RVA Scale Model Studio

08/31/2026

08/27/2026

That's a whole bunch of green there! Used a base of Atom-20067 Olivegrün and a panel highlight of Atom-20077 Dunkelgrün. This approximates well to FS 34079 Forest Green.

08/24/2026

A little something different.

08/21/2026

Update on the 1/35th Trumpeter M1132 Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle w.i.p.
Assembled and attached the dozer blade. Added the bustle rack. Next to primer the rest of the model.

08/18/2026

Continuing with the Trumpeter 1/35th scale M1132 Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle build. The kit comes with the option of a mine roller or a dozer blade. I am opting for the dozer blade and thus the headlamps and parking lamps on the raised stalks. Also the photo etch parts used are quite good and using Deluxe Materials Photo Etch glue has been a better experience than expected. I have an allergy to CA Glue and the Deluxe P.E. glue is not only a game changer it is a winner. Hoping to get it in primer by the weekend!

08/17/2026

Continuing with the Trumpeter M1332 ESV I have added washes and weathering to the underside of the model. The weathering is done with powdered pigments put on as a wet application. I use empty paint jars to pre mix the solutions. I simply make up a mixture of pigment powders, 70% distilled water, 30%Isopropyl alcohol and a teeny drop of Murphy's oil soap as a wetting agent and to remove surface tension. I brush this on much like a slurry wash. You can speed dry using a hair dryer. I usually use three colors going from dark to light. The final bit is using the lightest color to flick specs of the solutions on to the model for a splatter effect. Once all was dry I sealed the weathering with Testors Dull Coat through my airbrush using Mr. Color Thinner (not the leveling thinner. Just the standard thinner) for a dead flat finish.

08/16/2026

DEF Models 1/35th scale weighted wheels for the Stryker family. These have supple bulging details that will really pop with some light dry brushing.

08/16/2026

Trumpeter M1132 Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle 1/35th scale. After priming the lower hull and tires/wheels I used Ammo Atom paint Dunkelgrun RLM81 Atom-20077 for the overall Forest Green. Thinned a little with Atom Thinner w/ Retarder. The paint laid down very well and the centers, front and back were airbrushed freehand.
After drying over night a selection of AK Precision Panel Liners were used for pin washes and grime. I used Black, Sepia and Raw Umber Greenish. I used a small hair dryer to speed dry the panel liners.

08/15/2026

I have been asked this question a few times and just this morning my friend Warren Dickinson asked me about what I use for Olive Drab on my builds. Here was my response to Warren's question. Happy Modeling all!

I have a few options. I used Tamiya Olive Drab for many years and would always add a few drops of Buff to my mix.

I always mix my paints in a separate cup before adding to my airbrush cup.

I love Mission Models 025 Olive Drab. It's a great shade straight from the bottle and they have other mixes for doing the zenithal lighting technique.
**Stay away from the Mission Models Polyurethane Additive. It will cure in the bottle over a period of time.

Use John Miller's CP30 mix for thinning and spraying Mission Models Paints. Mixing Mission Models Clear Primer with Mission Models Thinner and Liqu-tex Flow Aid. Works like a dream. Look for his builds of the Eduard F6F Nightfighter Hellcat article and his recent King Tiger article on the Model Paint Solutions web site. I purchase Mission Models Paints from there.
https://modelpaintsol.com/

Recently I have been using the Atom acrylic paints Olive Drab Atom-20069 I also will add two drops of Atom Dunkelgelb DG III Atom-20005 to my mix. It warms up the Olive Drab. I have been happy with the results. I use the Atom Thinner with Retarder.

A note about Primer.
Since I am an Acrylic Paints guy I always prime. For Olive Drab I find that using a black primer makes the O.D. shade cold. I have discovered that using a Tan Primer it warms it up and gives it a slightly grey hue. So now I prime all my U.S. and Commonwealth vehicles using black on the bottom and recessed areas. Tan for the sides and top.

08/15/2026

Just arrived in the studio today. These look gorgeous Andy's Hobby Headquarters!