u/Donkeeeeeeeeeeee

This is Entry #4 in my 100 Tanks & Vehicles Challenge: an M4 Sherman Bulldozer from Trenchworx.

This build is going to be part of a larger D-Day display board that I am creating for my army for Nashcon. I wanted a vehicle that would add some engineering support and visual interest to the scene, and the Sherman bulldozer was a perfect fit for that role.

This was a fairly straightforward build, and I did not use any especially advanced techniques on this one. The most unique part of the project was adding sand to the bulldozer blade so that it looks like the vehicle is actively pushing earth. My goal was to help the model blend naturally into the display board and feel like it is interacting with the terrain rather than simply sitting on top of it.

I decided to build a model for the pintle-mounted medium machine gun that would allow me to add or remove it depending how i ended up doing my army build for the tournament.

The Trenchworx kit was a pleasure to work with. I have been very impressed with their models, and this one went together nicely while capturing a vehicle variant that adds a lot of character to the collection.

Overall, this was a fun and satisfying project. It may not have involved complicated painting or weathering techniques, but it helped me think more carefully about how individual vehicles can contribute to a larger scene. I will be sure to post updates on the D-Day display board as it continues to take shape.

As always, feedback and suggestions are welcome.

This M10 Wolverine was more of a modeling project than a painting project.

I found this incomplete kit in my model closet and decided to finish it instead of throwing it away. Several parts were missing, so I had to scratch-build and replace a number of details to get the model back into shape. Can you determine which ones?

Since most of the work went into rebuilding the kit, I kept the painting simple and used my usual quick paint and weathering process. I did not add any battle damage or try anything experimental on this one.

Overall, this was a fun project and a good reminder that incomplete kits can still turn into solid models with a little extra work.

Next up is a BT-42 loaded on a flatbed train car with some terrain work, which should be a nice change of pace.

Constructive feedback is always welcome.

For my second entry in the challenge, I revisited an old Blitzkrieg German Kradschützen motorcycle and sidecar model that had been sitting half-painted in my closet of unfinished projects. I stripped it using Simple Green in my ultrasonic cleaner and started over from scratch.

My main goal with this project was to put more effort into the base. I wanted to create something more visually interesting than the plain motorcycle bases I often see on the tabletop, so I built a gravel road and added a large tree trunk with directional signs to give the model more character and tell a story.

From a modeling standpoint, I’m very happy with how this piece came together. The composition is probably a little too crowded, but I think the extra scenery helps make the motorcycle feel much more dynamic and alive.

The painting, however, didn’t turn out quite the way I envisioned. There’s something about the final finish that just doesn’t feel right to me, and I’m not completely satisfied with the end result. While this likely won’t be a model that sees much time on the tabletop, it was still a valuable learning experience and gave me useful ideas for future motorcycle and small-vehicle projects.

Overall, this was a win from a creativity and experimentation standpoint, even if the final paint job didn’t fully meet my expectations.

Finished my latest StuG III Ausf. G for Bolt Action — a Rubicon Models kit with a good amount of extra stowage added.

I treated this one as a pure practice piece rather than building it for any specific army. I removed a few sections of the side armor skirts (Schürzen) and added more battle damage than I normally would so I could experiment with different weathering techniques and push myself outside my comfort zone.

This is part of my personal challenge to paint and post 100 tanks and vehicles this year. The goal is to improve my skills and test out new products and techniques on every project.

For this model, I tried AK Interactive Precision Paneliner for the first time. I usually use Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color. My initial impression is that the AK product offers a wider range of color options, which is great, but it feels noticeably thinner and tends to spread more aggressively across the surface than I prefer. Tamiya's panel liner seems slightly thicker and gives me a bit more control.

Overall, I’m happy with how this StuG turned out and with what I learned during the process. Constructive feedback is always welcome!