Really outstanding work going on here! That vehicle is superb and the weathering and damage is off the charts.
J

Thanks Bob...appreciate you hanging in there while I get close to finishing!!!

Thanks for the kind words Jerry!!!

Lovely paint job Todd.

Very nice weathering and paintjob. Love the damage to the model as well!

Frank and Pytagorus, thanks a bunch, it's most appreciated!!!

Looking like it's time to give this one an update! Just about done with this one. I managed to slap together a little base. Need to tidy up a couple more items and the base will be ready.





As you may have guessed there is at least one or two more items on this girl as well....





The first of the mud has gone on, next will be some touch-ups and add the figures....hang in there!!

Thanks for having a look-C!!

Beautiful Todd. Really looking forward to seeing the L/70 on it's base.

Hey T.

Sweet base for that sweet Pz. This will look amazing when matched together. Splendid works buddy.

Gary

Thanks Christopher...hopefully it won't be too long of a wait! Trying to get a small item worked out and mount this today!

Thanks Gary!!! You know how it is...adjustments and more adjustments!! Almost there!!!

One of the best projects that I have seen. The base is a worthy recipient of the vehicle! That is saying a lot because that vehicle rocks! Perfect use of color.
J

Yanno...this would look even better at Wings and Wheels this year I bet. Will you be bringing it?

-Conor

Jerry - Thanks you for the kind words!! Most appreciated. Not sure where I stand sometimes until you start getting the feedback! Always more critical of our own stuff, aren't we?

Thanks Conor! I should have this done so it will be making the trip. Rob's will be there as well as we have a table in the vendor room this year for the Modeller Social Club site and I might enter it as well...all in good fun!

Whoa, I should've asked this originally but how did you make the mud? I know AK effects can mix with plaster, but what technique did you use? There's a few I've seen

-Conor

Hi Conor, No problem on the mud...was asked the question earlier about the same thing so here is what I got....

Taking the standard base plinth the bulk of the definition for the mount will be achieved through the use of XPS (extruded polystyrene) of in other words that funky pink and/or blue foam used in construction for insulating foundation and commercial roofing.



As you can see to the left of the base piece there is 3 small pieces of the foam. These were literally hacked out of a small piece leftover from the corner. These will end up being the granite street markers. I used the term "hacking" because I did not take much care in making a nice smooth cut on all sides. This will help with the look when don.

Ready for the Mud?....

Plaster (powdered version of USG drywall compound



Sand for texture



Pigment for base color



Switching to the other corner for a moment...standard PVA Glue...very technically spread....with my finger!!



Application of sand for texture....you must be getting tired by now?



Again using the most expensive tool I own, my finger, I spread the sand out somewhat smoothly but leaving this irregular.



Time to apply the "mud"!! I have a healthy supply of Popsicle sticks and tongue depressors on hand just for this purpose.





At this time I applied about 1/2 of the foliage and saplings, leaves and what have you!



The next parts actually move a little too fast. Using different combinations of AK's Dark Mud Wash and Damp Earth Wash, I airbrushed the foliage and saplings and the entire dirt/mud covered space. Then I appled more foliage and saplings, and then a light spraying on the mixes.



The stone work...all to these was hand painting with Vallejo's Model Color - Stone Grey and letting dry. Then a quick light wash with AK's Naval Wash for Wood Decks, let dry for about 5 minutes, then applied AK's Slimy Grime Dark to the bottom edge in an uneven patten, next a little Slimy Grime Light just above the Dark, slightly blending. Finally finishing off with AK's Salt Streaks dry-brushed onto the top...Sorry for the lack of pics at this stage...this entire process to this point was done in one sitting and moved along rather quickly.

Hope this helped a bit!!

Holy s***. Yeah man, helped a helluva lot more than I thought it would. I'm making a diorama for the show in March and this little how-to probably saved me hours of trying to figure out how to make part of my groundwork. And part of the ruins in it too. Can't thank you enough at this point hahaha. Very helpful my friend.

Do you think very fine celluclay (aka cat litter) would work the same way as the sand? Or would it throw off the color?

Thanks a million

-Conor

The base is looking great so far, T. I like the SBS. That corner section by the markers almost makes me think I've been there!

Cat litter is made to absorb.

Excellent T, just excellent. Thanks for the base SBS, very informative

Conor - Your welcome then.. Always nice to find an easier path. One of the biggest things that bothered me early on in the hobby...finding information. The celluclay, like Christopher explained, is absorbant. You can use the joint compound and or a PVA (white Glue) and water mix buut you may have to take a trial run as it will naturally pull the water from the mix and dry as you go. The sand I am using is "Play Sand". I happen to get this in at work for use in live load testing of samples, but it can be purchased for around or under $10USD at any home center or Wally World. If you have any dirt sections in you basement, you can take a scoot, as this is usually dried nicer than the stuff outside and sift it through some screening which gives you a very nice fine textured dirt for your build. Save some of the bigger pea-sized rocks to add in after for interest.

Thanks Bob!! Appreciate it!! LOL...you might have been there maybe!!! Almost done. Got most of it set last night and I just have some "tricky" weathering to do now on some small stuff.


Thanks for chiming in there Christopher!!


James...glad to see they took the lock off and let you out of the cage for a bit!! Thank you Sir!! And, you are welcome! Always more fun sometimes to share how the things go together...LOL...may not always be right necessarily but fun just the same!!

Excellent model and a great diorama!

Superb info on the building of the dio as well. I'll be sure to take notes as I've never built one myself.

Thank you Vegard!! I appreciate the kind words! Really not to bad, just take your time and layer the stages like weathering on the model!

Seen this elsewhere brother, and still lovin it. Looks like you'll have her done soon...which means I need to start the second part of the duel...the StuG III.
Was thinking, maybe the Stug on the trailer I'm working on...never mind.
looking forward to the final shots bro.

There he is!! Hey Rob, thought you were on a vacation...LOL!! I am looking forward to getting into the second part of this with you!! StuG III's ...coming to a forum close to you!! LOL!!! I know your itching to get started too...should have this done tonight!! That will pave the way for you as soon as you finish some of them queens on the desk!!!

OK....the time has come to close the door on this 1/2 of the first part of the Duel!!!

My Pz.IV L/70 (A):







For discussion purposes only




For discussion purposes only




















For discussion purposes only





As always...thank you for hanging around for this one!! Please keep you eye peeled for the next installment on the Duel coming soon as Rob will start things off with the new version of DML's StuG III and I will trail behind with the older version!

You nailed it T...what a great ride this build has been from start to finish. Thanks