Painting Tanks: Airbrushing and Weathering

I have a lot of thoughts on 6th but feel no great urgency to write them.  I'm having too much fun painting and playing right now, thus the hiatus from regular blogging on Strictly Average.  Generally, I try to stick to at least three posts a week - so here's to getting off my dead booty and writing some.

Anyway, I've mentioned a time or three that currently I'm learning to use an airbrush.  Lots of little tricks to work out, but it's starting to feel natural.  I painted three tanks yesterday, using them to try out weathering models.

The hatches are an effort in masking techniques...

...like so.

I did some 'easy rust' effects, again as practice and to see how the effect would work.  I shouldn't have included the tank tracks, and next time won't.

I'm not terribly happy with the weathering on the model closest to this shot; the two patches of silver on top are a bit too regular.  Live and learn.

I could certainly do more - especially detailing and highlights - but these aren't actually my models...