Tamiya 1/35 Marder III (Sd.Kfz.139)

Update!

Another tank y'all!

Here we have the Marder III (Sd.Kfz.139). Need a backstory? Here it is:

The Marder III is the name for a series of World War II German tank destroyers built on the chassis of the Panzer 38(t). The German word "Marder" means "Marten" in English. They were in production from 1942 to 1944 and served on all fronts until the end of the war. - wikipedia

This is considered another attempt at military modeling and God knows how I'm loving doing it. The details put in the kits are awesome. And truth to tell...it makes me want to apply what I've learned on some of my Gundam kits!

Okay, so what have I done here? The kit came in light brown sort of creamy colored (reminded me one of Baskin Robbins coffee flavored ice cream...heh). But my good ol' buddy (owner of these awesome tanks) said that he wanted it to be in winter color scheme. Oooookay...winter. Got it. So once I've assembled the tank, the quest for the winter look began. Researched on styles and also how the pros do it. I had to take into account on how rust happens and where it usually is. You can't simply have a white tank running around right?

Once all the reference has been checked out. I started work. The base coat I used was gray, and applied black on the areas where I wanted to have the pre-shading effect. Then I applied white, but I made sure that the white wasn't as heavy then all the shading wouldn't be seen. Then I started work on the nook and crannies with the wash technique. I diluted some dark brown mixed with dark gray to get that rusty effect. After all that, I gave it some more shading and finally dry brushed some parts to give it that wear and tear texture.

And here it is...

The Marder III (Sd.Kfz.139) - Winter scheme

Phew. There it is. Doing the Marder was a pretty challenging build and I know there's a lot more that I can learn. So next up will be three more tank kits! Plus...a motorcycle! (gasp!)...

I'd like to share on some upcoming projects in my next posting that I'm currently doing which are my own and are 'works in progress'. So be on the lookout for my updates ya!

Until then...IKIMAS!!!

Tamiya 1/35 M42 'Duster'

Update!

Well, actually managed to finish two more tanks last month, just didn't have the time and patience to post it. But it's never too late right? I mean it is my blog...LOL...

Anyhoo, here we have a Tamiya 1/35 scale M42 Duster. Who? Here's a little back story:

The M42 40 mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun, or "Duster" as it is known, is an armored light air-defense gun built for the U.S. Army from 1952 until December 1959. - wikipedia

There you go. I doubt that if I put up the whole back story, you'd go and click on another blog right? Heh.

Okay, so here is my third try on military modeling and now I'm more equipped with what my client/friend wants. Basically he wants some weathering but not so heavy and definitely not too clean. So by reading a little about the tank and going through loads of photos on it, I could slowly see what was needed. The tank came in a really dark flat green. So I opt for the more lighter tone. Given the idea that this tank has been in the Vietnam war, I chose to give it a slight moldy weathering. Due to the humidity of the war zone, there would be washed up mud and a little if not rust. I mean they are tanks.

So the first coat was done with a lighter tone of green. Then applying some pre-shading technique I top coated it with a slight darker green. Once that's done, I did some drybrushing with a kind of yellow+orange colors. Then did some simple wash on the panel lines and some areas to give it that rusty metal look. And lastly applied a nice coat of clear flat on top.

Here's the M42 'Duster'

Next up will be another tank. So hold on.

If you all have noticed, I've started writing again. Why? Well, it's due to my wife (she proclaims she's my number one fan...heh). She insisted that I write so my postings will have a more human touch to it. More personal. If I were to put images only, might as well post the images on Photobucket or Flickr right? Well...I guess she's got a point there. She even did a sweet and simple posting of me in her own blog, and I'd like to share it with you all.

Here's the link:
Why I Think My Husband's Hobby Of Building Model Kits Is Sexy

And I hope that it will inspire those who have a problem with people thinking that our hobby makes us immature. Remember, never be afraid of being who you are, and never be who you're not. And I think that's being mature.

Till next time!

Tamiya 1/35 Panzer IV Aus.J

Update!

Yup...another tank. Sorry for the delay in the 'promised' next day update, there were just so many things happening that I totally forgot about it.

Yes, here's another tank that I managed to finished for my friend a few weeks back. It was actually done exactly after finishing the T55A. Heh.

Still being one of my first military kits, I gave it the same treatment as I did the T55A. Meaning that I didn't do much heavy weathering. Did some pre-shading and drybrushing to get a little wear and tear look but overall a clean build.

Here it is.

Panzer IV Aus.J (scale 1/35)

Yep...I need more experience in doing these...and the best thing is, I'm loving each and every built...Hopefully one day I can apply the techniques I learned from military kits into Gunpla...