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How To: AFV Metal Tracks

Metal tracks are all the rage when building AFVs, so I knew on my latest build (Trumpter Sd. Kfz 7/2, kit # 01527), I knew I had to try them. I bought a pair of the Friulmodel tracks and dove in. I totally ruined a set when I burnished them to turn them black(ish). Well, not ruined as much as made really great burned out/rusted out tracks. Some day, I'll put them to work on that particular project. So... I started over, and learned along the way. Here's some of those learnings, in no particular order, and with what personally works well for me. Your mileage may vary. Construction After doing cleanup one at a time on the first set, I started a production line for the second step. Clean up any burrs or other imperfections. In the Sd. Kfz. 7 set, the imperfections were all basically in the same spot [...]

By |2016-10-29T19:09:31-05:00April 9th, 2015|How to|0 Comments

Guest Post: Introduction to figure painting

My friend Bob Bethea has been helping me learn the fine art/madness that is figure painting. I've been collecting tips and tricks that I've learned, but he recently published an article in our local Austin Scale Modelers Society club newsletter. It was a great read, and a great overview of the instruction he's been giving me. With permission, I'm republishing here. Thoughts on Figure painting by Bob Bethea For your first figure you should choose one that is well sculpted and of a subject that will keep your interest. A good sculpture will make it EASIER to paint, and the affection for the subject will keep you at it until you finish. The average person feels that they should start on a cheap figure and work up to the "good", expensive ones. That is a total misconception as you cannot make a silk purse from a sow’s ear, as they say. [...]

By |2016-10-29T19:09:34-05:00July 23rd, 2014|Guest Post, How to|1 Comment

Great tip: sharp masking tape edges

I found this cool tip when browsing Facebook yesterday. Anyone tried this trick? If you have trouble with paint creeping under masking tape, here is a simple fix. After applying your masking tape, spray the edge of the tape with the color already on the model.This will seal the edge, and any paint that creeps under the tape is the paint that is already there. After the base color dries, spray over the joint with the new color. Remove the tape as soon as the new color is dry to the touch- don't wait for it to cure. This will give you SHARP edges without touch ups!

By |2014-07-21T13:39:51-05:00July 22nd, 2014|How to|0 Comments

Replacing AFV width indicators

If you've built just about any German WWII AFV, you will know the pain of snapping off the width indicators on each fender. I seem to do it multiple times throughout the build process, even if I wait until the very. last. step. of the build process. I do it so much, I apparently don't even notice when I knock them off. This weekend, I looked down at my Sd. Kfz. 7/2 and noticed one of them missing. I searched high and low and couldn't find it. Then as I was checking inside the kit box, I knocked the other one off. I headed to the web to search my sources for turned brass replacements. Voyager makes them, but I'd be waiting a week to get them. After several failed attempts at different techniques, I turned to the forums. By far, the best suggestion was the "dip a rod in paint" method. [...]

By |2016-10-29T19:09:34-05:00June 24th, 2014|How to|0 Comments

Effectively making photoetched pressed louvres

You know that incredible feeling when you finally figure out a technique that has eaten up too many expensive parts? No matter how many forum posts you read, no matter how many YouTube videos you ready, you simply can't get the hang of the technique. Then you do. Blessed day, you do it. Yesterday was one of those day. I love superdetailing with photoetch add-on sets. I'm getting better about not losing every third PE part to the carpet void. But one thing I could never, ever figure out is those damn pressed louvres. You know the ones... the vertical sides of many softskin engine compartments. They are molded shut on plastic parts, but are open (and thin) in real life. A perfect PE replacement option. The problem, however, is that getting the pressed louvres to realistically pop out of the flat PE, all while ensuring the full panel stays flat [...]

By |2016-10-29T19:09:34-05:00June 24th, 2014|How to|0 Comments

Painting German Oak Leaf Camo

I've been struggling to figure out the process of painting the German WWII Oak Leaf camo pattern on some figures. If you are too, check out this great tutorial. (Note: The image above isn't mine... it's from the author of the tutorial. Impressive, eh??)

By |2016-10-29T19:09:34-05:00April 14th, 2014|How to|0 Comments
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