John Ovington’s Scout Walker

This kit was built box stock. My only modifications were to open up the windows, and drill holes around the “cheeks”. The feet were weighted with fishing split shot, then filled with bondo and sanded flat. He is a pretty tippy fellow, even with lead feet.

I bought this kit when it first came out in the 80’s, and built it right away. With damage over the years, it has been repair and touched up a few times. It’s most recent battle was with my brainless lawn panther (la chat noire). I repaired split seams, touched up paint, but decide to enhance it some. I added more rust and damage (perhaps to reflect its journey with me).

The original base coat is light gray auto primer. I used artist’s acrylic washes of black and raw umber to define the shapes a bit. Then I paletted gesso and different grays to work up the high lights. Damaged and chipped areas have dark gray under, with lighter gray over, to indicated the undercoats showing through. Some places, like the feet, I used Tamiya Metallic Gray to show wear to bared metal. I also used some Tamiya Smoke to indicated grease and other drippings. My first layer of rust was dark: black mix w/ burnt sienna artist acrylics, washy and opaque, heavier toward the bottom. Then I accented with a yellow mix w/ burnt sienna for “hot” rust and runs. I especially enjoyed the feet.

While my “Chicken Walker” has stood alone for over 12 years, I would eventually like to put him in a small diorama with snow and mud, somewhere between Hoth and Endor. For now he is what he is, until the next lost battle.

John Ovington