Tamiya T-72M1

[Wig41]

I usually build 1/48 jets but I found building these at my club's build night to be a problem. We can only brush paint there and there is way too much airbrushing that needs to be done during each step. I found that most of the others there each night were building armor, so I picked up this kit and joined in.

After about four nights I was up to the point where I needed to add a few little fiddly parts at home and then prime.

Armor is so easy. Slap it together and paint it green … or tan. I don't have any real plans for this thing. Maybe I'll try to weather it some. Anyway … just wanted to post it.

 

[BarleyBop]

Armor is so easy.

Must be nice!

 

[Ron2]

I usually build 1/48 jets but I found building these at my club's build night to be a problem. We can only brush paint there and there is way too much airbrushing that needs to be done during each step. I found that most of the others there each night were building armor, so I picked up this kit and joined in.

After about four nights I was up to the point where I needed to add a few little fiddly parts at home and then prime.

Armor is so easy. Slap it together and paint it green … or tan. I don't have any real plans for this thing. Maybe I'll try to weather it some. Anyway … just wanted to post it.

Nice. I agree armor is probably the best route for a club build.

 

[Wig41]

Got the primer on it today. Tomorrow I hope to paint it with my Model Master Russian Armor Green.

 

[Ron2]

Got the primer on it today. Tomorrow I hope to paint it with my Model Master Russian Armor Green.

Looks good! How did you like doing armor?

 

[Jakko]

If I may give a tip: take the wheels off before painting (assuming you haven't glued them on, of course). You'll be able to reach the hull sides much better without them on, and you will be able to spray between the wheel halves more easily as well.

 

[Wig41]

Looks good! How did you like doing armor?

Doing armor during build night works very well for me. This kit was also a good choice for build night because it's Tamiya. I have their M-51 to do next.

 

[Wig41]

If I may give a tip: take the wheels off before painting (assuming you haven't glued them on, of course). You'll be able to reach the hull sides much better without them on, and you will be able to spray between the wheel halves more easily as well.

Thanks for the tip and I'll give it a go. Pretty sure I didn't glue them on.

 

[Ron2]

Doing armor during build night works very well for me. This kit was also a good choice for build night because it's Tamiya. I have their M-51 to do next.

Don't forget about the Israeli tank!

 

[Wig41]

Isn't the M-51 an Israeli tank?

 

[Wig41]

Got the base coat of green on. I'm going to try AK's rubber black marker to do the road wheels.

 

[Jakko]

Isn't the M-51 an Israeli tank?

It is: an Israeli-upgraded version of the Sherman, equipped with a French M-51 gun (hence the name: Israel used what they called M-1, M-50 and M-51 Shermans, all named after their main guns and with the hyphen).

 

[kevin]

Tamiya's M 51 is a nice kit, I built one years ago, I guess "nice kit" goes without saying when talking Tamiya.

 

[Wig41]

Tonight was build night so I took my road wheels and AK marker with my only goal to be getting them done. The marker worked great. So much easier than masking and airbrushing and for me better control than brush painting. I will be using this method on future armor builds.

 

[kevin]

I got the same marker to use on my current build.

 

[Wig41]

So I've managed to make some progress. I've painted the tracks with Tamiya metallic gray and got them onto the tank. Added the tow cable on the front and the fuel cans on the back. That was a difficult decision to put them on as most of the photos I've seen show the fuel drums NOT mounted, but since I already had the brackets in place I went ahead and added the fuel drums. I started doing some weathering. Still a ways to go but it's getting there.

 

[Jakko]

FWIW, you could also have just the mounting brackets with no fuel tanks in them. Though you would want to remove any mounting lugs visible that way, of course

 

[Wig41]

FWIW, you could also have just the mounting brackets with no fuel tanks in them. Though you would want to remove any mounting lugs visible that way, of course

 

[Ron2]

Got the base coat of green on. I'm going to try AK's rubber black marker to do the road wheels.

That's what I've been using for the wheels and love it. I do usually spray them black first so it has a base, paint the wheel and then touch up with marker.

 

[Glenn S]

Tonight was build night so I took my road wheels and AK marker with my only goal to be getting them done. The marker worked great. So much easier than masking and airbrushing and for me better control than brush painting. I will be using this method on future armor builds.

The results look good!
What colour is the marker?

 

[Wig41]

The results look good!
What colour is the marker?

It's the Rubber Black and is visible in the photo.

 

[Jantk14]

It's the Rubber Black and is visible in the photo.

Next tank I build I'm going to use that. It is such a pain brush painting wheels.

 

[Glenn S]

It's the Rubber Black and is visible in the photo.

I was hoping they would have a black that is geared towards tires.
Thanks for getting back to me, and for the marker/wheels tip.

 

[kevin]

I'm another fan of the AK rubber black paint pens.
I have some dust effects on top of the black paint here.....

but the pen is a much easier way of painting the rubber on a wheel compared to free hand with a brush.
I'm still trying to find a practical use for rest of their paint pens, which is quite extensive, though.


Just realized I already posted that I'm already a fan of the rubber black markers earlier in this thread...... time to put the phone down and just keep drinking beer for the rest of the night

 

[Wig41]

I have pretty much finished the T-72.
I need to touch up painting on the T.C. I haven't painted a figure like this in decades. Also working on a quick simple base.

 

[Edbert]

Nice. I agree armor is probably the best route for a club build.

My club does "build-and-bull" sessions. I've only attended one, and my general opinion is that for the most part people sit around and clip parts off sprues and clean them up, with little actual building and the only painting is figures/minis.

I cannot see being able to pack enough tools into a small tackle-box to do much real building/painting.

 

[Wig41]

Build nights could easily end up just yacking with the rest of them. I will always have a specific task or goal in mind. Last week I started a Tamiya M-51 Israeli tank and got through the first four steps in the instructions. This week I will continue with the build, the next part being the roadwheels. I find it easy to pack what I need for the night and still, when I'm there, I talk with the others and check what they're building. This is such an individual and isolative hobby that I am really glad I found the club. I still do all the painting and finish work alone at home but it sure feels good to show and tell what I've built.

 

[Ron2]

Build nights could easily end up just yacking with the rest of them. I will always have a specific task or goal in mind. Last week I started a Tamiya M-51 Israeli tank and got through the first four steps in the instructions. This week I will continue with the build, the next part being the roadwheels. I find it easy to pack what I need for the night and still, when I'm there, I talk with the others and check what they're building. This is such an individual and isolative hobby that I am really glad I found the club. I still do all the painting and finish work alone at home but it sure feels good to show and tell what I've built.

The phoenix IPMS meets once a month about ten mins from where I work. I've wanted to go but after ten hrs at work I don't feel like hanging around another hour to go to the meeting and then have a 40 min drive home. Maybe one day…

 

[Jakko]

"Build groups", as they're known around here, are quite successful — the idea not being to do greatly detailed work but to build and paint together, offer encouragement and help where needed/wanted. There isn't one in my area yet, but we should be starting up in September after several years of trying to get people and a place together.

As for tools: just chuck the minimum you think you'll need in a box. Knife, glue, snippers and a couple of files will get you a long way.