Basic Weathering

First few primary washes. Welds and some areas where I want some corrosion have been given a coating of AK corrosion texture then the whole model has been washed liberally with Vallejo dark yellow model wash. Bolts and fittings then further darkened with Vallejo oiled earth and engine grime. Breech and Shell case are done with AK true metal.

The primary washes have been blended in by a heavy drybrushing with Vallejo Iraqui Sand. Grease nipples have been painted in red and the outer breech plate has been painted with Vallejo Exhaust Manifold. I use this as it gives a variation in colour and depth rather than the flat effect from a plain steel paint. Next stage will be pin washes to lift individual details, rain streaks, oil, streaks and general wear and tear.

More detailed pin washes and wear and tear. This is the first of many similar stages where I sponge and brush on wear and corrosion then will tone it back a little in places with dry brushing. I don't work on the whole model at any one time and pick random sections. In theory doing this over a few nights varies the effect and stops me duplicating patterns. Using the sponge parts of cut down pan scrubs also helps vary the pattern. The first mix is the darkest I will be using and then I will do various lighter shades and repeat to reduce the similarity of colour.There is no definitive guide as to how often I will do this as I just keep on until I like the overall effect. If it goes wrong or I find I have duplicated the pattern too much I will just revert to the previous stage and dry brush the area out and start again.

Finished the 2 shells we include with the update set. Also painted a couple of shell head sets for display. Cases are done with AK True Metal Brass over Halfords Black primer, heads with Vallejo Field Grey, Black, Copper and Oily Steel. Shell Marking decals are by Peddinghuas.

Kill rings masked and painted in with Vallejo Stencil white. I don't worry about them being too neat as I like a rough field applied look rather than factory fresh. I have stained the cleaning rods with Vallejo Dark brown wash and then painted the ends in Exhaust mainfold and drybrushed the lot with Vallejo Iraqui sand again. Reflector painted in with Tamiya Clear Red and the tyres have been glued on and drybrushed with Iraqui sand then Vallejo European Dust and Oiled Earth wash has been used to tone down the sand in the grooves

Muzzle brake has been blackened using the sponge and Vallejo Matt black and this is where we are so far. I am fairly happy with the overall look now so its time for the thin brushes and individual chips, scratches and wear patches. I will then be adding very fine grime washes round the oil points, nuts wheel caps and places where dirty grease and oil are found.

And the finished model.