Okay folks, I've got another little update. I've entered the "home stretch" at last, slowly knocking things off the need to do list! I believe the hull is basically done, excepting the driver's vision ports. I'd like to fill those openings with tinted Micro Krystal Klear, tinted dark blue. I experimented a bit by adding some Vallejo blue acrylic to the KK, but it wasn't dark enough for me and I had no black acrylic to add for darkening. I'll look into the supermarket's food coloring selection and see what they have. The biggest problem here is just getting to those ports for the filling; maybe should've planned that a bit better. Cleaning up any mess there may be kinda "ticklish". I see a few spots in the close ups that need paint touch up too (oh, those headlights and the lone tail-light!
), so that's on the plate for the next bench session.
I've taken a few pics that show the stowage items, just sort of mocked-up at the moment (taped on in a couple places). Everything will get a tie-down strap or rope for attachment. I've got painted Tamiya tape, lead foil strips and some webbing straps made from doubled painter's masking tape to use for that, along with several sizes of "rope" made from sewing thread, depending on the location and need. There are a lot of ammo cans that will placed behind the piece of traffic barrier pressed into service. I believe I'm done with the rope seen on front but may find some touching up needed there too.
Oh yeah, I've also inquired at Kings Hobby in Austin about finding a figure painter to "sub-out" that work on the two crew figures. I know that I can't do them justice and feel like my amateurish efforts would really detract from the overall look of the model. Maybe that is cheating a little but I'm planning on giving the credit where it's due!
Here are a few cellphone pics showing some progress at last, sitting atop one of my display cabinets. Thanks for your interest and your patience; we're slowly getting there!
