After futzing with different loops, threads, hooks and chains from the tickle trunk, settled on this.
Ref photo had no hook, just looked weird on the model.
Ref photo had no hook, just looked weird on the model.
M6 Gun Motor Carriage WC-55 2025-06
- Thread starter BarleyBop
- Start date
The windscreen wouldn't fold down right to the hood, the putty canvas cover was hitting the hood panel hinge down the middle, do I routed out a channel and it now fits fine.
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Jakko
Well-Known Member
That's one you could have seen coming 
If you sculpt something like this, always make sure you put it in place before the putty hardens, to ensure it will actually fit where it's supposed to (You can prevent the putty from sticking to the rest of the model by putting a bit of kitchen foil there first.)
If you sculpt something like this, always make sure you put it in place before the putty hardens, to ensure it will actually fit where it's supposed to (You can prevent the putty from sticking to the rest of the model by putting a bit of kitchen foil there first.)
Slow but steady, starting to come together
... will have to think about decals soon, perhaps before getting the rest of stowage and gear on...
... will have to think about decals soon, perhaps before getting the rest of stowage and gear on...
So looking very closely at ref photos... I now realize that the kit makers didn't do the same.
The fold down windscreen and pivots are so bulky, that it leaves no room for the rifle scabbards either side. They just expect you to lean them there what would be close to a 6" away from the body of the vehicle at 1:1!
,,,a few things are evident, now that I'm more familiar with it, from this and other period photos:
...see what I mean!
I've removed the mirror, and you can see where it had been positioned.
I suppose I'll just have to approximate placement given there are too many discrepancies to address with the kit, especially at this point.
And it looks like I'll have to fix the can holder as it has popped out. Never rains but it pours.
The fold down windscreen and pivots are so bulky, that it leaves no room for the rifle scabbards either side. They just expect you to lean them there what would be close to a 6" away from the body of the vehicle at 1:1!
,,,a few things are evident, now that I'm more familiar with it, from this and other period photos:
- the mirror base is back of pivot point of windscreen
- there are special brackets attached to take scabbard strap
- there is room between the pivot point and the hood for the scabbard
- the jerrycan holder overhangs the running board
...see what I mean!
I've removed the mirror, and you can see where it had been positioned.
I suppose I'll just have to approximate placement given there are too many discrepancies to address with the kit, especially at this point.
And it looks like I'll have to fix the can holder as it has popped out. Never rains but it pours.
Look, and ye shall find...
– yet more muckups!
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Bob T
Well-Known Member
I really like the subtle way you weathered the tires. Did you use oils? Care to share your technic?
locomotive
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2025
- Messages
- 337
That's looking great. It has a real "presence" about it. A bit of heft.
The chain is perfect too. A lucky find!
The chain is perfect too. A lucky find!
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Steve Ski
Well-Known Member
Lookin great, Barley!!!!!
Thanks guys, it does have a bit of heft... which I'm always looking to attempt given it is essentially a few ounces of plastic!
The environmental and wear weathering still to come, along with crew applied camo.
With tires, I've been changing it up over the years.
This time, I set out to give them a slightly used, sitting in the truck pool sort of look, which will get 'location' weathered along with the truck later.
@Bob T Initially, priming the assembled wheels was with Vallejo black primer (not shown)
A few weeks later, applying the AK Rubber Black. I like the way it goes on, but it is on the grey side, which can be fine depending on context.
For this vehicle, I thought it needed to be a bit darker, so I used the Vallejo Wash.
For that 'parking lot' look, I gently applied Light Sand Tamiya weathering, mostly on the tread with the sponge applicator, then brushing excess over the walls.
The environmental and wear weathering still to come, along with crew applied camo.
With tires, I've been changing it up over the years.
This time, I set out to give them a slightly used, sitting in the truck pool sort of look, which will get 'location' weathered along with the truck later.
@Bob T Initially, priming the assembled wheels was with Vallejo black primer (not shown)
A few weeks later, applying the AK Rubber Black. I like the way it goes on, but it is on the grey side, which can be fine depending on context.
For this vehicle, I thought it needed to be a bit darker, so I used the Vallejo Wash.
For that 'parking lot' look, I gently applied Light Sand Tamiya weathering, mostly on the tread with the sponge applicator, then brushing excess over the walls.
Jantk14
Well-Known Member
What is that weathering master stuff? Is it some kind of dust? And you applied the wash, did you just brush it on and let it dry?
The Tamiya stuff is almost pastel/greasy consistency, their applicator has a sponge end and a brush end. It goes on kinda like drybrushing. Using the sponge you hit the high spots, using the brush you get the dust into the crevices. They have a number of sets. Also great for adding grime and highlights to figures! I love their titanium colour applied sparingly on edges to add metal feel.
I haven't learned to layer 'washes' with an airbrush (early days with that thing), so it's all brush. It goes on thin, I let it dry (or encourage it with a hair dryer)... then another coat if required. So in this case, because it is black and I'm using it to 'modify' the underlying colour, I guess I'm using it more as a 'filter'.
When in doubt, I always try it on a mule first. You don't always get the effect you'd imagined!
Jantk14
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I'm always looking for things that could help my weathering.
Worked on that a bit last night, filled in the locating hole for the side mirror, and promptly drilled another one!
Then placed the mirror.
Once the putty dries, smooth sanding, scabbard brackets and paint.
Added some shadow and highlights to the stowage, started adding ropes... Buckles to paint, and weathering to come.
There a few decals to place, maybe this evening.
You can see that the scabbards have been relieved of their straps: they will need repainting and strap placement will be different to accomodate the brackets I've fabricated for mounting.
That should be interesting!
...mirror moved, body patched, brackets attached, leather belt strap threaded.
It was fortuitous that the belt once removed from the scabbard, was still usable
... Nice when things work out.
It was fortuitous that the belt once removed from the scabbard, was still usable
... Nice when things work out.
Rear gate stowage on...
Scabbard attachment on MG side
Haha, that's gonna need a good dusting!
Scabbard attachment on MG side
Haha, that's gonna need a good dusting!
Jakko
Well-Known Member
Looking very good I would put more thread around the stowage on the tailgate, though — as it is, one bump in the road and the whole lot would come tumbling off. Upward along the side of the jerrycan and then under/through its handles seems like a good start.
I would put more thread around the stowage on the tailgate, though — as it is, one bump in the road and the whole lot would come tumbling off. Upward along the side of the jerrycan and then under/through its handles seems like a good start.
Wouldn't want that! Carpet Monster fed well enough as it is...
Steve Ski
Well-Known Member
Ruck On, Bby!
Some strap & rope painting to go...
Hanging stuff from the rope along the top doesn't look too bad!
Better than I'd hoped for!
Hanging stuff from the rope along the top doesn't look too bad!
Better than I'd hoped for!
Jakko
Well-Known Member
I suppose they strapped all that crap to the shield in the hope that it would break up the sharp outline a little.
Who knows... The Yanks, now under Patton at El Guettar, must've been looking for anything helpful after their terrible showing at Kesserine Pass just a month earlier.
And they would now have been well aware that the 37mm gun was undersized for the job.
Apparently, the gun fared much better in the Pacific against the relatively light Japanese armour.
Jakko
Well-Known Member
That's not overly surprising Japanese tank armour was better than Italian, which is not exactly saying much … That, BTW, is also why the British sent their obsolete (by North African and European standards) M3 medium tanks to Burma, and why the Australians kept using Matildas until the end of the war.
Japanese tank armour was better than Italian, which is not exactly saying much … That, BTW, is also why the British sent their obsolete (by North African and European standards) M3 medium tanks to Burma, and why the Australians kept using Matildas until the end of the war.
... Had to see if the lads still fit!
Still lotsa painting, faces, camo and weathering to come.
Had to shorten the shovels to fit with all the other stuff in there!
Still lotsa painting, faces, camo and weathering to come.
Had to shorten the shovels to fit with all the other stuff in there!
That looks great! What did you use for the rope? I'm going to be "making" rope for a tank build and was planning on using thread coated in glue and painted.
I have different thread collected over the years... Some 'braided' string in assorted sizes... Some 'scale' rope from accessory vendors... And some rigging and hawser meant for model ships.
Depending on the size, and the tightness of the braid, it can serve as rope, or steel cable for a winch.
"Collected over the years" being the operative concept here: as I built more kits, I started keeping an eye out for household stuff like gauze for netting, thin wire from twist ties, appliance cords, garden ties, string, copper tape, lens cleaning cloth, first aid tape, floss, metal duct tape — you get the idea!
Yes, been doing that too but don't have much stashed yet. I like using yogurt lids as a glue palette.
Some light scuffing, chipping and minimal rust before the crew applied camo.
kevin
Well-Known Member
Looking good
