ArtyScout Posted January 25, 2018 Share #1 Posted January 25, 2018 Hi, Just posting a couple of pics of the US Army Armored crew of the M1A1 Abrams tank I'm putting together. Is it me or are Dragon model instruction sheets resemble a 'Chinese fire drill'. Also the decals on this model sucked. They easily broke as soon as you tried to adjust them on the model. I was able to use some but thank goodness I had some Archer Transfers still left over. Anyway I hope you like the pics and I'll post some more as I go along and as always ALL comments and critiques are greatly appreciated. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Meatcan Posted January 25, 2018 Share #2 Posted January 25, 2018 Manny, those are fantastic figures! I really like the green tinted goggles. Nice touch! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted January 25, 2018 Share #3 Posted January 25, 2018 Looks good Manny! I don't think it's just you, I have noticed the errors, and confused directions too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted January 28, 2018 Share #4 Posted January 28, 2018 Same over here with the Dragon instruction sheets.You did a TOP JOB on painting these figures. Some years ago I also tried to paint this chocolate-chip camo pattern an failed... Can't wait to see the whole kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsbody Posted January 28, 2018 Share #5 Posted January 28, 2018 Nice job Manny. Love to see more pics as you go along. Ah, those Dragon instructions........utterly confusing. Just a quick observation: are the drivers goggles missing straps? . Rene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted February 9, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted February 9, 2018 Hey guys, I have some updated pics of my M1A1 Abrams tank. I weathered and washed with Raw Umber diluted oils and then dry brushed with MM Steel and then of course pastels. Still I have to attach the M2 .50cal MG and the 7.62mm MG on the turret along with all the crew's equipment in the bustle rack, and then put it on a base. As I mentioned in a previous post the decals in this kit were extremely delicate and the fit wasn't that great. Especially surprising for a Dragon's kit. As always all comments and critiques are greatly appreciated. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted February 10, 2018 Share #7 Posted February 10, 2018 Manny fantastic build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted February 10, 2018 Share #8 Posted February 10, 2018 Awesome tank! Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted February 10, 2018 Share #9 Posted February 10, 2018 That's a nice looking build! Great work Manny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted February 10, 2018 Share #10 Posted February 10, 2018 Great weathering, I really like the different shades of desert tan color. Can't wait to see your dio completed, Manny! Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsbody Posted February 10, 2018 Share #11 Posted February 10, 2018 NICE!. I especially like the fact that you have weathered the areas where the crew has been walking on the tank. Something i have to keep in mind for my tank (whenever I get it finished) Rene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted February 10, 2018 Thanks guys for the compliments. I wasn't too happy with the way the "resized" pics came out. I took the pictures with my cellphone camera and although it took some great pics, once resized they lost a lot in translation. The next ones will be with my camera. I'm very passionate about the pics I post because it lets everyone see the intricacies and nuances of my/our work. Lars; you and Mike have made some great dioramas but its your pictures that convey the hard work that you guys put into it. I love Tom's (tsweeney) work, but I wish he took better photos (lighting). Yet he does get his point across. Anyway the next set of pics will be with my camera and it should be the tank with the added equipment. Again thank you and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your works. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share #13 Posted February 18, 2018 I'm almost finished with my tank, well this M1A1 Abrams is finished but I just need a big enough base to put him on. But I took these pics to show my progress. I hope you like them and as always all comments and critiques are greatly appreciated. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share #14 Posted February 18, 2018 I'm almost finished with my tank, well this M1A1 Abrams is finished but I just need a big enough base to put him on. But I took these pics to show my progress. I hope you like them and as always all comments and critiques are greatly appreciated. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share #15 Posted February 18, 2018 Three more pics for your enjoyment. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted February 18, 2018 Share #16 Posted February 18, 2018 VERY nice work. You paint skills are excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted February 20, 2018 Share #17 Posted February 20, 2018 Thanks guys for the compliments. I wasn't too happy with the way the "resized" pics came out. I took the pictures with my cellphone camera and although it took some great pics, once resized they lost a lot in translation. The next ones will be with my camera. I'm very passionate about the pics I post because it lets everyone see the intricacies and nuances of my/our work. Lars; you and Mike have made some great dioramas but its your pictures that convey the hard work that you guys put into it. I love Tom's (tsweeney) work, but I wish he took better photos (lighting). Yet he does get his point across. Anyway the next set of pics will be with my camera and it should be the tank with the added equipment. Again thank you and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your works. Semper Fi. Manny Hey Manny, don't worry too much about the photographs. Your excellent paintjob on that MBT is very well visible! I like the color nuances, the very decent weathering and the absolute flat appearance of the color. Very well done! One question: Are you going to add any antennas or are isn't that necessary for this tank? Photographing: I have learned that one can get good photo results, even with cellphone cameras, when choosing a neutral background. I'm using an "open tube" sytem consisting of white cardboard for those kits without any dio. Maybe that would be worth it's own thread: "How to take pictures of your model kits/dioramas..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted February 21, 2018 Author Share #18 Posted February 21, 2018 Hey Lars, thanks for the compliment. I'll be putting antennas on this tank when I put it on its base. As for the photography, I always remember what my friend always said that the modeler in Australia or Europe can't come to you house to see your model. So good photography will convey what they cannot see up close and personal. I like that new Kaiser Open Tube. Luckily I like putting my models with background photos and proper lighting. But for stand alone models, that looks like a nice investment. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
520-73-11 Posted February 21, 2018 Share #19 Posted February 21, 2018 Nice work! I used to do a LOT of modeling. Even won an award once for an "out of box" (no added parts from outside the as-delivered kit). If you are open to some constructive tips, I'd like to share a few. 1) trim your decals closer. I use either an X-acto or scalpel to trim extremely close to the print. Then you work with tweezers so it can get dicey. I have some decal solution (forget the name) that softens the decals so they conform to body lines and other details more closely. 2) Once your decals are set (several days to dry), clear them with (in this case) a flat clear via airbrush to feather into the paint (or flat clear the entire model). They are picking up a glare in some angles. 3) Your "foot traffic areas" may look nicer with a semi-gloss clear to give the look of a slightly polished dead-flat original paint. Yu may consider a "wash" of the same on the pronounced edges for the same reason. Same exact color; slightly different sheen. 4) There are water based ink "detailing fluids" that I am a big fan of. Flow these into panel lines and around raised areas to add dimension. I have black (panel lines) and brown (suitable for a "dirty" vehicle and great around raised details. The black is also excellent for radiator grills etc. with fine detail that is supposed to look like an open mesh. If you screw up, just wash it off. I usually leave it unsealed, but once dry, it can be sealed under a clear as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted February 21, 2018 Share #20 Posted February 21, 2018 Beautiful work Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share #21 Posted March 9, 2018 Nice work! I used to do a LOT of modeling. Even won an award once for an "out of box" (no added parts from outside the as-delivered kit). If you are open to some constructive tips, I'd like to share a few. 1) trim your decals closer. I use either an X-acto or scalpel to trim extremely close to the print. Then you work with tweezers so it can get dicey. I have some decal solution (forget the name) that softens the decals so they conform to body lines and other details more closely. 2) Once your decals are set (several days to dry), clear them with (in this case) a flat clear via airbrush to feather into the paint (or flat clear the entire model). They are picking up a glare in some angles. 3) Your "foot traffic areas" may look nicer with a semi-gloss clear to give the look of a slightly polished dead-flat original paint. Yu may consider a "wash" of the same on the pronounced edges for the same reason. Same exact color; slightly different sheen. 4) There are water based ink "detailing fluids" that I am a big fan of. Flow these into panel lines and around raised areas to add dimension. I have black (panel lines) and brown (suitable for a "dirty" vehicle and great around raised details. The black is also excellent for radiator grills etc. with fine detail that is supposed to look like an open mesh. If you screw up, just wash it off. I usually leave it unsealed, but once dry, it can be sealed under a clear as well. Thanks for the comments. To Sailor Son, thanks for the critique. The decals on this model really sucked; which is surprising for Dragon. I had to use dry transfers; which I particularly like; but they were for a USMC tank and this is supposed to be Army. I'm going to try and blend or deadened those decals on the turret front. I also used a very diluted oil wash of raw umber for my very first time on the panel lines and engine grills (but they're covered by the turret), and with the exhaust I used 'soot' for color. Thanks for the critique. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted March 9, 2018 Share #22 Posted March 9, 2018 Beautiful work. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share #23 Posted March 30, 2018 Hello All, I "almost" finished my Abrams tank. I say almost because I didn't attach any antennae. I'm going to order some AM antennas because I've never liked the way my antennas come out. But I did tweak the decals on the turret and weathered it a little more although I was not happy with the groundwork. Enjoy the pictures and as always any and all comments and critiques are greatly appreciated. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share #24 Posted March 30, 2018 ...and two more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsweeney Posted March 30, 2018 Share #25 Posted March 30, 2018 Manny looks great Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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