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Modeller Build Logs
Tasca Sherman Firefly Vc |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | Dec 1, 2006 | | Updated: | Apr 29, 2007 |
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OK, I’ll admit it, when I got the opportunity to do a blog using Tasca’s new Firefly kit I was giddy with excitement. I’ve got Tasca’s Pz. II Luchs, and I’ve built about three of their Sherman suspension sets, and two of their 0.050 cal MG sets. Tasca has yet to disappoint.
Now as a total Shermanaholic, I’ll admit that the thought of building a Sherman model that requires only a little bit of extra work is hard to fathom. I mean what is Sherman modeling without a bucket of aftermarket resin parts, replacement tracks, and a huge photoetch sheet? It’s … like modeling German armor (noooo don’t say it’s true)! There, I’ve said it. 2006 has been an allied modeler’s dream and Tasca’s Firefly is the grand finally of the fireworks show.
But in many ways I’m glad to be doing a blog using a great kit. My last two blogs involved extensive use of resin conversion and scratch built parts to make unusual Shermans. So they were heavily focused on construction tasks. Yet I’ve noticed that most of the comments I receive when I post photos of my models are requests for more information on how I do my painting, weathering, and groundwork. So for this blog I will spend less time on the construction tasks and more time on the painting, finishing and techniques for making simple ground work.
Up Next: The Construction Starts.
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| Basic Painting | Dec 30, 2006 |
The Firefly I’m making is a camouflaged one consisting of the green based coat with a hard edge black camouflage pattern. Most Fireflys were simply painted in British Bronze Green but a few had camo and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
I started by painting the entire model in flat black. I’m a big fan of enamels so I used Testor’s Model Master flat black. Doesn’t really matter. I then painted the model in Model Master Olive Drab. Yes I know it’s not British Bronze Green but when you factor in fading and weathering and dirt, it’s pretty hard to tell what the real color is.
When I painted the model, I panel faded the green. In other words, I left the areas around weld lines, seems, joints, access plates, etc with a little black showing through. Some people like to do this painting very carefully. But personally, I like a sloppier effect since I feel the end result gives a greater variation in the color of the overall vehicle which, at least to my eye, better matches what can be seen on the real tank.
It has nothing to do with me being lazy. Honest. Why don’t you believe me? Come on! I’m being serious here. Fine, I’m lazy and don’t want to spend the time painting carefully. But I really do believe the effect is a good match to the real thing. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Lastly, I painted a little Model Master Faded Olive Drab into the center of the larger panels and on the lower hull and suspension (which I painted separately) to give more of an appearance of weathering.
Up Next: Dry Brushing – Round 1 |
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