New to medelling, first build. Tamiya Panther A.

[Engineman02]

A look at my build in progress. This is my first model, Tamiya Panther A. I wanted to start with a cheaper, easy model since it was my first and didn't want to mess up an expensive one. I think may have some lessons learned to carry forward. Wanted to use a few techniques to try out. I used poster tack for laying out the camco lines, which at first wasn't sure about but seemed to turn out better with some work. I may want to use a different varnish before applying wash (used matte) since it seemed to stick around too much. Used some chalk sticks, shoved down for rusting and dirt. A few things to work on still, like the tracks and figures (which is the part I think will be the most difficult for me). Thanks for your comments.

[Joker56]

Well done, nice paint job

[SyntaxModels]

Cracker job mate!

[Hillbilly]

Very nice job Looks like you are well on your way to becoming a talented modeller

[Coen]

Wow! If that's your first you're doing well bud.
A bit of refinement of a couple techniques and you're doing really well.
That wash that you've applied, that should have been on a gloss coat bud. The effects when applied over a matte coat are usually a bit too intense as the wash is near impossible to remove.
Your camo work is extremely well done! Tonnes and tonnes of potential buddy.

[Nev]

That's really great mate cracking job on the camo

[Yevgeny]

Great work man.
Good looking tank

[Engineman02]

A few more details added. Tracks are still pretty clean, so they will probably be next. Unfortunately I broke the plastic tow cable when trying to put a bend in so i just cemented it together at a shorter length so it fits nicely along the side. Probably shorter than it really would be but I will take what I can get now and look forward to the metal low cables that shouldn't break. The cammo was easy and hard in a way. Easy in getting the clean lines with the poster tack was not too difficult. The hard part was trying to visualize what would be left showing after doing each color. I initially cot out too much of the tan color (dunkelgelb) so did some touch ups by hand, also smoothing out some sharp angles that were originally generated.

Any recommendations on a varnish to use prior to wash? Would future work in that capacity or does it not have enough of a gloss/semi-gloss finish? Not too much left to do with this model I think so I will have to start thinking about what I want to tackle next. Only have 16 to choose from (or is it 17). Went a little crazy getting all into this. Thanks again for the comments and support.

[UKguyInUSA]

Cracking job mate!

[Coen]

Future is probably the cheapest gloss cote to use. It's unpredictable though. Some modellers have had good and bad experiences with it.
Johnson's has changed the formula recently again so it works differently than it did a few years ago.
Myself I use Alclad's Aqua Gloss now. I brush is on (I'm too chicken to put it through my airbrush) It's near bullet proof.
In fact if you set fire to you model I'm sure all that would be left would be a wonder-woman version of your tank haha.

[PaulAyrey]

That is a great first build. Really well done!

[psydeviant]

the camo pattern looks really good , for a first its an excellent job, as others have said some refinement of the techniques will see you making some fantastic models, but you only learn to hone those skills by making more and more , great job

[Engineman02]

So my tank commander decided to go riding around in the mud. Well, I think I am done with the tank itself, now on to the scary part. To try to make some figures. One funny thing I just noticed. Through all the handling, painting, weathering, detailing, I left a small piece of tack on the top of the tank. I was going through some final touch as was wondering why there was an odd bump there. It looked out of place. You can see it in the close up picture by the tools. I guess it will have to stay now, otherwise there will be a really clean spot on top.

[SyntaxModels]

This is some truly inspirational work for a first model

[Engineman02]

It really helps with all the resources that are available here, on youtube and elsewhere on the internet. Thanks for the support and am looking forward to the next build.