This kit I also intended to have in a small diorama with the figures I also got. The figures are about half done, meaning they’re assembled and painting is started. I also need to figure out how I want the dio to look. I’ll get to the dio later, and meanwhile, here’s some pics of the finished Warrior!
Even if the build totally took quite some time, it was a fun build. Nice with interior details even if they’re not seen with the top on. The worst part of the build was the stiff decals, which seems to be a problem on older Academy models. Newer models have decals made by Cartograph, that are excellent.
If I can find a suitable figure set I might do a small dio.
After doing some additional weathering and painting, I consider the Warrior finished.
Finished, rear viewFinished, front view
I’ll take better pics of the finished build later. I need to push on with the figures to get them done. Here’s a pic of the current progress on the figures.
Eight figures on the go
It has taken some time to clean up all parts, and fitting the arms in order to hold the weapons properly.
I’m getting closer and closer to finishing this kit, and one part of the process was adding all the 7 decals, which at some point turned out to be harder than I’ve thought. Two of the decals go on the fire extinguishers, wouldn’t conform to the cylindrical shape, and required some extra work, but in the end I got all the decals in place!
Decals onMore decals
I have no idea why the rear panel is slightly tilded, but I can’t adjust it now without the risk of breaking something.
After the decals was in place I did some weathering with brown oil colour and Tamiya weathering sets, mainly sand and light sand.
Weathering done
Then I could start with the protective bars that goes around the vehicle.
Protection bars awaiting assembly
Putting all those bars/plates took a while, and once done there isn’t much left to do, except some additional weathering to tie it all together.
I also need to assemble and paint all the figures. They look quite nice but the guns are very delicate. I’ll have them on their stands for now, until I decide about a possible dio.
This kit is in some ways not an easy build, as it requires some planning. Some parts won’t be easy to reach when painting otherwise, and in some cases it won’t be possible to add some of the decals as they sit inside of the protection bars.
Anyway I’ve added some more parts to the body and turret, prior to adding the protective skirts.
Small parts added
I also started building on of the figures and a few small parts that will be needed later.
One of the figures
With the small parts in place I could start painting. First the tan base colour.
Base colour painted
Next I painted a slightly lighter tan.
Next layer
And finally a layer of Portland Stone, not covering entirely, mor like dusting it on.
Last cote
Now I will continue adding side plates and some other stuff until next phase is reached.
The wheels, armor plates and underside got painted with the last colour tone.
Underside and wheels painted.
The wheels got their rubber surfaces painted.
Wheels painted
I also re-painted the tracks in a slightly different metal colour.
Track parts painted
I’ve worked some with the turret interior, and got it ready to assemble.
Turret before assembly
Turret and body test fitted. I hope I can unmount it!
Turret test fitted
Next will be to assembly all the wheels, and start to give the tracks a rusty sandy kind of look using Tamiya weathering sets. Then I can assembly the tracks and get on with the topside.
A bit of slow progress, but I’ve finally managed to get the underside and all wheel parts painted.
Underside painted.
There’s an intentional uneven look to it. Now I only need to paint the wheel rubber rims, and start assembling wheels and then the tracks.
The turret is really a bit further ahead, but I’ve started working with it a bit, and the interior part is done, and the inside of the turret got some primer inside, as the primer is a match for the interior colour.
Turret parts, ready for assembly.
There’s actually quite a few parts that go on the outside of the turret, hatches, and periscopes and boxes and whatnot. The plan is to glue these parts, and then continue with tracks and the hull and all the parts on the topside.
The build have been standing still for some time, as I had more urgent things to take care of since my dad passed away. Now it’s all in the hands of the lawfirm, and I can’t do much until that is done. So I did some painting, mainly on the other side of the wheels with the basic desert colour.
Some painting done!
The underside also got a thin layer of a lighter colour. I will paint with the lighest colour later, trying to create variations.
As soon as the wheels are painted properly on both sides, I will start adding a black/greyish rubber paint to the rims. And then I’ll start assembling wheels and tracks.
The tank commander got some dry brushing with tropical tan, and some details painted. I also added a wire to his mic. The tank itself got some more dust and sand. I used both pigments and diluted sand colour. Need to practice more to get it look like sand entered every nook and cranny.
Tank commander in place!
I’ll check it over and then I’ll take some better pics for the final reveal.