Well done James. The important thing is the model, not the photos..

Well, talk about coming late to the party!

I had the best of intentions when I signed up for this campaign. Spent time looking over the research material I have, chose one of the kits from the stash, and got ready to start in January.

Then, life interrupted. Next thing I know, it's April and the clock is ticking. No problem - my wife is off to visit family and with a week on my own, I actually have time to get something started. My choice - the KV with cast turret, corrected using Neil Stokes' recipes to represent a Spring 1942 production variant.



Rear hatches to the transmission flush mounted



And, that's how it sat until a week ago....

Then, with the deadline approaching, I figured it was time to get things into gear if I had any hope of getting this done. First up, get the tracks together and finish assembly



Get some paint onto it - first up, the tracks and running gear:



Then, more paint. Initial coat was Tamiya Olive Green 58, oversprayed with Model Master Russian Green and glossed up with a coat of Future. Everything left to dry overnight



Then, as of last night, time to start adding some character. First up, give it a case of the measles...



I used oil paints (raw sienna, burnt sienna, yellow ochre and a bit of burnt umber). Everything gets blended together...



Well, that's how things currently stand. Still have to weather/ add the tow cables and spare track links. If I can get that extension until the 14th, I may still get this done yet!

That has already been agreed upon Grant, so get cracking!!

Little update from here: KV-1 is painted and got it first gloss cote. Friul tracks are under chemical prosess... I still feel I can screw this up by being late with one day form deadline...

You can do it Kimmo!!

Warreni thanks!
@Jan-very nice work,my friend,i like what you do with those tracks.After i see your Su-152,i must buy myself this kit.
@eMan- very nice Ekranami!
@Lespauljames-very good work on this monster,and,i'm glad to see you here.
@GVoakes-lovely work, until now ,on your KV 1C...i just wait to see the finish.
@Kimmo-come on man,you can do it,we have almost 10 days until the campaign finish.

Because i have some problems with my pc,this time no pictures of my work in progress,so sorry.So,my second braille build for this campaign, an experimental KV 220,PST 1/72 kit.Due to my information,this experimental tank has broke down during the test,so,in my oppinion,never been painted in winter camo.
My KV 220,an mediocre kit, with ugly and hard to ansemble tracks,almost finish:









I hope to finish'im until saturday.Cheers,
Dani

Going to see if I can finish assembly this weekend, then paint and wash ASAP.

Get a cracken there bud I want to see a finished product

LOL, workin' on it! The plastic on this thing is so friggin' soft that it's really hard to work with But it's cool, I'll have something to show around this coming Wednesday I think

I guess I missed the extension cutoff date, would someone help out this old soul so I dont do anything stupid like rush the paint/weathering.

Bob

We have 10 more days Bob, I won't rush the painting if you don't

Ok! you Ruskie dirt hounds (those who know their Russian earth) here are a sample of colors that I wish to spray the bottom of my KV ll. which would resemble the dirt color?




Thanks in advance for any help/

Bob

So far the progress on my KV.. almost finished, some details to be painted, spare tracks, will be over this weekend I hope.

Hi, Bob. Not very much Ruskie dirt hound myself, but I live relatively close to them, so maybe can do some help

They say Russia is a big country. Your question is kind of "what kind of rock they have in USA mountains". But from your selection, you can choose XF55 and XF57 for dry mud, Vallejo 70871 for dark mud. For sandy environment XF57 or 70912, maybe add a bit white and dilute it. XF52 could go for very fresh, wet and thick mud. You also could add some genuine dirt for texture.

Raimondas,
your explanation is exactly what I needed to understand which color to use next. Thank You very much.


Bob

Raimondas,
I took your advice and mixed my own concoction of Finger Nail Polish Remover / Squadron White Putty / Tamiya XF52 and made some HOME MADE MUD Tell me what you think, the hull is my Eastern Express KV l for the Eastern European Steel campaign. I plan on using Tamiyas XF57 diluted as an overspray on the top for dust.







Bob

Interesting effect Bob... Basically, Bob, you could use any colour mud you wanted and challenge anyone to prove you wrong. As that other fine upstanding individual said, Russia is a big country...

I'm going to have to hold on mud because I really don't know how to do it and don't have the time to learn for this build, although my KV is definitely going to need it

One of my outer return roller pieces decided that it was a mexican jumping bean and launched all over the place, so I may have to go without a return roller.

I am pretty sure that there were quite a few KVs that did without a return roller at some stage. You can always muddy it up later Jeremy.

@ Bob, the mud looks good but I think you forgot to use a base paint

@Jeremy, just make it look like the return roller broke or got blown off

@ Sal: I will just spray the mud color over the mud after that base color and a little hand applied extra and who will know if the crew did some in feild painting.

Bob

Ok guys I uploaded a photo of my KV-1 into that gallery now lets see everyone else get those KV's finished

Knowing Russian quality control at the time, and Russian maintenance practices, I would say there would have been quite a few that just fell off due to nuts not being tightened correctly , or checked during maintenance.. Remember, it was quantity over quality...

Hi. Bob, the mud seems good to me. But, as Sal mentioned, the base coat would probably be easier to spray beneath the mud. Sure, not so much base color would be visible after such a mud bath.
I would add some variation to the mud , like darker blotches and streaks for wetter places in nooks and crannies and lighten up where mud cover is thinner and dries up more fast. Some dark brown, grey and greenish blotches and streaks would immitate humus dirt and oily splashes. Pigments would be usefull in this case.
You can also make some thin mud mixture and blow it from large brush with empty airbrush to imitate fresh splashes, where appropriate. Care is needed here, so you can practice on scrap plastic or piece of cardboard.
Mig Jimenez has made excellent videos of this technique in his first DVD, if you can get your hands on it.
Good luck

Ok, I just finished this one, thanks again to Warren for extending it for 2 extra weeks. Pics uploaded on Kitmaker Campaign Gallery and here too: