Modeling Tanks
About Modeling Tanks
Tanks are probably the most unique kind of vehicle in the world. Even Though they are nearly as big as a small truck, there is just enough space inside for two or three people. Building model tank kits are a great way to get to know them up close.
Like a lot of other military vehicles and equipment, the first-ever tanks were built during the world war. Although the idea of an armoured battle vehicle was not new, it was the British in 1916 that came up with a tank that resembles the modern-day battle tanks. Unfortunately, these British Mark I tanks was not that successful. They broke down on the battlefield and put British soldiers at risk. However, in the years that followed, tank technology became better and more sophisticated. Read this article to find out more about them.
A beginner’s guide to tank model kits
People build battle tank models for a variety of reasons. Some do it because they love the history and technology of the tanks, and others simply do it because they love building things. Regardless of what you are doing it for or how you are doing it, there are some basic things everyone needs to know; namely, about the scale, models, and also the process and methods of adding the details. There is a wide range of tank model kits you can find in the market. However, it is important to go for the right one as per your requirements. Read on to find out more. So, let us understand in detail.
Scale of the model
Scale pertains to the size of the model and how it compares to the size of the original tank. For example, if a tank model is the same size as that of the original tank, then, in this case, the scale is 1:1. On the other hand, if the model tank is ten times smaller than that of the original tank, then the scale is 1:10. So, probably, the first thing to figure out before you start building your model is to decide the scale. This is because the scale of the tank should be followed for everything else, including the landscape. Consider how much space you have for the model to help you decide the scale.
Painting the model
Many times, scale models do not come with a paint job. Yes, there will be a protective layer of paint, but that is there to keep the outer material from humidity and other elements. Therefore, you have to do the colouring yourself if you want the model to be realistic. You have your freedom when it comes to choosing how the paint should look. Most people try to replicate the same colours as that of the original tank. However, you can also give the tank model some creative flair as well. Keep in mind that you will also have to colour other pieces that you put along with the tank models.
Weathering
In real life, tanks will be used and abused quite a lot. So, if you want to be extra realistic, you can add some weathering to the tank model. But that doesn’t mean that you should start banging your model with a hammer. Instead, add a reasonable amount of wear and tear to the areas where tanks usually would. Add some bullet dents on the sides of armour, some smoke stains near the side of the gun, and so on. In short, if you are recreating a scene from a fierce battle, don’t leave the tank looking as if it has just rolled out of the factory. You can also show damages by leaving some areas unpainted and showing bare metal.
Dust and mud
Real-life battles take place, not on nice-looking grounds or a clean tarmac. Tanks have to traverse muddy waters and destroy wastelands. Now a tank is going to be without a trace of mud or dust. This is especially going to be present towards the bottom of the tank and tank tread. There are two ways to do this. You can either use real mud and dust or achieve the same look using paint and colours. Simply apply some streaks and washes of fade white and brown to make it look like the tank is coloured in the dust. After that, leave it to dry for two or three days.
Tips on how to buy Modeling Tank Kits Online
Some people compare buying model tank kits to shopping for toys, like a child’s play. Even though it might seem so at first, in reality, it can be so much harder than that. This is because of all the complexities that go into perfecting a military tank model. There are a dizzying number of things to consider if you want to build a really good model. But it is going to be easier if you know what factors to consider in them. Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for modelling trains online.
- Scale – First of all, you have to decide what scale you want to follow while building the tank model. This has to be done before you buy anything for the model because to build a realistic-looking model with correct proportions, you have to follow the same scale for all the elements in the model. This includes the tank model, other vehicles, soldiers, laypeople, buildings, and landscape.
- Tank model – Each country’s military has its own tanks. Models like Abrams, Sherman, Pershing, and Patton are famous US battle tanks. Some of the German tank models include Leopard and Panzer. Similarly, other countries will also have other tanks that are exclusive to them or share with their ally countries.
- Paint job and colours – Along with the tank models, you should also buy the right set of paints as well. The colour of military vehicles depends a lot on the terrain. Because military vehicles and personnel use camo, they tend to somewhat match the colour of the things around them. For this reason, military tanks in the desert tend to have sandy colours while in a terrain filled with greenery, it will be some combination of grey and green.
- Material – Tank models come in a couple of different materials. Most expensive models use stainless steel. Such models are heavy and extremely durable. Stainless steel models do not catch rust. Another option is aluminium. While aluminium models are lighter than stainless steel, they are also not as strong.
There are many other types of modelling kits that you can get apart from model tank kits. These include things like modelling trains, people, vehicles, modelling houses, spaceships, buildings, animals, train tracks, and roads. You can find any of these easily using our shopping search engine . It will also let you compare the prices and features of different products and pick the best one among them. So, don’t forget to check out all the other products from the Toys category.
Question & Answer
How to paint model tanks?
Painting is, after all, a creative task and therefore, you can have your creative freedom when it comes to painting model tank kits. Most people try to achieve a realistic look with the paint job. But even in that case, you can be quite creative by adding weathering, dirt, and dust marks. Another way to paint the model is to use a combination of colours without being realistic. If that is what you want, you can use colours from certain colour palettes and try to make the whole scenary, including the soldiers, look good as a whole.
How much does military tank model building cost?
A slew of different factors affects the cost of tank model building tanks. The most important factor is, of course, the scale of the model. The cost multiplies several times, depending on the scale. As the tank models get bigger, you will need to increase the scale of everything else that goes along with it as well. Another factor is the type of material. Some materials are more expensive than others. The overall complexity and details in the model also affect the cost of model building to a great extent.
Where can I buy military tank models in the UAE?
Military tank model building is a very niche thing that only very few people tend to take up as a hobby. Because of this, it is not as easy to find model tanks and other accessories related to it. However, there are a few places where you can find them in the UAE. But one of the best places to look for them is of course Shops.ae. It is incredibly easy to find model tank kits using our retail search engine. Moreover, we will show you where you can buy it for the most affordable prices as well.
If you are looking to buy model tank kits online in the UAE, you are in the right place. There are more than 500 shops and brands offering them here on Shops.ae. We offer products from popular brands like Tamiya, COBI, LEGO, Fascinations, Revell, Trumpeter, and Hobby Boss.