it’s not often that I sneak in here, but I wanted to share my tank with some folks who know about them! Hope you don’t mind![;)]
This is an Academy M1A1 that a friend of mine challenged me to build as he is an armor builder and thought I should try something without wings or rotors for a change, I had a great time with this kit and it has encouraged me to try some more. The biggest problem with it is the decals, they silvered quite badly and I was unable to rectify the problem[V], But apart from that I think it looks OK[:I]
I’d be interested to see what you guys think(good or bad!) Hope you like it,
Not bad at all for your first armor build! The secret to the decals is to have a gloss coat on the model before you apply them so they have a nice slick surface to adhere to. Follow that with another glosscoat to seal it and then a dullcoat to give it the matte/dull finish needed and this will solve 99% of your silvering problems.
Your tank has a nice little dio going with at as well. Just needs to be dirtied up to match the surroundings (tracks, wheels, skirts) and you are all set!
That’s a nifty base you put together. I think you have done well on your first armor model. I’m glad to see that the Dark Side has hooked another poor wingie builder. [}:)]
Thanks for your kind words guys!
Wbill, I did exactly as you described for the decals and they still silvered! Gloss coat, setting sol, gloss coat and dull coat! I just can’t figure out how that bit went wrong. I’ll take your advice and “dirty-up” the tank some more too.
Tigerman, I think I have been hooked! Mind you, now my friend has to build a wingie thingy and he’s not looking forward to it!
hehehe, Darren- I began this hobby with Armor, got hooked on planes, now I have satisfied the ‘wingie’ crave and I am for the most part seriously back to armor with a splash of ships. It’s so very addicting. Don’t get me wrong- I like jets and WWII aircraft but my calling is armor. Maybe it’s because I am just better at tanks and such- I think aircraft are more difficult. Next step is to add a fluttering of helicopters. Sometime towards the end of next year I think. Coming up though I have my Academy F-14 for the Tomcat GB. That is absolutely my favorite aircraft.
Most of all- Very nice work on your first tank!!! I am very impressed. You have thrown your incredible talent in Armor and what a nice first tank. Nice, very nice.
Good job on the Abrams, Tango 1. The pics are abit small for me but it looks like you did a nice job with your tank and diorama as a whole. I can agree with you on the decals as I have built the same kit. The decals are too thick on this kit.
I like the camo job on it!! very good!!! the way I keep decals from silvering is i usually set them down with a little lacquer dullcoat. ou got to be very careful with it, or it will rip or melt the decal
