10. PL-01 Prototype

Andreas Koziol
In October I unfortunately had no time for model making, except for the visit of the SMC. That's why I would like to start some new project in November. Actually, I said I always want to finish each project before I start on the next, but now I just need something new for my salvation. The EBR is just parked - not scrapped! So now it's time to move on from the past and the present into the future with the PL-01 Prototype. I have a great idea and hope I can realize it well. Keep one's fingers crossed!😉

Andreas Koziol
Then let's get started! As always we start with the wheels. And again Takom has added some art of jig for the track assembly to the kit, which can also be used to align the wheel brackets to the hull.

Andreas Koziol
Slowly the routine starts to work when assembling tracks. The links really fit together perfectly and the result looks absolute fine.

Andreas Koziol
The lower hull stands so far. I think the wheels & tracks looks really good. Unfortunately you will hardly see them at the end through the side skirts.

Moritz Fentzahn
Looking interesting. Count me in

Murad ÖZER
following with great interest.

Andreas Koziol
Thanks Moritz & Murad! 👍

Unfortunately, the upper and lower hull do not fit together very well or there is a visible gap at the end. With such a modern (stealth) tank, I can not stop filling it with putty to get a nice transition.

Holger Kranich
What an ugly tank! But i have to look, its like a accident...😉

Bart Goesaert
Nice work so far. Started this one too. thanks for leading the way 😉. What camo will you apply to this one?

Andreas Koziol
Holger and Roland, you'll have to come to agree! 😄
@Bart: The camo will be a surprise.😉

Andreas Koziol
The machine gun system looks great and the assembly of the smoke grenade launchers was never so easy. 👍

Bart Goesaert
It is indeed an easy assembly for a complicated unit. I removed one of the tabs that hold the gun into place for ease of painting. That way I can still remove the gun...

Andreas Koziol
@Bart: Do it the same way! 👍

First work at the turret. Unfortunately, a lot of putty work has to be done here again.

Andreas Koziol
Assembly completed!

Bart Goesaert
Looking forward

Eelco Gregoire
Me too

Nathan Dempsey
I was hoping someone would build this one soon. Looking nice 🙂

Paul Juliano
Oh nice! This is great. It's straight out of Tron!

Andreas Koziol
Thanks peeps, I'm a big Scify-Fan and this tank is very kind to me!

Andreas Koziol
The model is now ready for some color.
The paint has come the days, but I will have to do some tests before I apply it to the model.

Andreas Koziol
After a lot of color testing, the gray primer now comes on the model.

Andreas Koziol
Now it's time to put what I've tried on the spoon on the model. This time the correct masking is very important. Maybe you can see slowly what i'm going to do?

Andreas Koziol
The first paint step is done and I am satisfied with the result. Let's see who finds out what I intend to do?

Murad ÖZER
looks like it had partied all night!

Nathan Dempsey
An armor coating for dissipating laser fire?

Bart Goesaert
some wading through the sea?

Andreas Koziol
@Murad: Good idea, the Party hard tank! 😄
@Nathan: you are on a good way, it has to do with the future
@Bart: because you see the wave-form, but it's wrong.😉

Bart Goesaert
could be with the sand sticking to the side... bit strange too for anti-slip coating, because it's on the lower surfaces.... so some zimmerit like stuff then maybe...

Andreas Koziol
No Bart and here come the next step: Masking some hexagons. For this I will use for the first time the airbrush masks of Solidscale. I hope I get it as I imagined.

Bart Goesaert
[img1]

Chaz Gordon
Dragon scale composite armor?

Nathan Dempsey
Oooh I've been wanting to do something with hexagonal camouflage.

Andreas Koziol
@Bart: Nope! 😄
@Chaz: Good choice, a composite armor has brought me to this idea. 👍
@Nathan: this will only indirectly a hexagonal camouflage, but you'll see that for yourself.😉

Andreas Koziol
This time I have to be really careful when masking, so that everything becomes straight, so that in the end it results in a good overall picture.

Nathan Dempsey
Looking great Andreas!

Andreas Koziol
Thank you Nathan! 👍
The "Hexagon Protection Shield" has found its way on the tank!

Paul Juliano
I really dig the Disco Hex Tank!

Nathan Dempsey
I can imagine all ballistic weapons being vaporized harmlessly above the tank.

Chaz Gordon
Ah, electromagnetic energy shielding

Andreas Koziol
Guys, you are on the right way, the blue hexagons should represent an energy shield!😉

Johnny B
Wow! Looking great! Very nice work... Can I ask: how did the kit go together? Any issues? Keep up the good work!!

Chaz Gordon
And the sparkles, the metallic particles lifted and held in suspension from the ground by said field?

Paul Juliano
No, the sparkles are just to make the tank look fabulous.

Andreas Koziol
@Johnny: Nice & easy kit, but the fitting was not perfect, so I must do some putty work.
@Chaz & Paul: The "Magic Star Dust" should represent an invisible mode.😉

Chaz Gordon
Ah, cloaking device in the process of raising, gotcha. Here's a thought, replace the extremities with clear plastic (ie the mud gard tips, and the end of the barrel.)

Nathan Dempsey
This video was put up by Bart on Lode's ship build thread, but I think it applies here:

Youtube Video

Andreas Koziol
Here comes the solution of my idea behind this project. Actually only some of you have found out what my intention was with this model design. It represents an invisible & energy shield building up from the bottom to top. The invisible mode is represented by the colorshift metal color, which melts all contours to a pulp. The protective energy shield is represented by the bluish hexagons, as known from space ships in various scify movies. The idea behind it took shape in my head during the construction. I really had to think long and hard about how to do this on a model, simply because I didn't find any reference material for it. So you have to feel your way very slowly so that you don't mess it up. So far I am quite satisfied with the result, even if there are some things that still need to be improved. But I'm not finished yet, there are still some steps I've already worked out in my head, but I don't know yet how I can put them into practice. Keep your fingers crossed for me and please be a little more patient than usual.

Paul Juliano
Andreas, that's a super cool idea, and so far the execution looks great as well. The wavy top edge of the metallic paint creates the illusion that it's "building up" well. I'm a big fan of the hexagons, too!

Nathan Dempsey
I agree. A great idea and it looks the part. 🙂

Bart Goesaert
Oeps, put it in the wrong thread... Nice idea, great execution

Andreas Koziol
Thanks to you all.

Andreas Koziol
Test painting for a better transition, which should represent the building up of the cloaking field.

Andreas Koziol
Masking again and doing some dry brushing.

Andreas Koziol
Adding a little more blue (on the upper side skirt) for a nicer transition.

Jos Jansen
Interesting...!

Andreas Koziol
I added some white paint, I hope the contrast is not too strong?

Johnny B
Very cool and very unique! You've inspired me to pick up this kit, Andreas!!! Keep up the great work, brother!

Andreas Koziol
Thanks John! 👍
I had some time and have now painted the transition around the whole tank.

Andreas Koziol
So far so good. The first stage of the painting is ready. Next are chipping, clear varnish, weathering and 1-2 special effects on the tank. Let's hope everything works out the way I imagined it would.

Paul Juliano
I'm sold so far. I think you're nailing it!

Andreas Koziol
Thanks Paul! 👍
Some of you have asked me how I came up with the idea of this project, here is my inspiration - two things that have given me the direction. Once a modern shield what the heat signature of the tank completely disappear or can change. And then an invisibility cloak from Warhammer 40K and its implementation. Two different things combined into one idea.😉

John Thomas
Looks alot like a Tron tank

Chris Greathouse
I love the hex shaped paintjob 🙂

Torsten
WOW😎
That's what I call a futuristic project, great paint job. More pics from the sniper, please 🙂

Torsten
The sniper, is it a scratchbuild or can I buy it in a shop? Many THX 🙂

Andreas Koziol
Thanks John, Chris & Torsten. Yes it's a SciFy/Future tank project and I hope it will looks good at the end.😉

Nathan Dempsey
I think the paint-work is looking just great!

Torsten: I think that figure is a Cadian Sniper or Scout Sniper from Warhammer 40K:
games-workshop.com/e..Guard-Cadian-Snipers
OR
games-workshop.com/e..h-Sniper-Rifles-2019

Torsten
Thanks Nathan, I think you're right. Hmh, they are in 28mm, I thought the figure is in 54mm.

Andreas Koziol
I have no idea what this is for a special sniper figure?
this picture is only found on the internet, here the front: imgur.com/HP3cZ8e

Chris Greathouse
What a wicked sniper, he looks like the last thing you'll ever see 😄... No info on him, sorry.

Slavo Hazucha
Wow, this really is something different! Guess it must be good fun trying and combining all these different techniques and ideas - looking great so far & I wonder where the journey will go... 🙂 The figure according to my best knowledge is a Warhammer 40.000 space marine scout - quite fitting to the setting...!

Andreas Koziol
Thanks Slavo (best commentator here on scalemates) 👍

Ad some shadows for the hexagon energy field and the surface doesn't look so flat anymore. The whole thing is only slightly hinted, but it loosens up the overall picture a bit and gives the surface some depth. I drew the shadow with a dark grey colored pencil.

Nathan Dempsey
Wow those shadows on the hex camo make it look even more outstanding! I think I'm in love...

Bart Goesaert
me too... looking really good like this...

Slavo Hazucha
3D shadowed pencil artworks just tend to have that effect... 😉 👍

[img1]

Andreas Koziol
Thanks peeps! 👍

Andreas Koziol
Sorry my friends, but I've been very busy the last two weeks in job and privately, so I really don't have much time for my hobby. But I could start with the chipping at the turret.

Simon Nagorsnik
interesting camo pattern, impressive how you`ve used the masks!- nice result!