Humber LRC WiP

Quite quiet on the modelling front since my last little burst of activity. I have however managed to get the models I had been working on decaled and varnished.

Still got the bases to do for these two chaps - but a nice start. I've tried some dust effects on these guys using Tamiya Weathering Stick (Sand) to put some pigment along the areas that would generate dust and then a rough haired brush to blend the pigment into the model a bit. Comments on this welcome - I should perhaps have started with the mud effect and then done the dust on top. I was surprised how much of the pigment survived after the matt coat spray.

The Humber LRC's will make up part of one of my recce patrols. The plan is to have a bit of a mix of Humbers and Daimlers in the unit - the 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry who supported the HD was unusual as it was not the 51st Highland Divisions actual recce regiment. This was 51st (Highland) Recce Regiment which was formed as part of the Recce Corps from 152, 153 and 154 Anti-Tank Companies in Feb 1941. During the fighting in the desert, despite giving a fantastic account of themselves (difficult to do when operating as a recce unit in the desert), the HD's own recce regiment was converted into a lorried infantry regiment.

The 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry joined the HD in January of 1944 and while not formally part of the Recce Corps they were honorary members. The regiment fought in Normandy used Humber armoured cars and Humber LRC scout cars, before switching to Daimler armoured cars and Daimler Dingos during the siege of Le Harv. One of very few regiments in NWE to be so equipped. 

Alongside these two are two 'support' models in the form of a couple of 15cwt trucks. One for my pioneer platoon and another 'spare'. Originally to be part of my arty HQ but I have now purchased some older trucks that are not on bases and am planning (or trying to plan) a mini diorama to match the other two (tea drinking Jocks and surrendering Jerries).

These two have still to be matt sprayed and have the bases completed. I may have gone a bit OTT with the black camo, but I was trying to follow period pictures. It seems the units landing in Normandy at the start of the campaign tended to have vehicles painted with this camo pattern, but later replacement vehicles just had the standard factory paint scheme.

Further Experiments with Weathering...

This will be the first of two posts tonight - as this one is post #99!

Looking at the model I was experimenting with the other night and the feedback I had received I decided to go back and try again.

First, a wee pic of the Tamiya Weathering Master compacts:

The nice thing about this stuff is that a simple wipe with a damp paper towel and it comes off, allowing me to try again. At this point I am going to have to give serious consideration to either building one of my Open Fire plastic StuG's or picking up a cheap plastic 1:72 model to practice on.

This time I started with the Mud colour and built up first to Sand, then to Light Sand.

So the comparison pics. First up is the earlier version:

And the new attempt:

I think the second attempt is a lot nicer - much more subtle.

Here's the other side:

Not quite as subtle, but still better than the first try I had. Note on this one you can see the blackening around the end of the barrel as well.

I'm not too sure how to treat the turret. I've done nothing to it and it does look a little clean (and dark) in the pictures. Without the daylight bulb it doesn't look as dark, and the pigment effects are a lot less bright as well. The joys of trying to photograph models!

Anyway, again, thoughts are welcome. I may try and pick up some of the liquid pigment washes that replicate dust effects. I would also welcome any comments on how exactly the rainwater streaks can be done. I've tried google and youtube, etc, but no further forward.

Experiments with weathering

A few weeks ago, I picked up a couple of packs of the Tamiya weathering master packs. These are little packs of pigments that are in some sort of wax suspension. They can be applied via brush or sponge and theres a couple different types of pack. I got a Type A and a Type B.

Type A contains Sand, Light Sand and Mud. Type B has Snow, Soot and Rust.

So far, here's what I've got... I'm not too happy with it, but it looks better than drybrushing.

Again, thoughts on the pics would be helpful - I really could do with sitting with someone to show me how to do this. (Looking at you Paul!).