Northern Alliance (Afghanistan) T-55 by Gary Boggs

Tamiya 1:35th scale Northern Alliance (Afghanistan) T-55. Finished with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics, MIG pigments, various filters and oil washes, AK Interactive and MIG finishing products. Scratch-built handles, fuel line assemblies, and tarp. Airbrushed using an Iwata Neo and Iwata Eclipse.

Tamiya 1/48 BF109 E3 - Part III

Read Part I Here
Read Part II Here

Final pictures of the completed project. III JG.26, August 1940 - Major Adolf Galland

Read Part I Here
Read Part II Here

Tamiya 1/48 BF109 E3 - Part II

Read Part I Here
Read Part III Here

Two years ago I was inspired by the great collection of aircraft I had seen at Eagle Quest to start the build of the Tamiya BF109 E3. Unfortunately the inspiration didn't last long, and after building the cockpit she became a shelf queen.

A month ago I got her back out and decided to press on and finish, inspired once again from reading the book A Higher Call by Adam Makos. I didn't get a chance to blog the assembly of the kit other than the building of the cockpit in Part I - but here in Part II I cover the painting and decaling process.

 

After priming the plane with Tamiya white primer, I used Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black to outline and pre-shade all panel lines.

Using Model Master acrylic paints, I began applying the main colors, starting with RLM 65 Hellblau for the areas on the bottom of the aircraft and the sides. For this model, I shot all of my main colors with an Iwata at 20psi. I thinned my paints using Model Master acrylic thinner at a ratio of about 20% thinner to paint.

In the next step, I cut out masks using printer paper in order to be able to create a "soft" hard edge scheme, as I'm building the Adolf Galland version of the plane that comes in the box (same as the box art). The light color in the camo is Model Master RLM 02 Grau while the dark color is Model Master RLM 71 Dunkelgrun.

For all of the three base colors I have allowed the pre-shade to slightly show through (not too strong!) and I shot the middle of the panels with lightened versions of the base coat colors to begin a bit of a contrast/weathering effect. I kept both of these techniques to a minimum as this plane was still relatively new when it saw service.

After a coat of gloss using Future floor wax, I applied the decals over a three day period using a mix of decals supplied with the kit and decals from my aftermarket stash. Micro-Set and Micro-Sol were used to ensure snug decals without silvering.

Once the decals had a day to set, I re-applied future to lock them in and gave it another day to dry. Using MIG dark wash and MIG thinner for washes, I spent a few days bringing out all of the panel lines. This was allowed to dry then followed with Vallejo semi-gloss varnish thinned with Vallejo thinners (and with a drop of slow dry added to help avoid "white specks") shot through the Iwata at about 20psi.

I hope to complete the model this week and Part III will cover final assembly, weathering, and some shots of the finished result.

Read Part I Here
Read Part III Here
 

Befehlsjäger 38 Ausf.M by Gary Boggs

The 1:35 Dragon Smart Kit Befehlsjäger 38 Ausf.M (Marder III) by Gary Boggs was built mostly out of the box with the exception of interior items. The radio wiring is scratch-built as is the ammo rack frame. The model is painted with Tamiya acrylics (Dark Yellow, Red Brown, NATO Green), using an Iwata HP-CS for the base, and freehand with an Iwata High Performance HP-B for the camo.

Weathering was accomplished using a combination of MIG washes, oils, and pigments. The parts fit for the interior was a bit off in a few areas, but otherwise this was a good kit that could use some aftermarket interior goodies.

Syrian T-62 Mod.1972 by Gary Boggs

This is the 1/35th scale Trumpeter kit of the T-62 Mod.1972, built 90 % out of the box with added fuel lines and a bit of scratch work here and there - but no aftermarket kits or additions.

The model was painted using an Iwata airbrush and Tamiya acrylic paints. The model was washed and weathered with oils, MIG pigments, and AK Interactive products.

Gary Boggs - SMMI Feb. 2013

Update to the previous post of May 1, 2012.

DRMM is proud to announce that site contributor Gary Boggs and his Staghound have been published in the February, 2013 issue of Scale Military Modeller International. This is Gary's first time to have his extraordinary work published and I want to send him a huge congratulations - way to go Gary!

 

The Italeri Staghound Mk. 1 Late Version is modeled in the colors and markings of the Polish 2^nd Corps, Italy, 1944. The build was extremely fun and straightforward with only minor cleanup and minor fit issues. To increase the accuracy of the model, I added weld beads and casting marks, scratch built handles, tool support brackets, an antennae base, and replaced the kit gun barrels with a 37 mm and .30 cal from Barrel Depot.

Priming and base painting were done with an Iwata HP-CS using Vallejo primer, then a coat of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black. The base yellow is a 60/40 mix of XF-60 Dark Yellow and XF-4 Yellow Green. The green camo was then airbrushed freehand using an Iwata HP-B+ using XF-64 Nato Green. All paints were thinned with Tamiya Yellow Top Lacquer Thinner.

Next came a gloss coat to protect the camo from the weathering steps and to provide a good base for decals. After the decals were applied, the model was given a flat coat, chipping was applied, and several weathering steps ensued using oils and pigments.

Finally, some parts from the Legends Staghound stowage kit were painted and added to the model, along with some scratch built tarps and bed rolls made with Milliput. All detail painting was done using Vallejo acrylics.

To see the complete and detailed Armorama build log for this project, go here: http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=186850&page=1

Staghound Mk. 1 Late by Gary Boggs

The Italeri Staghound Mk. 1 Late Version is modeled in the colors and markings of the Polish 2^nd Corps, Italy, 1944. The build was extremely fun and straightforward with only minor cleanup and minor fit issues. To increase the accuracy of the model, I added weld beads and casting marks, scratch built handles, tool support brackets, an antennae base, and replaced the kit gun barrels with a 37 mm and .30 cal from Barrel Depot.

Priming and base painting were done with an Iwata HP-CS using Vallejo primer, then a coat of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black. The base yellow is a 60/40 mix of XF-60 Dark Yellow and XF-4 Yellow Green. The green camo was then airbrushed freehand using an Iwata HP-B+ using XF-64 Nato Green. All paints were thinned with Tamiya Yellow Top Lacquer Thinner.

Next came a gloss coat to protect the camo from the weathering steps and to provide a good base for decals. After the decals were applied, the model was given a flat coat, chipping was applied, and several weathering steps ensued using oils and pigments.

Finally, some parts from the Legends Staghound stowage kit were painted and added to the model, along with some scratch built tarps and bed rolls made with Milliput. All detail painting was done using Vallejo acrylics.

To see the complete and detailed Armorama build log for this project, go here: http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=186850&page=1