Model Armour

Thanks for the comments guys.

Update

Fixed the sagging track that Gary pointed out. I had to take out a link and connector. Not a lot of fun.

Started work on the base. I cut of MDF for the base and gave it a coat of urethane. One thing I like about MDF is that it never warps. The coat of urethane was used as a precaution. I used Sculpt-a-mold for the ground work, sprinkled on some very fine sand and pressed in old Sherman tracks while it was still wet. The scene represents the area just over the berm, hence the reason why it’s flat.



I’ve been told that the “sand” on Iwo Jima was black, due to it’s volcanic nature. However, in pictures that I’ve seen of the eastern invasion beaches on Iwo Jima and satellite shots from Google Earth, the sand was more of a grey, and sometimes brown, rather than black. With that in mind, I gave the base a coat of Tamiya German Grey, XF-63



Next, I “highlited” a couple of areas with a thinned down mixture of Tamiya Red Brown and German Grey



Then, I applied some soot black, panzer grey and earth pigments to the indented track areas. Trying to show a little depth.


Lastly, here is my overall scene just to show placement. I’m working on crew figures and a jeep driver, as well stowage for the LVT and some medical supplies and stretchers for the jeep.



All comments are graciously welcome.

Hi Steve
Very Nice camo on the LVT & the fading & weathering looks very nice.
Like the base idea.

Shaun

Steve,

I can see what you mean about the 'black' sand, but on other volcanic islands that I've visited that have sand described as black..it really is black. The trouble with some photographs, is that because of the way the grains reflect and diffuse light, it can look a lot lighter than it actually is in photogrpahs, especially old monochrome prints. These two are both 'black' sand beaches, but the first looks noticeably lighter.





Of course if you're happy with the shade you've chosen, then that's that, but it does look very light?

Vinnie

Vinnie,

I think you're right. I stared at the base for a while last night under different types of lighting, and I think the shade I used is too light. I'll try a different blend but I don't think I'll go with straight black. What the heck, it's just paint, right?

I agree Steve. Straight black would look way too stark. Even if it was 100% accurate, you'd quickly find yourself having to supply a photograph everytime somebody looked at it in order to prove it!

Vinnie

That's what I like about this site....feedback.

Steve-
she is looking good man! The paint looks faded as you would expect in the pacific.
I know it is sort of an accessory on this build - but that Jeep is going to be a neat model in its own right.

Good Stuff!

Steve

Only seeing near LVTP jeep, you can understand the actual size of this "boat"!

I really like the paint scheme on the LTV Steve. Jeep and ground work also look great.

Shawn

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I'll be redoing the color of the ground work. Just not happy with the color based on pictures that Vinnie posted and me staring at the thing for a while.