LAV-25 Piranha

George Bacon
Finished at last!

Hunter Cummins
George this is another master piece 😄
And I know I have asked you this a million times but how did you do the mud on LAV and the jagdpanzer?????? 😄😄😄
And again thanks for helping me and again superb job mate 🙂

George Bacon
Thanks Hunter! To do the mud, I usually apply a filter of "dust" over the whole model via airbrush using a sandy color, like Model Master British Gulf Sand. The filter blends into a little thicker application toward the bottom of the vehicle.

Next, using a shovel in my backyard, I dig down to mineral soil and get about a cup. I can get different colors at different locations, and have seen everything from sand to red around town. This is spread and dried on a cookie sheet and baked in the oven on low heat to dry it. (I usually wait for my wife to be gone so she doesn't have to know about the oven thing). 🙂

I have a little shaker thing I got at a yard sale (I think it was for sifting flour). It's just a cup with a screw-on screen top. I put the dried dirt into it and shake out the finer material (wear a dust mask). If I want even finer material, I cover the screen with an old stocking.

I'll mix a little slurry of dirt and white glue (like Elmer's), diluted with water to get a thick paint-like consistency (you have to experiment). The mud is painted and dabbed on. I noticed you can get different effects depending on how "wet" you get the mud, and how much you filter the dirt. It kind of washes off, if you don't like it. It can change color as it dries, so experimentation is needed. I have also airbrushed dirt colors over the mud, to match the dust filter or to get it the color I like, but prefer not to have to do that, if I don't have to. That's it! It's kind of fun, playing in mud... 🙂

Hunter Cummins
Again george I thank you very much 😄😄🙂 (and goodnidea about using the oven when the wifenis gone;)) and I will experiment because I want the same effect on my vk 45.02😄 and I am only 16 and cannt affordnall of those pigments now 🙁:'( but this is a great alternative =) and I thank you for your wonderful support 😄

Hunter Cummins
And whats the next project on the bench😉🙂

George Bacon
Actually, I just kid about my wife. She knows everything I do 🙁 and gives me full support 🙂 I'm very lucky!

Not sure what's next, but will decide soon!

Hunter Cummins
Hahahah I figured she did😉 and you are quite lucky 😄😄😢 and
That hetzer you have would be a great canadite 😄 and I have an extra eduard photoetch set for your kit 😄 doyou want it ??? Its fenders and other stuff 🙂
Just ket me know 🙂

George Bacon
Hunter, thank you so much for your kind offer, but I have the photo-etch I want for the Hetzer (and the full interior). You do fabulous work for only 16! 👍 How long you been building models????

Hunter Cummins
I only have the engine compartment from verlinden 🙁 but hey its better than anything 😄
And I thank you for your very kind words 😄 and I started at 13 =) but I acctually really started bulding models the correct way at the age of 14 🙂😛

Hunter Cummins
And do ya really think im that good??

Gerald
👍

Gary
Nice job!! Really like the finish. Gary