A good day to you all, hope you're in a good shape.

Ok, the moment is what it is. So why not a light and witty subject, surely... different from the usual.

This old, very old model kit should have served only as a basis for experiments, but thanks to an eccentric picture found on the net...



As a start, a light coat of Chromatic Primer.

The original, but altered and faded green, is airbrushed in recessed areas. A mix of grey green, buff and some gloss additive to increase transparence.

Some yellow added to the previous mix for the gun




....and maybe you're asking yourselves what a hell am I doing...

Here it is, the tempting picture... I simply could not resist.



Yes, it's pink !


Well, I'll use it just as an inspiration, since the model was already built with all details in place and no damage.

But care, it's a real tank into his environment. This way the appropriate weathering
will be done anyway.

To harmonize colors, an overall coat of the Filter & Wash "light,destauration & fading 1"
Then followed by a second coat on plates center and raised edges, for a subtle fading.

I always thought that was one of Italeri better kits for the day. Interesting idea. Look forward to see how you pull it off.

It is actually not pink. What you are seeing is a combination of surface rust and red oxide primer showing through on a severly faded tank in a harsh desert environment. It is probably in Somalia since Italy gave a bunch of M47s to the Somali government in the '70s and '80s during their border wars with Ethiopia (which was supported by the Soviet Union). Also, it looks as if the picture is over-exposed which has changed the look of the colors.




Yes, it is a very nice kit and still holds up well to current kits. It is probably Italeri's best offering. The only real issue was the stiff tracks. I believe Italeri has replaced them with a new formula that is softer and much easier to work with. There are also AM replacement track options that can be used on it.

Giuseppe, nice picture find to work from. I would be interested in the mix you used to get to that shade of pink. I am going to do a BATUS OPFOR CVRT in the near future and with a bit of tweaking, that pink would be a decent starting point for me to work from. Carry on the great work.

@Ryan K : not a bad kit, expecially considering the building speed
@Gino Q. : thank you Gino, the Somali orgin of the picture seems compatible with the vegetation and the strong lighting all around. And it also gets a more "historical" accuracy to the thing, since the original picture has no description.

here the original pic link

But what is curious is that couple of intact stencils on the side ( read : NY SAFE ) and turret side, and the intact pink-like paintjob on track joints, sprockets.... All pointing to a minium overall painting done when the tank was already a sitting duck. Then faded, or maybe minium + white ? Who knows...

Anyway, as anticipated, it's just an inspiration for this model, not meaning to strictly copy.




Hi john, 5 SDW white and 1 of sdw magenta. I think better to reduce a bit the amount of white for jour need. Here my mix :



Now, some very subtle spots of Light Ageing here and there to add some punch at the whole.

Some details are painted in plain grey


The same paint is let to get denser, then used in an oil-like style to get some more or less blended effects



And with white from the same range, for some drybrushing

Despite being acrylics, and suited for "normal paintjobs", these paints can also be graded like oil paints.
Spread and blend with a larger brush.

Now, shapes enhanced with selective washes of Filter & Wash TEFW10 Steel.



Where a softer effect is needed, the wash is spread on a thin layer of water.

Very interesting project. I notice the prototype in the picture does not have a right side fender.

@ KoSprueOne : it is, but sadly the model already was built when I found this picture.

Given the dry climate where the original tank seems to be stored, rust will have sober and dark tones, with minimal leaking. We'll use mixes of SDW Shading Color TESC60 Drab Grey, with Rust SDW 01 and 04.



Both ranges are blendable, but SDW Shading Colors are more opaque, while Rust SDW are more blendable. I've used different proportions upon the need.

Here, more paint for the initial touches :

You sir are an Artist – fascinating process & delicious effects, photography’s 11/10 too. I’d second HeavyArty’s comments but it looks like you’re blending in some subtle oranges nicely. I’m here to learn, great job!

Looking spectacular sir!

Don't worry about the naysayers, some just like to hear themselves type.

Since I'm in an ongoing M47 build binge during the last four years, and always looking around for new/old techniques to steal (steel...pun intended), I'll keep your post active and will take a peak from time to time checking out your weathering technique. Damn nice work so far! Cheers!

Tim, Wayne, John Thank you all for your nice comments !

Now Rust SDW references alone for blended shades

Adding more of subtle rust effects

On the exhaust muffler, a pattern is obtained by spreading abundant Rust SDW. Some minutes later, it is textured with an old brush.



As it has dried, a darker tone is added into the same manner. The base coat was Alloy , from the W Metals range.

Excellent effect Giuseppe, and now I see the secret to your success - you're left-handed! As you know we are the top 10% and world domination is inevitable. Cheers brother

Kinda reminds me of another quirky little saying...

…"God made some heads good looking, the others he put hair on"...