T-62 Soviet tank

[TrucksMT]

Hello,

I had posted a couple photos of this model in a heavy equipment thread to kind of show what I had been working on, but I decided it deserves its own post.  The kit is a Tamiya T-62A.  It's and older kit, and I can't really speak to the overall accuracy of it, but it looks good, looks like a T-62 to me.  I've been working on this model for some time...I started it several years ago, probably even pre-COVID.  It's survived a couple moves and has finally resurfaced as one of the MANY armor models I have started but yet to finish.  I did have some photos of earlier in the construction but can't seem to locate them right now.   Not much too it really, tank models at their core are pretty basic builds.  I did model the welds where I could using a technique of running a bead of Testor's liquid cement, letting it soften the plastic, then using a fine tool to make the weld marks in the plastic. It's tedious but effective.  I'm including a couple photos from other models to show it better.

I also made a couple improvements, namely soft wire for the grab irons on the turret and a real piece of wood for the front "shelf".  

Today I finished the first major weathering step for which I employ the salt mask method.  After covering the model in a base coat of different shades of rust and corrosion the model is wetted down and regular table salt is sprinkled on it.  Once dry the salt that clings to the model provides a mask.  After that a light airbrush paint application is made.  Once this coat is dry the salt can be brushed and washed off, removing the salt and revealing the rust underneath.  For this model I used a mixture of different shades of Mission Models MMP-018 green, shaded with their white and Vallejo black.  Keep in mind this is just the beginning of the weathering process that will include washes, streaking, drybrushing, and other techniques.  Thank you for looking.

 

 

[TrucksMT]

[stavanzer]

Great Work. Looks like some photos I have seen of T-62 & T-55s in Africa. I can't wait to see it finished.

[Roger U]

Yes, great work. That’s going to be a beautiful model when finished. The weathering is so realistic.

[Jim B]

Great looking, well-worn T-62.  Very well done.

[TrucksMT]

Thanks very much guys!  I'm happy with it so far.  sorry the photos aren't great...they got a bit grainy, but I did want to show the texture and variation in the "rust".  Aside from further weathering this one isn't terribly far from done.  I intentionally kept it pretty simple, focusing on the finish rather than tricking out the construction with a bunch of extra stuff.  Just a basic build.  Thanks for checking it out.

[espo]

Great looking paint work. Very realistic looking finishes. 

[PappyD340]

Awesome build, well done!

[TrucksMT]

Thank you both very much!   It's just getting started.   More work today adding some highlights and toning the rust down in places, accentuating it on others.  Still to come are markings,  washes, dry brushing,  dusting, and dirt and mud.  Thanks for looking.

[TrucksMT]

One issue i have with my photos is the grainy look of the paint.  It looks very speckled and while there is some of that going on, it's less extreme than the photos make it look.  Hopefully I can get it softened.