RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

I am at the beginning stages of my Aussie Cent, so I fully appreciate the work you have done. It also makes me thankful I chose a Haya! You had so much work to do, and persisted with the fine details. I cannot say I will be as diligent. Bravo!

Ecam wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:52 pm I said it when you built the cover originally, but your canvas work is an art itself. The repair looks great now, if you are going to improve it more.....wow!

Thank you. Creating a mantlet cover is a risky task, being right in front of the vehicle and that's usually the first thing people look at to see how the builder has managed the job. It's far from perfect but it does not look too bad.

Martin2556 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2023 10:44 pm I’ve been following your build, very impressive, looking forward to seeing it painted & finished.

Thank you for your interest. The Centurion is a large vehicle, one of the model i have built that required the most attention to painting and weathering.

Ad Lav wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 6:36 am Great looking tank and subject. Well done.

Thank you Adlav for your regular encouragements, always appreciated.

HERMAN BIX wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 7:18 am The level of research, achievement, methodology, execution, and improvisation almost wants this not to finish...........its such a pleasure to watch along.
And the beautiful background images of 'Hagenau' so early in the season leading to xmas is almost a good a viewing

Thank you Herman Bix, Two TONGDE complete rebuilds in sequence (M60 and Centurion) was a good way to spend 6 months of modelling. But it's time to finish.

Estnische wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2023 11:20 pm I am at the beginning stages of my Aussie Cent, so I fully appreciate the work you have done. It also makes me thankful I chose a Haya! You had so much work to do, and persisted with the fine details. I cannot say I will be as diligent. Bravo!

Thank you. Your Aussie Centurion will be beautiful. I am still thankful for TONGDE to bring cheap models to the market. For a rivet counter lime ne who performs a complete rebuild, it's a good base. I remember spending $2K in total for the creation of the Sho't Kal using a Ludwig base so doing a similar model now for about $500 (everything, including electronics) in total is a good deal.


Continuing with the build.

The painting.


After the enamel primer coat, the model was given a coat of Mig Ammo "MIG-0132 Real IDF Sand Grey 73". This was a no brainer for me. My late sho't Meteor would have been used in the Yom Kippour war in 1973 alongside converted Sho't Kals. The conversion was a long process. I think the color is pretty good.

Modellers of IDF tanks have to be really careful because IDF Centurion tanks changed color many times between 1967, 1973 and the 80s. Its not because a bottle says IDF on it that it can be used on any tanks. I think the various "IDF Grey" are the worst color for paint makers. Their offerings are not all good. Careful if you do not want your model to end up in some kind of pink or purple sand brown.

The model after painting but before weathering.


After the model was weathered with light applications of black and dark steel pigments in corners and raised areas, it was given a coat of Tamiya flat clear and brought outside in the sun for a photoshoot to check how things are.

Bringing the model in the sun for a close up photoshoot is totally unforgiving, it will highlight every problems, every little mistakes or imperfections but also show what is good. Small improvements can then be made. Keep in mind it also gives a more golden color depending on the weather and time of day.


Here is the model on its first photoshoot, highlights on details for inspection.


Continuing on following post.

That's it for now. Next step is the painting of the figures, installation and testing of the electronics.

Regards, Louis

Superb!

Great looking tank, subtle weathering has toned down the colour.

The decals are a nice touch, I painted mine by hand and have not done the number plate lettering yet.

Superb build as always Louis and expertly documented another of your models that I've bookmarked for future reference material

Cheers, Lee

Amazing. No words. What next, Sherman?

Simply Extraordinary.......................the Collins Dictionary of appropriate superlatives is almost out of gas!
I will admit that I am very glad & privileged to have you present your work here Mr Mcq11 and long may it continue.

Hello and thank you everyone,

The crew is painted, here is a final photoshoot with the crew. As mentioned in the build, these are FC Modeltrend Spanish civil war tank crews in very plain uniform with their heads modified to fit the US T-56 tank helmets.

3D printed figures are still not as good as resin, the level of detail is low, and they lack finesse. Printed lines are difficult to remove and small parts are hard but fragile. I am not a figure painted so this is a best effort with the time i was willing to put on. Still, they do the job of adding life to the model.

IDF uniforms had various colors over the years. After some research. it seems that IDF tank crews had olive drab uniforms in 1973, with the Khaki US T-56 tank helmets. Pictures of the time are mostly black and white so i had a hard time confirming anything. Probably because the IDF is calling reservists during war time, looks like anything from olive drab to light brown is realistic within the same tank crew. I gave the guys a couple of UZIs for close defence.