Hey Cali Greg

I think your tank looks just right. I know tanks are supposed to be dirty but I see A LOT of over-weathered tank models. I spent 6 years on tanks and yes they get muddy but most of the time it's mainly dirt and dust. Also, nothing is worse than a tank model with bright red/orange rusty tracks... Unless a tank sits for a long time (months/years) the tracks just don't get that rusty. I think you nailed it and would call it done!! Great job by the way.

I am entering the campaign. I have a Tamiya KV-1B that I am in the middle of working on. It is straight out of the box. I did some modification to make it more accurate. I removed the V shaped armor blocks in fornt of the turret ring. This armor was not added until later models of the KV.

I already have the bottom hull and turret assembled and painted.

KV's are my very favorite tanks! I always enjoy building them!

I also have a Tamiya KV-2 in the works. Just started it. I will submit for another campaign.

Joe

Awesome Randy thanks. I'll stick it in the gallery then and focus on finishing x-mas shopping

Great progress everyone!
@Greg: I love that dio!

So here’s my entry built, painted, and weathered! Thanks for this campaign!



It was a fun build, simple to put together just like all tamiya models! Need to get myself another one.
Thanks' again!

Regards,

Thanks Vladimir and congrats to you on a great looking finish. Only 1 pic??? The stowage you did on there is a very nice touch.

Thanks’ a lot Greg, unfortunately I don’t have much space left in my gallery that’s why I only posted one pic! If I clear some space out, I will post more pictures.

Regards,

OK... Got two done for this campaign. First armor I've built in over 20 years. Never weathered a tank either till now. Check em out.

Randy,

Nice! I like that you didn't over-weather, I'm kind of a minimalist too. Makes me want to pull out my huge Trumpeter T-34/76.

Great work, and fast too!

Michael

Thanks Michael

I don't care for "over-weathering" either and definitely prefer light over heavy. I know tanks get real muddy etc. in real life but I just don't care for it at this time. Maybe later. I just want to practice basic techniques for now. Actually the pictures above kind of hide some things and it's a little more weathered in real life but just about jow I like it. Got 2 more large scale kits on the bench and I'm anxious to try some more advanced stuff on those. One step at a time.

I also have two of those giant Trumpeter 1/16 T-34 kits and these are actually practice for when I get to those. Also have the 1/16 Trumpeter King Tiger but I opened the box, promptly said "no way, not yet" so it hibernates till I'm ready!!

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Hi,

Long time since my last update but been busy with work, the holidays and working on finishing a room in our basement. It's a out of box Tamiya Marder III, finished with lifecolour paints (1st time using them. Not too bad). I haven't done any weathering yet but I wanted to show what I've been up to. I'm hoping to have it weathered and the figure finished before the 25th.

Cheers

Jeff

Nice builds, Randy. As you say very light weathering, but cool builds.

Jeff, nice looking Marder. I like the layout of the scene - simple yet effective in telling a story. Looking forward to see more.

A little more progress on my 2cm FLAK. A nice little kit and some simple painting. Next is the weathering. More to follow.

I finally dragged the kit, compressor, and airbrush outside to put the base coat on. It was pretty cold out there. This is only the 3rd time or so that I've used the airbrush and forgot how things adjusted. At first I was only getting lines about an inch wide but succeeded in widening the coverage. It looks bright green in the photo but it's darker in real life.

The wheels were painted while on the tree. The upper and lower hulls are not glued shut yet so I can still put the wheels on. I still haven't finished rounding out the misaligned main gun barrel. That might be the last thing I glue on. Tools will be painted and glued on later.

Now comes the part I hate most: clean up (the airbrush and myself).

Randy - nice duo!
Jeff - I like the figure and base as it adds that much more to your Marder - great work
Jesper - nice Flak
Gary - the airbrush was my nemesis for a long time. I now have it down a lot faster using Tamiya acrylic thinned 1/2 with Tamiya thinner. Clean up using Windex sprayed into a Milk jug and on a paper towel to wipe the small parts.
Looks good!

Nothing like waiting until the last possible minute to get things going Luckily my choice of kits almost builds itself. She should be headed to the paint booth soon. I need to let the clear parts dry after a dip in Future and then mask/install them. More to follow soon.... "Q"

Hello again.

Well I think I'm calling this finished, or at least the tank portion for this campaign. Had a couple slow days around the house and was able to get some modeling time in.




I'm actually pretty happy with it, which is a modeling 1st for me, usually I'm my own worst critic. I wish I could have gotten better pictures because I think it loses something in the photos. For one thing the muffler isn't that orange in person. I may try to take a couple more shots when the sun is up.

I'm really glad this campaign came along because I've had this kit sitting in my basement for 10 years, followed me through 3 moves and a 9 year modeling hiatus. If it hadn't been for the Tamiya campaign I probably would have had it collect dust for another God knows how long.

Beautiful Spitfire cockpit, Matt. Looks really nice!
Nice desert look to that Marder, Jeff.

More progress done on my 2cm Flak. Pictures to follow soon....

Here's one of the Tamiya kits I've been working on, the 1/48 Nakajima Ki-84. I bought it for $5.00 but the seat and decals were missing. It's painted with Alclad and MM enamels. The chipping was done with white glue, which was pulled off with masking tape once it was dry.

I started about a week ago, and am doing the Panzer II Ausf. C (1/35th scale):


a couple evenings of work yielded:


I've progressed a fair bit further, but haven't had a chance to take more pics.

Love that finish on the Ki-84, Grenadier. Looks great!

Nice choice, Vance. I build that kit as well and it is a breeze. Looking forward to see more.

I have now finished my little 2cm FLAK. A great little kit that flies together and is a very pleasant build. I will put it in a Verlinden Flak bunker at some point.

Comments welcome.

Hey mates, can anybody help me with answer what is the name of Tamiya artwork illustrator (AFV-soldiers)?
Thanks in advance

Got some paint on my Spitfire this afternoon along with a gloss coat. Hoping to have her complete soon as I am leaving just after Christmas... More to follow soon. "Q"

Decals are on. Will let these set overnight then shoot the flat coat tomorrow followed by some light weathering. Should be able to finish her up shortly there after. "Q"

There's just nothing like waiting until the last minute to start a campaign. I finally have some time off to spend building. Rummaging through the stash tonight I picked one of the more recent kits, the Matilda:



It'll be mostly OOB, but if I feel adventurous, and have enough time, I will add these:



And here is some initial progress; lots of wheels, 26 of them to be exact...

I'm VERY interested in building the new Matilda myself with the Bronco tracks so I'll be watching your build with interest.

Cheers

Jeff

I'm calling this one complete. Can't beat these Spitfires for ease of assembly and excellent fit. Thanks, "Q"