iggie's modelling table

[wokka]

I'm still debating on the scheme; the box art shows the Caunter scheme, but I have doubts over the blue and may go with a 'sand' colour overall... we shall see!

Just something to consider, I did the Caunter scheme on a Quad and 25Pdr last year for the El Alemain GB. I did not use Blue, the colour is in fact grey I believe that appears blue. I need to check which grey I used and I'll let you know.

[Stuart]

I'm still debating on the scheme; the box art shows the Caunter scheme, but I have doubts over the blue and may go with a 'sand' colour overall... we shall see!

Just something to consider, I did the Caunter scheme on a Quad and 25Pdr last year for the El Alemain GB. I did not use Blue, the colour is in fact grey I believe that appears blue. I need to check which grey I used and I'll let you know.

Nice work Wokka - is that the Tamiya kit?

[Stuart]

Thanks all

I decided to take a small time out before entering the Hercules GB...

What was that!?!?

Lol, no worries Jim, there's plenty of time. I like the look of the Matilda thus far.

[wokka]

That's right Stuart, built for the El Alemain GB in '22. Lovely kit.

[Lone Modeller]

That is first class Wokka.

[JohnRatzenberger]

FYI, FWIW, the usual Caunter colors, from light to dark:
-- BS64 Portland Stone
-- BS28 Silver Grey
-- BS34 Slate

Silver Grey is the one that seems most closely associated with "blue", but is not, and is the most touchy to mix.
Look online for Mike Starmer's mixes, which are Tamiya-based, and adapt from there.
There are other ready-mixed products, with White Ensign (enamel) being my favorite.
BUT blue is only seen on boxart !

Nice paint job on the quad/gun, Wokka

[Stuart]

That's right Stuart, built for the El Alemain GB in '22. Lovely kit.

Cool! I have that in the stash as It's a kit I've always wanted to build.

[iggie]

I don't seem to be having a good run of things so far this year: the Matilda had pretty much met the same fate as the Swagman in the song, and although reboxed in anticipation of another attempt, it is unlikely to ever see the workbench again. I suspected that masking it would be a fools errand, and I was proved right, but also getting the colours right for the Caunter scheme was just a chore too much. I'm too lazy is the truth of the matter, and following the oft quoted mantra that this is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby, I'm not wasting my time on a build that offers no enjoyment...
Shame really, as the basic build, as you'd expect from Tamiya, was good fun, but there are just too many projections, lumps and bumps on the hull to allow any chance of masking to be successful.

If time allows tomorrow, I'll go and commune with the stash and see if anything takes my fancy. I do have the Airfix C130 to build for the ongoing GB, but I'm not sure if that's the right kit to use as a mojo restorer. As Captain Oates was alleged to have said, I may be some time...

[Stuart]

Jim, feel free to give the C-130 GB a miss if the old mojo's not feeling it.

[wokka]

Nothing wrong with taking time out, it's a hobby not a production line and there's been a lot of change for you in the last few months so just chill and enjoy the weather.

[B4en]

Shame the Matilda ended up back in the box Jim, but we all do that sometimes. I've had the same kit in the stash for years and never made myself even start it. And yes, caunter is a pain to paint with or without masking. I'm pretty sure the bad boxart blue comes from the old Bovington Matilda which was given a rubbish paint job years ago and has been copied ever since - never trust a museum restoration!

Fingers crossed something else will perk up the mojo!

[Andy Dighton]

That's a shame Jim, as it was going so well.

[ShaunW]

Sorry to hear the Matilda build didn't go as planned, Jim. I've never tried the Caunter scheme myself and in fact I would generally avoid hard-edged camo schemes on tanks that require masking straight lines. Too much like hard work!

[Ratch]

That's a shame Jim, perhaps you will return to it when in a better frame of mind. I kept the masking to a minimum and hand painted the Caunter stripes. I did not use the colours recommended on the instruction sheet, but followed Mike Starmer’s advice, using the nearest colours I have to No.61 B.S.381-1930 Light Stone Base colour. For this I use Vallejo Model Air 71027 Light Brown. I use Vallejo Model Color 70870 158 Medium Sea Grey for the No.28 B.S.381-1930 Light Grey disruptive colour, and Humbrol Acrylic 31 Matt Slate Grey as No.34 B.S.381-1930 Slate Grey disruptive colour.

[Lone Modeller]

Very sorry to read about your problems Jim. I hope that things turn up for the better, but as Wokka has written, you have had a lot of change in life recently and perhaps you need a break.

I had a similar experience last year with the Nieuports for the GB race: they nearly killed the whole project, but after a pause I was able to complete them....incorrectly as it turned out, so now I am having to try again!!