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Modeller Build Logs

Tasca Sherman Firefly Vc

By James Wechsler
Started: Dec 1, 2006
Updated: Apr 29, 2007

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.

Introduction The construction starts That Sweet Tranny The Upper Hull Hull details: Rear Hull Hull Details: Back Deck Hull details: Front Hull The Turret Where is the rear turret stowage box? The Painting Begins Basic Painting Dry Brushing – Round 1 Laying out the camouflage pattern Painting the Camouflage Pattern The Hard Edge Dry brushing – part 2 Markings Blending Stowage and Details The Filter Streaking Fuel Stains Dusting Pigments Reverse Dry Brushing Graphite Making Tracks Final Details The Commander - Basic Painting The Commander - Detail Painting The Commander - Wash The Groundwork The Flak 38 Carving the Polyfoam Dirt and Turf The End
[Discussion]

GraphiteMar 8, 2007
The use of graphite has been a technique that’s been around for a while. An oldy but a goody you might say. You can buy graphite sticks at the art supply store or just use a pencil.

Rubbing a little graphite on certain areas gives them a bit of a metallic shine that looks remarkably like areas where the paint has worn off from repeated rubbing and use. Coupled with the reverse dry brushing described in the last chapter, you can get a nice representation of highly worn paint.

I used graphite on the suspension areas that were reverse dry brushed as well as on the bolt heads and other edges of the suspension. Also, I added it to the lifting eyelets, grab handles, and hatch edges.

But the secret is that ‘less is more’. Don’t over use this technique or the model with have too much shine and look wrong.

Up Next: Making Tracks


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