That is looking stunning as always Karl. I am not normally a fan of rust on armour, but this is one of those builds where it works, and it looks just right.
All the best for the new year and can’t wait to see more of this.
Thanks, kindly, Bish!
I DID try to not overdo it… [:|]
[;)]
Well you certainly pulled it off, but then I would expect nothing less [;)]
Thanks, Bish, I appreciate that, man!
GAMERA that’s where the fun comes in though i do more modern stuff so there isn’t a lot of rust or chipping, just environmentals.
DOOG that thing is really beat up. while i think some tanks can be overly done because of short life spans, i suspect artillery had a longer shelf life and so would be more prone to chipping, rust, and damaged fenders from backing into things. (i speak from experience on the fenders). it looks like the rails \can be used to move the entire gun assy to the middle if the vehicle for travel mode. kooks kike it woiiuld be quite nose heavy otherwise. and where does the driver sit?
i am going to try the mud technique on my JAGDTIGER as soon as i build a base.
wayne, thanks for the comments; you know, I never considered that about the lifespan of an artillery vehicle. I actually would have thought that they might see LESS abuse being more in the rear, but your comment gives food for thought. If you really look at it though, it’s really not so much “beat up” as it’s dirty and weathered within the conditions’ parameters.
JJIn either case, I’ve said it plenty of times; my modeling “philosophy” is to try to produce more “Art” than strictly realism. Kinda like Hollywood where they make the characters almost a caricature, but you know that they’re trying to convey a sense of the guy’s toughness or machismo. To me, a beat-up tank conveys the horror, the depredation, the grittiness of war.
I actually plan my next build, however, to be full-on, museum-quality “clean” build. Whodathunkit? :0
clean build? the horror.
Ha ha, that’s funny, Wayne. 
O no, the Aliens have kidnapped Karl. Bring him back you swine. [;)]
Now that’s something I would like to see…a Karl ‘museum’ clean build! [:D]
Karl -Clean Build…Jumbo - Shrimp…North - South…
No,No,No…real Karl does not do clean builds… say it ain’t soooo… OMG, my head is exploding!
Rounds Complete!!
Ha ha, you guys are cracking me up! Just wait! You’re going to be surprised! 
Well, I’ve ben trying to get this finished in between Christmas travels and getting ready to go on tour for two weeks here…it’s been tough to get time to finish it, but I’m close…still gotta do the figures and do some snow coverage…
Here’s the beast with tracks on…[:P]
The tow cables werew installed…
Not much more to do–I DO want to get the figures done and do a skin-tone tutorial. And I am going to think about doing some snow coverage on this one to match the figures’ winter wear. But I will have to wait to get home in two weeks; I’m on my way tomorrow. Thanks for commenting guys. I’;ll get back to you when I get in my hotel in Prague…
Ah yes, it’s next year now - wasn’t that bad.
Fantabulous work here on this nasty
russian thingamajigadonger
!http://www.honda208.com/images/smilies/wtf.gif
(how many of you can spell that).
It’s built great, but it’s the dirt that
makes this mudhound so lovable.
!http://forum.cactopia.org/images/smilies/confused-thinking-smiley.gifAnd, if it were me, I would surely blacken those
exhausts and surrounding area somewhat.
No clean tanks here, please…!http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-forum/banned.gif
!http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/no/bouncing-no-smiley-emoticon.gif
Karl, when you are in Prague, you will be only 300 clicks from me… 
Have a nice trip! And there’s a beautiful modelling shop on the Myslikova street there - check it out, you’ll like it! Have a nice day
Paweł
Looks Great man! Very nice and accurately weathered. Some people can go overboard when they weather things. This looks like it just rolled out of the filed and still very usable… but used at the same time. If that makes any sense.
Dang that looks G R E A T Karl
You be careful you hear me
Uncle Tony[A]
That looks great Karl.
Oh WOW!!
once more you have made it, I have always being amazed how you make things look like they are made of real iron and it gives the impression it is very heavy. Still need to lean a lot I need…
If you don’t mind, one or two figures will be so good…
Great work, you know you have a fan here…
Hugo
Just love the results you get Karl!
Have a safe and fun trip and see ya when ya get back.
Guys, thanks to all for the nice words; I’m fighting off the jet lag to reply here as I am typing, lol. What a horrendous nightmare of delayed flights, missed connections, long lay-overs, too-expensive food and cramped seats to get me here to Ostrava,Czech Republic. I appreciate you call commenting–it makes me feel a bit closer to home!
Just a few replies: Steve, that’s an excellent suggestion about the exhausts! Thanks for reminding me of that!
Pawel–it’s too bad we couldn’t meet up, but I probably won’t be in town too long. I believe we’ll be back next year, too, though!
Thanks, Bish, Tony, CodyJ, Cliff, and Hugo!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…I’m off to wrestle this jet-lag into submiss…zzzzzzzzzzzzzz