From PhilH: Armour Inspired by MartinN at Mudry’s Mesa (83 Points)

As soon as I saw the task for Mudry’s Mesa, I knew what I’d enter: in Challenge IX, MartinN entered a stunning T-26 tank for his gorgeous Spanish Civil War Nationalist force. He made the Rubicon kit sound excellent, so I ordered a pair.

Martin’s work on vehicles is peerless among the challengers, so I took the opportunity to learn a few new techniques and (mostly) follow his method, that was detailed in the second Setting the Scene book.

I didn’t have any fancy modulations, or an airbrush, so the base colours were all hand painted, which was time consuming. I consciously chose a darker, less vibrant green to Martin’s entry, and also wanted them to look a little cleaner like a fresh delivery by boat from Russia.

Republican tanks also  offered less scope for colourful markings, just some numbers by decal, freehand hammer and sickle and political slogans. I did add some baggage and a tank commander nonchalantly reviewing the battlefield, taken from a Perry metal set.

I’m pleased with how the exhausts came out, less rusted up, so I made up my own method.

Trial and error of new techniques, and waiting on new supplies meant these took me weeks to get finished, but I managed to do so for both tanks to make a debut last weekend.

There are a few things I’d do differently, but it was a learning process and they’re waaay better than the few vehicles that I’ve painted previously.

The kit comes with enough parts to make the 1938 pattern turret, so I built those as well, in case I should ever game the Eastern Front.

So deepest thanks to Moiterei for both the inspiration and guidance. I had such a blast I’ve a third tank on order to do as a captured Nationalist vehicle.

Two vehicles is 40, plus the extra turrets lets say another 10 and tank commander for 2. Then the location bonus for 30, makes a tidy 82 plus any Minion discretion for the freehand work.



You've certainly done a great job on these for brush-painting Phil. A fine pair of light tanks for your Republicans. I'm scoring the commander as 3 points (half-a-figure, rounded up).

TamsinP