T34/MG42 WRECK

[HERMAN BIX]

This one looks great already and will be awesome when finished. Your point on MIG paints was what until now made me hesitant to buy those. I would not want a premade scale/modulation paint. So I stick with Vallejo and it works until now. You have the basic tone/shade and you can decide for yourself how to scale/tinge it.

The set is right, Its just I dont have the skill to use it as it should be.
I will cover the lot in a dark wash anyway, so the light green will be subdued.

[HERMAN BIX]

Got some 4BO green on today...............rushing before the Crusaders played in the quarter final in the super Rugby series.
I did learn some things after doing my own version T34/85, but this "modulation" thingo ?.......i just cant get a handle on.
Ole mate MIG gives you 6 colour mixes, and I knew after last time that it ended up too light.
So, this time I stopped at 3.
To me it still looks too light.
Should be way darker, with light bits !
Sure, its going to get a weathering & dusting go-over, but its just not what I reckon it should be out of the box so to speak.

That first picture looks like exactly the same colour I did my T-34 in, so if that's what Mr. Jiminez says 4BO should look like then who am I to disagree?

I'm a bit hesitant with the modulation stuff too, I'm not convinced that it works as well at this scale as it does for smaller ones. I think it has a tendency, as you said, to make things a bit lighter than they should otherwise be. Our tanks are big enough where we don't have to fake lighting effects so much, they're almost at the size where they highlight and self-shadow themselves.

Oh you wont get me in a pissing contest with Mr J about whats right either !!
Once ive got the outside right, and the owner gets his crew in position, I can do the interior.
No point securing the Trumpeter interior bits if the crew wont fit.


Solid progress so far though, boss. Looking forward to seeing you get that interior assembled and installed!

I'm hoping the interior pixies help a bro out a bit !!

[HERMAN BIX]

Got a bit more done.
Learning as I go on the best way to get the look I want.
Made a texture coat out of weathering set, pastels and turps, added in a bit of rubber black to darken things.
Applied it to the necessary areas to give the impression of blistered paint and residue.
A light oxidisation to cover.
Gave the entire tank a wash of darkbrown, and once dry, another of tan for dusting.
Burnt the roadwheels & gave them a wipe over of white, then washed that in.
Im feeling a bit more confident with it now.
The effect is close to what I reckon a hulk would be like after a reasonable term exposed to the elements, without being there for years & going orange.
Lots to do yet, including the base.

How'd I do ?

[c.rainford73]

Absolutely stunning piece of armour Mr Herman Bix The color modulation and burn effect are incredibly well thought out.

A very realistic representation of a burned out tank hull

[Soeren]

Looks convincing to me so far. Maybe a bit of realy dark Browns intermixed with the Grey black here and there?

[Tiggr]

Looks great Mr B

The rust question is an interesting one - for example the Tiger 1 was made of a manganese steel (mostly RHA) which was rust resistant and also gave the steel a certain amount of elasticity which is why many AP shells bounced off the Tiger 1 - also one of the reasons the one on display in Normandy isn't a pile of rust.

On the other hand, T34s were produced in such large numbers, they were probably basic normal carbon steel, so would rust readily....

[Aussie]

Looks good to me , a great start.

[HERMAN BIX]

Absolutely stunning piece of armour Mr Herman Bix The color modulation and burn effect are incredibly well thought out.

A very realistic representation of a burned out tank hull

Thanks Mr Rainford..........its not without some trepidation I took this on.
One thing to experiment with your own gear, but another to make a promise & keep it on anothers behalf.
Sure, its 'only' a WSN..........but its not mine & I have been trusted to do a good job, so it may as well be a Tamiya to me.
I am glad I quit while I was ahead so to speak...........the modulation trick is harder than it looks.
Another consideration is the guy that this is for is not really a 'dirty tank guy' so this is a leap of faith for him too.
One thing I may try is actually burning a load of paper soaked in diesel, then stuffing the interior full of it once its burned itself out.
The smell should add to the over all scene, even if only for long enough for his Mrs to shove it in the garage when hes at work on day 1

[HERMAN BIX]

Looks convincing to me so far. Maybe a bit of realy dark Browns intermixed with the Grey black here and there?

Fair call mate. I will give your recipe a bit of a go on a left over I have with the same stuff on it & see
Im still learning this thing, thats for sure.

[HERMAN BIX]

Looks great Mr B

The rust question is an interesting one - for example the Tiger 1 was made of a manganese steel (mostly RHA) which was rust resistant and also gave the steel a certain amount of elasticity which is why many AP shells bounced off the Tiger 1 - also one of the reasons the one on display in Normandy isn't a pile of rust.

On the other hand, T34s were produced in such large numbers, they were probably basic normal carbon steel, so would rust readily....

I agree having seen the Tiger suffering in the outdoors in Vimoutiers, and the Panthers in Hoffalize & Grandmesnil.........no rust in them at all that can be considered armour.
I'm no expert on Soviet metallurgy, but they still must have some level of nickle & other elements to make it armour, not just steel.
The heat from an ammo explosion & subsequent diesel fire would have been spectacular (turrets blowing off etc) but compared to a petrol detonation and ammo cook off............a bit of a fizzer Im thinking.
The famous Cologne Panther footage and aftermath pics seem to show a much more intense effect of heat on steel.