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May 08.

This Month In another bumper edition of Update, Paul describes the first part of the build of his Ducati 888 1992 Superbike Racer, Russell completes his Afrika Korps Panzer III while I take a trip down memory lane describing my early modelling experiences. With three reports from Model Shows from far flung exotic locations (Poole, Lancing and Provence) and our normal What the Papers Say and Forthcoming events features this newsletter provides excellent value for money (well it is free!)

St Georges Trophy and Test Trout Competitions A big thank you to everyone who entered a model or two in last month’s competitions. For the record the results were:

St Georges

1st – Richard Stewart, Lusitania

2nd – Gary Jarman, RAF Jaguar, farewell scheme

3rd – Dave Henwood, Sopwith Camel

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Test Trout – ‘Out of Africa’

Congratulations to the winners and in particular new member Russell, who won in his first club competition. We’ve been warned!! Next competitions are in July, when we’ll have the Hobbyboss F-84 builds and American Trophy. Note from Ed, I did remember to present Russell with the trophy the following day after embarrassingly forgetting to bring it on the night despite having reminded myself in last months Update!

From our foreign correspondent……. Model Show at St Victoret, Provence. by Pat Camp Well – I’ve attended my first model show in France! This one, like most others I’ve noticed, was held over the full weekend. I arrived early to set up and to take advantage of the free petit dejeuner of croissant and coffee (the concentrated stuff that initially made my head explode, but now I’ve become accustomed to) and the very friendly and welcoming banter from the Camouflage Air Club of Marseille, who had organised the event held in the large gymnasium in the village of St Victoret. Some were delighted to hear that I had travelled down especially for their event!

1. View of the St Victoret Show.

1st – Russell Eden, Panzer III L

2nd – Gary Jarman, Ghana AF L-39

3rd - Gary Jarman, SAAF Alo Gunship

Commended – Keith Farmer, Bofers Ack Ack

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The show was a good size - about that of the Salisbury one in terms of clubs and traders present. There was a lot of space available around and between tables and the show was free entry to the public (I think this relates to the strong social provision there appears to be in France). The weather was hot and sunny, but within the hall it was a very comfortable temperature.

I set up my models on the AMV83 stand, the first time they had been unpacked since I left England. I probably took up more space on the table than I should have, but the other 5 club

members present were very relaxed about it. The main subjects of mine that caught the attention of the visitors to the stand were the USS Hornet model and the figurines. The guys found space to put HMS Triumph on display during the Sunday afternoon and that was very popular as well.

Members from the other club I had joined, based in Aix-en-Provence, also stopped by to say hello and have a chat, even though I had been to their club for just the one time. Another modeller offered me some

home-made liqueur and it was absolutely delicious! I think the two day “immersion” in French has helped enormously with being able to speak and understand the language, but I am still very much a novice. One of the figurine modellers was really keen to find out more about how I do my painting and so we came to an agreement where I would tell him everything if he would help me to say it in French – we spent a good part of the weekend doing that and it was great fun. I also met a most talented modeller – Bruno Berger - and a very humble and friendly chap he is too! His interests are military vehicles and Sci-Fi. We spent a lot of time on the Sunday talking about figure painting. He mentioned that the Hypermarkets sell a solvent known as Essence F that he uses for enamel paints instead of the good, but expensive, Humbrol thinners. He brought me a sample to try and I have since bought some to use – it is very cheap but effective.

I enjoyed the show enormously – everything on the club stands was completely new to me. My poor knowledge of French was a slight handicap only, as everyone was most welcoming – even my club colleagues after I was discovered mistakenly taking a modelling knife and an Eduard Hellcat kit thinking they were my own!

Melissa came over for a holiday soon after the weekend and all modelling came to a temporary hiatus. I’m back at it now and shall be going to another show this weekend – this one is at L’ecole de L’Artillerie de Draguignan in Ver, Provence – and I’ll let you know how it goes in my report next month! I’ve taken loads of photos so should have a reasonable contribution to make to the club reference CD-ROM at the end of the year, should it be wanted.

All the best! Pat

3. Bruno’s “Greif” with superb Rommel figure. Also his well detailed M8.

2. One of Bruno’s nicely finished Sci-Fi models.

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Poole Vikings Show, April 19th By Paul Adams For this year’s Poole Show, an intrepid trio consisting of Gary, Vic and myself boldly went where no other Romsey club members have been – to display at a show without Pat and his superb

collection of models! Undeterred by this setback, we set up with some confidence, using a less is more approach (do we have a choice!) to the display. Gary brought along his rapidly expanding collection of jets including his excellent Farewell Jaguar seen on our St Georges Trophy competition just days earlier.Vic dusted off his and Ben’s Spitfire collection and

displayed Ben’s excellent Beaufighter. Using the larger aircraft as a centrepiece, I managed to hide my car and bike stuff down the other end! [1,2,3,4]

The Poole show is always a popular event with modellers and clubs and it seemed even the persistent drizzle wouldn’t prevent visitors. It was nice too to see a number of club members visit the show. However, we noticed a sharp drop in visitor numbers around 2pm. The usual traders were present with plenty to tempt the weak including Eduards new Hellcat and the new Airfix Nimrod. Robin Carpenter of Cammett had a very nice AEW conversion set available at the show including a finished model. The club stands were packed with some cracking quality. The table next to Romsey had the largest model kit known to man, £400 worth of Dora Railgun. The completed kit at 2m long is huge, requiring two to move it!

The competition tables proved popular too, with many entries in the aircraft classes. Unlike previous years, Romsey didn’t fair so well this year. I managed a Silver for my Star Wars Tie Fighter and Bronze for my Mugello Honda. With competition close in 1/72nd aircraft, Gary went unrewarded for his Farewell Jaguar.

Displaying a remarkable level of restraint, Vic didn’t buy anything! I even started the ball rolling by buying a new airbrush, but Vic wouldn’t budge! Some people can be so anti-social! Overall, an enjoyable day and with a short journey back for us were all home in time for tea!

[1] [2]

[3] [4]

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The following photos are kindly provided by Oz at Britmodeller.com, where you can find more photos of the show and much more for every genre of model making. Just peek in the Show sub forum. Thanks Oz.

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A personal modelling history (aka Confessions of a teenage Airfix Junky) By Tony Adams I can’t remember how old I was when I first experienced our hobby but I think is must of occurred pre-decimalisation (1971) as I distinctly remember getting three “sixpences” a week pocket money, which if I saved for two weeks would allow me to buy a Series 1 Airfix kit with something to spare. Consequently I must have been 5 or 6 years old.

I do distinctly remember that once I had secured sufficient funds I would rush to my local newsagents (Elliots at Bitterne Park, Triangle), where in a dark backroom you had the choice of hundreds of Airfix kits. I started off with Series 1 (in plastic bags) and gradually moved up through the ranges as my financial means increased.

I became a complete Airfix junky, every last penny was spent supporting my habit. By the time I was 10 there were very few kits below Series 6 that I hadn’t built. I can still look at Airfix adverts

today and bore anybody within earshot by my staccato exclamation of “built that” as I scroll through the listings. If I went on holiday I would hoard any money I have been given until I arrived home, minutes later I would be found in that dark little room deciding between a 1/72 heavy bomber (i.e. Short Stirling) or a vintage sailing ship (Cutty Sark). It got so bad that my Dad banned me from buying any more kits, so I resorted to smuggling them into the house via a rope suspended from my bedroom window. I should have been a founder member of AA (Airfixolics Anonymous), my habit really got out of control as I moved onto the hard stuff (Series 7 and above).

Of course in those days modelling was an exercise in how quickly the kit could be assembled (getting the fix), not in how well it was presented. Kits arrived and where completed within minutes with little thought of seam cleaning or even painting.

My models where very much things to play with and often didn’t last too long in flawless condition. If they became too badly damaged they were often incinerated at the top of my garden in a reconstruction of a particularly bad crash. HMS Hood was set afloat on the River Itchen with a cargo of a lighted banger, which produced a satisfactorily recreation of the last moments of the real ship.

As I grew older I did start to paint the models (and my school clothes to my parent’s anger). Most models were now suspended from my bedroom ceiling via invisible dressmakers thread and made an impressive sight (despite the occasional crash in the night, obviously due to flak). Modelling magazines were now available and consequently they prompted me to attempt a number of conversions (etch or resin additions were unheard of, of course).

Some models where finished well enough to go in display in the living room, I particularly remember the Airfix 1/24 Hurricane with motorised propeller which I was particularly proud of (though I have no idea how it would match my current standards).

In the late 70s I discovered Tamiya and their AFV kits, this produced a profound change in my habit towards tanks and dioramas, slowly my Airfix obsession receded. As the decade drew to a close I started to get interested in girls and left the confines of my bedroom to spend more time

Most memorable kits (Airfix unless stated)

1/72 Avro Lancaster, Short Stirling, HP Halifax

1/72 Scout Helicopter

1/24 Spitfire and ME 109

1/35 Tamiya 88mm Gun

Apollo lunar module, Saturn V

1/72 B-29 Superfortress

1/72 Panavia MRCA (pre Tornado)

1/300 HMS Victory

Human Skeleton

Austin Maxi (my Dad had a real one, sad but true)

SRN4

1/72 Chieftain Tank

1/72 E-Boat

Bismarck, HMS Hood, HMS Ajax, HMS Ill t i

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in the real world. By the time I had completed university I had gone “cold turkey” and my modelling days were over, for a while...

Unfortunately my parents moved house some years ago and the many models that had been stored in their loft where thrown away, along with a massive spares box and the instructions for every kit I had built. This is a real shame as it would be great to review the depth of my addiction

and actually to have something tangible to show for 15 years of pocket money!

I was doing fine until four years ago when I built an Airfix Wellington which I brought on a whim for “old times sake”. I am now once again on the road to ruin judging by the steady increasing pile of kits in my loft. Now Airfix is a class C drug which shows how times have changed, and I am descending into the abyss of the class A kits from Tamiya and Eduard.

Time to set up AA? : Or does it already exist as Romsey Modellers?

If you would like to share your early experiences of our hobby please drop me a line, all enquires handled in strictest confidence.

Lancing Model Show. By Keith Trotman

This is not a particularly big show. The main hall is properly slightly wider but slightly shorter than Ampfield Hall. There's an additional small attachment on one side, (used as a bar area at other times) and a separate room used for the competition area. There was very little in the way of traders, one main book seller, one main kit seller and a couple of traders selling bits and pieces.

Just about every type of model was represented, aircraft, cars, AFVs, figurines, SCI-FI and even war gaming. However there were only a couple of ships, but one monster of a submarine.

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Forthcoming Events.

Support Our Paras at Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire On Sunday 25th May Old Sarum Airfield near Salisbury will play host to an all-day event that will raise urgently needed money to support the families of those members of the Parachute Regiment who are casualties of current operations. An action packed day will include a breathtaking freefall parachuting display by the Red Devils, there will be flying by vintage airplanes and aerobatics displays. Those taking part will include the WW II fighters, the Spitfire, Hurricane and Mustang, and formation aerobatics by the Aerostars' six Yak 50 aircraft.

For lovers of Britain’s prestigious car marques there will be parades by the Bentley Drivers Owners Club and the Aston Martin Owners Club, plus the opportunity to view vintage aircraft and military equipment at close hand.

The event begins with a Drumhead service and Parachute Regiment veterans’ march-past at 10.30 and the doors open at 09.00. Tickets cost just £10 for adults and £5 for children. There are family discounts and discounts for early bird bookings made on-line or by post. Parking is free.

Southdowns Model Show. Southdowns Model Group are holding their annual show on Sat 3rd May at The Parish Hall,Lancing,West Sussex,BN15 8AJ.The hall is five mins walk from local train station and five mins from main road leading to Brighton and London. There will be plenty of traders and club stands. Also an open competition,tombola and hot food including bacon rolls, tea, coffee, etc. For more info please contact Craig Wells on:01273 279635 or craig.wells4@ntlworld.com

Goodwood Aero Club Vintage Fly In The West Sussex-based Goodwood Aero Club will once again be staging this popular air show in 2008, with the dates set for the late May Bank Holiday weekend, Sunday 25 and Monday 26 May 2008.

The Goodwood Aero Club Vintage Fly-In uniquely caters for historic aircraft, with the majority being built pre-1967. In addition, a number of vintage aircraft air displays will be held on both days, plus the rare opportunity for visitors to experience first hand an aerobatic excursion or a memorable flight in an historic aircraft, including Goodwood’s own lovingly-restored Harvard.

For those who enjoy the rush of air displays there will be four hours of flying displays each day by aircraft such as the Spitfire, Mustang, Hunter Jet, Great War Air Display.

New for this year is the introduction of model aircraft air displays and a dedicated area for static models to be viewed. http://www.goodwood.co.uk/aviation

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Yeovilton Air Day Sat 3rd July: Yeovilton Air Day will be a stunning day for the aviation enthusiast. For full details of this event please visit www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk Air Day ticket holders will be given discounted entry to the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Tickets for Air Day can be purchased in advance through the Museum Shop, Tel: 01935 842616.

What the papers say

The Knives of Israel... Israel's first fighter operation 60 years ago.using the less-than-sparkling Avia S-199. Where on Earth?... We track down a pair of propliners by using Google Earth. This month's Search Co-ordinates are 44.054N 70.278W. The Riddle of the Sands... In 1980 a near-intact Spitfire Mk I emerged from the shifting sands near Calais. The remarkable tale of its recovery, identification and, hopefully, ultimate return to the air. Aircrew... A look at the work of a Supermarine Walrus Air-Sea Rescue crewman: a wet and dangerous job, but vital in saving lives. The Last Flight of Whiskey Echo... On April 8, 1968, BOAC Boeing 707 G-ARWE took off on a routine flight to Australia. Moments later the No 2 engine caught fire, giving the airliner just seconds to return. Warbird Wonders Down Under...The RAAF Museum's Pageant is one of Australia's most ambitious and enjoyable airshows for historic aircraft enthusiasts: Caution: May Bite... The story behind our sharkmouth cover stars The Dornier Do X...The full story of the huge 12-engined Dornier Do X flying-boat, which created a sensation when it first flew in 1929.

Kwik Build The CMR 1:72 Spitfire Mk VIII ‘’In RAAF Service’ • Night Stalker Trumpeter’s 1:32 Me262B-1a/U1 nightfighter • Ford’s Folly Hasegawa’s all-new 1:72 B-24D Liberator • Fairey Firefly a look at the Fairey Firefly • Blackburn Build - Take 2 the Special Hobby 1:48 Skua

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F Plan - A demonstration of colour modulation painting techniques Clerveaux Chateaux Part Two - The conclusion of an impressive Battle of the Bulge Chateaux diorama Unleash the Beast - The Editor builds the Cromwell Models Nagmachon conversion Churchill on a Church Hill - Italian campaign diorama 40M Nimród H-631 - A walkaround of one of the two remaining examples Xtreme Detail - PT-76 Amphibious Light Tank Keeping Track - More new teleases Short Tracked - A Pz. Abt 505 King Tiger, based on a well known photograph

How-to: Convert an F-86F to an early A, Shop the aftermarket to backdate a Sabre. Paul Newman Porsche, 1/12 scale 935 is big on detail. Pulling off the perfect Marder Top techniques from a master modeler make the most of Tamiya's tank destroyer. RPM's 1/72 scale vehicle gets the Canadian treatment. Try a Tamiya Fw 190 Learn the basics of building a Butcher Bird. Tool Tips: Organize your workbench Get it all together in a tabletop tool caddy. Showcase: A cutaway Wildcat See the inside story on a legendary fighter. FSM's unmatched reviews of the latest kits, every one built by a modeller. :

• Revell Germany 1/72 scale Avro Lancaster B.Mk.I/III • Tasca 1/35 scale M4A1 Sherman tank • MPM 1/72 scale A-20G Havoc "Southwest Pacific Warrior" • Tamiya 1/700 scale HMS Repulse battlecruiser • F-RSIN 1/144 scale Martin 4-0-4 aircraft • Trumpeter 1/35 scale PT-76 Model 1951 • Special Hobby 1/72 scale X-1A/D "Second Generation" aircraft • MPM 1/48 scale Petlyakov Pe-3/Pe-2 Series 1941 • Dragon 1/35 scale Heuschrecke IVb "Grasshopper"

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Build your first muscle car Get started with Revell-Monogram's 1970 Challenger T/A kit

How to make model tires Improve any model car

Make those wheels fit! It's easy to narrow resin wheels

Tamiya's detailed Fairlady Z Updated 350Z is a fun curbside build

Southern Nationals 2007 Great cars and trucks in Georgia

Try a rat rod buildup Build the Li'l Thumper Ford

12th Custom Clinic Photo Contest The new wave of custom builders show their work

GRASSHOPPER a very unusual German vehicle, in the form of THE VICTORY TANK Tamiya release a new 1/35 kit! BOGUS BOFORS The first of our classic British designs seen this month has Luciano MEALS ON WHEELS A very impressive Fiat 626 truck built using Model Victoria's 1/35 kit. Step-by-step photos help tell the tale of this wonderful model… IMPROVING THE IMAGE… Tamiya's M10 in conjunction with as many aftermarket products as you can get your hands on! The results as you may imagine, are spectacular… GLORIOUS GAMECOCK STORY The construction and painting of the very involved 1/32 Montex kit… ASIAN ATTACKER Another Classic Airframe! Supermarine's elegant fighter, describing along the way a very simple method of painting a flawless, silver finish CANBERRA Airfix unveil the first of the 'quarter-scale' Canberra family! The Editor gets to grips with the kit, finishing it as a RAF bird along the way… CANBERRA CAMOUFLAGE AND MARKINGS We offer up plenty of options for builders of the new Airfix B(I)8

SIX WHEELS ON MY WAGON Tamiya’s Tyrrell P34, the six wheeled wonder! 100% OUT OF THE BOX! Tthe making of the box art for Tamiya’s Scenery Set SUPPORTING ACTS Three recent Tamiya 1:48 military models kits, ideal for dioramas KIT PREVIEW 1:35 Tamiya Marder III with ICM figures 1:48 Hauler Tatra 6500/111 truck Airfix Dr Who Tardis set 1:35 Sovereign 2000 Humber AC NIGHTSTALKER Eduard’s 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf110 in nightfighter markings SOMETHING GOES THUD IN THE NIGHT... Roger Fabrocini builds Trumpeter’s 1:72 F-105D Thunderchief

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PREVIEW Academy’s latest incarnation of the legendary M113 KIWI FIREFLY Tthe build of his Euro Militaire award winning Dragon ‘Firefly’ WEATHERING GUIDE A step by step guide to his realistic weathering techniques THE PERFECT STURM? AAFV Club’s formidable looking Sturmtiger PREVIEW Dragon’s latest piece of hardware for their 1:6 action figure range A preview of IMA’s Churchill Bridgelayer conversion A look at Dragon’s ‘DX’07 Late Tiger I and the ton of extras included Dragon’s second Expo release, Georg Bose’s early StuG.III G Tumpeter’s monstrous Geschützwagen Tiger 17cm Kanone DANUBE DEFENDER Detailing Dragon’s Panther Ausf.G Smart Kit After our initial look at this amazing etched brass set for the Stryker last month,we offer a more in depth look MONSTER MORTAR Some interesting information on the few war time photos that exist of the ultra-rare Sturmtiger

Ducati 888 1992 Superbike Racer Pt 1 By Paul Adams

In my spare time, that’s between, work, the house, sleeping, watching movies and modelling, I take time (normally during work!) to peruse the internet. I am a member of a number of automotive and general modelling forums. These are great places to see other modeller’s work, get tips, and ideas, join in a few debates and mainly see what everyone else is up to. These forums for me, serve as another club. Just like the Romsey club, I bring ‘along’ my work for others to see and mock! Posting your work on the forums opens your work to (hopefully) constructive

criticism and without too much effort, garner the opinion of many modellers who are far more capable than I’ll ever be. One such forum is the Scale Plastic Car forum, known as the SPC. The forum is hosted by Steve Hemming of Hiroboy fame.

The idea of group builds has found favour with many modellers in recent years, with individuals creating work based on the theme. I guess a little like our very own Test Trout. Between February and July this year the SPC are running a Ducati contest. Build any Ducati, any scale in any medium, by July 31st. I often avoid building to deadlines, but 6 months seemed reasonable enough time to knock out a 1/12th scale bike. I have 3 kits in my collection. No, sorry that’s 3 Ducati kits in my collection and I took the decision to build the one that I hadn’t planned to do! It was destined for dissection and for use another transkit build, but the transkit has long since been discontinued.

I began in my usual way by cleaning up the fairing, tank, seam filling and sanding everything smooth including a general rub over the parts to help ‘key’ the paint. I dislike Tamiya’s way of moulding these parts in their final colour. It

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serves little purpose to the seasoned modeller who will paint over it anyway. Tamiya have even repeated this on their latest Ducati kit, the 2004 GP4. I used a good few coats of Tamiya white plastic primer straight from the can. It dries very smoothly but still needed some further help by wet sanding with 1500 grit paper. I use white primer because it provides a neutral base for the next colour. Not surprisingly this was red. I airbrushed on four coats of Zero Ducati Rosso Red followed by 3 coats of Mr Hobby Top Coat. After polishing, the parts were ready for decals.

The decals proved to be this kits Achilles heel. The race numbers sit on the white background. Before starting this kit I was concerned that the ‘whites’ would bleed badly, i.e., the red would

show through. For insurance I was kindly sent some spares from a fellow bike builder on the forum. The bleed was the least of my problems. From the outset I ruined one decal within minutes of getting it on. It reacted badly to Microsol and cracked everywhere. Undeterred I dipped another in the water, and with a little more care, placed it on the seat. This time I began smoothing down from the top, but finished with a crease. I eventually resorted to cutting a ‘relief’, which help it to lay down. Once happy I hit it with Microsol, less this time though. The cut was carefully

positioned under the line upon which the number ‘one’ would lay! Clever huh?!! Several other small cuts were needed. I repeated this process for the other two and once the ‘ones’ were on, things began to look better. All of the other decals went on with ease, and after drying for a week, I sprayed over them with four coats of two part clear. What? Two part what? Used in the trade for clearing paints on real cars, this stuff is mixed from clear and hardener, thinned and sprayed on in wet (heavy) coats. It dries in 24 hours, is bullet-proof and goes on incredibly smoothly, lessening the amount of polishing required. This model marks the first time I’ve tried this with success. For the record I used my new Iwata Revolution CR airbrush, which was superb. A further bonus was that the mistakes I made while adding the ‘whites’, had all but been hidden.

Other parts were assembled ready for paint. I normally get the engine, exhausts and frame together around this stage. The Ducati frame is very different from other bikes. They use the engine as a stressed member and so just a small tubular frame is formed around that. The swingarm is hung from the engine too. Ducati’s current MotoGP rocket ships are designed this way too. It was different to, in that it is white. Zero Pure White was used, over which Zero Pre-Thinned clear was sprayed. I then masked off the white areas and airbrushed Zero Jet Black. The areas to remain black were masked off and the upper part of the frame was sprayed with Alclad White Aluminium. Over the satin black base this looked very realistic. Overall I’m pleased with the result, as this was a lengthy and fiddly task.

The one piece exhaust system is made from 6 parts. I used superglue, set with Zip Kicker to fill the gaps. Once cleaned up, it was sprayed with Halfords grey primer, sanded smooth, airbushed with Zero Jet Black, cleared with Zero pre-tinned clear and finally airbrushed with Alclad Polished Aluminium. The weld seams were masked off and Humbrol Steel was sprayed around the seams and at the join of the pipe and silencer. Over this I applied Tamiya enamel clear orange, thinned with Zero base coat thinners, which was faded and strengthen where

appropriate. Between this clear blue is added and finally Testor’s Pactra purple pearl, and RC

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car paint. To blend all this together, I tried something new. I thinned Humbrol steel and airbrushed this over the length of the exhaust, which imparts a subtle steel look often seen on Ducati’s.

The engine was assembled and given a couple of coats of Alclad Aluminium for a nice cast look. Various parts were painted and added including several magnesium parts, which were airbrushed with Hannants RLM83, a Luftwaffe green! The wheels received the now customary Zero Jet Black and two part clear finish and left ready for the tyres to be added later.

I hope to conclude this ‘out of the box’ build next month

Painting and Weathering of a Deutches Afrika Korps Panzer III Ausf L. Following on from last month’s article on photo etch Russell Eden describes the completion of his Panzer III

After the completed kit was given a quick wash to remove dust and grease, I then removed the turret from the hull and both were sprayed with Tamiya Dark Sand paint. This was straight out of a can; as yet I do not possess an airbrush so I am a bit limited. Luckily DAK vehicles were

sprayed a variety of shades of brown and yellow.

The rubber wheels were painted a nice shade of black and the tracks were painted a mix of panzer grey and rust. All the base details were painted too, including the axe, shovel and jack block.

Once the base coat was completed the model was given a light coat of Johnson’s floor varnish – this not only protects the base coat but it gives a good surface for the next stage – the ink wash.

After painting lead figures for many years I am a great fan of the ink wash to bring out the detail of a kit – otherwise they can look too toy like for me.

I use burnt sienna and black mainly. After squeezing out a small amount of each onto a pallet I start thinning with white spirit and mixing them to the right consistency and colour – always try out the ink on a small part of the model to see if it flows well. This is where the varnish helps – it makes the ink flow better. I go over the whole model making sure the recessed areas have enough detail picked out.

If you use too much ink it can be removed with a clean brush dipped in thinner and can be moved about for several hours if you get it in the wrong place. The ink can take up to 24 hours to dry so once you’re happy with your wash leave the kit somewhere out of reach – dried on finger prints never look good!

That’s the wash done. I then sometimes do a light dry-brush, in a lighter shade of the base colour, to bring out a bit of detail – this is good on a clean, factory finish model but on a heavily battered one like this panzer it’s not necessary.

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The decals were applied at this point – these were aftermarket ones from Gasoline, as the Tamiya kit had no DAK palm trees supplied.

The stowage was added too – this was painted separately. DAK vehicles carried all the supplies they could so imagination is good here – from the photos I have – anything goes! This included the spare track and wheels on the front.

DAK vehicles were renowned for being very weathered – the only photos I have of good condition vehicles is as they were being off loaded from the transport ship. All other photos show them in varying states of disrepair.

The worn and chipped paint is done with a fine brush and dark grey enamel paint. You can do as much or as little as you want. But try to keep it realistic – paint will chip around hatches and where crew climb over the tank or it hits obstacles.

I did do some dry brushing at this point, using the dark grey – making sure the strokes were facing the way the sand would have flowed – this gave me light scratches in the paint.

Once I was happy with this I gave the hull and turret a thin wash of light sand – this takes the harshness out of the paints and blends the decals in.

Before the final weathering I gave the completed model a light matt varnish.

Now the next fun part – pastels – I use MIG pigments. For this model I used “Gulf War Sand”. Using a cut down brush I covered the model with a light layer of sand. The pastel will naturally sit in recesses like a build up of sand and also gives the whole model a layer of dust. Again do as much or as little of this as you want – any excess can be blown or brushed off. The only problem with powders is too much handling will remove them so once you finished to kit handle

as little as possible – hence mine was glued to it’s base as soon as it arrived.

I hope this was interesting for you all and hope it has inspired you to have a play.

Onto my next project – Heller 1/72 VAB 4x4 plus etch kit, of course!

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Club Diary

May 21 Club Night (and European Cup Final!)

June 11 Note: This is the second week of the month, not the usual third!!!!!

July 16 American Trophy & Test Trout “Hobbyboss F-84”.

August 20 Club Night

September 17 Club Night

October 15 Test Trout “Best Of British!”

November 19 Annual Competition

December 17 Christmas Evening.

Thank you to this month’s contributors to this publication

Pat Camp

Paul Adams

Keith Trotman

Russell Eden

“Oz”

Next Meeting: Wednesday June 11th : Remember this is the second Wednesday of the month

Happy modelling!

Tony Adams Tel: 01794519153 / 07736 555664, email aadams@iee.org