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

Well I've got 4-5 armor kits in the stash that would work for a DAK GB.  Double that if you extend it to the entire North African campaign!

Shellback

Its going to be German WW II right ?

Since my armor stash is at least 80% German, there is a pretty good chance. LOL

I did seem to forget that I had Tamiya's ancient Semovente in the stash. I picked it up for $5 at a recent show.

bobbaily

Eric-any of the three sound good to me....I have builds picked out for each...might involve an early Christmas present though...but that's part of the fun-that and searching for the best price.

One big question-are you thinking about allowing planes or will it be strictly targets.....err...armor.  Sorry, couldn't resist....

Yes, wingies would be allowed. Should provide a nice variety.

I have at least 4 that would qualify for a North African GB.  I definitely want to stay within the stash.

Africa Campaign GB would be awesome.  German, Italian, UK/Commonwealth, American, and even French.  I would expand it to gods of the air also.  I'd build both.

Its going to be German WW II right ?

Eric-any of the three sound good to me....I have builds picked out for each...might involve an early Christmas present though...but that's part of the fun-that and searching for the best price.

One big question-are you thinking about allowing planes or will it be strictly targets.....err...armor.  Sorry, couldn't resist....

deafpanzer

 

tigerman:

 

 

bufflehead:

Soooo......when does your next GB start Eric?  How about a Battle of Stalingrad GB?  I loved your Battle of Kursk GB a few years ago when we had both German and Soviet armor!!

 

 

Hmmmmm..........I could be wrong, but I thought one was started a year or so ago? Of course I had a siG 33 that would have been cool. I just picked up a Pz III J Initial, but I wanted to do an Afrika Korps. Okay, let me think it over. The LHS actually had a sale on a StuG III G early w/schurzen and I balked. I've been holding out for a Late G with waffle zimmerit. Let me think about it sir.

 

 

Yes, Eric is correct... Ostfront (Eastern Front) GB is still active and it ends in September but they are already talking about extending it for another year.  So it is pretty similiar to proposed Battle of Kursk GB so maybe you want to send out a GB feeler first about this.  I am currently building Panzer IV Ausf H for the Ostfront GB...

/forums/t/130500.aspx 

My vote goes to Battle for Africa GB and I will sign up this time if it starts later this year.  I am itching to build my DML Tiger kit... so Tiger-mania GB idea works too.

Actually Andy, i was thinking of a Stalingrad GB that might have started 2-3 years ago. I'll have to search and see if i can find one.

As for an Afrika Korps GB, I threw that out along with the Panzerjager and no one was interested. LOL This could also be open to our wingie friends. A North African GB could also be discussed and would allow British and even American stuff.

I will keep these three in mind. I'm thinking later in the fall myself when everyone is locked into the house due to weather and the such.

tigerman

bufflehead:

Soooo......when does your next GB start Eric?  How about a Battle of Stalingrad GB?  I loved your Battle of Kursk GB a few years ago when we had both German and Soviet armor!!

 

Hmmmmm..........I could be wrong, but I thought one was started a year or so ago? Of course I had a siG 33 that would have been cool. I just picked up a Pz III J Initial, but I wanted to do an Afrika Korps. Okay, let me think it over. The LHS actually had a sale on a StuG III G early w/schurzen and I balked. I've been holding out for a Late G with waffle zimmerit. Let me think about it sir.

Yes, Eric is correct... Ostfront (Eastern Front) GB is still active and it ends in September but they are already talking about extending it for another year.  So it is pretty similiar to proposed Battle of Kursk GB so maybe you want to send out a GB feeler first about this.  I am currently building Panzer IV Ausf H for the Ostfront GB...

/forums/t/130500.aspx 

My vote goes to Battle for Africa GB and I will sign up this time if it starts later this year.  I am itching to build my DML Tiger kit... so Tiger-mania GB idea works too.

tigerman

 

bufflehead:

 

Soooo......when does your next GB start Eric?  How about a Battle of Stalingrad GB?  I loved your Battle of Kursk GB a few years ago when we had both German and Soviet armor!!

 

 

Hmmmmm..........I could be wrong, but I thought one was started a year or so ago? Of course I had a siG 33 that would have been cool. I just picked up a Pz III J Initial, but I wanted to do an Afrika Korps. Okay, let me think it over. The LHS actually had a sale on a StuG III G early w/schurzen and I balked. I've been holding out for a Late G with waffle zimmerit. Let me think about it sir.

Bob, did you mean Ernest for the techniques, which is who I think you meant?

Eric-Yes sir, I did mean Ernest for the techniques.  However, I figure that I will be interested in your techniques after you finish also.

And I too would be up for an Afrika Korps GB or Battle for Africa GB....might take a bit of researching my stash to see if I have a match but I think I have a Marder that might work.  Stalingrad would be good also....nothing in the stash that fits unless you accept wings or allies.....really wouldn't want to start for a couple of months though...need to finish up some smaller projects.

Shellback - Thank you sir for your nice comments!

Bob - No probs!  Just give me a couple of days to throw something together. 

Eric - An Afrika Korps GB would be cool too!  Either way I'm game as soon as I finish a couple of other GBs!

bufflehead

Soooo......when does your next GB start Eric?  How about a Battle of Stalingrad GB?  I loved your Battle of Kursk GB a few years ago when we had both German and Soviet armor!!

Hmmmmm..........I could be wrong, but I thought one was started a year or so ago? Of course I had a siG 33 that would have been cool. I just picked up a Pz III J Initial, but I wanted to do an Afrika Korps. Okay, let me think it over. The LHS actually had a sale on a StuG III G early w/schurzen and I balked. I've been holding out for a Late G with waffle zimmerit. Let me think about it sir.

Bob, did you mean Ernest for the techniques, which is who I think you meant?

Ernest your weathering looks great !

Eric-I'd love to see your technique (and supplies used) posted-the info will go into my 'resources' files for review when the StuG gets to the finishing mark.

Andy - Sorry you couldn't join the GB, but thanks for stopping by and taking a looksee!  And thanks for the nice comments!

Rob - Thank you, you are too kind!

bob - Thanks Bob, your kind words are appreciated.  As for the weathering process.....wow, I never thought anyone would be interested.  It isn't any different from anything I've read about, but If you want I can post it.  Warning....it could be long and wordy!!

Eric - I'm glad you liked how the Hetzer turned out Herr tigerman!  YEP used a sponge for the chipping, I used Vallejo Model Colors, 50/50 mix of German Grey and German Cam. Black/Brown.  In fact Germ.Cam Blk/Brn is one of my FAVORITE Vallejo colors and I use it quite heavily - mostly by itself for chipping and also as the base color all the metal on tools, spare tracks, etc. 

oj - My Hetzer and I thank you!

Soooo......when does your next GB start Eric?  How about a Battle of Stalingrad GB?  I loved your Battle of Kursk GB a few years ago when we had both German and Soviet armor!!

WOW Ernest, that really is excellent work! It sure looks great!

Ernest, beautiful job man. I real like the monotone paint job. Did you use a sponge for the chipping? Waht colors?

Again, stellar work. Don't forget the badge on your way out the door.

Well, I'm closer, but still need to add the washes and then pretty much finished. I faded the camo with a thinned base coat. Not too happy with it to be honest. I had hoped to be done by today, but family is visiting and I had 5 tons of rock delivered this week. Ugh..

Ernest-that is one stunning Hetzer.  Would you mind posting the details of your finish?  Paint type/brand/color, steps (pre shade, post shade, dot filtering?)?  Maybe you posted them earlier (guess I could go look...)  I've got a StuG on the launch pad that is going to be a solid yellow and I'd be tickled to death if the finish turns out half as good as your Hetzer.

ERNEST - That is one of the best looking Hetzers I've seen!  Dosent get any better then that, perfect!

TM - The Tiger is almost there and it is looking wonderful.  The spare tracks would have rusted up very quickly if not used yours are a very nice color.  Cant wait to see your final weathering with the rust stains going down the casemate from the spare tracks.  Your work on the tow cable looks very convincing to me , nice work on them!

Catching up here from a week long vacation ... I agree with others about seeing plenty of great results here. 

Ernest- Love your Hetzer!   It is harder just to do one color tone but you hit home run with this.  Believe it or not I still don't have it in my stash as apparently they are harder to find at LHS.

Eric- Great work on the camo and details especially the spare tracks.  Looking forward to see it completed...

Like I said earlier, I wish I could have joined this GB earlier but I have been committed to several GBs but they have ended or are about to end except for the Ostfront and my Panzer III GBs.  I will definitely sign up if you are going to host another GB.  I still dig the idea of Afrika Corps GB but maybe it helps if we can expand it to 'North African Theater' to include the Allies?  With recent releases of new Allied kits such as British armors and SAS jeeps, it may attract more attention.  If not, I am always up for Tiger-mania GB!!!

Whew!  Finally finished the little beast!  Eric, thanks for letting me participate in the GB!  As usual it was a great one and everyone had awesome builds!

This build represents a couple of firsts: 

1.  First Hetzer I've ever built!

2. First plain dunkelgelb finish I've painted on a tank!

I knew from the start that I wanted to paint this tank in a plain dunkelgelb scheme.  The finished product came close to what I had envisioned, but I still need to work on the weathering on this color in the future.

So here is DML's 1:35 Hetzer "Early Version" (#6030)

I'll be there for you next GB Eric!!

Very nice work Ernest. 

Great pictures of that Hetzer in the familiar circular or cloud camo.

That looks great Ernest!

Convoy light: http://vincesgallery.smugmug.com/gallery/1343814_Ufp5t#63394016_eu8Ek

That looks great Ernest. Love the paint and the muffler. Not sure of the color, I was thinking green or blue.

Soooo close!  Still have to finish painting the spare tracks, the jack block, etc.  The lower hull and suspension/tracks are done.  I also need to touch up a few overpaint areas, then the upper hull needs a wash and more weathering. 

Anyone know how to paint that convoy light at the rear?  I read its supposed to be a blue color?

bufflehead

hehe, I avoided the whole decal process (and at least one day delay) with the hetzer by using Archer transfers! 

.....and I decided one Balkenkreuz on each side was enough

Love Archer transfers. I just didn't have any numbers.

John, I'll send her over to your house for a little dirtying up.

Eric, that is some fine looking work! I would keep the chipping to a minimum, around the spare track hangers and maybe crew access hatches, but that would be about it. Now the actual weathering, I'd filthy that pig up! Weathering is my favorite part of the build.

hehe, I avoided the whole decal process (and at least one day delay) with the hetzer by using Archer transfers! 

.....and I decided one Balkenkreuz on each side was enough

bufflehead

 

tigerman:

 

Almost to the dreaded weathering.............I'd like to stop right now. LOL

 

 

I've got to admit weathering is something I also dread.  Mostly its because I don't really know how far I want to go, and also because I'm just not that comfortable with most of the techniques.  For me the assembly usually takes the longest, but I really enjoy that process.  The second longest is the weathering phase!  Instead of enjoying the process I typically get really nervous and unsure, and consequently the completion time slows down to a crawl!  I spend SOOOOO much time at the bench trying to get the weathering to look just right and when done I don't see much difference! 

Oh well, one of these days I'll figure out how to work all those techniques and when that happens I'll be a happy camper!

Ditto to the above. I love the construction part, okay with painting, and loathe the weathering. I just am out to get a used, but not abused look. One of these, I'm going to take on a crapola kit and  beat the heck out of it for something different.

I've tried other techniques, but they never seem to give the same results to me. I tend to goof some washes up, because I'm too impatient and overdo the washes.

I do feel on this build that I've got over my indy-link and decal phobia and have moved on. Now if i could do that with weathering.

tigerman

Almost to the dreaded weathering.............I'd like to stop right now. LOL

I've got to admit weathering is something I also dread.  Mostly its because I don't really know how far I want to go, and also because I'm just not that comfortable with most of the techniques.  For me the assembly usually takes the longest, but I really enjoy that process.  The second longest is the weathering phase!  Instead of enjoying the process I typically get really nervous and unsure, and consequently the completion time slows down to a crawl!  I spend SOOOOO much time at the bench trying to get the weathering to look just right and when done I don't see much difference! 

Oh well, one of these days I'll figure out how to work all those techniques and when that happens I'll be a happy camper!