Second ever attempt at doing a proper base for my 1/16 FT-17, this is about a weeks tinkering in the evenings so far, not a lot to see as I need to spend more time photographing it.

Base is a picture frame packed with polystyrene sheet, coloured plaster added too that, then a couple of sand pigments added with acrylic resin, I then gathered some ground down pebbles come grit off a cinder path and using the resin painted over the top to add the stones, home made rust was added in places and some pigment and home made rust too add some detail. some resin 45 gallon drums and various bits of plastic tubes, grass etc were added along with some 1/16 bits left over from another tank.. will update as I work on it Any shiny bits are were I still need to flat coat the resin used to bond parts to the base. All hand painted BTW over an aerosol black primer coat

Hope you like it so far.

Afghan FT-17 scrap by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

Afghan Ft-17 Main by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

Such a great FT-17 that has been weathered in the hot Afghan sun for so many years,it looks so real.What is even more amazing is the fact is that some of them have returned to Poland and the United States to be completely restored.

Thanks, I realised when looking on another PC those pictures are to dark, I cannot edit it so have uploaded some more, hopefully as I progress with it I will reshoot it.

This one is closer to the colours

Ft-17 Afghanistan Rear by Tony Taylor, on Flickr



Ft-17 Afghanistan_ by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

Ft-17 Afghanistan crop by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

hope they show better

Fantastic rust effect

Fantasic dio, but the only things I can see to improve it would be to fill the slots of missing parts and add some variety to the length of the grass tufts. Very original too.

Thanks all, thanks, that is in hand, I was getting bored with the tank so doing the base is reinvigorating me and will mean I will finish the odd bits off like filling the holes and adding straps, brackets etc I have some long grasses on order to give them height in places too.

Great minds think alike

Ok still just doing quicky shots, but the have started to add grass and have added the rear anti ditching fitting to the diorama. The pictures should be better this time, fingers crossed I have also taken parts of the racking for the shells and have added them to the interior as loose fitting items to give them a thrown in look......


FT update side low by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

FT update front by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

FT update front high by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

Tony-
This is outstanding weathering. Something about abandoned, derelict, forgotten vehicles left on their own defenses against all elements that for me is truly awesome.
I feel the base is perfect w/ the sudden, additional growth
surrounding the debris field. Very believable, and your treatment of the flat panel areas between joins and edges is quite subtle, yet spot on. IMHO
Jason-
This bit of historical info you've shared is what makes this website so great, thanks for the input.

Cheers mate
Dave

Hey Tony!
I am starting my 1:16 FT17 and came across some photo of the Afgan rusted tank that might have inspired you.
If you could adda a US infantriman near it (as in the picture I saw) it would be great!
Anyway: you did a wonderful job! Very realistic.
ciao
Edo

Thanks all, Edoardo, it's a lovely kit to build.

Again, sorry for the poor images under artificial light, click on them for the full sized ones.

I have added some ammo boxes, a couple need more sand in them as I did them to look like those used in old defences, I have also added a spanner and a roadsign that ties it to Kabul and hence Afghanistan.

I hope to damask the frame etc soon, but think the base is about done, I wanted a cluttered effect, but not too OTT.
Hope you like the latest updates



FT update Base by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

FT update Base updates by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

FT update Base and tank by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

FT update Base and tank top by Tony Taylor, on Flickr