Armortek

I know, the title is sort of a tease as it is still in dark yellow. Sorry to disappoint. But, with the exception of Mike Stannard's mesh covers for my intake and fan guards, the last of the base coat is done. Cupola interior and all periscopes will be added after camo and weathering.

Here it is stripped of spare links, tools and cables before tactical markings and balkan crosses are applied. Then camo and weathering will follow.


















Here's sort of what I'm shooting for. Camo is not exact it's just quick photoshop test.




Tim

excellent !, a feast of skill,keep the photos coming


simon manning

wow Tim that is awesome. Since you are really good a photoshop you should find a photo of rolling country side and paste that behind the tank. That would be a cool picture. The garage floor looks like road so all you need is a background and sky! Think about it.

I esp like the bugs eye view from the ground of the 3/4 front and rear shots. Really cool. Really gives an impression of size.
Bob

Hi Tim, that's one good looking Panther, and I like your choice of camo;
looking at the side skirt armour, is it just hung onto hooks, and have you made a full set
regards
Jeff

Thank you guys

the Panther is back up on its stand and I just got back from the hobby store with a fresh supply of paints and things. GULP Guess I gotta start painting camo.

Hi Jeff, The skirts on there are the ones supplied with the kit and I do have a full set. I just think the Panther looks better with missing ones. They simply hook onto the fender brackets along the side. I hope to make some later on out of brass that I can bend up a bit...maybe.

If progress goes well, I'll post pictures.


Cheers

Tim

Fabulous looking Panther Tim

Regards Stewart

Very Very Nice Tim ... I like the photoshop idea . Tim remember keep the brown and green real light even lighter then in your photo . I can't wait to see the next stage .. Dale

Thanks Stewart. and Dale, thank you for the tip.

I had some time today so I thought I'd have ago at subduing the "newness" of the tracks.(procrastinating camo) It's a first attempt so I went a little light. I want the tracks to have a nice coating of Normandy dust and some dirt without the "rusty" look. I'll probably add some more grime in the deep areas.

I know the guys that run their tanks are thinking I'm nuts but I thought I'd get everything looking how I want it and then not worry too much about what happens when I hit the real mud. So far, even mud seems to fall out the tracks after running. Not gooey enough I suppose.





Tim

I'm the same as you Tim.... It has to look right on the work bench first.
Your Dark yellow is the best I have seen so far!!! It has just a slight sheen to it , and looks a little faded already . Tim how did you come up with this mix ??? Dale

Tim,

Thats a very nice looking model. I think the camo scheme you have chosen looks really good. If you are a little nervous of having a go pracice on the track guards because they will be the easiest to blow over with base coulour if you not happy. A good airbrush is whats needed and a little patience. Weathering and the little touches come later when the base colour is done.

Eye candy and I love every photo!

Looking forward to see him in full cammo-paint

Kent

Hi Tim

Fantastic build, it has been a pleasure watching your photos as you have been building it. Can't wait to see what you do with your Tiger.

Steve

Allan, Kent and Steve, Thank you for the words of encouragement. I was side tracked yesterday and had to rework 3 of my torsion bars.YUCK!

The panther was listing to one side but is now remedied.

While I had the tracks and wheels off I started experimenting with the first step of weathering on the tracks, wheels and lower hull using my best attempt at a technique shared by Dave Dibbs. His work is amazing! http://www.armorpax.com/Armorpax/Forum/ ... cc78c1bd3a

As the wheels will not be camoed, I thought I would test on them. The hard edges on the darker paint will hopefully be softened with some future dry-brushing. I have to say that even with this minimal amount, I am much happier with the wheels and tracks as they sort of blend together now. Hopefully even more so as I progress.







Tim

I stayed up late last night and did the first step on the hull and turret. The darkened areas will be softened and blended. Once that is completed, the two-color disruptive patterns will be applied. I've never done this before so don't flame me too bad if my process is backwards. Amazing how much the detail pops now.















Happy tanking

Tim

Tim,

What you are doing looks great. I think that the idea with weathering or painting of models is to put "depth" into the model. To do that one can use washes and then dry brushing. The washes need to be black or dark gray paint with nearly 100% thinners. It is put on with a soft brush and the idea is that it will pool around things like bolts and edges, but not put any hardly any colour on flat panels. It may need several coats of wash to get the effect, but the rule tends to be that the slower the effect builds up the better. Dry brushing with white, or sometimes silver for a very pronounched effect highlights the sharp edges and high points. I use titanium white artists oils for this with the brush as dry as possible. Finally with the weathering finished I varnish the model to seal in the fragile weathering effect.