Tamiya 1/35th scale M10 IIC Achilles TD
Greetings fellow modellers!
For those that build armour kits, I cannot recommend this model highly enough. Goes together like a dream, very simple, straightforward and most of all FUN to build. Tamiya has created models that make building them a real pleasure! Their engineering and design gives model builders of all skill/experience levels a thoroughly enjoyable kit to construct & paint. Detail level is such that it can be built OOB or as a base for a super detail project if you choose. Now that I have sung the praises for Tamiya, let's get down to details. Built OOB, no aftermarket parts.
Painted with a base of AK Real Color 'S.C.C. 15 OLIVE DRAB', that's a mouthful 😂 I proceeded to weather this beast with all kinds of products: weathering fluids, powders, home made combinations of both, etc. Minor details like brass wire for grab handles, jerry can holder on the rear port side. Raided my spares box for the extra gear that is almost compulsory for WW2 Allied vehicles. Still have to add yet more to the engine deck and hull in front of the driver's position. Tracks are from the kit, they glue together very well and look great. Used a knife and sanding stick to rough up the rubber blocks & provide texture. Applied Mr. Surfacer 500 for casting texture where appropriate. Decided after model was mostly complete to add Hessian tape & camoflage netting. Scoured my reference books for photos of WW2 British armour with camo netting added. Set to work with gauze bandage, strips of copier paper, Tamiya tape and a mix of water/white glue & paint for color. Soaked gauze in the water mix and applied to vehicle. Next step was the strips of tape & paper, didn't like the tape after painting so I went with just paper strips for most of what you see. Applied strips with CA glue to hold in place, then soaked each with water to soften up & add wrinkles. After drying I painted each strip with the colors you see, used both greens & browns to add some optical variety. Pleased with the results. The figures
provided are some of the finest examples of plastic injection molded detail on the market today. For an "armour geek" like myself, this kit is a real treat to build & paint. The simplicity & ease of assembly is a welcome break from the challenge of the super detailed, 1,000 plus-part AFV kits I like to build. As always any questions, comments are welcomed & greatly appreciated. Take care and keep modelling!, Jim
Excellent work, Jim! This one is superb. Love the figures too.
Thank you John. I have been adding more gear and equipment to the hull and engine deck this morning. I'll send you pics of that work another time.
Liked. Stowage looks really good.
Thank you Bill!, greatly appreciated. I go through my reference books for as many photos I can find of tanks in the field to see how the crews loaded their gear. Love to rough up my AFVs and give them that 'lived in' look.
Excellent job, Jim!
Congratulations!
Thank you Spiros 🙂
Armour is a favorite of mine. My collection is pretty close to 50/50 aircraft & armour.
A very nice piece of armor, Jim @jaltergott6
Figures are done beautifully as well.
Thanks John 🙂
Finally learned enough about my phone camera to take sharp close up pics. The sharpness of detail on these figures is remarkable for injection molded plastic. Overall, a very impressive model kit
Awesome progression of your work, Jim. The weathering and subtle highlights really paid off, and the figures fit very well...nice job!
Thanks Joe! Haven't had so much fun building an armour kit start to finish in a long time.
Great build on the Achilles Jim. Looks a formidable piece of kit. Excellent.
Thank you Guy, this was a real pleasure to build. Tamiya armour kits make for a fun experience, and that's what this hobby is supposed to be, fun. Thanks again for your compliments 🙂