![\"DSC_5398](\"http:\/\/borkedcode.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/DSC_5398-resized.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHere’s the little monster in its best angle (I think). \u00a0I’ll probably enter this photo for a contest sometime soon. \u00a0Others follow…<\/p>\n I’ll point to a few details to call attention to them for techniques or stuff to try to use and issues had with them:<\/p>\n 1. \u00a0The Schurzen from the photo etch kit – paint it alongside your model, but separate from it, and mask off the pieces that will be glued to the model. \u00a0Go ahead and attach the mounts after you do the wheels, but leave the plates off until you’re ready to start adding weathering. \u00a0I can’t tell you how many times those little pricks broke free while I was moving the model.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0I used white stucco paste for the caked-on mud, and covered it with Mig “dark mud” and then spotted with Mig “fresh mud” effects. \u00a0Looks good, I like the color, but the white stucco required several coats to really get rid of the brilliant white beneath it.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0I intentionally bent some of the schurzen with pliers to look like some close calls with trees, etc.<\/p>\n 4. \u00a0I also used Mig “streaking grime” all over in little bits here and there, then going back and lifting up most of it with a brush moistened with thinner. \u00a0When you do this, do the lift SAME DAY, preferably apply to one panel and then remove from same panel as soon as it’s done. \u00a0I let one of the schurzen sit overnight (right front), and it shows, doesn’t look as good as the others.<\/p>\n 5. \u00a0My base hull coat was in\u00a0a German dark yellow from the “Flames of War” branded paint. \u00a0This paint dissolves in acetone. \u00a0I found out somewhat harshly (but thankfully in a way that was easily fixed) when I used acetone as a fixer for a dust pigment. \u00a0Note to self: \u00a0cover the hull with satin or other varnish before weathering.<\/p>\n 6. \u00a0Clear gloss lacquer beneath decals is a great plan, works wonderfully. \u00a0Adding decal solvents to get rid of silvering completes the “painted on” look. \u00a0Acetone can then potentially bork your decals so again, varnish after.<\/p>\n 7. \u00a0That boxy thing on the front right fender is the baseplate for the jack – generally it should be colored as though it was painted with the tank itself (new tanks on both sides generally had their equipment attached and it got painted over, after time tools would get lost or broken and new ones that weren’t painted would be acquired).<\/p>\n 8. \u00a0Hairspray chipping technique on the muffler to give me some rust spots underneath – good stuff, but make sure you mask the paint if you’re about to varnish the thing, or the varnish will prevent water from getting in to soften up the paint.<\/p>\n 9. \u00a0The rolled-metal barrel is a great gripping point for when you have to handle the model without breaking fragile spots.<\/p>\n 10. \u00a0The photo-etch grab handles along the top on either side will break and disappear if you even look at them unkindly.<\/p>\n 11. \u00a0The radio antenna is a bit of wire painted black and super-glued into a socket on the top. \u00a0Nothing special in its construction, just added a nice complete look to the model.<\/p>\n 12. \u00a0The whole model was coated with a brown filter for German yellow vehicles, and also with a wash designed for the same color scheme. \u00a0I then used the streaking grime in a 50\/50 dilution to create a pin-wash for a few seams and hatches.<\/p>\n 13. \u00a0A little bit of black plus steel was then sponge-applied to spots where foot traffic would go, and a little around the edges to give a chipping effect.<\/p>\n 14. \u00a0The base is a $6 cutting board I bought from the kitchen department of TK Maxx (TJ Maxx in the US). \u00a0I glued a trimmed “grass” from Woodland Scenics to it, then sprinkled with some cement dust from a local demolition site, some tiny gravel, and then dried thyme and oregano leaves. \u00a0Smells nice, too. \u00a0A broken stick from somewhere outside added larger “tree fall” elements. \u00a0Larger gravel pieces and some trees (a few of which I trimmed branches away from the trunk to look like bushes) from various manufacturers were added after that, and finally some various grass tufts which are available from most gaming-mini stores.<\/p>\n So…I’m getting there. \u00a0Not totally pro, but it looks pretty damn nice sitting on the shelf.<\/p>\n Next up…I’ll be doing a small USS Enterprise from the old Star Trek series for a friend’s “Man Cave” and then after that, I buckle down and start on the shuttle bay for my own 1\/350th Enterprise Refit!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Well, unfortunately I lost all the pics of the finished photo-etch, and that kinda put me off of tracking the remainder, so my apologies for those who were wanting to follow that section – sorry :(. However! \u00a0I finished it … Continue reading <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n