T-55

Bob Hall
OK ! First Tank in 30 years, need brutal honesty, what can I do to improve on the next one ?

Zach Wilson
I would say that the biggest thing is that the dirt is out of scale and it makes the whole thing look toy-like. There's just a general bumpy texture to the entire thing. Pin washes around the details would help with giving it depth.

Bob Hall
Thanks Zach, Means a lot coming from you and seeing your amazing skills !

Tom ...
Stand and deliver! Nice job, Bob. Did you enjoy the build?

Bob Hall
It was a change from the ordinary. 25 years in the Military ya kinda get tired of war machines, but I decided to step out of the comfort zone and venture back into the Cold War. But yes, I did Enjoy it and have picked up a few more Soviet hardware items and look forward to improving on the weathering thing.

Ben M
mmm, Krinkov

Tim Heimer
Not a muscle car by far! LOL. I have too agree with Zac, you need to study others builds and ask questions. 1st tank in over 25 yrs not terrible, but building military models is a lot different than cars, you will need to learn new skills. Good to see you get out and try something different to improve your knowledge and skills! I have watched other modelers go through the same process of learning, myself included. Sci-fi, ships, cars, tanks and planes each have a different approach and technics. Rock on Bob!

Bob Hall
Yes, this was a relearning if anything else. I just finished a BMP1 and I'll leave it unweatherd for now, but it was just an out of the comfort zone work, more for my wife, she was born and raised in the Soviet Union and her father was in an Armour division back in the day.

Bob Hall
But I think I'll agree with Ol' Ben there, I think I did better on the AK-74SU Kinkov than the Tank ! LOL !

Matthew Stec
Great job!!

Patrick Hagelstein
Well.... I agree with Zach on the out of scale dirt. And.... Dirt would accumulate from the ground up and not evenly over the whole vehicle. Try to get more dirt, dust and general grime in and on the running gear (but remember to remove it from the contact surfaces between road wheels and tracks again) and gradually go lighter the further you go up to the hull. Turrets are generally cleaner but would see more 'damage' and scuffing from crew traffic. Even though AFVs are well looked after by their crews, they tend to suffer more from the environments than cars and aircraft.

Patrick Hagelstein
Look up Nightshift on YouTube.

Patrick Hagelstein
But most important, have fun building whatever you're building! 👍 😄

Bob Hall
Yeah, it's the technique I have to get down, 4 Tours in Iraq, 3 in Afghanistan and 2 times to Bosnia I'm VERY well schooled on dirty military vehicles, especially Bradly CFV and Military Police ASV's. But I think I'll just stick with my Muscle Car's and Police Vehicles

Tim Heimer
Well , at least you were willing to give something different a try. I like you, and many here keep learning and challenging ourselves while enjoying what we do.

Bob Hall
Who knows, Maybe there will be a Mig-29 or a P-51 Mustang in my future, but we'll see !

Tom ...
No no, not a P-51 Mustang. The horror!

Bob Hall
I Know right ! I'd be the definition of crash and burn on that project ! LOL !!!!!!!!!

Tim Heimer
But Bob Likes MUSTANGS! He's already built a few! LOL

Bob Hall
Done and Done ! HA !!!!!!!!!!

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Tim Heimer
Best of both worlds right there!

Patrick Hagelstein
😄 👍