B1T Centauro
Let´s get started: As I do not 100% trust the ridgidity of the multi-part lower hull, I put in some styrene 1x1mm reinforcements
As you can see, I still looks like a real mess. The parts were rather hard to align and some major gaps were present on the rear hull. I already filled them and need to properly sand them smooth before adding further details
I finished assembling the suspension parts today. As it is a wheeled vehicle, the underside now looks quite intricate and even has PE parts.
A majority of the assmebly is completed and the outline of the vehicle becomes recognizable by this point
Notice the black cement I used is quite prominent on these light grey parts
The turret has nice detail, although I will add a little bit of stowage to the basket
The upper side of the vehicle has different surface types, which should come in handy when intending to achieve a pleasing variety in the painting and weathering
Some final cleanup is still needed and the gun barrel and some other parts have still to be attached
Testing some stowage layout on the turret. The parts come from Black Dog resin stowage sets
I finished the basic colouring by airbrushing different mixes of NATO green on the vehicle after priming it grey
The base layer was NATO green (Tamiya) without any lightening. I followed with a slightly lightened mixture to highlight most panels and thus give more contrast. Note, that I sprayed the lighter layers in a cloudy irregular pattern.
Upper hull panels were lightened with an even lighter mixture. Those coats have given me some nice contrasts to work with. They may be enough to not require any further contrast, but I plan to try some further discolouration with oils.
Decals are on and some details painted. I will fix these results with a coat of varnish to follow on with washes, oils and other weathering
After a satin varnish, I slightly enhanced the fading on some panels with oils and applied a wash to outline some details
The fading has the nice effect of giving a "soft" dust effect on top of the vehicle
Another test fit of the now painted stowage
I applied some dry earth enamel paint as a "heavy" dusting around the lower hull of the vehicle. I also speckled some up on top
The speckled bits on the upper hull/turret may be blended some more to make them less contrasting
The lower hull was treated more heavily with the enamel paint. Most of it will be covered by wheels, though
Blended the speckling a little further ans added an additional dust colour from enamel paint focussed around the lower parts of the vehicle. I also fitted the wheels in place.
The gunshields are in place on the turret. I still need to put on some finsihing touches such as colouring the periscopes, maybe some grease stains and some minor chips around the lower areas and the turret top
The last steps were to add some light chipping around high traffic areas and some oil/fuel stains around filler caps. Also the periscopes were painted and recieved a glossy finish
Kommentarer
23 27 October 2021, 18:31
Simon NagorsnikACE offers a good selection of interesting vehicles, but i startet always to look twice.
All the best for your project😉
31 October 2021, 18:46
Tom B.Tahnk you 👍 I do look twice with those also, but then I look a third time and buy some more... oh well 🙂
31 October 2021, 20:22
Bruce HuxtableWatching with interest, as you deal with these challenges, one by one 🙂
31 October 2021, 20:28
Tom B.Welcome in to all of you! The worst part (the hull) is over and everything is getting ready to be painted 👍
6 November 2021, 20:30
Simon Nagorsnikgood progress, wish you luck for the rest of your project!, still following...
6 November 2021, 21:02
Tom B.Was actually thinking about doing a base... I guess now I have the incentive to do that 👍
21 November 2021, 16:01
Tom B.Thank you 👍
As for the potential base, I do not yet know wether I do one, or come back to it later, depending on mojo and material supply...
23 November 2021, 16:24
Album info
Building ACE´s 1/72 B1T Centauro... the kit is typical short-run quality and the fit of the hull parts was way less than stellar... and that´s putting it nicely. Anyway, a good bit of MR Surfacer 500, scrap plastic, glue and putty might help to make it a half decent model. The potential is there. And I can still decide to cover the thing with stowage 😉
