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M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2024 4:00 pm
by Model Builder 4
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2024 4:17 pm
by Ecam
Fantastic! I tried a Milliput sand bag when Frankie showed some, I failed... Yours are sensational!
Glad you started a build thread, I'm guessing with yours and the other inbound Stuarts, you'll have a separate category soon.
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2024 4:40 pm
by Model Builder 4
Thank you Ecam, I too remember the one's Frankie made, in fact I still have a set that he made for me for my Sherman, that's where I got the idea from for these one's
There's no secret to making them really, I covered the front of the tank with cello wrap or clingfilm here in the UK to stop the milliput sticking to the tank, I then made some round milliput balls and squished them flat until they were in the general shape that I wanted adding seam lines etc with the aid of a small screwdriver. Once happy with the shape I placed them onto the tank and tried manipulating them into natural positions where they would sag over each other and the tank furniture, when all were in place and looked reasonably authentic I let them harden before removing the whole piece from the tank and taking the wrap off, then it's ready for painting
Cheers,Lee.
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2024 4:54 pm
by Kaczor
It was a bull's eye on Coolbank's part, it will sell like hot cakes.
PS. Beautiful sandbags.
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2024 5:14 pm
by Ecam
Model Builder 4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2024 4:40 pm
Thank you Ecam, I too remember the one's Frankie made, in fact I still have a set that he made for me for my Sherman, that's where I got the idea from for these one's
There's no secret to making them really, I covered the front of the tank with cello wrap or clingfilm here in the UK to stop the milliput sticking to the tank, I then made some round milliput balls and squished them flat until they were in the general shape that I wanted adding seam lines etc with the aid of a small screwdriver. Once happy with the shape I placed them onto the tank and tried manipulating them into natural positions where they would sag over each other and the tank furniture, when all were in place and looked reasonably authentic I let them harden before removing the whole piece from the tank and taking the wrap off, then it's ready for painting
Cheers,Lee.
Easy enough.. I'll give it a try again. During a high surf storm in the San Diego area, I did get some first hand experience with about a thousand sand bags. Luck on my side I was asked to hot wire and run the nearby front loader... Owner of the beach property and loader showed up later and thanked us all (fed us and gave me the key to the loader).
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2024 5:53 pm
by Herr Dr. Professor
I like the figures and would be interested to know your source. I also have two suggestions for quick improvements---and that's a compliment---because I think the figures are good enough for a final touch! (I sure would be happy with them.)
1) Take the exact color you used below and above the eyes and nick off the top and bottom of the eyeballs.
2) If the figures are covered in a flat enamel or acrylic (such as Testor's DullCote) take some burnt sienna or burnt umber oil paint, thin it quite a bit, and use it as a wash over the figure. This adds depth and a bit of the "been out in the weather and dirt" look.
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2024 7:01 pm
by Model Builder 4
Hello professor,
The figures came as a set from Aliexpress and were very reasonably priced
The wash is going to be the next step, I only painted the figures this morning so I'll wait for them to fully dry before moving on with them
Cheers,Lee.
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 11:56 am
by Kaczor
Stuarts have a separate build section from now on
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 2:46 pm
by ColemanCollector
I'm not a big figures in a tank guy, but they do seem necessary on a Stuart to give people an idea how tiny the tank is in real life.
Mike.
Re: M5A1 stuart build log!
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 9:02 pm
by tankme
It is definitely a small tank. We had one in the museum that actually ran. They are a very quite tank also unless you open the rear doors. Those dual flathead Caddy V8s sounded sweet when they started up. While tank was moving, all you really heard was the clanking of the guide teeth:
