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

Hey, don't give up all hope yet T-man...there's still a few people who might chime in on your side!

I'm going to order up some Sturer Emil parts just in case, though. Heh.

Marc-thanks for the link.  I'll be referring to it during my build.

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?

Opened up the Dragon kit this evening and I'll have to say that I'm a bit overwhelmed at the piece count....not including the Magic Tracks.  My only Dragon kit prior to this one was a 1/35 T-34/76-not quite as many parts....Oh well, one step at a time.....the plastic has had a nice warm water & Dawn bath-planning of starting tomorrow am barring any surprises.

Dupes-I'll make it interesting for you-my vote is for the Jadgpanther.....

I have an older DML kit that's been sitting in the stash.  Figured this was a good opportunity to reduce it somewhat. 

bobbaily

Marc-thanks for the link.  I'll be referring to it during my build.

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?

Opened up the Dragon kit this evening and I'll have to say that I'm a bit overwhelmed at the piece count....not including the Magic Tracks.  My only Dragon kit prior to this one was a 1/35 T-34/76-not quite as many parts....Oh well, one step at a time.....the plastic has had a nice warm water & Dawn bath-planning of starting tomorrow am barring any surprises.

Dupes-I'll make it interesting for you-my vote is for the Jadgpanther.....

Bob, I've seen it done both ways. I always paint mine off the vehicle and then attach. I've seen some builders build the entire kit, including the tracks, and then paint it. That seems illogical to me, but it can be done.

Hey Bob,

I always paint all tools and ad-ons/stowage off the vehicle. I've tried doing it on the vehicle and although it can be done (VERY well by some folk) you need the steadiest of hand which I don't really have!

All my tools go on last - I fix them in place with CA Gel type glue as normal cement doesn't take to a painted surface very well (imo). If I'm using Friuls I'll also paint the wheels prior to fixing them too and I'll mask any protruding parts that the wheels push onto with tape or Blu-Tack (poster putty) so there is no paint on them when I fit the wheels.

I hope this helps!

Well. I'll be starting my Marder shortly and will be posting an update later on. Has anyone got their Panzerjager GB build underway yet?

ATVB

Ben  

Ben & Marc-thanks for sharing the way you approach the tool problem....err....challenge...I just need to remember to take a highlighter to instructions to remember the parts I need to attach later.

Meeting some old friends for coffee shortly but I hope to get started on the Jagdpanzer early afternoon.  Of course my Dora for the Reich Defenders is 95% complete, but it'll wait until tomorrow....

Just got my order from Spue Brothers with the Friuls for my Marder III. I also got the new Dragon SdKfz 10/5 AA halftrack. Much to my surprise, there was a free Concord Publications book on Spec Ops. included inside the kit box! I never saw that advertised, but I'm pretty happy with it.

Nate

Nachtflieger

Just got my order from Spue Brothers with the Friuls for my Marder III. I also got the new Dragon SdKfz 10/5 AA halftrack. Much to my surprise, there was a free Concord Publications book on Spec Ops. included inside the kit box! I never saw that advertised, but I'm pretty happy with it.

Nate

Nice bonus. Is that the halftrack with the quad 20's or the 37mm?

Hey guys,

Well I've made a start - I got a work call out so lost two hours build time so only more of a preparation in the end today really. I've removed all of the 'parts not used' by chopping off the sections of sprue that they fall on so the numbers stay with them incase I need them later on.

Wheels cleanup has been done and the lower hull tub is ready to go. The suspension arms are on along with the wheel locating lugs and lugs for the idlers. I'm still thinking about the best way to get these Magic Tracks done so they can be removed for painting after assembly - I'll sort it out

I've got the unused Friul tracks from my Hetzer build - I couldn't use them as the guide horns were spaced too far apart and wouldn't fit inside the idler & drive wheels. I thought I'd try them on this Marder which obviously has the same chassis but hey presto - they still don't fit. Guide horns too wide

Anyway, I'm working tomorrow morning then I'll be installing the interior and the engine and making a start on the tracks prior to getting the upper hull in place.

I'm honestly not sure what is wrong with these Friuls? I firstly just thought the Tamiya Hetzer was a bit 'off' but the Dragon Marder too - no chance!

The instructions call for some of the Magic Tracks to be used in making up the spare track runs but I think I'll make these spare runs up from the Friuls so I'll have more Magic Tracks to mess with and I'll dip the spare Friul runs in my Track Black solution which should make them look really nice and rusted/weathered.

A couple of photos:

This is my GB build just incase anyone has forgotten

Running gear cleaned up and hull tub ready for interior fitment tomorrow (the pieces that make up the leaf suspension is amazing - it took ages): 

WIP update tomorow! Has anyone else got started yet - I haven't had time to look over the whole thread?

ATVB

Ben  

Well well well...things ARE getting interesting!

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-
    
11. Hinsky- Dicker Max
    
12. Dupes- (tiebreaker)
13. bbrowniii- Jagdpanther
14. Wolfp -
    

Hinksy - glad to see someone has kicked it into high gear! Looking forward to more pics.

Wolfp - how about it? Wanna throw a vote into the bin?

Bob - I remember that T-34! For the first Winter Warriors! As far as tools - I've tried both ways. If you have a super-steady hand (and not a TON of tools to do), it's very possible to do them in place...especially if you can slip a post-it note underneath to contain any mishaps. I use a hybrid method now - handi-tack the tools in place while I'm basecoating the vehicle, then pop them off for detail painting, then glue in final position so they can be weathered with everything else.

Side note - JB Model has a great brass ammo set for the Sturer...several different warheads, empty shells, etc. Mmmmmmmmm. Heheheh.

Is it too late to get in on this GB? If it's not too late I have an old Dragon Panzer IV/70(A) that I'd like to do.

Dupes-thanks for your tips on the tool painting.  Good idea on the post-it note and the use of Blue tac.

Yeah, I remember the T-34.....I ended up repainting it after your GB.....still a winter scheme though.  My first experience with indy tracks......snip, snip, file, file, snap....well, not really a snap...glue...curse...sigh....looking forward to the next generation Magic Tracks in this kit.  However, the fact that there may be very little track exposed makes me think about using some rubber band tracks from a Tamiya Pz IV I have in the stash....time will tell.

Status reports-wheels are done, working on the lower chassis now.

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

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.

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

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.

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 

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

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

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.

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.

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

Nate

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!