M5A1 Stuart Light Tank platoon Finished.

The last details are done.
Adding decals, give them a muddy look and seal them.
Lets start with the decals. This almost turned out to become a disaster.
When i got my sheets with decals i found out they were stuck together. By removing them from each other i damaged most of the decals. Luckily i had enough decals of the big stars that went on the front of the tank. The big problem were the ones that had to go on the side of the tanks. I had to see if there were 10 of then left that i could use. After 1 and a half hour i finally had 10 decals i could use of which 1 has little damage.
Time to add the decals.
First i paint a little layer of gloss varnish on the spots were the decals has to go. Then, when it it is dry, i put some Micro-Set on it, got a decal out of the water and gently put it with a brush on the right spot. I first did all the big stars on front. After the last 1 was done i went back to the 1st one and, because the surface wasn't flat, i gently pushed on the decal with a little pellet made of paper towel or something like that so the decal would set nicely around the raised edges. This is done with all 5 the tanks. After that it was time to add the decals on the side. Same procedure but then without the paper towel pressing because the surface was flat. Only had to line them out nicely.
After everything was dry i painted a thin layer of gloss varnish over the decals. I started with this because in the past when i sealed some models with matt varnish the decals suddenly started to dissolve. So to prevent of happing again i paint some gloss varnish over the decals.
Next was to give them a muddy look. This is simply done by a dry brushing a brown color, i used Vallejo Saddle Brown, on the side front and back. Some places a thicker layer then others.
Then last. Sealing them.

The end result!



Click on the Read More link to see more pictures

M5A1 Stuart Light Tank platoon Update 2

A second update.
De tanks are highlighted.
First highlighting is a dry-brush with the base color Vallejo 887 Brown Violet.
After that there was a second highlighting by dry-brushing using the color Vallejo 886 Green Grey.
Unfortunately because the models are still very shiny it is hard to see the highlighting.
After that it was time to paint all details, give them a thin layer of wash and highlight them if necessary.
Sorry for the somewhat crappy pictures i shall see if i can take some better one's.





All what is left to do now, before sealing them, is to add decals and give them a muddy look. And maybe do some touching up.

Thanks for looking and reading.

PS. Post #100. :)

M5A1 Stuart Light Tank platoon Update 1

All tanks are painted in their base color. Vallejo 887 Brown Violet.
As you can see the tracks, MG's and the stowage aren't painted yet. These will be done after the hull and turret are completely done.


After the basis color was dry the tanks were painted with layer of a very thinned down black wash. Vallejo Lavado.


Now i let them all dry for at least 1 day. Then i start with the highlighting.
In the meantime i can paint the 2 crew members. 1 Platoon leader, 1 gunner.

Thanks for reading.

What's next on my painting table

Next on my painting table is a M5A1 Stuart Light Tank platoon containing 5 tanks. The models are made by Battlefront and come in a box. UBX21 M5A1 Stuart Light Tank Platoon. 
All 5 tanks are individually sculpted so none of them looks the same. Personally i find these some great looking models. 
One thing i haven't decide yet is if i will, after the base color is applied, paint a camo pattern on them or not.
After painting this platoon can be used in my D-1 US Airborne company and in my Cobra 2nd Armored Tank company.

Primed M5A1 Stuart Light Tank Platoon

Thanks for reading.

A Sherman 76mm platoon and a Company Commander.

It took me a long time before this platoon was finished. It was a birthday gift in 2008. And i just finished them yesterday.
This platoon combined with choices i have from my Airborne army i can built a, not so strong, 2nd armored tank company.
PS I don't claim i am a good painter and certainly not a good photographer.

The Platoon



Click the Read More link for more pictures

Updated Cobra file

I uploaded a new updated Cobra US Tank Company only file to the website.
Someone pointed out it had a few problems which are now solved. A new OpenOffice file has been uploaded too of course
You can find a direct link at the left hand column under Army excel files.
Or, just as the OpenOffice file, here.

-Flames of War army files

Thanks for reading

A Cobra US tank company army file

I noticed that i never have announced here that i have made an Excel army file for the US tank company's from the Cobra handbook. So for those people who have missed it, it's time to announce it.

A direct link:
-Cobra US Tank Company's 

or go to the site:
-Flames of War army files.





Thanks for reading.

US Anti-Aircraft Artillery (SP) Platoon

US Anti-Aircraft Artillery (SP) Platoon which contains 2 M15 CGMC Half-tracks and 2 M16 MGMC Half-tracks.
I can use this platoon with my Us Airborne company from D minus 1 and with my Armored copany from Cobra.
Click on the thumbnails for a bigger view.