AFV Club 1/48 Tiger

[Unit53]

ok... This is my first post so let me explain. It's not really a work in progress as it's finished but a little more than a final reveal as it has a story, hope this is the right place to post it... This has been on my shelf of doom for a while, pretty much built and primed but of course motivation had left the building, why on earth I bought a 1/48 scale piece of Armour? Well the mind boggles... Saying that what an awesome kit and I'm sure at some point we had a plan but finally it breaths life. My local club had a "What if ?" comp so a free weekend, much muddling and this is what I came up with...

“Tiger Squadron - Lightning War”
A week after having signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, on September 1, 1939,
Nazi Germany invaded its zone of influence in Poland.
On September 3, Russia declared war on Germany.
Tiger Squadron formed of more than 11,000 “Tiger Mk1” Tanks
supported by the “60 Group, Partisan Elite” storm eastern regions of the
Second Polish Republic...

And so it begins...

No box art or build pics as that was some time ago but we pick up at the paint and weathering stage, I must say the figures were a tad rushed and look to clean but I think they bought enough animation to the plot and brought it to life, a bit of mud and dusting would have been better...

[Unit53]

So Russian front and the scary thought of Snow!, never done it, would love to master it but still a lot to learn... Less is more...







Hairspray... GENIUS!!!!!!!!

Now onto the first of many layers, you can buy all manner of filters etc... etc... etc... But, I feel any paint and enough thinners and we can make any wash we desire, I'm a big fan of the old Humbrol Enamels, if it's good enough for Mig...







I'm sure we can make it work...

At this point I realised perhaps some transfers (Decals) wouldn't go a miss, they should also look battered along with the paint work, so a bit of sponge work and some more wash...

[Unit53]

Moving on...





At this point I was very pleased and would have been quite happy to put it on the shelf but no, base work and of course I intended to have snow, which honestly was freaking me out...

Lets get the base work in. Quite simple, foamex board and plaster, followed by a bit of spray work and dry brushing... And here's my bench...



Lots of gloss and we have very wet mud, excuse the smoky areas as it wasn't dry at this point...



And the start of the figures, still dreading the snow and of course have we gone to far, I'll let you comment on that one...



Actually thought I had killed it when adding the snow but my wife Claire came to the rescue and calmed my excitement, hope you like the final reveal, welcome comments please...

Thanks for looking in...
Martin

[Unit53]

Sorry, cant leave it at 13 posts so here's what's next...

[Mike00]

WOW! I loved the weathering on the Tiger. The snow looks good, what did you use?

[gustavlekstal]

great build. Looking forward to the next!

[mick]

great work

[Unit53]

Hi Mike… I used the Deluxe Materials Scenic Snow Kit but to be honest not really that impressed, the fixing glue supplied once applied had a blue hue which was bad. Glad a did a test piece first but in the end used a diluted PVA which worked a treat. Maybe I should have done a little more experimenting but I'm sure you know how it goes once you get in that groove! I will give it another go but will also be looking out for other methods as I have another project which requires snow. Let me know if you have any good ideas...

[Donkeywalloper]

Hi Mike
Really, really fantastic Tiger and paint-work. Good photo's by the way.
I sometimes look at AFV models done on this and other sites and shudder at the amount of weathering that gets thrown on them.
I worked on Tanks and APC's in the British Army and from that perspective, yes out on Exercise the vehicle would get a hammering, mud, oil, Brad Pitt, snow........but back in base, vehicles were cleaned, serviced and looked after like babies. They were looked after as much as your side-arm (they may have had scratches but the workings were oiled and lubricated because your life depended on them). Plus your Colour Sergeant or CSM was hovering waiting to amuse you with "extras" or loss of NAFFI break.
Currently I'm working on a 1/48 Jacka,l and this is my first model in 30 years, so really it's to get my fingers, hands and brain back in the groove and more importantly to buy all the lovely kit that you can get now.
The weathering products on sale now are absolutely mind-blowing in range and just leaves you bewildered.
As a young lad the best weathering was Dry-Brushing and maybe some crushed chalks of different hues and colours, dusted over.
The range now just makes you either excited, scared or both.
The Jackal is currently used in Dry and Dusty areas so I want a clean and maintained look, cuz that is what is required in the field. Clean, lubricated, working, serviceable and bristling with armaments.
Sorry...rambling.
The Tanks and AFV's especially in certain areas like Russia in winter would have been serviceable, but as for looks, well....
Your Tiger is spot on and the attention to detail great.
Love it

[Unit53]

I have also thought about this, with the Russian front and Desert operations (WWII) I think you can really go to town with weathering as vehicles would have been painted in the field and of course the bad weather and heavy usage would have played havoc with the finish. Having said that put yourself on the beaches of D-Day and I'm pretty sure that most of the allied vehicles landing would have been pretty much brand new so a whole different ball game, now that's a challenge, getting that cold steal look but with a fresh paint finish, quite tricky if you ask me. I have the Airfix Jackal in the stash but like you say, a very different weathering experience. Maybe the more battle tired they are the easier it is to get away with stuff, their wasn't much loving with the Tiger, quite a bomb site when I was in full swing! lol…

Thanks for kind comments
Martin

[Donkeywalloper]

You have it spot on Martin.
In the field the vehicles would have been hand-painted and markings hand-painted.
I would love to see manufacturers supplyin stencils for markings (obviously the smaller markings would be difficult) but things like large group markings would look more realistic hand painted. Think MENG do it for IDF vehicles?????
But your right, Vehicles coming off Landing Craft would have been new or semi new but definetly clean and packed out with kit.
I love AB work on AFV and I will have my new H&S Ultra come the end of the month but at the back of my mind I also want realism and smooth coats of paint are not eveident on tanks I worked on. Uniform and correct in British AFV but not smooth.
Keep up the brilliant work.

[Unit53]

Would like to see your Chieftan once it's done (or do you have a thread going?) Have a soft spot for that machine...

[gustavlekstal]

http://www.precisioniceandsnow.com Ive read to be really good

[Unit53]

WOW, now that looks more like it! Thanks for sharing, will have a proper look at that later...

[Donkeywalloper]

Would like to see your Chieftain once it's done (or do you have a thread going?) Have a soft spot for that machine...

Not yet going mate,still sat in box.
I can't wait though to have a bash at it. It's a great model of a classic and may I say before its time in looks and tech.
I'm waiting till the end of month (of course) to get the Eduard PE for the MK5 and some other bits from Accurate Armour (that site is amazing for ancillary kit).
Once all in..chocks away.
Once I get going though, i promise to throw up a blow by blow account of the build, even if good or bad.
John

[Lego]

Really nice work

Look forward to more of your builds.

[AchtungPanzer]

Verry interesting project . Im impressed buddy. Great execution

[Unit53]

Thanks mate, my first proper post as well... Lets hope the next one holds up..!

Cheers
Martin