Build Review: Hungarian Medium Tank 41.M ‘Turan’ II
from Bronco Models
1/35th Scale
Item no. #CB35123
photo-etch parts included
two-part individual track links
Decals for five versions available from the box.
Many of you will have seen the build review I did on this kit a couple of months ago, and if you recall, I was really impressed with the kit as a whole. The build was so enjoyable and trouble free, I would go so far as to say it was one of the more enjoyable kits I have ever built. That said, there is a lot of construction in it, but each of the construction steps added something to the model rather than just being built for building sake.
So, with the construction complete, it was now time to start getting some paint onto this, one. I had been researching Hungarian Armour for a little while, (by researching I mean looking at pictures), and I really liked the rich greens that seemed to be present in their schemes. It seemed to be quite a unique colour and the colour profiles in the instructions didn’t seem to do it justice. I knew getting that base colour was crucial to the finish on the model, but more on that in a moment.
As there was a lot of photo-etch present, especially the mesh armour all around the model, it is always a good idea to prime the model prior to painting. Using the Ammo One Shot primer, the model gets an all-over prime coat of white. You may notice that the lower edges of the model have been loosely painted in a dark green. Whilst I wasn’t happy with this colour, it won’t matter as most of this section will be hidden on the finished model. It was more about taking the opportunity to paint there before the armour was fixed in place.
As mentioned in the introduction, I felt the base green colour was crucial to the success of this paint job. I was testing different mixes of paint but couldn’t seem to get the look I was after. It was about now that I stumbled on a Facebook post where a friend was using Resedagrun MMP-018 from Mission Models on one of their kits. It was exactly the rich green I was hoping for and went about getting my hands on the paint.
A quick word on Mission Models paints.
It was clear from the outset that the MM paints were different to other acrylics I had used. The paint is a lot thicker and works as part of a 3-part system. To run it through the airbrush the paint needs to be thinned and a Polyurethane Intermix is also added to improve paint flow. The paint mix is a lot thicker than I would usually spray, and there is a real sweet spot with the mix – I found 10 parts paint with 4 parts thinner and 2 parts polyurethane got me the best result, although that may vary depending on your brush and air pressure.
I found the paint to spray outstandingly well. It was very easy to control and seemed to cover a vast area without a lot of paint being used. Once I got used to the ratios right, I was very impressed with the paint. It is different, and it will take some practice to use, but it is worth the effort. I am a big fan of what I have seen to this point.
Now using Dunkelgelb MMP-019, I freehanded the first part of the camouflage scheme. The supplied colour schemes in the instruction sheet shows this as a hard edge pattern, but every reference I had seen suggested it was sprayed freehand in real life, so I followed suit. I purposely kept this first layer light with the view of adding some darker tones later.
The darker colour in the scheme has now been applied. I used a mix of MMP-002 Brown and Tire Black. It was important that there was enough contrast in this darker colour to make it stand out. Again, I worked from references I had to get the balance of the colours right.
The Dunkelgelb was tweaked at this point. Using a mix of a darker Dunkelgelb and yellow, the pattern was re-established. It was all about how the colours were working together at this point.
The model then received a gloss coat and the decals were set in place. Very straight forward step, but they started to give the model some character. Details such as the tools also started to get some colour using a fine brush and Vallejo acrylics.
In order to unite the colours and give the model a worn look, small dots of oil paint from the AMMO Oilbrusher are now applied to the model. Working on one section at a time, the dots are dragged in a vertical motion off the model using a flat brush moistened with white spirit. Variation with the colour is the key here, so experiment with the oils on your own models.
The mesh armour received the same dot rendering treatment. Here you can see the vertical motion removing most of the oil paint. The effect is subtle be very effective.
The mesh armour included a prominent ‘56’ on both sides and the rear section. The kit supplied decals for these markings, but I was a little concerned that the decals would bridge the fine holes in the mesh, so I went about making a mask for these numbers.
The mask was set in place and sprayed using MMP-001 White.
The mask gave a much more realistic look than the decal would have.
Using a thinned mix of the Dark Brown Oilbrusher paint, a line was in now applied. This helps lift some of the surface detail. Unfortunately, my Oilbrusher sprung a leak somewhere along the way, so please excuse the mess!
In order to represent some superficial chipping and scratches, a lightened mix of the Resedagrun is applied to the leading edges of the model using a sponge. Some fine lines were also brush painted.
The same process is repeated using a mix of Brown and black.
The exhausts are now loosely painted using the Rust colour form the Ammo Oilbrusher range. This will prepare them for the steps to follow.
A mix of dark, medium and light rust pigments are now applied over the top of the oil paint base. When a brush soaked in white spirit is touched on the surface, the oil paint is activated, and the pigments will all blend and bond. Once dry, the surface pigment is lightly brushed away leaving a realistic rust affected the finish.
To create more depth in the paintwork, a heavily thinned mix of Tamiya black and red-brown is applied as a post shade. Again, this effect is best served when it is subtle. Work the recesses and focus on natural shadow areas.
Various washes using thinned mixes of Russian Earth, Dark Mud, Europe Earth and Kursk Soil and now applied to the model. Horizontal surfaces are the focus here as this would be the area dirt and grime would settle in real life.
A little closer view...
It was almost a shame to fit the grills to the model. I had grown so fond of the lines of the Turan II. The mesh armour completely changed the look of the tank. That said, it was clear this model was going to be quite unique and really stand out in the display case.
The attachment of the armour was a little tricky and took a great deal of care to fit, but it wasn’t anything most modellers with a little experience couldn’t handle.
A light dust was blown along the lower sections of the model using a thinned buff paint mix. Then, to simulate mud splashes, a flat brush was loaded with ‘Dry Steppe’ from the Ammo range and was literally flicked along the lower edges of the model. A brush soaked with white spirit was then used to refine and tidy up any rogue splashes.
A very basic base to display the model. A grass mat was applied to an MDF base and some acrylic Mud was applied where the tracks would have cut through the grass.
I found a really lovely figure to pose with the tank. It was from ‘The Bodi’, and I picked it up for only a few dollars in a specials bin at a recent hobby show. The detail is stunning.
Here is the commander next to his tank
Here are some pictures of the model in close up detail
A walk around taking the whole tank and commander in on the base I made for it...
Conclusion
This model is a real winner in my books. There is a lot of work in it but is well within reach if you have some modelling experience. The Turan II is a truly unique vehicle and will really stand out on the display table.
Not only did I get to build this beautiful model, but I was also lucky enough to be able to try the Mission Models paints on it. I highly recommend the paint, however, I would suggest that you would need to be comfortable with using an airbrush and be familiar with how paint works before rushing headlong into the line. It isn’t as forgiving as some of the more traditional paints like the Tamiyas’, but if you are comfortable with ratios and the fundamentals of using an airbrush, then there is no doubt this paint could help take your painting to the next level.
Clayton Ockerby
Thanks to the people at Bronco Models for sending this kit to Clayton to build for us all
Thanks to Mission Model Paints for sending Clayton the main shades for the tank.
Thanks also to AMMO of Mig Jimenez for adding the weathering materials to bring this tank to life.
