Meng 1/35 Abrams M1A2 TUSK

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers gents.

[Jim R]

Hi Bob
That is looking very nice indeed. Paintjob/weathering is spot on. Lots of fiddly itty-bitty parts and then those track - testing your patience :rolling:
Jim

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers Jim.

[Steve Jones]

Great to see you back at the bench Bob. Look forward to you "lighting£ this one up. Great stuff

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers Steve.

[Mr Bowcat]

Afternoon guys.

I managed to get some bench time in this weekend so pushed on with the weathering. First step was dry brushing with neat oil paint, first a light grey to hit the high points, then a kind of buff (mixed on the fly) over the entire model to lighten it up.

This was followed up with some localised filters which actually don't show up in the pics too well, but in real life some of the panels (in particular the ERA blocks) now have subtly different tones. I also added some dark umber around some of the ERA blocks for wear and staining.

I also got the tracks weathered in with pigments. Eventually I'm planing a base incorporating the other modern desert armour I've built, so didn't go too heavy for the time being.

[scottie3158]

Bob,
My apologies mate I have missed this completely up till now. Really glad I found it, the paint work is very nice indeed i will have to give that technique ago.

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers Paul. :smiling3:

I like it for desert stuff. By the time it's got the final pigment scrub on it should have that dusty, bleached look with an underlying inground grime layer.

[minitnkr]

Oooooh Yeesssss. Most excellent. PaulE

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers Paul. :smiling3:

[Mr Bowcat]

Morning guys.

The end is in sight. I've been pushing on to get it finished as the BoB GB starts today.

I started yesterday by attaching the tracks, which were a PITA trying to get the two part pads clipped together without anything to push down on. I got there in the end after much swearing. :tears-of-joy:

I then proceeded to add all the glass components, co-axial MG and fit the commanders cupola. The other bits of glass (vision blocks, lights) that had been fitted earlier were unmasked. Finally I got the various bags, jerry cans, MRE boxes, ammo boxes etc arranged in the stowage bins. I still have the two top MG's to install, but will do this after the final weathering stage.

[Jim R]

Hi Bob
That is superb. The weathering is just right. Very realistic and not over done. Looking forward to the final stages and the base.
Jim

[Wouter]

That's looking good alright with all the stowage in place.

Cheers

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers gents.

[Jack L]

So very realistic. well done!