I’ve been slowly working on this old Tamiya kit of the M8 GMC. Construction is essentially complete. Base coat paint is on and some Archer fine transfers are applied. Just got the Archer US vehicle registration codes yesterday and will add them shortly. Need to work on the 50 cal MG, the grousers, pioneer tools. Some scratch built components include the stowage bar on the back of the turret, and miscellaneous equipment on the inside. I plan to top off the build with a winter camo scheme. This will be my practice for Dupes’ Winter Warrior GB that starts in January. I was going to do the DML soviet SU-100 now for practice, but changed my mind and will keep that one for the GB, which is why I built the M8 now.
you may want to look in to some replacement tracks as well. If you notice, the end connectors are in the wrong position on the kit tracks. Directly on the end of each of the shoes, instead of connecting one to another.
i have this with the eduard update and a set if academy tracks and really am looking forward to building, it looks great Larry keep the pics coming i feel motivation coming on [:)]
Thanks a lot biffa. This build has been a lot more fun than I had anticipated.
Hmmm, my last five builds have been panzer gray, german tri-color camo, german tri-color camo, white, and now olive drab. I’ve been trying to mix things up a bit…but you’re right - I’m a bit of a greenie [^]. But if armor could be painted in royal blue…then I’d be really happy
I agree stikpusher. The kit tracks are definitely a weak point here. That stood out to me as I was reviewing the pictures prior to posting them. My other option is to muck them up since I am planning to finish this off with on a winter theme. Mud and snow could be my friend in this case.
My bad Larry. [:o)] When I see your name, it just seems to symbol Russian Green anymore. All those great Russian armor builds there for awhile. Maybe it’s late in the week and I just need more sleep.
Hey…don’t let the die hard “germaholics” bother you. OD is good!!! I buy it by the case. [:-^] (Maybe thats because I only do US vehicles…hummmm) [swg]
Not a worry Eric. Those Soviet builds were probably my most inspired work and I take your comments as highly complimentary. I’m convinced that I must have been a Soviet tanker in a previous life, or have a some other strong ancestral or sprititual tie to someone at that time and place. Go ahead and have a good laugh when I tell you that I’ve seen Russian soldiers that bear a striking resemblence to me in some of the WWII eastern front soviet pictures.
It kinda broke my heart to weatherize this M8 the way I did. I think it looked pretty good with the clean OD paint job. But I wanted to practice a new winter weathered technique I read about. I attempted to depict an M8 that had been white washed for winter camo, but with the white wash finish worn down a bit. First, 2 before vs. after photos:
Before
After
Before
After
Some additional after photos:
Peace, Love & Happy New Year to All of You [#toast]
Thank you dostacos. I’m betting that yours will look at least twice as good. I’m building the Academy M7 for the Winter Warriors GB. This will be a lot of fun.
not likely[] I like the wear and tear showing through the white.
I will try to match the Squadron center page for a Bastone M8 and I am going to get the tracks buried in muck and probably make a tarp cover so the fighting compartment would not fill with snow…
the more I look here the more I need to practice and REALLY need to work on figures I have a Sherman, Stuart, comand Stuart and a German 251 that I practice on but eventually I have to pull the trigger and post something, well tomorrow I hope to get my Arty build posted
Nice work there Larry! If I can suggest even MORE OD dry brushing near the crew compartment. Especially around the MG ring – the hands and crew rubbing of the surfaces would be the main factor in the worn whitewash. Look at the front edge of the rear half roof section of the turret – it’s all white.
Also, if you end up making a sign or anything for your project, know that the official title of the vehicle is the M8 HMC (howitzer motor carriage) not M8 GMC.
Nice job on the whitewash Larry what was the technique you used? i have to do one myself for the upcoming group build and need to get some ideas together to get some practice in.
] I like the wear and tear showing through the white.