Tiger 412 - s.pz.abt 506 - Ardennes Offensive

[grim_marmazet]

Some more pictures! I've been working hard.

I've added all the markings now, and faded the paintwork to give it a worn look. I've added some kill rings to the barrel end;


I attempted to create stencils for the turret numbers, but they didn't come out well after painting. I had to go over them and clean them up by hand. I quite like the effect though, it makes them look like they were applied by brushes or rags in the field;


The balkenkreuz are Peddinghaus stencils;


I added numbers to the rear of the turret bin as well. The white cross is the unit marking for s.pz.abt 506, used from the end of '44 onwards, to replace the lion & W symbol;


Finally, I added the decals to the fire extinguisher;


It still looks 'factory fresh' at the moment. I faded the markings with a very diluted base yellow. Everything will blend in better once the filters are on.

Hopefully i'll be able to show you all my experiment with permenantly muddy, but useable, tracks.

Cheers,
Rik

[septon]

looking great Rik are you going to do a crew for it

paul

[grim_marmazet]

Thanks for the comments. I do plan on adding a crew and diorama base eventually. I want to finish some other projects first though. I have so much left to do on the painting of this Tiger. The Mig FAQ book has been invaluable to helping me, as I didn't really have a clue on what order or techniques to use.

I've come up with a way to have the tracks look nice and dirty, but still be able to run them. I'll post a How-to once i've taken the pictures.

Cheers,
Rik

[Ad Lav]

Stunning, you're doing a great job!

[grim_marmazet]

I have a few teaser pics for you guys. Sorry I didn't show more 'in-progress' pictures. I got sort of carried away being so close to it being finished, and I forgot to take them.

First up we have MUD!!




The mud was made with varying shades of MIG pigments mixed with water, plaster powder and MIG acrylic resin. I had to be careful not to obstruct the movement of the wheels or suspension, but it gives it a nice dirty look. I still have a light layer to add that has some static grass and a bit of sand to add a clumpy texture to the edges.

Here a few 'nearly finished' shots as well.




These give you and idea of the paint chips and rust effects i've added. I wanted this to be a battered and bruised Tiger, who's seen a lot of action. I still need to add the dusting and stowage, but its on the verge of being finished.

I should have the last bits done this week. I'm going to make some bed rolls, and tarpaulins out of old t-shirts and bits of material, with making tape straps. I don't want a lot of stowage. I have a few jerry cans to paint and mount as well. Then the Tiger is done. I'll post plenty of pics in Show Off when its ready.

Cheers guys,
Rik

[xrad]

Wow...this is an awsome model! Great effects!

[littletankman]

Hi Rik,
Now thats excelent mate it realy is. As for the weathering my Stugs ot so old being produced in 1944 so not as batered . But Im realy impressed mate. The rolled steel efect is very good . Im going to do that on my Pz.IV which Im starting next as its a late version.

Andy

[[ICE]monkey]

a big pat on the back mate, she realy is a credit to you, makes me want to stip my tiger1 again, but must finish my tigerII and the pIII
all the best, ice

[Shi-So]

Excelent paint and surface!!!
In first time i think, that is real and no model.....)

[grim_marmazet]

Thank you all for your kind comments. Its been a very good learning experience, and a good jump back into modelling.

I have a few more pics for today. I have added a dusting layer. It went on a bit thicker than I wanted in some places, but the end result looks ok.



I used MIG Productions Oil and Grease Stain Mixture to add some leaking oil to the wheels. This stuff is excellent and I also used it to represent spilt fuel on the engine deck.


I scratched up some tarpaulins from an old pair of combats, and some string dyed in hemp paint.


And lastly I touched up the shell impacts. These were first painted with Gunze Mr.Metal Colour Steel and pollished with tissue, then I added the faintest hint of Black Smoke pigment. I still need to seal it in with some matt varnish, but I like the effect.



Im going to add some textured mud to the edges tomorrow hopefully, then seal the pigments on the shell impacts. After that I just need to get a few more jerry cans, and a couple of bed rolls for the upper deck and a eimer bucket to hang on the back, and I really am finished.

At some point later, i'll add a crew, and a diorama base for it to sit on, but for now i'm going to leave it as is, and move on to new projects.
I hope you guys have enjoyed my build.

Cheers,
Rik