Sd.Kfz. 7. Building the 8 ton Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen. Chapter 8: Dragon kit: painting the engine bay, accessories, wheels, tracks and tyres

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The engine details and visible portions of the exhaust were brush painted with Vallejo acrylics.

 

Brush painting accessories.

The tarpaulins, crew equipment, funnel, and rags were all brush painted with Vallejo acrylics. The cab seats received a mixture of gloss black and leather. 

 

Wheels, tracks, and tyres

The tracks were airbrushed with my trusty Tamiya acrylic 'new track' mix. This comprises Dark Iron, German Grey, and Flat Earth. The rubber track pads were brush painted with Vallejo Dark Rubber acrylics. 

After first receiving an undercoat of red oxide and before the base coat was laid down all the rubber tyres were painted. Airbrushed Tamiya Rubber Black on the front wheels and all the track tyres were brush painted with Vallejo Dark Rubber. The reason for this odd sequence of working is explained below.

 

The metalwork on the wheels was painted and chipped much like the cab and chassis had been. If you wish all the overspray on the tyres can easily be removed due to the hairspray. The wheel lip acts as a clear demarcation line. However, I have found there is an upside to having overspray on the tyres. In fact, if you  are using shades of dark yellow this now acts as a good foundation tone for dust and dirt build up. Scubbing away a desired amount of oversprayed paint can leave a nice random effect on the tyre surface which can be enhanced with further weathering effects.

 

Colour consistency

Working in sub-assemblies can have its drawbacks during the painting stages so it is important to test fit the assemblies together to check and ensure the paint tones all work in harmony. A quick test fit will highlight any stark colour variations.

Check complete it was now time to protect all the paint work and effects laid down so far. It would also prepare the surface for decals and future weathering. 

Clear coat

A coat of VMS Satin Varnish was airbrushed over the cab and cargo bed portions. Parts that had rubber tyres received a coat of matt varnish.

Chapter 9