Hi you all. I first posted this under modelling in general, mistake, therefore I'll try to show you my creation from the Christmas holidays.





















- Johan

It's the Tamiya kit with Aber gunbarrel, home made bolts on the rear grills. The spring on the drivers hatch is also home made with a bit of metal thread and the foil from a winebottle. I used Eelke Warrink's article from the AFV magazine for the build-improvements and Lars Richters BT-7 blog as my inspiration for the paintjob.

Colours used are Vallejo, Mig and AK47 pigments and enemals.

I'm not used to show pictures on armorama, so Modelling in General might have been the wrong place to post them?

- Johan

Hello Johan,

a very nice Model you are displaying here. Respect and congratulations. I really, really like the paintjob, especially the subtle streakings on the turret an the hull. Everything seems to match; nothing looks overdone. In my opinion you managed to get the right amount of mud, chipping, overall wear and dirt. This looks very believable. Personally I would have given a very thin wash with dark brown and/or black to the exhaust to tone down the brightness of the rust a little bit but I guess this is a matter of personal liking. You could also have added a little cut on the netting of the rear grills to add one more detail. Just an idea. As mentioned before: I really like your model and especially the paintjob. You show a great technique and, as it looks to me, a very clean build. Once again: nice one, Johan.

Best Regards from Germany

Dennis

Thank you very much Dennis. I first posted the pictures of the BT-7 under Modelling in general, and Matt Nethery also suggested that I should turn down the brightness on the rust.

- Johan

Very nice work. What makes it stand out to me is that nothing stands out, meaning it all looks like it belongs together. Very nice consistency all over, especially with the "dust". The exhaust can be that bright after just a few hours sitting still in a moderately humid environment, so if you like it, don't sweat it.

Your metallics are very nicely done but maybe a bit too monochromatic? You may want to work more on getting some contrast into those pieces on your next model since, as metallics, they tend to draw the eye. I am thinking specifically of the shovel blades and parts by the engine deck. Some differentiation of metal shades either with different metal colors or different washes should do it. Have some fun exploring how to do it.

But again, nice job.

Thats a fantastic BT-7 Johan! Love the color and the weathering...well done sir!

Gary

Thanks Jacques and Gary.

First of all I have to compliment you all on the way criticism is given, both good and bad - not all modelling sites are capable of that.

I'll try to work on my metal skills Jacques. I actually thought of that when I was painting the tank. I'll have to experiment a little.

- Johan

Hi Johan. Very nice BT-7. I really like your painting style ... how the weathering looks natural but is used in a way to add depth to the details. The wooden shafts on the shovels looks great. All it needs now is something to add some life and colour to the model like stoage and/or figures ... break up the large amount of green.

Thank you Frank. I'll try to think of something to break it all up, but havenn't desided on models or storrage.

- Johan

A figur became the solution to breaking up all that lovely green.



- Johan

Great job on the BT-7! Good mud spray on the tank. Remember the BT-7 was used in Siberia/Manchuria as well as in the early days of the German invasion of June/Oct. 1941 so the color of the dirt/dust/mud would be varied.Well done and cant wait to see future Russian tanks.

What a nice piece!
I will for sure take it as inspiration for a future build.
The tracks are amazing, are these from the box or aftermarket ones?

Thanks David and Raphael.

I used the tracks from Tamiya to save some money. They were painted before assembly, glued on and the repainted and whethered.

- Johan

Couldn't put it better myself. This really is an object lesson in subtlety. What I do feel, and this is no reflection of excellent building and finishing, is that the [b]original[/b+ fenders do, at least in the photos, seem a little overscale? Again, that's a problem with the original modeler and NO relection on Johan's work.

Great work, thanks for posting!