OK take 2 here , I kinda rushed the first set of pics. so here are some better ones (i deleated the first post ) . Same story as before , this is the tamiya M1A1 OOB . The idea for the scene is basicaly a m1 tank stopped behind a small hill . The T C and the loader will be standing on the turret watching a distant treeline . This tank is still in the early stages , so as allways any comments are welcome .

Early...its looking very nice, Keep it up!

Very nice keep us posted

Matt

Howdy turrettoad,

O.K., arrived a little late to the thread. From the 1st and 4th pic it looks to be just dandy. As to more input, my first question (and MY most important question to myself) is; When/where/Why/Who/How?
Meaning, When would this 'mental picture' be taken?, Where is this vehicle?, Why is it there? Who is riding in/near it? And, How am I supposed to feel about it's presence in this setting?
You have very nice ingredient's for a dynamite dio.....can't wait to see it's fruition!

Tread.

Toad, I am looking at that anti-slip coating on the upper hull and turret, and I hope you will forgive me but it looks a little too rough, like it doesn't scale out. You might want to go over it again with some steel wool and knock the high spots down. Throw in a desert yellow roadwheel just for the halibut. #:-)

rob

Lookin' good Carlton! Love the camo on this one

Carlton:
What did you use for the non-slip?

Pvt.Parts and Matt : thanks
TreadHead : Well this is in the early stages , i probaly summited this a bit too early (oh well)
The idea to this scene is my tank ( i'm a m1a1 tank commander , national guard type) during manuver training we were stopped behind a small rise . During the halt my loader and i stood on the top of the turret to see over the hill . Pretty simple idea - i just need to get better at my figure painting .
Rob and Pork Chop : I used sand paper , just cut a couple of pieces rubbed them together over a catch pan to get the sand off a bit of white glue on the tank ,sprinkle it on and there you go . Yes Rob i agree some of it is out of scale , will fix .
Jeep : thanks, now i have to fade the paint to match the real tank - fun fun

Howdy turrettoad,

Your idea sounds both 'real' , and, possibly, more importantly, highly personal! Can't wait to see it 'come about'.
Also, you'll have to pardon me. When I build a kit, even if it's not destined for a dio, I still always begin my build-up with a dio in mind. Reason being (for me), is that it helps me to answer almost all of my basic questions regarding the build-up. Sometimes that changes downstream because of other 'input', but the essence of the build is very clear to me. This, by itself, helps me to keep the entire build focused. I can't tell you how many times I've attended a model show and seen a model that the builder has obviously spent a significant amount of time on, that would otherwise really 'shine', but.......it lacked cohesiveness. Looks like the builder changed his mind several times betwen the beginning of the build, and the end.

Sorry.......just a Farthing's worth.

Tread.

Well Tread no problem here . I like to put a personal touch to my tanks. I have 3 m1a1s built and a 4th on order , plus a m-60a3 allready built . All 5 tanks will be finished as a tank that i have been on in the past 13 years . Kinda like my millitary career in plastic . More to come
13 OUT.

Howdy turrettoad,

First off, I forgot to include one very important comment in my last post. You say you're an M1A1 TC right? Well sir, allow me to say a word of thanks to you for your service to our country. And, also allow me to further say " You Dog!!!"......I am very jealous. Man, what I wouldn't give to take a ride in one of those new fangled metal war wagons (said with my best hillbilly voice). The closest I ever got to a ride was a short stint sitting on the sponsons of an M48 many, many moons ago.

As to M1A1's. You'll be happy to hear that I just recently picked up the new Italeri M1A2 kit, plus a couple of clearance priced Tamiya M1A1's at Hobby Lobby. Sooooo, I'm just letting my mind drift away, thinking up some nice little M1A1 dio idea's. With any luck, my mental synapse's will cough out something as nice as your's seems to be turning out. :-)

Tread.