Something quick and (hopefully) simple

[Guest]

OK, been a bit hassled with builds of late with nothing seeming to come together and more work in progress than progress. So I need a bit of a morale booster with a quick and hopefully simple build. So, an OOB build but of course with a twist. The model is the beautiful Tamiya 1:48 Tilly, one I have been eying up and wanting to get on with for a while (amongst dozens more!!!)

The twist is that I have seen in a magazine somewhere, more details if I can find it, of one of these built as a desert one, usually they are done as RAF or Europe camo. It looked really good in desert scheme so the build will be quick, the painting will be in preparation for when I do the LRDG/SAS diorama.

I feel that I have reached a level with my builds that is OK but does not appear to be getting better. I need to concentrate on improving my painting and weathering skills to get the best out of my models and move them on a step. I have invested in some superb weathering materials, time to learn how to use them.

I have a selection of really fine kits now, it is time to up my game and learn new techniques.

So here she is, a bit late tonight to start it but I expect the initial build will be just over an hour to have it ready for painting up. As you can see, not a lot to it, the task with this one is to get the best out of it and make a better job of the finish.

OK, set my stall out now and probably heading for a fall but I will give it a good try.

[Guest]

A beautifull kit from Tamiya,as I dont build British, I will be watching this one with interest, more than happy to help if needed...I love weathering....

[Guest]

Should look good Graham, not exactly a bomb proof vehicle id like to be driving round in in the middle of combat. Looks the sort of thing you would nip down the shop in to get some milk for the naffy lol. Cant wait to see your improved techniques, if you think that they need improving, ive always been very impressed with your work.

Good luck

Andy

[Guest]

Likewise here will be following.

Tony..

[Guest]

more than happy to help if needed

I will be studying your Blitz build Ray for some tips, may be asking a few questions about specific techniques :-)

[Guest]

More than happy to help in anyway I can, not that I think you need much help Graham......so get your pastels ready...or are you a cheat and buy your stuff ready mixed...lol

[Guest]

looking forward to this sometimes less is more if you get me

Trey

[Guest]

I think it will be very interesting to see a relatively simple model such as this go together with a very high percentage of the success being in the painting and weatghering. It's a great kit to practise techniques on.

[Guest]

Well, an hour into building, including ten minutes crawling about on hands and knees trying to find one of the tiny clear wing side lights..... Not added the driver as he is dressed far too warm for the desert and I have left of the spare wheel and the roof mounted spade to be painted separate. Body not glued to base yet neither is the canvas tilt glued on until I decide on how I am going about the painting.

I often hear the old cliche of how 'a kit goes together like a dream' but this does go together like a dream. Only thing I am not too happy about is the clear tilt. It is joined along its length on the top where a join line is inevitable. Not a problam normally but the clear plastic is moulded with such delicate texture, I am sure this is going to be problematic in sanding it out. I doubt the real thing would have a seam line there.

Anyway, let me introduce you to Tilly

An

[Centurion3RTR]

:badcomputer1: Not fair you've got a "Tilly", nice looking kit though matey.

Have fun, John

[Guest]

You dont mess about do you Graham, I would still be reading the instructions...lol.....looking spot on there.

[Guest]

Lol, there is nothing to it Ray, very simple build. All pulls apart for the painting however including the wheels. As far as I know, the inside is painted a similar colour to the outside so I will go with that. No point going mad on the inside as not a lot will be seen. Once the inside is sprayed up, I will put the glass in and mask it up then glue the body to the chassis. Not a separate chassis frame so not a lot going on underneath, it will be glued and pinned to a base anyway. The exhaust is not fitted at this stage as that will be painted separately.

next job then is the real tricky bit, trying to get a faded sand finish with some very small pin washing and filters to soften it all up. This is a tiny kit but the surface detail is superb. Fingers crossed that I can get the look I want.

[Guest]

I'm sure you'll pull it off Graham !

Trey

[Gern]

Hi Graham,

I'm not surprised you got this far so quickly. From your sprue shots it looks like Tamiya have built half of it already! lol

Nice, clean build so far and I'm looking forward to your painting/weathering. I am surprised at the size and number of all those ejector pin marks though! You'd have thought Tamiya would have done better than that.

Gern

[Guest]

Graham, I once had a play around with a technique which was also a join in a canvas cover with a seam and I made a circular disc from modelling clay, of the Das type variety, and rolled it across the textured canvas. When dry this gave me a pattern around the edge of the wheel. Then, after sanding down the join I painted the seam with a few coats of liquid poly to soften the surface without leaving it sticky, and that's the tricky bit!

When you are happy the surface is just right roll your wheel across the seam. It won't be perfect as the pattern will never actually align with the surrounding area but it does look a lot less obvious than a smooth patch.

I had varying degrees of success and it was somewhere in the region of thirty years ago but a bit of practise and experimentation and you might get an acceptable result.

Other options are of course covering the surface with another medium such as paper or foil but that may be a bit of a struggle at this scale. I have recently been having quite a bit of success with using foil to make canvas covers and realising that surface texture at such small scales may not even be visible. What you can achieve though is very effective creases and folds in the surface which look much more eye catching than the surface texture.

Here's a couple of not very clear shots, I made a couple of lifeboat covers, a set of sails for the lifeboat and a bunker cover.. Next is a canvas dodger for the bridge!!

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