Char 2C .... A Different Take - Finished 3-29-14

[afvfan]

Hot on the heels of the culmination of my last 2C project, I offer a different take on the same subject. I can tell you right now, there's no historical evidence that this tank was ever painted like this. I can say that records of these vehicles from their first appearance in 1923 up to around 1935 are sorely lacking on the internet. I just chose four colors from the mid '20s French pallette (dark brown, reddish brown, yellow, and green) and went for it. Just classify this as a "could have been", instead of a "what if".

I skipped the general build log since there're already a few of them around, and start the story at the first layer of camo. Here's what it currently looks like:







Comments are welcome......
More to come....

[TRM]

That is some wicked camo work Bob!! This will look mighty fine all weathered up!!!

[afvfan]

Thanks T. Just pulled that one out of my head...basically closed my eyes and let my airbrush do it's thing. Look Ma, no masks!

I've got a bit of work ahead of me on it. I need something new to take up to the AMPS convention next month. I ran into a wall with the Maus project I was planning to take, so one way or another, this is going to have to be it.

[deafpanzer]

LOVE the camo!!! You nailed it...

[afvfan]

Appreciate that Andy. Let's see where it goes from here.

[wing_nut]

Factual or not it looks pretty hot.

[afvfan]

Thanks Marc. Glad you like it.

Captterra - Would you believe a 30 year old Badger 150?

[bullardino]

Wow, you gotta have a lot of bench space... That thing is ferkin hooge. Great job, count me in, weathering those large vertical and horizontal surfaces must be pure fun

[wbill76]

Pretty cool! Love the 'puzzle piece' style on this one Bob, definitely an eye-catcher!

[ceresvesta.]

Mar 16, 2014 12:49:47 GMT -5 afvfan said:

Captterra - Would you believe a 30 year old Badger 150?

Niiiiice! I still got mine too! the old faithfull Badger....use it only for filter but still work like a charm!

I am in, this camo is killer!

[afvfan]

Luigi - Large bench? Yes. Lot a space? See for yourself:

I'm a strict proponent of the organized chaos theory.

Notice the infamous 1/30 scale Bandai Grasshopper in the foreground. I keep it on the bench as a reminder of just how bad a kit can be!

Bill - Thanks Bill. I really like the design, but the more I work with it, the more I wish I had lightened the colors a bit.

Phil - I use a couple Badger 200s for the heavy lifting. I've got the 150 set up with a fine needle for more detail stuff. The only problem I've run into with it is that the needle is really soft and the tip bends if you look at it wrong.

[bullardino]

OMG, Andy will have a nervous breakdown...

[afvfan]

Mar 17, 2014 3:42:40 GMT -5 bullardino said:

OMG, Andy will have a nervous breakdown...

Because I work on 3 to 5 kits at a time, there's always a vast amount of stuff on the bench.

[deafpanzer]

Too late... already had couple of nervous breakdowns. LOL But I still love you guys...

[Deleted]

ha ha! now that's a tidy bench! great work on the camo looks amazing

[afvfan]

Mar 17, 2014 14:08:47 GMT -5 @snipersmudge said:

ha ha! now that's a tidy bench! great work on the camo looks amazing

Well, I did straighten it up a bit for the picture!


==================================================

Back on the subject, I did get the lines on the camo finished. I'll give it a coat of Future tomorrow. After that sets up I'll be ready to start with a pin wash and the weathering.

[afvfan]

Got a little progress to report here. I added the decals. After a bit more research I found that the tanks were originally just numbered "1" through "10". The use of "90" through "99", and the province names didn't come about until the mid-1930s. I also found out that early history details on these things is lacking mainly because they basically sat in sheds from 1923 to 1935, only being brought out on occasional propaganda events.

I finished straightening up the camo lines and added the black sectional outlines, though I still have a little touch up work before they're finished. The mufflers have been rusted and still need their top paint coats added. Here's how she sits now.





More to come in a few days. After I finish the black lines I'll need to clear coat it again to protect them before the weathering starts.

[ceresvesta.]

Very nice! Camo is out of this world, great job. What do you use for rust? It looks very convincing.

[bullardino]

Wow, that camo rocks!

[wbill76]

Black outlines really make that camo pop Bob, looking good!

[afvfan]

Phil - Thanks! I used a couple of the colors out of the Lifecolor "Rust & Dust" set. For close approximations, you could probably get away with burnt sienna and dark brown.

Luigi - Appreciate the kind words!

Dicky - Oh, and I'm so sure Andy's going to congratulate you for spotting it! I was actually wondering if that shape would strike a chord in someone. It's way too organic and the outline only made it stand out more.

As for the dark tone, I think I'm just going to have to live with it. The show I want to enter is less than 2 weeks away. Not only do I have to have this completely done, I've still go to cobble a base together for it. There's just not going to be enough time for a lot of washes and filters.

Bill - Yeah, it's funny how just the addition of some black lines can totally change the appearance of the pattern. One thing I wish I had thought out in advance is the camo on the copulas. Since those things spun when in use, it would have been better portrayed if their patterns didn't line up with the rest. Just a minor thing, but I still wish it had hit me sooner.

[paulh.]

Bob that's one tasty paintjob . Love the omeba on tracks look.
P

[afvfan]

Appreciate it, Paul.... and you thought all those science classes would never come in handy!

[Deleted]

my that looks pretty! great work

[deafpanzer]

Oh you truly made my day after Dicky pointed out a duck!!! +karma you know I am so weak for ducks. LOL Love the look of camo... you are rocking!

[afvfan]

Thanks Pete. I hope I can carry it through just as good to the finish.

Appreciate that Andy. It's funny, I just got done reading a post on another thread from Dicky expounding on his being an ex-aquaman. Then, I come here to find your post mentioning ducks, and WHAMM-O! An idea is born. I don't know if I'll ever do it (and if someone wants to, go ahead), but looking at that 2C, it's not too much of a stretch of the imagination to use it as the basis for a submarine! It's kind of got that Jules Verne Nautilus vibe going on. ..... or maybe I need to just get my head out of the paint booth a little more often .....

[Leon]

Fantastic work on the camo Bob.Looking really good.

[afvfan]

Mar 21, 2014 17:20:27 GMT -5 @dickyf said:

Yer could be onto something there Bob - a Char 2-based Steampunk Submersible would be uber-cool fella

It might happen, if I can find one of these at a price I don't mind destroying. Just can't justify doing it to a $60+ kit, though.

Leon - Thanks for the comment.

[richardcraig-Email Not Valid]

Hi Bob .. Looks great ,and for being a what if camo ...These things were around for quite some time in France , I'm sure at some point and time they tried this type of camo on these monsters.. Can't wait to see this one come together .. Bring on the weathering !

Rick

[afvfan]

Hi Bob .. Looks great ,and for being a what if camo ...These things were around for quite some time in France , I'm sure at some point and time they tried this type of camo on these monsters.. Can't wait to see this one come together .. Bring on the weathering !

It is a "could have been" scheme, though it is highly doubtful given their history. The French commanders felt they were too expensive to operate so, as I've mentioned, they stayed in their storage barns except for sporadic propaganda appearances. Definitely not something you'd expect them to give exotic paint jobs to.

Bob - I agree.......Scratch one!!!

I can scratch a lot of things Dicky, including a number that shouldn't be mentioned in polite company, but one of these ain't on the list!