Scratchbuilding Tutorial: Part I

PART I
PART II
PART III
PART IV
PART V

Now we are going to talk about scratchbuilding techniques. In fact, there is no point in making molds if you don't have a nice master model to cast!

I am going to do a T34-like tank for use it in Warhammer 40K or other wargames. I will base it on the KV-II I made before, so I'll just made a turret and a hull, using the same tracks as the other tank.

I'll start working in the turret, so I look for reference pictures in Google. This one is particulary useful to base my model.

I make then a quick sketch on paper, looking for the actual model dimensions.

Once I am happy with the design, I transfer the corners of the drawing to a polystyrene sheet using a pin.

I transfer just one half of the drawing, this is to avoid any errors I could have made drawing freehand. Then I join the points with lines over the polystyrene.

I transfer the drawing to the other half, measuring carefully

I cut the drawing from the styrene sheet to work more comfortably.

I cut the turret base. Cutting styrene is easier than you think, just put a steel ruler on the line and mark once or twice the styrene with your cutter. It's better to not use the cutting edge for this, use the other side of the blade, you'll notice that you'll make cleaner marks. Once the styrene is marked, twist it, the styrene will snap just over the marked line.

I also sanded the piece a bit.

In order to build the sloped armor I going to make an inner structure to support it. I cut a straight tire of styrene and make marks at its side with my cutter.

I use those marls to cut the styrene with my chopper. This is a must for every scratchbuilder around. A real time saver that uses very little space at your workbench.

Those are all the pieces I need.

I glue them in place with polysterene cement.

I'll cut now some little reinforts.

And put them in place.

Once it dries it will be surprisingly strong.

I notice now that the turret is going to bee to high. This kind of things happen continuously, so don't be afraid of sometimes throwing everything and start again for the beginning.

By chance this is not going to be one of those cases.

I marked the extra heigh by placing a pen in my desk, raising the turret a little and turning it.

I cut the styrene following the line.

I sand the top a little and continue on.

I cut anoth styrene tire, this is goin to be the sloped armor. I mark it to know the angle its going to need to meet the other pieces.

I cut the angle of each new piece.

We cut another five pieces.

I have glued all pieces in place, put another piece in the base and filled everything with Tamiya's putty. When using this kint of putty you must wet your tools in acetone continuously.

I cover every imperfection with putty. I am trying to get a textured finish, so I apply the putty in a roughly way.

Once dry, I sand the turret, giving it round shaped angles. It is possible that you need to sand too much and open cracks in the angles. Don't worry, I will cover them with more putty.

It is time to add even more putty. I will use now Squadron's putty, wich I feel its a little better for filling spaces. I continue giving the turret an irregular texture.

More sanding...

And we are ready to go on the next step.

Tomorrow I'll put the top, add more texture and a fake welding line.

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