Tank cracker: 1/72 Hs-129

COOL !

I saw the armoured cockpit from one of those aircraft in a now long defunct Illinois museum back in the 1970s.

I did not know of a Italieri version was available.

I look forward to watching this build.

I look forward to seeing this. I've got the same kit in the stash, so will be watching closely.

Geez has it really been a month since I've been on the forum? That needs to change! Thanks for the words of encouragement Spruce and Bish, here are some more photos of what I have done so far. The cockpit was one of the smallest I've ever put together, and I pretty much stick to 1:72 scale builds so that's saying something! The fuselage was a bit tricky to clamp up because it's shaped like a Toblerone bar. so I put on an episode of Daredevil and held the thing in my fingers while the glue dried. The gear and wings are on now, and I'm currently working on the engines! I have a feeling I'll have to keep some filler putty handy...

That pit is rather small isn't it. Nice progress.

Very nice work on that really small cockpit.

From what I recall, the cockpit on the real aircraft was so cramped that- IIRC-  part of the pilot's seat back armour hinged back to make it easier for the pilot to climb into the cockpit..........

Haha it certainly is, Bish! Goose, I never knew that! I wouldn't have doubted it, I often wonder what the ideal height and weight for a pilot of one of these would have been.

Well I've been quite busy these past few months, so my tiny tank cracker took a backseat to everything else that has been going on! This past week however, I was able to really get some good work done on it. Here are some shots! I found that the engine assemblies were quite tricky to work with, but once they were together they were okay. It takes a bit of sanding however, so if you're going to put this kit together... consider yourself warned! I painted the top of the model in "olivgrun" first, and then applied liquid mask in dots. After that, I applied two coats of "Sandgelb". Once these coats were dry, I stuck a pin into the blobs of liquid mask and pulled them off, revealing the desert camo scheme that Hs-129's in North Africa carried.

There is just something about twin engine birds that I really like. You put this one together nicely. I may have to add this one to the stash.

That's coming along nicely! I'd love to see someone put a can opener sticking out of the front of one for a laugh.

Sweet Hs-129 Rocker. You have done a stellar job on the assembly and paint. Looks terrific. I really like the MTO scheme. I have the Hasegawa 1/48 version and I plan on the same scheme for mine. I'm looking forward to the finishing touches.

Nice job on this, nice idea for the masks.

mississippivol

That's coming along nicely! I'd love to see someone put a can opener sticking out of the front of one for a laugh.

Thanks for the comments, guys! I finally finished this bird up a few days ago, she's sittin' pretty on top of my shelf with the rest of my models now. I weathered this tank buster with craft acrylic paint, and some flat black enamel paint that was dry brushed in a few spots. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a short-bristled brush and jab the leading edges of the wings with some testors aluminum paint to look like it's been chipped by the rough desert life. All in all she turned out exactly how I thought she would! Thanks for checking this thing out!!

Very nicely done!  I like how you masked the camouflage and utilized a pin to pull the masking off.  Very ingenious.  Your build looks fantastic within your display of your collection of unique aircraft.  I don't think I could have accomplished such a build at 1:72, I'll go blind!  LOL!  Congratulations on a job well done.

Toshi

One of these days I'll get brave and try one of those paint schemes. Nicely done, Sir.

Nice finish, good job on that scheme.