M5A1 in the hedgerows! Update 14! Comments please

[Madmattmodels89]

Hello gents! I finally gathered together all the parts I need to start this lil project.

I will be usin a very old Tamiya kit of the M5A1 US light tank. It will have upgrade parts from Verlinden, upgrade browning machine gun metal barrel and PE parts.

I will also use for the first time the stynylrez primer and Tamiya paint+thinner.

Here the base kit I will use.





Here the Verlinden parts ( kit include resin and pe parts) I also bought a Verlinden us star stencil as the very old decals won't be used.


Metal barrel and browning barrel and pe from RB models


Tamiya paint, thinner, and stynylrez primer


And now some oddities I will use to recreate the hedgerows, (as I learned from Coen)



Should have seen the look on my wife face when I told her why I needed the spices

Here an idea of that I want to recreate.


The setting will be somewhere in France as the m5 were used mostly as scout vehicles or infantry support. Just need to pick the right company.

I will also try to make my first YouTube video about the parts and then a series covering the entire build

With me luck! As always comments or criticism always welcome!

[InitialProduction1]

Well I better get out the something tells me this is going to be good. I'm in for the ride.

[Madmattmodels89]

Well I better get out the something tells me this is going to be good. I'm in for the ride.

Thanks mate! I am now trying to gather as much picture reference I can find! Good thing for nightshirt at work (no boss) so I can do my research

[Madmattmodels89]

Oh almost forgot. Obviously the rubber bands track of the Tamiya kit didn't pass the QA evaluation, so I went on a limbo and ordered a set of Bronco workable tracks. Should be here in the next few days.

[SergioSolo]

I need to try the oregano tip! I'm sure it will look (and smell) great

[Augustus]

Well I better get out the something tells me this is going to be good. I'm in for the ride.

Yep, me too.

[chalkyw]

Cool. looking forward to seeing this one develop

[chief5437]

Cool idea for the dio. Looking forward to seeing this. Hope the bronco tracks are better than the AFV Club tracks! Good luck with the build buddy

[Madmattmodels89]

Cool idea for the dio. Looking forward to seeing this. Hope the bronco tracks are better than the AFV Club tracks! Good luck with the build buddy

Thanks mate, I will start tonight by cleaning up the Verlinden resin parts and hopefully build the browning .30 cal.

[Madmattmodels89]

Little update not a big one but stared to clean all the resin bits... I tried to assemble the sprocket but Verlinden sent me the wrong instructions, I got the ones for the interior kit ... Will have to contact them or go by the Tamiya sprocket.

Here a pic

[chalkyw]

Looks like a bit of clean up needed there

[Madmattmodels89]

Update #1: I had a bit of time to work on the lower hull of the tank. First and foremost I closed and sanded those holes on the bottom of the hull. Since in my diorama the tank will be shooting up a hedgerow I needed those gone. So came in some metal plates and milliput. I also filled some minor sink holes in the back of the hull.








Then I moved onto the boogies. Had to drill the new resin wheels to be accommodated in the Tamiya suspension.
Then I assembled them.



Assembled


On the hull.


I did some mods to the resin hedgerow cutter. It's very nice compared to the Tamiya one but lacked a very important detail. Weld lines. These cutters were welded on field in a hurry to get as many as possible on the tanks. So with some milliput I ventured into making my own weld lines. I hope they look good as it was my first time trying with milliput.




I had some time to fool around the new and improved M2 machine gun. Verlinden and RB models parts.




Here a final shot of where I stand now



More to follow stay tuned!
As always comments and criticism welcome!

[InitialProduction1]

That's coming along nicely Madmattmodels89. Awesome updates that will bring that old Tamiya kit alive. Great job.

[Madmattmodels89]

That's coming along nicely Madmattmodels89. Awesome updates that will bring that old Tamiya kit alive. Great job.

Thanks mate!

Update-1-1/2 (lol)

Got some more done today. Started the upper deck assembly. I'm not happy with the lack of detail and I will research to see how I can improve this. Tamiya had the bright idea to make the turret in 3 parts which leave ugly seam lines that will need to be addressed.
I modified the barrel installing the RB models upgrade(very very nice compared to the bulky Tamiya plastic one) also added bits of resin for the .30 cal machine guns on the turret and lower deck. Started to work some pe magic but I'm waiting the instructions sheet from Verlinden (they gave me the wrong ones) to know exactly where everything goes.

I dry fitted the top and bottom which revealed humongous gaps in the front (will fill later tonight) and on the side ton top of the return rolls there is absolutely nothing . Will have to make some plates to close that void.

Enough talk here some pics






Here the gaps I was talking about



I also had a very pleasant delivery today!

The bronco models workable tracks came in!!!

I have to say these are very nice! The ejection pins are all outside the parts so no need to clean them (unlike the AFV club ones) sure it's a lots of parts but I'll be fun .






Also received the 3 Tamiya panel line wash!!! Just in time!



As always comments and criticism welcome!

Stay tuned!

[Madmattmodels89]

Update#2: had time tonight to make some improvements.
I'm not trying to build a super detailed and historically correct model, but this Tamiya kit was lacking details there where it's hard not to see the blemish.

In reference pics I noticed on the sides of the upper hull there supposed to be a weld line and 6 rivets on each side. In the Tamiya kit nothing but bare plastic. So I tried something I never attempted before. I made my own weld lines and prepared the holes for the rivers.

Here a reference pic to show the real tank


And here what I started with



The line in the middle is new made with the xacto knife.

Then I started to fiddle with the weld lines. I tried 2 different products. First in yellow is the milliput rolled and sculpted to represent the weld line


Second is the Vallejo plastic white putty.


I tried to see which one gives the more realistic look. Any comments about the matter are greatly appreciated.

I went ahead and filled all the major gaps of the upper hull to the lower one. Specially the sides, plasticard used to fill the voids.


Front gap closed also. Will need sanding when the purty dries.


The tank won't have the side skirts on but I managed the remove the attaching points from them and install them to show where the skirts would have been connected if installed. Also gives its a sense of damage/usage of the tank(or so I think)

Here where I got the parts from.


Parts installed

Repeated the same for the other side.

I also deepened the engine cover panel lines so once I weather the model they will pop out more as the old Tamiya ones were very shallow.

Next in line the turret will have somewhat the same treatment . Might also start with the Bronco tracks.

As always comments and criticism welcome.
Till next time.

Matt out

[Madmattmodels89]

Broncos tracks are next!

[chalkyw]

You're nailing this one Matt, looks like more detail than I'm adding to my firefly

[Madmattmodels89]

You're nailing this one Matt, looks like more detail than I'm adding to my firefly

thanks for the words! But I will never be at the level of your firefly! It's just too amazing!

Update#3

Major build and detail is done. I have just the tools and it's PE to install, make a tow cable and add some stowage.

In this update I modified and installed pe to the exhaust vents in the rear, added pe to the head lights and beat it up a bit to resemble damage from hitting the hedgerows, added the rivets from the side from spare bits of resin and Sprue. Added the rear box, detailed the turret and hollowed out a bit the turret machine gun barrel.

Here some pics.

Exhaust vents


Installed


Side with Sprue made rivets, detail to the turret

Front view


Rear with box


Hollowed out machine gun barrel


Side with resin rivets


Looking menacing


I'm working on a video for the bronco tracks. They are of very good quality but the clean up and assembly takes for ever. At least no ejector pins on the parts

Next will be stynylrez primer time

As always comment and criticism welcome

Till next time

Matt

[trekfanj]

Looking great, Matt!

Think i'll just take a seat and munch down on some ...

[Madmattmodels89]

Made a quick video reviewing the Bronco workable track set

[Madmattmodels89]

Got around a bit with the Bronco tracks. One side done one to go!

Here some pics





Comments criticism welcome!

[chalkyw]

More great work Matt, I love the Stuart and this is coming together nicely......one thing is did you consider using stretched sprue and melting it with liquid glue for the welds as its a lot more controllable than putty I found. If the glue runs everywhere then get yourself a Glass fibre pencil like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fibreglass-Abr ... B003YSWJDG as its great for cleaning up the glue spills once its dried .........you must be getting close to paint now

[Madmattmodels89]

More great work Matt, I love the Stuart and this is coming together nicely......one thing is did you consider using stretched sprue and melting it with liquid glue for the welds as its a lot more controllable than putty I found. If the glue runs everywhere then get yourself a Glass fibre pencil like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fibreglass-Abr ... B003YSWJDG as its great for cleaning up the glue spills once its dried .........you must be getting close to paint now

Cheers mate! Thanks for the great advice! It was my first time trying the welds so I experimented with different methods(hence the Vallejo putty and milliput) but the Sprue and glue seems a much more feasible way!

Thanks again and yes I should be able to lay some paint (primer) this weekend!

[Madmattmodels89]

Finished building the tank! Added all the detail and it's ready for paint. I will put some mild stowage on it after I do the diorama.

Here few pics. Comments as always welcome!

[Augustus]

This is looking great, the added detail will really bring it alive.

[InitialProduction1]

Very nice Madmatt, got to love update sets, it really makes a kit pop. Can't wait to see it in paint.


THANKS for the heads up A

[Madmattmodels89]

Finally had some time to lay the Stynylrez primer! This stuff is amazing only problem I had is that is thick and my cheap China airbrush no likey.

Anyway here few pics







Tamiya paint is next.

I also did a quick review of the primer on YouTube



Thanks for looking comments and criticism welcome!

[Madmattmodels89]

Alright guys some base coat is on! Used the Tamiya XF-62 first and then buffed it with 3 drops of Tamiya XF-57.

Here how it looks!




After the buff





Let me know what y'all think so far!

Check out my Instagram at madmattmodels.

Comments criticism welcome!

[OliveDrab]

Awesome work and an awesome M5A1

[Madmattmodels89]

Awesome work and an awesome M5A1

Thanks Curt!!

[Brasko]

Thats one mean looking machine!

[chalkyw]

Looking good in paint Matt, nice fading too

[Madmattmodels89]

Looking good in paint Matt, nice fading too

Thanks mate!! Im kinda stumped of what next. Should I clear coat and then decals and oil rendering or something else?

[Madmattmodels89]

Thats one mean looking machine!

Thanks my friend!

[chalkyw]

Looking good in paint Matt, nice fading too

Thanks mate!! Im kinda stumped of what next. Should I clear coat and then decals and oil rendering or something else?

I got this off the net from somewhere which is my go to reminder but it doesn't always work out in that order as I just wing it most of the time

[Madmattmodels89]

Looking good in paint Matt, nice fading too

Thanks mate!! Im kinda stumped of what next. Should I clear coat and then decals and oil rendering or something else?

I got this off the net from somewhere which is my go to reminder but it doesn't always work out in that order as I just wing it most of the time

As always you're a lifesaver!!!

[Madmattmodels89]

alright fellas new update!

Got around with the dot filter technique! I'm impressed with the result but would like your opinion! I kept it in context with the color choice taking in consideration that my tank will be in the hedgerows of France.

Here some pics!








As always comments and criticism welcome!

[arkbuilder2012]

The weathering looks great. I really like the fading and streaking techniques. Have to try this.

[Madmattmodels89]

The weathering looks great. I really like the fading and streaking techniques. Have to try this.

thank you sir! It was my first time also!

[chalkyw]

looking nice and grubby Matt

[Madmattmodels89]

looking nice and grubby Matt

cheers mate! It was my first time trying the effect and I'm pleased with it. Chipping is next.

[Madmattmodels89]

Update#8

Finished with oils chipping and rust. Tracks have been weathered. Next is a coat of matte clear and then pigments. After that is onto the diorama. Here some pics let me know what y'all think

Hedge cutter weathered(may be a little shiny metal on the edge will be added)



Added panel lines with Tamiya panel line wash, added some "fuel spill" tracks have been prepared



Some minor chipping (due to the wood and bushes slamming on the front)



Painted the tools


Comments and criticism welcome!

[AridTalons]

Nice job with the weathering. Looks very realistic.

[Madmattmodels89]

Nice job with the weathering. Looks very realistic.

thanks very much! Means a lot to me!

[chalkyw]

Looking pretty damn neat Matt .....can't wait to see the dio build now

[Madmattmodels89]

Looking pretty damn neat Matt .....can't wait to see the dio build now

Thanks mate! Believe it or not you're my inspiration your work is astonishing

[chalkyw]

Looking pretty damn neat Matt .....can't wait to see the dio build now

Thanks mate! Believe it or not you're my inspiration your work is astonishing

Awe, shucks ......there's better out there than me Matt......I only took this stupid and expensive hobby up again at xmas but I'm enjoying it and enjoy blogging the builds here to share tips and tricks I've picked up but I'm watching how others do stuff all the time ....and that includes you mate

[InitialProduction1]

Really looking amazing Madmattmodels89, looking forward to your next update.

[Madmattmodels89]

Sorry for the delay fellas life got a bit in the way.

Anyway here an update! The tank itself is finished, applied 2 coats of Vallejo matte clear and then did some magic with the pigments( my first time using them)

I'm pleased with the look

Here few pics







I will add some stowage I got from Royal models to add something interesting to look at.

Next I will start with the diorama!!

As always comments and criticism welcome!!

[chalkyw]

Looks superb Matt, you've got a real 'through the hedgrows' feel going on there, nice and dirty