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Building a NTC M1A1 Abrams!

PAINTING
Painting began with the engine bay and engine. I sprayed these two assemblies flat white. The turbine-engine, transmission, and final drive were painted with the metalizers. Black, dirt, and rust washes, along with pastels, finished the bay out. Next, I sprayed the turret and hull US Army/Marines Gulf Sand. NATO brown and black was next using the instructions as a guide. Since it hardly rains in the desert at Ft. Irwin, I had to try a simulate the ground up powdery dust of the "dust bowl." I started with a light wash of Polly Scale mud. Next, I dry brushed Polly Scale dirt to bring out the high spots. The road wheels and tracks where sprayed flat black. I used a circle template as a mask and spayed the road wheels Gulf Sand. The tracks where dry brushed with stainless steel metalizer. The road wheels, drive sprocket, and tracks where placed on the vehicle and Polly Scale dirt was lightly misted all over the tracks, wheels and lower hull to simulate the desert dust. Weapons, lights, MILES, and crew gear were picked out with there appropriate colors. Testors Dullcoat was used to seal and blend all the colors together.

PAINTS USED

Tamiya

• XF-1 Flat Black
• XF-2 Flat White
• XF-67 NATO Green
• XF-68 NATO Brown
• XF-69 NATO Black
• X-26 Clear Orange
• X-27 Clear Red

Polly Scale

• FS 34079 Dark Green
• 505206 Mud
• 505208 Dirt
• F505214 Night Black

Model Master Acryl

• AR00200 US Army/Marines Gulf Sand

Model Master Metalizer

• Stainless Steel
• Gunmetal
• Aluminum Plate
• Titanium