LVT (A) 4

[Mike]

Well I started this on Sunday May 24 and in one day I have made some serious progress. I built it for the most part out of the box. The major up grade was a ABER PE set for the M-2 .50 cal. I replaced the the cargo rack on the back of the turret with some bass screen I had lying around. I painted the kit in markings from Iwo Jima. I used the triple cloud method to paint this kit. What that means is every color I sprayed I used 3 shades from dark to light.

[Mike]

A few people have asked about the triple cloud method that I used. I made a simple illustration that might help.

[Mike]

Here is a little more WIP as I have started to apply the first of the washes.

[Mike]

Here are few more WIP shots. I now have the decals on dark and light washes are complete. All I have left is to weather it now pastels, and finish up the tracks.

[Mike]

Here is some of my first experimentation with MIG pigment. It is not what I was looking for Iwo Jima black sand, but it does look like sand has just washed out the tracks and down the sides. I have found that it does not stick well and will rub off if you are not careful. Also I tried it on my M-2 high speed tractor, but I attempted to seal it with Testors dull coat. It completely changed the whole appearance (toned down), so I will try MIGs own sealer.

[Mike]

Well I have got the tracks on now. It is almost finished all I have left to do is add the antenna, gaffs and a few other little doodads. I did have a problem with the tracks! I had them in place and went to apply the MIG pigments to the tracks with mineral spirits and the tracks broke in 5 places. Some type of reaction? I welded the tracks back together with leftover track sprue heated with an electric cauterizing pen.