Amazing, Tim! I could never get used to using an electron microscope to build a tank....

Hi Clayton,

Small isn't so bad - you can get away with more simplified detail if no one can see it, right?!

The Stuart’s basic paint is now on: Tamiya Olive Green (XF-58) & Flat White (XF-2) acrylics in a 3:1 ratio.

The straight Olive Green would have been accurate in full size, but this thing is tiny so I added white for a lightened scale effect. The 3:1 ratio looked right in the sample mix, but once on the little tank it still looked too dark.

I misted the model with the 3:2 mix to lighten it further – better.

Thanks Tim. Your Stuart's looking good -- agree with you that the OD needs to be lightened given the scale.

I am partial to vehicles with a Balkenkreuz, so this build will be finished as a beutepanzer. I take inspiration from this one:



The spares box has a lot of white crosses, as well an old Soviet BA-20 decal sheet that matches the numerals -- perfect! Or so I thought -- well, age caught up with the sheet and the numerals just didn't want to leave the paper carrier without disintegrating



I had some other Soviet numerals in the spares but nowhere near what I wanted, so the best option left was to DIY. Tried making stencils but couldn't make it to work so I did it the other way around by cutting patterns from sticker paper and use them as masks.



The numerals are tall -- however its the smallest that I can manage to cut with scissors. A bit on the stubby on the side, but I guess it could pass on for work done at the field workshop.

The Balkenkreuz needed to be bigger so I painted over the decals.



Some touch-ups needed on the crosses, but overall this should do.




I'd let the gloss coat dry and will do the washes next.

Cheers,

Tat

Tat, I really like your Lee... American tank, used by the Soviets - captured by the Germans...cool!

After the base coat on my Stuart, I painted up the details:

Tamiya German Grey (XF-63) bogey wheel tires, track pads
Tamiya Red Brown (XF-64) track connector ends, tool handles
Tamiya Khaki Drab (XF-51) crewman uniform
Tamiya Khaki (XF-49) gloves
Tamiya Flat Brown (XF-10) helmet
Testors Light Tan (1170) skin tones

I then gave it a brushed-on coat of Future acrylic floor polish and added the decals, followed by a wash of Grumbacher Raw Umber artist’s oil paint.


With a final coat of Testor’s Dullcote aerosol spray, I’m calling my little Stuart done!

Tat, I like the numbers really looks like decals.
Tim, nice one too. Took note of the Tamiya colors.
Regards from the south
Álvaro

Wow, there's even a figure in it -- congrats on your finish Tim! Thanks for the comments and to you Alvaro as well. Happy Easter to all! Tat

Tim, that looks great! You'd never know it wasn't 1/35!!
Tat- Truly creative, your numbers look about perfect to me!

Great work everyone!

I hate to ask for more time in my own campaign, but I don't think I'm going to finish the M51 by the end of the month. What do you all think?

Michael

Sure, why not?

An extension would sure help me.

Thanks Clayton!

Michael, no complaints from me if there's an extension!

John has kindly agreed to a one month extension on this one. The new finish date is 1 June, 2017. But I'm guessing that's it, so I'd better get busy!

Thanks, John!

Michael

I'm halfway there.




The gun shield was taken from dragon's leftovers just because of these nice foundry marks.

Looking good Marek!

Well, guess I was wrong. I didn't think I'd finish the M51 in time and asked for an extension, but here it is! I'm not much for weathering or loading up with stowage (being mostly a wingy-thingy guy), but I did a little bit with dust and lightened base color. Hope you like it!





And here's the M51 with the Tamiya M1 I did a few years ago. Sort of puts that big 105 in perspective!



I'll be loading some more pics in the gallery. Keep up the great work everyone!

Michael

Yea, that's a darn big gun...

I'm calling this one done:







Thank you Michael for having me in this campaign, and the extension as well!

Cheers,

Tat

Love the paint job, Tat, very nice shading and graduations!

Thanks Clayton! After the wash and initial oils for shading I must admit that I got lost on how to further weather this one, so this one's coming out clean

So is this campaign now complete?

It is indeed! Thanks to all who participated and congrats to those who finished, it was a great campaign!

Ribbons have been awarded, so if you didn't get one and think you should have, let me know.

Michael

Thanks for the ribbon Michael!

Very enjoyable campaign, Michael, Thanks!

Thank you for the fun campaign sir.