Well, it appears I have successfully put off painting for quite a while, but fell err... back on the wagon (?) and managed to actually complete a new APC for my desert themed, 8th Army inspired, Cadian 287th Armoured.
Back in January I picked up one of the new Kangaroo APC models from Victoria Miniatures when they ran a fundraising appeal for the Australian bush fires and donated proceeds from the sale of these vehicles.
The Kangaroo is a 40K-compatible multi-part resin kit with options for the turret and hull guns that are similar to their GW counterparts. The turret comes with double gun (that could proxy as a heavy bolter), flamethrower, and a laser-type option, while the hull offers bolter and flamer.
I'd decided to not got overboard on magnetizing and customizing this model - a rabbit hole I've dived down a few times with my GW tanks, and satisfied myself with just magnetizing the two hull guns and putting in a magnet to keep the turret firmly in place. The hull guns are designed to take 5mm x 1mm magnets, and the turret had space for a magnet though there wasn't a recess in the hull, so I drilled one out. The main gun could have been be magnetized too, but I decided to just go with the twin cannon as a heavy bolter variant.
Size-wise the Kangaroo APC is the same width as a GW Chimera, while
being a little longer. The hull is slightly lower and the turret
slightly taller; overall the footprint is quite similar to the GW APC.
I added a bit of stowage - partially to help with the desert theming and partially because I was planning a simple main colour and wanted some elements that could contrast and add interest. These came off a GW super-heavy tank kit and helped add some 40K specific icons.
I wanted to try to improve some airbrushing and weathering techniques so decided on a very simple single overall Light Stone / Portland Stone colour scheme.
The model was primed with Stynylrez Neutral Yellow which I've found is an excellent base for the light desert yellows and browns.
And then the recesses, panel lines, and darker areas were pre-shaded with Vallejo Model Air Armour Brown. Pre-shading often seems to be done with black and white but because I was using a light brown/yellow I though a deep brown might be a better dark shade.
The whole model was then base coated with Vallejo Air UK Light Stone.
And a zenithal highlight applied Vallejo Portland Stone, and then the bits of stowage and symbols were all painted.
I used some masking tape to help add an RAC style white/red/white flash to each side - it's a feature that helps tie in the 8th Army styling and adds an extra bit of colour to an otherwise plain scheme.
With all base colours completed decals were added (borrowed from WWII British tanks). The diamond on the turret marks the vehicle as part of an HQ element.
Rust added to the engine exhausts, and a wash of Army Painter Soft Tone completed the painting.
After sealing with a coat of varnish I dug into my box of AK and Mig enamels and began weathering.
Ochre for Light Sand filter applied over all surfaces.
Cadian 287th Armoured "Sand Scorpions" regimental symbol on the turret. (Red Scorpions? Never heard of 'em.)
The filter helps the stowage elements blend in and gives a lived-in look to the whole vehicle.
Africa dust effects added, concentrating on surfaces were dust and sand would accumulate.
Heavier use of dust applied to the skirt panels.
Rust effects added to the exhausts and rear access hatches.
The last stage was to do some chipping. Previously I'd just used a single chipping colour (usually a red brown) but I'd watch a video where the use of multiple colours was suggested, including one lighter than the base colour.With this in mind I settled on my usually Charred Brown, but added Sand Yellow, and even a little Silver for recently chipped areas.
Chipping effects on the front.
And finally on the turret.
Finished Kangaroo APC
Silver chipping on the access handle to suggest recent and heavy wear.
Tamiya "Soot" weathing applied to the muzzles of the bolters where the rocket effects of those projectiles might be seen.
So, overall - pretty happy with the outcome. Some irregularities in the resin (that ideally I would have cleaned up during assembly) only came to light as I was painting, and I decided I would live with them rather than redo sections.
Does this mean the modelling drought has broken? We shall see. I do have a Rubicon LRDG truck sitting there just looking at me.
