Takom 1/16 SdKfz 265 WIP - Update 9

[moparmadness]

Hello friends. This update involves adding chipping and grime to the exterior. For me, I feel like there’s a fine line between just enough chipping and too much. I want it to look like it’s been through forests, fields, and charging through Polish cities. However, I don’t want it to look like a caterpillar bulldozer that’s been sitting in an empty field for 40+ years! 😄 So with a little restraint I reactivated the hairspray and gave it a little chipping.  Particularly focusing around the front, the fenders, and anywhere the crew could wear down the paint.  I did go completely through to the plastic in a few corners and edges but I’ll just take a 00 brush and manually chip those. Next step will be gloss coat, apply decals, start oil filters, and chip and grime the running gear. Thank you for stopping by! 🍻

[stikpusher]

Glad to see that you’re not going overboard with the chipping! Looking great so far.

[moparmadness]

So this particular livery will be based on a vehicle from 1941. They were first put into production, according to the instructions, in 1938. I figured this shows just the right amount of wear from a three-year trip through Eastern Europe. 🍻

[tcoat]

May 27, 2023 17:38:16 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

So this particular livery will be based on a vehicle from 1941. They were first put into production, according to the instructions, in 1938. I figured this shows just the right amount of wear from a three-year trip through Eastern Europe. 🍻

Yep! Early war vehicles, especially those built pre war, had far superior paint and methods as well as stricter discipline on maintenance practices. The ones that took on Poland and France would have been very well kept up. Later war and field applied paint could peal off rolling through a flowerily meadow so more wear and tear is appropriate. That paint job on a tank in Stalingrad or Kursk would be way too perfect. 

[406 Silverado]

May 28, 2023 18:31:02 GMT -5 tcoat said:

May 27, 2023 17:38:16 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

So this particular livery will be based on a vehicle from 1941. They were first put into production, according to the instructions, in 1938. I figured this shows just the right amount of wear from a three-year trip through Eastern Europe. 🍻

Yep! Early war vehicles, especially those built pre war, had far superior paint and methods as well as stricter discipline on maintenance practices. The ones that took on Poland and France would have been very well kept up. Later war and field applied paint could peal off rolling through a flowerily meadow so more wear and tear is appropriate. That paint job on a tank in Stalingrad or Kursk would be way too perfect. 

That goes across the board to pretty much all equipment as well like aircraft and soft skinned vehicles. Sufficient & proper resources (and that includes time) were plentiful at the beginning of the war and severerly lacking in the latter stages. Thinly applied one coat paint layers were common later on. Looks like you've got the right look for an early war vehicle goin' on Chad.

[chromdome35]

Looking very good, I really dig the highlights and shadows you did. The chipping is just spot on!

[deafpanzer]

I really like what I am seeing so far!

[moparmadness]

I must say, if my life depended on the quickness of my builds, I’d’ve been dead long ago! So, the onboard tools are definitely my least favorite part of the project. I always seem to get bogged down at this stage. But, I’m finished and can focus on the remaining layers of weathering and the commander. I think Takom really missed the mark when it comes to the fire extinguisher. At this scale, they really could’ve made a more accurate depiction. Decal is from an aftermarket sheet. Thank you for following along! 🙏

[stikpusher]

Excellent looking wood grain effect on those parts Chad!

[moparmadness]

Shoot, I forgot to add the muffler.

[moparmadness]

Jun 11, 2023 16:13:23 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Excellent looking wood grain effect on those parts Chad!

Thank you brother. I hand brushed a base of Vallejo Model Color buff and let it dry completely. Next I brushed on a light coat of Windsor & Newton Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna oil paint. Using a stiff brush moistened with odorless Turpenoid, I lightly drug it over the surface to create wood grain and knots. 🍻

[deafpanzer]

I agree with Stik... excellent work on the wood!!! I always struggle with that part.

[moparmadness]

Hello my friends. The tracks have about two more layers of muck and grime, then I’ll call those done. The tank itself has had decals applied, a pin wash, some tonal weathering to the base color, and a little grease and grime around the doors where the careless crew enters/exits. I think I have about two more layers of weathering also for the tank and then I’ll be able to call her finished! If you look closely, you can see my next project hanging out in back. 🍻

[406 Silverado]

Man this is frickin' SICK!! Details and great weathering like...............everywhere Chad. From the dirt and grime, to the paint....details and track work. This one is most assuredly coming together well. Just autiful buddy!!

[Joe Rix]

I'm a bit late tuning in here Chad but, not late enough to say I am duly impressed. You are doing a magnificent job. Marvelous paint and chipping. You have a "real" appearance going on there. Your accessories are extremely well done. Nice depth and realism. All around a really superb piece of armor.

[Leon]

Weathering and chipping look good Chad!

[deafpanzer]

Loving the faded panzer gray paint!!!! Keep it coming...

[m1keh]

Oh man those onboard tools and wood grain finish are top of the line fantastic! For the finish on the tools is that some pencil graphite work going on?

[moparmadness]

Thank you fellas for the kind words! The next couple phases of weathering will blend the stark contrast between faded and non faded surfaces. 🍻

[moparmadness]

Jul 6, 2023 23:47:46 GMT -5 m1keh said:

Oh man those onboard tools and wood grain finish are top of the line fantastic! For the finish on the tools is that some pencil graphite work going on?

Each metal tool was primed with Vallejo Gray Surface Primer.  Once dry, I brush painted a coat of Vallejo Metal Color Burnt Iron.  Once dried, I used Tamiya Black Panel Liner as a wash.  I didn’t remove any excess wash.  Once dried, I stippled (almost a dry brush motion) Vallejo Metal Color Steel around the edges to indicate wear. When it’s all said and done, the Burnt Iron under the black wash gives it a tasteful rusty oxidization. If I was modeling something coming out of the factory, I’d have used the Steel color with the black wash.

[hasenpfeffer]

Hey Chad, I meant to comment before, but you know how it goes. As impressive as the wood grain is, the painting on the stamped metal (I know they're plastic) parts is fantastic. They have that perfect balance of matte and sheen. The jack and fire extinguisher especially. I'm totally impressed!

Yeah, that exhaust too. So many different layers and tones. Cool.

Would love to know your process if you'd like to share!

[moparmadness]

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I’m an open book my friend. I’ll share anything. If you’re referring to the tools, my paint process is noted in the post above. If your referring to something else, just let me know. 

[hasenpfeffer]

Jul 7, 2023 21:10:29 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

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I’m an open book my friend. I’ll share anything. If you’re referring to the tools, my paint process is noted in the post above. If your referring to something else, just let me know. 

Ha! I was probably typing my comment when you posted that!

So yeah, I'd be interested to know the secret to your extinguisher and jack and probably the exhaust too. You get it to appear very realistic, as in it looks very convincing as a painted stamped steel part. Just the paint? Or is there something special going on in the process? Maybe just a semi-matte/gloss clear coat? The color selection is top notch by the way.

[406 Silverado]

Jul 7, 2023 21:10:29 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

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I’m an open book my friend. I’ll share anything. If you’re referring to the tools, my paint process is noted in the post above. If your referring to something else, just let me know. 

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's a +1 on the good ol' Karma rating right there. You and hasenpfeffer are both good at sharing knowledge.

[moparmadness]

The key to the exhaust is no finish coats. So you get a true matte finish. A faux matte finish that is sprayed on always has a sheen. That’s fine for the body, I definitely want that. But the exhaust needs to be dead flat. I first primed with Vallejo Gray Primer. When dry, I airbrushed on a coat of Vallejo Model Air Rust. Now at this point, if you really want to go nuts with the detail, you can stipple various shades of rust to make the muffler as beat and battered as you’d like. I didn’t want that so I stopped at the first rust coat. Once that’s dry, I sprayed the muffler and cover with Tamiya X-22 gloss. Once dry, I sprayed both with a light coat of TRESemme Ultra Fine hairspray. Once dry, I sprayed a final coat of Vallejo Model Air Panzer Grey. Once dry, I used a moistened brush to LIGHTLY coat the surfaces with water to activate the hairspray. Then I just rubbed off the appropriate amount of paint with a stiff paint brush. Once dry, I dusted on a light coat of Tamiya Weathering Master “Rust” for that final matte finish. This gives both a dead finish I want for exhaust. If possible, I wait until the vehicle is finished before I mount them to the vehicle.

I’ll write up the extinguisher and Jack tomorrow.  It pretty long too. Lol

[moparmadness]

Jul 7, 2023 21:41:11 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jul 7, 2023 21:10:29 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

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I’m an open book my friend. I’ll share anything. If you’re referring to the tools, my paint process is noted in the post above. If your referring to something else, just let me know. 

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's a +1 on the good ol' Karma rating right there. You and hasenpfeffer are both good at sharing knowledge.

Always appreciated brother!

[m1keh]

Jul 7, 2023 20:45:50 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Jul 6, 2023 23:47:46 GMT -5 m1keh said:

Oh man those onboard tools and wood grain finish are top of the line fantastic! For the finish on the tools is that some pencil graphite work going on?

Each metal tool was primed with Vallejo Gray Surface Primer.  Once dry, I brush painted a coat of Vallejo Metal Color Burnt Iron.  Once dried, I used Tamiya Black Panel Liner as a wash.  I didn’t remove any excess wash.  Once dried, I stippled (almost a dry brush motion) Vallejo Metal Color Steel around the edges to indicate wear. When it’s all said and done, the Burnt Iron under the black wash gives it a tasteful rusty oxidization. If I was modeling something coming out of the factory, I’d have used the Steel color with the black wash.

Many thanks!

[moparmadness]

Hello friends. Nothing really exciting to post, just treads. The kit supplied treads are quite smooth so I had to use a couple layers of weathering pigments to give the treads an irregular cast-steel texture. This wraps up the treads. Now I only have a couple layers of weathering for the tank and then it’s on to the commander!

[stikpusher]

You're making rapid progress on this project Chad! Won't be too much longer before you have it all completed at the rate you're going now.

[moparmadness]

I see it. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel. Spent 3 hours tonight stippling Windsor & Newton Burnt Sienna over certain areas to break up the drab grey surface. Smoothed out the splotches with thinner. Next is the running gear then I’m done. Which is great, because I’m getting of tired of this build. 😄