Here's an update on my progess for the OAID campaign. I added vision blocks this morning in an attempt to replicate the magenta coating. I used magenta party stars glued onto sheet styrene. I then cut these to fit in the open spaces for the vision blocks. This is the first time I have tried this technique, and I am pleased with the results. Here's how they turned out.

Must say that I do like it, but maybe a bit too shiny?!

Hey 12,
I like the colour, but I think it is a little too shiny. Maybe try a drop of future, or gloss coat over top to tone it down and give it a little more depth.
Just my 2 cents worth. Looks really good so far. keep us updated!!!

Rather impressive.
I'll have to give it a try on my M1

They are very impressive, but I will agree they stand out a little too much. Did you paint their backsides at all?

Rob

Very cool...I'll have to give that a try.

Thanks for sharing.

I will defer comments until the model is painted. It will probably look much different after full color but looks really interesting so far. I will be watching future progress

Looks pretty good - giving this tip some thought . Just hard to pick the right color , I've checked 3 different tanks 3 different colors -RRRRRRRRRrrrrrr- - modeling drives me nuts . In the last pic - did you add this to the GPS ? Hard to tell by the pic - the right side of the glass is dark for the TIS sight on the 1/1 scale M1s .

Thanks for the comments! It looks like the big thing is they are too vibrant, so I will tone them down a bit.

BroAbrams - I did not paint the backsides. You can't see through the stars at all, so I just used a regualr sheet of white styrene as a backing.

turrettoad - I have not added this yet. I'm trying to figure out what the best way to get it in there will be (putting it over the plastic or attempting to pull the lens assembly out and replacing it that way). Before the campaign is finished I will replace it in some fashion.

Great job there Jeff. I'm learning a lot from you guys. I found some of this magenta colored stuff from a local craft store here & I'm planning to try it on my build. Regards.

Glad to see this technique is catching on! A quick hit with a satin toner coat (I use 70% flat + 29% gloss + 1 drop of buff) will take the sheen off. But, you MUST spray it on. The colour coat will dissolve if you attempt to brush on any sort of acrylic/alcohol based paint.

The colours are really vibrant in real life though...if I had walked a litte more to the right, the vision block on the far right shifted to gold. Wish I had taken a pic of it then.

Thanks for the comments!

Stormfront - I will give your recipe a shot to try to make the blocks look a little more real.

Very interesting idea ! Wow. Try them under a black light....hehe

Rest of your Abrams looks awesome. Keep up the great work !!

Cheers !

Alpen

looks awesome, however this is off topic i wont be able to produce my M1 by the deadline *certian items not avail yet*

i was wondering if the rules might be bent, and that any OIF vehice may be used?

thanks
Zach