hi everyone, i've taken a quick break from another project to build this odd little kit from Mirage, the C7P polish tank in german service:






i used this kit to try out my new airbrush, an Iwata HP-BH, as well as experiment with different new products like AK Interactive's weathering filters and streaking enamels and make the rolled up tarps from Magic Sculp. i also tried out mixing mud with oils, plaster and fine dirt/sand to create a wet look.

thanks for checking it out. cheers, bd.

Bruce,

I would say the experimentation was a success. The tarp, the wet mud and the hull filters/weathering look fantastic.

Out of curiosity, what AK products did you use?

Regards,
Nate

Those Mirage kits always looked like a pita to build, but interesting subjects. It looks like you've quickly learned how to finesse your new iwata based on ur shading and color modulation on the large panels. I really like your tarps, and would like to see how you constructed them. I've never had quite the luck with scratching things like that with Magic Sculp. I don't know what exactly you used from the AK line, but i can see the effect in the streaking, your job imitates the environmental effects quite well on this vehicle. Good to see you're still having fun and trying new things

Looks good... especially with the source kit. The weathering is nicely done, too. Honestly, (stop here, if you're not into constructive criticism) the only thing that bugs me about it is the track droop. First, there is way too much. Tracks with that much sag would get kicked off the first time the vehicle turned. Second, and possibly more importantly, the sag is inconsistant. In some sections there's sagging, in others there's none. Just something to think about....

thanks for the feedback everyone. yes, the tracks among other things with this kit are comical. unfortunately for this kit, i just didn't put the effort in the build as i usually would simply because i wanted to get to the painting and it shows on many fronts.

for those thinking of building this kit you would need to cut out several links in the vinyl track and if you are serious you'd need to trim the flash that is on the outside of the whole length but not remove the pins which should take anywhere between an evening and forever.

also the rear cab and the cab roof have different quarter round radius and this causes a poor fit. i also didn't bother putting on the wipers after boring out the clear plastic of the cab front and scratchbuilding windows from acetate sheeting. as well the exhaust piping needs work to be assembled straight which i simply cheated.

this one is a platform for trying new painting techniques and i have to say i didn't want to have too much time into the build if the paint went sideways.

this brings me to Nathan's question, i used AK Interactive's Weathering Set for Early Panzers as well as the Rain Streaks from the weathering set for NATO Vehicles.

The Early panzer set gives you a blue filter which is my first experience with using enamel based paints for filters, i usually use the dot oil paint technique. the blue filter is super cool... very fun results and easy to use on the future sprayed model prior to the matte varnish application.

the kit then comes with a blue brown enamel wash, didn't really use this as it just more blue filtering and not very brown.

the last bottle is grime streaking which is kind of reddish and looks great over the panzer grey. i found this one is best used in a limited fashion.

from the NATO set i used the rain streaking which is tan coloured and works well brushed on and then wiped off using a round brush dipped in paint thinner.

now this one kind of irks me. i have seen everyone from top modelers to beginners use this rain streaking the same way they'd do a rust streak: deeper at the top and fading as it does down the side.

i've always seen rain streaking faded at the top and building up stronger as it goes to the bottom of a side panel. this is mineral deposits from water and not paint running down the side.



the above pic for discussion use only is how i think rain streaking occurs... anyone have an opinion on this subject?

thanks again for the honest input, it's what makes this forum useful for all. cheers, bd.