Italeri M24 Chaffee tank 1/35 My Last US Tank to build

[TheTroyster]

Yep once I've built this, It will mean I've built every US Production tank type ever built (well I still need to build the Sheridan but no models of that).

Went with the last of the classic kits here. I have a steel barrel from RB models, and a set of Fruilmodel tracks if I choose to use them.



Okay the tracks that come with the kit are decent band tracks, so maybe I'll save the Fruils for an AFV Club model:



Molds look good, but typical of this brand, the surface is way too slick, going to need to texture it to give it an authentic armor look...




Found this old cigar box, and I think the lid will make a perfect diorama base for this model.

[SergioSolo]

Wow, your collection must be amazing! Cool to see you're about to complete it.

[privatepete]

That is sure a impressive collection of US military might you have sir

[privatepete]

Hi do you mean the M551 Sheridan if you do Tamiya & Academy do,Arcane Scenery & Cybermodeler have them hope this help's :thumb2:also on EBay.

[InitialProduction1]

This will be fun to watch, and what privatepete said. Started my hobby boss Chaffee, and my Italeri I just keep looking at, lol.

[TheTroyster]

Thanks guys - for clarity sake Ive made every US production TYPE, not every varity (for example M4 Sherman is a type, but not every varity, so not that many overall tanks - although I've made quite a few varieties of Patton and Abrams tanks).

Okay got the slick shinny stuff textured using Gesso:

Actually am surprised at how much flash I've run into thus far - every wheel had it.

[TheTroyster]

Hi do you mean the M551 Sheridan if you do Tamiya & Academy do,Arcane Scenery & Cybermodeler have them hope this help's :thumb2:also on EBay.

Ah I thank you for that - just what I need more models.

[TheTroyster]

No issues this far - the fit is impressive, although the flash is annoying - and when I say annoying I mean like that bald girl who's talking to you at some bar at two in the morning and you're trying to act interested, but really you just wish you were home and living a different life - but I digress...

[Twokidsnosleep]

I like the gesso technique
Bald girl at the park?? Dude you are fishing in the wrong pond

[InitialProduction1]

Looking good Troy, seen that stuff before, gesso that is. but wasn't sure of it, it does look great, funny seeing that kit in grey, mine and all the ones I'd ever seen had been heavy dark green. anyway looking good.

[creator]

Looking good so far and the gesso method is interesting - I look forward to seeing how she turns out.

[privatepete]

Hi never used Gesso, have you used a brush or a sponge for your textured effect and what the odour like

[TheTroyster]

Hi never used Gesso, have you used a brush or a sponge for your textured effect and what the odour like

stipple it on with a brush - no odor and it's very easy to take off with a toothpick if you get it on an area you did not intend.

[privatepete]

Thank you for the feedback, I will watch with interest to the finish you get,I will get some to try

[TheTroyster]

Going together with no problems. I should have this finished building in the next day. I've also decided to use my Friulmodel tracks on this - so add a day or two to the build - they just make a model - even though they cost nearly twice what I paid for the model, but what the heck.

[Stokesy44]

Looking good. Love the texture work.

[TheTroyster]

Primed this morning, and you can see how that Gesso texture turned out:











Added hairspray next:



Mixed these three colors:


The results - and now you really get to see the results of the Gesso:

[Stokesy44]

Very nice indeed. Surface texture looks very cool. How does the hair spray thing work? Is it sprayed after the primer for chipping later?

[TheTroyster]

Very nice indeed. Surface texture looks very cool. How does the hair spray thing work? Is it sprayed after the primer for chipping later?

Correct: prime and let it dry, Hairspray 1 - 2 layers let it dry,
Paint model let dry. Using a damp brush start chipping.

Yet, in this case US armor didn't really chip - the paint was a high quality. I am going to rub a sheen in areas I think crew would have been to show some slight wear - I'll take pics.

[Stokesy44]

great explanation. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the build

[TheTroyster]

I start the Friulmodel tracks - first by taking a 5mm drill bit and just going through all the guild holes - about two hours to do all of them (sorry my hands are so dirty the glove thumb broke off and I painted my thumb).



I then add Ultimate burnishing liquid:


I let these sit for almost two hours as I want them darker. Here are the results:





While the tracks were sitting I weather the tank by adding a rubbed sheen look to those areas I thought crew might wear out:



Almost use the cotton tip like I am buffing an area. Here are the results:





Also did a pin wash using MIG dark wash:

[privatepete]

Hi Troy I'm sold,the texture in my opinion is fantastic, l have just ordered some not a good start to the week have you tried the other colours???

[TheTroyster]

Using Coen C pink board road build he outlined in his how to video on street dioramas, I gave it a try:



Also spent a few hours and put these gems together.



Add a ruined wall:


Here is a general idea I'm thinking:


And we are forecasted for three days of snow (wtf) so I am sure I'll have all models cleared off my desk by weekend's end.

[privatepete]

I'm glad someone had a go at Mick's pink board road and may .I say you have made splendid job of it.

[InitialProduction1]

Really great build Troy, cool looking ground work, where did it come from?.

[TheTroyster]

Really great build Troy, cool looking ground work, where did it come from?.

Bought at home depo


But if you look under the How To videos made by Coen C - he shows how he builds street dioramas using this stuff.

[TheTroyster]

Since I left off on the diorama part of the build, I'll just continue on to the end here:

For the ruined wall I added some texture - gesso again:





I add some rubble, your basic rocks, broken tooth pics, broken parts of models, string, pencil shavings:



I add glue to the areas I'll place the rubble and then add it in: Easter egg here: see that pole object leaning on the wall - that is the plastic barrel gun that came with this kit - haha I just realized that now - don't want to waste anything here!







Then I airbrush with some primer black - not total coverage just spotty:




Then dark grey:





Light grey - again I'm just using primers here, no need to waste good paint on rubble:





I even add some dark yellow and finally a light coat of buff:


I then airbrush with a filter - a little too blue for me:





That is easily fixed a dark MIG wash next:



Okay now we're talking! Let that dry over night then I'll spray with a flat coat and then apply some pigments.

Also added a filter to the tank - applied with an airbrush:



Added pigments to the lower hull:



Put on the fruilmodel tracks:






Oh no! I forgot the decals! Not!

Going to used these stencils for spray on decals - a first for me:

[TheTroyster]

The painted on markings was nice and so much better than decals:








Finished

[OliveDrab]

Great job on the Chaffee, one of my favorite tanks...along with the Sherman, Tiger, T34, Stuart....
Seriously though, I really do love the looks of the Chaffee, and your base work is excellent too

[Stokesy44]

Brilliant work. Tank looks great, the base looks great. Jaw droppingly good mate

[InitialProduction1]

Dang Troy, i just found this again and you've finished it, damn that was fast. that's an awesome build/vignette, man hope my M 24 gets close to yours, great looking build, I have a stencil for stars also, but i haven't had the mmmmm, yeah to use them yet, lol. Again awesome build.

[SergioSolo]

Amazing result! Thanks for taking the time to document the process

[spock1701]

Awesome project! Your texturing technique is really good. And cheaper than Mr. Surfacer.