French Renault R35

[Phil57]

My pet goal is to have a nice collection of WW2 tanks from a wide variety of countries and armies. After finishing my US Sherman, I decided to give this little French number a go and purchased Tamiya's offering of the French R35 in 1/35 scale. I really like the kit and it went together very well with no major issues at all despite it's small size. My problems started when I elected to to paint the vehicle in a four color camo pattern which was common. I always prime my vehicles in black which was mistake number one. Two of the four colors I wanted to use on the camo took a minimum of four coats to achieve some satisfactory degree of coverage. Half way through the painting, I actually hated it and fortunately I completed the small turret which was when I actually thought this doesn't look too bad. I then finished the entire vehicle. The black outlines were hand painted with a small brush and it was here I made a lot of mistakes. Simply because my hands are not as steady as they used to be. I read during the build process that you can do the outline with a black sharpie.....I liked this idea so tried it, but alas that was harder than painting.
I certainly learnt a few things with this kit. First, don't paint black primer if you want to hand paint a mixture of light and dark colors for camo. Second, paint the entire model with the lighter camo color with your airbrush. I can't do anything about the unsteady hands.
Overall, I really like the kit now that it is finished. I will build a small dio/vignette to put it on and update this post later on but for now, thanks for looking.

 

[urumomo]

I think it looks great .
Actually , the lighter colors may have appeared too bright with a light primer , so I don't think it was a mistake using black as a primer .

 

[Pantherman]

My pet goal is to have a nice collection of WW2 tanks from a wide variety of countries and armies. After finishing my US Sherman, I decided to give this little French number a go and purchased Tamiya's offering of the French R35 in 1/35 scale. I really like the kit and it went together very well with no major issues at all despite it's small size. My problems started when I elected to to paint the vehicle in a four color camo pattern which was common. I always prime my vehicles in black which was mistake number one. Two of the four colors I wanted to use on the camo took a minimum of four coats to achieve some satisfactory degree of coverage. Half way through the painting, I actually hated it and fortunately I completed the small turret which was when I actually thought this doesn't look too bad. I then finished the entire vehicle. The black outlines were hand painted with a small brush and it was here I made a lot of mistakes. Simply because my hands are not as steady as they used to be. I read during the build process that you can do the outline with a black sharpie.....I liked this idea so tried it, but alas that was harder than painting.
I certainly learnt a few things with this kit. First, don't paint black primer if you want to hand paint a mixture of light and dark colors for camo. Second, paint the entire model with the lighter camo color with your airbrush. I can't do anything about the unsteady hands.
Overall, I really like the kit now that it is finished. I will build a small dio/vignette to put it on and update this post later on but for now, thanks for looking.

I'm liking it alot, great details (even with unsteady hands), think the camo is fine. I tend to use the german red/brown primer and find it goes well with most base coat and camo designs. Can't wait to see the next build, where are you taking us next?
Pantherman

 

[Phil57]

I'm liking it alot, great details (even with unsteady hands), think the camo is fine. I tend to use the german red/brown primer and find it goes well with most base coat and camo designs. Can't wait to see the next build, where are you taking us next?
Pantherman

Thank you my friend, next up is a British Matilda which I have on back order. My supplier here in NSW Australia seems to be having some issues with stock. I have had the Matilda on back order for some weeks now and still no light at the end of the tunnel. If it takes too much longer, I may just grab something they have in stock.

 

[Phil57]

I think it looks great .
Actually , the lighter colors may have appeared too bright with a light primer , so I don't think it was a mistake using black as a primer .

Thanks mate. Don't get me wrong I am now liking the end result but for a long time there I didn't. I guess I am just a little impatient and like just doing one coat especially when hand brushing. Four coats with the yellow and the lighter grey were a bit much for me.

 

[Phil57]

Here is the R35 on my finished dio/vignette. Sorry about the pics but I had to use my phone and the flash. Thanks for looking.