 50. Cal and add the antenna.
In these shots I aged the spare track and tools with a Turpiniod/ Pastel slurry. I also painted the vision ports with a coat of future to simmulate the slight shine of the armored glass.
Thanks
Ryan
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 02:28 AM UTC
New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,325 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 03:01 AM UTC
hmmmm. needs some dust on the upper surfaces
Modelling is not just a hobby, it's an addiction.
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 03:18 AM UTC
I applied a little, but at this stage didn't want to screw it up...which I am very capable of doing!
Ryan
British Columbia, Canada
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 480 posts
Armorama: 399 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 04:25 AM UTC
Hey Ryan, wanted to say how great this is turning out, very well done!
One thing that I noted, actually the only thing, was perhaps adding some "history" to the mud on the lower hull. Most machines I've been around have older, differently shaded mud/debris jammed in corners of the running gear. thought it might add some depth to the hull. Anyway, great job and an awesome inspiration to drag my 50% complete tamiya hulk out of the box!
Cheers, Eric.
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 05:13 AM UTC
Thanks Eric, you are right of course.
I'll have to chalk this one up as experience...it's a bit late to go back and add some other colors. I had made it this far I'm not going to push my luck.
(This is only my 3rd finished Armor model in nearly 20 years)
I tried to vary the mud signature on the wheels...if you look close some are dirtier than others. That I just did by adding more or less oil paint to the pigment.
Cheers,
Ryan
Florida, United States
Joined: June 03, 2003
KitMaker: 1,095 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 05:34 AM UTC
I think this looks great! Very nice, crisp, clean work.
As for the mud/ dust amounts, I think it is fine and its the overall effect that is important.
Not every armored vehicle has to be covered in mud and dirt. Remember, they start out clean! Also depending on soil and weather conditions, dust and dirt does different things. Dry season will only give you a dusty application with no caked on mud, and that dust will build over time. It doesn't just appear thick and heavy. Hard packed soils or more rocky terrain will give you even less dust and zero mud. But, some swampy land during the rainy season will give you so much mud the crew has to clean it out or risk throwing a track. I was a armored vehicle crewcheif for many years...I saw our AAVPs in all environments, and all sorts of weathering.
Remember... modeling is an art and an interpretation. It is also an exercise in observation. Plus we all have our own feel for what we like. Some like em dirty, others (like Tony Greenland) like them clean. Most of us fall in between the two, and as long as its not "impossible" then it should be good to go.
Ryans amount of dust and dirt is VERY possible.
Great job Ryan!
Andy
Fideli Certa Merces -- "to the faithful there is certain reward"
British Columbia, Canada
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 480 posts
Armorama: 399 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 05:55 AM UTC
Right on Ryan, it really looks great, and I fully relate to not wanting to blow a project at the end, hate that moment of "Ohhhh nooooo!"
Andy, just wanted to clarify, wasn't suggesting throwing tons of mud and clods, simply varying the shades to add as I said a "history". just different shades to imply different terrain and timing. I agree that very few vehicles get covered in great huge gobs of mud and dirt.
But as I said, Ryan It looks awesome! hope you had as good a time building it as we have following along, thanks for sharing.
Florida, United States
Joined: June 03, 2003
KitMaker: 1,095 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 06:21 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Andy, just wanted to clarify, wasn't suggesting throwing tons of mud and clods, simply varying the shades to add as I said a "history". just different shades to imply different terrain and timing. I agree that very few vehicles get covered in great huge gobs of mud and dirt.
Hey Eric, its all good....I understood what you were saying and my comments were not really directed only at you, but in general as I see the mentality of "its a tank, gota be really dirty" start showing up as threads continue on. Your suggestion of adding a bit of history is a good one (im actually attempting that myself this weekend on one im working on)
Fideli Certa Merces -- "to the faithful there is certain reward"
#003
Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 06:44 AM UTC
Hi Ryan. A very nice build. I like the way you keep the build so organised and clean. Those extra little touches make such a difference. Must get some of those Archer casting numbers as well.
IPMS Stockholm
"The problem with common sense, is that it is not that common"
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 07:05 AM UTC
Thanks for all of the responses, I decided to hold my breath and attempt some light dusting here and there....(crowd goes silent)
The pigments were applied wet then scrubbed away then tidied up with a make-up pad.
I think the light application helped, all comments are welcome.
Ryan
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 08:35 AM UTC
And......here is the turret with the new dust effects, I think they are a improvement from a few shots up..
Ryan
Texas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
Armorama: 4,817 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 09:44 AM UTC
Nice and subtle, I am going to venture a guess that the photos aren't fully doing justice to your build?
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 27, 2011 - 03:19 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Ryan. A very nice build. I like the way you keep the build so organised and clean. Those extra little touches make such a difference. Must get some of those Archer casting numbers as well.
Thanks Frank, much appreciated.
The Model is finished, I have posted it over on the Allied Forum here......
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/172423&page=1Thanks
Ryan
#384
Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
Armorama: 1,316 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 - 11:54 AM UTC
That's a beautiful tank, perfect shade of green. I like the coment on the lifting lugs, but remember, there's nothing "Private-Proof"
South Australia, Australia
Joined: August 14, 2007
KitMaker: 5,926 posts
Armorama: 712 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 - 01:03 PM UTC
I do not think you needed any more dust. I am not one of these people who think that tanks, especially those in peace-time, are always covered in mud, dust etc. Everytime a vehicle comes back to base after an exercise it gets a good wash down with a pressure sprayer that gets rid of all the mud and dust. So anyone who builds a tank in a nice, clean state is just as accurate as one that is covered in grunge. In wartime, if a vehicle lasts long enough in combat, it will eventually get serviced and one of the first stages of a servicing is to wash the vehicle if possible. Keeps grit etc out of bearings and bearing surfaces. Of course, this all goes out the window if the army or whatever doesn't have a maintenance regime..
You may be right, I may be crazy.
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 - 01:14 PM UTC
Thanks for that perspective Warren, certainly makes sense.
The airplane modeler in me always hesitates to make em' to beat up!
Ryan
Florida, United States
Joined: July 29, 2008
KitMaker: 430 posts
Armorama: 407 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 - 01:19 PM UTC
Quoted Text
That's a beautiful tank, perfect shade of green. I like the coment on the lifting lugs, but remember, there's nothing "Private-Proof"
Thanks James, I'm glad someone reads my comments and just doesn't look at the pretty pictures!
Ryan
Florida, United States
Joined: June 03, 2003
KitMaker: 1,095 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 - 01:32 PM UTC
that is kickin...cant wait to see it in person! Awesome job!
Fideli Certa Merces -- "to the faithful there is certain reward"
