1:35 ROK K9 SPH Canvas Cover Set

Tarpaulins and canvas covers for the South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzer: resin set 1:35 (DEF Model)

This product is not a kit of a vehicle. It is a set of resin castings that imitate tarpaulins and canvas covers as they are used on the K9 self-propelled howitzer of the South Korean army. Resin can capture soft folds, sag and the texture of cloth in a way that injection-molded plastic cannot manage, which is why it is used for these elements.

What the set is for

On real equipment tarpaulins cover the barrel, the hatches, stowed equipment, supplies and other sensitive parts, mainly when the vehicle is at rest or on the move. On a model these covers do two jobs: they give the vehicle a lived-in, used look and at the same time they break up the large bare surfaces of the hull, which otherwise look empty. For dioramas and vignettes this is one of the most effective ways of giving a vehicle a story without having to interfere with the build of the model itself.

The real subject

The K9 is a modern tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed in South Korea. It serves with the South Korean army and has also been exported to further states, among them several European armies. It is a large tracked vehicle with a tall turret and a long barrel, on which tarpaulins and the crew's lashed-down equipment show to good effect.

Usage and painting tips

Wash the parts in warm soapy water so that the mold release residue disappears. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a knife and wet-sand the surface with respiratory protection. It is bonded with super glue (cyanoacrylate). Try the cover on dry before gluing; with tarpaulins over the barrel or the hatches a small adjustment of the seating surface is often needed. Paint it separately from the vehicle: cloth has a different, more matte surface than painted metal, usually in a slightly lighter and grayer tone. Pull the folds out with a dark wash and light drybrushing, and suggest dust with pigments. Avoid gloss, because a tarpaulin must not look like plastic.

Who the set is for

• Modelers of modern tracked equipment in 1:35 scale
• Builders of the K9 self-propelled howitzer and its derived versions
• Makers of dioramas who want to give a vehicle a lived-in look
• Modelers with experience of resin and super glue

This is a resin detailing set, not a model in its own right. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.