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

bbrownii-thanks for your input-always good to hear how others approach a task.

bobbaily

Question for the group-I usually build planes-only a couple of pieces of armor to date.  Do you attach the tools (shovels, axes, etc.) and paint or paint them and then attach?

Bob

I'm sure you've gotten plenty of input on this, but here is my offering:

I usually paint stuff off the vehicle then attach. However, a friend of mine attaches then paints. To simplify the process a little, he slips a post-it note or another small piece of paper under the item he is going to paint, thus protecting the paintjob on the vehicle. I've been tempted to try that approach...

EDIT: Which, if I would have simply read TWO more posts, I would have seen you had already received this suggestion... sorry for the redundancy!

GUYS,

Great work going on. I don't know who to single out for praise first, so I'll lump y'all together.

Hey, JMART, great to see you in the GB. How have you been?

I'm with dupes, I'll be looking to start the Hetzer towards the end of the month. Got a couple projects to finish up before ValleyCon (I hope!!).

             Maybe a loft to workshop conversion?? The Marder does look great so far. All the builds look great so far.Sorry but I'm still waiting to finish what I have going,which is a huge amount of un-finished builds,stalled for lack of interest or parts I do not know. Oh well does'nt mean I can't be a hangaround right?

                                               Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Ben, you're just buzzing through that Marder. Loving the detail. Excellent progress.

Sorry to hear about the cleanup at the house.

Hey gents,

Some nice looking work going on. There's a Marder nearly in the bag already! I'm inclined to suggest the removal of a couple of Friul links as the Marder track looks a bit too saggy but either way I'd wait until everthing is painted up and the wheels are properly glued on. 

I've spent the last three hours on my Marder III M and have just finished the interior detail and engine - most of which won't be seen or painted but it all makes for good practice (which when it comes to interiors, I need) and I'm of the thought that if I left any parts out I might struggle with the build later as I'd find I'd need them there!

The Drivers compartment is built up 100% as per the instructions as is the transmission at the front as I may have that slightly visible via the removable hatch. The main powerplant is 90% all there but due to some mind boggling diagrams I couldn't get it to fit without removing some pipework and some PE was called for to use as the battery base and cover - I decided I could do without that  The top of the engine is all there and looks good should I feel brave and want to make it slightly visible with some added engine parts. The final cover section at the rear is again all there as that will be visible in the fighting compartment.

Basically I've only done one interior before this one and that was my Dragon Panzer I Ausf A so I'm a total interior newbie! It's looking okay though.

Anyway, as I mentioned earlier on I've assembled one Friul run in record time - I think they will be ok and I'll either have to bend the guide horns inwards a tad where it's tight on the drive sprockets etc or I'll take a skim off the inner wheels with the Dremel Rotary Tool.

My selfish parents  have decided to have the loft converted so next weekend I'm on 'emptying the rubbish out the loft' duty and generally doing work - just what I want after a week in the office I will probably get one session in but the second might have to be postponed. I've got a few days holiday soon so I can easily catch up and more besides

Here's where I am with the Marder; it's starting to get tricky but at least the interior is out of the way - I want to start on the exterior which looks stunning and the PaK 40 and fighting compartments are a joy to look at on other folks Dragon Marder III's, I've just got to assemble them myself now!

Drivers compartment - nicely detailed!

Mid-Mounted engine in place, a few eagle eyed folk will notice some small missing parts ie there should be a part of the exhaust going towards that small hole but my exhaust tube was about 1" too low and had to go to allow the engine to fit:

I don't know what this bit is  you'll notice the battery hasn't yet been fitted as you look at the picture - it sits on the left: 

Battery now fitted less the PE mount & everything in place ready for the next stage:

I hope you like her so far. She'll start looking like a Marder soon - I'm not an experienced detailed interior modeller yet so bear with me if it's a bit 'untidy'!

Have a good week guys

ATVB

Ben  

Nate those Friuls look great and I agree, maybe 1 link.

Jmart, glad to have you aboard. The more the merrier. 

Marc, it looks like the Sturer Emil is pulling away. Time top order up for it. LOL

I hope to hit the bench, but it's the wife's birthday and I'm not sure her plans. She has finals this week and she may be studying for awhile tonight.

Looking good Nate.  You can't go wrong with Friuls.....love the sag.

HOLY CRAPLACKISTAN!

You guys are really going at it.  And some sweet work!

And new players too?  Boy, the gangs all here.

Ben- I used the Friuls on my Marder III-M and had to slightly bend the supplied metal drive sprocket a tiny bit.  IIRC, I had to squeeze them to make a wee bit narrower and they fit like a dream.  Had no prob on the idler.

While the base for my PBP dries, I am cleaning up the bench and will make at least "some" progress on the Stug today since it is a "rainy stay in the house and the girls are watching videos all day which leaves me to sit at the bench all day" kind of day.

Guys,

Here's a quick up-date of where I'm at with my Marder III build. Today I finished one side of Friuls, and installed them. The Friuls are actually "handed", so this is the right side. I may remove one link when it comes time to permanently mount them, but I'm leaving them alone for now. I also found that it isn't the sprocket teeth that need to be cut down, it's the guide 'ears' on the tracks themselves that get in the way of a good fit on the sprocket and idler. I bent them inwards where they pass around the sprocket, and the fit is much better.

The roadwheels, track, and hull top are just placed on for looks. Actually, the roadwheels are held on with Blu-Tak so I can remove them for painting.

Here's a few pics of where I'm at.

Nate

Yaaay! It's JMart!  Hey man, you aren't going to Valleycon in Chicopee on the 27th, are you?

Another vote for the Emil...5/3/1.

1. Tigerman-  Jagdpanther
2. Panzerwaffe-  Sturer Emil
3. Bufflehead- ???
4. RMC_Birdunner- ???
5. Big Smitty- ???
6. Wing_nut-  Sturer Emil
7. Bobbaily-  Jagdpanther
8. TigerEp1- ???
9. Nachtflieger- Sturer Emil
10. Terry35- Sturer Emil
    
11. Hinsky- Dicker Max
    
12. Dupes- (tiebreaker)
13. bbrowniii- Jagdpanther
14. Wolfp - ???
    
15. ogrejohn - ???
16. JMart - Sturer Emil
    

A little bit of reference for those of you still undecided!

Sturer Emil:

http://www.achtungpanzer.com/heu.htm (second vehicle down)
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/trumpeter/tr00350.htm

Jagdpanther:

http://www.achtungpanzer.com/panzerjager-v-jagdpanther-sd-kfz-173.htm
http://www.wwiivehicles.com/germany/tank-hunters/jagdpanther.asp

Great GB! Do you let in amateurs who mainly build ships?   If anything, I know I will learn a lot in this GB. And YES I will finish this GB!

I will enter the (what else?) Dragon 1:35   Stug. IV Early Production Smart Kit (#6520), which comes with a LOAD of goodies. I also have the Aber detail set 35044, 10$ from the “Aber guy” at the AMPS-CT show in Danbury last year. Dunno the scheme; I have yet to paint anything with more than one color in it 

And another vote for Sprue Brothers… my armor (and special hobby a/c) stash grew a lot from their Super Specials and Holiday specials, worthwhile to check their site frequently!

Speaking of votes… EMIL for the Dupes!

Whoah, I hit the bench all night (forsaking the forums) and everyone is building like mad! Some good looking stuff going on.

Terry - not too late to vote at all! I'm going to try to give everyone a chance to chime in...I won't be able to start in on the Sturer until the end of this month, anyway, after Downeastcon and Valleycon. So let's say the voting deadline is the 11th of March - that way I can scour the vendors at both shows for additional aftermarket goodness.

1. Tigerman-  Jagdpanther
2. Panzerwaffe-  Sturer Emil
3. Bufflehead- ???
4. RMC_Birdunner- ???
5. Big Smitty- ???
6. Wing_nut-  Sturer Emil
7. Bobbaily-  Jagdpanther
8. TigerEp1- ???
9. Nachtflieger- Sturer Emil
10. Terry35- Sturer Emil
    
11. Hinsky- Dicker Max
    
12. Dupes- (tiebreaker)
13. bbrowniii- Jagdpanther
14. Wolfp - ???
    
15. ogrejohn - ???

So the Sturer currently leads with 4, Jagdpanther at 3, The *** with 1. Panzerwaffe, looks like you may be right!

Hey guys,

Some lovely looking builds,

Bobbaily - That Dragon JP will sure be a fun build and will make a great model. I have to agree with you about some crazy over-engineering (my Marder III M is the same) but complex builds is Dragon all over! You'll love it!

Panzerwaffe - The Panzerjager will be one to watch. I have in my display cabinet a Dragon Panzer I Ausf A with interior that is a personal favourite of mine - some of my 1/48 builds are bigger than it! I also have The Panzer I Ausf B which is obviously the chassis your PJ utilised. I had a 'mare of a time with that kit (all problems of my own doing mainly) but you might find the running gear assembly a PITA so take care. Are you planning a super detailed drivers compartment? It's practically the same as the interior on my Dragon Panzer I Ausf A and that was great fun to build and paint.

Terry - The Tamiya Marder III in 1/48! Nice - I built this in 1/35 scale and it wasn't a big vehicle so I'll look forward to seeing what you can do with this one.

I've been looking after the work phone all morning but it's been dead so I've assembled one full run of Friuls for my Marder III M and got paid to do it

I've also looked at some of the parts for the Marder. Dragon really moulded this plastic so well, it's super detailed and the compartment walls are super thin to scale like they should be and not nasty & chunky.

I'm dropping the work computer to a colleague on the other side of town now - when I get back I'll start with the Marder engine assembly.

ATVB

Ben

Thanks Eric.  I haven't decided on whether to build it with the schurzen or not.  With would be a great way to hide any issues with the road wheels/tracks.  However, the kit schurzen are almost 'too nice'-I prefer a little 'wear & tear' look.  I might look into some PE schurzen or just build without.  I hate the complexity (usually) of PE items like that.  Or maybe just separating the the panels and/or a thinner scale plastic might do the trick.....we'll wait and see.  And I'm always open for suggestions.

Rob, that little guy has a heck of an interior. I haven't opened my box yet, so i haven't seen the goods. 

Bob, way to cut loose and start building those darn wheels. I haven't seen this kit built up yet, so I look forward to it.  It was the latest to find it's way into my stash courtesy of Spruebrothers. Are you building yours with the schurzen?

Terry, I saw the Marder built up at a show and was impressed with the detail on something so small.

I didn't get much done today, a little apathetic. I might be falling behind my planned schedule. If all goes really well, I'll be painting the base a week from this sunday.

Great start Rob-looking forward to paint and more progress pics.

Dupes it's great to see you back in action, if its not too late I'd like to vote for the sturmer Emil.

Well JUst to prove I have not forgotten theh build heres my kit, I hope to start during the week,

Good luck to everybody involved on this great venture,

Terry.

And I'm out the gate.....

Like to start my builds of with alittle history

The Panzerjager I (47mm Pak(t) Pz.Kw.I-B) was the first German tank destroyer.  Introduced in 1940 and used during the campaign in France also later used in initial operations in North Africa and in Russia starting with operation Barbarossa.  Was armed with a Czech 47mm Pak(t) 36 L/43.4 (Skoda 47mm A-5 P.U.V vz.36 gun), operated by a crew of three and built on a PzKpfw I Ausf B’s chassis.  The gun had a limited traverse of 15 degrees and the vehice carried 86 rounds of ammunition.  The vehicles proved inefective and rapidly disappeared because of their inadequate fire power, although some remained in service as late as 1943.

Decided to start with the interior.  Parts have nice detail and fit good.  The ammo boxes and transmission assembly are just dry fit and waiting for paint.

Plan on painting the interior white / cream and the transmission assembly dark green.  Plan on painting all of the interior the cream color up to were it would have been the base of the turret.  My question is this correct being tht it is an open top? 

Also cleaned and preped almost all parts for the susspension.  Did not feel like playing around with the wheels tonight so just baged them with there part # in the bag.

Now it's off to paint.

Bob,

You picked a real good kit to build if you're used to aircraft. I had it built in no time, and with zero filler. I remember that about the hardest part was applying the casting number to the mantlet.

Nate

Good progress Rob. I like how this little tank hunter looks, and can't wait to see what you do with it!

Nate

And I'm out the gate.....

Like to start my builds of with alittle history

The Panzerjager I (47mm Pak(t) Pz.Kw.I-B) was the first German tank destroyer.  Introduced in 1940 and used during the campaign in France also later used in initial operations in North Africa and in Russia starting with operation Barbarossa.  Was armed with a Czech 47mm Pak(t) 36 L/43.4 (Skoda 47mm A-5 P.U.V vz.36 gun), operated by a crew of three and built on a PzKpfw I Ausf B’s chassis.  The gun had a limited traverse of 15 degrees and the vehice carried 86 rounds of ammunition.  The vehicles proved inefective and rapidly disappeared because of their inadequate fire power, although some remained in service as late as 1943.

Decided to start with the interior.  Parts have nice detail and fit good.  The ammo boxes and transmission assembly are just dry fit and waiting for paint.

Plan on painting the interior white / cream and the transmission assembly dark green.  Plan on painting all of the interior the cream color up to were it would have been the base of the turret.  My question is this correct being tht it is an open top? 

Also cleaned and preped almost all parts for the susspension.  Did not feel like playing around with the wheels tonight so just baged them with there part # in the bag.

Now it's off to paint.

Thanks Nate.  Coming from the 'wingie thing' side of the forum, I'm not used to the number of parts to build a sub-assembly....well, maybe with the exception of the Accurate Miniatures Avenger that I built a few years back.

Eric: No worries, it's hard to keep up with all the different equipment the Germans had. That's why I like modeling them so much!

Ben: I just finished a length of Friuls, and tried them on the sprocket. Yes, they are tight, but they do snug down. I think Eric's tip about filing down the sprocket teeth will work to help the fit.

Bob: Nice work on your Jangdpanzer. I built this kit last year, and I don't think I've ever had a more trouble free build.

Nate

Progress report:

After a long swim this am, coffee with some friends, a nap during a Premier League Soccer match on Fox, I started on the Jagdpanzer.  First pic is of the road wheels (yeah, pretty exciting, ain't it?), a pic of the front hull with some tabs that need to be removed (not called out in the instructions), some miss numbered parts but it's all good.  Lower chassis is together, wheels are not glued on....a little rubber cement will handle the track building process....but I'm done for the day.  Will probably finish the Dora for the Reich Defender GB tomorrow and work on the Jagdpanzer from that point on.

I'm impressed with the quality of this kit, detail wise.  However, the instructions are lacking (typical Dragon) and a lot of parts are a bit too complex, especially since they will be hidden (by road wheels, side armor...you know, that schurzen (sp?)stuff, etc)

Anyway, I'm ahead of where I thought I'd be so it's all good.

Cheers

Bob - Agree with the others about the tools.  I have done them both ways but find it much better to paint and put the tools on seperate and last, before weathering.

Ben - Nice to see you start up and looking forward to more.

Dupes - Have you started the STURER EMIL yet 

Ben, I've heard of others that have cut down the teeth on the sprocket that would come into contact with the links. You might try that.

Nate,

Have you tried your Friuls yet ie assemble a length of 5-10 links and see if they are tight in the idler and drive wheels?

I've had another look at mine and they are tight but I think they'll be ok. They were far too tight to use on my Hetzer but are a bit easier on this Marder III so I'll give them a go. They came supplied with a pair of Friul 38t Drive Wheels and were too tight for them.

I'm planning a Marder II 'Coal Thief' build (I think it's a Marder II) like the brilliant one that Andy Deafpanzer built in the Marder Madness thread and another Hetzer too so I'll have use for any unused sets of tracks.

Anyway, let me know how you get on with your Friuls

ATVB

Ben

Nachtflieger

Eric,

I think you're talking about the SdKfz 7 series which are a bit bigger. This kit is brand new, and smaller. Here's a pic:

 

 

Ben,

Nice work so far. Yes, I started my Marder III on Tuesday. Got most of the hull built, and now I'm going to concentrate on the Friuls I just had sent from Sprue Brothers.

Nate

Doh Nate. I can't keep track of all of them. I didn't know this was even available yet.

Ogrejohn, welcome aboard. Glad to include you and your build.

Eric,

I think you're talking about the SdKfz 7 series which are a bit bigger. This kit is brand new, and smaller. Here's a pic:

Ben,

Nice work so far. Yes, I started my Marder III on Tuesday. Got most of the hull built, and now I'm going to concentrate on the Friuls I just had sent from Sprue Brothers.

Nate