Semovente M40 75/18

New project! 

Starts with interior scratch-building of ammo racks. 

The ammo rack came together well. Used leftover panzer iv wheels and plastic strip for fake transmission parts. This won't be very visible thru the open hatches, but does the trick! 

Except for seats, the bottom half of the interior is about done. 

Since I don't plan to use the kit's rubber-band tracks, I snipped off a piece and glued it under the grills to look like something "mechanical" is in there. 

Interior with seats, grease, and dirty floors added. had to carve a little cushion texture (i.e. butt marks) into the otherwise flat seats. 

Breda 30 and clip for inside stowage. 

Spring cleaning 🙂 

Working on the main gun, I added a short piece of plastic tube on the back of the barrel to make it longer. I want it to look like it's running through the ball gun-mount, not just stuck on it. 

 

Adding sponson shelves for the interior. Lots of trial and error to get a good fit. 

The gun needs proper handles. Drilling holes and Using plastic rod.  

Cut to size and build up with a slurry of super-glue mixed with corn starch. 

Need handles on the control wheels too. 

 

 

Radio and booster from spare parts box. 

Pistol ports and fire extinguisher from spare parts. 

Needs a first aid kit... 

Driver's control panel and wiring - spare parts or scratch-built. 

Tool box... 

Ammo box... 

Built a periscope (exterior view). 

Periscope (interior view). 

Mounted the Breda 30. 

Spread some spent shell casings around. 

Working on hinges for drivers vision port. 

Vision visor attached (interior) 

Vision visor (exterior) 

Masked from the inside. Hope I can get all this out, later 

The top is on. It felt like sealing an Egyptian tomb... 

Ready to paint! 

Looks a lot better with an airbrush shot of Tamiya White Primer. 

Used "Earth Red" as a shade base and to simulate primer paint. 

After letting the first base color dry for three or four days, I wet it down with tap water and a drop of "wetting" agent (liquid laundry soap) to help it flow evenly. While it was wet, I applied salt. 

I used both table salt and coarser kosher salt to get a variety of sizes, and let it dry before adding the next sand color. 

A lot of the salt comes off during the painting process, but after the second coat is dry, the remaining salt is rubbed off. A little water helps melt the salt. 

Pin washed, dry-brushed, and muddied. 

Details on and/or painted. Ready to install the wheels and tracks. 

Finis!