Rusty T55

Rusty old T55 from ESCI.


The model is the same old ESCI kit that I used to built the Iraqi T55, in fact both kits were built at the same time. This model was used to try out some new techniques, one of which is posted on the techniques page.
This tank has been sitting on a shelf for over six months so now it's time to put it on a base.

Construction involved a bit of scratch building to correct and add to bring the model up to today's standards. The kit lacks in detail parts and accuracy, but it's fairly easy to correct some things to build a decent looking model.

The painting of the model was done as shown on the techniques page, using oil paints and pigments for the rust. Further weathering and dusting will be done before the model is ready to be glued to the base.






Here is the basic layout of the model on a small oval base.







I then started working on the base by giving the wood base and the outside perimeter a coat of black paint. When all the dirty work ( ground work) is done, a second coat of paint and a couple of layers of clear gloss will be added.

The beginning of the ground work process has started, mainly some earth and gravel. I used material found in the back yard and cat litter for the stone/gravel. This was applied over a mixture of white glue and some brown acrylic paint, and set aside to dry. Once dry, a dusting of earth color MIG pigments was applied then sealed in with MIG Pigment Fixer.

The cracked concrete was made using plaster. I poured the plaster into a square container, in a thin layer and when dry I broke the plaster into pieces. These pieces were then glued to the foam base leaving some the cracks open and gaps in areas. These cracks and gaps will receive some dirt and vegetation to make it look old.











The area behind the tank, will eventually be a large puddle of water made using clear resin. More weathering and junk to be added and it will be just about done.




4 / 17 10  Up date..

After a few days of not doing anything to this and letting everything dry good, it was time to start on the groundwork. I started by mixing some wood glue, water and some MIG Productions earth colored pigments. By working in small areas and applying vegetation from the back yard and Woodland Scenics, I managed to get the area in front of the concrete and around the rusty metal beams done. I mixed a small amount of clear resin and poured this into the depression at the rear of the tank, sort of a water puddle.











   


Next i'll add some additional items including a tattered tarp that had once covered the tank.



4 / 21 / 10


I finished the base off and after letting everything dry a few days here are the final pics of the rusty T55. I could add more to the base or model, such as a torn tarp, but I chose not to clutter up the dio.

The vegetation are items found out doors, donated by mother nature. I used MIG pigments, fixer and acrylic resin for the ground work, and to secure some items in place. I tried to  add different types of " plants" to add some life  and variation to the ground work. I simple walk out doors will provide some inspiration when doing land scape.































This model finally got off the shelf and found a home on a small base. I have a T55 and T62 planned for the very near future, but first some rusty Shermans.

Rob