This is, in my opinion is how a model should be weathered and finsihed. First class!
T55 is built by Chris Wauchop and is shown on Hyperscale .
In the article it refers to a simialer model made by Marcus Nicholls. Anders Isaksson has posted both together on Stockholms IPMS homepage (text in swedish) if you are interested in the original.
Man, I wish I could get a finish like this.
Thought maybe some of you would be interested in this brief explanation on finishing!

While the model indeed looks great and is beautifully weathered, I don't really like it because it is not original. I have the Tamiya Model Magazine, where the original T-55 model by Marcus Nicholls was presented. Techniques described by Marcus are very interesting and I will definitely use them in my models, but what Chris did with his model is not exacly to my taste. He copied Marcus' model almost perfectly - with all the colors and weathering done the same way. Of course Chris openly wrote about using Marcus' article as reference, but I still don't like the idea of copying someones work this way.

So while I admire Marcus for outstanding job on his T-55, I just look at Chris' model with complete indifference... It is just like watching the photocopy of the original.

Rgds,
Pawel

Well!
I have to admit, that, even if the model look so greatly done, it´s just a copy...
He didn´t care about putting his personal details, or to research the object by his own...
Beautifull model, but a copy!

I just read carefully the beginning of the article and noticed that the idea of copying the Marcus' model came from Chris' client. I missed that part reading the article first time. So at least I know that this lack of originality was imposed on Chris.

But still, I can only see Chris as a good craftsman, but Marcus is the real original artist.

UPDATE: I just looked at some other Chris' models on HyperScale. They are all WW2 airplane, that's why I was not familiar with his work. He is an artist! But I still don't like his T-55 at all...

Rgds,
Pawel

I agree with you guys too - anyone can mimic someone else's style and techniques. I see it every day - and I just don't look a second time. A true wizard cuts their own path through the woods. Find your own style and perfect it.

Gunnie

Well, given that this was a commission with the specific task of replicating another model, I think the builder deserves a great deal of credit. No, it was not his original vision, but it was not passed off as such, and the article gives credit to the original builder and source (Tamiya Magazine). He achieved the goal with which he was tasked. I don't see this as all that different than when we have photos of a weathered prototype and strive to replicate that. :-)

Ditto Al, you beat me to the punch with that statement. We are all guilty of this copying because I think we all try to copy our models after some photo of the original piece. My hats off to this builder for being able to copy the detail. The model is done surperbly.(Spelling?)Whats the difference if it was a copy of the real tank or someones work? I have found a lot of models on the net that are copies of other's work. As long as the builder does not take credit for it being his original concept. What's that old saying, about the best compliment is someone who imitates another?

Gee, you guys are getting tough. There's nothing wrong with copying if you are admitting it. He's not trying to pass it off as his own.

I think one way to learn things IS to copy and then take what you have learned and go to the next step. It's a pretty common practice in the art world.

Don't we all ask what colors to use for a certain camo scheme for example?

I think it's an awesome looking model and the attention to detail is first class!

I don't mean to sound harsh or tough...

I do have strong feelings about the subject though, and meant what I wrote. I just don't toss around praise lightly - and maybe I should have said that instead. I do take notice and applaud original an innovative efforts more often than someone adhering to a textbook approach or copying someone else's prescription. I like the model - I think it is quite attractive though.

Gunnie

I have frequently expressed my dislike of the current fashion of weathering to a formula. Possibly because of the way I speak English my comments often seem to be mis-understood.

To me this is an excellent model. Not because of the 'weathering' but because of the build quality. It does not matter much if it is a copy;- you may well be able to copy an idea, but you need skill to make a 'copy' of this quality.

Hardly the same as taking a photocopy. I can photocopy the Mona Lisa - I am stuffed if I could paint a passable copy.

I dont like some of the techniques used, but thats because I have well tried methods that work for me. To me modelling is about what is going on underneath; clean seams, parts alignment, surface prep, etc. I would be quite happy looking at unpainted models, and if I had the skills to turn out all-metal scratchbuilt models I would never paint again!

My concern is with with the 'mud and guts' brigade and the fact that I am constantly seeing 'gallery' models of extremely poor build quality, - models that use fifty hours of mud shovelling to cover the sins of a thirty minute build time. Worse, these examples are being featured in magazines and on web sites as examples of good modelling.

Give Chris the credit due for a fine piece of model building.

Regards Dave :-)

There was a big discussion on HyperScale today about this model (surprisingly it was on Plane Talk forum). Of course my post caused it - as usual, it seems that I have a talent to cause such turmoil . I read a lot of unpleasent things written to me, but I also understood better why exactly I dislike this situation so much. Now, that I understand that copying model from TMMI was the goal of Chris Wauchop as his client requested it, I can no longer accuse him of lack of his own ideas (particularly that I saw some of his other models in the meantime). What bothers me most now is why exactly was this model shown publically at all?... Nothing new was shown there, that wouldn't be already known from Marcus Nicholls' TMMI article. And while I admit that Chris made an excellent job copying Marcus' model, I still think that original is better. And it is... well... ORIGINAL

Rgds,
Pawel

Yeah - I've been following the wake of the 'discussions' you've inspired at other Forums. You've got a knack for it...

HS Plane Talk is almost like a den of pit vipers - they'll shred anything tossed in there!

Gunnie

Ummmm, guys? Isn't scale modeling, and especially internet-based modeling pages, all related to "copying?" Modeling is "reproducing in scale." In other words, copying. And one of the main reasons we all visit modelling related websites is to learn new techniques, and in turn, apply those techniques. In other words, copying.

Sheesh, Pawel, you are brutal.

Chris Wauchop is one of the most talented modelers on this planet. If anyone doubts this, go to www.hyperscale.com and search through the galleries there. It is unfair and inaccurate to categorize Chris as anything less than what he is, an artist, and a leader, not a follower. It was clearly communicated that his client wanted the T-55 replicated as per the article.

Respectfully yours,

Scott

Man, this whole thread just kinda went - everyone should repent by returning to the modeling table and building something!

Pawel - you should have to build two models in repentance!

Gunnie

Hey, I've just been lurking, resisting the urge to comment. Can I build three?

Shaun

:-)

Here here gunnie...get them scurvy dogs to belly up to the building table...and throw in a diorama for the man who started it all...that'll learn 'im!

With all the talk that has been lately about weathering, and the over weathering factor, ... when I saw this model ... It was, and still is, in my opinion a perfect weathering job. I felt some people like myself would be interested in how he achieved the effect.
It never entered my head, that it was "only" a copy of someone elses work ... basically because he openly admits why he has copied it to the exact detail..... a sign of a great modeller in itself!
Although Vodnik has a valid point....... and in most cases I would agree, but a client gets what the client asked for! But if you recall all your own methods of building and finishing ... how many are ones own and how many has one copied from other people. So at the end of the day, we are all guilty of this to a certain extent.


Hey Jacques ....... dio on the way!!

Okay, Gunnie, I've got two mounted figures, Sioux warrior by EMI and Frazetta's Death Dealer by Valiant, in the works, plus the bloody C-47 for a museum display. Am I forgiven? #:-)

Oh, boy... With my current building speed it will be some half year to show two completed models

I'm still adding details to my M923 - it seems to be neverending process... Too many good references is sometimes a curse. It's good that I don't have access to the real truck, I would be lost for ever in this project...

Rgds,
Pawel

Not to re-stir the hornet's nest, or resurrect a seemingly moot issue now, or start The First Flame World War, but I'd like to give my say on "copying:"

Chris' model is outstanding - "copied" or not. Why, we are ALL GUILTY of "copying" - down to the way we apply putty (say, following - correction - copying the alcohol method), or creating copies of ammo boxes, etc. with hot glue from a glue gun, or following the weathering advice in the "Weathering Heresies" feature on this site.

If following the same tried-and-proven-and-battle-tested technique is called "copying", then what's the purpose of asking "How do I dry brush" or reading the weathering, building, etc. techniques on different sites - this included? No one, IMO, has the RIGHT to say "Aw shucks, your model is good - very good indeed - but you merely copied this-and-that's technique so it's piss-poor really, so sorry." I know I'm being harsh, and what I said was "extreme" but come on, give credit where it is due! Chris (and I don't know him) made that tank in excellent form following a reference. Don't all of us do that? Don't we make Track-Link, Missing Lynx, Armorama references? If using a reference is "copying", then WE are ALL COPIERS.

It's different to use weathering or lots of stowage to hide build or paint defects (of which I'm guilty of), but when the overall finish is excellent, no need to lambast a good build. Saying "It's just a copy" is no different to being a "reviled" rivet-counter or kit-knocker, at least to me. And here I thought everyone in this site was above that?

BTW, I'm "deeply concerned" by the way some people label their techniques as "their own" or at the very least fail to give the source of the technique, when the same could be read in, say, some FineScale issue or a hobby book. I've noticed this occur (I won't name names though) and to me, THAT is copying.

Sorry. Rant over. It's just the same as telling a neophyte who did an excellent first job "Sorry, just a copy. NEXT!" even if it's an excellent job. Give everyone a break.

BTW, I'm not targetting any particular person or persons on this thread. I'm just voicing my opinion.

Sigh... we should all learn to enjoy the hobby, rather than get mired in the details.

One, very short question. Have you seen the original model made by Marcus Nicholls?

Rgds,
Pawel

ok Gennady...two soviet tanks for you!! Get to work! #:-) #:-)

The Black Eagle and the BMP-1 with BMPT turret for the T2k campaign will have to wait.

Yep - I got your PM this morning - your repentance is two Soviet Tanks for that outburst!

Gunnie #:-)

I have, in person...

Again, nice work & I enjoyed looking at it, but I certainly didn't feel the need to rush back here and make a post about it...

Gunnie