1/35 Trumpeter M1133 Stryker MEV

[Medicman71]

I've been going to the one on 1960 and Jones. I'm not sure if that's the one you're talking about....I don't think it's Tomball...

I've never seen anything like that in any of them. Might me work checking out for $15 (it looks like) with a coupon. If they have different sets that'd be cool too.

No that's not the one. If you go to the one at 1960 @ Veterans Memorial they have them. Also the one at I-45 and Rayford-Sawdust has them too.

[Medicman71]

Now I'm at the point of weathering. Since I've never done armor before I'm in uncharted territory. I can't use anything but acrylics cause of SWMBO's parrot. The Stryker was painted in Tamiya NATO Green so not sure what colors to do the weathering in. Any tips would be much appreciated.

Can't use anything but acrylics AT ALL, or just can't spray them?

First - drybrushing. On someting like the Stryker it can help pop details that might be lost in the green. My all-time favorite drybrushing accent color is Model Master Dunkelgrau, but other tan-grays can work well, too. SAC Bomber Tan is another I've had success with. Vallejo + retarder can be used to drybrush in a pinch, but I much prefer enamels for the job.

Second - filters. For this one, I'd start with an overall brown filter, preferably oil paint thinned with odorless white sprits (Mona Lisa Odorless is sold at HL and is great). Raw umber is a good starting point. You want it VERY thin.

Next I'd move on to some dot filtering. Black, gray, yellow ochre, transparent white etc. Use a toothpick or airbrush needle to apply very small dots, "work them in" with a broad brush damped with thinner, then come back a bit later with a dry brush to blend everything. For streaks, consider snagging an Aqualon Wisp (also sold at HL).

Dot filtering is harder with acrylic...oils just work so well. But you can use acrylic washes to get part of the way there. I'm a big fan of Vallejo's washes and used them to great effect on my recent Challenger 1 build. The dark gray and black washes can also be painted onto a sponge and then "dry-sponged" onto the lower hull to represent road grit.

I can't use them in the house at all. And as you and Jim know all to well, it's too damn hot to do it in the garage or outside. I really do need to look into the Vallejo washes and all. I've been watching videos on them recently.

[Medicman71]

Some post shading done.

[Medicman71]

I can now say that I've painted traffic cones.

[LyleW]

Not everyone can say that, Medic. She is looking mighty fine.

[Medicman71]

Thanks Lyle! Getting all the stowage painted right now.

[Medicman71]

So I tested using the Tamiya weathering sets. Here's two wheels from the Stryker that I tested. The one on the right is the one I tested and the one on the left is the untested one. I'm really liking how it turned out.

[Medicman71]

Gloss coat, Decals, and satin coat on now.

[steve scan]

This is looking really good, I love the LAVs and Strykers, never built this one but I have often been close to getting one.

[Medicman71]

This is looking really good, I love the LAVs and Strykers, never built this one but I have often been close to getting one.

It's a great kit. No problems at all. It's my first armor build.