I’m starting on more models here, I haven’t had time to work on them much lately, and I haven’t worked on my German stuff lately because I ran out of paint and it’s like $6 for a little can. So I started on an M4A3 sherman and a Willys Jeep, because OD green paint is much cheaper than German Yellow. Anyways, I was thinking of putting them both inthe same dio but I don’t think the numbers match.The Jeep has decals for: 5th AD, Normandy
ASCZ 3886 Red Ball Express
7th AD, Belgium
2nd ID, Czechoslovakia
5th Army 101st MP, Italy
And the sherman has: H Co. 69th Battallion 6th AD, Ardennes
H Co. 756th Bttn., Germany
48th Bttn., 14th AD, France
I thought I might use different decal sets and just put them together anyways, but I would rather they matched. I may just use them separately if it’s too much trouble to match them. As of yet, I still don’t know for sure what the diorama will be about, or where or when it wil be set. I have started both pieces though, and I want to apply decals before I start weathering them.
A few more questions, though.
Are there any major flaws with either kit?(They are both Tamiya kits)
The instructions say to paint the handles of the tools(shovel, axe, etc.)Flat Earth. Would they actually be a wood color or would they be painted along with the rest of the tank? And what kind of wood would be used, a light colored wood like maple, or dark like walnut, or mixed?
Do you have to use a pretty big brush to drybrush so it will be even, or would a small size work?
If I leave the hood up on the Jeep, what could I use to detail the engine without buying much?
Sorry if I ask too many questions, but I apppreciate your help very much. Thanks!
Hi Kev,unfortunately not one of my strongpoints,markings have always confused me but if its any consolation in studying in combat photos of vehicles sometimes markings were obliterated from a vehicle.I have done a few vehicles in this manner,as a matter of fact my next dio Im about to post of a Firefly has no markings.Hope this helps a little.
I don`t pay attention to flaws or discrepancies,I just build em and have fun putting them in situations.I paint handles,fixtures and tools all the same colour as the vehicle.For drybrushing I use a midrange brush,not real big but not too small either.I get good coverage with it.
For detailing an engine use fine copper wire for sparkplug wires and for hoses use a little thicker wire.
Thanks for your help!
Should I just leave off the numbers, all marks, or just paint over them? They’re not put on yet, so should the jeep be unmarked, or the tank, too? I will repaint the tools green, and then I can try to start weathering. Thanks again!
----------------------------------Kevin--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You definitely want to keep the id numbers on. The obliterated numbers mentioned above were done in the photo lab for security purposes, not on the vehicle.
Sounds like a hobby to me.[:D] And I follow the same concept.
But of course, if you are building it for historical accuracy (probably for a contest (with judges that REALLY knows something about historical accuracy[:)]) or somebody who really wants it to be historically accurate) then the correct markings are necessary. But then again you can always hide them from view with tarps, mud, stowage etc.
One major thing to watch out for also is to make sure that the equipment or vehicle you are putting together (as well as the figures, uniforms, weapons and such) in a diorama should have “historically” been together at the time and place you are trying to portray.
Hey everybody!
This will probably never be in any contest, just wanted it to look realistic. I think I will probably cover the decals on the Jeep, what ones should I use on the tank?
---------------------------Thanks!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kevin------------------------------------------------------------------