Hi guys,
I haven't posted on the main section here for a while so I thought I'd tell you what I've been doing. Some of you may recall my lovely Tamiya Stug III B that the dog ate so I decided to break out my Marder III Ausf M Befehlsjager from the stash and enter Tigerman's Panzerjager GB. My LHS have got my replacement StuG in now so I'll rebuild that after the Marder is complete - I've got the StuG Friuls so I had to rebuild it! I managed to salvage a lot of the parts and all the tools and wheels etc are painted up and safe so it should be a nice little build.
Onto my Marder - so far it hasn't been the scarily over complicated monster that I'd envisaged 
If you remember I mentioned a while back that I was was really intimidated by this kit and kept putting it off but I bit the bullet and I'm glad I did. I was going to use the Magic Tracks but I still had the 38t Friuls that I didn't use on my Hetzer as they were too tight for the drive and idler wheels but fit this kit just right - the Magic Tracks will keep for a future build. Maybe an early WWII 38t which I like the idea of? There have been a couple of niggly little annoying things like incorrect part numbers on the build guide and slots and grooves missing off parts that are shown in the pictures but aren't there on the actual part! Oh well, it is a Dragon kit after all!
So, work done this so far and this weekend:
Up to this weekend:
- A full interior which I decided to assemble for the practice more than anything. I haven't bothered with any painting as she's going to be all buttoned up and I want to concentrate my efforts on the main fighting compartment. Friuls assembled too.
This weekend:
- Saturday - none whatsoever as I got roped into going into the office for a meeting and I had such a headache when I got home I just couldn't face a Dragon model!
- Today - I had an early start to make up for the time I lost yesterday and things are moving along nicely. I decided against painting the drivers interior compartment as with it already assembled I'd struggle to do a half decent job of it - it wil give me more time to concentrate on the fighting compartment detailing which I'm hoping will be a real piece of eye candy.
- By lunchtime I'd assembled the front sloping compartment cover and hatches and the travel lock was in place. According to the instructions the drivers hatch was supposed to have a cut out taken from it to allow flush fitting of the travel lock mount but it wasn't there. This needed some careful surgery and turned out ok - niggle #1!
- The fenders are on but the right fender needed surgery to fit properly - instruction error by what I can make of it niggle #2!
- Engine covers in place with curved sections and grab handles fitted. Beautifully detailed.
- PaK 40 base fitted and fighting compartment floor is in place but not cemented as I'l probable need to remove this again.
- Finally, I knew the next stages would involve assembly of the main gun and detailing of the fighting compartment (assembly of the ammo holders and radio) so I felt brave and assembled the ammo holders. One is a simple plastic affair with three tubes for round storage but the other has a PE frame the need building up and two 6 round holders slotting home inside the frame. I got my first ever opportunity to use my PE folder which saved my life - I thought I'd never use it as I've had it for 6 months and had yet to need it. The only PE work I'd really done today was big muffler shrouds which are easy!
- The frame assembled okay and doesn't look too bad. The 15 ammo tubes each needed a very small PE extension sticking into the ends with CA which was a real tricky PITA but I'm now definately getting a lot more proficient when working with PE which I still do really struggle with! It's the tool clamps which look VERY difficult!
Next week I'll assemble the gun and start work on the interior of the fighting compartment. I'll soon get the basecoat of DY laid. The ammo holders and various bit's will be in place but the radio assembly etc will be painted by hand and fitted after basecoat application. Tools will also be painted by hand and fitted later on as will the running gear.
Overall, I'm realy pleased with how this build is going. I'd put it off for ages as it looked so complicated but a bit of forethought on the best way of each assembly stage has helped me know end - this could be a very nice Marder if my AB painting skills are up to the job! There are some nice builds on the go in the GB section at the minute so check them out
WIP photos from this weekend:
How on EARTH do these tool clamps assemble (clamp 'V')? Are they supposed to be workable? Has anyone got a blog? 
Thanks for looking guys,
I'm really enjoying this GB especially as Marders are my all time favourites - they are so cool 
Have a great week everyone!
ATVB
Ben 