Almost done with this thing. Just some more detail painting and some dusting and I think we are good to go. Hope you enjoy!









More build pictures here:

http://stuartsowle9954.fotopic.net/c94322.html

Comments, criticisms welcome!

Stuke

Looks fantastic, the paint chips could not be more reallistic. The weathering on the tires is also nice, I just think they would look better if the threads were going with the traffic instead of against - that way is more common. However, that's just me, keep up the great work!

Very nice, Stuke!

The chipping and scratches are perfect! and I'd like to know how you did those tires -- very realistic.

Love the paint job.

OK, OK....that is a fantastic job on the paint chips and wear.

How about a how to on how you did them????

Better yet, how about a Feature for the website...I am sure we would all love to know how you did them!!!


PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhh!! Good catch on those tires Paul. Where were you when I was gluing them on??? I guess my Iraqi's had just busted out some forbidden budweiser prior to putting them on.

To be honest, I have hardly any references on the vehicle, and didn't even think to check this. It will be noted though for the next one.

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I built this one just to have a little fun OOTB build and it's turned into my best model yet.

As for a feature article, I don't know if it's that good, but maybe I will put something together and send it to the boys here at Armorama. However I can explain a few details in general here.

Once the model was completed, I primed it with Citadel black primer. I then painted it with Tamiya Dark Green (not sure why though). After that I mixed up some Desert Yellow and white and airbrushed the entire model using variations of that theme. The green camo was Tamiya Field Grey. This I sprayed straight with no color variations.

After the basic colors were laid down, I mixed up some Tamiya clear and lightly covered the model. i didn't worry about consistent coverage as I was trying to replicate that patchy satin look that tanks have.

Once the clear had dried, I applied several thin layers of a burnt sienna oil wash. Just enough to build up some color in the details of the model.

For the chips I used a #0 brush and Vallejo paints. The Vallejo paints are a joy to use, with great control and easy clean up. For the chips on the sand color of the model I used Russian Green. This was an attempt to mimic the orginal paint of the vehicle prior to being repainted by the Iraqi's. For the sand colored chips on the green camo I used Vallejo Iraqi sand, as well as some chips using the Russian green (which are hard to see) and some Cavalry Brown for rust spots. In addition, I used some of the Iraqi Sand color to make scratches on the sand color portions. My hope being that it appeared to look like scratches that did not make it through the first layer of paint.

After the chipping was complete (and my right hand had gotten a bit of rest). I applied tiny blobs of Green, Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna oil paints all over the model and using a brush wetted with Turpenoid blended those colors together. This really gave the moded subtle variations to it's color. It is much more evident in real life as my skills as a photographer are very lacking.

Anyone who reads TMMI will notice that I used pretty much the same technique on this vehicle as Marcus Nicholl's T-55 in issue #97. I didn't copy it exactly, but it was a good starting point to get my own sequence down.

I will try and finish up the model this week and post final shots as well as get a mini-article together.

Thanks again for the kind words and don't hesitate to ask questions!

Stuke

Doah, forgot about the tires!!!

Another technique I picked up in TMMI..can't remember which number though. Began by painting Tamiya Dark Earth, then oversprayed with Deck Tan. After that a wash of Burnt Sienna, actually a couple of heavy washes. Once this had dried, I ground up some black pastels, then dipped my finger in the pastels and rubbed over the portions of the tire where I thought they would've made contact over the past hours.

This method seems to work pretty well, and again the technique can be varied to suit the vehicle and conditions.

HTH,
Stuke

Great ! a very good job Stuke !

Hey Stucke, about the threads - every Russian/Soviet vehicle that I'm aware of has the threads going with the traffic. This goes for: all BRDMs, all BTRs, Ural, GAZ-66, Zil-151, -157 and much more. I have however seen some pics with the tires the other way, but I think it was just a field change. Don't worry about it on this one - you're model is one of the best BRDM-2's I ever seen!

Very, VERY nicely done Stuke! Excellent job on the paint chips especially and the tires, the paint chips really give it a 'weighty' look like an armored vehicle that's seen a lot of field use. Thanks for the explanation of how you did it, will come in handy for everyone I'm sure!

Again, thank you for the words of encouragment guys. I really appreciate it.

In the past six months or so I have grown rather fond of modern Soviet equipment. I'm slowly starting to build a collection of kits that I hope I can do as good a job on as this one!

Stuke

Great build! The paint job is AWSOME! Did you use the kits wheels? Warning if you did .... store the kit in a cool place or they will split. I would hate to see that on this wonderful kit.

Nice work great paint job.

...Tires might have been in TMMI issue #98

Thanks for the compliments guys.

I did use the kit tires, so somewhat expect the tires to split. I will probably hide it away in the basement once I am finished.

It is the same techinique as seen in TMMI #98 for the wheels. In an earlier issue, Marcus did a much more in-depth article.

Stuke

Very convincing paint work. With the right photo in the background it could almost pass as the real thing. Very good Thanks for sharing this with us.

C'mon animal, a magazine and newspaper aren't realistic enough of a background for you?!

Thanks for the compliments. I hope to use this model as a testbed for some photo imaging stuff as well. I might just get a realistic looking background to put behind it!

Stuke