Painted the sdkfz 253 with a base coat of Testors German Uniform Gray.


Added the white camo stripes. I painted these on using a paintbrush. I really just sort of slapped the white on. I figured that's how they did it for real. I used thinned flat white so it had an uneven semi tone to it like whitewash. Plus, it'll allow the decals to show a bit better.


With all the hatches and decals on. The decals were added after the white paint. The instructions don't have any provisions for gray backgrounds or using black center insignia. I just went by the instructions and added the decals.




The markings are for a vehicle from StugAbt 197. I have a StuG III/E with the same unit markings so it now has a stablemate for some diorama down the line.


Some more shots on a darker background.








And with that I am declaring this one done. It wasn't a bad build...wasn't great either. I do think with a bit of work, a bit of styrene, and a few visits to the spares box it can be up pretty nicely.

I like it. I think you could really do it justice, with some super detailing. Don't forget to post a photo in the campaign gallery.

This is my T34/76. Not happy with the finished result but lost all motivation after the acrylic wash failed. Let me tell you what happened...

1. Assemble kit
2. Camo with rattle can. Would normally use the AB but wet/humid weather persuaded me to use the can.
3. Decals
4. Clear coat
5. Acrylic/thinner pin wash. Thought I could remove the unwanted wash but it 'stained'. The last model i built had a similar problem but I used acrylic/water for the wash and it also 'stained'. Not sure why it happened but it took all my motivation away.
6. Tried to brush on a coat of Tamiya Flat Clear but it didn't work very well. You can see some brush marks on the finished model.
7. I decided to try a few different things since I no longer cared for this tank. Different chipping, pastels(new for me), Tamiya powders, etc.

All in all a good experience as I learned quite a bit. There is definitely more to this modeling caper that meets the eye! I may use the SA-9 Gaskin as well if I have the time. And well done to all who have posted their work, some really great tanks on here!

Hi Luke,

I don't think the finish is as bad as you think. I kind of like it! However, you should attack the tracks; I think that would really improve the overall appearance. IMHO.

Hope you get your mojo back!

—mike

Luke,
I tend to agree with Mike that it doesn't look bad. I think the finish works well with the period and the war situation. You could always overpaint it white for a winter vehicle. I also agree about hitting those tracks. Even a simple drybrushing of rust followed by a light brushing of steel should make them pop.

Thanks for the replies fellas. Your comments do indeed lift my spirits. I won't go back to the tank now, I prefer to move on to something else and try to a better job there. If I get time I will tackle this kit, Dragon SA-9 Gaskin. Wish me luck.

I look foward to the Gaskin, but I agree that the T34 looks good. I think that with a white wash and retouch of the tracks it could be one you would be proud to display.

Hello -- I've just signed up. Will go with this:



Cheers,

Tat

I'm assembling hull quickly because all parts fit very well.





There are some options like most part of Dragon kits and you can chose between plastic or metal parts like engine grills, mudguards and various handles.




However there is a problem with Magic Tracks because in the inner surface of each link there are two casting marks pins to be removed....

Dario I use a small chisel to remove the ejector pin marks.

Thanks Matt
it's a boring job but necessary

It took me the better part of nine hours to clean up the panzer tracks.

Update:

Here is my entry:

nice kit from what I´ve seen, first progress will folllow tonight

I've been doing a little here and there, but nothing photo worthy

Hello guys
Can I join you with this ancient kit?

alright... already discovered some issueswith the kit...
The PE cover for the drivers periscopes can in no way be bend to match the plastic part... and the vosion block for the driver isn´t marked in the instructions, but ther is actually a part on the sprues which should fit in...

Tadakatsu: That kit fits in. Welcome aboard.

Looks like I won't be able to get back to my build, before the 20th.

Just to make sure that everyone knows, the link to the campaign gallery is here:
https://gallery.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/29148

After a bit of time away to deal with real life, I have progress to report on the Dragon SU85M!… The 4BO is laid down. Here are the results so far...



Apart from the push mark circles on the inside of the track (see above, grrrrr), this kit is really nice.

















Next hairspray and a rough and ready winter whitewash with a fair bit of chipping…

Cheers!

Matthew

So the colour modulation was all a bit pointless because I covered it under a winter whitewash. I then added a pin wash with some burnt umber oil diluted in white spirit. Still lots to do, but getting there...









Cheers

Matthew

Great Work Matthew! I started doing this "color modulation" 2 yrs ago and what I learned so far is that you have to exaggerate it a lot, because once you start the weathering the effect will tone done greatly. For the white wash, yeah you basically cover all that work, so for next time, try using some chipping technique so your work can be seen between the white color.

Here some example of my color modulation, keep it up buddy!

Well, haven't had a spot of bench time in well over a month, but may actually make some progress in the near future. Managed to get the decals on before I had to walk away for a while. Have decided to solve the problem of the bazooka hold-downs by not using any for now. They draw less attention in their absence than they do by being wrong (Thanks DML!) so I'll leave them off and add some proper ones after the campaign has wrapped up. Here's a shot of all the major subassemblies ready for filters, washes, and weathering.

Hi guys
Pedro is that Zimm molded into that King Tiger or is it homemade either way looks great
Mathew and Alex great looking winter work guys
Mike I'm in the same predicament with bench time had surgery today and have to keep my shoulder in mobilized so no bench time for me for a while

I have DML Shanghai's; yeah my kit's that old, M270 MLRS coming from Poland. Twenty dollars and free shipping, can't beat that.