1/35 Tamiya King Tiger (Porsche)

[406 Silverado]

I'm trying to come to terms with just how this thread slipped by me. I already enjoy what you do in the armor world with your work and then you pop out of nowhere with this beauty. Painting is off the charts and those tracks are dead on with the whole sagging look as well as the weathering. VERY good work on this Mike!!!

[Mike]

This build started over on FSM 11 months ago, Stang. I'm trying to keep with it lol, but my plans for this have gotten bigger than originally planned. I'm happy that you like it.

[Mike]

Anyone ever use Tamiya weathering powders wet? I've figured out a method and I'd like to share.

I'm sure you might already be aware that Tamiya's weathering powders almost vanish under a coat of clear, well my little trick counts on that reaction. All you do is dip a wet brush into the powder and slop in on. For rust, as in this example, you want it as random as you can make it to insure you don't get complete coverage of the item in question. My spare track links are perfect for this effect. I start with a base of Dark Armour Brown from Vallejo.



For the next step you need to make sure the powders have dried, which doesn't take but a minute or two with these powders. With a stiff brush you'll just scrub the powders to brush off the excess.



The next step is wipe the tracks with a damp brush and in this instance I chose a downward stroke to simulate rust streaking. After spraying a matte clear over the tracks most of the powders will vanish, but the effect will be visible to your eyes. My camera doesn't do a good enough job to show this effect as it appears naturally.



If you look carefully you can see the streaking. The bright rust doesn't disappear as easily as the darker rust does and I've used a sepia wash to tone it down since I've taken these pictures. But maybe you can see the effect in the different angles shown below.


This image is close to what I see.









The effect I am trying to replicate is not a rusted beyond use look. The tracks will naturally rust because they are cast steel, but they are covered in a black coating to prevent rust. What I am attempting to show is how those same tracks links look after they've been in the weather for a few months, so they should still appear mostly dark, but with surface rust. and the brighter rust in the cracks where moisture gets trapped.

Let me know if that's the impression you've gotten from this technique.



Let me know what I could improve.

[handiabled]

Great technique Mike! I like the looks of the weathering achieved

[Mike]

Thank you. And an even bigger thank you for following so closely.

I've been working the spare links over with many washes and I think I've made some improvement. 

[Mike]

I'm satisfied with these results.





Happy 4th of July!

[406 Silverado]

I use these powders alot in modeling and most certainly can give a word of thanks to you (along with some Karma) for sharing this with us Mike. I'll be giving this a shot the next time I use these. Looking good so far buddy!!

P.S. Sorry I missed most of this at FSM bro......been busy here for the last couple of years.

[deafpanzer]

It keeps looking better every time you post an update!

[kyledehart5]

That track weathering is awesome!! I really like the look you’ve achieved.

[Mike]

Jul 4, 2024 8:35:22 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I use these powders alot in modeling and most certainly can give a word of thanks to you (along with some Karma) for sharing this with us Mike. I'll be giving this a shot the next time I use these. Looking good so far buddy!!

P.S. Sorry I missed most of this at FSM bro......been busy here for the last couple of years.

It's a pretty strange technique because you have to watch your efforts almost completely vanish before your eyes. It's another one of my tricks of subtlety.

And I watched the Battlescale video. I had no idea how much work you guys have put into this place. I've been a forum admin before and a moderator a few times, but not on any site that was successful. So I have a bit of a clue what you've had to do here. It's your attitude that's made this a complete success.

Just keep it up. This place is great.

[Mike]

Jul 4, 2024 11:06:26 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

It keeps looking better every time you post an update!

Well not to be too much of a smart-ass, but if it wasn't improving after every session I'd be going backwards lol! I owe my success to all of the mistakes I've made LMAO!

Happy to be screwing it up in the best ways.

[Mike]

Jul 4, 2024 17:43:10 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

That track weathering is awesome!! I really like the look you’ve achieved.

Sweet. Feel free to experiment and make this even better. This is usually why I post something I've tried, so someone else can make it even better than I did or modify in some way I didn't think of. It only helps us all to be better at our craft and I'm more than happy to share.

[handiabled]

I've often found myself having to reinvent used methods to achieve what I had in my "minds eye" for a build's look. I haven't used the Tamiya powders yet but will grab some in the near future

[Mike]

After doing a bit of grilling today (and a lovely day it was) I decided to tackle a detail that always seems to be missing from every Tamiya Tiger and Panther kit I've ever built; the commander's cupola vision blocks. The Panther Ausf. A doesn't even have them for the driver and co-driver.

Anyways, this isn't much of a problem with a few easy steps, and it starts with seven strips of styrene measured and cut to fit in the ports. mine were measured to 2.8mm in width. I didn't worry about the length as the commander blocks most of the view, but I did consider detailing the inside, but I needed the length so I could more easily place the pieces with little difficulty. I should've added them much sooner, but at this stage I'm glad I didn't.

I started by painting the lenses with a base of black and a layer of Tamiya Smoke over that.



I cut some Tamiya masking tape to about 2.5mm x 1.5mm and placed that over the "lenses", or rather where I am simulating the lenses. In hindsight 1mm would've been better.



I then sprayed Krylon over that and layered Tamiya Khaki and then a lightened Dark Yellow to more closely match the hull tones. The build up of paint made a ledge, or border, for the lenses.



I tried using some transparent blue over the lenses after that to get a bit more of a glass appearance, but it didn't actually show at all. So this is how it turned out and I couldn't be more pleased with the results.







What do you guys think? Not too shabby, right?

[kyledehart5]

Wow!! Really excellent addition! Great work.

[Mike]

Well I've gone this far detailing things. I think it would be silly of me to leave those ports as empty holes.

[406 Silverado]

Jul 4, 2024 20:31:33 GMT -5 Mike said:

Jul 4, 2024 8:35:22 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I use these powders alot in modeling and most certainly can give a word of thanks to you (along with some Karma) for sharing this with us Mike. I'll be giving this a shot the next time I use these. Looking good so far buddy!!

P.S. Sorry I missed most of this at FSM bro......been busy here for the last couple of years.

It's a pretty strange technique because you have to watch your efforts almost completely vanish before your eyes. It's another one of my tricks of subtlety.

And I watched the Battlescale video. I had no idea how much work you guys have put into this place. I've been a forum admin before and a moderator a few times, but not on any site that was successful. So I have a bit of a clue what you've had to do here. It's your attitude that's made this a complete success.

Just keep it up. This place is great.

Thank you for those comments Mike. It was, and still is, a fair amount of work. It’s the members that really keep this place going but it’s up to the staff to keep things interesting and offer something different that keeps folks involved and engaged here. We can develop relationships here outside of modeling and that right there is really what it’s all about. Once a real relationship is established the rest just falls into place. Glad you’re here bro. We’re really glad you came aboard.

[Mike]

Jul 5, 2024 9:59:19 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jul 4, 2024 20:31:33 GMT -5 Mike said:

It's a pretty strange technique because you have to watch your efforts almost completely vanish before your eyes. It's another one of my tricks of subtlety.

And I watched the Battlescale video. I had no idea how much work you guys have put into this place. I've been a forum admin before and a moderator a few times, but not on any site that was successful. So I have a bit of a clue what you've had to do here. It's your attitude that's made this a complete success.

Just keep it up. This place is great.

Thank you for those comments Mike. It was, and still is, a fair amount of work. It’s the members that really keep this place going but it’s up to the staff to keep things interesting and offer something different that keeps folks involved and engaged here. We can develop relationships here outside of modeling and that right there is really what it’s all about. Once a real relationship is established the rest just falls into place. Glad you’re here bro. We’re really glad you came aboard.

Glad to be here. I just wish I had more constructive things to say to my fellow members. I'm just hesitant to say anything, but that's a self-confidence issue more than anything else.

[handiabled]

Wonderful attention to detail Mike!

[Mike]

Thank you, sir!

[Steve Zuleski]

It's these little details that make it pop in the end, Ruck On, Mike!

[406 Silverado]

Jul 5, 2024 23:02:38 GMT -5 Mike said:

Jul 5, 2024 9:59:19 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Thank you for those comments Mike. It was, and still is, a fair amount of work. It’s the members that really keep this place going but it’s up to the staff to keep things interesting and offer something different that keeps folks involved and engaged here. We can develop relationships here outside of modeling and that right there is really what it’s all about. Once a real relationship is established the rest just falls into place. Glad you’re here bro. We’re really glad you came aboard.

Glad to be here. I just wish I had my constructive things to say to my fellow members. I'm just hesitant to say anything, but that's a self-confidence issue more than anything else.

  I had a problem with that for a while myself Mike. The way I approach it now is to imagine if the build and the person were right in front of me and post my comments based off of that. Doing so was a game changer for me in posting as I come up with a LOT more to say when looking at it that way and my confidence in constructive posting has improved dramatically. 

[Mike]

As I follow Stuarts' build I realize I need to follow some of his examples and my weathering is still lacking. I haven't finished my weathering, but it will need to look realistic. I know there will be some final weathering I will do once I mate the model to the base, but I have no crew wear simulated on the tank at all yet. Although this particular type of tank didn't last long in combat once it was in Normandy they did take a bit of a beating on the road marches into the theatre. I'm trying to convey that appearance. Which also means I need to make some branches and foliage for cover at some point as well.

This project is going to take me a while to compile. Just getting the model completed is the current goal and I'm nearly there. What doesn't help is the bathroom remodelling project I'm also working very slowly on lol. The project should only have taken me a couple of days, but I've dragged it out for over a week and I still have a hole in the floor I need to close up before I can re-tile the floor and bring in the new toilet to finish the job. Glad I have two bathrooms lol.

I thank you all for the comments which have blessedly provided me with motivation. I'm starting a new job this evening, going back to my old job at Amazon, so I will be taking a bit of time to let this build rest and let my mind refresh so I can think clearly about the next steps I need to take. I have so many ideas swimming around in my head about how to approach the next few stages and I need to refocus and narrow that field of ideas. Starting back to work and getting my bathroom fixed should allow me a bit of a mental reprieve and clear the head.

I don't know what I'd do without you guys. This forum has helped me get through some very dark days over the last year.

[kyledehart5]

Well we’re very glad you’re here and sharing your updates from the bench!! Sometimes a step back is exactly what’s needed and finishing that construction project will no doubt set your mind more at ease. I like what you’ve got going on here but I’m no tank builder. Just thankful to have so many great people to lean on if I try one out. Hopefully the new (old?) job will be a great thing as well!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next on this project.

[handiabled]

I'll be watching for when you get back on this again. I hope things with the job go well and the bathroom project goes smoothly. It's great having you as a member here! I always enjoy following your builds

[Mike]

Hey guys. Nothing really to report. Just, thank you for your patience. My first week back was extraordinary. I was greeted back with open arms and warm sentiments. It felt good to be back. Now I'm resting lol. My feet and calves are killing me because I'm not used to spending so much time on concrete anymore. I am looking forward to getting back into this project. I've got some planning to do.

Things I will focus on next include, Crew wear, environmental wear, and mechanical wear. I don't want to go overboard on any one of these as they will all add up when I'm done. Figuring out which techniques will give me the best results is what I need to settle my thoughts on for now.

[handiabled]

Good to hear your return to an old work place went well. It's always easier easing back into a job when the people there are good to work with.

[“Dallas” Kenny X]

That King Tiger is a beauty and I really dig what you did with that figure.

[406 Silverado]

Jul 6, 2024 18:20:19 GMT -5 Mike said:

As I follow Stuarts' build I realize I need to follow some of his examples and my weathering is still lacking. I haven't finished my weathering, but it will need to look realistic. I know there will be some final weathering I will do once I mate the model to the base, but I have no crew wear simulated on the tank at all yet. Although this particular type of tank didn't last long in combat once it was in Normandy they did take a bit of a beating on the road marches into the theatre. I'm trying to convey that appearance. Which also means I need to make some branches and foliage for cover at some point as well.

This project is going to take me a while to compile. Just getting the model completed is the current goal and I'm nearly there. What doesn't help is the bathroom remodelling project I'm also working very slowly on lol. The project should only have taken me a couple of days, but I've dragged it out for over a week and I still have a hole in the floor I need to close up before I can re-tile the floor and bring in the new toilet to finish the job. Glad I have two bathrooms lol.

I thank you all for the comments which have blessedly provided me with motivation. I'm starting a new job this evening, going back to my old job at Amazon, so I will be taking a bit of time to let this build rest and let my mind refresh so I can think clearly about the next steps I need to take. I have so many ideas swimming around in my head about how to approach the next few stages and I need to refocus and narrow that field of ideas. Starting back to work and getting my bathroom fixed should allow me a bit of a mental reprieve and clear the head.

I don't know what I'd do without you guys. This forum has helped me get through some very dark days over the last year.

Congratulations on getting your old job back Mike. 

 We're all here cheerin' you on man. So glad that things are working out for you buddy.

[Mike]

Thank you! I'm finding it will be a harder road to physical synchrony with my return to work. I feel exhausted more than I anticipated and I'm sleeping more in recovery lol. I'm getting old.

Well I did go to the local Hobby Gamer store and I found a few colors I thought would help. I think this Goblin Green from Vallejo Game Color turned out close enough and I swear I'm done painting, repainting, or otherwise further messing with this figure.





I'm still not entirely satisfied with this pattern or how well I've portrayed it. But I have to let go eventually.