Looking good.

Well - that's my first oil wash done. Nice bit of early evening sun for the pics. Not sure if I have overdone it a bit? I figure that some lighter drybrushing & filters (that will be another first for me) should take the edge off it a bit. The skirts are only taped on temporarily, and there's something not quite right about the machine gun (it's only pushed in there temporarily as well). Should the body be in the sand colour? - I also think it sticks out too far? The academy paint instructions are woeful! I was going to put a light coat of future on prior to the next step, but I'll wait to hear what you guys have to say. I'm quite pleased with the tracks although I have never seen so much flash!
Here we go -

This is coming along nicely Pete! The oil wash helps to break up an otherwise quite dull coloured finish, you seem to have it nailed.

The M2 was one of my first builds about 10 years ago, I hope to return to it soon, this time with a heap of extras!

Its looking great. The wash looks really nice. You are on track for a great model.

Really cross with myself now! Whilst over enthusiastically drybrushing, I dislodged the tow bolt from the back door. When I was putting it back on the tweezers sent it to the mysterious Lost Planet of Small Parts. The area around my workbench is like a bomb site (junk infested garage) so it will be hard to find. Already spent ages on my hands & knees with a headtorch, moving stuff about. I thought I had a good fix on where it went from the sound, and it didn't seem to be too far - just behind my compressor. But.....??? I'll just have to try and fashion something, but that's where my skill might come unstuck (if you'll pardon the pun!).
Pete

We've all lost parts to the floor/carpet monster- you ain't the only one! Apart from that I reckon this build is coming on real nice- the wash and tracks look spot-on.

Found it!

This is how it's looking now after some lighter colour drybrushing.
Skirts are attached, but the top is only sitting on (crooked!)
I will tidy up the periscopes and other bits n pieces but I'm not sure what to do now as regards weathering! Help!!

ps - it looks paler here than it actually is.

I think the weathering looks great how it is. I wouldn't do anything else. You have captured a dusty, dry look well. What happened to the coax MG? And to answer an earlier question, yes, the larger base part of it should also be sand in color.

Thanks for all your support & encouragement, I'll fix the m/c gun and get it in, but I still think it sticks out too far? The main gun barrel I drilled out, but it fell on the floor and I must have stood on it and flattened the end a bit, so I need to fix that as well! Apart from that there's the starboard rear guns to go in, and the figure to paint & I found another ammo box while I was on the floor! Would anyone have any scans of the internal placards - or the driver dash that I could print out and stick inside?
I have to say I have thouroughly enjoyed building this, and it certainly won't be the last AFV - already looking forward to the next - suggestions please!
I also have a P-51B in the 1/48 campaign I need to get on with. Want to try some new techniques there as well.
Pete

Getting close now! Still need to tidy up those periscopes properly, and some other bits, and I think the barbed wire might be a bit brutal - ie well out of scale? The antennae were made from an old bass guitar string (Rotosound Swing Bass - G string for those interested!!) How do you think they look? I work out they must be about 9' to scale. Is that too long Gino? I coated them in future, hung upside down and let a small blob gather at the tip. They were then primed and painted as normal. The barbed wire was made from the outer string after stripping. When you look at photos you definitely see more things to correct than with the naked eye! So nearly there...!! Oh - just remembered - should there be any sooty exhaust staining as per aircraft?

Looks great. The antennas are close. The actual height is 8', so 2.75 inches in 1/35. I agree that the roll of concertina wire looks too big for the scale, I would remove it.

Pete- great to this nearly finished- its looking real good.

My man I'm diggin it for your first armor kit looking good

Coupla questions - what about that exhaust stain?, and what's the structure on top of the turret, beside the hatch - camera or radar or something. Looks like it has a lens.

You could add some black, sooty exhaust stains. Also, the piece on the turret is a scope for the TC for the coax MG. The oval on it is glass and should be done in the same way you did the periscopes.

your build is looking great,keep up the good work.

If this is your first attempt, I can't imagine how great will be your second one!

Great job indeed!

Excellent work for your first attempt!!

I agree with Gino - the concertina/barbed wire looks too clumsy for me. I would replace it wit a very thin copper wire.
I did a barbed wire on my T-72M1 http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/165274#1388131

Cheers
Walter

Hey Pete, you have done a nice job being your first AFV. I hope you continue building AFV's because you got a great eye for it already. Well done man!

Gary

hi pete.
that really is a cracking first afv , a few small points as have been pointed out.. but hey we all had to start somewhere and with a tad more reference work and a few tweaks your onto a real winner , well done

Thanks for all the kind comments lads! I certainly won't be the last - I got a couple of vintage Tamiya WW2 German vehicles https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/192223#1608907 .

I did chuck the barbed wire, and added the exhaust stain, but I still don't think this is finished - it's just missing that "something". I also still need to do the optics. I will get back to it soon.