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

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

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

Thank you John.

That's some fine looking work there Bob!

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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

John, what happened with the installation of the shields.

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!

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.

That sure looks great Ernest!

Whoo-ee Ernest. That is some major PE going on. What are the straps on the rear plate supposed to hold?

Ernest-fantastic attention to detail....looks great..without paint!  Can't wait to see it with paint.

john - I know you're not happy with your camo scheme, but I think it came out pretty darn good for an improv scheme.  Too bad about your AB, but like you said, needles are pretty cheap.  I have a couple of extra needles for each of my ABs, still brand new in the packaging....just....in....case......

Finally!  Assembly is done!  I had to add just a few more fiddly bits to spruce up the build just a little more.....yeah, its an addiction (sigh)

I almost forgot to add the MG, the remotely operated "Rundumsfeuer" common to most Hetzers

some of the fiddly bits I decided to add on:  a spare antenna and its associated holder and bracket and the leather tow chain straps on the rear plate.

That darn jack mount that gave me so much trouble.  While installing it for the umpteenth time I noticed that it really isn't accurate.  Its supposed ot have the same clamp as the other tools, but I didn't have one in the spares and I didn't know how to scratch a new one so I just stayed with the older half-wing nut version.

Hey!  That resin jack block I cast months ago finally made it way onto the scene!

Tomorrow everything will be broken down into sub-assemblies and primered! 

bobbaily

 

Shellback:

 

 

tigerman:

 

This is just an observation: I think modeler's camo jobs are too neat. Granted I like the neat look too, but if you check out books, many of them are half-arsed sprayed IMO. Just shooting and squiggling everywhere. So I think in most cases, we can get away with about anything.

 

 

I agree Eric . But its difficult to spray a half arsed camo on a well built model . Mine always end up too neat as well .I like em pretty . You know as well as i do that there are those on these forums that will not agree with the notion that we can get away with any scheme of camo . I found that out with the 234/4 . I still go with the idea that not every vehicle was photographed or recorded . So i say have fun and enjoy the many variations of camo that could have been applied , with in reason . 

 

 

I can appreciate a clean build although I prefer the 'well used' look.....don't think I'm going to take the time to weather this build though.  Nice thing about armor ....I can put it on the shelf and come back later and do some weathering.  I've got a Panther G that looks like it just came off of the showroom floor that may become a test bed for future techniques..

Bob, I try to opt for used, but not abused. I prefer the detail to stand out myself. I find it hard to just bash up a good paint job. 

Carl, yes, there are certain guidelines and timelines for certain camo jobs, so to be accurate you must do your homework. I must admit that references for my JT were hard to come by. Then I remembered that age-old rule "have fun with it". Like I said, I prefer neat as opposed to book references. 

You call always say its a museum piece Bob .

Shellback

 

tigerman:

 

This is just an observation: I think modeler's camo jobs are too neat. Granted I like the neat look too, but if you check out books, many of them are half-arsed sprayed IMO. Just shooting and squiggling everywhere. So I think in most cases, we can get away with about anything.

 

 

I agree Eric . But its difficult to spray a half arsed camo on a well built model . Mine always end up too neat as well .I like em pretty . You know as well as i do that there are those on these forums that will not agree with the notion that we can get away with any scheme of camo . I found that out with the 234/4 . I still go with the idea that not every vehicle was photographed or recorded . So i say have fun and enjoy the many variations of camo that could have been applied , with in reason . 

I can appreciate a clean build although I prefer the 'well used' look.....don't think I'm going to take the time to weather this build though.  Nice thing about armor ....I can put it on the shelf and come back later and do some weathering.  I've got a Panther G that looks like it just came off of the showroom floor that may become a test bed for future techniques..

tigerman

This is just an observation: I think modeler's camo jobs are too neat. Granted I like the neat look too, but if you check out books, many of them are half-arsed sprayed IMO. Just shooting and squiggling everywhere. So I think in most cases, we can get away with about anything.

I agree Eric . But its difficult to spray a half arsed camo on a well built model . Mine always end up too neat as well .I like em pretty . You know as well as i do that there are those on these forums that will not agree with the notion that we can get away with any scheme of camo . I found that out with the 234/4 . I still go with the idea that not every vehicle was photographed or recorded . So i say have fun and enjoy the many variations of camo that could have been applied , with in reason . 

This is just an observation: I think modeler's camo jobs are too neat. Granted I like the neat look too, but if you check out books, many of them are half-arsed sprayed IMO. Just shooting and squiggling everywhere. So I think in most cases, we can get away with about anything.

John- I am loving your work.  Camo just looks great!  You have to bring it to the show next year...

John .................ok , you know how i like my cheap Harbor Freight airbrush . I do remember that G.B. , cant remember what i built but i dont think i ever finished it . Camo looks fine on both .

I've had better luck shooting fine camo lines with Tamiya acrylics than anything else but they are still a pain . I think the trick is to move the brush fast and at just the right distance from the model , then there is air pressure , paint mix ratio ................blah blah blah and its still a role of the dice from one painting sesion to the next , even with the same air brush and jar of paint . Ok ...........

I think you're being too hard on yourself John. Looks fine to me. I think more late-war patterns were broad like that anyways. The only time I've really seen those fines lines are Normandy. I tried that on my Pz IV, and like you, couldn't get it with my Badger 200

Thanks guys!

Carl, I use an Omni 4000. I must have bumped the tip of the needle or something. What I was wanting to do was make much thinner camo lines and I have in the past. The darn thing wouldn't hold a nice line and kinda splattered which made me just go for the broader pattern. It's still kinda crappy but I was able to blend it somewhat. When I changed colors I took it apart and could feel a bit of a burr on the tip. I carefully sanded it some. It helped a bit but I think I'm just going to get a new tip. They're only about 5 bucks so no biggie.

These are the kind of lines I was wanting with the red brown going along side the green. You might remember this one as the weekend build in 48 hours. Started on a Saturday morning and finished on Sunday afternoon.

ogrejohn

Wow Eric! That is really looking great!

Ernest, that's just about the same way I do my tracks. Looks like you're making good progress!

Well, this is where I'm at. Not real happy with the paint job. I've got to get a new needle for my airbrush as it wouldn't hold the lines very well. I guess I must have bent the tip a bit somehow. Lot's of work yet to do but I'm hoping to have it done this week sometime.

Looking pretty good John . What airbrush is it you use , Badger ?

I've had pretty good luck with my Harbor Freight cheapy . I did the camo on the 234/4 with it .............just sayin if you want to replace your airbrush

John-looks great from where I'm sitting....very nice camo

Ernest-I agree about the tracks.  I'm waiting for Dragon to 're-box' the Hetzer as an 'Orange Box' and throw in Magic Tracks.  I hate the 'cut-file-sand-attach and hope the glue holds' that Magic Tracks seem to eliminate.  Your build looks good-can't wait to see paint on it.

I used Doogs technique for the Magic Tracks on my Jagdpanzer and I took a moment and 'de-tacked' the 3M blue tape first-sticky side down on the table and sticky side up for the tracks.  After about an hour of Testor's pink, no problem.

Wow Eric! That is really looking great!

Ernest, that's just about the same way I do my tracks. Looks like you're making good progress!

Well, this is where I'm at. Not real happy with the paint job. I've got to get a new needle for my airbrush as it wouldn't hold the lines very well. I guess I must have bent the tip a bit somehow. Lot's of work yet to do but I'm hoping to have it done this week sometime.

Nicely done Ernest .

Like Eric said i would be thinking about the glue going into the masking tape and making a mess of it all .

Tracks look great Ernest. Your instructions on how to do them are much easier to follow then Doogs, but I did get the gist of what he was saying and basically eliminated the tape part. The tracks on the JT fit together pretty snuggly, so there was no shifting. I was afraid that the tracks might glue to the tape.

Thanks for the nice comments on the camo.