M706 Vietnam 2

[Leighbo]

Hi all

I have to start this log with an apology to noc5659.

I decided what I wanted to enter in this build and got caught up with my UBahn log and now the Hobby Boss M706 kit kit has arrived and noc5659 is building it too.

Sorry, I hope I haven't offended you, but I promise that I won't do colour modulation on this build, and will be doing this on a small diorama scene with some Academy Vietnam Tank crew figures so hopefully it will turn out differently

Looking forward to the build

 

[spud]

its always nice to see two differt aproaches

 

[noc5659]

no offense taken, please build your kit as you want it. We can compare notes during the process. Good luck

 

[Myke]

Nice one ! ;D

 

[TRM]

Very nice!! I would worry too much either on building the same kit at the same time...It'll be pretty cool to see both styles have at it!! Looking forward to it!!

 

[Leighbo]

Thanks for being understanding guys, I'll crack on.

I intend to put the M706 in a Vietnam jungle scene. It will be coming down some ruined, overgrown temple steps on a recon mission, with the crew riding the M706 whilst scouting around for threats. I want to keep it a tight diorama but try and put plenty of interest into the scene.

I have managed to buy a bamboo box to use as a base, which I thought would fit nicely with the Vietnam theme. As usual I worked it all out on Google Sketchup first to ensure it would fit.

Firstly some major surgery to the box front and sides to fit the diorama.

I have cut a base board floor and am using roof insulation board which gives a good texture and also is easy to carve into for the steps. This is taking some time as I am having to use white glue so the foam doesn't melt, and fit them step by step

Next up is building the M706, this went together straight out of the box with no troubles. The only things I've changed are the rear hatch, which I wanted open so I just turned the door upside down. It is probably not 100% correct but it looks right enough. As the tyres slip easily on and off I have fixed the rims and then will add tyres after painting.

The vietnam era figures have been the biggest pain so far. I bought the Academy tank crew figures as there is a very limited range of suitable figures available, without spending a fortune on resin figures.

I thought I could use the driver and riding figures but when I put the driver in the open hatch he was way off scale. With both driver hatches open you should be able to fit two figures, but there was no way this was going to work.

After much head scratching I decided to have the driver hatches closed and just use the other figures. Also what I didn't foresee was that the figure looked fine on a tank in the usual horizontal position, but I have built the steps quite steep and so had to play around with the figures positions and arms to get things looking right!

Anyway I think I have about cracked the basic figure positioning, I'll post again soon

Thanks for looking

 

[spud]

oh thats gona look the dogs when done

 

[Quaralane]

Going to be unique, that's for sure

 

[Myke]

This is going to look amazing. What a very interesting dio too. I think you nailed the figures. It really looks like they are bracing themselves as they go down the steps.

Great work, can't wait to see this come to life.

 

[TRM]

Very nice!!! Keep it going!

 

[noname]

I think the bamboo box is a great idea.

 

[ronrod62]

this is going to be a good one. cant wait to see the rest of it

 

[Leighbo]

Hi Guys

This week I have been building the stone steps, which is a slow process as I have to wait for the white glue to dry in between steps!

Once they were all stuck I embossed the individual block joints in with the back of my knife, then I used a sanding stick and scalpel to give some difference in levels and some wear.

I repeated these process after fitting the top level and the sides.

I know there are gaps between the steps but there will be plenty of heavy jungle foliage, weeds, etc..., growing between, through and over them.

Also I cut the bamboo box to suit, I will have the sides filled to this level eventually

I also had another play around with the figure poses to try and give them more life like appearance, particularly the rear figure.

As always I'll post again soon
Thanks for looking

 

[Myke]

Heck of a job on that stone work. Looks very convincing. Impressive

 

[spud]

looking good Leighbo i like the detail on teh steps

 

[Junkie]

Always love to see a vertical dio...and this is a great one. I love that vehicle and your build is great. The steps are wicked. Very good work man.

 

[Quaralane]

Definitely coming along nicely here

 

[fumblethumbs]

Great work Leighbo! An awesome idea and some excellent execution in making it happen. This will be something else when all painted and "jungled" up! Love it!!

 

[Solander]

Wow! Great idea with the plot!
This is going to turn out greatly, and your progress now is awesome as well.
Both thumbs up!

 

[Leighbo]

Hi Guys, back again.

Feels like i've accomplished a lot in the last few days, so here we go.

Firstly i've painted the steps with a basecoat of grey emulsion. As the foam is soft I used emulsion as it dries hard, also a tester pot gives loads of paint for a couple of £'s, perfect for groundwork!

Next is mixing the base colour and painting individual stones to give some variation in stone colour.

Then a black vallejo wash in the gaps to define them

Now a series of overall washes to tie everything together and show the foam texture.

I've also cut individual 'stones' and joined them with cocktail sticks and glue to make the pillars for the top of the steps. This will be followed by a lintel stone for the top.

The first of the Jungle foliage is applied in the form of some static flock stuck with white glue to simulate moss.

I've also made a start on the M706.
I started by spraying a light blue in the interior which I have seen on other armour but not necessarily this type. I don't want the scene overloaded with green (M706, uniforms, foliage), so I thought this was a way to add a splash of colour. It looks a bit bright now but once weathered it will tone down.

Once this was masked with white tack and tape, I sprayed a series of vallejo greens. Darker underneath, lighter on top and then an even lighter mix sprayed in a circular pattern on top.

After a gloss coat the decals are applied, and I have to say that the quality of the decals is excellent. After another gloss coat to seal them there was no silvering and the clear edges dissappeared completely. Although the 'Blind faith' decal under the front is hidden away I couldn't resist using it, it makes a colourful change from plain WW2 crosses and stars!

A dull coat was then applied ready to take an oil filter of mixed browns to try and just tie in the decals with the overall colour and I also applied a panel line wash.

I am getting quite comfortable with using oil washes / streaking now and so I will use plenty on this vehicle to create a vehicle dirty from a long trek in the Jungle, along with lots of mud of course!

Lastly for now I have decided on the final position for the figures and have started painting in their uniforms and applying light and shade. Also to add even more colour I saw a reference photo of a helmet in the US flag colours and just couldn't resist...

Thanks for looking