This is Dragons Firefly VC in 35th sscale. Added Forces of Valor tracks cause the kit ones were a pain in the butt. This was also my first attempt at pigments and my darned airbrush didnt work so it is hand painted. All comments welcome!
I saw you asking questions and taking a razzing for not trying the kit tracks, and weathering a bit to randomly. They are very daunting and painful to assemble no doubt. The tracks you found are really good in detail as are those Forces of Valor and 21st century toys that have come out. I really do like that you got the kit together very well and have it finished. You are trying new things and figuring it out as you go. When you master the airbrush and weathering techniques I think you will be even more apt to use them. I practiced on my box lids forever with the airbrush until I learned some control and what mixes worked best. As I said it looks like a good solid build. The tracks represented are rubber chevron instead of the steel chevron as your kit links. When I did the kit links I cut off the end connector pins entirely andglued them a section at a time in parts to keep from getting overwhelmed. You can use masking tape sticky side up to hold them in place as you work. Good to practice with should you decide to change them. As far as the weathering goes that can always be modified as well as your skills progress. I think you did the right thing by finishing it up and driving on. As long as you are satisfied is what is really important but be warned I go back all the time and redo kits when I learn something new. It is kinda addicting. Good Job!!! Finishing it up and getting a clean build from a toough kit![tup]
Here’s a tip in weathering: Picture the the tank and imagine where the mud and dirt will be, On the lower hull and tracks. Thus there wouldn’t be too much mud on the upper hull portions.
Nevertheless, other then weathering, you did a pretty good job building your Firefly.[:)]
Well Paul; your photos are certainly getting better.
The modeling is certainly inproving, but alas, your model still shows the effects of impatience. You are missing alll the tools from the rear deck–what happened to all of those???–and as has already been pointed out, the tracks are just wrong for this vehicle. A little more patience on your part–to complete those tracks, and to properly finish the tools before saying “Here it is!” would really help to get your modeling to the “next level”! I hope that you will take this into consideration on your next build(s)!
As has been pointed out also, the weathering is a bit excessive, and not well-planned. You seem to have randomly applied huge swaths of pastels without rhyme or reason–how would mud get all over the rear of the turret storage box? THINK BEFORE WEATHERING!!
Luckily, you can probably take a stiff brush and remove much of the pastels, and leave a more subdued, dusty hue to the model.
Getting better for sure, but you could still have done a fair amount here to improve even more .
Well said,
Disastermaster
there’s nothing more satisfying or beautiful than a finished kit that was difficult to put together.
Good job. Now on to the Maus for the Jr. GB, eh?
Thank you for the comments. I agree that i overdid the weathering and did not think ay all. I will paint the pioneer tools next nand put them on the model.
Tacobuff: the maus has already been started.[}:)]
Anyone that is familiar with me knows I know NOTHING about armor and the Dark Side…I look in here to see the great work, the posts of folks I admire and learn things. No way I can comment on the build, of course.
The sides of the tank seem to be weathered realistically…it appears that a crewman tried to wipe some mud away…but then, higher up(as noted)…too much mud. And the tub (or whatever you call it) inside of the road wheels is hardly muddy as are some hubs.
I really looked further into your post because I thought this was a camo scheme I had never seen before! But you have had great constructive criticism! Keep on!
I read the other comments about your build and the one that sticks with me most is if you are satisfied with your kit then that’s all that matters. You will get excellent constructive critisism on this site and if you are looking to take your skills to the next level you can’t go wrong listening to guys like the Doog and Mansteins Revenge. Just remember don’t be discouraged and stop building. Keep plugging away!!!
Hey Paul, just remember every model you complet make’s you next one even better.
Looking foward to seeing you on the 16th. Steve
Sorry, Paul–I’ve been calling you “Greg”–you’ll learn that I do that sometimes—get people’s names confused! [sigh] I had you confused with tankluver! …[:I][banghead]
Road Rage…eh, bad pun.
It’s very muddy but I like it!
[:)]
Hey paul a little correction for ya the Expo at H.E. is the 19 not the 16.
Thanbks for all the constructive criticims guys. I just got back from Vermont so i am heading off to the tank factory to make that sherman look better. Thank you for all the commetns.
Well, nothing much to add except that I think you forgot to paint the rubber portion of the roadwheels black. But don’t dispair it is a good effort on your part, you could always improve on your next build. The important thing is that you enjoyed the building process.
Keep on building.
Keep on pluggin’ along, you’re doing models that are a whole lot more complex than I was doing at you age/experience level.
I think that you put the kit together very well. As to the hand paint job I think you did alright. I do not have an Airbrush so I am going to have to hand paint my first model. I just hope mine turns out as well as yours.