The Ostfront GBII - 2011/12

Tax and Buffle- both excellent builds! I really like the look of that GAZ! ...I don't need another Soviet model, I don't need another Soviet model.....

Nathan- well, there is the 1943 GB... (shameless plug!) Speaking of which, I need to go check in there...

I love your use of pigments, and the chains! Shouldn't there be a "Kursk" 70 year anniversary group build this year???...like I need another group build..

I agree with that approach. Ernest - that GAZ looks stunning. I'd be really happy with it if it were mine. The weathering is perfect, and the additional items all look authentic.  

Cheers

Tony

Thanks for the kind words Nathan!  I definitely want to build more Ostfront armor!  I won't start another kit for this GB though....we should probably wrap this one up and start another!

Nice job Ernest! Always good to see some red stars now and then. I fear Kermit has dropped off the radar, and this group build passed the end date, but hasn't officially closed. I'd love to a new one start. Thanks for sharing your build here.

FINALLY!!  The Tamiya GAZ76B and the Alanger 76mm Regimental Gun are done!! 

First,  I apologize for the long delay.  I wanted to get this one done way before the end of the year, but a couple of months ago I dropped the GAZ!  Fortunately I was able to catch it before it hit the hardwood floor, but unfortunately it hit my leg and one side of the bumper broke off.

This really bummed me out and totally deflated my interest in the build.   I knew I could fix it, but I just didn't feel like dealing with it at the time.  So I set it aside and worked on other projects.  Towards the end of the year I gathered my resolve to finish this for the GB.  However I waited until the very end to fix the bumber as another fumble-fingered goof and I'd have to repair it again!  Due to the rush I decided not to finish the driver, but instead put a few items in the back to add interest.  I spent the last few days working on this:

Not a lot, but more than I ever added before!!  I'll probably add the driver later...when I feel more confident about my figure painting skills!!  

Weathering was a new experience as this is only the second wheeled-open top vehicle I've done.  I played around with pigments for quite a while trying to get a look I liked.  In the end I used various techniques I've learned:  Wet pigments, dry pigments, wash pigments, removing with brushes, removing with cotton swabs...you get the picture.  This was a two week process, but I was happy with the results.  When most of the weathering was done I repaired the front bumper, blended the paint, added some scale chain to add interest and installed wheels, windshield, stowage and 75mm gun!  Here you go!

Well, its been a fun Group Build fellas!  I've really had a blast working on these Russian Ostfront vehicles:

T-26T Artillery Tractor

76mm M1936 F22 Divisional Gun

BT-5 Fast Tank

GAZ67B Field Car

76mm M1943 Regimental Gun

Don't know when Richard (kermit) is going to end the GB.  If it runs much longer I may have to build that Miniart T-70!!

The 109 looks great Tony!  Amazing what you can do with $2 and some spare parts, skills and TLC!  Hopefully Richard (kermit) will stop by so he can update the completed roster.  My GAZ is almost done, just applying some pigments to dust it up and then into the photo booth.  

BTW, anyone know when this GB will officially end?

I haven't currently got one in the stash, but I'll try and dig out the old one for a photo shoot. I made it about 25 years ago and I'd probably do it a little differently now.

Anyway, I've finished the 109G6, apart from the filter (?) that goes on the air scoop on the side of the fuselage. I've lost it somewhere in the last 48 hours. I'll wait to see if it shows up, or whether I have to come up with another one. I can vouch that its not on the modelling bench, not in the carpet around the bench and most definitely not amongst all of the gunk in the vacuum clean - yuck.

It's the Italeri 1/72 109G-6, which I picked up for $2 somewhere. Extra work was to add an instrument panel  from resin, photoetched seat belts, drilled out the gun barrels, added the aerial wire, and a scratchbuilt pitot from Microtube. Then I just built and painted it. I also used an Eduard masking set for the canopy, saves heaps of time. I also pinched some swastika decals from the stash, as the kit didn't include any.

It's my first try at freehand camo without masking, it's not bad but the scheme has minor differences from the instructions.

Cheers

Tony

Tony, I think you need to do another albino dinosaur.....that I've got to see!!

Thanks Ernest, I even did an albino dinosaur once ! I think the only things I haven't had a crack at is a motorcycle, and a resin 1/43 car.

Maybe this year I will.

Nice looking 109 Tony!  You're just an all round type of builder...AC, armor, ships, cars!  and you do such a fine job!  

Thanks Greg. I got the detail bits onto it last night, so tonight should be a flat coat then final finishing touches. Apologies for the terrible photography, was in a hurry before work this morning.

Cheers

Tony

Tony: your 109's coming along nicely.

Thanks guys. I'm already delighted with my Iwata. Soooo easy to spray fine lines. I've given it the panel line wash, a coat of future and the decals. The kit decals go down pretty well, only one showed some silvering. I do think they are a little over size though. You'll note that there is some whitening of the future around some decals. As usual, a subsequent coat of Future has eliminated that effect, but I haven't photographed that yet.

Cheers

Tony

Nice camo Tony!  Gotta luv Iwata ABs.  I have one, which is now my favorite, and am planning on getting another!

Nice job on the camo Taxtp I like the soft lines

OK, here are some more progress shots of the Italeri 1/72 Bf 109G-6..

First, marked up ready for camo.

I was keen to try the Iwata airbrush I got for Christmas, so I decided to test it out and freehand the camo scheme. Not too bad, have to be very careful to keep it tight in 1/72 though. The only masking used was the canopy framing (thanks Eduard) and the yellow fuselage band.

Hopefully progressing to gloss and decalling shortly.

Cheers

Tony

Good luck with the GAZ Ernest. I know I can't get mine done by the 31st, we're already at 2pm. At least I got the yellow fuselage strip masked and sprayed last night.

I've pushed this to the front of the queue, hopefully only a week or so to complete it.

Cheers

Tony

All right Tony, still at it I see!  I'm trying to finish the GAZ by tomorrow so maybe you won't be the only one posting some progress here!!

I've got the RLM 76 down on the 109G-6.

Cheers

Tony

Here's the last snap before paint. The 109 is dimunitive in 1/72.

I hope you all had a great Christmas.

Cheers

Tony

vetteman42

OH...SNAP!!  The ever-dreaded fliegerabwehrhund.....deadlier than the AIM-9L!!

Looking good Tony!  Glad to see some action in this GB!  I've still got to finish the GAZ before the end of the year!

Back onto the 109G now. The main construction is done, and last night I refined the messy wing-fuselage joint. Tonight will be the canopy, smaller bits, give it a bath and then mask the canopy.

Cheers

Tony

Nice looking dog. Animals always seem to eat things from the head (nose) first. Or was that landing damage ?

Cheers

Tony

Ouch. Only upside of not having an actual workbench, all my stuff is on shelves way out of reach. Except my test pilots have two legs, not four.

Ok so I just finished posting progress pics on my Stuka. Well as I was posting said pictures and comentary it seems a test pilot decided it was time to take it for a test flight.

Test Pilot, Lt Bonehead

It seems she is a bonehead in the true sence of the word, as she over reved the engine and blew it sky high creating an urgent need to make an emergancy landing, which she botched of course. Here are pictures of the *** after recovery and return to the hanger.

I am going to go to Michaels surplus this week and see if I can get another, I think I have another coupon somewhere. I really want to do one in winter camo looks so cool.

Ok got a bit more progress made, wings are on the the canopy has been masked and the inside frame color has been sprayed. I gotta tell ya masking this canopy was MUCH easier done before the wings were attached.

Then I got the white primer on this morning, I used Krylon for plastics that I decanted so I could use the airbrush. This stuff seems to bite into the plastic really well for masking and in using the air brush I didnt lose surface detail. I have used this stuff in the rattle can and hated it. But I am happy with how it worked this time.

Next will come the underside blue, then the fun on the topside will commence

Taxtp your 109 is coming along quickly and looking good too. Got to admit the Stuka and 109 are my favorite German aircraft.

Got just a, well it looks like just a bit anyway, of progress on the Stuka. I want to build this one with a closed canopy, I know I know the canopy is made to be built opened up and even then it doesn't fit well on this kit. Well, yes I am a glutton for punishment I guess, spent a number of hours sanding and fitting and sanding some more. Now I have just a bit of clean up work to do at the rear of the canopy and will be ready for wings.