Stokesy's Tamiya 1/35 Archer Tank Destroyer

[Stokesy44]

Got the figures done today. Gunner, loader and commander. They're nicely detailed and will look good once primed and painted.

The shell is a better fit in the loader's hands than shown here. It must have shifted before I took the picture









I'll prime the figures with Ultimate Grey, the Archer itself will be Ultimate Black.

[digger303]

Going well

[DRUMS01]

Looking really nice

Can’t wait to see it all in paint

Ben

[Kevthemodeller]

Really gives you a good perspective of just how big the 17pdr is and how cramped it was in the Firefly with 3 in the turret

Looking forward to seeing the figures all painted up

[Stokesy44]

Really gives you a good perspective of just how big the 17pdr is and how cramped it was in the Firefly with 3 in the turret

Looking forward to seeing the figures all painted up

And what must it have been like to fight in one? In such restricted space?

I wonder what the crews thought? Having a weapon that levelled the playing field versus having to get rid of the cat because there was nowhere to swing it?

The thing that really freaks me out is the sheer lack of external view they had once buttoned down for combat, some of the German vehicles even more so.

[Stokesy44]

Time to see if my idea of being able to disassemble the hull and fighting compartment for painting was a good idea.

Primed with Ultimate Black Primer, it went down smooth but with a fair amount of tip dry that I had to keep removing.



















Next up is the base coat. I'm going to cut the green with some white then apply the standard green for highlights and lowlights. Hopefully I can then avoid the exterior becoming too dark.

[Kevthemodeller]

Lovely smooth primer laid down there mate

[Stokesy44]

Lovely smooth primer laid down there mate

Thanks mate. That Ultimate stuff is like Angel pee. Just cant go wrong with it.

[Kevthemodeller]

Thanks mate. That Ultimate stuff is like Angel pee. Just cant go wrong with it.

I've had very mixed results with my bottle of black, on recent uses I've had to heat the stuff up and even then it's hit and miss. Stuff just tip dries non stop my grey and gloss black versions all bought at the same time work perfectly

[RangerNeil]

Thanks mate. That Ultimate stuff is like Angel pee. Just cant go wrong with it.

I've had very mixed results with my bottle of black, on recent uses I've had to heat the stuff up and even then it's hit and miss. Stuff just tip dries non stop my grey and gloss black versions all bought at the same time work perfectly

I've had the same issues with the Black. Yet, as said the Grey and White go on amazingly well.
Same airbrush, same pressure but constantly having to resolve dry tip and often spattering as it builds up in the cone then it blows it out like snot.

[Stokesy44]

Thanks mate. That Ultimate stuff is like Angel pee. Just cant go wrong with it.

I've had very mixed results with my bottle of black, on recent uses I've had to heat the stuff up and even then it's hit and miss. Stuff just tip dries non stop my grey and gloss black versions all bought at the same time work perfectly

I've had the same issues with the Black. Yet, as said the Grey and White go on amazingly well.
Same airbrush, same pressure but constantly having to resolve dry tip and often spattering as it builds up in the cone then it blows it out like snot.

I will be spraying the crew with the grey primer so I'll see if there's less tip dry. I also have the Tiran Israeli tank from last year to prime in grey so that will be a good test too.

[DBMiller]

I think Tamiya armor kits are some of the easiest and most fun to build. This is coming along beautifully.

[Stokesy44]

I think Tamiya armor kits are some of the easiest and most fun to build. This is coming along beautifully.

Thanks DB

You always know where you are with Tamiya. I always have an eye on their new releases in case something comes out that I like the look of. I fancy their recent Comet tank and that will probably be my next buy. A good companion piece for the Archer.

[Kevthemodeller]

I fancy their recent Comet tank and that will probably be my next buy. A good companion piece for the Archer.

I've got that on my radar too, I've got the Bronco kit in the stash would be an interesting comparison

[Stokesy44]

I fancy their recent Comet tank and that will probably be my next buy. A good companion piece for the Archer.

I've got that on my radar too, I've got the Bronco kit in the stash would be an interesting comparison

That would be a comparison although given Bronco, I think the comparison will be along the lines of one will make you laugh, one will make you cry.

I've got a 1/35 Bronco airborne jeep towing a trailer and mobile howitzer but I'm too chicken to start it. It looks so bloody complicated!

[Stokesy44]

That's enough chit chat!

Finally got the air brush going and sprayed the base colour inside and out. Its darker than it looks. I've got a half decent phone but for some reason the camera always washes the colour out. I sprayed Tamiya Acrylic and it went down beautifully. I just pulled the trigger and waited till it was finished!

That's an over simplification, obviously, but it sprayed really nicely. I should paint stuff more often









Hopefully more bench time tomorrow

[digger303]

Yae looks great

[Phillip1]

Stokesy44-Nice progress!

Phillip1

[Stokesy44]

Got back to the Archer over the weekend.

I sprayed a dark green filter on the hull because the base was still too light, even in normal light. I then added the decals, painted the rims and then the tracks.



Forgot to paint the spare tracks







Next up is more detail painting then a matt varnish to seal the decals. Then it will be time for oils and weathering.

I also need to detail the interior.

[Phillip1]

Stokesy44-Looking good!

Phillip1

[digger303]

[Stokesy44]

I didn't realise the build had been stalled for so long.

Detail and effects work on the hull



Base colours done on the figures



Hopefully another update tomorrow

[digger303]

Figures look good.

[cor]

Are they twins?

[Stokesy44]

Are they twins?

They do look like they came off a conveyor belt.

[Stokesy44]

Oil filters carried out on the hull.

I'm really not impressed to be honest. I'll varnish it, which will calm the streaks down, then do the usual stuff - apply a dirt wash before pigments to finish.





[url=https://flic.kr/p/2s9NzB8]



I struggle with weathering allied vehicles, there seems to be only so much you can do with green. Tomcat made me laugh the other day with a Blackadder reference when we were comparing kits and I feel it apt to add it here. This sums up my thoughts!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2s9QGNx]

Still, onwards and upwards, Its a nice kit and the remaining work should, hopefully, turn it into something presentable.

[Phillip1]

Stokesy44-

Phillip1

[Stokesy44]

Well I didn't expect it would be a month before I touched the Archer again. Still, such is life.

Matt varnished applied and now ready for effects and pigments.













Hope to work on it tomorrow and build some bench momentum.

[Stokesy44]

Got a bit more done today.

Bloody hell its hot!

Finished off the crew figures with dirt and washes. I also livened up the commander's leather jerkin with some red and yellow tones. Its more noticeable on his back but I took the pic from the front - I told you it was hot



Sorted out the tow cables on front (rear) of the vehicle. One of the placement hooks went the way of the carpet monster months ago but the cable still looks ok as it is. Thankfully its not a plastic or metal cable so it sits nicely with the right amount of sag. I also attached the driver's viewport which I have kept forgetting to do





I just need to put a bit of filler in the hole for the hook so it looks sheared off - as opposed to forgotten

[digger303]

Crew looks grim and determined....lovely paint.
Decals have a nice worn chipped look.
A bulb in the light is nice.....it's coming together nicely.

[Portman]

That's looking very nice indeed!

[Stokesy44]

That's looking very nice indeed!

Thanks mate.

I've just had a thought about he crew. They are all carrying pistols. If an assault gun crew feels the need to carry pistols then maybe they've put their vehicle in the wrong position?

[Stokesy44]

I am calling this done

Finished off today with some more detail painting and pigments. I used pigments and binder to rust up the exhaust and dry pigments for dust. I'm going for a May 1945 look rather than the muddier previous winter so dust is better than trying to cake it in mud. Crew have been added along with some spent shells. Not sure about the shells since the loader would probably just have tossed them overboard rather than onto the hull but hey, artistic licence!

















So that's all folks. A lovely kit from Tamiya and a very pleasant build. Thanks for stopping in and for all your comments. Its time to raid the stash (and finish off the Hellcat!)

[digger303]

Nice.

[Portman]

That's a cracker of a build - very nicely done!

[Stokesy44]

That's a cracker of a build - very nicely done!

Thanks mate. I just wish I could have done more with that damned British WW2 green color

[Portman]

That's a cracker of a build - very nicely done!

Thanks mate. I just wish I could have done more with that damned British WW2 green color

All I can say is it looks good to me - I've not attempted any British WWII Armour yet so I obviously have this fun to look forward too!

[Kevthemodeller]

Been busy of late so catching up. Another top draw build there mate