Here is the build thread for my first tank. It is nothing special. (It is to me!) I am a complete noob. But I wanted to show you anyway.
It is not finished yet, nor is it perfect because initally I decided I just wanted to learn how to airbrush etc. I now know that I should have changed a few things but Im not going to worry too much as this will be my first build. In some ways, it is a research project designed to let me learn as much as I can about the tanks whilst breaking, playing and painting them.
So please be gentle. This is my first go! Thanks for looking.
Initially, I looked at the weathering tips and tricks forum. Many of the things I have tried have previously been demonstrated far better in that forum but I had to have a go anyway!
Firstly, I added a vallejo black undercoat to the tank. Although, this was compicated further as one of first the problems I had was that I had never stripped a tank down before, so it was a bit worrying at first. I undid the turret and then cut the wires that controlled the turret. ( I figured I could learn to solder them back together!)
So I was going to paint the tank but what to use. Brush or airbrush? Questions, questions. I decided on an airbrush and I havent looked back since. It was a very good idea to get one.
So I sprayed the tank black all over. Three or four thin coats.
When that was finished and I had to let it dry for about 24 hours ( this was recommended in the weathering posts) It seems to dry nice and even. I thinned it down with windolene, and used an old plastic syringe to try and use equal measures.
After the undercoat, I mixed up my own dark german gray. By this stage, I had decided that I was going to try for a Russian winter themed tank. I hadn't yet decided on a regiment or unit but I definately wanted to try a winter camoflaged tiger tank.
I think at this stage, a lack of knowledge certainly helped as I just plodded along without more foresight. More of that later.
In order to get a good idea of what was possible I started looking around the web for an image or a model of a winter orientated tiger!
I found this:
This is a dragon model. It seems quite accurate (although Im sure someone will find something missing or wrong
) I ordered one from flea bay and it is a nice little model so I decided to use that as a base idea of what I was trying to achieve.
Following on from the weathering posts, I realised that I should probarbly paint the tiger field or dark grey first, and then add the winter colours afterwards. I was tempted to just spray the tank white and then add the grey ontop. But now that I have painted the tank using grey first, I doubt it would have looked how I wanted it to had I used the white first.
The dragon model had an interesting camoflage and the grey that was underneath the white was quite dark; hence I mixed up my own. I hadn't done this at all before so I went a bit mad and mixed up enough for a whole tiger company...
I still have a bottle of pre mixed dark grey for other projects! 
Oops!
Using the airbrush, I covered the tank in 4 coats of thin but dark grey. I was getting the hang of the airbrush by now and asking lots of questions in the forums. Sorry to all those people I pester with questions.
Here is the tank and how it looks! Also, there is a good picture of my airbrush which I am very pleased with.
Sorry for the crap iphone quality of the pictures! I should have used a better camera!
So I finished the grey and let it settle and now the nerves began to start. I was quite pleased with it up to this point but didnt want to ruin it.
I decided to wack on a few coats of gloss vallejo varnish and then waited. I was worried about doing the camo as I had never done anything like it before.
Anyway, I found my nerve and then cracked on with some hopeful spraying.
I decided that a straight brillant white would be too bright, and perhaps a little unrealistic, si I decided to aim for a dirty but honest look.
I also wanted to try and paint a mottled steel if I could. I'm not sure if this explains it correctly but I wanted a sort of mottled effect.
Anyway, here is the pics:
I was pleased with the look of the tank now,and even though it was not quite as white as the dragon model, I thought it looked ok for a first attempt!
During this time, I also painted the wheels and weathered the tank a little more as well. I then coated the whole thing in matt varnish. Again, I used Vallejo, it seems fine to me. I had no clouding issues at all. And I thought it was quite cheap.
I know there are a few technical errors which need correcting to be historically accurate but what the heck, I just wanted to learn how to do it all!
he he.
Anyway, here is a pic of the wheels!
By this stage, I was enjoying! I still to do a few washes but generally I am happy with the look of the tank.
I decided to buy another tank which had metal tracks and gearboxs and transfer them all onto this tank.
First, I stained them all with casey black as per the track thread. This worked well and I was very happy with the deep dark black that came out.
I let them dry and then added all the bits to the tank.
The tracks are a nice dark colour but have weathered nicely whilst using them on the gravel outside in the garden. The black is not as uniform now so it is beginning to look more natural.
The colour of the tank appears a bit lighter when the beast is outside and I generally happy with the paint now; albeit I have lots of other bits to do on the tank. I am,currently working on an early rear panel with the early exhaust systems and also tool boxes etc. I will update the thread shortly when I have completed those areas.
Anyway, I wanted to thank everyone for all the great ideas on the forum. I really enjoy tanks. Wierd but true!
I took it outside for its first run today, and within a few minutes it threw a track straight away!
Typical!
I am quite pleased by how much I had learnt by doing everything myself. I have never had anything RC before so it is all new to me.
Currently, I am working on the electrical side of the tank, and also on upgraded the smoker's etc.
Anyway, thanks for having a look! Hope the thread was of some interest.
Cheers Mark
AKA dsvirus.
