Comet

[John Davie]

Mick,

I use the accumate 'waterproof' connection lead to the battery on my stuff. Nice floating lead with fuse and waterproof cover and plugs directly into the charger lead, available from lots of places at various prices, eg item 220577022938 on ebay.

John

[robert michael hilton]

Hello John, thanks for your reply....I have one of those leads, which I intend to use....thanks again....Mick

[robert michael hilton]

My goodness what a busy Forum

One of my never ending questions.....I am building my Comet to describe the tanks seen in the 1945 victory parade in Berlin, as I don't do battle weary. I have started installing the Comet crew. The crew will be spick and span ready for inspection along with their tank.

I have collected five dragon 1 6 crew figures to use. Now...the crew figures are fine with there tank suits newly issued...however the crews 'facial' features stand out like the proverbial sore thumb.
They look exactly what they are...dolls. I would prefer to tone down the skin, without creating a 'resculpt look'.

I have no experience with weathering type paints....I could. with a little advice, improve the crews appearance. I think paint 'washes' are used, but how and what colour??? Simple advice please.....Mick

Just had a thought....must be a website somewhere???

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Mick
The Air brush site I use is www.airbrushes.co.uk
They only sell the best,Iwata is one I use.
They are helpfull and there is an experienced modeler there
who could give you advice on the colours.

I have 3 dvd's that I can post to you for as long as you need them.

Expert Model Craft Air Brush Painting Techniques
Realistic armor finishing Techniques
Modeling and detailing German Armor.

The first one would be the best He actually does a little ballet
dancer model with all the flesh techniques. and shadows.
The Air Brush he uses is one of those ones with just a tiny cup on
top and the paint film is so thin it dries in seconds while he is
holding the model.
If he doesnt like something he just uses a cotton bud with thinners
to clean off and then re does it.
The other 2 might not apply to your Comet in Parade turnout,but
they show all the techniques.
I think places like Maplins do a cheap Air brush,but its like a lot
of these tools you get what you pay for.
On the other side of the scale is you only have 5 crew to do.
A cheap doll would be good enough to practice on.
If you want the dvd's posted I can take them to work tomorrow
to post to you,if you let me know.
Cheers
Phil

[robert michael hilton]

Ok, Phil, thanks for the offer...I will take you up on it. I will return them asap.

I couldn't help noticing the pale look to the faces of the crew....considering some fought in the Far East and Italy.

I have considered purchasing the 'resculpt' heads on eBay....they all seem to look like 'undesirables' or convicts.

I fancy having a go at airbrushing, although the cost return may be prohibitive for the small amount of use...anyway I would like to see the dvds...thanks again...mick

[robert michael hilton]

I think he must have eaten something.....

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Mick
I will get them dvd's off to you tomorrow,they are not too long and
they are interesting anyway,like you said.
Have you had a look at www.monkeydepot.com
Look under nude figures and search for Heads it will give you
some ideas.
A bit of 5 O'clock shadow can make a difference and I wonder
if that quick false tan oil would dry ok.
You cant do much about the perfect combed hair cut they
nearly all have,except hide it under the beret.
Might be worth experimenting on a cheap head from Ebay.
Cheers
Phil

[robert michael hilton]

Hello Phil, will return the CDs in the week.....interesting to say the least. I guess a far amount of practice is needed. I will have a think about splashing out the cash. Not sure the outlay will be justified....I did obtain a couple of 'heads' off Ebay to practice on, ....thanks again Phil.

Love the additional items on your Comet. I will keep mine down to a smart turnout, ready for the 'parade'. I have made a RTR flag, Brown/Red/Green. Painted an old cotton handkerchief with acrylic, looks ok.

Phil....small problem, I have been trying to drill the Armorpax bases to take the aerials....made a mess of the small one, broke the top off. I want to attach the flag to the larger aerial. What did you use to drill through the soft metal???, and what have you used for your aerials???

regards...mick

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Mick
glad you liked the dvd's,its a whole new skill to learn,which I will
have to have a go at.
For the drill ing of the Armorpax aerial bases I used a Demil and
a 1mm drill to start it off carefully and kept with drawing the drill
often so the soft swarf didnt grip it.
I used black carbon rod,I think it was only about £1.50 a metre
and I made some spare's to put in the bags I made.
I did the bigger aerial in one peice and rolled a bit of black
insulation tape round the middle to look like it was joined like on
the full size Tank.
The carbon rod I picked up from a model shop that did planes
and Helicopters its used on servo rods etc.
Cheers
Phil

[robert michael hilton]

Thanks for the info Phil....managed to drill the holes using my Pillar Drill. I will purchase some rods.

I have ordered a replacement 'searchlight' from Armorpax, managed to break the handles off, and the base...trying to fit the light. I also ordered the brass buckles.
My old fingers have lost their dexterity. Small parts are a real problem, I will succeed though.

I wanted to use some of the photo's of the original 'Iron Duke', that I came across on the internet to go with a Comet display....most or all of these photographs have a copyright.

The Comet is coming together now...looking forward to the Summer. My crew are itching to get on the 'ranges'. I will try a little 'weathering' on the hands and faces of the crew....Mick

[robert michael hilton]

Almost ready for the parade.

[robert michael hilton]

Plenty of fine detail to add...

[robert michael hilton]

Driver 'Fred', gunner Charlie

[robert michael hilton]

[phil fitzpatrick]

Nice photo's
Very Smart Mick,Great turnout from the lads all clean shaven
and hair cuts.
They will all be very impressed at the show you are going to.
Keep up the good turnout.
Cheers
Phil