Great subject, karl.
I’m really looking forward to your take on it.
Rick
Thanks, man. LIke I said though, I think I’m going to go with a firmly straight OD scheme on this.
I want to do something fairly accurate with this, and not get too “hypothetical” Lots of that going around lately–seems almost “trendy”, and I want to try to stay “within the lines” a bit more with this one.
But thanks for the suggestion! [:)]
Here’s a painting update, guys!
All paints are Tamiya. I started with a really dark OD pre-shade–a lot of Black added to Olive Drab Tamiya #62–the “old” 62.
I hypothesized that the tank would have been Dark Yellow underneath, as it would have been painted on it’s tracks?
The tank was then shaded with straight OD, then lightened with Dark Yellow, and then some straight Desert Yellow used sparingly for the highlights…it looks slightly glaring in contrast now, but all the weathering will tone it down and bring it togeher. I believe that you have to start with harsh contrasts like this in order to make t “pop” under the weathering filters.
The turret sides were left un-lightened. I didi this so as to deliberately play with shadows on the turret…
Overall look so far…
The wheels were similarly shaded…
…with the insides left in DY…
Here’s one last shot…note the “shadows” under the mantlet and barrel…
Time to clean up the wheels now and work on the tracks…I hope I haven’t lost my touch? [swg] I have to admit; it looks so purdy right now that I just want to decal it and put it on the shelf, but…ah, you know us Weatherheads! lol! [;)]
I’m liking the looks of this one! Lost your touch? I doubt it![swg]
While I have you, I’d like to say ‘thanks’ for a suggestion you made a while ago concerning the cutting tweezers from Micro Mark…they REALLY are an awesome tool. I don’t know how I got along without them!
Nate
Karl, looks like your going about the painting per your usuual steps for the most part but I gotta say I’m not sure I agree with the way it is looking…these modified Panthers probably lived in their OD livery all of a few weeks at most before they were knocked out or left for lack of fuel…I believe the last of these were lost within a few days of the attack…
…I’m thinking the paint would have a lot “fresher” look to it…just an opinion…
I’ve been waiting for this one, and it’s going up nice and quickely!
It looks great, can’t wait to see it done! [tup]
First–THANKS, Nate! Glad you like it, and that you’re digging that tool! [:D]
Manny–I’d have to disagree. Look at these shots;
–pretty dirty if you ask me?
I appreciate your input, and I think that some of what you say is true–that these tanks would not have the rust and “chippping” that a more heavily-abused tank would see, but as far as the actual paint itself–the light-play is just a part of the way I see “scale effect”–light, shadows, etc. I would do this for a “clean” tank as well. But in this case, these tanks were used in some awfully foul weather and environments, as so photographs show plenty of room for weathering.
Maybe you’ll like it when it’s done? [:-^]
And THANKS TOO, WILL!!!
yeah, I’ve seen those pics and others like them as well…they were taken months after the battle in most cases…I guess it depends on what you are modeling: A tank as it appeared on the morning of December 16th—or an abandoned one in the Spring of '45…
Not saying your work isn’t good from an execution standpoint, but just offering an opinion on what the state of the paint would be right after the Germans made the modifications (eg, the box-art). After all, you replied to an earlier post of mine that you felt the Germans would have done a pretty thourough job in painting these OD overall in a neat fashion…
I like it now, BTW, regardless of your interpretation…[tup][tup]
I see where you’re coming from, Manny! Thanks for clarifying your point! [:)]
I guess I’m modeling it then in its most familiar context–from the photos that most people know. That’s why I"ll be posing an American GI on the deck, not a panzer crewman.
If they release this in 1/72, I would probably do one in an operational role, posed in a small dio. If I did a dio with this one in the future, it would undoubtedly be in a “captured” scenario. [:D]
Nice to see you back on the forums building again Karl, put that 2 wheeler up for a bit ehhh[swg].
She is looking good fer sure!!
I really like what I see Doog, the painting so far is awesome. This baby is going to look great weathered. Keep the updates coming.
Rob
Doog is back for 3 days and already a page 2 update… and I am just seeing it now? At least it is a good reaosn… biz is good.
Glad to see oyu back at it doog. there is once again balance in the universe.
It is probably getting too cold to ride. Next thing you know he will be breaking out a snowmobile.
Outstanding shading, beautiful [:)]
Ha ha, Thanks, Eric!
No, the brapper is waiting for the next race–October 11th, I think? And then one more last one on November 1st–one of my favorite races! I can’t WAIT! I hope it’s not snowing by then!OrI’ll have to borrow a snowmobile, like Mike said!
And thanks for the comments, Marc, Rob, Mike and M1! [:D]
Looks good to me so far Doog…
Quick question for you though…are you basically using a darkened base color and filling in the recesses to create a shadow effect, similar to the way the aircraft guys shade panel lines? Would the steps be something like this:
-
Spray entire model with darkened base.
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Spray model with base color without covering up recesses and panel lines, hatches, or any place shadows, dirt, and grime may go.
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Spray lightened base color in areas where exposed to sunlight (center of panels, top of engine decks, etc).
??
I just started on a real M10 right now (1/35 AFV club). If i get it to turn out half as well as this one looks like it’s going to be I’ll be doing otay!
Thanks, Mark!
That’s pretty much the routine. You can also go back afterwards and re-emphasize the shadow color, too. I use several different shades of lightened color to get the effect. [:D]
Are there any special instructions on how to paint the top? I’ve wondered how they expected to pass as an open topped AFV from the air. I know that the weather was bad and the air forces were pretty much grounded, but what if the hadn’t been? Was there a paint scheme to make it look like an actual M-10? The Christie suspension would be a pretty good giveaway even with a pair of binoculars.
Your project is looking really good, doog, thanks for posting it.
Thanks, Lee—hmmm…no, no instructions, really. It does have a star/circle decal/markings on the turret top?
That is looking nice. For one minute i thought ‘hang on, i thought he was doing it OD, now its turning German yellow’. I would never of thought to lighten OD with yellow.
I noticed you painted the underside yellow. Have you seen pics or read that they did this, or is it just a guess. I only ask because i always paint the undersides of mine bare metal for 2 reasons. 1) i figure why would the Germans paint it there and 2) because our AFV’s, warriors, Challys and so on, are also bare metal underneath.