Airfix Model World – July 2018

INTERMEDIATE BUILD

T-80UM1 MBT

56 Airfi x Model World

camouflage pattern, although Blu
Tack could also be used. Next, MM
Medium Green was sprayed, before
70.862 Black Grey was hand-
painted as a boundary between
the previous shades. A small sheet
of generic decals was supplied,
comprising turret numerals and
various unit and national insignia,
from which a notional vehicle
number was created, a process
that needed all but ten minutes.
With this done, the whole model
was gloss-varnished again.
Weathering started with an oil

pin wash to highlight the detail;

this was where Modelcollect’s

moulding truly shined through, as

all the relief seemed to burst forth

into three-dimensional life. Once

the oils had been given at least a

day to cure, the model received

matt varnish, before the masking

was removed from the lower hull.

Dust-up

As applied, the colours were too

vibrant, with a resulting strong

contrast, so a filter was needed

to mute the appearance. Flory

Models (www.florymodels.co.uk)

Dark Dirt wash was brushed

evenly over the entire model

and allowed to dry, which didn’t

take that long, before the excess

was removed with a damp (not

wet) brush. It was important to

consider the brush direction;

downwards for the sides and

sloping surfaces, thus simulating

rain streaking, while the horizontal

surfaces were wiped in a random

pattern. Being water-based, Flory

Models’ washes meant the clean-

up process could be stopped and

started multiple times, until the

desired appearance was achieved.

This done, the wash was fixed with

a light spray of matt varnish.

The last layer of weathering

comprised pigments to replicate

a dusty exterior. MIG Productions’

P038 African Earth was employed,

concentrating more on the

lower hull and running gear.

Application of the dust was in

the opposite manner to the rain

streaks, working from the bottom

up. This ensured the greatest

accumulations would be on the

 The kit’s unditching beam looked exactly like a plastic log with sink marks...so a more
realistic replacement was fashioned from wooden dowel of the same diameter.

 After an airbrushed coat of Tamiya Buff, thin lengths of rolled Silly Putty set the
camouflage, with the centre portions then filled with more putty. Blu Tack could also be used.

 Medium Green completed the main camouflage; the stark contrast would be muted later
via weathering effects.

 The main tones were outlined with Vallejo Black Grey. By diluting the paint very lightly

with water, this colour was brush-painted easily.