Another trip back to the model shop. I browsed the shelves for what seemed ages. What to choose? Airplane? Car? Figures? How about a tank? Yes, that was it. I could really go to town on this one. Weathering, damage. I'm sure i could cope. Box says 'Skill Level 3' Easy peasy for a man of my years and experience, albeit from 30 years ago!!!.
So the deal was done. Leaving the shop with my new possesion, a Revell M47 Patton Tank and more paints and brushes, I rushed home again to create yet another model masterpiece. So the build began. First the hull, suspension and wheels were assembled and painted. My first attempt at weathering was limited to a bit of (relatively) dry brushing on of a Humbrol mud coloured matt enamel over some rust. Then the rubber tracks were painted matt black and then to an application of 'mud', wiping the road surfaces clean to keep them black. Using a graphite stick, the road surfaces were rubbed to give a worn metallic appearence, and then the completed tracks were then sealed with a matt laquer, and finally married up with the rest of the running gear.
The upper body was fairly straighforward. I chose to keep all of the hatches closed on this kit, keeping the build relativey simple. There is included a single piece of an engine block to use if you leave the vents open. After everything was assembled, it had a coat or two of Humbrol Army Green and then Johnsons Klear (i'd done my research!) before the decals. I'm not entirely sure if the decals and the colour scheme were accurate, but I liked the look, and so artistic licence prevailed. Another coat of Klear sealed the whole assembled model. The exhaust vents were drybrushed with smoke acrylic.
Weathering.
The bit i'd been wating for. After some more dry brushed mud to the leading surfaces, the entire model was given a dirty smoke grey wash. This was with a very dilute water mix of Vallejo smoke acrylic, and highlighted the panel edges an gave a generally dirty, used appearance. Then a mud mix, again Vallejo arylic, was liberaly washed on, and while still wet, small amount of the acrylic was dabbed into places where mud and dust would collect and be more noticable. Because everything was wet, it would run and leave a more natural look. After everything was dry, more was added to build up the effect where needed. Finally, surfaces that would be worn be the feet etc of the tank crew, such as entry routes, handles and steps, were given a little treatment from the graphite stick to simulate bare metal. As a finishing touch, I wanted to add a coil of rope. The rear of the body had an available space and some tie downs, so now I just needed some 'rope'. We just hung new curtains, and the excess string from the ruffle tape looked as if it might fit the bill. I made a coil, added attached it to the tie downs, and then covered it in a rope coloured wash. It only needed to be touched by a loaded brush, as capillery action would take care of the rest. A little more grime was added when it had dried, and it was finished.
Not bad for a first attempt. What next?
