Cr1Mk3, part 2.

[rustybaer]

Or: what to do with a parts kit. 
I had so much fun doing the first one that I decided to do it again, but this time do one without the added armor with slightly different stowage arrangements, using the knowledge I gained from all the people that chipped in on the first one. Plus, this time I can do some of the mods it was too late to do on the first one. Not only is it easier this way, I have most of the "construction" methods down. So this time I've "updated" the engine deck and done the upper glacis correction before I assembled the hull. Schweet.
Pics so far:

IMG_3229 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3230 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3231 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3232 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_3233 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Shaving molded-on details off now is so much easier.....

[JCON]

Nice quick work!!!

[rustybaer]

It helps when I just did all this stuff...... or most of it anyway. This one will be slightly different.
This is a quick pic of the junk added to the hull sides, mostly stuff for tow cable brackets and hangers, some of unknown purpose but obvious in pics. IMG_3238 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
One thing different on this one than the last: I'll be scratching the later exhaust outlets with no thermal shrouds. Still pondering material: Brass or plastic?

[rustybaer]

I'll have to wait until these are set up enough to clean up, but I did the exhaust covers this morning, tee-dee-us! I hope they clean up, sure don't want to try again...
IMG_3239 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3240 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I'm thinking I'm going to try and scratch some empty extra fuel drum racks too, or just use the kit stuff, then the tow cable brackets and gun travel crutch will finish the lower hull... probably.

[JCON]

Nice scratching!!!

[rustybaer]

Thanks J. Here's a pic with it all cleaned up and more scale sized...
IMG_3283 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I did a few things on the turret today too, and built the gun travel crutch and the extra fuel drums. Once the drums were dented up they look pretty good. I may use them as-is rather than scratching empty mounts. I kind of like the look.

[rustybaer]

Bunches of tiny bits done since last post: turret is started, with the footman's loops from wire this time, tiny bits of .020" plastic for the "feet", giving a definite 3D look instead of the PE I used last time. Also done are all the tow cable fittings on the hull sides and the exhaust covers.
IMG_3369 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3370 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I'm going to scratch another turret bin (it's always easier the second time, right?) and both mesh turret side baskets, should tomorrow unless I'm working. One can always hope.

[rustybaer]

Rear bin is finished. I built it exactly the same as the first one, with the exception of the main hinges: all plastic this time since I lost two of the PE parts, but I think I like this one better. Plus, it's a cleaner build.
IMG_3397 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3396 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
It's always easier the second time, right?

[JCON]

More nice work...

[rustybaer]

Side basket, part two:
IMG_3469 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Trying to duplicate the same thing from the first build again, took less time but still fiddly. This tank gets a smaller version of this basket on the right side as well, in place of the enclosed bin the first one has. Joy again.

[rustybaer]

Hull front has some more PE added, should cover it:
IMG_3472 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
And the right side basket on and done, with the corner bin cover well along:
IMG_3471 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Finally, the left side corner bin, cover on, just needs straps:
IMG_3470 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Still lots of stuff to add to the turret top and front....

[rustybaer]

Not much jumps out as different, but I had a good afternoon of modeling, and all the major bits are done. There's a lot of smaller items to finish up, but I may get to primer late next week.
IMG_3476 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3475 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I'm contemplating doing the smoke dischargers empty, just for contrast with the other one. I'll ponder....

[mustang1989]

I can really never get enough of all of these details that you put into your builds Russ. Just so much to see. Looking forward to more progress on this build bud.

[rustybaer]

Thanks! Okay, here's something small. I only had an hour or so the last few days to do fun stuff, so I did the smoke grenade launchers. The bracket is severely over scale thickness, so it got sanded and filed to something close to real, I added the cutout at its base and made a data plate from scrap PE. Easily done, and, well, why not?
IMG_3477 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Work is picking up and my assignments are all over the place. I did 300 miles Thursday for two, in the Miata since the MINI is broken, again. Five hours at 5K RPM on I35 and a few select backroads and all I wanted to do when I got home was sit on the couch and veg, not an ideal frame of mind to take to the bench. Anyhootch, maybe Monday I'll do some more goodies on the turret, like tools and stuff.

[rustybaer]

Since I broke one of the antenna mounts in the first one and robbed this kit for it, I had to do something for this one's mounts. I decided to scratch them both since the chances of making one just like the kit part were remote. While I was there I re-did the hardware on top of the grease gun too. I wasn't real happy with the other one, and the kit part is weak...
IMG_3478 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[ARMORGUY]

Ok I'm totally blown away now, most Incredible!!!!

[rustybaer]

Just about ready for paint.
IMG_3480 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3481 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_3482 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I made up some typical stowage from Aves 2-part putty last night and did the cover for the front turret basket while I was there too. The skirts took 46 new grab handles.

[mustang1989]

All of these details are really adding up Russ. I don't know if I've ever asked this question of you but I'm sure you've been asked a million times already. How in the HECK do you get the paint into all of those tiny little crevices and crannies when applying the base and camo coats? I've gotta know because I plan on tackling something along these lines soon.

[JCON]

Looking amazing as usual!!!

[rustybaer]

Jul 17, 2022 6:20:38 GMT -6 mustang1989 said:

All of these details are really adding up Russ. I don't know if I've ever asked this question of you but I'm sure you've been asked a million times already. How in the HECK do you get the paint into all of those tiny little crevices and crannies when applying the base and camo coats? I've gotta know because I plan on tackling something along these lines soon.

Excellent question...  answer is, it varies. On this one I'll brush on a color very close to but darker than the base coat, using those little tiny sponge-head brushes, getting color into the places I know I can't get with spray. Then it's rattle can time. On the first one, since the majority of the model was green plastic, I sprayed first, checked for missed areas, got what I could with the rattle can and then used a brush and acrylics to touch up. If I'm patient with the rattle can, I normally don't have much brush work to do. I do the same or similar for stowage, using a disposable brush and just getting a darker than base color in the cracks and voids. Then I detail paint. If I can't get to it at all, then it's not visible so I leave it in its base color or something several shades darker.
Second and third camo colors involve medium to very small brushes and patience.
Here's a pic of what I'm talking about re stowage: the bed rolls are all in a very dark green. Eventually, they'll be somewhat lighter.

IMG_3498 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I'm almost ready to paint this one too, and since it's tan plastic and will get a dark green primer, I'll have to go slow and carefully to avoid flooding the details with paint. It would be a LOT easier with an air brush, I realize, but until I'm set up where I can use the one I have, it's rattle cans on the back deck for me.