MARK HOLLAND uses this product to create a layout scenic feature.
If an excuse was needed for me to do more modelling on our shop layouts, this was it!
We had an unfortunate Airfix kit whose box had become rather too flattened to sell, so I decided to put it to good use on our layout. The Airfix kit in question is their Sherman Tank kit in 1:72nd scale. A relatively cheap kit and one some of you may remember making in your childhood. Now as I couldn't have a tank driving around the layout (I don't know why but that's what I was told!) the decision was made to have it abandoned and weathered hidden in some woodland. This did happen more than you would imagine, especially in the run up to D-Day when lots of equipment was left and/or forgotten about in various locations around Sussex and Hampshire.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. The kit was assembled as per the instructions apart from I left the tracks off and had the hatches open. This was a personal choice as I felt it would look better when in place with these variations to the instructions.
After letting the glue dry completely, the tank was sprayed with a Humbrol No.86 Light Olive to give it a base colour for the weathering to work on.
Once the base coat of Light Olive had been left over night to dry completely, some weathering with paints was added using watered down acrylics from Revell and Railmatch. Both these ranges have a good selection of browns and greys to use, Railmatch even having some light and dark rust colours in their range.
To make the Sherman look really rusty, Deluxe Materials Scenic Rust (DLBD-27) was added. Once the previous paint was dry the Scenic Rust was mixed up and applied as per the easy to follow pictorial instructions (especially good for me as the simpler the better as far as I’m concerned).
After leaving overnight for the rust to properly develop, one rusty Sherman Tank. Now ready to be secreted in some woodland.
In position and ready be used as a climbing frame by local kids. A much more peaceful purpose than the one originally intended for it.
A good simple use for a good simple kit. The Airfix Vintage Classics range has a good selection of 1:72nd scale vehicles that can be used in this way to add a bit of variation to the normal railway layout scenery and they may even provide you with a few happy reminisces along the way.