Airfix 1/76 Cromwell starter kit - first ever build!

[Guest]

I previously posted this in the wrong section.

Please be critical, as this is my first build.

Any advice will be appreciated

Louis.

Louis.

[eddiesolo]

For a first build and in that scale I think you have done a great job, there isn't too much you can do in that scale but a wash would enhance the flat look of the piece.

Nice though and well done.

Si

[john i am]

That's a great build for your 1st attempt you should be proud

[Guest]

I can't give advice as I have an awful lack of experience, But personally I think it's great, I reckon you could even make a base for it, although you might want to add a mud effect on the tracks if you made a sort of diorama type base, but I still think it's a fantastic build :P

[Guest]

For a first build and in that scale I think you have done a great job, there isn't too much you can do in that scale but a wash would enhance the flat look of the piece.Nice though and well done.

Si

Whats the best brand to add a wash look?

Louis.

[Guest]

Thanks guys

Louis.

[eddiesolo]

Here is my Tiger I in 1/76.

I have done a thin black pin wash, this has then had a mud pigment added and highlights on the edges, grilles, hatches in pencil, all mounted on a little 4x4 plaque. May give you some idea of what you can do with a limited scale.

Si

[eddiesolo]

Whats the best brand to add a wash look?Louis.

I tend to do my own washes by using thinned down oil paints and meths.

Another method is you can change the green slightly and just lightly sponge areas, that way it could be a repair or 'in the field camo' just breaks up the piece.

Si

[Guest]

Thanks Si

Louis.

[eddiesolo]

Thanks Si Louis.

No problems, one thing to remember in this scale is it is all about light highlights, too heavy and it over does the piece.

Si

[Guest]

Excellent stuff. I think I'll get my Airfix Tiger II and Panzer IV up to a similar standard and then try out the washes

Louis.

[eddiesolo]

I am not the best at building and tend to weather or knacker most of my builds lol. My advice is not definitive my any measure but it is stuff I have learned mainly from this forum.

Si

[eddiesolo]

One bit of advice that others will give you is to bin the starter pots of paint-they be crap, get some better paints and a good quality brush and you will improve the results.

Si

[Guest]

I think that's a really good effort for your first build Louis! The mud effects are great & as Alan said, the missing bits give it a worn, battered look.

As far as gloss coats & washes go, the former is less important in 1/72 than it is in larger scales. I usually only gloss the areas where decals will go to prevent silvering.

Many people get worried by washes when starting out as they seem difficult to control. For my King Tiger, all the weathering was done with coloured pencils - no paint washes were used



However, when you do come to attempt a wash, steer clear of acrylics as they often don't look natural. Oil-based paints work much better IMHO & are easier to work with.

Lastly, rubbing an HB pencil on exposed areas (hatches, turret edges etc) works really well to add a metallic sheen.

Cheers

Patrick

[Guest]

Thanks Patrick, great Tiger!

Louis.