FUTURE SHOCK..SAUNDERS M1A2 ABRAMS

[greengiant]

The anti slip is best done the way I did it but finding something fine enough to shake on the wet paint is hard. The fine sand I used is really to rough. I used to have access to some super finely ground volcanic pumice that would have been perfect and I knew I had a bag of it somewhere but I hadn't been able to find it when I did mine. Now that I found it it's to late.
The copula comes off easy using a fine long tipped exacto type blade hot knife. You just need a steady hand. I think I showed how to do it in my build thread.

[ALPHA]

The anti slip is best done the way I did it but finding something fine enough to shake on the wet paint is hard. The fine sand I used is really to rough. I used to have access to some super finely ground volcanic pumice that would have been perfect and I knew I had a bag of it somewhere but I hadn't been able to find it when I did mine. Now that I found it it's to late.
The copula comes off easy using a fine long tipped exacto type blade hot knife. You just need a steady hand. I think I showed how to do it in my build thread.

Rustolium used to make a really nice fine texture paint...the grain was similar to that of a K pot really good stuff...just don't know why retailers here stopped carrying it
You would have laughed your tush off if you watched me go at that cupola I hit it with a power chisel with no effect...that HL glue monkey definitely had his day yesterday lol....think I have it figured out though...since there is a "must do" mod to suit the GUP genre...but I decided to wait till later...and went to town on the gunner's shield
Really enjoying this build....I wouldn't say it's easy...as it does have it's challenges....I think it's because almost all the details have to be built from scratch...that's something I haven't done in a long time...not like this anyway

ALPHA

[jackalope]

Use "N" scale sand mixed with the paint it'll look perfect. It's by woodland scenics and can be had at most train hobby shops. It's very very fine sand, almost dust.

[greengiant]

The gunners and commanders shields were first used on the tusk version of the M1A2. Not all the SEPV2 got them installed but the SEPv2 all have them.
They do add a special multifunctional look to the Abrams that I don't think most other modern main battle tanks don't have.
Jackalope is right about the scenic sand being small enough but I don't know if adding it to a base paint coat and brushing it on or sprinkling it on a wet base coat of paint and then over spaying it would look better. The real ones are roller painted with the nonslip surface as can be seen on any close up pic of the real coating.

[jackalope]

Wet paint. Sprinkle on sand, air brush afterwards. Effect should be perfect.

[greengiant]

That sounds like the best way to get the result.

[ALPHA]

Use "N" scale sand mixed with the paint it'll look perfect. It's by woodland scenics and can be had at most train hobby shops. It's very very fine sand, almost dust.

Wet paint. Sprinkle on sand, air brush afterwards. Effect should be perfect.

That sounds like the best way to get the result.

Thanks guys ...If I did go textured...I was going to grab a trick I used when I did 1/35th scale models....that would be wet the deck...and sprinkle plaster of paris or sifted concrete powder....it works...but as I recall...was very messy ...if I was really desperate to do texture...there is always Plan Z....fake HO scale grass...

Think I'll stick with smooth for now...I really like the "lines" of the M1...texturing might be a little too much

Thanks again for the tips

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

The gunners and commanders shields were first used on the tusk version of the M1A2. Not all the SEPV2 got them but the SEPv3 all have them.
They do add a special multifunctional look to the Abrams that I don't think most other modern main battle tanks don't have.

The gun shield is mostly for looks....for in the World of GIRLS UND PANZER...they don't really have machine guns on deck ...no ground troops to deal with lol...the thing that's kind of nice about the M1 that I noticed...the guns are often taken off...leaving only the supports....the shield is a nice ornament...better than the plain support reason I chose that feature for my build ...won't be doing the application for the com unit...steals away from the figure

Jackalope is right about the scenic sand being small enough but I don't know if adding it to a base paint coat and brushing it on or sprinkling it on a wet base coat of paint and then over spaying it would look better. The real ones are roller painted with the nonslip surface as can be seen on any close up pic of the real coating.

Too lazy to do that ...hate cleaning up after the process ...I remember laying out layers of paper to catch the residual ...another solution would be what I do with my other tanks...that would be to stipple tacky paint ...works great...we'll see...haven't really reached that point yet...paint work is still in it's planning stages
Still have a bunch of handles to make....repositioning of the com cupola and fabrication of the gun mount....so will probably give a quick review of your build Giant...before final application of paint


Thanks again

ALPHA

PS...Still have to experiment with the guard material as well

[PainlessWolf]

Alpha,
The M1 Abrams has enough flat surfaces and space so that you could do the texturing the authentic way. Mix up the paint with Jack's N' Scale sand and use one of those very small, fine detail rollers and pans. Instant and authentic.
regards,
Painless

[ALPHA]

Alpha,
The M1 Abrams has enough flat surfaces and space so that you could do the texturing the authentic way. Mix up the paint with Jack's N' Scale sand and use one of those very small, fine detail rollers and pans. Instant and authentic.
regards,
Painless

It's something I will definitely give some thought to Painless...Maybe after the first coat of paint...the large open spaces is kind of what I like about the "lines" of this tank...but if it does come to pass that the texturing adds some dimension to that...it might be well worth the effort

Think you will like one if you got one Painless...with your eye for the little details...well...you could go Hog wild on this baby

ALPHA

PS. When you are ready...let me know...this seller is really good I got mine in less than a week from Cali...you'd probably get it in days
Surprisingly Sass...who is not a modern tank guy ...showed interest..said he might get one too
Reason I don't post his ID ...is he doesn't do global