Just a few shots of the prepping of the upper...so it can be mated with the proper superstructure...
I debated.... to use pre fab diamond plate ...the stuff looks ok...but for some reason I wanted to try something different
what I found to give a result that comes very similar to the stock pattern
More Prepping.... I forgot to mention this is a Panzer III upper Hull....for this mod it is more suitable ...the checkering is to replicate the original style of
diamond plate after removing the molded on tools and plugging the holes
More pictures
No more Shovel
Even though the kit I am using included the engine access hatch bulkhead...the casting was not only warped but poorly done...I think some of you remember this
kit....it is the bogus asiatam / profiline recasted kit...the resin on this cannot be bent like the good stuff...so trying to repair the part was out of the question...better to
use the stock Heng Long provision ...checker out the groves for better definition and get rid of the incorrectly placed hinges
Most of you also know I don't like to use fillers...holes were filled with sprue ...the three square holes that the driver's glacias armor plate filled with plastic cut to the appropriate size...sanded...you can't even tell the holes were even there...the way I like
Dietrich wrote:OK Alpha..you got me interested please explain the ...technique is called "Checkering" ..........it looks like scoring the plastic with a tool..
Greetings Big "D"....I think you've got the basic Idea.... you know I'm not much on explaining...remember the Mandrels
The checkering tools I had in my other life were like thread files, different profiles designed to place very fine diamond raised grip surfaces on wooden rifle stocks. The classic stock style was 'Monte Carlo' with a well defined palm swell and ornate checkering in usually a walnut stock.
Can say in a million years I never thought to use them to recreate tread plate on a German combat vehicle !!
shaun
DECALS??????????????????????????????? 
