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

Thanks guys, but the real task is the painting and weathering!

Eric, the straps are to hold the tow cables.  My refs show some type of hook shaped brackets which are designed to support the cables and incorporated with these brackets are leather straps to secure the cables tightly.  The photo shows a Tamiya Hetzer rear panel (upside down) with the cables and the straps molded on.  http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/full/reviewPhotos/403/12.JPG

The Dragon kit supplies the hooks (rather poorly represented) but no straps.  I decided not to add the cables so I figured I better add the empty straps.  I think the straps I used are slightly oversized, but they're the best PE straps I could find in my stash.

Got the screens on one side. If the other side is as much trouble as this one was the thing just might meet up with the Brick Of Doom!

Whoa Ernest, those molded on cables are iffy at best.

John, what happened with the installation of the shields.

When I attached the first screen I wasn't paying very close attention and got my spacing off which led to gaps in the following screens. The darn things kept moving as they sit at an angle and it just made it worse. If that wasn't enough, I have one of those precision tips for my CA that decided to clog and then break loose. Naturally, the tip was pointed at the model, blowing a stream of CA onto the first screen and some of the model. I've tried to make repairs but it really looks bad in spots. I almost threw the thing after that.

Honestly, this hasn't been a bad kit, a bit fiddly on the screens but that's about it. I've never done screens like this so it has been a challenge for me. Part of the gaps is also because I cut the material out a bit short. If I ever do another kit with these Thoma shields I'll get a PE set for them. Heck, even my camo job was starting to grow on me after the weathering. Blowing that CA on it though just about done me in. I'm going to try and get the other side done tonight and post up pics maybe tomorrow.

Hey everyone,

Sorry have not been around, been having many problems here and I've had no workbench nor internet to check in but things are now starting to improve.

Excellent work everyone has been doing!!!

CARL - The 234/4 looks great!  I like the camo and would not change a thing!  The extra work on the interior and gun really make a differance, VERY NICE!

BOB - Tonning the colors made all the differance.  The colors look great!

JOHN - Keep going with those skirts, They look to be a pain but they also look pretty darn cool.  Look forward to the other side.  Camo looks good also.

ERNEST - Some wonderful detail work, really looking forward for the color.

ERIC - Very happy you took your time with the camo,  it looks PERFECT on the JT!  Really nice!  Tracks are right on to.

Happy that the time was extended so that everyone could keep doing such quality work.  Look forward to all of the completions!

Stick a fork in me.....I'm done....well, not really, but for the purposes of this GB, I'm finished.  There's still more weathering to be done and a few small bits to be painted and attached-antenna & tail light come to mind...but since I'm going out of town for a week, other plastic commitments and the knowledge that this is one of kits that I'll never be quite satisfied with the finish until I've taken it too far....anyway, here's the Jagdpanzer:

To all the group-thank you for your words of encouragement, advise and the awesome builds that have inspired me to push myself just a bit farther than normal.

Eric-You run a great GB.  I still have fond memories of your Kursk GB.  I look forward to your next GB. I hope that your employment situation improves soon but also that you don't stress yourself while you're searching and waiting.

Cheers

OK, I went ahead and got it finished tonight. I can't say that I'm really pleased with the finish of the build but I think it looks OK. All comments, attaboys, praises, odes, epic poems, boos, hisses, catcalls and whatnot are indeed welcome. Tell me what you like and or don't like, really.

Nice work John...I'd be proud to have it in my collection.  I like the amount of weathering you achieved.

That's some fine looking work there Bob!

Thank you John.

Bob, lovely Jagdpanzer. I know that sometimes too much can be too much. i think the reshot of the camo was a great idea. Thanks for participating.

I also appreciate the work wishes too. I've had fun on this build, but the work thing kind of put a wrench in my building there. Not sure about the next GB, but we'll see. I'd like to get a couple of WIP's finished first.

John, it looks good from my seat. I know very little about these, so I can't critique schemes or the such. I think it came out looking great.

As for me? Still working on the fiddly bits: tools, wires, blah blah. Of course I haven't weathered anything either. Wifey is kind of pushing me in the back a little to job hunt. Technically I have time from my severance, but sh'es right. I really want to get this sucker off the bench, so my goal is to finish by the end of the month. I think I can do it. I hate weathering though. LOL

Rob thanks for the complement . I'm with you , not changing anything on the 234/4 .

Bob she looks great , that camo is well done .

John , boooo , hisss , cat calls , snarls , ughs , oops , plops , slops and bee bops LOL ! Seriousely your build came out great . The camo on the screens is cool . Your to hard on yourself my friend .

Agreed , nicely done G.B. Eric , thanks for the invite .

Another round all around

Shellback

Rob thanks for the complement . I'm with you , not changing anything on the 234/4 .

Bob she looks great , that camo is well done .

John , boooo , hisss , cat calls , snarls , ughs , oops , plops , slops and bee bops LOL ! Seriousely your build came out great . The camo on the screens is cool . Your to hard on yourself my friend .

Agreed , nicely done G.B. Eric , thanks for the invite .

Another round all around

Glad to drag you aboard Carl. Perhaps I can sucker you into another.

Thank you very much guys!

Eric, it has been a great GB and thank you for hosting. It has went a long way in helping me out of the building funk I've been in lately.

Carl, plops, slops and bee bops, LOL! I know, I'm usually not happy with most of my builds until I sit and really look at them for a while.

Glad you enjoyed it John. I too use them as motivators to get something built. I love the comradery and information that can be gained, whether it's your own build or someone else's.

Eric , when you have another G.B. i'll be in it !

John ,

Shellback

Eric , when you have another G.B. i'll be in it !

John ,

Alrighty good sir, I'll see what comes to mind after this concludes. 

Thanks Eric & Carl.

Eric-Looking forward to seeing what your next GB theme is going to be.

Too many fiddly bits. Painting the tools and mufflers. I should have painted the mufflers before I installed them.

Bob, I will. Do you have any ideas for one?

tigerman

Too many fiddly bits. Painting the tools and mufflers. I should have painted the mufflers before I installed them.

Bob, I will. Do you have any ideas for one?

Eric-I'm not really sure that there's a 'best way' to do the fiddly bits.  That's one of the things that slowed me down.

Regarding theme's-plenty of thoughts.  A specific battle  theme is always good, a la 'Kursk'-Barbarossa, Leningrad, etc. Or a campaign-Italy, Africa, etc.  Then the decision-both allied & axis, armor, planes or both?

The Panzerjager build was fun-plenty of variety.  You've got the Panzer III going on now and I think a StuG & soft skinned just finished up.  Haven't had a 'Tiger-mania' nor a 'Sherman based' lately that I recall. 

And that's just WW II.  There's a Korean War GB ongoing but I don't recall a Vietnam based GB for awhile.

I'm pretty much open to anything-I'd prefer to build something in my stash but my birthday is next week......

Also, time wise-I'm about three builds behind.  My commitment to Hans's Monogram Mafia needs my attention.....or a big black Caddy will be pulling up to my door step.  Then there's WingNuts WW I GB and the Panzer III.  However, the last two have an extended end date so if you start one, I could jump in.

I'm a natural born follower, so you lead....

Cheers

Bob, I floated an Afrika Corps build, but got very little response, which surprised me. I do recall there being some interest in an Italian or Monte Cassino theme. I don't think I have anything that really qualifies for the Monte Cassino theme, and I'm not into buying anything right now.

We can play with the idea for awhile. I don't think I'd fire another GB until at least the fall, so we'll see.

tigerman

Bob, I floated an Afrika Corps build, but got very little response, which surprised me. I do recall there being some interest in an Italian or Monte Cassino theme. I don't think I have anything that really qualifies for the Monte Cassino theme, and I'm not into buying anything right now.

We can play with the idea for awhile. I don't think I'd fire another GB until at least the fall, so we'll see.

Eric-my concern with Monte Cassino is that it may be a little more limited as far as researching specific vehicles/planes.  However, I'm always up for a good challenge.  Italian Front is a little more 'wide open' but like you said, there is some time to test the waters.  Hopefully by fall you'll have to juggle a GB with a new job.

Ooooo..... Tiger-mania Group build! I Like that idea!

How about an unfinished business GB? Dust off one of those half built kits that we all seem to have laying around and finally getting them done?

ogrejohn

........

How about an unfinished business GB? Dust off one of those half built kits that we all seem to have laying around and finally getting them done?

Yeah....I've got at least three of those, two are at least 85% complete...and a King Tiger that is begging for a GB to get built...of course, it's only about 10% complete. At one time, I had considered starting an unfinished GB...calling it the "Round Toit" GB....translation- "I'll get around to it one of these days"....

bobbaily

 

tigerman:

 

Bob, I floated an Afrika Corps build, but got very little response, which surprised me. I do recall there being some interest in an Italian or Monte Cassino theme. I don't think I have anything that really qualifies for the Monte Cassino theme, and I'm not into buying anything right now.

We can play with the idea for awhile. I don't think I'd fire another GB until at least the fall, so we'll see.

 

 

Eric-my concern with Monte Cassino is that it may be a little more limited as far as researching specific vehicles/planes.  However, I'm always up for a good challenge.  Italian Front is a little more 'wide open' but like you said, there is some time to test the waters.  Hopefully by fall you'll have to juggle a GB with a new job.

I agree that an Italian Campaign would be broader, but Monte Cassino is kind of the defining battle of the campaign. However, there might be more variety with an Italian Campaign. 

We'll just have to wait and see.

John, I too have a build or too that would qualify for an unfinished GB. I think in the fairmess of things, we need to start from scratch.

She's got some color on!

Hey Ernest, that preshade looks sharp. You may beat me to the finishing line yet.

I got some of the tools on. Still debating about markings, if I will add any or not. I suck at decals.

Just stopping by to see how everybody is doing and I must say that all seems fine. John and Bob great work there and Earnest, great to see you back at the bench.

Terry.

It's coming along nicely Ernest!

Ernest