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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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First one finished at last!!!
Hip_Priest
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United Kingdom
Joined: March 28, 2003
KitMaker: 142 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 10:45 PM UTC
Just finishd my Italeri Flakpanzer Ostwind, my first proper attempt and would really appreciate ANY comments, good or bad. Hopefully Ive uploaded these pics into my gallery ok.

I used this to try and get used to building models again after a 15 year break so its far from perfect. Youll note amongst other things that the tracks dont match up (these needed strectching and kept breaking and, well, I just sort of got there in the end), the basket to catch spent cartridges is missing (this was taking way too long for no results so next time Ill appraoch this differently) and also that part way through I decided to build up some mud on the track/turret section. I dont know why I did this when I did but trust me, if you think it looks bad in the pics you should see it in real life - its carp.

Anyway, any critisism would be much appreciated and thanks for those who've answered my oh so simple questions along the way.

Cheers

David
Graywolf
Staff MemberSenior Editor
HISTORICUS FORMA
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Izmir, Turkey / Türkçe
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 6,405 posts
Armorama: 1,850 posts
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 11:59 PM UTC
Hi David,
did you spend time and effort for this Ostwind?
did you try to paint it as in reference photos or instruction sheet?
did you find ways to match up the tracks ?
did you have fun building it?
do you think you did your best to build it?
If your answer is YES, this Ostwind is your model,not a crap
If your answer is NO, next time try to build a model not a crap
In my opininon; it looks good.It can be very very good in a muddy diorama.
Happy new year
(:-)
Hip_Priest
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United Kingdom
Joined: March 28, 2003
KitMaker: 142 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 12:33 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi David,
>did you spend time and effort for this Ostwind?

4 months from start to finish, total build time was 18 hours though.

>did you try to paint it as in reference photos or instruction sheet?

As i dont have an airbrush I used a cam technique out of an old tamiya catalogue. at the moment Im not too bothered on getting the exact camo sheme so long as its not a million miles from what it should be.

>did you find ways to match up the tracks ?

errrrrr, sort of!!

>did you have fun building it?

yes, and some pain.

>do you think you did your best to build it?

for a first attempt, yes, though I intentionally avoided spending time on bits that I just could not get to go together, eg, the shell basket.

>If your answer is YES, this Ostwind is your model,not a crap
>If your answer is NO, next time try to build a model not a crap
>In my opininon; it looks good.It can be very very good in a muddy diorama.
>Happy new year
(:-)


HNY to you too.
Neill
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California, United States
Joined: May 26, 2003
KitMaker: 1,255 posts
Armorama: 485 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 12:38 AM UTC
Hey David,

Nice job. Can you improve.... ALWAYS!

Only two critics

1. Maybe the pictures, but I would give it a good dry brushing with a Khaki or very lit tan... highlight those details and even the mud and grim! Light on top of dark makes it stand out and gives its own weathering effect.
2. Do not bash yourself... experience has taught me that there our enough people in the world willing to bash you for free, that you do not have to do it yourself!


ENJOY!

John
www.johnneill.com
slodder
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: February 22, 2002
KitMaker: 11,718 posts
Armorama: 7,138 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 01:29 AM UTC
We are our own worst critics
We all started somewhere and we can all improve.
With the time off and tools you have mentioned you are starting off well.

One thing that can help is to pick up some pastels, they are easy to use, no special tools are necessary, scraper and brush. They add a nice layer of realizm to kits.
I would thin down your paint a bit to 'smooth' it out.

As you get more kits under your belt you'll steadily improve. One thing I have found is that research even just looking at other builders helps and provides great improvements.
AJLaFleche
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 05, 2002
KitMaker: 8,074 posts
Armorama: 3,293 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 01:30 AM UTC

Quoted Text

its carp.


Doesn't look like a fish at all. #:-)

Seriously...
Looks like a genearally good build after such a long hiatus. Very nice paint work and nice camo pattern.
Some observations:
Mud, if used, should extend over the fenders and along the front and rear quarters.
You should paint the fixtures that hold stuff to the body the same color as the body.
Add a bit of black to your vision port slits to give them depth.
Your tow cable should probably be a darker, more oxidized metal color.
A bit of a wash (tinted thinner) along the raised areas will give you more definition to these areas, especially if you cap it with some dry-brushed base color.

All in all, not a bad return to the hobby.
barron
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Virginia, United States
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 666 posts
Armorama: 598 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 01:52 AM UTC
These guys are right, don't bash yourself. I used to attend every contest that I could. I got to the point that nothing that I did was good enough. It stopped being fun and relaxing after that and I got out of the hobby for about 10 years. Now I find myself am slowly returning to the fold. I refuse to get caught up in the nitpickers club again. Afterall we aren't building the real thing just a likeness of it. If you are in to building the perfect model then have at it. as for me OTB is loads of fun.
Hip_Priest
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United Kingdom
Joined: March 28, 2003
KitMaker: 142 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 02:07 AM UTC
It appears Ive given the wrong impression!!
I was trying to say that the mud effect wasnt very good - this was expected as I did this somewhat hotpotch to test a few of the techniques out.
Overall I was quite satisfied though, it was just the mud effect that I wasnt happy with.

Though I didnt use pastels I did apply some washes and finsihed off with a dusting of Mig Euro Dust pigment.

Just started work on my next project, a Universal Carrier. Gonna do a bit of walking before the running!!!

Cheers all.
Petro
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: November 02, 2003
KitMaker: 984 posts
Armorama: 846 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 10:55 AM UTC
Love the camo pattern. Over all, a nice looking build.
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