nightshiftmodeller
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Lower hull ready
🕑 Added 2024-03-02 10:25:20 +0000 UTCMy friends, the tracks, wheels, and the lower hull are all out of the way. For some reason, I started at the end - with the tracks, and then painted the rest accordingly. Maybe I just wanted to see how 3D-printed tracks perform under that heavy enamel treatment :)
I went for a semi-muddy finish because reference images of King Kong show quite a lot of dark, wet mud in the tracks, and also, when I was searching for color images of dirt roads on Saipan, the best I could find was a muddy road after some light rain.
When traveling via Google Street View and looking for vignette ideas, I didn't notice that every road on Saipan (at least those documented by the Google car) is either paved or covered with gravel... so that alley didn't lead to too many dirt references. So when you combine the historical photos and only one usable color image... that's the finish you'll come up with!
But also, I'm glad how the earth tones on the running gear complement the wooden planks. The whole thing is starting to get tied together IMO. Also, Sherman's lower hull is one of the most boring areas to paint because of the bogies. Good thing I kept them movable so I could always push the road wheel out of the way, but still, it wasn't too enjoyable.
However, the earth tones on the lower hull are purposefully left lighter and more dry. I think it creates a nice contrast with the tracks, doesn't turn everything behind the wheels into a dark void, and it'll work pretty well with the earth tones on the upper surfaces, which, again, I'd like to keep rather light and dry.
Lastly, enamel thinner makes the resin pins somewhat "alive", so to speak. The track was much more flexible while soaked with thinner, and this actually allowed me to remove one link from each track and achieve tighter sag!
Oh, and as per tradition, the texture was done with AK acrylic texture paste, pre-dusting with Tamiya Buff, and the rest was Africa Dust Effects, Earth Effects, and Fresh Mud :)
Comments
Frank Perrone
Ok
Night Shift
Thanks! It's Octopus M2M
Night Shift
Thanks so much!
Night Shift
They're great! But it's really better to keep the idler movable and glue it after you adjust the track tension. I did employ some brute force when putting them on (after removing one link) and I was just waiting for them to snap. Even though resin is sturdy, it's not metal... so better be safe than sorry!
Night Shift
Ha! These are the replacement 3D-printed tracks from Panzerwerk :)
Mark Zoccoli
Hi, great work. What is the work stand you attach your models to.
Jason Shiskowsky
Those tracks look so detailed! And your weathering on top of that is choice!
Paul Adams
Just stunning! π
Manuel Garcia Urreta
I love this one SO MUCH!! I don't know, I have a thing with Shermans, and I'm loving this one a ton. And the paint details, are mint, you never cease to amaze me!
Paul Garrity
The running gear is outstanding as is the rest of this. These are the Panzerwerk tracks yes? Planning on using their T48 with extended end connectors in the next month or so. Anything to be aware of when weathering? Being used to white metal tracks which take heavy heavy weathering I have some reservations with resin tracks but their T48 worn pads are just to tempting to resist!!
Robert Otten
Amazing!
Frank Perrone
Really impressed with how the DS Tracks turned out ! As always nicely done !
Jonathan Baker
Unbelievable! Iβm in awe of your work!
John Ratcliff
Loving those tracks , we spoke earlier but they look the biz! Exquisite build Martin ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»
