Questions for the armor builders

[Beekster]

There are references galore for armor finishing and weathering techniques. I might suggest choosing a subject and finding a kit, then go hunting for references on building and weathering. Get a kit that fits well so that you aren't fighting alignment problems when you are trying to wrap your head around a subject that goes together altogether differently than a car kit does. Don't worry about finding the most accurate kit of your chosen subject, just one that goes together well. Anything from Tamiya qualifies, as do the Asuka (previously Tasca) Sherman kits. Stay away from any M3 Lee/Grant kits for a while...Takom and Meng make really nice ones, but building the hull requires very careful attention to parts alignment and you don't want to subject yourself to that until you have a couple of other subjects under your belt.

[DPNM]

Feb 1, 2021 19:19:31 GMT -6 Beekster said:

There are references galore for armor finishing and weathering techniques. I might suggest choosing a subject and finding a kit, then go hunting for references on building and weathering. Get a kit that fits well so that you aren't fighting alignment problems when you are trying to wrap your head around a subject that goes together altogether differently than a car kit does. Don't worry about finding the most accurate kit of your chosen subject, just one that goes together well. Anything from Tamiya qualifies, as do the Asuka (previously Tasca) Sherman kits. Stay away from any M3 Lee/Grant kits for a while...Takom and Meng make really nice ones, but building the hull requires very careful attention to parts alignment and you don't want to subject yourself to that until you have a couple of other subjects under your belt.

Thank you again Greg.

There is a tank that sits outside of a Legion hall pretty close to where I live. I'm going to snap some pics of it and post them here for help with identification. I may not replicate it but just build one like it.

I coulda snapped some pics of it today but pretty likely it's covered in about 5 inches of snow, as is most everything else around here, from yesterdays snow showers.

[JCON]

Feb 1, 2021 19:00:24 GMT -6 DPNM said:

I have no practical weathering experience either but it is something I want to learn as it would be useful for what I usually build too.

Something I am learning also... been dabbling with it this last year and just ordered  a book from AMMO of Mig in Spain and some weathering paints, washes and powders...  his paints are what I tried for my Aerosan and WWI Ambulance figures last year, really liked them!!!  I'll let you know how it goes!!!  

[DPNM]

Feb 1, 2021 19:47:13 GMT -6 JCON said:

Cool, LMK after you get a bit familiar with them Joe.

[DPNM]

As an aside, I know there is a company that makes/sells rivet decals but I can't remember the name. I may need some. I'm sure there are a few here that know. A quick reminder will be appreciated.

[Beekster]

That's Woody Vondracek at Archer Transfers, www.archertransfers.com. The rivet patterns and weld seams are in his Surface Details line, which also includes treadplate variations and some fabric stuff suitable for biplanes.

[DPNM]

That's the place Greg. Thank you for the link. I may need them for 1/72 but I also need some HO. I think the HO size will work for both. They seem to be fairly close scale wise.