Hey guys, i started this one around christmas inspired by all the other Trumpeter KV’s i’ve seen built this year, the kit is as good as people say it is the only problem throughout the whole build was with the front of the fenders where they are supposed to mate up with the bracket molded onto the hull the right one i was able to force into place but the left one i could not so remembering how much i liked what Treadwell did with his i copied his idea (thanks Treadster [:)]) and decided to just leave the front section off and am happy i did. This was a nice easy build to get the year kicked off and i didnt get too excited about the painting and weathering just a plain green paint job and for the weathering i just wanted to depict a dirty dusty look like most of the images i had seem to portray.
beautiful job as always man! [tup][tup] looks right on the money to me,and hope you don’t mind me saying ‘I’m flattered’[:D]—nice way to kick off the New Year !-- tread[8D]
Ron, nice way to kick off the year. I think you’re already ahead of last years pace. LOL Love the dusty application. Did you add AM grilles? Mine came with the subpar molded on ones and yours are much nicer.
Very sweet…those big slabs 'o armor plate on the KV are the perfect canvas to show your mastery of weathering…is the “dust” achieved with washes or pigments—or both?
[tup] Wonderful results Ron. This a great way to start your new year off. The only thing that I would have done different would been to have added the same sheen (bolts, picture #5) to the contact points of the tracks (picture #4).
Just my opinion. [#toast] Nonetheless, it is just super, I would expect no less from you…
The tank looks much better and definately different touch.
I especially like to read how you do the pigment placement. Is there special procedure that you did to have them evenly spread the way you wanted ? Laltely I have problem controlling the CMK pigment that I use. It seems that once I place them with mineral spirit, all they want is stuck and I cannot spread them the way I wanted.
One of my favorite subjects Ron. Very very…extremely well done .The finish looks spot on with the photos I have seen on this subject. I built the “regular” KV-2 last year and can echo your sentiments about the quality of the kit. Your machine looks very dangerous and I plan to stay out of that big gun’s crosshairs.
Nicely done. Trumpeter has really put together a nice set of KVs. I competed in a show that had 4 allied 1/35 kits in one division. All of them were KVs (1 was a Tamiya), and I took 4th with my Trumpeter. [banghead]
I recently purchased the KV-II, and I’m ready to try again. This time I’m going to try it with fruil tracks.
Thanks Tread what you did with your fender was great and a perfect fix for the trouble i was having but the credit is all yours my friend [:)]
Hi Hermesminiatures the pigments used on the tracks were Bragdon’s “dust bowl brown” and “weathered barn”.
Hi Eric i did replace the grills with some scratch built ones using plastic sheet and some scrap PE, they are not perfect but as you say better than the kit ones which in my opinion are the weakest point in these great kits.
Hi Manny, the weathering was done with about 97% oil washes (around 20 or so) and at the end a dry application of pigments in select places to blend it all together.
Stevo my man as always i appreciate your comments the track sufaces do actually show bare steel but the pics do not reflect this look at where the track is under the fenders or one of the pics which is blurred show it better also, i think the lights tend to block it.
Hi Ben the only point i apply pigments is at the very end the last thing, i apply them dry by dipping my brush into them then scrubb them into the corners and places i want them i then scrubb and wipe/blow away the loose pigments the flat finished will hold the pigments perfectly, i rarely apply them any other way i use oil washes for all the other weathering, almost all the weathering you see is oil washes the pigments merely tie them together and give a dusty finished look to it.
Matt, Ps1scw, Doog, Dale, Bill, Crockett, Larry, Grant and M1garand I again thank you all for the the great comments you are all very kind.
That weathering is simply outstanding! I was looking at a couple of the KV’s at my LHS yesterday but passed on it, but looking at your example will have me pick one up the next time I’m at the store.
Nice Kv-2! The giant russian green box is great for weathering. One thing I have to ask–I’m sure you’ve said it before-- but what do you use for washes? You said oil paints, but what kind, artist oils? Or enamels, or what? And with what, and how much do you thin them? Thanks.
