A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

This section is to 'show and tell' about any customizing or re-modeling you have done (or are doing) to a Heng Long tank.
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This section is for posting a build log of your Heng Long tank.
Questions relating to issues you are having with your tank(s) should be posted in the General Questions forum here: viewforum.php?f=14
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Jnewboy
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Location: California

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by Jnewboy »

Mud. Lets talk about how it looks, its thick, its earth, not just dirt, it has grass, bushes, wood etc.

Lets talk about how it dries, its wet and dark and as it dries up it becomes lighter and thinner like sand. It also piles up on its self with the newest wettest mud on top of old dry mud (light to dark).

I have used lots of products over the years and there are many to choose from. I really like doing mud in three shades, Light-Medium-Dark to do this I will use Tamiya Diorama Texture Paint (Light and Dark) and I will use Wet Ground by AK Interactive for the final wet mud.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Lots of Tracks

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
This stuff is approx $25 a bottle so we need to water it down in a cup where its mixed and then applied.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Next we mix some that is not diluted with water for the tank, Im using mostly the light with a little dark mixed in.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Its so light its hardly noticeable and thats exactly what you want!

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
make sure to get it in all the right places, as the track turns forward mud is slung up on the rear of the armor plates more than the front and lots in between.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Next is the mid tones which cover the light but not all the way, I basically dry-brush it on making sure not to cover all the light.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
A boot stamp is always fun to add a few muddy boot prints to the engine deck or other places.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Next I cut up some Woodland Scenics field grass and flock grass and an assortment of tiny sticks and organic debris.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Mix it well once added to my AK mud to give it an authentic texture.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Once mixed it it added to the top of the mid-tone but again I make sure I leave mid and light tones visible.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Add it to the tracks and the wheels, on the Henglong do a small section at a time then let it dry for 10 min and then move track around to ensure it is still flexible for RC use later.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
Also for RC use it must be hardened with a heatgun, this way it will survive the elements later and wont break or shatter from impacts. just be sure the gun is on low and you take your time and keep your distance. You dont want to effect the plastic below.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
The final result is undeniable and will catch your eye from across the room.

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr
A few more odds and ends and these two Tigers will be ready for their final pictures! :thumbup:
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Jimster
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Location: Illinois

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by Jimster »

Nice. I can almost smell the earthy mud.
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PainlessWolf
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Location: Southern Colorado Rocky Mountains

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by PainlessWolf »

Jnewboy!
Filthy Beasts Indeed! ;o)
regards,
Painless
...Here for the Dawn...
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HERMAN BIX
Brigadier
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Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:15 am
Location: Gold Coast,Australia

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by HERMAN BIX »

Great tutorial of how to do mud.
Product helps too by the looks.
Love the grungy finish of them :thumbup:
HL JAGDPANTHER,HL TIGER 1,HL PzIII MUNITIONSCHLEPPER, HL KT OCTOPUS,HL PANTHER ZU-FUSS,HL STuG III,HL T34/85 BEDSPRING,
HL PZIV MALTA,MATORRO JAGDTIGER,HL F05 TIGER,TAMIYA KT,HL PANTHERDOZER,HL EARLY PANTHER G,TAIGEN/RAMINATOR T34/76,
HL AN-BRI-RAM SU-85
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EAO
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Location: Central Missouri, U.S. of A.

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by EAO »

Simply awesome! Very realistic looking, I see you've thought this through very carefully! :D I definitely see TOTM in the near future! :thumbup:

Amazing!

Cheers,
Eric.
"You can always tell a German, you just can't tell him much." Anonymous.

German cars, German girls, German beer, German firearms, German Shepherds, German motorcycles... Not necessarily in that order though!

UP THE IRONS!
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Jnewboy
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Joined: Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:24 am
Location: California

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by Jnewboy »

Thanks for all the kind words! I do try to think things through to the end before starting as mistakes and missteps are sometimes difficult to fix. I appreciate the TOTM talk, I use to crank out a tank a month when I was younger, the last few years I have been lucky to do 2 a year. Hopefully Im getting better and not slower :haha:

More final pictures in "Show-off Forum" soon!

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr

Stay Thirsty My Friends! 8)
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EAO
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Location: Central Missouri, U.S. of A.

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by EAO »

Battered, scarred, filthy, and still attractive! :D Just the way I like them (no comments Mick)! :clap: :wave:

Simpy awesome!
Eric.
"You can always tell a German, you just can't tell him much." Anonymous.

German cars, German girls, German beer, German firearms, German Shepherds, German motorcycles... Not necessarily in that order though!

UP THE IRONS!
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Jnewboy
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Posts: 502
Joined: Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:24 am
Location: California

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by Jnewboy »

Here are some final pics of the two together, I will let you guys try to figure out which is which :P

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by jon newsom, on Flickr

More Final Pictures in Show-off
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Jimster
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Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by Jimster »

Nice! They look like professional movie miniatures.
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Jnewboy
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Joined: Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:24 am
Location: California

Re: A Tale of Two Tigers ~ Jnewboy Customs

Post by Jnewboy »

Jimster wrote:Nice! They look like professional movie miniatures.
I appreciate it Jim!

I always wanted to work for Industrial lights and Magic :haha:
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