BA-64G

Awarded: Bronze

By: Francisco Bexiga

Manufacturer(s): Extratech

Modifications: Scratch-built handles from copper-wire, gun cover made from Magic Sculpt epoxy putty, railway mechanism made from stretched sprue and plastic card.

Description: This was GAZ Factory attempt to build an armoured trolley in 1942. It was supposed to be able to move both through roads and rail but the mechanism didn't offer proper support. I started this conversion last year using the Extratech kit a friend offered me and, although it has some geometrical problems and the overall detail is only of average quality and accuracy, it still proved to be a fun build. After some cutting and sanding, the kit was quickly built, since it doesn't have many parts. A coat of automotive primer served as a basis for a coat of Tamiya black and another one of Desert Sand and Nato Green, to achieve that Russian Green look. Everything was sealed with floor wax and it was time to scratch-build the railway mechanism. With everything glued in place, painted and sealed,it was time for a burnt umber oil wash. At this point, while holding the model,I accidentally removed the paint-job over the left-side door,which I tried to correct using Vallejo paints and a small brush but I wasn't able to produce the same tone, so I tried to cover it up with a bit more of oil paint. A final coat of Modelmaster Flat Lacquer was sprayed and the final result diverged a bit from what I was trying to achieve. It looks too matt and it's something I'll take in account on my next build. Photos are the best possible since I had to use someone else's camera.

Judge 1: Wonderful building, and scratchbuild parts are very well done. Painting i very real with a good green tone. Weathering is good but there is little contrast on every panel. A filtering could be improve the work and help to make tone variation on a solid single color. Beautiful the wheel compartment.
Judge 2: The railway running gear is a novel addition to a well built and nicely detailed model. The canvas turret cover hints at a lack of interior detail, but is a satisfactory solution and quite well executed. Base paintwork is OK, but might have benefitted from more prominent highlighting of panels and/or edges. This provides a more varied canvas over which the weathering can be established. The paint chipping and rust effects are rather well done, but their impact is lessened by the monotonous base colour. The drivers visor looks a bit flat and could probably stand another pinwash to make it look just a little more prominent.
Judge 3: A very interesting choice of subject and an excellent build with the scratchbuilt parts looking particularly well done. The paint finish is good with some contrast within the panels, but could be livened up a bit with some pale dust on the horizontal surfaces to give even more contrast and variety.