Merkava IV

[wouter]

well thanks bro , hope to see you having a go at it soon! ^^

Thanks for the periscope issue help, if I can't score some foil I'll defo try that weathered dirty periscope look, nice solution indeed ;D

Cheers

[wouter]

[glow=red,2,300]UPDATE!!!!![/glow]

;D ;D ;D

Well, except for the weathering I finished painting the figure, I didn't want to go too heavy on the highlights since he is becoming fairly dusty. The coaxial MG was painted as well, together with the wiring and glued in place. Together with the Merkava the commander received some coats of Vallejo Gloss Varnish. I hope it's enough to protect the paintwork from further weathering steps.



Now next are some extra goodies

Ricardo Santos of RMG resin models sent me a PM a while ago presenting his Portugal based company: they provide several resin upgrade sets for different models. He asked me if I was interested in a sample of tow cables for the Merkava. Of course I was!

Packaging looks similar like the ones from Eureka XXl, and that's a positive point, since Eureka stands for quality!


Now, once I opened the box I found 4 pieces of tow cable and two sets of towcable heads (or whatever one calls that ). A nice extra is a piece of heavy chain, which is often seen on Merkava IV's

detail is very very good and the resin doesn't smell, a very big plus!

I gave the cable and chain a primercoat of Vallejo Polyurethane primer and then I painted the cable in Vallejo Camouflage Black Brown, the towcable heads received some coats of Iraqi Sand:

The chain received a coat of Burnt Umber oil paint, and while it was still wet I added some MIG rust pigments to it using a little spongue:

And that's it so far. Further weathering of the cable and chain will be done together with the Merkava.

I must say I'm impressed by the quality and thank Ricardo Santos for the sample, for more info I suggest you check out the companies web site
www.rmgresinmodels.com/
(always nice to receive some goodies ;D)

Thanks for watching lads ^^

Cheers

[spud]

Awesome stuff wouts Fig look really good

[wbill76]

Very nice work here Wouts! The details are coming alive and the figure is nice as well. The tow cable and chain look the part and I hear you on the "not smelly" aspect of resin, always a good sign!

[Deleted]

Superb paintwork Wouter

That detail kit looks very nice too

Looking forward to the weathering stage, if that pic from Mr D is anything to go by these things get.... 'a bit dusty' ;D

[wouter]

Gentlemen, many thanks for the positive comments

jackwagon, errrrm, that's a bit too muddy, even for me ;D ;D

Today I started with the oil dot method. But before that I gave the model some extra two coats of acrylic gloss varnish since I had ,the chipping debacle on the wheels earlier on.

When the varnish was dry I placed dots of oil paint on the upper hull first: faded dark yellow, titanium white and burnt umber were used. I blended the paints and obtained an nice dirty and faded surface. After that I did the same on the hull sides, but dragged the paint down this time to get some dirt streaks. Disaster struck again!!!!

Although the brush was slightly dampened with turpentine I just saw the turpentine eating through the 4 or 5 layers of varnish and chipping the paint underneath . I thought I must be the turpentine being too strong or so, but I never had these issues before. Now I know why I prefer acrylic paints...less fragile to thinners .

Luckily I could manage damage control and stopped in time. Just two little specs of paint were 'lost'. I decided not to try this method on the turret to prevent any further damage.

So I decided to add an AK Interactive wash for Africa vehicles (part of the DAK weathering set): it made the paint significantly darker, but the detail came out nicely and gives a nice dirty appearance to the model. I'd suggest one thinnes these washes before applying though. Out of the bottle it's a bit too concentrated.

Anywhoo, last but not least I made a start on the groudnwork: a picture frame, polyfilla mixed with Tamiya Flat Earth and some sand and that's all to it. The model was gently pressed into the groundwork. And now it has to dry first.





mistake I think I made when placing the Elefant on the groundpiece is putting the vehicle in a straight way onto the base. It's much more interesting when you place a vehicle a bit diogonally, it creates interest.

Now, next step is probably a very slight mist of Buff followed by a flat coat of varnish (I hope that doesn't make the model look 'dull' and maybe some thin application of AK Afrika Dust.

Lots of text, sorry 'bout that ;D


Cheers

[bigjohn]

Looks great wouts!! I'd say your heading in the right derection with your planned steps.

[wbill76]

Moving right along Wouts, like where this one's headed with the base!

[robbo]

Very suitable base mase, looks the part on there

[Deleted]

Shes looking might fine on that ground work mate, can't wait to see her finished off ;)

You seemed to have recovered from disaster very well indeed 8-)

[wouter]

Thanks BJ!

Thanks a lot jackwagon, glad you like my first modern one . Yeah, I used the bottle unshaken afterwards as well, a lot less thinner, though for some areas even still too thick ^^

Thanks Bill, glad you like the base as well!

Hiya Robbo, thanks bro ^^

Steve, fear not, the end is near indeed ;D. And thanks!

I continued a bit on the base today: the groundwork received several washes, amongst them the Afrika Dust application and a filter for DAK vehicles.

the Merkava received a flat varnish coat and after that I sprayed Afrika Dust onto the model. After 20 minutes or so I tried to blend in the dust and remove it at some spaces so the basecoat and previous weathering would become visible again. I think however she might need a light application of burnt umber again to make the details pop out again.

On the photos is clearly visible btw that the balls n chains need some additional weathering.

I also sprayed on a heavily diluted mist of Tamiya Flat Black on the exhaust area.

I added a water bottle on top of the vehicle to create a bit more interest, afterall a tank commander needs to drink from time to time ;D. The bottle is courtesy of Accurate Armour. A shame though that the caps on the bottles have air holes in all of them, so I had to scrape the 'half' cap away.






suggestions and remarks are of course most welcome. Maybe she needs a light mud splatter application to the lower hull as well

Cheers

[spud]

This looks fantastic wouts, I would almost build one...... Almost

[deafpanzer]

VERY NICE!!!! I normally don't build modern armors but now I am tempted to build one especially a Merkava... can't wait to see it completed so I can send you a Tuborg.

[406 Silverado]

Just getting caught up on this one Wouter, and she really came out great. The tank blends in well with the base. Looks like it will be done in time for the Aug MoM....hint hint

[danb.]

Awesome work buddy cant fault it at all you have made me want a Merk now!!!!! the base is just right too.

Dan B

[wouter]

Hiya Spud, come on bro, you know you want to . I must admit though, if someone would have told me one year ago that I'd build a Merkava I would say he's insain ;D

Hi Andy, glad it makes you being tempted dude! And about the Tuborg...well...;D

Hiya Rob, thanks Boss, glad you like it mate! I don't think it blends enough with the base though, especially the running gear needs more attention I think . As for the MoM for August...not likely, it has to be finished by next week tuesday but I don't have much time during the week, so most of the finalizing needs to be done during the weekend...and that's September allready

Hiya Dan, thanks bro, glad you want to do one as well, just do it

Cheers

[Deleted]

better and better Wouter mate, she looks very cool sitting on her base

[Deleted]

Wouts...to my eye,I think it needs blending into the base colours more,around the lower half,at least!..But still a great build fella!! ;D ;D

[wbill76]

Wouts, very nice blending and dusty effects! The color of the base dirt seems a bit dark/wet vs. the dusty look you have on the tracks and the lower hull. Perhaps instead of changing the hull weathering, you can lighten the base surface to create a closer match?

[bigjohn]

Hey wouts, The Merk is looking sweeeeeet brotha!! I agree with bill. Give that base a wash of AK dust efects and then sprinkle on some light colored AK or Mig pigments. I think that would be just the ticket..........

You could do a little test spot under the Merk if its not glued down yet......

[TRM]

Fantastic Wouts!!! One well build model!!! One of these days... ... .... ;D

[bbd468]

WOW!!! Wouter, my man...That Merk is just BAD A$$!!!!!! Your patience has paid off BIG TIME!!!

Gary

[wouter]

Steve, many thanks bro, much appreciated

Hiya CB, thanks mate, and you are quite right: the base is far from finished

Hi Bill, thanks mate and you are right as well: the washes weren't fully dry when I placed the model onto the base for photos. Still a dryfit though

Hiya BJ, thanks bro. I was intending to give the base a coat of Afrika Dust, thanks for the tip on adding some pigments, will do that!

Hiya T!!!!! Thanks bro. And what do you mean with 'one of these days'? Does that mean you are goin' to do a Merk? ;D ;D ;D

Gary!!! thanks for the enthousiasm mate ;D. Thanks! I must say this build got nothing to do with patience I'm afraid: it's my fastest build ever I think ;D ;D ;D

Cheers

[modelfreak72]

WOW!!! That is a beauty Mr wout!

[bigjohn]

sounds like a plan wouts, looks like you have her under control..

[bbd468]

Hey Wouts,

Im impresed that you got those ball and chains squared away so well. That takes patience!!!

Gary

[multicam]

Wow wouter! This is looking the business! The merkava is one mean looking beast!

[wouter]

Many thanks fellas, I'm glad with yer help and comments

Well, it ain't over yet

Yesterday I gave the b'n'c's a wash of both Streaking Grime and Afrika Dust. Today it still ain't dry though, making the balls stick together

I also noticed on photos that the Merks often had grimy, greasy spots on the parts where one would add lubricant, so added some greasy spots here and ther using (leaving the bottle unshaken!!!) Streaking Grime again.

I bought some lenses for the Merkava courtesy of SKP models, but sadly most of them didn't have the correct measurements. Only the ones for the headlight were used.

Some fuel stains were added as well using MIGs Oil and Engine Grease bottle

furthermore I added two aerials using thin Evergreen styrene rod. These need to be to toned down a little I think, maybe some very light dusting or so.

The base got a wash of AK Afrika Dust as well to make the model blend in a bit more. And the tanks was fixed onto the base using 5min epoxy glue.

Of course I added the splatter as well, again, using AK Afrika Dust. Using a flat brush I dipped it into the stuff and using my finger splatted it onto the places where I wanted it. After that, using a dry, clean flat brush I tried to soften the mud application a bit and blend it into the surface gently.

And finally I added the nametag which I ordered a while ago from [glow=red,2,300]NameIt! plates, [/glow]I must say I was very pleased with their service!










Almost finished now , but not quite yet ;D

Cheers

[TRM]

Damn Wouts...this is a beautiful Job!!! Looking for those finals bud!!!

[bigjohn]

Aug 31, 2012 4:42:06 GMT -5 TRM said:

Damn Wouts...this is a beautiful Job!!! Looking for those finals bud!!!

I agree wouts, Damn fine job Mate!!!!