RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Are you sure you are not photographing the real thing and passing it off as a model?

On AFVs I, too, have not been satisfied with a "wash" technique (ready-made wash or not), although a "filter" has worked for me. (However, I do use burnt umber, raw sienna, or raw sienna oils as a washes on figures.). I have used powdered pastels on train stuff, especially buildings. So I might try you trick on a tank.
Decal setters have been around for a long time. I use them for almost all decals and always gloss the surface first. Once in a while I've had decals disintegrate when I use a setting solution. Of course, the decals never tell me ahead of time that the will fizzle into pieces.

lmcq11 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 9:31 pm Thank you everyone,
The Bradley is quite a fascinating vehicle. Overweight with tons of add-ons, very complex in term of shape, features, equipment, armor and weapons. It will be interesting to see how it performs in Ukraine soon against the Russians.

If you or others haven't seen "The Pentagon Wars" already I suggest it for sure- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/?r ... g_t_90_act

Thank you everyone,

With the following posts, the build is completed.

The next step was for the tracks


As shown on this picture of a real vehicle, i decided to recreate the Bradley "Big Foot" tracks that feature the larger rubber pads than earlier versions. The pads are usually shown very worn out.

The plastic Sherman tracks coming with the kit were earlier discarded. The "Early" Bradley/MLRS 1/16 metal tracks provided by AFV_Model of Germany need modifications. The pre-formed anchor for the early pads were filled with a 1mm plasticard strip shaped to fill the hole. They were previously painted with black metal paint.

Rubber pads were recreated in 1mm rubber sheet. The square pads were glued to each link, and then cut to match the Big Foot pattern.


The new Big Foot tracks shown before weathering.


The Big foot metal and rubber tracks were weathered, first by sanding the rubber pads to show some wear, and then the metal was given a track rust oil wash. I was not satisfied with the wash that is usually for static models. I had to apply a coat of flat varnish to the track to stabilize the coloring and the weathering. I do not think it will last long after some use, but it looks good for now.

The tracks are now installed on the model. Although not entirely perfect, the tracks can be considered accurate for a 1/16 Bradley scale model... Considering the alternatives, i am happy with the results of the modifications.

A spare track link was mounted on the front of the vehicle with two brackets as shown in references.


I brought the model outside for a photo shoot in the sun, which provide a more accurate view of the color of the model compared to inside light which was making the model look darker.


Front lights


Main gun flash



Coax machine gun flash


Interior view of the model, this time with the tracks on.


The US tank commander figure sold by DKLM was painted and put on the turret. I am not really a figure painter, so it is a best effort...

Exterior photoshoot with some clouds.


Its time to relax now with my verandah buddy Platon, who is sometimes watching me with limited interest while taking his afternoon nap.

Oh well, this is it, the build is finished. I must admit this was a complicated, stressful and tiring build.

The next built of a USMC M-60A1 tank will be easier, i hope.

Thank you everyone for watching and for your encouragements.

Regards, Louis

Holy Moly what a cool build! Thanks for sharing so much with us, you must be very proud!

Agreed...great build.

"The next built of a USMC M-60A1 tank." However are you going to top this build, Louis? ( Πλάτων looks like he just survived The Symposium as the last one awake.)