Actually finished this one about 3 weeks ago, but I’ve been playing around with my photo setup trying to get some brighter pics…this is the best I’ve been able to do. The black (versus white) background certainly helps some.
Early early Afrika campaign build, March of '41 before everything got an outer coat of yellow. Tried to go for very faded panels from exposure to the hot sun, hence the “lighter” panzer gray.
Enjoy! All critiques highly welcomed. [;)]
Nice work Dupes on getting the panzer gray to fade and produce some variation! The only thing that’s missing are some tire tracks on the base. As it stands, it looks like the 222 teleported into position. [;)]
I’d also recommend perhaps painting the mufflers/exhaust pipes with a rusted metal finish? Even in the desert these would oxidize due to the catalytic reaction of heat and moisture on the exhaust.
I followed this one in the GB, but certainly worth another look. Very nice Dupes [tup].
Regards, Rick
Purdy! Nice variations in color, beautiful wear lines (dark edges, that kind of thing). Grill-work is especially nice, too. For some reason I’m really drawn to the markings on this build, maybe it’s because I’m so used to seeing the DAK palm symbol on desert-brown schemes. They just jump out at me.
What did you use for the sand?
I like it alot. Real nice dusty look happening. Did you use the dot-method for the weathering? Bill was quick and pointed out a couple of observations that I noticed. Wasn’t the tarp on the tire more of a khaki-color? Splendid little base also. I kinda wished I got into that build, but gonna pass.
Hey, thanks for looking guys! [^]
Good questions and comments, let me reply:
Bill - I had this weird idea in my head that in such a dry environment, rusting of the muffler and pipes wouldn’t occur. Not sure where that idea came from. Heh. As for the tire tracks, I had sort of envisioned this as a hard-packed dirt road, one that wouldn’t necessarily show tracks…not sure if I conveyed that idea with the base fully. Will see what I can do to get some on there. [tup]
Thurston - the sand is just several different grades of ballast I picked up at the LHS.
RJK - thanks for taking the time to peruse…again!
Tigerman - I DID use the oil dot method as one part of the weathering, on top of several increasingly lighter shades of panzer gray on each panel. The tarp was listed as “hull color” in the Tamiya instructions…didn’t seem like it would be right to me, either, but I couldn’t find a reference pic to the contrary. Meh. Thanks on the base, it’s my first one - that part was really fun. I can see me trying all kinds of groundwork methods to spruce up some future builds. [;)]
Thanks again guys! [:D]
Nice lookin’ 222, dupes! You did a good job making the Panzer Gray “un-boring”.
My only nitpicks would be that the spare tire cover is canvas, and should be a tan or brown color, and the radio antena is missing (that’s the antenna mount at the rearmost angle of the turret.) Some fine wire should do the job.
Nonetheless a great model. Don’t forget to add the badge with the campaign medal[tup]
Dupes,
Lots of people think desert = no rust. Living in a desert myself, I can attest to the fact that if you leave a piece of exposed steel out in the open air, it will rust in as little as one night. The reason being that steel/iron only requires exposure to oxygen to rust (oxidize) not exposure to water. Water just accelerates the process. You can still find old rusty artifacts in the desert here in West Texas dating back to the 1800s, the metal rusts but doesn’t fall apart necessarily.
Wow, that looks great! You sure made the panzer gray scheme look a lot better than mine. You did a great job on the weathering and fading. The base looks beautiful, too. [tup]
Nice job Dupes some real nice colours in the panzer grey this kit is timeless they are just fun to build the base sets it off very nicely.
Hey, thanks guys! [:D]
Biffa - you sure are right about this kit being timeless…now if they would only put a full interior in there it would timeless AND awesome. [;)]
Hermes - you’re the second voter for a canvas cover on the spare tire - looks like I’m going to have to change that. [}:)] Even cut some wire for the antenna…and never attached it. [oops]
WBill - see what I get for ignoring all of those chemistry classes? Oxidation on the way. [8D]
DHM - thanks all around. [:)]
Very nice…one of the first armor kits I ever built and it still holds up…fine job…
[#ditto]
It WAS the first armor model i did. Yet yours has the viewing slits round the right way. It also looks 100% better. LOL [banghead]
[tup] I really like this. [^] Aside from the already noted, I think this is basically a very good job. [:D] Keep it up because you will only get better.
Steve
Hey, continued interest! [^]
Thanks Manny, Lufty, and Disastermaster for taking the time to comment. [:D]
Now I’m just trying to fit this guy back into the rotation for a bit to get my gig sheet worked out…heheheh.