Love of Sand in Me Pants

Post by **Nev** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:34 am

Doing a damn fine job of it! Funny how you hate painting I'm the other way. It's the building that get me

Post by **BigSea** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:33 am

May the fleas of a thousand camels infest the crotch of whoever bothers you today, and ay their arms be too short to scratch it! Keep up the good work - I thought it was a scene out of 'American Sniper.'

Post by **wookiee76** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 11:34 am

Wish i was as good at things I hated mike! Im not even that good at things i enjoy!

Post by **Coen** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 12:34 pm

BigSea wrote:May the fleas of a thousand camels infest the crotch of whoever bothers you today, and ay their arms be too short to scratch it! Keep up the good work - I thought it was a scene out of 'American Sniper.'

Hahahahaha,

Post by **Coen** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 12:40 pm

I've been trying All morning to find pictures of an Abrams and an m2 in Iraq in 2005 of the 1-64th Armour, 1st Battalion "Desert Rogues".
I'm trying to sort out what, if any, markings I need to use. I have a bunch of generics that I can use to mark up some vehicles, I just need to know how they looked.
There's lots of pics of the fellas on exercise in the U.S. but I can't find anything useful for 2005 in Baghdad.

My references are pretty slim on the subject and I have to use the Internet for research... Never a great idea.

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 3:57 pm

Wow! Looks fabulous Michael!!

Post by **ladip63** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 8:31 pm

Looking good Mike.

Post by **TheTroyster** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 3:20 pm

This is some very impressive work. My sentiments exactly on the Vallejo. Not sure about you but mine really went into my trash can nicely, wonderfully really.

Post by **Coen** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 3:29 pm

TheTroyster wrote:This is some very impressive work. My sentiments exactly on the Vallejo. Not sure about you but mine really went into my trash can nicely, wonderfully really.

There's no better place for Vallejo model air in my cave. The bottom of the bin.

The sooner it's all gone the better.

Post by **TheTroyster** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:52 pm

Coen wrote:
TheTroyster wrote:This is some very impressive work. My sentiments exactly on the Vallejo. Not sure about you but mine really went into my trash can nicely, wonderfully really.
There's no better place for Vallejo model air in my cave. The bottom of the bin.
The sooner it's all gone the better.

I'm like you, so why don't I just throw it all out now, some perverted reason I keep it around. I even used it yesterday day to paint a panzer III, result: I have to get a new nozzle for my now plugged airbrush!

Post by **Coen** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 11:32 pm

I'm about to buy a big order of ammo in a couple of weeks. So mine will stay on my shelf until then.
Once the ammo arrives everything that it replaces is in the can, and happily so.

Post by **Coen** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:09 am

I'm thinking that the detail painting is done now on the SEP.
I'll either stop now and bring the M2 up to the same point and weather them both together or I'll start working more on the diorama.
I'm leaning toward bringing the M2 up first, but we'll see.

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 12:29 pm

Sweeeet!!!

Last year Vallejo primer blocked my airbrush, I thought it was my shitty airbrush and I ended up damaging the needle and the noozle in the frustrating "cleaning" process. The airbrush was not shitty at all. After using acrylics with the same name I have started having "grainy" issues after thinning them with their brand thinner. So, following your advise I've started a transition towards Mig.

Post by **wookiee76** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 12:32 pm

Looking mighty fine Mike, it seems im the only person to not have any issues using vallejo but time will probably tell.

Post by **TheTroyster** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 5:18 pm

This is looking very nice. I love that cooler, the blue is both realistic- something anyone can buy at a lot of stores, and it draws the eye, adds interest, and (for me at least) enhances the overall look of a modern tank.

Post by **Coen** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 8:55 pm

It took about four coats to get that colour too. Hahaha.
I have no idea if it's a cooler or not, in fact it looks more like a heavy duty Rubbermaid tub to me, but I liked the colour so that's why I painted it.
I honestly don't care what the container actually is haha. It's a sock tub now

Post by **wookiee76** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 9:02 pm

In that case shouldnt it carry a biohazard warning?!

Post by **Coen** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 12:24 am

hahahaha! Maybe.

Nearly finished the crew for the M1 today. They're looking a bit pop eyed at the moment. Probably because I did the whites of the eyes for a change. Normally I don't do that as the whites of eyes at 1/35 are invisible and it's not really needed to add that detail to a figure unless you're a master figure painter or figures are your focus.
Once I do a wash to the figures you won't see it anyway.

Post by **ladip63** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 12:38 am

That looks great Mike, even though the crew looked spaced out.

They look great. Be waiting for the next installment.

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 1:16 am

The figures look very nice
Allthough the commander looks a bit suprised
The M1 looks cool too with all the stowage
It makes me want to build my Canadian Leopard (the only modern tank i have)
And then there is a Bradley coming too ,so lots to look forward too
Keep up the good work

Post by **mincemeat** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 1:19 am

I think the crew just realized they're about to be attacked! All you need is the "!" over their heads with the sound from Metal Gear Solid. Great work on everything it looks really nice.

Do you hand paint the black on the wheels? I found a method that worked for me on my Zero, but I wonder if there is another way?

Post by **Coen** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 1:44 am

And these two are done...

Post by **Coen** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 1:48 am

mincemeat wrote:I think the crew just realized they're about to be attacked! All you need is the "!" over their heads with the sound from Metal Gear Solid. Great work on everything it looks really nice.

Do you hand paint the black on the wheels? I found a method that worked for me on my Zero, but I wonder if there is another way?

I do, I always hand paint my wheels. And there is easier way.
You can use a circle template to mask them off and spray them. It's fast and extremely easy. You can even buy kit or vehicle specific wheel masks that are pretty much the same thing but cost more.
I actually love hand painting the wheels so I have no use for the things

Post by **mincemeat** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:34 am

Coen wrote: I do, I always hand paint my wheels. And there is easier way.
You can use a circle template to mask them off and spray them. It's fast and extremely easy. You can even buy kit or vehicle specific wheel masks that are pretty much the same thing but cost more.
I actually love hand painting the wheels so I have no use for the things

Thanks! It's all about the journey, right? I've seen the wheel masks around, but never used them.

Just to share some info, I prime the wheels and then spray the hub color. It gets glossed and then thinner goes around the rim, touch it with loaded paint and flows around crisply. Then fill in the rest with the brush. Thanks for sharing your builds with us!

Post by **timtamtung** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 10:00 am

loving the colour of the tank!

By the way, how did you get that camo effect on your figures mike? base yellow and random sponge the grey?

Post by **Coen** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 10:32 am

That's exactly how I did it Tungy.
I was looking at a book that I have on modelling the M2 and the fella demonstrated the technique.
Base colour of Vallejo light brown then dabbed the Vallejo basalt grey with a sponge.

Post by **1001kjk** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 10:56 am

Arrived at this a little late. Truly a stunning build. Thank you for taking the time to take pics for those of us needing a little help and inspiration

Post by **timtamtung** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 11:04 am

Coen wrote:That's exactly how I did it Tungy.
I was looking at a book that I have on modelling the M2 and the fella demonstrated the technique.
Base colour of Vallejo light brown then dabbed the Vallejo basalt grey with a sponge.

thank you thank you thank you... Needed this !
Definitely going to use this method. The US army camo is very tricky to get right, which was why i avoided it... until now

Post by **Coen** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:17 am

Did some work on the tracks today and gave the tank a gloss coat with Aqua gloss and a wash in Ultimate dark dirt.

The tracks were give a wash of ammo dark track thinned with Ultimate thinner (aka giraffe pee) for all the metal parts. Then the rubber was painted with Ammos rubber.
Once that dried I gave them a wash with Ultimate sand, concrete, light dirt, and dark dirt all mixed together.

Once the wash was dry I removed it from the rubber pads with a stiff bristled of hair brush.
I will do some dry rushing with ammo gun grey once they're installed on the tank.

I also made up some of the Back the hell off! Signs that came with the M2 kit.

Then the dark dirt wash...

Then I took it all off using wet cotton buds.

Next I'll chip it a little then I'll,flat coat it and get ready for some mapping or dot filtering.

Post by **wesleye18** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:22 am

Ooooo looking good Ehh mike

Post by **TheTroyster** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:57 am

It's official now
What you got here is a genuine Bad Ass!

Post by **stuart66madmodeller** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:24 am

shes coming on really well bud.

Post by **Coen** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 3:41 pm

Thanks Fellas.

She's almost there now. Just some rust streaks, exhaust stains and the pigments left to do.
It's amazing what a little Ultimate sand mix and a flat coat will do. haha

YouTube · Post by **Kingdan** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 3:48 pm

Awesome

someday master someday

Post by **timtamtung** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:08 pm

That looks real business there mate. Good use of Ultimate

Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:51 pm

stunning Mike

Post by **Scaleman** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:57 pm

Such a great thred mike, love the Abrams, wish I had one in my own stash. J

Post by **Coen** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:02 pm

Thanks Fellas.
An hour or so more work with some oils, dry bushing, and pigments and she done except for the placement weathering for the dio.

This pic was my inspiration...

Post by **wappynutter** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:17 pm

wow!
Beautiful Mike, just such a magnificent finish...
Once placed and weathered accordingly on that HUGE diorama you have created it'll probably be one of my favorite.
Bravo... !

Well done again bud, all the best.....

Post by **Aliktren** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 6:14 pm

Its beautiful Mike, i hope my challenger looks a fraction as good as this

Post by **ladip63** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 7:37 pm

WOW!!! just WOW!! That is looking great Mike.

Post by **chief5437** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:02 am

Stunning build, Mike. Really impressed with this, great thread buddy

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 6:37 am

That just looks so absolutely

Just a quick question..... which glue do you use to mount the side skirts after all the parts have been painted?

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 9:40 am

I used some humbrol poly for the strangth and then used tamiya extra thin for the clamping process.
The side skirts didn't fit at all so they were a total pain.
I almost left them off the fit was so screwy.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:54 am

This will end up on the diorama in the end, but I've started taking individual shots of vehicles that I build for dios with multiple vehicles on them.
Each one has it's own little show.
I'll do the same with the M2 then a final series with the Diorama... if I can find a way to photograph it.
One thing about building larger dioramas, they aren't easy to photograph.

Post by **Aliktren** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:59 am

So awesome, would it be possible to have a picky of all the different products you used to weather ?

So great

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 11:12 am

It wouldn't be much... It's was just Ultimate dark dirt, a mix of Ultimate sand, concrete and light dirt, and some burnt sienna oils for the rust. I dried out some Ultimate sand and used it for some pigment work as well.
So one of Pauls promo pics of the washes would be it haha.

Post by **wookiee76** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 11:16 am

So, basically identical to what i used on the m2a3 then, at least now i know it's down to me, not the products I'm using.

Post by **plasmahal** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 11:55 am

Fantastic looking armour there.

Have you got to explain the chipping technique please?

I didn't notice you using a chipping product so how did you do it?

Cheers.

Toby.

Post by **Lego** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:04 pm

Nice one Michael.

Love the sign on the back. The little pieces of extra really make it shine.