Another One On The Bench

[Ken]

I was working on the 'cuda build off from another board and got stalled... For some reason I got bit by another bug. I had this Tamiya kit just sitting in my stash and it kept screaming at me. Eventually I had to shut it up. I cracked open the box and starting cutting and sanding. Before I knew it, it actually started to look like something. I have to admit, that this kit is typical Tamiya. The thing is pretty much falling together. I fixed a few inaccuracies with the kit, but I didn't go hog wild with the updates. I am trying to keep it box stock. Anyway, here are some pics.

Yup, its a tready thing. The kit is boxed as an M1A2, but it is really an M1A1 with some A2 stuff thrown in the box.

Business end of things. I added the non-slip texture with paint. I went a little too heavy on the upper hull, so it took a bath in CSC and neeeds redoing. It is not a Marine issue M1A1 as I did not like the look of the Marine-specific Dazzler that goes on the turret. So it will be an Army one, but it was Clayton and some chats with my brother that got the bug started.

This is the commanders station. The periscopes are close to what the real ones look like. The real ones have an anti-laser coating that changes color as the viewing angle changes. Unexposed, developed color negative film backed with BMF works well to replicate this coating.

The pictures do not show the weathering that is going on right now. I am not going really heavy on the weathering as most guys tend to overdo it in my opinion. These workhorses tend to get dusty and such, but not nearly as trashed as some make them out to be.

Dragon just came out with an accurate and awesome M1A2 SEP that will eventually join the stash. The next Tamiya M1A1(I found them on sale a Hobby Lobby for about 1/3rd the sticker price) will be built as a Marine specific unit and be joined by a Humvee that is in the works. Eventually, I hope to add a TOW equiped LAV to the mix to match a picture my brother took while in the sandbox. That will be quite sometime down the road though.

[Raul_Perez]

Nice Ken, very nice!! I too build military models, mostly WWII and typically in the winter when trying to paint "shiney" models just doesn't work well.

Yep, NO ONE, not even Tamiya, can beat Dragon when it comes to the detail and accuracy of their military models...especially their new Gen II stuff with all the PE goodies and exchangable faces and limbs.

[Ken]

Yeah, I have one of the Tiger 1 3-n1s when they first came out. I got stalled by all the little bits and thingies. I keep pulling it out and banging away on it occasionally. I also grabbed one the updated King Tiger kits as well. That one is a bit further along. It is at the really scary part... Camo painting time. I think I will go with a winter scheme. That way I can screw up the camo and then cover it with whitewash The new 'smart' kit stuff looks really cool. I have a Panther on the list to aquire. I have to finish the 1/48th one I started first

Back to the M1. The hull will get restarted tonight with a much lighter coat of the anti-slip texture and then hopefully some paint this weekend. Then I just have to start all the baggage to load in the bustle rack and such.

[Raul_Perez]

Ken,

Try using the pastel weathering powders, (that the train guys use), for the camo work. The stuff works great and is a lot easier than trying to airbrush it on if you're looking for sharp-edged patterns. Send me a PM with your email address and I'll send you some pics of what I've done and the info for buying the powder online.

Later,

[Ken]

I am using pastels for the weathering on my M1 right now. I have heard and read that you can use white pastels, chalk pastels, not the oil, to make a sort of slurry for whitewash. When it dries, you can rub off selected spots to simulate wear and tear. I am going to try this on a 1/72 T34 I have laying around. I use both pastels and washes for weathering. I love the MIG pigments, although they are a bit pricey. I will PM you with my details.

[george 53]

Ken these came Looong after my time but I sure do like em!I like em so much I've gotten 2 of them fromthe Franklin Mint in1/24 scale.one sits on my TV in my living room. I'm thankful I never had to go up against us then, I'd be downrite terrified to do it now! Semper Fi!