Crusader Ailthean Tractor: Assembly and Painting Guide

Quick answer

Assemble the Crusader Ailthean Tractor by cleaning mold lines, dry-fitting parts, and using plastic cement. Paint it with a base coat, wash, and drybrush for a tabletop-ready finish.

Assembly and painting steps

1. Clean all parts thoroughly: Remove every part from the sprue with flush cutters. Scrape mold lines from the flat armor plates and track links using the back of a hobby knife or a sanding stick. Pay extra attention to the hull sides – any remaining line will show through the paint. A missed mold line on the hull is harder to fix after painting. Inspect under good light.
2. Dry-fit before gluing: Test-fit the hull halves, roof plate, and track assemblies without glue. The tabs should click into place. If a joint is tight, sand the tab slightly. If it's loose, apply a thin shim of sprue goo or thick cement. Forcing a tight joint can warp the hull. Adjust fit before applying glue.
3. Glue the hull and tracks: Apply plastic cement to the hull halves and press together firmly. Let the joint set for 30 seconds. Then attach the track assemblies – align the front idler and rear drive sprocket first, then glue the track runs. Use a clamp or rubber band to hold the tracks flat while curing. Check that the tracks sit level on the work surface. A warped track will make the model rock.
4. Prime and base coat: Spray a light gray or tan primer over the assembled model. Once dry, apply a base coat of your chosen color – olive drab, desert sand, or field gray work well for a historical sci-fi look. Use an airbrush or rattle can for even coverage on the large hull surfaces. Thin coats prevent filling in the panel lines. Two thin passes are better than one thick one.
5. Wash and drybrush: Apply a dark wash (brown or black) to all recessed panel lines and around the track links. Let it dry for 15 minutes. Then drybrush the raised edges and armor plates with a lighter shade of your base color to bring out the detail. Wipe excess wash from flat areas immediately to avoid blotches.
6. Add weathering and final details: Stipple sponge chipping with a dark brown on corners and edges. Apply pigment powder or a thin mud wash to the tracks and lower hull. Paint the headlights, exhaust, and any crew figures last. Seal with a matte varnish. Less is more with chipping. Focus on areas that would see wear – corners, hatches, and track guards.

Kit highlights

• Crusader Ailthean Tractor: The Ailthean Light Armored Tractor first rolled into service in 1750, built from the treads up with thicker armor and an enclosed hull. The enclosed hull means you can skip interior detail painting unless you leave hatches open, saving time for tabletop play.