T-80 Hovertank Wip

[John Howling Mouse]

I'll never understand why I get such a charge out of seeing modifications such as yours (especially "in progress" before paint goes on) but I do.

This is fantastic.  How will you display it?  Elevated a bit over some diorama surface???

[mgp]

Well, it's finished!  Actually I finished it 2 weeks ago but I've only now got around to taking some more pics - I'm a slacker  B) . I realised I'd forgotten to add the tow cables so I made some new items from wire with the shackles coming from the spares box.

Only query - why would a hover tank need a snorkel?

It's not a snorkel, it's a storage box......yes a storage box (damn you for noticing)

I approach weathering armour with a "more dirt the better" style. When I first got into armour I used to do lots of heavy drybrushing and black washes just like all the 'experts' did but I was never really happy. Over the last couple of years I've developed my own style. This involves a very very light drybrushing of the detail with a barely lightened camo colour. Next I airbrush a heavy coat of dark earth over the bottom of the tank grading lighter up the sides with a very light misting on the top surfaces. Then I'll do any chipping, scratches and bare metal areas but with a very sparing approach.
The next step is an overall wash of dark brown that I apply with an airbrush. Depending on my mood and the type of vehicle I'll apply a heavy or light wash. Last up are the details - fuel spills, oil leaks etc.

Enough talk - on to the pictures:









The business end....

[B777LR]

The beginning of the Pan Asian Coalition  

[BlackOps]

 need I say more?  

[anthonyp]

Very cool!  The T-80 is just a cool looking tank, and even better looking hovertank.

Any plans for an Abrams, Leopard, or Challenger?

[mgp]

Any plans for an Abrams, Leopard, or Challenger?

Funny you should mention that. I've got a half completed Abrams sitting around waiting for me to finish it.  In this reality Russians Hinds have taught the US Army that Air Defence can't be neglected. That's where the Abrams will come in. There have been proposed AD Abrams but none have been followed through. In my reality they will. There are a couple to choose from: Abrams Liberty, Abrams ADAT., Abrams AGDS and M-691 Diana. Rebuilding the turret will be the hardest part. I'll probably leave it tracked rather than go for a hover version - firepower over speed. Will definitely need some kill markings on the turret though!