Weathering the Flak 37

I don't particulary like the "scrapyard look" that is so common these days in weathering a miniature. I believe that the equipment of an army at war doesn't last long enough to rust away, so I decided to keep my weathering to a ( what I believe to be ) realistic level. Don't misunderstand: I have much appreciation for the "scrapyard look" but I don't think it fits in a frontline stage and certainly not at the frontline of the 12 ss Pz div in Normandy 1944.

The paint on the Lafette  is likely to be damaged and worn out by the actions of the gun operators.

Scratches, mud splashes and rain streaks.

Difference in hue compared to the other side of the gun shield that catches more light and is likely to fade harder

And here's Cäsar. No weathering yet.

88 mm Flak 37 mit Behelfslafette - Painting stages

Decided to give my FLAK a faint green spiderweb camo scheme.

Here we go:

Some Pics of basecoating the Flak.

First primed the whole piece with Humbrol Primer. Next model I will try another primer because the Humbrol paint was a little 'grainy'. I don't like to use spraycan primer because it's far too indiscriminate in use; too heavy a coat.

I preshaded using Tamiya Flat Black and Vallejo Royal Purple 72016 (Game Color). First light overspray with Tamiya Desert Yellow + Buff, this gives a medium brown look when sprayed over the black and purple. Then several coats with a lighter shade using buff + white. In some spots I used some plain yellow in the mix to get a  difference in hue.


This is what it looks like:

There's going to be a camouflage pattern added and extensive weathering afterwards.

Stay tuned

Kradmantel

                         

Final stage for the Charmer.

This is the end station for 'This Charming Man'

Placed on the Flak base where he s going to stay for the rest of his 'life'

This Charming Man

The Kradmantel Almost Finished ....

Photoshopped in front of a Normandy meadow

Italian Style Camo Trousers to add some difference in hue.

By using some Russian Uniform Green I added some warmth to the greens of the coat .

This Charming Man

Update on the painting of the Kradmantel.

Upper torso and left arm finished

Front of the right arm finished, backside of the arm phase 2.

On the backside you clearly see the 3 phases of the painting process.

Left arm finished.

Upper left back basecoat + first highlight (phase 2).

Upper right basecoat (phase 1).

Lower side basecoat in progress (phase 1).

  Vallejo and Andrea Acryllics painted over a black basecoat of Vallejo Primer.

This Charming Man

Painting the fleshtones on the face 

This Charming Man

 ( Sorry 'bout that, Mozzer ! )

Priming and basecoating the cocky officer.

Painting the groundwork

Painting and harmonizing the groundwork

   Someone, Somewhere, in Summertime is missing his Heidi !!!

Shell casings and baskets are weathered

 Click for Reference: 88 mm Flak Ammunition Baskets

Click for Reference:   Anodized Shell Casings

           

             

Basic groundwork on the Flak vignette

Some basic groundwork to accomodate the Flak.

Cosy corner.  

Picknick anyone ?

No rather not :

Not enough air to breath !