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Thunderbolt finished.

The Zod

Active member
Some may remember this model I built over ten years ago. Maybe 2003. It is the DML M4A3E8,based upon the Italeri M4A3 hull. The turret is from either the M26 or M26A1 from DML. The 90 barrel is from Jordi Rubio. The markings are from a Verlinden set. There was only one Thunderbolt name.

I may add on a canvas cover for the mantlet. There are some areas that need weld beads. Not sure on how to add them over a painted area. Hoping to get a good weathering on them. I may end up getting a MIG olive drab filter set.

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Redoing Thunderbolt.

Looks pretty good Chad, if it weren't for wanting to add weld beads I'd say start weathering up what you got. Looks like a good base to start with. You add those weld beads then you're painting again. You have any of those Archer weld bead decals?
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Looks pretty good Chad, if it weren't for wanting to add weld beads I'd say start weathering up what you got. Looks like a good base to start with. You add those weld beads then you're painting again. You have any of those Archer weld bead decals?

Thanks Bob. I think I have some of the Archer beads with me in the truck.
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Worth a shot, why not paint the beads OD, that way you don't have to repaint the whole thing. Just a thought.
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Worth a shot, why not paint the beads OD, that way you don't have to repaint the whole thing. Just a thought.

Sounds like a plan,man. :good: I think I will add a tow cable as well. It was built before I found out about Karaya copper tow cables. The cable that came with it was the usual Italeri plastic tow cable.
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Finally got around to playing with my new MIG filter set. I applied two coats thinned with MIG thinner of the grey green filter last night. Then two coats thinned with thinner today of the lighter green filter. Not really noticing anything special with these filters. I must be doing something wrong. :idonno

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Redoing Thunderbolt.

Don't know Chad, maybe going on a glossy surface doesn't give it much to grab hold of.
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Ah- filters need to go on over a matte surface. Over gloss they just flow into the cracks and act like washes. Give a shot of dullcote and try again- you'll get results. This kind of color modification goes on in many layers. :soldier
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Ah- filters need to go on over a matte surface. Over gloss they just flow into the cracks and act like washes. Give a shot of dullcote and try again- you'll get results. This kind of color modification goes on in many layers. :soldier

Thanks Chukw. :ro:
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Right then..................I am not a fan of the olive green oil paint that comes with this filter set. I know I went nuts with it. :bang head I applied tow coats of the grey green filter over a clear matte coat. I did not add any thinner this time.

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Redoing Thunderbolt.

Looks like a good faded effect, so what's next? Maybe something to dirty it up? :soldier.
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Looks like a good faded effect, so what's next? Maybe something to dirty it up? :soldier.

Thanks Bob. :) The directions say to brush on the allied green filter next. So I did. Looks kind of stained to me. After that,it is a moss green wash,then a green pin wash. Then I will add the final matte coat,then dirty it up.

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Redoing Thunderbolt.

There's instructions?

Think your seal coat will blend things together. What instructions are you following?
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

There's instructions?

Think your seal coat will blend things together. What instructions are you following?

There sure are directions. It was a two sided piece of paper that came with the set. No idea why it did not state to put the filters onto a matte coat. :idonno
 
Redoing Thunderbolt.

Plodding right along. I sprayed the new Tamiya flat coat on. Not real impressed. I will stick to Vallejo matte coat. I added a brown wash for the hang of it. I wish I could get a better wash on the K ration boxes. No wash on the suspension,as that will be coated well with AK powders.

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Redoing Thunderbolt.

Chad try a grey wash on the boxes. I don't really know what I'm talking about but it may work. :popcorn
 
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