I just bought my first tank, a Tamiya M10, 1/48 scale and would like to ask if any of you have some helpful tips from start to finish on making it a success?
For example do I follow the directions or??? What about painting?
Any help or suggestions are helpful.
Thanks,
M
There are probably as many ways to build an armor model as there are modellers. I usually follow the instructions for the most part. Most armor models start with the wheels and lower hull, then the upper hull and finally the turret. I work mostly in 1/35 scale and I’m one of those guys who builds almost the entire vehicle then paint it. I normally leave the track off and paint and weather it before installing it. I paint all the tools in place and only paint in sections if the vehicle has large side skirts or some other special situation. If this is the first kit for you, I’d just follow the kit instructions and see what works best for you.
I constuct as much of the base color as possible first. I paint all the tools, roadwheels with tires, and tracks seperately.
Like Steve said, most everyone has their own way. Following the directions is always a safe way to go.
The most important thing are good tools, and I could have saved myself a lot of work if I’d known that when I first began. So make sure your knife is sharp (I recommend the Xacto type with a thin aluminum handle). Some fine-grit sandpaper will also come in handy (I use 180, 240, 320 and 600). Good glue is essential, also. Less is more, so buy something with either a needle or a brush applicator that allows you to control that.
For someone building their first kit, I recommend going slowly and test-fitting everything. As for the wheels/tracks, I’d use bluetack to temporarily attach wheels to axles. That way you can assemble the tracks around them, carefully gluing them together in such a manner that they only stick to each other and not the wheels. Copious use of tape to hold things together helps in this. Ideally, you’d end up with 2-4 segments of track that you can paint separately and then glue into place. This is slightly tedious and will require several breaksduring construction to allow for the glue to set. For my Tiger I built both tracks like this, which took about 3-4 hours of work, split over several evenings.
Alternatively you could assemble the tank in two major subassemblies (top and bottom) gluing tracks on before painting. With the top and bottom separate, you’d have enough room to get everything the right color without things getting too cramped.
Steve,
Thank you for taking time to answer my questions and the advice.
Marc
P.S. What part of Central Wisconsin. I grew up in Weyauwega.
Hey Doc,
Great tips and ideas and I will take my time. I do have 1 question and that is what “bluetack”?
Thanks,
Marc
Hey Doc,
Great tips and ideas and I will take my time. I do have 1 question and that is what is “bluetack”?
Thanks,
Marc
You’re welcome, I live in a little village called Aniwa. It’s about 30 miles straight east of Wausau. I think Blue Tack is a clay like substance that’s sticky, but doesn’t dry and so is easy to remove and re-use. I think I’ve got some around here some place.[:P]
Ausfwerks has a great review!
Read as much as possible unless all the different info confuses you. The rule is there is no rule so just have fun and keep modeling…
When someone above says painting with the tools in place. does that mean all the little goodies like shovels, etc?
This thread was what I was looking for also. A simple way to get a start. Thanks troops.
You got it!
I personally paint the tools off of the vehicle, so I don’t have to mask as much and be as careful.
I usually paint the metal color then go back and hand brush the brackets.