Lend Lease Matlida - revived

[Gary Boxall]

Continuining with my attempt to reduce the embarrassingly large number of unfinished projects, I decided to tackle this one next. A Soviet Lend-Lease Matilda.

I started this way back in the MA days using these bits...



Construction was pretty straightforward....













The side skirts were left off to aid painting of the suspension...



A light coat of Tamiya Surface Primer from a rattle can is followed with British Khaki Green G3. This was the standard green base coat applied in the UK at the time and how the Matildas were delivered to the Soviets - including, in most cases, original markings. They were usually only overpainted with 4BO following a major overhaul.
I utilised one of Mike Starmer's mixes to create the G3 using Tamiya paints. Mix: - 3 pts XF62 + 2 pts XF59. I used a syringe to ensure correct measurements and made the mix in a Tamiya glass jar so I have more paint for future projects already made up.

Further top coats will be required (inc post shading) once the side skirts are added...





Next I will need to paint any suspension details before I can add the skirts.

Gary

[Philipp Gross]

That certainly was a while ago Good to see you back on it!

Philipp

[Vincent Power]

Nice

Vincent

[Gary Boxall]

Tracks & suspension pained so side skirts can go on....



Couple of issues with the other side. Firstly, one of the hinges came off (damn CA glue) and disappeared into the void. So will create an opportunity to have one of the suspension access doors open. Cut the door out and will make an 'open' one from sheet styrene and that will enable me to hide the missing hinge. Also, the inner resin mud shute section appears to be slightly warped which has affected alignment. It's not by much, but enough to notice. I think I'll need to conceal it with some carfeully placed dirt later on in the weathering process....



It also required a little Mr Surfacer to help fill some minute gaps, hence the grey lines. Will give another overspray of basecoat when dry tomorrow before embarking on some post shading and a coat of floor polish.

Then I need to try to find where on earth I put the Echelon decals

Gary

[Gary Boxall]

Few drops of XF59 are added to the base colour for some highlights....









Clear coat is up next.

Gary

[Gary Boxall]

Thankfully, the decals were easy to find. Application was a mixed bag though. Everything was easy to apply except the red fording lines. They needed a lot of coaxing into position due to rivet detail and ensuring they were straight! The turret ID letter 'B' also needed a little cutting to get it to fit around the brackets. Otherwise the decals went down well with some setting solution...









It is certainly interesting visually having the stock WD markings on the tank and then a spattering of Soviet added into the mix.

I'll leave them to dry overnight before sealing them with a clear coat. I can then start some detail painting.

Gary

[Philipp Gross]

Very good

The decals problem sounds familiar

Philipp

[Adam Durrant]

Quite clear work so far Gary!

[Dan Reed]

Did all Matildas have these markings (fording height, etc)?
Dan

[Gary Boxall]

No they didn't Dan. I don't know what the criteria was for having them was either. They seemed to be much more common on Australian vehicles.

Tools etc are painted....







Next up a pin wash was followed by another clear coat and then some oil rendering....





The mud chutes haven't been weathered at this stage as they'll be 'dirtied' up with pigments later on.

Gary