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"Painting Tank Commanders" Topic


16 Posts

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11 Sep 2019 8:09 p.m. PST
by Editor in Chief Bill

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Personal logo Editor in Chief Bill The Editor of TMP Fezian11 Sep 2019 8:06 p.m. PST

Many 15mm and larger tank models come with the option to pose a tank commander figure in an open hatch.

What is your preference?

* attach commander, then paint
* paint commander, then attach
* I never use commander figures
* mount commander on magnet
etc.

ZULUPAUL Supporting Member of TMP12 Sep 2019 1:47 a.m. PST

I don't use commander figures.

PzGeneral12 Sep 2019 4:17 a.m. PST

Paint then attach

Joes Shop Supporting Member of TMP12 Sep 2019 4:52 a.m. PST

Paint then attach.

langobard12 Sep 2019 5:02 a.m. PST

Another vote for paint then attach.

Frederick Supporting Member of TMP12 Sep 2019 5:47 a.m. PST

While I don't do 15mm sci-fi for both my 15mm WWII and 28mm Sci-Fi I paint, then attach

rustymusket12 Sep 2019 8:09 a.m. PST

I only use tank commanders out of the hatch if I want the command tank to stand out for gaming purposes.

Patrick Sexton Supporting Member of TMP12 Sep 2019 8:23 a.m. PST

Paint, then attach.

21eRegt12 Sep 2019 9:41 a.m. PST

Paint then attach.

willthepiper12 Sep 2019 1:02 p.m. PST

My preference is to have the commander on a magnet, to easily show 'unbuttoned' vs 'buttoned'. Depending on the model, this might not be practical: I've got a few resin tanks where carving open the commander's hatch would require major surgery, first on the turret, then on me after I slip and slice open my own hand! but if the tank comes with an option for an open turret then I'll go for the removable commander.

The Nigerian Lead Minister12 Sep 2019 3:41 p.m. PST

Paint tank, attach commander, paint him.

Personal logo Legion 4 Supporting Member of TMP14 Sep 2019 10:11 a.m. PST

Paint first then attach …

Mark 1 Supporting Member of TMP17 Sep 2019 1:59 p.m. PST

I paint first, then attach.

More precisely, I paint the tank first. Then drill out the hatch area. Then scratch-build a hatch. Then pick a figure to be carved and sliced and bent into position to be the TC. Then paint the figure. Then attach the hatch. Then paint the hatch. THEN attach the figure.

But I'm working at 6mm, not 15.

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

Personal logo Legion 4 Supporting Member of TMP17 Sep 2019 3:35 p.m. PST

6mm is God's scale … evil grin

Mark 1 Supporting Member of TMP18 Sep 2019 4:00 p.m. PST

6mm is God's scale …

PIINNNNG. "Noah"
"Who dat?"
"It's the LORD, Noah."
"Riiiiight. Whatchu want? I been good."
"I want you to switch to 6mm scale for your miniatures wargaming."
"Riiiiight. What's 6mm?"

And just this morning, while I was on a conference call with people from 6 companies in the US and Europe, I managed to paint up the next tank commander, who will be going into one of my US M26 (T26E3) Pershings to identify that tank as a platoon leader.

GHQ Pershing model
CinC US infantry standing rifleman as my figure.
(From the extra's bin. Don't use CinC infantry figures anymore -- too thin and fragile. But that suits me fine for a TC. Rifle snipped off. Body snipped off above the waist. Arms bent to hand holding rifle trigger is in front of his mouth, while bent arm holding for-grip is lying along the tank roof. Helmet is trimmed a bit to reduce the edge. Backpack is snipped and filed off. Upper body painted a light-green khaki (to be the famous US "tanker's jacket"). Face and hands are flesh tone. Helmet and neck areas are brown (to be the US "tanker's helmet"). Two dots of Metalic Silver on helmet front for goggles pulled up. Hatch is ready. Turret is ready. During tomorrow's conference call I might get to assemble it all.

;)

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

Personal logo deadhead Supporting Member of TMP18 Sep 2019 4:13 p.m. PST

Legion 4

Ever since Adam and Eve, God has worked to 1/1 scale, but we try to reproduce His work ( I do not refer to my three sons, but to my many Napoleonic 28mm figures, my ACW Bushwhackers and my as yet unpainted Hue Marines) either on a shelf or on a table top, if you chose to throw dice.

If I ever do go back to making Landing Craft, though I have to admit, an LCT4 loaded with Shermans or an LCF with a crew …in 6mm scale….does take some beating. God did not do Landing Craft. Middlesbrough Shipyards did

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