Tamiya M41 Walker Bulldog - first time Painting

[ExploreTheTask]

Hi Folks,

Today I would like to share my progress with you on my new build. It’s only my second build ever in scale modeling and my first time painting and using an airbrush
So please feel free to share your thoughts and point out what is good or not so good!

I also have a few questions about some things.

This kit was not a planned or researched purchase. It was more of an “Oh look, that’s only a few bucks” purchase at Hobby Lobby around the same time I got my first model (Tamiya Panther Tank). I didn’t even know at the time that this tank was a post WWII tank.

I mention all of that because I haven’t done much research on this specific tank, and I am aware that some of it is probably not 100% accurate (but please still point it out - I want to know!). I saw this tank as a good opportunity to keep building and improving my scale modeling skills before I start a “planned” project with deeper research and more focus on accuracy and detail.

I also joined my local AMPS chapter, and it really motivated me to build another tank (thanks to the warm welcome from all the great members!).

The build

This kit did not disappoint! It was super cheap (I think I got it for $10 at Hobby Lobby), and it fits together really well. No struggles compared to the Panther that I built before.

It had some smaller parts that helped me practice working with finer details. I only had one small gap on the turret that I did not like. I used some putty and tried to sand it smooth again.

And here comes my first lesson learned: if you think it’s smooth, go one grit higher and go over it again. Maybe use some water to smooth it out as well. I thought it was fine and good enough, but after priming I saw that it was not smooth enough. I thought adding my paint layers would fix it. It did not.

It’s not super bad, but if you look closely, you will notice it.
(I do not have any photos from during the build, only one from when I was finished.)

Priming/ Painting

As mentioned, this was the first time I used an airbrush and painted a model. I had some struggles, and my airbrush started clogging a lot (at least, that’s what I assume was happening). I used Vallejo Grey Primer straight out of the bottle, which was probably the issue. I later got some thinner and mixed it 50/50. Since then, spraying has been fairly smooth.

After priming, I added some flat black for highlighting and outlining parts of the tank. After that, I applied olive drab over the whole tank. I was a bit bummed when I first saw the tank because it felt like the black outlining did nothing. But now, after the model has fully dried, I think it looks okay.

It is not as noticeable as on some other builds I have seen, but I am honestly not a big fan of really heavy, obvious outlines anyway.

BUT: second lesson learned: thin the paint even more and apply even lighter coats than I did so I have more control over the outlining and how visible it will be.

I have now started painting the details on the tank. One thing I am fairly proud of are the front and rear lights. I added some epoxy to make them look more realistic.

Questions:

1. Should I also add epoxy to the periscopes that I painted silver? I guess that would be the right way to do it, but I am not sure if this would make them look too noticeable or weird. Any recommendations on this? Has anyone done it?
2. I am struggling with painting the .50 cal machine gun. I used a pen that represents a gunmetal color and painted the whole gun. Obviously, it is really shiny and too flashy. Should I keep it like that and just weather it after I apply my first finishing coat, or should I already do something about it before that?

Tracks

I watched a few YouTube videos on how to make tracks look realistic. Most of the videos use pretty much the same process, so I followed them and did basically the same thing. But somehow my tracks don’t even look close to what they showed in their videos.

Question:
I am wondering what I did wrong or what negatively impacted my results. The pigments I added are almost completely gone after moving the tracks (didn’t even brush them off). I applied the pigments fairly heavily and added some enamel thinner.

I did not apply the thinner with a brush because that removed the pigments right away. Instead, I applied it with a pipette and let it dry for about 24 hours.
Maybe someone can give me a hint or an idea of what I did wrong or what I could do better.

My next steps

I need to paint the track link that is lying on the tank, and after that I will apply AK Gauzy Agent to protect the paint. In the next step, I plan on applying the decals and starting to weather the tank. Once that is finished, I will spray a matte varnish to finish the project.

Please let me know your thoughts, ideas, and any tips or knowledge that I can use to improve this build or my next one!

Thanks to everyone for reading my post and sharing their thoughts!

M41 after build

M41 front

M41 side

M41 cal .50

M41 tracks

[SableLiger]

Nice work. the Walker-Bulldog is a perfect little platform for practicing everything, from painting and weathering to customizing. It’s a nice little model for beginners; plus is affordable and plentiful.

As for decals and whatnot; many countries used the M41 Walker-Bulldog. Most notable, the JGSDF (Japanese Ground Sellf-Defense Forces) and the South Vietnamese Army; along with a myriad of Armies post-WW2.

@ Tucson Military Vehicle Museum

Royal Thai Army

Former South Vietnamese Army M41 @ War Implements Museum - HCMC, Vietnam.

[Seanmcandrews]

Congrats on joining AMPS, if it’s the chapter I’m thinking of you’ve made a good choice.

Going to PennConn ?

[ExploreTheTask]

I think your gut is not wrong about the chapter

And yes, I am planning on going to PennConn and I hope I get my Model will be done in time so I can join the contest. If you are coming too, let me know

[Bohica1369]

One correction… The gun travel lock does not stick straight up … unless the gun barrel is locked in it. It lays flat. (Note : Box art has tank attacking ass first!) Heres some inspiration for you… M41 Walker Bulldog in combat – Mike’s Research Good color for US OD of the time is Hataka B065. Star Decals makes a couple ARVN sets with their M41s. More inspiration, my JGSDF M41A3. 13th Tank Batt., 1980s (Tamiya JGSDF OD XF-74. Decals:Twighlight (now Asuka?) https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10229596

[Bohica1369]

Star-Decals 35-C1251

[SableLiger]

Mine was a quickie while practicing decal work.

Not intended to be a highly detailed build. But it was an enjoyable little build.

[AfvAficionado]

That picture of the gun travel lock on the kiwi M41 - (NZ30544 at Bovi?) is the early pattern found on some of the early pattern M41 - the ones with the early turret. You’ll notice they’re more angular with no curve. They also have cast final drives, rather than welded, the engines grille doors are different - 5 left, 6 right versus 3 per side on the later machines which you can tell from the sides by the numbers of hinges - 3 on the later vehicles, 5 & 6 on the early ones. The glacis was also different as was the forward hull roof - cast rather than welded

Mal

More - https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-tanks-369/11636232-nz-30549-early-construction-m41s.html

[ExploreTheTask]

Thank you for the pictures and the explanation. The gun travel lock is moveable and only up because I am still working on it. I do like yours and the decals on it!

Thank you

[ExploreTheTask]

Interesting little facts! Thanks for sharing. I love the small detail of the straight and slightly curved gun barrel lock.

Edit:
Btw. in your link I see a M41 that has a colored 1st Armor Division patch on the turret - how accurate is this? I read that these kind of markings did not happen before the I believe 70s?
I am originally from Baumholder, that’s where the 1st Armored Division was stationed during their time in Germany.

My plan is on using the US decals in the kit and place the tank on a road with a plaque on the diorama saying "West-Germany, 1950’s ".

[AfvAficionado]

Hi Sticky

Unfortunately I do not know. The reason for using that photo was that it showed the RHS turret in full, to good effect as comparison to the early turret.

Probably not in consideration, but in the eighties most of the NZ M41 fleet were painted in Red Desert MERDC pattern, which worked very well with the tussock found around the Desert Road at Waiouru, NZ

Mal

[SableLiger]

Speaking of which.

[Tank_1812]

@ExploreTheTask

I also joined my local AMPS chapter

Congrats, overall that should help with improving your skills as you can get one on one help with any techniques.

[Bohica1369]

This one? That is a muesum /restored one. Any resemblance to a real tank is purely coincidental. Never use restored / models for reference. You are at the mercy of someone elses research (or lack there of) or what they hought “looks cool”. Best to use “in service” photos. (Some restorers/modellers do excellent research/ work, but …) B&W photo: These M41s with US troops are taking part in a training exercise in an European town in the 1950’s. Note the wooden blocks stored on the front hull which were used to prevent the tank from rolling when parked.

[TopSmith]

The .50Cal should be a metallic dark gray. You can use a pencil to highlight some edges and rivets.

As far as the look of the track, here are some examples.

[AfvAficionado]

Interesting photo with something I haven’t seen before - looks like there was a mantlet cover on this vehicle that was either rubbing or adhered to the turret, removing paint when the cover was taken off?

Mal

[JacquesD]

Fun. I plan to do a video to post on youtube, using the Tamiya M41, on how to build a basic american armor kit. I will other nations if I ever find time to do the M41. But you are doing a great job on your second kit. You will get a lot of help and advice from your AMPS chapter, enjoy it.

[smolensk]

Second model? you my new superhero!

[ExploreTheTask]

I was actually referring to this one here:

It looks like it was added afterwards but I am not sure.

(picture from here: https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-tanks-369/11636232-nz-30549-early-construction-m41s.html)

[ExploreTheTask]

Thank you! My tracks did not turn out as I wished but I will work on them a bit more once they are mounted and in place.

I have to work on the cal .50 it is indeed way too bright.