I hestitantly put these pics up for your perusal (and at the urging of fellow forumite, shrikes). I hadn’t built plastic models for about five-six years then, last year, I received an airbrush and built a few models. This was my third or fourth since then. It is a Tamiya M5 Stuart and it is fraught with errors. The decal was ripped, the paint is too dark, the fit of the upper hull to the lower hull (for some reason) didn’t turn out properly and, lol, this was hilarious, I misread the manual and the .30 cal mounting is on backwards, hence it swivels downwards, not up. The picture is a little on the dark side, and is courtesy of shrikes. Hmmm… I have a LOT to learn! Some feedback from the experts in the forum would be most appreciated.
Think you’re too hard on yourself, Redknight. Your M3 looks pretty good to me. For the star on the glacis, why don’t you partly cover it with a tarp or a rag, a flag or something else…?
Looks good. Nothing to be ashamed of. I agree with DJ. Try to cover it or rub it with fine sand paper to simulate scratched off paint or paint the missing portion by hand.
A few mistakes are nothing to worry about Redknight the Stuart looks good as is. There is not one person out there that hasn’t made a few in their time - even Tamiya made mistakes with the sizing and detail of this model. Dark paint?..nah, it was just raining.[(-D]
You have the hedgerow device on front, why not have a piece of a bush or tree across the star. It would hide the missing arm, would indicate was it was for, and look [8D] too!
Never be afraid to show off your work. Posting pics, apart from sharing with an eager viewing audience, gives you the opportunity to get feedback on how other people may have approached the same kit, or good advice on how you can improve on the next one. Sometimes one thread can open up a lot of ways and the info you get can be invaluable for future projects.
I think it looks great! I wouldn’t have seen any of the things you pointed out if you hadn’t pointed them out! (Well, maybe the star, but still! It’s possible it got scraped off somewhere aolng the line!)
I like the way the stowage is “tight” on the vehicle, like it’s really “on” there. I see a lot of stowage done where it doesn’t really look “connected” to the vehicle, but you have captured a very realistic look.
Nice model!
yeah your definately being too hard on yourself. I think it looks very good, you just need to put a tarp or something over that decal and it will look fine. I also don’t think its too dark
Hmmm… so this is what it’s like in the armor forums… [:)]
Hey, Red! See, what did i tell you… it’s a great model! Damnit, why won’t you listen to me?!? [:D] Actually, i didn’t notice the backwards gun mount. i always thought that that was the way it’s supposed to be on the stuart…
Looks good! Putting a tarp or branch on the star is a great idea. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even use a mask to pain the missing point. Hey, if bad decals were a killer, I’d never build anything [:)]
Red, welcome to the Forum, All I see are little X boxes… DARN IT! why do Macs STINK?
Anyhoo, another thing you can do to hide a ‘bad’ star is paint over it. Often, crews painted over the national insignia (target, er, I mean Star) in the field.
Good job on your M-5 Red! Sure there’s a few little mistakes on there but it looks really good over all!! A tarp would cover the torn star nicely as some suggested or try painting it in by hand and do some scratches around it to simulate a scratched off and field repainted star, etc. The weathering looks good and you’ve got a good clean build!
That is the coolest model of all – a built one! That is what modelling is all about. Now if only I could practice what I am preaching … [:0]
The comments here should make it clear that it’s never too late to tweak a kit just a teeny bit to make it look even better. Go for it! (A sandbag or two in front might also cover up the star, BTW.)
Anyway, I think your litle Stu would look dandy on a shelf. People will look at it and oooh aaah. The stowage on the rear looks great.
i have to agree w/ Larry.
the coolest models are BUILT!
my only ‘perfect’ ones are still sealed safely in their boxes, protected from my bumbling fingers! [:D]
one thing i learned is you will find your mistakes fastest, as you know right where to look.
another has been pointed out by almost everyone who posted on your build:
everyone makes ‘mistakes’.
the “better” modelers are just better at hiding them! [;)]
looks pretty good 2 me !
i forget who said it, or what it was in reference 2, but i remember this quote whenever i’m modeling:
“i will endeavor to make only new mistakes”…[;)]
ur doing just fine…
frosty[:)]
I figure all his students do that during consultaion hours, because this little guy along with 3 other tanks (Ooops! now you’ll have to post the rest of them pics… [}:)]) are “gate guards” for his cubicle at school. [;)]
