Comet-ed

[Waspie]

Cheers Paul, it came in handy for this bit too.

This afternoon was wheels & tracks. It's a job I despise and I'd probably build more tanks if it wasn't for this stage, but there we go. I was really pleased to get it out of the way but then realised I've got it all to do again on the other one :worried: I don't know how others approach link & length tracks, but since I took pictures I might as well share how I do them.

After the wheels & rollers were built I cemented them to the suspension with the merest dab of TET, just enough to hold them in place. Note how one of the return rollers has an alignment pin to make it impossible to get the tracks in the wrong place & direction.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1200179[/ATTACH]

Tamiya provide a template for laying the track pieces out but in the past I found it hard to build them on their sides like that, and it left room for user error, so instead I put the pieces in order on a strip of masking tape and lightly cemented the joints. 19 pieces here.




[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1200180[/ATTACH]

After a few minutes, once the glue had started to take effect but was still pliable, I wrapped the lot around the wheels, adding the lower section too. Once it was all in place I went round the outer edges of each joint with more cement, taking care not to stick the links to any wheels.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1200181[/ATTACH]

I left this for half an hour while I went and had something to eat (chicken fajita wraps washed down with a fruity little red. Yummy )

The tracks had hardened up by this time so I carefully removed them. The minimal cement on the wheels meant I could just rotate them to crack 'em free, and everything slid off nicely. I then went around the track joints once again with TET and will leave the tape on overnight.

I'll then be left with everything in separate pieces which should help with the painting. I'll no doubt add a bit of damage to the rubber tyres before I get to that stage.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1200183[/ATTACH]

I'm probably teaching many of you to suck eggs, but if my method helps just one person out it'll be worth the typing.

Guess who that 'one person' will be?
My next build is armour with diy track links so any help is a bonus!!!!!!

[Andy T]

Wow Andy, some really fine work going on with this Sir!!! I am a bit late to the party and looks like you have a good plan for the dio. You sure don't mess around at the bench with the progress you're making here!!!...

Prost
Allen

Thanks Allen. I'm sure things will slow down quite a lot now that I'm on to the more fiddly stuff but I always like reaching the primer stage as it means my favourite bits are not far away

Guess who that 'one person' will be?
My next build is armour with diy track links so any help is a bonus!!!!!!

I'm far from an authority Doug but I hope it helps in some small way.

[Andy T]

I started splashing some base colours down this afternoon.

Mr Color Burnt Iron on the tracks, their OD(2) on the wheels and Model Air Tire Black on all those tyres. With around 80 I'm hoping one coat will be enough but I'll see what they look like tomorrow.

I've never been particularly keen on the tyre colour, it usually looks a bit green for my liking, but it sits fine against the OD.

[Allen Dewire]

Wow Andy!!! Painted tank road wheels and tracks in stereo...Ya gotta love it!!! I do........

Prost
Allen

[Andy T]

Thanks Allen, glad you like what I'm up to.

I must be a glutton for punishment though as there's a little something arriving tomorrow with another set of tracks :upside:

[Allen Dewire]

I'm all eyes Buddy!!!...

[Mark1]

Good progress,tank wheels are always great fun. I have been using vallejo nato black for the tyres ,slightly greyer looking,looks a bit more realistic compared to the tyre black i think.

[The Smythe Meister]

Blimey, that's coming really well !!
Superb stuff Andy..... This is all promising something a bit special.
Nice one!!

[Andy T]

Good progress,tank wheels are always great fun. I have been using vallejo nato black for the tyres ,slightly greyer looking,looks a bit more realistic compared to the tyre black i think.

Cheers Mark. It's been a few years since I used it and I remember why now lol.

Blimey, that's coming really well !!
Superb stuff Andy..... This is all promising something a bit special.
Nice one!!

Thanks Andy. Don't get your hopes up too high but I'll give it a good crack.

[Andy T]

Not much to show for today but it's a couple of hours work.

After a few tests I ended up repainting the tyres in VMA German grey. All the images & videos I've seen of the real thing show the tyres to be quite a light grey so I'm happier now. To break up the block of colour I gave the tyres a glaze in thinned down sky grey which I dabbed off randomly with paper towel. Subtle, but it's there.

I also picked out every bolt head in a highlight colour. If I spend this much time on everything else in the diorama it'll keep me happy for months :smiling5:






I also made a start on a Universal Carrier that I'm going to add to the scene.

I already have one that I could repurpose but thought the figures in this version would fit the scene well as they watch the action.

[adt70hk]

Coming on very nicely!

[Guest]

Great choice Andy, not to big to distract from the main scene.
Some nice paintwork, as expected

[Andy T]

Thanks gents.

That's what I thought John. Filling an otherwise empty corner too.

[Andy T]

I fancied a little win to keep motivated so the UC was built up and painted. It's still in sub assemblies so that I can paint the interior, and the figures need more filling and clean up after adjusting their poses, but it's a step forward.

It looks a bit wierd in gloss varnish but once it's weathered & matted down it should be good enough for an addition to the scene

[Andy T]

I forgot to add, this is the first time I've ever used Tamiya paint (XF61) and was very impressed. I mixed it with some Mr Color for the post shading / highlighting and they played together nicely.