Nice work on the 1942. I think I’m building the same kit ('42 lightweight cast tank). I’ve enjoyed it so far.
Grant
Rooster,
Almost the same tank, but not quite. The one you’ve got has a cast turret, while mine has a welded. Other than that, I think they are virtually identical.
Since I had the AB out today to work on the Elefant, figures I might as well get some work in on the KV as well.
I’m trying more of a layered approach to painting this one, started with a primer coat of Flat Black, then a basecoat of Deep Yellow.
After that came a coat of Drab Green:
Followed by gradually lightened coats mixing in Russian Armor Green with the Drab Green and Field Drab.
More work tomorrow on the Elefant so this one will get a chance to sit for a bit. I’m also slowly working on the link-length tracks, there’s a ton of sink marks on them and it’s slow going.
Nice paint. I stopped working on my before today’s model show. I want to do a little highlighting and such. I don’t like green to look like one shade of green.
Yours looks angry. I love it.
Looking beautiful Bill.
That yellow green colour at the top, really accentuates all the details nicely! Great stuff! [:D]
I am amazed at you for buildin’ and paintin’ two kits at the same time! I always like to concentrate on buildin’ one kit at a time, givin’ each kit 110% of my attention (PE details, AM parts) and the full respect it deserves, as well as fulfillin’ the full inspiration i’ve garnered for it! [:D]
It’s almost like havin’ two women on the go! [swg]
Otherwise i’d feel like a processin’ line in a factory! [:(]
I think that’s a first in terms of describing anything I’ve worked on…I like it! [:D]
I usually am a 1-at-a-time builder myself and it’s extremely rare for me to get two kits to the paint stage at the same time. The KV-1 kit is so straightforward, it built up very fast. Combine that with the fact that I had extremely good weather this weekend (and a 3-day holiday due to Mexico’s Independence Day) I couldn’t pass it up. I still think the Elefant’s going to get done first though. [;)]
Looking real good so far Bill.[:D]
My fingers are itching to get started on mine now.
Comet,
I spent the evening while watching Monday Night Football cleaning up all the pin marks on the link-length runs…they are beautifully molded but, as usual with Trumpeter, that comes at a price. Not too bad, just a lot of them and somewhat tedious. Good thing is they are all raised instead of sunken…much easier to trim down vs. the old putty-fill approach. [:)]
Great build sofar, i love these KV kits by Trumpeter!
You can always buy yourself a Trumpeter version, and use the AM for that, most will fit anyway, and you’ll have a nicer base to work with…
The Tamiya version is always nice as a gift to your younger brother/ son /nextdoor neighbour… [swg]
Just my [2c]
Jan [;)]
hey bill[:D]-- the paint job is comming along great[yeah]–i like the pre shading idea also–i use a similar system on some of the stuff i have done so far on the t-34 and on the exterior of my tiger I–you are gonna have a show winner with this one–its a beauty!!-- when the paint comes out really well like this, the model seems to transend the ‘reality’ gap and become real-- the 3rd pic is my favorite-- you can really see how well the layering of colors is working for you–can’t wait to see more!-- monday night football and working on a tank-- who could ask for anything more?![(-D]–unless you are a Steelers fan!!!— treadwell
Funny thing about this past week’s game…it was the lowest scoring MNF game in history…the previous being the 7-3 Niners-Giants game…and I saw both of them and remember it very clearly. [:D]
I’m very pleased with the way the “layering” has come out so far on this beast. I’ve had similar results with panzer gray finishes, this is the first time I’ve tried it on a green finish though.
More progress today and a bit earlier in the week. Drybrushed in some MM enamel “Deep Yellow” to further lighten some of the desired areas. Also began the weathering on the undercarriage and suspension using Steel and Burnt Umber. I’ll install the tracks tonight, give it coat of Future tomorrow and then it’s on to the markings and final weathering stages!
While talking to a photographer buddy of mine he mentioned that “natural light” is the best all-around lighting for either film or digital photography and the struggle to achieve that indoors…which got me to thinking about aquarium/terrarium lighting since they produce flourescent lights that mimic the wavelength/properties of natural sunlight, I decided to give one a whirl in connection with the regular lighting setup I use. I like the results but will have to tinker with it a bit more.
Bill, natural light is what I use to photograph all my models! On a bright overcast day, this of course bein’ the best light 'cos it casts no shadows, I take my builds outside to photograph! The sky serves me as my giant lightbox! [:D]
Divided my time today between the Elefant and the KV, the KV got its tracks and exhausts added and is now all Futured and ready for decals.
Looks great Bill, how do you do your tracks?
It looks great, now for some heavy wear an’ tear! Oh yeah!! [:D]
For these, since they were the link-length variety, I brush painted Testor’s MM Metalizer Gunmetal into all the nooks and crannies and let that set up. Followed with drybrushed MM Steel in the desired places, then applied a very thin (90% thinner, 10% paint max) wash with a 0 Round brush IIRC of MM Rust to blend it all in together. Have to do it in single passes or the thinner will lift up the Metalizer if not careful. Then touch drybrushed in a little MM Burnt Umber where I wanted a deeper look and voila!
Trumpeter molded these to be a very tight friction fit, that actually made it harder IMHO to fit them in my chosen method, the top run in particular was tough to link up but eventually worked out. The diagram in the instructions is not entirely accurate with how/where the indys vs. the length runs ought to be used and that caused quite a bit of frustration up front on the first attempt but once I got it figured out, the 2nd one went on fairly smoothly.
Thanks Bill, I’ll need to try that.
Looking good Bill,will be starting on mine this week now you’ve wet my appetite.[:)]
looks great! I should get one of these guys, they look real nice.