Matho Models 1/35 Plants & Weeds B

Create finely detailed vegetation for your 1/35 modelling projects with Plants & Weeds B from Matho Models. This photo-etch set contains one 3.8 x 8.5 cm sheet, etched from ultra-thin 0.10 mm brass to give the leaves a realistic thickness.

The fine etching includes leaf veins, adding extra definition once the plants are painted and shaped. The thin brass lets you carefully adjust the leaves and branches from their flat etched form into more natural positions.

Painting the Photo-Etched Plants

For painting and weathering, leave the plants attached to the fret initially. Airbrush several layers of acrylic primer, allowing at least 24 hours to dry between coats. Once primed, continue with your chosen acrylic or enamel colours and weathering products.

Seal the painted plants with several coats of varnish and allow the varnish to dry for at least 24 hours. This gives the finish time to harden before you cut the delicate plants from the fret and shape them. Handle the parts gently during these stages to minimise scratching of the painted surfaces.

Cutting and Shaping the Plants

Place the fret on a hard surface such as wood or glass and cut the plants free using a fresh knife. Clean any remaining fret attachment points with a micro file. With a clean cut, little or no filing may be required along straight edges.

Use two pairs of tweezers to shape the leaves and branches. Hold each plant with one pair while using the other to turn and position the individual elements. Carefully bend the leaves and branches to create a more natural appearance before gently glueing the finished plants into position.

After cutting, shaping and handling, touch up any areas where the brass has become visible. Apply your main colour with a round brush with a very fine tip, concentrating on the exposed areas while preserving the fine etched leaf and vein detail. This careful preparation and shaping makes the most of the ultra-thin brass construction and fine detail of the 1/35 plants.