Hi gents.

I built this at the tail end of last year, and managed to get it finished at the beginning of this year. Please take a look, and tell me what I can improve on for the next one please? This is the image the vehicle is based on.



And the model.











The figures I used were a mix of Dragon and Tamiya. I also used some Aber PE. It's all hand painted, as always.

Incidently, the base is only temporary. I'm still looking for a base to put it on.

Thanx

Regards Darren

The front wheels need more dirt along the circumference. I can clearly see the seems where the arms attach to the torso of the figures. Some automotive putty and sandpaper should remedy this. It will take several applications and sanding of the putty to achieve a "natural" effect. There should be more dirt on the rims of the front wheels or less on the road wheels. What is the figure on the rear of the vehicle supposed to be doing? Also, where would he sit if the vehicle was in motion? Why are the storage compartments open, when all but one of the figures is seated like that is where he is supposed to be and be doing? The rest of the build is great. It looks like you had a great base to work with, but are a little off on the details. This is all just MHO. And, like you said this is a learning experience. By the way, what scale is the vehicle? Excellent job for painting by hand.

Hi Matt. Yeah the figures could be better. This is my second 1/35th model in a long while (I usually model in 1/72). And the figures are just there, and the compartments are open, just to show the detail. Maybe I will lose the figure in the rear. After reading your comments, I will take them on board ready for the next one. Which will hopefully be an Sd.Kfz.7.

You could remove the driver and have the standing figure located next to one of the open compartments. This would work well with the engine being exposed. If you want to do a sdkfz 7 I would recommend the Trumpeter kit. No worries on the figures. They require a lot of effort to shade and assemble to be respectable.

When applying mud to your AFV's try using a mix of plaster of paris mixed with paint which will give you a better scale thickness in the application. When applying this mud try dipping a paint brush into the mix and use an airbrush blown over the brush to blow the mud onto the vehicle. Another method you could try if you don't have an airbrush is to use an old toothbrush which you load up and the run your finger over it which causes the loaded material to splatter in a natural way.

The four little lights on the left rear as you look at your pictures would be blue if lit and black if off.

The easiest way I know of making the mud on the wheels look right is to water down your paint (If using acrylics) and give the tyres a good coat and the wipe the tyre. This will leave a natural looking mud in the tyre tread effect.

Why have you left the side panels off of the engine cover as it looks a little odd?

I am no expert but here are my suggestions;
Looks like you are brush painting, and you do it well, but if you can afford to get an airbrush and compressor, do it. You will be able to accomplish much more realistic paint jobs and some additional weathering effects, such as dusting.

Add some pigments or pastels for dust effects on your models. Pastels are easy to use and cheap and readily available.

If you are not using oils( I assume you are) I would. The effects are much better than with just acrylics.

All in all I think you are doing a great job with brush painting. Paint is the one thing that can save. Mediocre model and ruin a good one. Invest in your equipment and take time to practice. Cheers.

Thanx guys. Darren I left the side panels off, as most pics of Sd.Kfz.9's I've seen had the side panels removed to get air to the engine. And I added extra detail to the engine, so I wanted to show it off. And also artistic license And I'm happy brush painting, it's a media I'm happy with. And I'll remember that about the tail lights. I've also used Oils, I prefer Oil paints, as I've always used them. I will give Pigments a try, and a few washes. Anyways I'll remember the comments for my next builds which is another Sd.Kfz.9 and an Sd.Kfz.7. Both will have figures added.

In my opinion it looks good but there's something missing. I think that some washes made with oil and some filters would have improved a lot the vehicle appearance. It looks too "flat". If the body had different gray shades, it would look far better. Morover you would have had a better result if you had made some chipping using the sponge technique
Regarding the handbrushing, well it would be better to use an airbrush, but considering that tank surfaces are usually quite rough, it's possible to get some great results even with a good hand painting job.
I agree that the mud should have been thicker. Anyway the rear view looks quite good. It would have been more convincing if you had splatter some mud using an old toothbrush or an old brush.
Anyway,as i told you it looks quite good indeed. In my opinion the flaws are due to the fact that you're used to painting small scale models. Painting a 1/35 one is quite different.

Anyway, congrats and carry on!

So you're saying I should stick to with Braille scale, and leave the larger scales to better men? lol

No, not at all! I apologize and I'm really sorry that you feel offended because that wasn't my intention at all!
I just meant that approaching a 1/35 scale model is different from approacching a small scale one. Me too I'm still learning about. Those were just my obsevations, they weren't criticisms
For exemple in a small scale model the mud could be thin and done with a brush, in a larger model it has to be thicker. I'm sure that you'll get great results with your next releases.

cheers

No offence taken my friend. Just seems today is one those days where nothing seems to be going right for me sorry!

Hi Darren, interesting model, i like the figure's postures, looks like the crew are having a laugh at the figure on the rear deck with the oil drum but please tidy up that rear light on the right side! You've got some red overpainted on the surround just drag some grey over it to catch the raised area, sorry but it's one of my pet hates and bad lights just jump right out. As regards airbrushes; like you I was quite happy brushing away for years until I saw a review for a cheap Chinese set up and I took the plunge. Yes the quality is not the best and the compressor overheats but there is no way I'd go back to hand brushing, they take a lot of practice and I've messed up a couple of times and had to strip and redo but I'm glad I bought it.

Hey Darren i really like this project i think she came out great.
Definetly put her in a dio and i am sure that she will blend
in well with the ground work once you get going.
Cheers
Horst

Thanx Paul and Horst. I'll definitely sort out the light on the right rear. I'm looking at a suitable base now. I was thinking of something from either Mini Art or Great North Roads.

Hi Darren, I really don't have anything to add to what's already been said about the detailing. I just wanted to mention that some of the best looking models I've ever seen have been hand painted. If that's what you're comfortable with, stick to it. Keep in mind, as pointed out by Mauro, that the larger the scale the more detail oriented you have to be since you can see them better.

Keep up the good work.