Hello,
I am building my first armor model after many years of building AC. I have a few questions that I was hoping to get some help with...
BTW, , I am building a Sherman M4 1/48 scale.
First, I can't seem to find a reference as to the color of the primer applied to the hull. I plan on showing some wear and tear with slight exposure of the primer (if there is one) and was wondering if the primer color was different than the topcoat?
Second, regarding building/painting sequence. This is pretty basic, but do you apply the suspension, wheels, and treads, and paint in place or do you build the suspension , wheels, and treads seperate, paint, and then attach?
Pretty stupid questions but I am just wondering?
Thanks in advnce,
Tim

Howdy Tim. I am not a WW2 armor builder but I'll do what I can to help.


Usually, primer coats are a light gray to medium gray in color. However, depending on where the wear and tear is, the bare metal would more than likely show beneath. However, you could try dry brushing with the primer color over the scuffed areas; just experiment on a scrap piece or the underside of the hull first so you can get the right look.


Your best bet is to paint in subassemblies; paint everything first and then assemble everything together touching up with paint as necessary. Hope that helps.
Kyle

Can't help with the US primer, but I do believe that the chipping thing is overdone.
As far as assembly is concerned, I try to get as much in one piece as I can. I tend to put the wheels on, but always leave the tracks off & paint/weather them seperately. I also treat the turret (where fitted) as a seperate assembly too. Sometimes you have to leave trackguards off too, where access is tight. I've also dealt with the hull as upper & lower assemblies - it just depends on the vehicle. It can be easier to hide glued bits where they are covered in mud anyway!