James C Painted, and clear coated as well as applied the decals (6 in total)
The decals were a disappointment in that the yellow circle HQ unit emblems were slightly out of register, yet the others were ok. I hadn't noticed until sliding them from the backing paper. Had I known, I'd have chosen a different paint scheme. 😠
Anyway, I'll give the serial numbers a couple more applications of Micro Sol to settle down over the rivets, then seal them in under another clear coat before beating it up a bit with the weathering process.
Interesting that the top of the tank is green instead of some kind of blue to help it blurr with the horizon/sky.
Seen that on an armored car form WWI.
Or maybe the green was to make it look like some patches of plants in the desert, to help it hide from recon aicraft?
30 March 2021, 10:54
James C Thanks mate. The colour call out indicated to use MiG's "Khaki Green 113" acrylic, but the box art and paint guide clearly used a darker, more green shade. The khaki looked too similar to the brown. I found the green to be more pleasing to the eye than the Khaki, so I just went with that instead.
As for the camouflage, I believe that the patterns were just to break up the vehicles silhouette in an attempt to throw off enemy gunnery over distances by obscuring it's outline. Similar to the caunter scheme, and what was also applied to ships during WW1. You'd never be able to hide a vehicle like this, and particularly in the largely open desert of the North African theater.
I've finished the foundation of my weathering process with the application of assorted washes (mostly Tamiya brown, dark brown & black) Then sealed under several light coats of Tamiya XF-86 flat clear. Will further accentuate it with assorted MiG oil brushes, Tamiya weathering pastels and pigments.
1 April 2021, 20:41
James C Finished the build.... here's a primer of the real thing...
James C Many thanks Nate D, Tom & WG I appreciate your feed-back 🙂
3 April 2021, 07:40
Lode Schildermans And the result, James, is two great builds, made with your signature. The camo is not the common seen ones and turn out greatly. Congrats on the result, mate
Neuling Subtle weathering and chipping on this very attractive camouflage painting give this tank a well balanced over all appearance. And I like the small rust streaks below the bolts and rivets. Welcome back to armor, James!
3 April 2021, 11:22
Rui S Beautiful Weathering & finish, James. 👍
If I may say, IMHO to be perfect, just the rust streaks below the bolts and rivets on the front plate could me more randon? That was my first impression 🤔 Otherwise Great work, and yes, welcome back to land warfare😉
3 April 2021, 12:48
James C Thanks Lode, Kim, Agustin, Neuling and Rui... I appreciate your feedback guys.
@ Rui - Thanks mate... but it was just a temporary return😉
3 April 2021, 18:56
Jim J Outstanding. Perfect camo work and weathering. Congrats!
@ Shane - The Takom kit is such a vast improvement over the much older 70's era Tamiya kit. But, if you do decide to build it, be wary of the tracks as by following the instructions you end up a link short. Fortunately there are spares included, and I added an extra link just forward of the rear return idler wheels where the upper track run lay's flat.
James C
Jim J
Stefan Fraundorfer
Robin (WhiteGlint)
Lode Schildermans
Neuling
Rui S
Shane Hodgetts
