Achtraden! 8x8 Group Build '09-'10

Andy, that looks awsome, I agree with Nate....It looks real.

Bob

The interior of 234/1 is finally done.  I am afraid I may have gone too far but I figure with the open turret it would haven't been that clean inside unless they cover it with tarp.  I used sponge with Italian brown to paint chips and scratches.  Then applied thinned burnt umber nearly every where.  I found it unsual that Kit showed only one gas mask canister in place but 234/1 had a crew of 4 so I added couple more.  I plan to add water canteens and rifles while I am working on the figures from Verlinden.

I haven't applied Future to the glass panels on the dashboard yet but will do in few minutes...

Tonight I am going to glue the hull together so I can start working on the exterior this week.  So good bye interior... hopefully we can see some afterward.

Looking sweet Andy, looks like your almost there.

Bob

Andy -- I don't think you've overdone it at all! I think it looks remarkably realistic, with a used feel that's exactly right! Well done, this is top stuff!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Hi Guys,

Well, after a LOOOOOONG break, I'm back to work on my Dragon Puma. Today I managed to finish the camo. Next up; filters, and washes, pigments, decals, detail painting...........

I wasn't following an exact camo pattern, but I based it on the box art. Let me know what you think.

Nate

Nicely done, Nate.  Really like how it has come together...

Thanks Boyd!

Nate

Nate -- stunning! I love the restrained spraywork, it's an entirely different approach to mine in which the camo colors are stated with very bold definition. Yours already had a blended, faded/dusty 'feel', before the weathering process begins, and it's extremely effective. This beast stands on her tires and looks solid, powerful and aggressive.

It's been a bit quiet round the eight-wheelers clubhouse this last week or so -- I've been doing the wash and drybrush phase on three models more or less production-line fashion, and my StuG IV for 1000 Roadwheels and BTR-70 for No More Excuses have been getting the attention. But I reckon I'm ready to start external fittings on the Puma, and get the decals on. Then it's some dust, get the wheels detailed and fitted, get the radio mast up, a little detail painting here and there, and I can grab my own badge!

One day I must get up the nerve to spray camo over tools as well -- there are plenty of cases in which it's historically accurate, and it sure cuts down on work!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Nate......................FREAKING SWEET!

Bob

Bob, and Mike: Thanks a lot for the feedback, I appreciate it.

I still have a lot of detail work left to do on this, and one of the items on my list will be to paint the tools. I got in the habit of assembling as much of the kit as I can before painting, and then going back and brush painting the tools. It seems to work well for me. I have this week off, so I hope to get a lot more done on it. Looking forward to seeing yours Mike!

Nate

Hi Guys,

A quick update before I have to start wrapping gifts! I applied MiG's filter for tri-tonal color schemes, sprayed a light coat of Future floor wax, and applied the decals. After I took these two pics, I applied Solvaset to the decals, so they shouldn't silver as it looks in the second pic. Next up will be a pin wash after I let it dry for a while.

Nate

Nate, this is GREAT especially the camo!  Sorry for being late... I have been away on vacation in Canada since last weekend with no internet access. AARRGHH!!!  Your Puma is making our 8X8 GB even look exciting! 

Merry Christmas... happy holidays to y'all as I won't be checking the forums until 27th or 28th!  Joining my first GB is one of my highlights since I returned to my model hobby.   

Thanks Andy, I appreciate it! Today, I applied a pin wash of burnt umber, and sealed the kit with a clear flat coat from Testors. The pin wash shows up much clearer in real life! Next, I plan on weathering the wheels with MiG pigments. It's definately getting closer to the finish line.

An interesting side-note, (at least to me!), is how BIG this beast really was! I had it next to my Brummbar in the display case, and it was comparable in size. It's MUCH taller than my Jagdpanzer IV. The next time I take up-dated pics, I'll try and remember to do a comparison pic.

Enjoy the pics,and comments are welcome.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Nate

hello everyone, if it is not too too late, i would love to join this build, i just started on an Sd. Kfz. 234/3 and thought it would be cool to build alongside you all

Hi FF -- welcome aboard, i'll add you to the roster. Italeri or Dragon? OOB?

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Welcome to the build figure freak!

Nate

Hmmmm, I may have to build another............LOL

thanks guys, its the dragon kit straight out of the box... heres where im at

FF -- sweet kit, I look forward to seeing her go together!

For your viewing interest, here's the one I just finished for No More Excuses -- not an entry for this build but certainly an 8x8. It's Zvezda's (ex-Dragon) 1:35 BTR-70, in Afghan War markings:

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Looking good Figurefreak! On my Puma, I decided to skip the interior since I planned on having it closed up. You're doing a great job on yours.

Mike: Love that BTR! Did you have to modify the kit to pose the wheels turned?

Nate

Hi Nate -- as it happens, no, Dragon engineered a steering linkage into the kit. Not very precise, the whole settup can only be described as loose and sloppy, but so long as the animal just stands there it makes no difference. There should be a bandsaw on the rear starboard side, but I had to shoot around its absence, the part cracked off while I was doing the shoot and there was no way I was going to stop and fiddle with superglue again at that point...

M

I like the look of the turned wheels; gives it more of an animated look.

As soon as I wake up a bit, I will get back to work on my Puma. I don't have a lot left really; I need to whip up a batch of pigments so I can weather the tires, paint the tools, and exhausts, then add some chipping.

Nate

Hey thanks guys, i wish i could skip the interior but it has the open top on it leaving it very visible from the outside.  I absolutely love this kit!

Today started with doing the upper half of the interior and last night i did the finishing touches on the suspension which i think is this kit's  best part, great detail.

Happy New Year guys!

Figure freak- I am glad you have joined aboard!  Looking forward to follow your 234/3... I don't think one of us are doing it.  That's why I suggested earlier for you to join us...

M1Carbine- I think you need professional help!  LOL  Nah, just for for it! 

Mike- Real good looking BTR!  No question about it...

Nate- Can't wait to see your PUMA! 

I am glad we are seeing more activities in 8X8 GB... I better get my butt back and resume my work as I have been sick with stomach virus that hit everybody in my family and being away from home for the holidays.  I did work on the wheels earlier and will post pictures soon!

FF -- great work so far!

DP -- thanks!

Update -- the Italeri Puma is finished -- gallery shots coming tomorrow. I just did the last few details, dusted hull and wheels, and mounted the wheels. The radio mast is an unknown factor, I'll need to check some pics to decide if I should replace the kit piece with wire -- I've left it loose for that reason. And the periscopes will get attended to later when I figure out the best way to do all my existing armor models in that area!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Here's the pictures of my process over the weekend... unfortunately it was slow but I had a GREAT day at the Train Expo today.  Check my posting in the Armor forum... promise you will enjoy!

Painted the tires... thanks to the forum, a guy suggested using a marker cap as a template... I found an exact match which made the painting job alot easier!

 Painted Italian brown as primer...

Applied Mr. Surfacer 1200 to the mufflers... wanted to get 500 but hobby store was out of it but I think it came out just fine.  Tabbed the paint several times to make it as thick and rough as possible for rust effect...

Closer view of the mufflers...

Tell you the truth, I used the putty for the VERY FIRST TIME today... I used Green Putty from Squadron... it was PAIN IN B*TT!  It kept to dry up quickly before I could finish the job.  I am not sure if I have done it right... I tried to cover the openings between the hulls which is the only major issue I have with this DML kit.

Any suggestion how to deal with green putty next time?  I think I need to apply little more as it has shrunk a bit already.

DP -- nice masking trick! Must look for something like that in future, these wheels are the devil to work with and I ended up hiding the fluffed separation with dust on mine.

Re the putty, try the white version, it seems to have a longer working time than the green, and is finer. Another trick I've often used is to reduce the putty to a soft paste by "cutting" it with Testor liquid cement, this makes it thin and workable, you can apply it with a flat edge as if you were using a miniature spatula or pallet knife, it extends the drying time further, and you can simply wipe away excess before it dries.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Hi all,

Gallery photos of the Itaerli 1:35 Sd.Kfz 234/2 Puma -- finished this morning to the last possible detail. The decals are unfortunately glossy, and I don't trust my ability to apply clearcoats at this time, so they'll have to stand. They were also out of register, rare for Microscale manufacture. Nevertheless, a satisfying build and a lot of fun at the weathering stage. I dusted the wheels to semi-blend the rims into the tires and obscure the fact I could neither mask nor freehand the line acceptably, something I'll have to perfect in future.

I guess I can grab my badge now!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Very nicely done Mike! I like the way your camo came out! Also, the wheels don't look bad to me. As for the glossy decals; you can seal them with an over spray of Testors clear flat in the spray can. I use it on all of my builds with good results.

Nate

Mike,

  I agree with Nate... the camo came out GREAT!!!   You only need to apply dull coat then you are done!  I hope I can do the camo painting as good as you did this weekend.  Unfortunately it is freezing in the garage around 20-30's so I have been not able to do airbrushing or it will screw up the painting job.