T-55A Medium Tank [WIP - Streaks of Grime, Early Onset of Rust, Diesel Stains and a Realistic Log]

So it begins. Weathering proper for the T-55A medium tank. And it'll be a while before I get the hang of things. Before this, my miniature figurines never needed much if any weathering while the W40K stuff  was more forgiving since they don't conform completely to reality. For this T-55A, I wanted to portray a tank that was only operational for about a year or so in a mostly urban environment. In such a scenario I assumed an early onset of rust on the outer fringes; heavy rust for exposed spare iron tracks; diesel stains on the fuel drums/tanks; and general streaks or smears of dirt and grime.  

T-55A work-in-progress: Early onset of rust and streaks of grime on the turret

Yet more early rust on steel hinges, and old diesel stains on the fuel tank cap

Tools in my weathering arsenal consisted mainly of enamel washes and paints. A notable exception was a Diesel Stain acrylic wash. The enamels were from AK Interactive while the acrylic weathering effect was from Vallejo. In addition, the Mr Hobby Top Coat (Semi-Gloss) was a key product used before and after the weathering process. Before, to protect the paint job underneath. After, to breath life into the weathering washes and paints by increasing contrast and definition.  

Weathering was done using mainly enamel-based products and an acrylic one

Effects of a semi-gloss clear coat on the weathering effects (before, wheels on left row and after, right row)

It was important to keep in perspective the operational age of the tank so as to not get carried away with the application of weathering effects. It's always so much easier to weather the s#*t out of something as opposed to keeping a consistently light touch. In my opinion it's harder to maintain an overall realistic look when weathering is light. Practice (and more practice) is perhaps the best way find that sweet balance in weathering effects. I'll certainly have opportunity for practice with AFVs now forming a more regular part of my miniature/scale model kit project pipeline.

Overhead view of the turret which saw little weathering as the T-55A hasn't logged that many hours yet

Gun mantlet canvas has had more washes applied to it since the last time it was shown

Look closely and you can just about spot very early onset of rust on the turret hooks and storage boxes

Tank hatches have yet to be effected by rust as I presume they would be well oiled in its first year of operation

Headlights were either covered up (colour similar to hull) or exposed (dark grey)

White paint markings still look new because don't forget, the tank is barely operational for over a year

Actually there was one other product I used in the T-55A's weathering process. I had used the Tamiya Weathering Master Set B dry pastel (soot) the recreate how the exhaust vent would look like after being exposed to diesel exhaust fumes. Barely a year into service, I resisted the temptation to make the exhaust vent either warped or discoloured by constant exposure to heat. Soot accumulation was also kept to a minimum seeing that the urban-based tank would've had access to regular cleanups. 

Upper hull after undergoing what I would term as light weathering

Assuming the tank is cleaned occasionally, I didn't go overboard with the buildup of soot on the exhaust vent 

Fuel drums have been weathered to look used but not abused

My reasoning for making this Czechoslovakian T-55A an urban-based tank isn't founded on any particular factual evidence. It's actually based on what could've happened historically after the events of Prague Spring. To keep political liberalisation in check, one assumes a fair amount of tanks would've been based near urban areas like the capital of then Czechoslovakia to forcibly put down any civil unrest. This is of course pure conjecture on my part. It was a choice made to represent this version of the T-55A medium tank in its most realistic form. In no way did I intend to glorify the sad circumstances of a former country which was behind the iron curtain at that time. 

Unditching beam was painted with care to show wood grains and simulate a natural looking wooden log

When painted up, the strings do look like real steel cables; note the beginnings of rust below the tow hooks

Exposed spare iron track is expected rust faster than the painted hull

Right corner of the upper hull's front end with its tow hook cable, spare tracks and headlights

Working on 1/35 scale tanks can be exhausting, fun but exhausting. Even after all this weathering - light as it may be it was still a lot of work - there are two major sections still yet to be addressed. One is the tank commander figurine and the other are the tank tracks. The former is to me the most important piece of the kit while the latter needs to be painted and reconfigured to show a sag (as heavy iron tracks are wont to do and what rubber vinyl parts won't). Soon my very first 1/35 scale model kit will be complete and I will be well and truly hooked on yet another hobby addiction.