This is AFV's M10 tank destroyer sans decals.

Pics of this M10 appeared in Rivet Review some time back. A number of fellow modelers commented that the vehicle needed more storage/gear/stuff on the front and back hulls, plus some addtional weathering. I agreed.

The following pics are the result of trying to follow through on these helpful comments.

A few sandbags from modeling clay have been added to the front hull along with a tow cable. Some rolled gauze for camo netting, Verlinden menu cartons, and wood (for whatever purpose) has been stowed on the back. Tamiya gear has been applied to the turret sides.

Unfortunately this M10 just didn't turn out quite like I had hoped. The gear on the turret sides looks like tacked on plastic parts---(I have painted/stripped these a number of times and just don't like they way they look). To be honest, overall the quality of the stowage/gear etc is a weakness that I'm trying to improve on. Any helpful comments/tips on how to improve the gear/stowage would be greatly appreciated.

The first pic is the way the M10 looked when the original RR comments were received. The following pics are the follow up attempts---(some are taken on a generic base used for photos).

ps: When they are received, AFV's rounds will be included along the back wall of the turret interior.

Thanks.
Steve

WWH,
The OD applicator master, I must say all the stowage makes it so much better keep up the good work.

Da Kiwi Kid

Steve,
I can be very brief about my comments on the M10 : I couldn't do it better !

The dio looks nice at first sight, but it could do more justice to your fabulously detailed M10.
- the groundwork is PERFECT.
- some of the plants can be better. Some of the grass deserves a little brush-up with green. I'd suggest you make a very diluted mixture of paint with white spirit and do a touch-up with that.
- The rocks look a bit too clean to my liking. They are piled up in an unnatural way, and I'm not sure if a real tanker would drive up so close to those rocks. The rocks on the left of the M10 look much better. But overall, it's a SPLENDID little dio ! I'm sure you can win prizes with this one.

Jan

WeWillHold:
Can you back the camera up a little bit so we can see the whole dio.?

steve
very nice model, I really like it, well done and painted. Also a lot of objects near the turret and a very nice groundwork, congrats!
only a question...why have you decided to don't put the decals?
regards

Very, very nice work Steve.
I would like to see you "dull-down" the colors in the dio. They look too bright or vivid and seem to steal the viewer's eye away from a fantastic M10. Maybe you could give it a light dusting to help blend it in with the tank.
Just my thoughts.
Ken

Great work again Steve. Kencelot has some good advice ..... a filter all over with some dusty colour to tie everything together! The tank is situated better in the 3rd and 4th photos than in the 5th. A little distance between the rocks and the tank does make a difference and the rocks add background when looking at it straight-on in these two photos.
The only thing I would nit-pick is the texture on the sandbags. A bit big for this scale. Their shape and placement is excellent, and maybe another two under the towing ropes would add proper protection. The tow roes could sit on top of them then.
Im gonna say it again also........ it needs at least one figure to add a sense of scale and to bring life to the whole scene!
Otherwise ..... great little dio and a master tank. Love all the colours and weathering! Keep ´em coming!

Lord Lens,

This is again awesome demonstration of your superb painting and weathering skills. You did this kit justice, and again showcased your fine grasp of the color OD. The gears are impressive. especially at the back deck. And them bucket and helmet to cover up the Lens, well at least it's an original way to cover up a rather poor area of your modeling, which is Lens making. So for that, I give you a lot of credit, if you can't do them right, cover them up....Finest spirit of DSB modeling.

Good work.

Nice work ODMeister! All stowage is securely tied down and they don't interfere with the normal operations of the M10. I don't see problems regarding the stowage hung on the turret sides. They look tied down and not tacked on. You may want to replace the molded on plastic tiedowns with copper wire next time. They may help in improving the overall appearance.

Great work from a great guy!

Can't get anything past this guy!!!




Frank--you are absolutely right on this one. I used screen from a 1/35th kit but have to agree. Storage/gear quality is something I'm struggling with.

Thanks to all the posters for their helpful comments.
Steve

what a nice build WWH. I like it. For 'texture on the sand bags get a fine linen bandage fromthe Chemist and stretch it out on the bench. While dough still wet gently press onto the bandage and then leave to dry.

It is fresh from the rebuild depot and onto the front. "WHAT"!!!!! it's not straight from the depot? Then it's not dusty enough. #:-)

my only comment apart from what a great build is the stowage looks far to neat and clean.
other then that it looks good.

when are you going to give my base back? #:-)

SteveWWH,

What an improved M10 you have done to make it look real! I really like the stowage on the tank. Like John said there is no problem for the stowage on the turret side. They still look great to me.
By the way, could you explain to me how you tie up all the strings on the hooks? Did you use tweezers like surgeon uses for stitches? I am going to do the same for my M20.

Steve, good looking T D there .The gear is well placed gives it that heading to the front look . I know that my own 1/1 scale M1A1 starts off looking like the gear is ready for inspection , but after a few days in the field it tends to get the "gipsy-waggon " look to it ! So nothing wrong with it looking neat and orderly . I think i found your (tm) , the missing right front fender . Wasn't the stalin was missing one also ? Good stuff keep em' rolling .
TOAD 13 OUT