AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org

Ground Power

IPMS Richmond Christmas party (delayed until January 14)AMPS-CV members are invited to IPMS Richmond’s Christmas party on Monday, January 14. The snow in December caused a cancellation of the meeting and a reschedule for January. Please read the IPMS Richmond newsletter for details: December2018SP.pdf

AMPS South Region Update from AMPS 2nd VP, Ed IngersollI have attached a copy of the AMPS Southern Front Report for your reading pleasure, please share this with your Chapter members and any others.

AMPS_Southern_Report_18-7.pdf

I am always looking for input from you all about “happenings” in your individual chapters that you want to share with the other folks in our region.

I want to welcome the four new South Region Chapters to our region!

Please remember if you plan to go on the Ft. Benning Restoration Facility Tour on Friday, Feb. 15, you need to give David Hobbs (djhobbs@gmail.com) a heads up on number of folks going ASAP, he will need a list of names in January. I look forward to seeing the Patton Motor Pool Building one last time before it gets torn down. I hope we get a preview of the new Restoration Facility site while we are there.

That’s about all I have for now. I want to thank my Associate Editor for the AMPS Southern Front Report, Bill Winter for casting his magic spell on the newsletter and for spicing up a bit too.

Here’s wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Ed Ingersoll 2nd V.P. AMPS South Region

Charlottesville Modelers ClubCharlottesville has a modeling club for all interests that meets on the second Saturday of every month from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., at Rail Tales Hobby Shop, in Charlottesville, VA. Don Terwilleger is the contact and can be reached via 434modelclub@gmail.com. Charlottesville Modelers Club

Central VA Chapter, Armor Modeling & Preservation Society | John Robinson, Editor | Volume 23 No.12

MEETING AGENDA6:30 BUSINESS

7:00 DEMONSTRATION

8:00 PASS IN REVIEW

9:00 ADJOURNMENT

(segments can vary in length)

PRE-MEETING DINNERA number of members meet for dinner at 5:15 at the Pizzarro restaurant located at 9966 Brook Rd., Glen Allen, VA 23059. www.pizzaropizza.com

UPCOMING MEETINGSVFW Post 10657 11568 Cedar LaneAshland, VA 23005

Thursday, December 27Demo: Face Painting by Mike Petty

Thursday, January 24Demo: Small-scale figures by Ashley Abernathy

INSIDE THIS ISSUEAMPS-CV headlines ............................ 1

Demo from last month ..................... 2-4

Upcoming shows ............................. 5-6

2018/2019 Event calendar ................... 7

Models on display last month ............8-16

AMPS-CV Workbench Cam .............. 17-18

AMPS membership ........................... 19

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 2

Products

If you want to take the guesswork out of choosing colors, you have many options on the market. AK Interactive has “Old & Weathered Wood sets as well as a guidebook “Realistic Wood Effects.“ Ammo by MIG has the paint set “Tools Colors.” Vallejo has the paint set “Old & New Wood Effects.” Lifecolor has the paint set “Weathered Wood.” All of these are acrylic based.

Materials

• Ashley recommends Value Gear wooden boxes and crates because the quality is very good. There are others that you may find, but check the quality of the castings before purchasing and avoid those with bubble holes or molding imperfections. Painting and weathering will highlight those flaws unless you go to the effort to fix them.

• Ashley prefers to base coat the wood using acrylic Tamiya Buff. Subsequent filters and washes are enamel based products straight from the bottle. AK Interactive Worn Effects chipping fluid is used as a barrier to acrylic paint coats if that is desired. Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver is mixed with the paint to get an even finish.

• Airbrush, paintbrushes (No.0 pointed & No.2 Flat), scalpel or hobby knife, sanding stick.

• Sprue runners to use as handles for painting the boxes. Use CA glue to attach them somewhere on the bottom in an inconspicuous place.

• Ashley likes to run a small fan that is USB powered at the edge of the desk whenever he is working. The fan blows away the fumes from cements and aids drying.

• Wooden box types

• Fresh from the factory in raw wood with no finish.

• Aged a bit, perhaps a varnish finish.

• Factory painted and stenciled with some age

• Factory painted, stenciled and well aged or used.

Method

• Prep the box - inspect and correct any casting flaws. Scribe missing board joints with a hobby knife and don’t forget the edges. Add nail marks with a sharp pin. Press lightly and offset the marks so they’re not in the same axis. Clean up with a light scrape from a hobby knife. Level the bottom with a sanding stick.

November meeting demo: Painting and Weathering Wooden Crates by Ashley Abernathy

Download Ashley’s presentation PDF here.

Extra equipment on armor models is almost required if you want it to look realistic. Common to any era and origin are wooden boxes. They are used to transport ammunition and equipment and when the contents are used up, it commonly serves as a stowage container for crew gear. So you can find wood in any condition from brand new, unfinished pine all the way to weathered wood with faded and chipped paint. Whatever route you choose, painting your boxes with some attention to detail increases the realism factor of the entire model. Here are the notes from the demo:

• Base coat - airbrush an acrylic base. Ashley likes Tamiya Buff but variety is the spice of life.

• Enhancements - apply a filter if you want to subtle colors shifts but it’s not necessary. Apply a dark brown wash to enhance board joints and nail marks. However, if you plan to paint the box you can skip this step. If you’re happy after these steps, seal it with a semi gloss or matte and you’re done.

• Paint chipping - skip the dark wash and instead, apply chipping fluid with an airbrush. Apply light coats only. If it’s too heavy, your paint effect will not be what it should. The chipping fluid should dry in a few minutes and you can continue work. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to chip the paint.

• Pick a color to paint the box. Olive Drab, Russian 4BO and German Dunkelgrau are common colors depending on your subject, buy you can also use civilian colors for old boxes. Ashley likes to mix Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver with the Vallejo paint. It helps you get an even, thin coat. Don’t totally cover the box; it looks more realistic that way.

• Clean your airbrush while the paint dries. The longer you wait the more difficult it becomes to chip the paint. Start with a soft, wet paintbrush and wet the box’s surface. Use another clean brush to start chipping off the paint. Go slow and easy at first to gauge the fragility of the paint layer. Leave paint in crevices and take off the most on corners and wear areas. Let it dry a day or so and then seal with a clear semi-gloss or matte depending on your preference.

Continued next page...

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 3

• Apply a pin wash of a dark color to the board joints and nail marks. Clean off excess with a clean and dry paintbrush. Ashley prefers SIN Industries Filter (Brown) thinned with some AK Interactive odorless thinner.

• Option #1: highlight the edges with Vallejo Model Color Khaki. Thin the paint slightly and apply with a wide, flat brush only to the edges.

• Option #2: apply dust-colored pigments as a final step.

8. Chipping finished.4. Base coated (front); dark wash applied (back).

7. Use water to dissolve the chipping effects.3. Primed Tamiya Buff and ready for weathering.

6. Apply thin paint layer but not 100% coverage.2. Add missing nail marks with a punch or needle.

5. Apply chipping effects fluid.1. Scribe any missing board joints.

Continued next page...

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 4

Step by Step Built crate, cleaned up, handles, hinges nail depressions , etc. added and primed. Ready to go.

Paint on a buff or slightly darker wood base tone if desired. Filters will darken it up!

Stained, or natural finish

Add filters, pin washes, smudges. Allow to dry after each application. Add “moss effect” if desired.

Paint hardware, nail holes, handles/rope,

Paint on or stipple on a highlight along edges. This is not a complete dry brush effect.

Gloss coat and apply decals at this time. Gloss coat over decals, then semi gloss coat.

Add filters, pin washes, smudges if desired. Don’t spend a lot of time here since most is covered by paint. Allow to dry after each application.

Paint on a buff color if the crate is to be distressed and chipped showing the wood below a painted coat.

Gloss coat, to protect the washes. When dry for a couple days apply hairspray, or chipping effects medium.

Painted Finish

Apply a thin coat of the final paint color. No need to saturate the crate with color since it supposed to be used and faded. Let dry then apply chipping techniques. Gloss coat when dry.

Apply light filter if desired and pin washes on the painted areas. Paint lightly as you don’t want to cover the exposed wood areas.

Apply decals, let dry. Gloss coat. After drying, gently sand, scrape decals to blend in with the paint chipping then apply semi gloss coat. Touch up paint and filter if needed after the destressing the decals.

Apply flat coat, apply light coat of dust or earth tone pigments via a dry brush method if weathering is desired.

FINISHED

References• Realistic Wood Effects, AK Interactive, 2013• FAQ, Andrea Press, by M. Jimenez, 2005• FAQ 2, AK Interactive, by M. Jimenez, 2012• Internet videos: AK Interactive, Last Cavalry, Andy’s Hobbies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3aVA7cDYGQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv5LkcIX3g8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzEzPe8EMc8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfyqXke9d6s

10. Final example.9. Dark wash in board joints and nail marks.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 5

AMPS Atlanta 2019

Eligibility for the “Armor in the Hedgerows” show theme is defined by: “Any Tank, Halftrack, Tank Destroyer, SP Gun used by the US or Germany during the Normandy Hedgerow Campaign.”

Join us for our 10th

annual AMPS Atlanta

model contest and show!

Our show provides a

great opportunity to tune

up your models in time

for the AMPS Nationals.

There are loads of

vendor tables, not to

mention great Southern

hospitality and

weather. All models

are judged using the

AMPS open system.

Not just a model

show, there will be

great figures on display

as well as educational

seminars.

Hilton Marietta Conference Center

500 Powder Springs St, Marietta, GA 30064

(770) 427-2500

More Information: www.ampsatlanta.org www.facebook.com/groups/ampsatlanta/

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 6

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 7

MONTH s M T W R F s

2019 AMPS-CV CALENDAR 2019

AMPS-CV Meetings in GREEN

JANUARY 30 31 01 02 03 04 05

06 07 08 09 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Modeler's Retreat, Fort A.P. Hill, VA

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

FEBRUARY 27 28 29 30 31 01 02

03 04 05 06 07 08 09

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Armor, Figure and Modeling Contest/Exhibition, Atlanta, GA

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Old Dominion Open, Richmond, VA

MARCH 24 25 26 27 28 01 02

03 04 05 06 07 08 09

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

APRIL 31 01 02 03 04 05 06 MosquitoCon, Wayne, NJ

07 08 09 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Model Classic, Fairfax, VA

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

MAY 28 29 30 01 02 03 04

05 06 07 08 09 10 11 AMPS Int'l Convention, Buffalo, NY

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

JUNE 26 27 28 29 30 31 01

02 03 04 05 06 07 08

09 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 AMPS Central South Carolina, Colombia, SC

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

JULY 30 01 02 03 04 05 06

07 08 09 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

AUGUST 28 29 30 31 01 02 03

04 05 06 07 08 09 10 IPMS National Convention, Chattanooga, TN

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

SEPTEMBER 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

08 09 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

OCTOBER 29 30 01 02 03 04 05

06 07 08 09 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

NOVEMBER 27 28 29 30 31 01 02

03 04 05 06 07 08 09

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Thanksgiving 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DECEMBER 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

08 09 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Christmas 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 01 02 03 04

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 8

Member display models from the November meeting

Tamiya US M3 (late) Stuart

by Mike Petty

in 1:35 scale

Mike added lead foil straps on the tools and stowage boxes. The kit markings were used but some touch up was done with yellow acrylics. The kit’s figure has eyes from

Archer Fine Transfers. The casting numbers are also from AFT. The AA MG has a RB Model barrel and the bow MG is from Tasca.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 9

Member display models from the November meeting

AFV Club US M60A1

by Alex Valz

in 1:35 scale

This kit is highly detailed but the quantity of parts demand a lot of time to clean

up and assemble. When a part from the suspension was lost, a new one was donated by an old Tamiya kit. The tracks are workable individual link but have ejector pin marks on each link. The camouflage is the Summer Verdant MERDC scheme from the 1970s/1980s. The light green is a

custom mix and the dark green is Tamiya NATO Green. Silly Putty was used to mask of the different areas. The dust on the tracks is Light Dust pigments mixed with distilled water. Dark Steel pigments were rubbed on the wear areas.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 10

Member display models from the November meeting

Takom German Krupp Raumer S

by Brian Alfano

in 1:35 scale

This kit has few parts and has only basic details so Brian is adding weld lines and flame-cut marks on all the panels. The welds are .010” styrene rod melted with

liquid cement. A custom texturing tool was made from a real welding rod by forming a concave tip.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 11

Member display models from the November meeting

Skif Soviet 2S1 Gvozdika

by Scott Bregi

in 1:35 scale

Scott found this kit tucked away in a stash and decided to build it based on some restoration work he was doing on a real 2S1 at the VA War Museum. Unfortunately, the

kit is very basic. The shape is good but the details are soft. A photo-etched brass fret with engine grills and light brush guards is included.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 12

Member display models from the November meeting

Dragon US Jeep

by Steve Bruce

in 1:72 scale

Steve made repairs to ejector pin marks by using Mr. Dissolved Putty. It was primed in Flat Black.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 13

Member display models from the November meeting

Takom British Mk.A Whippet

by Mike Petty

in 1:35 scale

This kit was easy to build and had no problems. The tiny hooks on the side are photo-etched brass parts from the kit. The tracks are painted with AK Interactive

Dark Track Color, followed by a light rust wash and then AK Interactive’s Dark Steel pigment. The figure is from Stalingrad.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 14

Member display models from the November meeting

Takom German Krupp 21cm Mörser 10/16

by Alex Valz

in 1:35 scale

So far the kit has been nice to build and it fits well. Some photo-etched brass parts are included.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 15

Member display models from the November meeting

Takom Soviet SMK

by Mike Petty

in 1:35 scale

So far this build has been out of the box. Lifting eyelets on the engine deck were drilled out. Included in the box is photo-etched brass fret with deck screens. See an

update on page 18.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 16

Member display models from the November meeting

Hobby Boss Soviet T-12

by Glen Martin

in 1:35 scale

Glen replaced the kit’s exhaust with one made from scrap sprue. It was stippled

with Mr. Surfacer, sprayed Flat Black then a rust-colored wash was applied. Excess was wiped off and touched up with graphite. The model is painted with different shades of green and then weathered with several different washes. A light dust pin wash was

applied to the bolt and rivet heads. Paint chipping was done by using Vallejo German Camouflage Black Brown and Beige. The leaf debris is from AMMO.

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 17

AMPS-CV Workbench Cam

Takom British M3 Grant

by Frank Blanton

in 1:35 scale

“Wading into the Takom M3 Grant model.

Excellent casting and the assembly is not too fussy. Some additional cast texture added with Mr. Surfacer 500 on the turret and final drive assembly. Fit is very good. There is some minor flash here and there especially on the wheel axles so care must be taken to remove for a proper fit. I

deleted the 37mm counter weight as much of my references from the October 1942 battle of Gazala shows none with that feature. I capped of the attachment point by punching out a 0.8” hex from stock. The coaxial .30 Cal is a brass item from Aber.”

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 18

AMPS-CV Workbench Cam

Takom Soviet SMK

by Mike Petty

in 1:35 scale

“The construction was not very difficult. I used the Hobby Trax generic track and hull jig to get the track set up. There are 110 blocks on each side and I have to

admit the track fits perfectly. I decided to use Mission Models 4BO as it seemed to be close to the clip of paint I have used in the 1939-1940 time period. I used Vallejo Model Air Black Green to outline the panels and recessed areas then shot a mist of the 4BO over the entire model. The red stars on the main turret are stencils. I decided to show the SMK in a winter whitewash

camo. It’s been quite an adventure the get the whitewash so it looks realistic over the entire vehicle. I think the final product looks fairly convincing and ready for more weathering on the running gear and upper hull. I used AK Interactive’s Worn Effects underneath the white paint. I have a couple of Stalingrad figures I’m planning to use in a snow scene.”

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org 19

1 year 2 years 3 years

USA $30 $55 $80

Canada/Mexico $35 $65 $95

All Other $40 $75 $110

Membership includes the society’s Boresight magazine that is published six times per year. In it are exclusive articles about armor research and modeling.

To pay by check or money order, enter your delivery information at right and mail it with your payment to:

AMPS Membership PO Box 227 Fairhaven, MA 02719-0227 USA

Renew or start your AMPS membership online at: www.amps-armor.orgPayPal, Visa and MasterCard accepted

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