Autoblinda AB 43 (Italery)

[madairbrush]

Good evening gentlemen,

it`s been a while, since my last model (the M47 Patton). After a little break of nearly 1 and a half year, I am back with a small model.

I wanna try some new techniques, so I decided to take a small, cheap one. It is not such a super fantastic tank, like a Tiger or a Panther... it`s just a Autoblinda...

With the help of the DVD "weathering in 1 hour"(from AK interactiv), I will make my first tank, which is intact. No destruction and no rustbucket this time. Just a tank with normal signs of usage...and time.
I never tried color modulation, so this is the best way to try these technique.

Cheers Matt

5DMKII_31554 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

Here are my first trys of color modulation.

5DMKII_31562 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31565 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

[Leon]

Looks mighty good from where I'm sitting Matt!

[wbill76]

Looks good so far Matt, keep at it!

[TRM]

Yo Matt!! Nice to see you!! The color is looking sweet on this little guy!! Can't wait to see you sling the weathering around!!

[madairbrush]

Thanks my friends,

I have made the next step, the camo of the tank. I was not sure, what I should do. The art print on the box was not my cup of tea. There was a red brown, dark green and khaki camo. I think with this camo many details of weathering will be lost, because of the darker colors. So I decided to use a light yellowish tone and a dark green camo pattern. I think this was used from the 7th SS-Freiwilligen Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen".Yugoslavia. in 1944. But I don`t have the correct stickers, so I will only use the german cross...




Maybe I will paint the numbers by hand ...later...

So here are my first camo pics. I used chipping fluid, to scratch some areas away...

5DMKII_31568 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31573 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31579 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

[Leon]

Nice work on the camo and chipping Matt.

[madairbrush]

So the last days I was busy.

I added chipping and the first wash/ streaks.

5DMKII_31587 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31592 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31595 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

[wbill76]

Nice choice of camo. Off to a good start with the weathering as well!

[madairbrush]

Thanks Bill. What do you think, should I add a number on the turret? (like the red 14 on the picture)

[afvfan]

I'm not Bill, but I think a turret number would be a good idea.

[madairbrush]

Haha, thanks Bob.

Can I paint it by brush free hand, or is it better to use a kind of mask?

[afvfan]

That would be your choice. The freehand ones would look good, if you're up for them. Speaking personally, my painting skills would probably force me to use a mask or stencil. Of course, I've seen a number of pictures of various vehicles with hastily applied, poorly done numbers.

[deafpanzer]

It is looking fantastic Matt!!

[madairbrush]

The most of the weathering is finished. Next step will be some rust and mud.

I finished the streaking and added some high lights with oil paint.

5DMKII_31619 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31615 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31597 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

[wbill76]

I agree with Bob! (he makes it so easy!) However you're the one that actually has to pull it off, so if it's something you think will add to the build and are willing to take a shot at it, go for it.

[deafpanzer]

Dig the streaks and scratches!!!

[Momcha]

Nice work so far. It will look great at the end.

[madairbrush]

Hi MSCers,

yesterday I painted the number on the turret. First I tried the white with the help of a mask. Fine details and the red I painted by brush...

5DMKII_31747 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31748 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

I think the vehicle itself is finished.
Next step will be the dirt and mud...

[Leon]

Matt! Great work on the weathering and numbers.

[DeafStuG]

Very nice!

[wbill76]

Definitely adds a touch of color and character to the vehicle. Nice work on the numbers!

[madairbrush]

The tank is more or less finished... I think. I added dirt and mud. Only the final parts of the wheels are missing. I hope, I didn`t ruin it with all the dirt...

5DMKII_31773 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31766 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

5DMKII_31776 by mad_airbrush, on Flickr

Next step will be a small base. I wanna build a kind of mountain pass, with a muddy ground and some puddles.

[406 Silverado]

Looks great Matt. I really like the worn and chipped paint effects.

[madairbrush]

Thanks my friend. What do you think about the mud effect? Is it too much?

[sturmbird]

this is one of my very favorite armored cars, and this particular version carries quite a history. Was developed for desert warfare from the start, and was considered to be very good. Somewhere I have this kit, plus a couple other Italian armored cars. Never started one of them as I've heard they come with a lot of fit problems

I really like the build and paint. Just looks right!
gary

[afvfan]

Looking good! I like the numbers. As Bill noted, a touch of color really helps.

As for the mud, I don't know if you don't need a bit more. With the amount of build up you have on the body I would expect to see some in the nooks and crannies of the wheel hubs, too.

[wbill76]

Nice work on the dirt and weathering. As for more vs. less, I suppose that would depend on the final base scene you want to tie it into. If it's going to have puddles and be a little more 'wet', then I would go with Bob's suggestion for sure.

[madairbrush]

That`S the big question, bill. I have seen many pictures of dirty cars, with clean sides of the wheels. But like you said, it`s a question of the base. I am not sure, how the base will look at the end.

[reserve]

No, I don't think you've used too much mud, and yes, it looks great. Were I you I'd think about making the base and then blending the two together as you'll have a better idea of what will look right at that point


Regards,
Mark

[Deano]

Looks great Matt , used and abused as they should be !!!