Outstanding, I really think you should write a feature article on this.

Chas

Hi Michael,
Wow.. Thank you for the compliment and I'm glad you like it. It's actually very easy to use, The Stug encasement took less than 30 min to do. I hope I can answer your questions here.
1.The paint is applied with an airbrush at a low pressure. A high pressure will dry the crackle too fast. It will slowly dry and crack/peel while your spraying.
2.For the Stug parts I applied a thin layer over the entire area with an old brush soft paint brush. You can do small areas by stippleing it on.
3.The removing part is easy, no water involved. I use different tools to remove it, soft brass wire brush and tooth brush work fine. To do the simple paint flake it, I use the airbrush first at high pressure, air only. I do this right after I spray the paint.

I'm hoping to have a lot of step by step pics when I write up the article. Right now I'm trying different things over and over to make sure I can get the same results. It's kinda tricky at first but it's fun doing something different. This technique is perfect for the wrecks that I build and it's fast too.
Hope I could answer your questions.

Rob

Hi Rob just when i'd thought i've seen it all on here you go and blow everyone's minds with your expertise excellant can't wait to see it finished

Hi Rob,

Thank you for fast response and helpful answer. That really helps me to grasp further what you are doing. I can't wait to read the article and see how much more you have to share.

Again, great technique and one that will have many applications. I'm very curious to see how the combo with the hairspray turns out.

Best,

Mike

Thanks for the great comments guys. I'll be starting the article when I'm done testing the crackle a bit further.
Mike..The hairspray doesn't do much unless you only do the crackle in a small area then remove the surrounding area in the normal hairspray technique. I tried different ways of using the hairspray and there's no difference. Still playing around though.
I painted the base for the dio and i'm waiting for that to dry before I start the groundwork and gluing the model parts in place. I'm still doing some of the "scrapmetal" that will be placed around the hull. Here are a couple of parts i'm working on. The final rusting of the metal will be done when everything is glued in place.

I started removing the crackle from the drive sprocket, the rust is starting to come to light.


The barrel is done besides the rusting. Gun barrels were painted this dark heat proof color that's why I didn't do the normal red oxide primer. Well that's about it for know.

Rob

Sorry for not updating lately, I've been working on our income taxes, now that it's done I've been trying to work on 5 models at once.
I glued the larger parts to the base and started on the ground work. I added some herbs and gave the earth a coat of paint. I managed to find some birch "leaves" in the woods while taking my dogs for a walk. I got lucky and found a hand full which should be enough for this dio. Here is how it's looking so far.




I'm not very good when it comes to diorama's so any feedback and comments are most welcome.

Rob

That looks like a great start. I'd suggest scattering leaves over everything, particularly the top of the hull. Make it look like fresh fallen leaves. And I'd add lots of vines, twigs and rocks to the base. Do you have any "junk" bits you could add to the interior (spares bin parts, watch internals, that sort of thing)? It looks too barren, it needs pipework and scattered pieces to look like it's been hastily stripped for scrap.

So far so good!

Looks intereasting with what you've done it looks like its been sitting in a forest for a number of years

keep up the good work

Thanks James and Jason. Ya it does look a bit bare at the moment but I'm working on this project again now that the Bergetiger is done.
I started work on the groundwork and it's going a little slow. I started glueing down the birch seeds (leaves), one at a time in the tight areas. I also glued some leaves on the tree. I'm not very good at doing vegitation and this is the first time i've used birch seeds. As far as grass goes, I'll try that another time.
Here is where I'm at right now.




I used seeds from a silver birch tree, is there a difference between white and silver birch seeds?

Rob

Hi Rob,
That looks incredible, just like the pictures i've seen of Finnish Stugs and Comets in a wood that were forsale.

Matt

Rob,

Totally unique technique, Rob.

That rusted out hull and the associated scattered parts look unquestionably realistic! The grayish brown ground with the dried leaves complements the rusted armour and bleached out paint on the hull and parts. How about a couple of crows perched up on top of the hull overlooking the area for some food? Thanks for sharing and for bringing modeling to a higher level of fun.

Semper Fi,
-Eddy

Very innovative. This is what modelling is all about. Some experimenting and getting a new finish. Looks excellent ... and Im sure many will be attempting similar to this. Nice one Rob.

Wow, Rob!

Tremendous innovation! I love the crackling/rusting/decaying effect! I agree with Master Frank, this is what modeling is ALL about. Experimentation, Innovation, Documentation, Sharing! I really like the way the tow cable gets buried in the ground and comes back out. A great detail I have witnessed myself around several rusting, decaying hulks. Awesome!

Thank you Sir! And Cheers!

Rob, it's looking fantastic! It really does look like rusty metal. As for the leaves, yes, there is a difference between silver birch and other birches. But not enough to alter what you have. Your "leaves" look "leafy" enough as is. Nice work!

I can only echo what others have said already, this is just downright masterwork! Nothing less, and if any better suiting words of praise can be used, I would, because this looks absolutely stunning, it is incredible what you have acheived here.

Rob, truely great work. I too have been planning a simular dio for a while. I intend to call it 'Rust in peace'. Wonderful technique with the rust effects. Great choice of Late fall early winter it compliments the rust very well. I lived very near an old junkyard when I was a kid and your work has taken me on a walk down memory lane.

[quote]Hi All,
A Picture of one the many Finnish Comets left in the forests.

Matt
[img]http://gallery.kitmaker.net/500/thumbs/221310.jpg" BORDER="0">[/img]

Gentleman thank you for the kind words, I'm happy to hear your comments and suggestions.
Mark I like the "rust in peace" title, wish I had come up with that. Look forward to seeing yours.
Matt that Comet looks nice, hope you don't mind If I save that for future refs.
Eddy I like that idea with crows, I'll check my parts boxes to see if I have any. Or maybe a cat!
Herbert your too kind,thanks.
I have sent in a review of my new technique and have started on the second part to it. The second part will take a bit , still experimenting and taking photos.
I'm hoping to have this dio done this weekend, and will post pics of the completed dio. I've put the Pz IV wreck on hold long enough, now it's time to finish that model and start the next wreck.
Thanks again guys.

Rob

Hi Rob,
that picture is from a Finnish range, there was lots of other interesting vehicles forsale.
Finns used Stugs aswell as Comets and Charioteers in their postwar army.

I'll dig out the rest of the photos, i couldn't believe how similar they were to your model. especially the scattering of Stug components.

Matt
[url]http://www.mil.fi/laitokset/tiedotteet/3264.dsp[url/]

Well guys this is it, she's finally done. This was my first time using Birch seeds as leaves, I glued each leaf down with tweezers and boy did that suck, I don't think I'll be doing anything with leaves for a while. Although it took a few days to glue everything down I'm happy the way it turned out.
Here is the finished dio " scrapmetal".











I'm not much of a dio builder so any comment is most welcome.
Now onto bigger and better things...wrecks.

Rob

Rob,

A true masterpiece! Awesome weathering/rusting work. I really like the leaf work and the tree. The numbers on the hull side are a very nice touch! What media did you use to write them? Paint?

Outstanding!!!

Thank you Mark glad you like how it turned out.
I used the same pencil that I used on my Sturmtiger, it's like a grease pencil.

Rob

Rob spectacular work man that is some of the most realistic finishing i have seen, just awesome stuff it really makes me want to try a wrecked build (some may say most of mine look wrecked already heh)

Ron.

wow.... WOW! that's i... haven't got the words and if i did i'd probably be barred. i'll just say awesome.