Panzerjager GB (March 1st - June 30th, 2011)

ARRRGGHHH!!!!!   Two weeks into March and I haven't been able to participate in the GB yet! .  That Dragon Hetzer is languishing in my closet....  My fault really; I need to stop working two jobs.

Still its great to see the fine work being done!  Hopefully I'll be able to finish up all my work projects and get back to the bench soon.

Bob - man, I'm jealous that you've got that Dragon Jagdpanzer IV and building it!  Looks like a SWEEEET kit and you're obviously doing a fine job with it!  I was going to ask what camo pattern you plan on doing, but I think I'll just wait until you get some paint on her!

Taps88 - your Sturer Emil is looking fantastic!  What a great looking gun assembly and breech!  I've never been interested in open top vehicles, but that is one monster of a tank!  You're doing that Trump kit proud!

Nacthflieger - Beautifully assembled Tamiya Marder III!  Those Friul tracks look really nice as well as those figures!

PANZERWAFFE - the interior of your Panzerjager I is stunning, especially the instrument panel!!   Awesome work dude!

Hinsky - Another nice Marder that's coming along great!  Those "workable" tool clamps can be a bear to assemble.  If you still need some assistance here's a link that might be useful, http://www.militarymodelling.com/forums/postings.asp?th=39017  Most of the workable clamps are pretty similar and assemble the same way.  I use a different method but don't have any photos to post, sorry.

Sorry, if I missed earlier posts, I was only able to go back 3-4 pages. 

Eric - Look for an update from me in 2-3 weeks.  I'm hoping by then my weekends will be free again!

Guys, I have been lurking but not anymore because I wanted to say great job everybody in this GB.  I will be one of your big fans.  Wish I can sign up but I have committed to two GBs and they end in June too.  So I will just be one of your cheerleaders...  

Taps88

Looking good Bob...Don't sweat the fender, I agree with battle damage...gives it character

 

Well gang...Looks like I have to replace the Anthem. Searched high and low with no luck. I stopped by my Local Michaels and I can't believe they want $216.00 for it. Yes, you heard me right!!

Now way. I even took a walk past the model kits they have...good selection of car kits but......$27.99??? I'm talking Revell kits here...not like Tamiya Sports/Racing types. Unbelievable!!

So....I checked the local Hobbytown and they have My Anthem 155 in stock (with the hose & spare jars) for $99.00. I'll be stopping by there Saturday.

 

I'll then get the interior painted and start adding the hardware inside.

Wow, what a stroke. Even with the handy 40% off coupon, it still would cost much more. I was going to suggest ebay, but it sounds tough to top that Hobbytown price.

I've owned 3 Badgers and am like a loyal dog.

My God there is some progress being made here, Nate, Taps, Bob,  Ben everybody flying along.

Got a bit done during the week but did not photograph anything yet. Hope to post soon.

Terry.

Looking good Bob...Don't sweat the fender, I agree with battle damage...gives it character

Well gang...Looks like I have to replace the Anthem. Searched high and low with no luck. I stopped by my Local Michaels and I can't believe they want $216.00 for it. Yes, you heard me right!!

Now way. I even took a walk past the model kits they have...good selection of car kits but......$27.99??? I'm talking Revell kits here...not like Tamiya Sports/Racing types. Unbelievable!!

So....I checked the local Hobbytown and they have My Anthem 155 in stock (with the hose & spare jars) for $99.00. I'll be stopping by there Saturday.

I'll then get the interior painted and start adding the hardware inside.

Thanks for the pointers Ben. Looks great. However, I want to paint my tracks off of the vehicle. I've never done them attached and I just don't feel confident painting them that way. I know it can be done, I guess it boils down to confidence and a steady hand.

            Great looking builds here,Bob as far as that fender being askew it looks like a bit of damage and personally I would not worry about straightening.Any chance of an interior shot or two??

             Ben,if you take your time with those indie links they will come out just fine,I have done more than twenty sets and they all look good.

                                                             Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Nice progress Bob

Nice work on the indies Ben.  Not so scary are they?

Hey Tigerman,

I assume you are referring to the Magic tracks? I used them for the first time on my little Dragon Panzer I and they were bloomin' great!

First off I did the easy bit and did the bottom section of track. To get me started I made up a sheet of styrene with two thin straight edge strips the exact diameter of the tracks.

What I did was to use a piece of fine wire and took this piece of wire from 12o'clock on the idler wheel under the road wheels and up to 12 o'clock on the front drive wheel so I could get the length spot on. I assembled the bottom run and brushed Tamiya thin cement on the links, waited ten minutes then fitted the bottom run. The cement was holding the links perfectly but they were still very adjustable and I was able to position them around the drive and idler wheels.

I then used the same piece of wire to do the top run to get the length ok but I added a few extra links for sag. I assembled these the same way, positioned them and pushed down on the tracks were the sag would be and I packed the 'sag' parts whilst the cement dried.

Dead easy and very effective!

 I hope this helps!

ATVB

Ben

Thanks Eric.  Yes, it is a one piece barrel.....very light seam...easily sanded off.

That looks like good progress Bob. Is that a one-piece barrel? I guess I thought the kit came with a metal one, but as long as it's one-piece and not two, I'm good.

Got lazy tonight, but got the wheels cleaned up and printed out Karl's track tutorial. I'm scared. LOL

Anyone done it before? Any pointers?

Eric-great work on the Emil....very nice.

Here's a couple of progress pics-the front gun structure is not glued to the chassis yet...and I noticed that the left rear fender is a bit off....but hey, it's a tank, right?

Probably won't get anymore done until mid-next week.  However, I'm happy with my progress to date.  Maybe I'm learning to relax, but the instructions are getting a bit easier to figure out.  I did end up 'accidently' cutting off a few brackets that I'll now have to go back and put in the PE parts.  Wasn't planning on doing that, but it shouldn't be too bad. Detail on the interior is fantastic....however, I'm not planning on leaving any hatches open....maybe next time.

Anyway.....

Sucks about the Anthem. Hope you find it.

Nice work on the Emil Taps88. Good luck finding your airbrush. I'm looking forward to seeing it painted!

Nate

Ugggh...

I got all of my stuff, from storage and I cannot for the life of me, find my Badger Anthem. I have a special case with all the extra jars and pippets..... I usually keep in there.

More looking this evening, if I can't find it...off the the LHS to get another this weekend. I'm sure I'll have to convince the wifey.

Damn, don't check in for a few days and the place goes nuts.  I better get on the stick.  Fantastic work all around guys.

Now that the PBP is all done I can really concentrate ion the Stug.  I finally got over the brain fart I was having with the fenders.  While the sheet is confusing and has a call for a wrong part ...a big part of it was me being a bone head. Now that the fenders are done I can get some work done on the upper hull.  Progress piccies soon.

Wow, that's a quick assembly. MIghty nice.

Well, here is my progress thus far:

I'm really enjoying this kit...very little flash to get rid of  (close to Tamiya's kits) and the instructions are done pretty well, although not the most informative. Just straightforward.

I posted above that, I started painting the breech and gun assembly in German Grey, I think I'll go with a different scheme, just to break things up a bit...in this GB...as well as add in more wear and tear. I got the paint off with a little diligence. I think the new camo will show up pretty well.

Nachtflieger

PANZERWAFFE:

Hey thanks Nate.  It's not either, the insrtument panel is had painted and the two grab handles in front of it are wire.

 

Holy cow!!! Hand painted?? I tip my hat to you sir!

Nate

 I agree,

When I briefly looked at it I just assumed it was a decal! Very impressive!

I've got to paint a small white circle with a red cross on it to look like a first aid box to go in the fighting compartment of my Marder and I thought that was going to be tricky!

Many thanks amd keep the updates coming!

ATVB

Ben

Count them. 46 wheels including drive sprockets and idlers. Add to that at least 2 connectors and you have a whole lot of cleanup. that was the majority of my evening. I attached the side skirts and mad a mess in some spots where the glue seeped through. Aargghhh.

I don't know if I'll keep my date with the airbrush this weekend, but we'll see.

Thanks for the invite, Eric. I only hope I can do this group justice.

I started building last evening, got a good amount done. I finished the breech assembly and some of the chassis. I got home from work and started hand painting some of the breech German Grey when....

I want something different... But will still be just OOTB.

I have an idea in mind. Will post progress pics in a few.

BTW......from what I've seen...this GB is going to be awesome. All are looking fantastic so far!!

Nachtflieger

 

PANZERWAFFE:

 

Hey thanks Nate.  It's not either, the insrtument panel is had painted and the two grab handles in front of it are wire.

 

 

Holy cow!!! Hand painted?? I tip my hat to you sir!

Nate

Wow!

PANZERWAFFE

Hey thanks Nate.  It's not either, the insrtument panel is had painted and the two grab handles in front of it are wire.

Holy cow!!! Hand painted?? I tip my hat to you sir!

Nate

Trumpeter armor kits really depend on which "era" they are - the oldest ones are mostly junk (with a couple of exceptions), then once you get to where they released the KV-1 series, things got much better. The newest ones (again, with a few exceptions) have all gotten really solid reviews.

Hey guys,

Nate - Your Panzer I is looking good! Imo that could be the build to watch. You've made a really strong start buddy

Re the Sturer - I looked into them a bit yesterday and want to change my vote from the Dicker Max to the Emil! Not that it matters now as it won anyway. That's one hell of a gun! That's is definately a future build for me. I've never worked with Trumpeter builds - I assume they are generally sound kits?

Onto my Marder - It's coming along better than I could ever have expected as the build guide was just so crazy and I was expecting to struggle trying to make sense of it! I'm pretty chuffed with my first ever attempt at working with PE. That frame for the shell racks wasn't that bad - I've had to move the bracing piece across the middle as it needed to be sloping and was out of line so it looks a lot better now. I've also taken a fine diamond file to the ammo holder PE tips to remove them little stubs. It's horrible stuff all said and done and wherever possible I'll always use a plastic alternative!

Someone actually sent me a little build guide to assembling Dragon clamps so that should help. I've looked and there are no supplied tools with moulded on clamps so I've got to use the PE clamps. I'll be assembling the clamps and fitting the tool handles then painting them 'in situ'.

So now it's assemble the PaK 40, assemble the fighting compartment walls and fit everything else that doesn't need careful detailing and painting the a base coat of DY. The radio will be assembled separately along with batteries and a couple of containers. They'll be fitted afterward followed by the rear hinged section that swings down.

Hopefully by the end of next weekend I can be thinking about painting the base coat. I've got next Monday off work so that should be the day when I can start painting!

Keep the updates coming guys!

ATVB

Ben

Terry, Rob, Ben & Nate-you guys are flying!  Great progress and great work.  I feel soooooo  sloooow....

Anyway, no progress on the Jagdpanzer this weekend.  However, I did finish my commitment for the Reich Defender III GB, so my time will be devoted to this one until the end of the month.  Also spent the evening taking care of home administration duties....paying bills....so the rest of the week in the evenings is mine....once I adjust to Daylight Savings time.  Out of town soccer tournament for our son next weekend so I'm going to have to chip away in small bits during the week.

Rob that interior is stunning. Nice weld beads too. 

Eric, glad to have you aboard. Been so long since I've seen your work. 

So far today, no progress. Son stopped in from out of town, so...........I need to plot my course of action. Again, the upper hull is pretty much done except fenders and tools and such. Lower hull needs wheels and tracks. 

Hey thanks Nate.  It's not either, the insrtument panel is had painted and the two grab handles in front of it are wire.

Looks great Rob. Are those kit decals for the IP or Archer transfers?

Nate

I'll start my build this evening...looking forward to it!