GI Joe Rockslide
Cobra Ferret (wheels)
Cheap plastic barrel drum
Brass Tubing
Copper Wire
Copper Wire Mesh
Styrene Plastic
Cord / String
Paint: burnt umber with black charcoal powder
Paint: rust
Paint: sand buff
Paint: leather
Paint: black
Paint: aluminum
Paint: white
Epoxy

The Tumbleweed has been a fun vehicle to make. After learning that Hasbro was planning for a desert version of the Arctic Rockslide, I felt motivated to do a wheeled version of the Rockslide. But since the Joe team would be getting a desert version of the Rockslide, I felt Cobra should get the vehicle. The idea of the Tumbleweed being highly weathered stems from my interpretation that Cobra will probably make due with what it can, especially out in the field in remote desert locations. Probably a small scouting team might be on assignment for months with little supplies. The Tumbleweed gets weathered from the extreme heat and sandstorms. Being in remote locations would mean the vehicle will have to be able to carry as much supplies as it can without hindering maneuverability. Thus the side and rear baskets, spare tire, and extra fuel drum. The straps with copper supports work well for securing things down.

For weathering, I used burnt umber paint mixed with black charcoal powder. There were several layers of the umber, each thinned with water, much like an ink wash. Edges were highlighted with rust, and the whole body with a sand buff. Markings were hand painted (I figure out in the field the troops would hand paint the markings themselves) and slightly covered with the umber and sand. Sand was used to highlight various areas. The cockpit was painted with Model Masters leather, black, and aluminum floor. Buttons were simply highlighted with white.