Hi, thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragements. I am really trying to honor this tank with a good looking 1/16 RC rendition.
Even though the ARVN markings are not very exciting, I chose to do an ARVN tank because they are probably the only ones that used it in combat, and I wanted a model with infantry riders in the field. I also find there are not enough Vietnam era vehicles so this was a chance to do one more. Doing a US Army tank would not have given me a lot of options. The most interesting deployment of US M41 was during the Seato exercises in Thailand in early 60s, with pictures mostly showing them running around or stuck in mud. All the other countries show them mostly in parades or modernized. Doing a reproduction of the ones shown in the movie Full Metal Jacket would have been interesting but knowing they were mimicking USMC M-48, it did not feel right.
In this post, I am showing the vehicle after 3 coats of OD enamel primer.
After the good wash and a first coat of primer, I spend 1 hour looking for issues to correct, such as gaps, scratches, glue residue and imperfections that could not be seen when the parts were white. This is the proper time to do it, it does not take long and it really helps with the final look. Then those areas a reworked, re-polished and made ready for the second coat.
![Capture.JPG (174.7 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73521&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
![Capture2.JPG (128.85 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73512&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
Overall view of the model after the 3rd coat of primer. It's getting better, and no more white stuff.
![Capture6.JPG (203.5 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73516&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
The nose of the production M41 turret is cast, while the rest of the armor are rolled steel plates. It is important to show the demarcation and the different feel on both sides of the weld connecting the two. The light cast effect on the nose was done with superglue applied directly on the part, then sanded a bit. Also noticed that I have sealed the joint with putty between the top and bottom parts. Yes, if something goes wrong with the electronics inside, I will have to crack open the turret and redo the painting there. But this is nothing compared to seeing the turret split in half for the next decades, in case something happens.
![Capture3.JPG (120.44 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73513&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
I am really becoming more and more unsure about the value of most 3D printed parts on the market. I feel the technology is not advanced enough for the demanding modeller. They are ok when looking from 6 feet away but I do not think they can be made to look good in close ups unless they have flat surfaces that can be sanded smooth with a lot of efforts. I think I will remove them and put back the Heng Long 6 Pin hubs... This is why I am hesitant to buy a OKMO model after seeing that all their details are not separated from the hull parts, making them very difficult to sand and polish.
![Capture4.JPG (101.25 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73514&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
I am happy with the driver's periscope and hatch.
![Capture5.JPG (117.15 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73515&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
It was important to ensure it does not show that the turret was previously cut in half. It looks pretty seamless. the new loader's hatch looks good.
![Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73517&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
- Capture7.JPG (92.48 KiB) Viewed 3570 times
![Capture8.JPG (116.19 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73518&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
Side armor look good and flat on both sides. But they need to remain imperfect like the real thing, with cuts and welding. This is no Ferrari.
![Capture9.JPG (108.98 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73519&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
The cupola extension looks good and round.
![Capture10.JPG (105.99 KiB) Viewed 3570 times Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog](./download/file.php?id=73520&t=1&sid=1ce42e0025adefdc0cee24f054f2e958)
- Priming of M41 Walker Bulldog
With this step behind me, the model is ready for the acrylic coats. It will be in a dark olive green. After that, there will be a long weathering phase as I await more parts of the crew and infantry.
Regards, Louis