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

Tock

Less than 8 hours... on the east coast anyway

yaaaaay!

nate, I like that Dragon Puma sitting next to the bench. I'm still a tad disappointed in not picking one up when I was at a show. Oh well, there is always the next one.

Yes Marc, but I will not be putting in a midnight appearance myself, but plan to hit the bench in the morning, assuming I don't make it into work.

Hey fellas!

In a continuing effort to return to forum-regular status, I'm eyeing this GB with great interest...I've got a couple of shows in the next few weeks that I need to finish things up for (Downeastcon on March 12th and Valleycon on March 27th), but I don't see any reason why I couldn't bang something out that fits the bill after that.

I'll keep you posted, T-man!

Yay, Dupes is coming out to play! Gald to have you. It occured to me that you've been AWOL from the forums or it just appears that way.

Good luck and get some nice awards and grab a kit or two while you're there.

Yeah, I've been AWOL for over a year now...ever since the forum switchover. The redesign wreaked complete havoc with my dialup connection - made it pretty impossible to load anything in a remotely reasonable period of time (i.e., less than 15 minutes a page - ugh).

So anyways, got a new cell phone plan recently which includes free laptop tethering ability (yay U.S. Cellular!). While I don't have unlimited access, 5gb a month at least will let me participate again. Have to be a bit selective about how frequently I'm clicking on pic heavy threads (5gb is a lot...but not a WHOLE lot), but I'm back!

As for the shows, we'll see what I can haul back in terms of awards and stash - I tend to be pretty lucky.

Took a quick look at the lineup...I think we should change the name to the "Panzerjager GB, sponsored by DML"!

I may have to branch out just to tip the scales a bit. Or even put it up to a vote. Hmmmmm.

dupes

Took a quick look at the lineup...I think we should change the name to the "Panzerjager GB, sponsored by DML"!

I may have to branch out just to tip the scales a bit. Or even put it up to a vote. Hmmmmm.

I agree that Dragon has the largest selection, but Tamiya makes 3 Marders, the Jagdpanzer IV, StuG's, Jagdtiger.

Not much else, except an Italeri StuG IV, Jagdpanzer, and a Marder III H. Tristar makes an H as well. Kinda of limited. I'm surprised that no one is attempting the new Dragon RSO w/Pak-40.

It's a few minutes shy of midnight, but I'm heading to bed. I will be tackling her tomorrow. Not sure where I'm going to start.

I know many haven't seen my "work", so here's a little GB inspiration. Sorry, I'm not a big weatherer. These are older builds, sucky as the new. LOL

Italeri Marder III H

Tamiya Marder III M (Because of my poor photography, many of the washes around bolts are not showing up)

Dragon Elefant

Eric, those are some BEAUTIFUL builds! It's nice to see an Italeri Marder III H, and how well it can be built up.

Marc: It's REALLY good to see you back on the forums! Looking forward to your participation.

Well, it's 4:15AM, and I'll be heading off to work soon where I'll be cutting sprues. Looking at the Tamiya Marder  kit that I'll be building, I think it's going to go together pretty quick which will give me more time for painting.

I'm actually looking forward to going to work!

Nate

So Eric really does build armor.  Weathering schmeathering....looks great.

Marc glad you're back.  5 gigs sounds like a lot.  When I called a while back I was going to ask if that option was available to you.  Just hasn't been the same without the FUPES!

Thanks guys.

Yes I build, just can't seem to get much finished. I'm a relatively light weatherer as noted. I have since added washes and am experimenting with pigments, so I hope to incorporate a more weathered appearance on the Jagdtiger. I won't abuse it per say, but will give it a more worn appearance.

Well I unfortunately failed to make into work today........so I guess I'll have to take advantage of that. LOL

I'm working on the torsion bars and the lower hull today. With the Blazer game on at 7:30, I don't think I'll get as much done as I'd like. Been a bit of a drama day already.

I will have to keep an eye on your GB Tigerman.  I have a Jagdpanzer, Jagdpanther, Jagdtiger, and Nashorn in the stash.  I hope to get some buiding intel and some finishing ideas. 

I have the same Jagdtiger you are building.  I got 2 of them from Great Models for, get this, $17.00 each.  I don't know if it was mislabeled but I grabbed the last 2 they had in stock.  The kit detail looks great.  Not a bad deal with the aluminum barrel, PE fret and metal cable and ammo round.

I would love to join the GB but I have too many other GB commitments going right now. 

Eric-thanks for posting some of your previous builds-very nice work.  Makes me want to start on the Marder III M but I think I'll stick with my Jadgpanzer.

Sorry that you didn't get as much done as you would have liked but it will come together.  I'm hoping to finish up my Dora for the Reich Defenders III GB by Friday and then get started here on Saturday.

macattack80

I will have to keep an eye on your GB Tigerman.  I have a Jagdpanzer, Jagdpanther, Jagdtiger, and Nashorn in the stash.  I hope to get some buiding intel and some finishing ideas. 

I have the same Jagdtiger you are building.  I got 2 of them from Great Models for, get this, $17.00 each.  I don't know if it was mislabeled but I grabbed the last 2 they had in stock.  The kit detail looks great.  Not a bad deal with the aluminum barrel, PE fret and metal cable and ammo round.

I would love to join the GB but I have too many other GB commitments going right now. 

$17? That's a steal. I think I paid around $25 or so for mine. It is good bang for the buck. Have you built yours yet? If so, I might hit you up on some questions.

A couple of shots of my progress. Some nice pin holes and gaps.

A shot of the lower hull. Not sure the torsion bars are on right. They look a little low. Not very good pin indicators.

I also glued the gun cradle in, because I read the old Fine Scale with a review and John Plzak said to do it, otherwise the weight of the aluminum barrel will sag.

That's probably most of what I will get done today. Have to cook dinner and then the game will be on.

tigerman

 

$17? That's a steal. I think I paid around $25 or so for mine. It is good bang for the buck. Have you built yours yet? If so, I might hit you up on some questions.

I have not built one yet.  Sorry.  As soon as I get caught up with the other GB's I will.  I haven't built any German armor yet.  Go big or go home right?

Tigerman - Nice, first off the line.  The design of the torsion bar on these, the center of the shaft for the road wheel would be in line with the bottom of the hull. Here is the best picture could find of what trying to say.

A proplem experienced with these vehicles, they were over weight so in a very short time they would sqwat way down because of the weight which would make the road wheels ride high.  So you have a little leeway with position.  Think your location will work out fine.

Here are a few shots of some sprue of the Panzerjager I.

Kit looks to be a very nice one and do not foresee any real proplems.  Everything looks as a typical Dragon Smart Kit.  Still have not made up my mind for sure of theater / color of the vehicle.  Need to decide so can start to work in that direction.  Also if it is to be in Africa need to put the proper engine deck doors on.  The kit comes with an option, parts D1 or H22 and parts H30 or H29.  Parts D1 and H30 are the standard flat hatch doors, the African version uses parts H22 and H29 these doors have added ventalation in them. 

Thanks Rob. I think they are pretty close, so close as not to really notice. The idler on the other hand, has no pin to place it, but the directions show in going 12-6 on a clock. I hope it works. LOL I haven't done anything to it yet, still filling the gap by the drivetrain.

BTW, wow that box is packed for something so tiny. I think my eyes would go blind on the tracks. Good luck, but at least I know you will be able to do it.

Eric,

Good progress on the Jagdtiger. Have you decided how you will tackle building the tracks? On my Tamiya Jagdtiger, the roadwheels attach with polly caps. I built the entire running gear, and tracks on the vehicle. After they dried, I was able to remove the built track, and roadwheel assembly for painting.

Rob,

I've got that same kit in the stash, so I'll be watching with interest.

I was able to complete steps 1, and 2 today which involved gluing the 4 plates that make up the hull to the floor plate, and the leaf spring assemblies for the roadwheels. This one is almost building itself, it is so easy! A refreshing change after my last build!

I also glued the tracks together, and after they set up, decided they were not quite what I wanted, so I placed an order for a set of Friuls from Sprue Bros. They also had the new SdKfz 10 halftrack by Dragon which I ordered too!

Nate

Well I have almost the entire lower portion finished, including filling and sanding. This kit is not a Smart Kit and the age does show in spots I suppose.

I'm going to look into Doog's method on the tracks. I will be leaving the top off until they are installed permanently. I'm a little nervous, but will give it the college try. 

Question - is the Sturer Emil or Dicker Max appropriate for panzerjagers?

Good start already, fellas!

Hi Marc. I'd say both qualify, especially the Sturer Emil.

Even though the Dicker Max had a 105mm, this blurb states that Hitler ordered it as a Panzerjager.

http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=1326

Excellent!

Alright, I went through the stash list to see what I've got kicking around that isn't a DML offering (way too many DMLs to count). There's actually a lot less than I thought, mostly due to me not realizing at first that this was GERMAN units only! I kept thinking about all the M-10's/Jacksons/Sov stuff I've got kicking around - heh.

As it appears that Marder IIIs in general, and the Tamiya Marder IIIs specifically, are already represented, I'm going to leave those off of the list of eligibles. So here's what's left over:

Bronco 35004 7.5cm PaK 40 Auf GW H38/39 - no aftermarket in stock
Tamiya 35285 Hetzer Mid - Fruil Hetzer Winterketten, JB Model Barrel, Bison Hungarian Markings
Tamiya 35203 Jagdpanther Late - Eduard Etch, old-style Fruils, MK Bosch Headlight, LR Cables
Trumpeter 00350 Sturer Emil - Lionmarc Resin Tracks (line on a RB Barrel, Voyager Etch)
Trumpeter 00348 Dicker Max - no aftermarket in stock

So I'm leaving it up to a vote - I'll build any of the above 5 you fellers are most interested in. If the Sturer Emil gets voted in, I'm going to snag the RB barrel for it, as well as the Voyager etch I've found for cheap (I suppose I should just buy them anyway...). The JP came with an old set of non-workable Friuls - i.e., no pins - so I'm not 100% those are going to happen - may replace with some Cyber Hobby DS tracks I've got kicking around if they turn into a major pain in the a**.

I guess my least motivated build right now (due to the lack of AM stuff) is the Dicker Max...and probably most fired up for either the Hetzer (Winterketten!) and Sturer Emil, although the other two are pretty intriguing as well.

Let me know! Sooner the better - I need to source some parts and start researching!

I hate to be boring, but I love Jagdpanthers and am a little surprised not to see one. So, it's got my vote.

I almost changed my build to the Tamiya jagdpanther, but I wanted to build a Dragon kit while I still had a little eyesight and mind left.

Current tally:

Bronco 35004 - 0
Tamiya 35285 Hetzer Mid - 0
Tamiya 35203 Jagdpanther Late - 1
Trumpeter 00350 Sturer Emil - 0
Trumpeter 00348 Dicker Max - 0

Dupes

Notch two for the JP Late!

Well shoot...the Jagdpanther votes are adding up fast!

Current tally:

Bronco 35004 - 0
Tamiya 35285 Hetzer Mid - 0
Tamiya 35203 Jagdpanther Late - 2
Trumpeter 00350 Sturer Emil - 0
Trumpeter 00348 Dicker Max - 0