M1A2 in NATO colors

[blkhwkmatt]

This is the 1/35 Tamiya kit that has options for US Army or USMC M1A2 from Operation Iraqi Freedom circa 2003. No added armor or jammers or any of the mods you see later on in the conflict. I decided to paint this one in NATO colors and attempt to dirty it up like its been at Grafenwohr Germany for a training rotation. So not as muddy as we would see a Panzer from WWII but still dirty and dusty.  

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Next up is all the stowage and begin working on camo netting.

[Tojo72]

Nice job on the camo and weathering

[chromdome35]

Very nice! Did you use pigments for the dirt effects?

[armornutii]

  Well done, nice to see " color" back in the mix. Desert Tan is so over done,( tounge in cheek attempt at humor), love it

[blkhwkmatt]

May 30, 2023 17:40:20 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Very nice! Did you use pigments for the dirt effects?

The dirt effects are a combination of Ammo Mig washable dust acrylic paint and pigments for the larger clumps. The washable acrylic paint is awesome, just spray on, let dry for a few minutes and with a damp brush wipe off excess until you get what you want. Super easy!

[deafpanzer]

Great job painting the NATO colors and weathering especially the dusting part!

[stikpusher]

Looks really good. Never been to Graf, but I’ve been to Hohenfels many times… I’m sure that the mud and suck factor are pretty close between the two 😉

[Tobi]

May 30, 2023 17:45:15 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Great job painting the NATO colors and weathering especially the dusting part!

Hello Andy, where have you been at, man? 



Matt, I like your play with dust and wet effects on this model.

[Leon]

Really nice work!

[406 Silverado]

I'm in true awe of all the painting techniques and weathering that goes into these little masterpieces. You sure put on a good show with this one Matt. Jeez!!!

[deafpanzer]

May 31, 2023 3:09:53 GMT -5 Tobi said:

May 30, 2023 17:45:15 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Great job painting the NATO colors and weathering especially the dusting part!

Hello Andy, where have you been at, man? 

LOL! I am not sure where I have been. Yeah, it is good to be back and this time it looks like I am having the mojo to build again after six years of struggling. And I am looking forward to see many more of your builds!

[blkhwkmatt]

May 30, 2023 17:42:44 GMT -5 armornutii said:

  Well done, nice to see " color" back in the mix. Desert Tan is so over done,( tounge in cheek attempt at humor), love it

LOL - my 1/48 one will be Desert "Camo" but I think that I will go with the twist of adding the camo netting as is seen in Europe now, so many units are still in desert tan but deploy to Europe for training and just add camo netting to the sides / turret to make it green. I have also seen some that are just solid NATO green (I have a Bradley in the stash that is planned to be just Green, but that is for much later down the road).

[blkhwkmatt]

Thanks all for the kind words, been watching a ton of tutorials and looking at books to figure out my way on this as weathering a Tank is TOTALLY different from an aircraft.

[stikpusher]

May 31, 2023 12:20:14 GMT -5 blkhwkmatt said:

Thanks all for the kind words, been watching a ton of tutorials and looking at books to figure out my way on this as weathering a Tank is TOTALLY different from an aircraft.

Yes indeed. For an operational aircraft, it’s best to use a lighter hand with most of the weathering. While with ground vehicles, they get pretty dirty as soon as they start driving in most environments, so one can go all out with weathering.

[blkhwkmatt]

I think I am going to call this one done. Wont do any antennas as they will break when I go to transport it. Everything is from the kit, my intent is to make it match the vehicles that I have seen at various training areas around Europe. I am still considering adding some netting, but am also happy with the way it looks now.

Thanks for looking and all comments, critiques are welcome.

Matt

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

Untitled by matt pohlman, on Flickr

More better pictures will be coming in the a while.

[deafpanzer]

Did I ever you how much I love dirty armors? I really like what you did... great work! Regarding antennas, I use guitar strings and they are impossible to break! They are not expensive and it goes a long way if you ever buy a set.

[406 Silverado]

Aug 1, 2023 14:22:39 GMT -5 blkhwkmatt said:

I think I am going to call this one done. Wont do any antennas as they will break when I go to transport it. Everything is from the kit, my intent is to make it match the vehicles that I have seen at various training areas around Europe. I am still considering adding some netting, but am also happy with the way it looks now.

Thanks for looking and all comments, critiques are welcome.

Matt


More better pictures will be coming in the a while.

This one looks GREAT all dirtied up Matt. Fantastic job on building this beauty up and I'm looking forward to the future finished pictures of it. I've gotta ask.....where are you transporting it to?

[stikpusher]

Great work on the weathering. I will second the suggestion on trying out music wire for antennas.