Happy Tanktober!!!

Strumtiger pondered by U.S. troops

Strumtiger on Mini afv link HERE

It's my favorite time of year and Tanktober only makes it better. So I'll use this post to insert photos of some of my favorite tanks and links to some of my favorite sites, plus some current info that I'm looking at while I build my armies.  Thank Patton for Tanktober!

Tanktoberists Sites
The Originator - Dux Homunculorum: http://dux-homunculorum.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/tanktober.html
The Man Cave: http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/

My first love was a Sherman much like This Black Magic. That Sherman was near the Zoo in Lincohn, Nebraska & it stole my heart when I was around 6 years old

 My next infatuation was with the impressive Tiger I

The Soviet's T-34, considered by many as the greatest tank of WWII

T-28  US Tiger Killer that never saw action

Military History Now Article Here  & T-28 on WIKIPEDEA

The Beast that started it all

 Wikipedia on BRITISH Mark IV(above) &  British HEAVY Tanks of WWI.  Super Documentary about use of Mark version tanks in WW1.

Lincoln-Machine #1 on trials in 1915 & covered up and said to be a water tank

1st tank history HERE on "Tanks Encyclopdia" & the VIDEO about Little Willie
Great VIDEO  on history of tank "Invention of the tank"

A gaggle of Stug's for your enjoyment!

MORE HANDY LINKS  

Painting 15mm fast:

15mm germans fast & dirty:
http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.com/2014/08/15mm-ww2-german-reinforced-rifle.html
How I painted 15mm soviet infantry:
http://dagamerstable.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-i-painted-my-ww2-15mm-soviet.html
 Painting WWII magazine video review by ModelDads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wWiSvS07q0
Black undercoat method for painting figures:
http://balagan.info/black-undercoat-method-for-painting-wargaming-figures
Squad painter on painting soviets(multiple posts):
http://squadpainter.blogspot.com/2013_01_01_archive.html
WWII soviet painting guide by Steven's Balagan***:
http://balagan.info/ww2-painting-guide-russian-infantry
Painting WWII soviet infantry- introduction:
http://ordinarygaming.blogspot.com/2012/03/painting-wwii-soviet-infantry-part-1.html

Presidents Holiday Hand Paint Session, or You can go to war with the army you want

February 14th - 18th
∆ Middle Stone on tank tracks & touch up. Did not have Model Color Middle Stone, so used Model Air and Dunkelgleb surface primer
∆ Painted black on wheels of Trucks, Vehicles, and tracks.  Used heavy diluted black and other mixes.
∆ Paint soviet truck windows.
∆ Paint soviet trucks canvas covers in base coat. One in Khaki the other in Khaki Grey
∆ Dry Brush 15mm & 1/72nd soviets.


References:

This is video that inspired me to thin black paint for painting wheels:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm2ZPgRjlfI
Guide on how to paint tank track wheels(search"painting model wheels): http://www.scalemodelguide.com/painting-weathering/painting-guide/paint-rubber-rims-tank-wheels/
Painting windows on 15mm trucks FOW:  http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=110&art_id=727
complete paint & weathering of 15mm tank: http://modelbrush.com/videotutorial-tanks-15mm/

Misc:
Airbrush equip review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qnpLk-lukQ

Merry X-mas from Tank Taco

It was a good Xmas. My son received a HO scale train that has been running in circle all Christmas long. He gave me a Tank from the local drug store (CVS) as a gift that turned out to be a Panzer IV, which turned out to be the same tank that I had just bought a Osprey Publication as a gift to my self.   It's a Xmas miracle!

Another Christmas miracle was getting some free time to put on test coat of Army Painter Quick Shade (Medium). It was a make or break moment for the future of me in this hobby, since my last attempt at shading with varnish was a horrible flop (the horror). But as I brushed on Quick Shade on to the only painted 15mm & 1/72 I had, which I had toiled over for far too long, and as the room was filled with the smell of turpentine cleaner & my sole was filled with the Xmas spirit, a Miracle happened once more, with the successful QuickShading of the figures, and thus an extension of my hobby pursuits into the future.

1/72 PSC MiddleStone 5:1 basecoat

Revell 1/72 LightGreenGrey basecoat

The Three Wise Men in 15mm. Bearing Gifts

Post & Pre QuickShade. Modle Air LightGreyGreen 4:1 w/white

1/72 & 15mm PSC Soviets MiddleStone 4:1 basecoat

1/72 Minwax Horror

15mm Soviet Horrors

15mm PSC German fighting dead, The HORROR!

It Has Arrived!!!

After trying to try the cheaper alternate option, I ordered the Army Painter "Quick Shade".  And if I can't make this work, then blame Army Painter for me giving up on the hobby.
I made quite the order from Michigan Toy Soldier Company and I will note links relating to those purchases Below.

- Army Painter Quick Shade "Strong" :
This is the Video that reinvigorated me. It talks of making whole army and has the techniques that I going to use. ThePaintingClinic The Basics: Painting US Infantry ::  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FQ6HbivtjE

-Army Painter - Static Steppe Grass :
How to make static grass clumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8b32zzFZCI
Making static grass clumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJSFTHy5rWw
Static grass tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpnq_BJpMbA
How to make a static grass applicator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSr2ZNOn4yc  
Another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrffkoNFKL4

-Army Painter - Precision Side Cutters : 

- Vallejo - Heavy Gloss (Transparent) Gel 30ml :  This was basically a mistake. What I meant to get was Vallejo Pumice Gel:
How to use Grey Pumice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq3Qhu12dL0
HobbyBlog on Pumice : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-MZ4Bz70iM

- Plastic Soldier - Decals:
*15mm & 1/72nd decals 2nd Pz Division @ Kursk
* 15mm decals Soviet Slogan
* 15mm decals Soviet Tac and Unit Signs, Stars and Gaurds (OUT of Stock at time)

- Osprey Publishing Materials:
 *OSP-MAA216  Red Army or the Great Patriotic War 1941-45
*OSP-MAA468  Men-at-Arms: WWII Soviet Armed Forces
*OSP-MAA311  German Army 1939-45 Blitzkrieg
*OSP-MAA311  German Army 1941-43 Eastern Front (OUT of STOCK)
*OSP-V028        Vanguard: Panzerkampfwagen IV Medium Tank 1936-45
*OSP-V037        Sturmgeschutz III &IV 1942-45
- Zvezda 15mm Vehicles:
Zvezda 15mm WWII German Sd.Kfz.251-1 Ausf.B (2x items)
Zvezda 15mm WWII Soviet Truck ZIS-5 (2x)
Zvezda 15mm WWII Soviet Rocket Launcher Katyusha (1x)
Zvezda 15mm WWII BA-10 Armored Car (1x)

Renedra Bases: 40mmx20mm & 25mmx50mm
& about Basing
 Dirty Jon's Basing Tutorial(15mmFOW) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQB7dWGGg9k
FOW bases made easy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12ctTua1Ho4
How to base w/ sand & static grass : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na83wrAdoXc
Basing Basic w/citadel product: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDUHR435lVw

Happy Tanksgiving 2014 from Tank Taco

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TANKSGIVING Holiday Airbrush Session

This session happened on 11/25/2014, and was a quick set up just to see if I could set up airbrush relatively quickly and spray some primer on recently assembled 15mm figures & AFV's, plus some of parts from son's 1/24th Truck Model


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1/72 Armourfast Panther G revisited

Although my focus is currently 15mm, however I could not resist working on this 1/72nd  Panther G form Armourfast.

 Tacks painted for pre base airbrushing. 

Since the model was primed on the sprue, I had to spend time prepping model for gluing.

Tank Taco Research & References October 2014

 

 ------------------- Previous Tank Taco Reference Pages ------------------------------

Previous Tank Taco Favorite links from May 2013 Tank Taco

Tank Taco Paint inventory HERE

German AFV Camo colors: INFORMATION

German Dunkelgrau: German Grey

German Dunkelgleb: German Tank Yellow

Mid-War german camo: Here

Soviet AFV Colors: LINK HERE

Soviet Uniforms Ref.: Soviet Colors

More Soviet LINKS

German Uniforms Ref.: German Colors

Decals: INFO

----------------------- New Links -----------------------------------------------------------

How to thin model color for airbrush youTube. Interesting self made thinner:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjt4KZg8w0E

Model color thinning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PM0C4xCu_4

Vallejo primer video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d3e__zE4dU

Tutorial page lists/
Model Dads Tutorial list: http://www.modeldads.co.uk/Painting-and-Modelling/Flames-of-War-Painting-and-Modelling-Guides.html
Model brush painting guides: http://www.modelbrush.com/modelbrush-painting-guides/
SD Forum: http://sdean-forum.co.uk/forum/index.php

On Colors  
SUPER COLOR THEORY TUTORIAL: http://ordinarygaming.blogspot.com/2012/06/color-theory-tutorials-why-didnt-i.html
Vallejo color Info:  http://greatredoubt.wordpress.com/painting-info/
Scale Model Paint Guide Part 2:  has good review of thinners and media:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwpwtIPEAI4   has good review of thinners and media
SUPER 15MM SITE: http://www.warin15mm.com/index.html
miniature painting vallejo&Victrix:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llfj2IacQzA
15mm painting/
Model brush painting guides: http://www.modelbrush.com/modelbrush-painting-guides/
Model dads part1: http://www.modeldads.co.uk/Painting-and-Modelling/Flames-of-War-Painting-and-Modelling-Guides-Guide1A.html
Model dads part2: http://www.modeldads.co.uk/Painting-and-Modelling/Flames-of-War-Painting-and-Modelling-Guides-Guide1B.html
Model dads part3: http://www.modeldads.co.uk/Painting-and-Modelling/Flames-of-War-Painting-and-Modelling-Guides-Guide1C.html

Dr. faust on painting 15mm:  http://www.brookhursthobbies.com/paintingclinic/clinic/smallscale.htm
Very GOOD  YouTube video US infrantry15mm all steps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FQ6HbivtjE

painting 15mm germans wwii grey
Model brush tutorial: http://www.modelbrush.com/document-how-to-paint-15mm-germans/
FOW Utube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LRlHszEqzE

painting 15mm Soviets wwii
How i painted tutorial:  http://dagamerstable.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-i-painted-my-ww2-15mm-soviet.html

best color for wwII solviet AFV tanks/
Soviet T-34 paint schemes: http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/soviet/soviet_T34-76.php
Solviet camo discussion: http://forum.wwpd.net/viewtopic.php?t=787&p=7641
Vallejo video Russian Green set:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chNjDRxUSIY
Discussion on Russian 4BO green or(?)FS24098:  http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1189292377/Help+me+Obi+Wan+Zalogi-Help+me---
CHECK OUT FOR TANKS & INFANTRY!!! : http://wargameterrain.blogspot.com/2013/05/plastic-soldier-company-warsprays-have.html

best color for wwII German AFV tanks/
German Panzer paint schemes:  http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/Panzer-VI_Tiger.php
Dux Homunculorum:  http://dux-homunculorum.blogspot.com/2013/10/project-kursk-21-some-more-german-armour.html

PSC late war german heavy weaons at Kursk BGK
Using Heavy weapon w/ BGK & Basing Dicussion_Guild:  http://www.guildwargamers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=308&t=26401

washes: http://www.how-to-paint-miniatures.com/miniature_painting_washing.html
Army Painter Quick Shade/
Splash technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYfhmfFgi9U

Airbrushing
1hr 30min Video on airbrushing Hobby oriented: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYfhmfFgi9U
BASING & FLOCKING
basing & flocking:  http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/guides/flocking.html

magnets in turret for 15mm tanks/
FOW magnets:  http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=943
Good DakkaDakka tutorial:  http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/444780.page

Airburshing & Spray booths Build own spray Booth/
How to make spray booth Military model: http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article/homemade-spray-booth/3661/
How to make spray booth-Good detail blog write up: http://www.houseofpaincakes.com/2013/10/surprise-attack-warning-contents-may-be.html
TCP- paashe Hobby Paint spray booth :  http://www.tcpglobal.com/PAS-HB-16-13_301.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwzeihBRCQ84bhxrz_0w8SJAAohyh1kj-ADelDXN0qF2K-CgBZcKV1t7vLOp1ztiS71fTdbBoCoTrw_wcB#.VDqve1llBL8

WW2 Photo References:
WWII in Color:  http://www.ww2incolor.com/

Seam Line removal/
12min video tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AAIHO5IZqU
15min video tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufKgTfaG-7E


 

Orion 1/72nd WWII Soviet Tankmen and Crew 1939-1942

Comments: Well it's out side my current 15mm jones, but I thought in might be useful on the future

History:

Reviews: PSR = http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/review.aspx?id=2431,

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Oops... Redundant Zvezda 15mm_1/100 Pz.Kpfw. III G & T-34 purchases for Battle Group Kursk

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Zvezda 15mm_1/100 WWII German Assault Gun Stug.III Ausf.B

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Zvezda 15mm_1/100 WWII German Flame Thrower Tank Pz.Kpfw

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Zvezda 15mm_1/100 Soviet Heavy Tank KV-2

Comments: Hoping to use in BGK

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Zvezda 15mm_1/100 British Infantry Tank MATILDA II (Soviet lend/lease)

Comments: to be lend/lease tank for BGK

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Progress:Assembled but broke off turret while rotating. May add magnets for turret

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New Model Air Paint Purchase

 Went to Hobby Shop today with Son, and bought some "Model Air" colors for mixing when new Airbrush & Compressor are shipped here soon. Also picked up some 15mm Armour.

I picked these colors to mix with existing "air" colors to create base colors & highlights.
Colors are: 71.013 Yellow Olive,  71.028 Sand Yellow,  71.033 Yellow Ochre,  71.050 light grey,  71.075  Sand(Ivory),  71.097 Base Grey

Full Paint Inventory:  http://tanktaco.blogspot.com/2013/01/vallejo-model-color-inventory-info.html

We're Back, On a Special Day with a new focus

Its been quite a bit since I posted last. I had various projects going and no real focus. I knew I wanted to try war-gaming with the Battlegroup Kursk rule book, but I was not sure which scale, 1/72nd or 15mm?  I have lots of 1/72 and could build a large army with all the models I already have. However I have decided to go the 15mm route for several reasons including:
A)  15mm scale will be easier to store & I feel at this point that a smaller scale will allow for a larger battle area on a given sized table.
B) I plan to paint the armies as simple as possible while trying to keep some sense of presentation quality. I not going to be to picky about quality, since I'm am still in an early stage of learning to paint, let alone basing and other disciplines to be learned. I'm hoping to learn many techniques, while doing German & Soviet 15mm armies, that I'll be able to take to larger scales.
C) I believe 15mm will be more economic on cost & time
D) I want to build 2 armies (relatively) fast & believe 15mm will work best
E) have lots of paper buildings and terrain that are scaled or scalable to 15mm

I still need to read through text and see what I might be able to assemble fast enough (either 15mm or 1/72).
My goal is to have two opposing forces, German & Soviet, in 15mm by start of 2015
Let's see if I can keep to my goal

August 1st thru 4th Airbrush Session: Results & Info

PSC 1/72nd figure in Vallejo RAL 7028 Dark Yellow Surface Primer

Handy TT Uniform Info: for Germans HERE and Soviets HERE

Armourfast 1/72nd StuIG in Vallejo RAL 7028 Dark Yellow Surface Primer

Armourfast 1/72nd StuIG in Vallejo Model Air Panzer Olive Green with Silly Putty for 2nd color

Various paint subjects: 1/100th Sd.kfz.222, 1/72nd StugIII body, StuIG 33B w/ Camo pattern, 1/72nd Soviet figures

1/72nd StugIII ready for spray with Middle Stone

1/100 Sd.kfz.222 with Silly Putty mask

HAT 1/72nd German anti tank gun crew in Vallejo Light Gret Green (straight ratio)

Figure on Parade, various colors & shades

Aug 2nd Airbrush Session

Shot the following colors:

1)Vallejo Dark Yellow Surface Primer 7028. used on StuIG 33B & Soviet figures

2) Vallejo Model Air "Middle Stone" used on Soviet figures

3) Vallejo Model Air Surface Primer " German Brown". On Hat German WWII anti Tank Gun.

4)  Vallejo Model Air Surface Primer " Russian Green". Used on German soldiers & 1/32nd soviet soldier

5)  Vallejo Model Air "Light Green Grey".  Used on German soldier figures. Looks very close to Tamiya Field Grey.

Aug. 3rd 2013 Session 

1) Light Grey Green @ 5:1 ratio on 1/72 & 15mm german figures

2) Panzer Olive Green 71.096 Ratio Straight on StuIG 33B as camo & Stug III as base color. Also on HAT german anti tank gun (after german light brown surface primer)

3) Middle Stone @ 4:1 ratio

Aug. 4th 2013 Session

1) Panzer Olive Green - straight w/ .5 white tip.  Shot StugIII gun & 222 car camo

2) Light Grey Green 4:1 ratio w/ .5 white tip on German figures

3) Middle Stone 5:1 ratio w/ .5 white tip on soviet figures. Went through Middle Stone fast also temp cooled down & Moister increased and paint seemed to go on oddly. 

What We Learned:

A)  Found out that Tamiya field grey is the same as Model Air Light Green Grey Are basically the same.

B)  Vallejo Model Air Surface Primer Dark Yellow  RAL 7028 is The Same as Model Air "Middle Stone" may be Middle Stone is slightly brighter

• May have thinned paint too much sometimes usually 5 parts Paint to 1 part airbrush thinner. worked well with surface primer but not as well with regular Model Air.

• Small tip ( .4 black tip) seemed to have a more lumpy application on test CD's

• Ran air pressure between 22 - 18psi. raised to 30psi+ when cleaning brush

• Cleaning brush & Tips went very well this session

• almost messed up on ratio, was a little confused at first and had effect of ratio backward for a minute or so.

• had problems with Lighting. light was splotchy and hard to see model also background sometime it hard to see

• • had problems with holding models to hold sticks. need to work out better system.

• • had problems with moister around 5:30-6pm

••• Soviet color combo to try = Vallejo mix 75% US Dark green + 25% white. = 3:1 mix

August 2nd 2013 Airbrush Session: Area 51 Jobe syndrome

Aztek $40 brush & 2new tips

Comments:
Shot the following colors:
 1)Vallejo Dark Yellow Surface Primer 7028

2) Vallejo Model Air "Middle Stone"

3) Vallejo Model Air Surface Primer " German Brown". On Hat German WWII anti Tank Gun.

4)  Vallejo Model Air Surface Primer " Russian Green". Used on German soldiers & 1/32nd soviet soldier

5)  Vallejo Model Air "Light Green Grey".  Used on German soldier figures. Looks very close to Tamiya Field Grey.

History:

Reviews:

What We Learned:
A)  Found out that Tamiya field grey is the same as Model Air Light Green Grey Are basically the same.
B)  Vallejo Model Air Surface Primer Dark Yellow  RAL 7028 is The Same as Model Air "Middle Stone" may be Middle Stone is slightly brighter

PRODUCT REVIEWS

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Cheepy Aztek brush on Badger holder.  Note: colr cup right befor I lost tiny black plug in lawn ( I knew I was going to loss a fiddily piece.)

Water Trap & Pressure Valve being held in place with Bogan Clamp&Arm, Works very well. Air Pressure worked well best between 22psi and 18psi. any lower that 18psi and tip clogged any higher and spray may splatter

Some of the session players

Some of the liquids involved. NOTE: brush which is dipped in Airbrush Thinner to keep tip clean, A MUST!

Spray Area Overview on Aug 2nd

More Info

Zvezda 15mm WWII Soviet KV-2 Heavy Tank

Zvezda 15mm WWII Soviet KV-2 Heavy Tank

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F.O.W. 15mm WWII German Tiger I E Tank (GE071) w/ Zimmerit

F.O.W. 15mm WWII German Tiger I E Tank (GE071) w/ Zimmerit. Heavy Tank Platoon

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