So I think I have figured out most of the stowage, which has not been easy. On C11 things were already in place on the tank and then more stuff was added. So there are several things to consider.
1) the original stowage on C11 was strapped down and probably already significantly weathered and dusty.
2) the stowage from C12 was already well weathered and dusty and then it was moved and piled haphazardly (they were under fire still) on top of the original gear
3) all of this must look convincing and not "plastic" for lack of a better term.
Knowing all of the above, I still have a limited time frame in which to work AND I do not have the necessary skills and or patience to make all of my own stowage (rucks and bags) from scratch. So we got what we got and we need to make it look good. In addition to this, there are certain elements that are very visible, even in the blurry pics taken from the news video.
SO, having done what I think is my due diligence and having placed the stowage in a "good" place I took some quick pics, removed it all and sprayed the turret with future. Oil washed started not too long after (it was hot today) with an orang-ish wash then various pin washes of varying shades of brown. So far, so good. The pics at the bottom are of the stowage arrangement prior to washes. I will continue to add washes as necessary over the next few days, but my goal is subtlety and NOT the bigger is better approach. My personal feeling is too many people over do it and really have no clue how an armored vehicle actually accumulates dirt and grim and wear and tear in the field and in various environments. Whatever is not accomplished with the washes will be picked up by the chalks later on.
SO, all for now, but progress continues. Cheers.

Been way to hot here to work during the day and frankly even at night there is little reprieve, so progress has slowed again. But yesterday we got the gloss coat on the stowage and an oil wash too and later began the process of adding the stowage back on and in place for finals. Here are the shots. Cheers.







And what is left to add, not including the spent brass and links.

All of the stowage is now locked down. I have added the antenna, only because while I was trying to mount the antenna spring the antennas got stuck too, c'est la vie. Only item not on yet is the loaders mg. Since this is SO fiddly I am going to add it as late as possible. Then I need to figure out a transport device to get this to Ft. Stewart or close by. Still need to add a flat coat and dust it up. All for now. Cheers.

Antennas were carefully removed for transport back east, no breakage so far. All the stowage is on and secure. Need to add flat coat and final pigments and chalks etc. Just add the spent shells for the .50 and the 240 as well as .50 cal links. Coming along, coming along.

Hornet heads arrived tuesday for the two, yes two, figure for the loaders hatch. Managed to get the head on Diaz and will find a suitable head for my Hernandez soon. Both figs have been primed and are ready for the next step. Need to fill the gap at the neck and prime the heads now,

The hull has its initial coat of dust, chalks, on and the turret does too. Pics to follow soon and more updates. Cheers

Been promising these pics for far too long. This is where things are now. Dusting with chalks has begun and there are a few areas that will need to be drybrushed again, such as the gun tube, to mimic the actual paint issues seen in the few photos. I have also begun the Hernandez and Diaz figures for the loaders hatch. That's right, TWO figures in the loaders hatch. Good times, good times. Let me know how I am doing fellas.

I think I am the only one still here but I suppose these updates are at least for posterity. Began adding the oil/fuel stains today. I have yet to meet a tank crew that can get all the gas in the hole without any spillage. this was soon gone over with chalks to create that dust/mud/fuel look. This was then take down with some qtips and dusted again with lighter colours and then left to dry for several hours and then a final dusting. Finally I took the whole thing down a notch with a stiff but soft brush to remove some of the excess colour. I like the results and think it looks realistic, at least from my memory.

Figures have also been plodding along adding the colour and cammo to the "big jake" vests and the CVC for Hernandez. Nomex gloves are in the process of being added, green then the black trim will be added. Let me know how I am doing.

Looks Good Damon!

Cheers Rob.

Keep on the good work Damon !

H.P.

Thanks guys.

You're welcome Damon

Just one remark : maybe you could sand down a bit the trackpads edge with coarse sandpaper...



H.P.

I am down to the last mile on this bad boy. Working on figure placement and final assembly issues prior to packing this beast up for transport to the east cost. Side skirts are on with some difficulty but all worked out. The issue now is not damaging anything in the final process and touch up phase, not the easiest thing to do. Any way, pics, enjoy. Cheers.

C11 "Creeping Death" is done. A years worth of work went into this build and she is going to a good home where her crew can visit her and share their memories with each other and with their families and friends. A special thank you goes out to Robert Burik for allowing me to be a part of this great adventure. Another special thank you to the Crew of C11 and C12 who helped answer questions, as silly as they seemed, and for allowing me to be a part of another tank crew even it was only in spirit, it did more for me than you will ever know.

This has been an amazing journey for me, both learning more about my skills (and lack of sometimes) as a modeller and learning about the men that participated in this event. I have made some friends both in and out of the modelling world during this build and I hope that those relationships continue. I hope one day to travel to Ft. Stewart to the museum to see the work of all who participated in this group effort and to meet face to face the crew of C11 and C12.

It is not often that we see armored conflict anymore on the scale of the great land battles of the 20th century. To be a part of one crew, that took part in the largest armored march and helped free Kuwait is amazing enough. But to be able to be a part of a second tank crew, even if only in
spirit is truly an honor for this old tanker. Thank you to all of the rest of you that supported me with kind words, tips and even a few parts during this. A years work, but a life time of memories. Cheers.

wow......stunning,you took the DML kit and made a fantastic miniature masterpiece,I love the weathering and the pile of kit in the back,the three crewmen look suitably 'occupied' with the task in hand.You can feel justifiably proud of the work you've put in here-kudos sir!

Congratulations Damon! This is very convincing work — about as real as it gets! Thank you for sharing the journey.

—mike

Cheers guys, it's been a real labor of love. I have really enjoyed stretching my skills and comfort level and being able to do it for the guys that actually served on this tank. I am happy that I could produce something that represents their service.

She was mailed off this morning. Here is to a safe journey. Thank you again to the Crew(s) of C-11 and C-12 and to Robert Burik for all of the help with reference photos and questions answered to the best of their recollections. Thank you to all of you who chimed in here with words or support and encouragement. Cheers.

So surreal to see my tank get together like this. Crazy detail. Nice build.

Thanks Los, hope you guys are well. It was a great build and I actually got to meet LT. I hope one day I get to meet the rest of you all.

Hi, Damon!

Quite a few years ago, I found a cheap way to make a good precision applicator for CA and other thin model cements-

I found a nice 5" x 3/8" wooden dowel to fit my somewhat small hands, and a medium-sized sewing needle. I drilled a hole just ever-so-slightly smaller than the needle's outside diameter in one end of the dowel. The hole should be deep enough to hold the needle, anchoring it inside the dowel, preventing the needle from working itself out of the hole; about 3/4" to 1 1/4" should be sufficient.

Next, I cut across the "eye" of the needle with a good quality pair of medium-sized wire cutters, leaving a small "U", in order for the now opened "eye" to soak CA Glue into the space between the "prongs" by capillary-action. Holding the needle with a pair of vise-grips, I applied CA Gel to the end of the needle which was going into the dowel to anchor it further, and then forced the needle down into the dowel until it wouldn't go any further, and...

PRESTO! I had just made the cheapest tool in my entire set of modelling tools, and believe me, I have A LOT of them! The greatest thing about this little tool is that you can make several different sizes of these, just by varying the length of the "prongs" when you cut the "eye" of the needle, and also by the size of the needle itself- It sounds a lot more complicated to explain how to make one of these little tools than it actually is. The sewing needles come in different lengths, widths, and sizes of "eyes". I bought a little packet containing a selection of sizes, which also come in handy for other uses in my various modelling efforts.

You can buy sewing needles in the sewing or craft sections of your local supermarket or Wal-Mart, basically for "pocket-change", which is cheap enough for anyone's budget. You can buy dowel material at any hardware store, craft shop, hobby shop, or in the craft section of the same Wal-Mart where you get your sewing needles. The dowels are available in different diameters, so you can pick and choose whatever size you like in order to fit your hands.

Since about 35 years ago, I've been using a pin-vise to hold my "Applicator Needles", rather than bothering with the wooden dowels; I generally keep 3 or 4 pin-vises in my "small tools organizer" cabinet, along with my drill indexes and sewing needle and straight pin selections. SQUADRON, and quite a few other hobby shops and outlets market "Precision Glue Applicators" for upwards of $9-$12 bucks apiece PLUS Shipping; you can MAKE your own "Precision Glue Applicator" for a FRACTION of that cost...

Hope this helps...

PS- OUTSTANDING JOB on your M1!!! Hope to see other builds from you!!!