An armor modeler from across the pond I was acquainted with passed away suddenly last week.
I was surprised to hear this news. I only knew him on the 'net and we had friendly back-and-forth about his models. Often he'd take time to explain how he achieved a certain effect for which I was grateful. It always impresses me when someone so skilled is willing to share their techniques.
I started this field piece on Sunday. I had a bunch of spare parts and odds 'n ends put aside that I thought might make a nice scout car. This was more than I felt capable of but I found most of the parts I needed for this model.
I stumbled on those little adjustment wheels while working on a different model the day before. The small one is a 1/72 ring sight that I clipped from its base which was then re-positioned on the end of the shaft. I also found a nameless part that seemed good as a feed guide. After finding these key parts, I felt like something was guiding me along.
The wheels with tires come from a 1/72 Tornado.
This is how things looked Sunday night. You can see the shield plate was cut and set aside to be attached the next day.
Then things got busy and it sat like this for a couple of days.
Finally I was able to get it painted. I used a custom weathered olive drab acrylic mix applied with a paintbrush. The tires and inner barrel were painted Model Masters Flat Black.
The way the olive drab it makes the model look like it was caught in the rain matched my mood.
I was always in awe of my 'net-friend's paint work so having an evocative finish like this seems appropriate.
This is a small model as the U.S. copper penny shows.
Even though this is probably more of a howitzer than a cannon, I like to think my friend would've appreciated it anyway.
I built this as a way of commemorating his passing and all the work he shared over the years. He left quite a legacy and will be missed.
Brian da Basher