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First model in 25 years

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  • Member since
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  • 57 posts
First model in 25 years
Posted by schief on Saturday, September 14, 2019 11:17 PM

I picked up this LifeLike kit for next to nothing at a train show awhile back. I have not built a kit in 25 years so it was a great way see what I could still do and try out some new stuff.  Some of the parts were missing but there were enough to get the basic stuff.  Also, I never weathered anything as a kid so I wanted to go full out and make it look abandoned just to try some things out.  It was also my first time using an airbrush.  Critiques and tips are welcome.

Thanks for looking!

oil depot

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, September 14, 2019 11:30 PM

Hi schief,

Pretty impressive! The weathering on the tank is done really well!

Bow

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by schief on Saturday, September 14, 2019 11:34 PM
Thank you. I had a lot of fun doing the tank on it. So much in fact I redid it a couple of times before settling on this :).
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Posted by SPSOT fan on Sunday, September 15, 2019 12:30 AM

Very nice! Looks to me like your still very much in practice after 20 years! There really is nothing I could tell you to improve! Keep up the good work!

Regards, Isaac

I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, September 15, 2019 12:49 AM

schief
I had a lot of fun doing the tank on it. So much in fact I redid it a couple of times before settling on this :).

Been there, done that! I think the turntable that I did for the club has at least six coats of paint on the pit floor!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaugh

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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Posted by schief on Sunday, September 15, 2019 1:11 AM

Thank you for the encouragement SPSOT.  The second model I am working on is not railroad related but a WW2 plane.  On that one I am going for a much more working order as opposed to weathered look and I must say the flaws are not as easy to hide, but that is for a different forum.

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Posted by rrebell on Sunday, September 15, 2019 1:48 PM

I have always given true answers when asked, which you did. With what you started with you did a fantastic job.

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Posted by jjdamnit on Sunday, September 15, 2019 4:07 PM

Hello All,

schief
The second model I am working on is not railroad related but a WW2 plane.

My first foray into modeling was 1/35 scale WWII models and dioramas.

The hobby shop that was nearest to my "after school guardian" and military model making mentor also had a HO scale layout in the basement.

The problem with military modeling, at the time, was that nothing moved.

I discovered the wonderful world of model railroading through this source.

Hope you post pics of your latest modeling endeavor even if it's not strictly model railroad related.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

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Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, September 15, 2019 4:19 PM

schief
...I picked up this LifeLike kit for next to nothing at a train show awhile back. I have not built a kit in 25 years so it was a great way see what I could still do and try out some new stuff. Some of the parts were missing but there were enough to get the basic stuff. Also, I never weathered anything as a kid so I wanted to go full out and make it look abandoned just to try some things out. It was also my first time using an airbrush. Critiques and tips are welcome.

I agree with the previous posters - very nicely-done.

schief
....The second model I am working on is not railroad related but a WW2 plane....

While I was interested in real airplanes and built several plastic models of them, building flying models was my father's hobby, and judging from the photos of ones he built, he was very good at it.

Wayne

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Posted by BNSF UP and others modeler on Sunday, September 15, 2019 4:53 PM

Very nice work! Seeing as though I have the same item, I don't suppose you would be willing to post a tutorial on how you did yours so I can fix mine up too?

I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.

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Posted by cowman on Sunday, September 15, 2019 6:52 PM

Very nice, the same kit was one of my first weathering projects, you weathered your tank more than I did.  The wooden structure is modeled a bit thick, but that's not our fault.  The one thing I might add, is to get some luminiscent nail polish and use it on the insulators.  I got a pale green and it makes them look like the old green glass insulators.

Have fun,

Richard

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Posted by schief on Sunday, September 15, 2019 7:36 PM

BNSF UP and others modeler

Very nice work! Seeing as though I have the same item, I don't suppose you would be willing to post a tutorial on how you did yours so I can fix mine up too?

 

Thank you BNSF.

 Unfortunately I do not have any in-process pictures to post.  I used acrylic paints (Tamiya and Model Master) and started with a base color and then dry brushed layers of a couple more colors to add some depth.  I bought a box of disposable plastic spoons to try combinations out on, I can't really remember what the final colors used were at this point.  I should start writing that stuff down for next time.

 The tank was molded in a horrible red color so I primed it and then airbrushed it with a base of white.  I repainted it a couple times after trying things and the grimy/mildewy color I settled on was really just a happy accident.   I was practicing airbrushing on some cardboard and stopped cleaning it between colors and that started coming out, so I used it.

 I have some Citadel washes I use for painting gaming minis and I got very liberal with those to add a lot of the weathered effect.  The rust was a weathering wash by Monroe Models.  I really like how it works.  I think it is basically a chalk pigment suspended in alcohol which allows the color to run and once the alcohol evaporates the pigment is left on the model.  It will wipe off if you handle the model too much so you may want to add a clear coat to seal it afterwards.  I did not do that though.  I have heard a clear coat can take away some of the color.  I was satisified with where it was so I just left it alone.

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Posted by schief on Sunday, September 15, 2019 7:41 PM

cowman
The one thing I might add, is to get some luminiscent nail polish and use it on the insulators.  I got a pale green and it makes them look like the old green glass insulators.

 

Thanks for the tip!  I have some of those insulators from the railroad that runs by my place.  My aunt somehow got some when they took the poles down years ago.  I meant to paint them on the model and didn't really have a color I liked.  I completely forgot about it until just now when you mentioned itWhistling

 

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Posted by schief on Sunday, September 15, 2019 7:46 PM
Thank you everyone for the feedback and for taking the time to look. I have lurked here for a bit and am in awe with a lot of the work I have seen posted. Compliments from you guys is encouraging indeed!
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 5:50 AM

I think it is great.

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Your skill with paint and finishing is what makes it look so good.

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I have stated over and over that only the top 1/64" of a model (paint) is what really counts. I want onoe of these now!

.

-Kevin

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Living the dream.

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Posted by schief on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 7:59 PM

SeeYou190
I have stated over and over that only the top 1/64" of a model (paint) is what really counts. I want onoe of these now!

Thank you for your comments.

 I think I agree with your philosophy.  When I was young, I would build kits of airplanes or buildings and would leave a lot of the molded parts the color that they were.  It said "MOLDED IN COLOR!!" on the box, so why would I need to paint it?

The day I decided to paint the blue molded airplane blue anyways was probably the biggest leap forward in modeling I ever made.

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