Andy's Tamiya 1/35 M1A2 Operation Iraqi Freedom

[the Baron]

I like the weathering you've already done on the wheels and lower sides of the hull. You've achieved that dry, dusty, sandy look of a vehicle used the desert. Nicely done!
Best regards,
Brad

 

[Edbert]

Those highlights look to me to be about right. I wouldn't want to overdo it, to avoid the model looking too, well, painted.

I agree, the highlights are done. Maybe put some lowlights in, panel lines do not specifically exist, at least like on aircraft, but shadows and places hidden from the bleaching desert sun do.

 

[Andy the Sheep]

After fiddling with the external loads, trying different colours and shades, but keeping in mind that everything will be heavily covered by dust and sand, obtained with a very thinned wash of Vallejo Iraqi sand in a small size pot I had at the bottom of the paint drawer, a relic from the Merkava Mk1 1/72 I built years ago, here are the results.

Once loaded on the tank they will be weathered accordingly.

Then decals were applied. Finally panel lines with Tamiya panel line accent dark brown.


The "F4" on the CIP to the back of the turret needs a lot of retouching as the transparent film is too visible.


I think I'll try to weather the tank with oils, but I'm still considering the chalks and pastels option.

See you soon and thank you for your attention and support.

Andrea

 

[Andy the Sheep]

An update while the second layer of weathering is drying. This time with a pale yellow oil wash.


Tamiya decals are always thick...

 

[mark2]

An update while the second layer of weathering is drying. This time with a pale yellow oil wash.
View attachment 129436View attachment 129437

Tamiya decals are always thick...

Looking good Andy

 

[Andy the Sheep]

Here's the situation as per today. Towing cables and removal of transparencies masking left.



Thank you for your patience.

Andrea

 

[Modelprofessor]

It looks good . I'm glad to see you didn't chip it all over

 

[Jakko]

That would be fine for a Desert Storm vehicle, but not OIF, I agree. Chipping is usually a very, very much overused (and overdone) thing anyway, IMHO.

 

[Andy the Sheep]

It seems I reached the end of the road; M1A2 OIF is completed, and that's a result in itself, indeed!
Here are some pics. Hope to provide more tomorrow, taken outside, weather permitting.
The last two were taken at 5 pm, almost dark in late november.
The one taken with the flash on looks like, IMHO, that the tank is under an artillery/mortar IL fire.



Thank you for following and for your kind comments.

Andrea

 

[wjbrandel]

Good job!

 

[mark2]

It looks good Andy nice job