Blitzkrieg in the West (France 1940) Sept. 18 2011 - March 1 2012

AndyT and Rob,,,,   that silly putty trick looks pretty slick. Both efforts are looking good.   I have some and will have to try that the next time I need a hard edge or tough camo scheme.

Rob,,   glad all are ok as well....  hopefully whomever the 40 cals were intended for are long gone too...  that is some scary crapola.

Carl and wBill,,    good catch on the antenna (it did look good with the "spring" though),,,  nice that wBill made the observation before painting...

wbill76

Carl,

The detail work you did on the spring is pretty sharp...but I hate to be the bearer of news (you decide if it's bad or not! ) on that front. The Germans didn't use coiled spring bases on their radio antennas. The Pz I antenna was a rigid hollow rod mast design that was raised and lowered via a small lever inside the hull by the radio operator. When the antenna wasn't in use, it rested in a wooden trough mounted on the fender. Similar designs are seen on the Pz II, III, and IV although later they shifted to a rubber base mount that was fixed in position as a production simplification exercise. Coiled spring bases are something you typically see on US vehicles in WW2 but not on German gear.

Rob Panzerwaffe, sharp work so far on dressing up your Somua. Looking forward to the paint scheme coming to life! Sorry to hear about the drive-by but glad no one in your family was hurt.

Bill , i had an idea that might be the situation . Its an easy fix to remove the bristle and spring . I'll stay with using the brush bristle , only because it is not stiff and will last longer due to my clumsyness . I did know about the raising and lowering but i had no idea the trough was made of wood . Good idea , wouldnt want to energize the antenna against a steel plate .......................Thanks for the info .

Carl,

The detail work you did on the spring is pretty sharp...but I hate to be the bearer of news (you decide if it's bad or not! ) on that front. The Germans didn't use coiled spring bases on their radio antennas. The Pz I antenna was a rigid hollow rod mast design that was raised and lowered via a small lever inside the hull by the radio operator. When the antenna wasn't in use, it rested in a wooden trough mounted on the fender. Similar designs are seen on the Pz II, III, and IV although later they shifted to a rubber base mount that was fixed in position as a production simplification exercise. Coiled spring bases are something you typically see on US vehicles in WW2 but not on German gear.

Rob Panzerwaffe, sharp work so far on dressing up your Somua. Looking forward to the paint scheme coming to life! Sorry to hear about the drive-by but glad no one in your family was hurt.

I doubt it Ernest. I've slowed down now since I got to the tracks. Painting should be quick. This thing is teeny. I would love to get this whole ting finished before my birthday, which is before the month is out. Might be too ambitious.

SILLY PUTTY REPORT!

I am real happy with the way the silly putty worked as a mask for the camo. I needed to tap the edges down with a toothpic more to prevent the bleeding. But the ease of application and removal is just great. I still have the upper wing to do and will post the pics when I get it done.

My thinks to PANZERWAFFE for the tips.

Hello ,

@ Tread :   GO DOLPHINS , GO 49 ers . I know there are not the highlights teams of the 80's . Marino , Montana , Jerry rice ................

@ Rob  :  Man , very happy you and family are safe .

                   You're Somua s35 is a old kit , but you made a really nice model. love the making of the turret.

@ for all of you :  Nice builds .

Jc

bufflehead

Shellback - Wow, you're tackling that venerable Italier Pz I kit?  You're a brave man...I've had my fill of Italeri kits that have mediocre detail, ill fitting parts, tons of mold seams and lousy tracks (compared to more modern kits).  Looks like you're whipping that bad boy into shape though!

Everything you say is true but i have a lot of these old Italeri kits in the stash and lately it seems like the subject of the G.B 's has involved using them . Its not been bad . Dealing with the short comming has increased my scratch building abilities .

Here's a little work i did on the antenna .There was no stub for mounting the antenna to the hull so i drilled and inserted copper wire . now the antenna will be positionable up or down . Rather than use stretched sprue i used a strand  from a paint brush . It is more durable and wont break when bent over . Then wound some fine copperwire around for the antenna spring .

Hey guys!  I just stopped in to say what fantastic work you're doing!

Gamera, tread -  both of your Char B1s look great!  I have to get me one of those Tamiya Char kits one day!  Do you think they'll do a Somua or other French armor?

Bill - Man, that Dragon Pz. IV Ausf.C looks tough!  I have that kit, it definitely has a crazy amount of parts...too bad I scavenged quite a few parts for another project I was working on.  But I do have the Ausf. E also so I'm going to be following your build pretty closely!

Shellback - Wow, you're tackling that venerable Italier Pz I kit?  You're a brave man...I've had my fill of Italeri kits that have mediocre detail, ill fitting parts, tons of mold seams and lousy tracks (compared to more modern kits).  Looks like you're whipping that bad boy into shape though!

modeler#1 - the participant list says your kit is a Heller Char Leger...is this the same as the Renault R35?  Nice work you're doing!  I've got to say, I never knew the French had such varied armor in 1940!

stikpusher - Wow, are you going to be the first one complete with your UE?  That little guy is looking mighty fine...can't wait to see some paint on it!

Chazzer - I was wondering if anyone was going to build a Matilda as they definitely were on field for this battle.  Wish I could help you with some info on decals/markings but my knowledge of that tank is minimal at best! 

AndyT - Nice looking Gladiator and good to see some AC being built up! Camo looks good!   Hmmmm....maybe you'll be the first to complete one for the GB!

PANZERWAFFE - First I'm glad you and your family are OK.  Dirve bys are scary and shells all over your front yard is just a disturbing scenario.  Hopefully thats the last and only time that will ever happen.  The Somua is looking fantastic!  I love all the detailing you're putting into this old kit.  Replacing the turret with a Tamiya B1 is pretty cool, but I missed somewhere why you did that?  Is the kit turret that bad?  Also I noticed that you've added a lot of missing nuts/bolts but was surprised that you didn't replace the hull assembly bolts...the ones that bolt down the upper hull to the lower.  Seems like the kit bolts are just small, nondescript rods instead of the conical bolts actually used:  http://svsm.org/gallery/s35/IMG_3845  I'm not knocking your great work, just thought maybe you missed that?

Eric - Whoa, I had to go back 10 pages to see that you've nearly completed the Bronco H39!!  Maybe you'll be the first one done!?

I'm just dying here watching all this great modelling and not being able to work on my A13.  I wish I could say I'll be working on it soon, but it will be later than sooner!  Keep up the great modelling fellas!

Rob I've never tried the Silly Putty masking method . I'll hold back my final judgement until you get yours further along .

Like Eric i'm glad to hear you all are ok .

Great progress made Rob. I love that camo on the turret.

Glad again to hear everyone is okay.

SOMUA UPDATE

Texture added to turret. Fit of tracks.

Cast numbers put on hull.  Numbers were shaved from sprue trees.

Rear, everything was sanded smooth.  Originally had horrible raised location guides for parts.  Also carved tow bail located in center.

Tracks in preparation for Blacken - It solution.  They have just been scrubbed in vinegar and now drying in sun.

After the Blacken It dip

Turret prep with silly putty.

Turret after silly putty removal.

All PE fenders made.

Beginnings of the 3 tone paint on the lower hull.

Much left to do.

AndyT, not bad looks good.  Some spots you can see where you had some bleed through, next time when you put the putty on take a toothpick and push down the edges of the putty before you spray and it will take care of that.  She's coming along nicely.

Eric, Carl, Everyone here is alright had evacuated the wife and daughter to the center bathroom and then went out the back window hunting.  The police so far have found 9 casings they are .40 cal.

Working on my update, will show soon.

PANZERWAFFE

As soon as your paint is dry to touch remove the putty.

Was trying to get my pics posted but there has been a distraction here.  There are cops everywhere here.  Just had a drive by shooting right in front of my house.  Police are picking up shell casings out of my front yard and in the street.  So far six of them.  Will get my update posted soon, I hope.

You never know when or where anymore .

Tanks (pun intended) Panzerwaffe the putty is now off. What do you think?

Looks good Andy, but it appears you have a pin mark in there,

Rob, glad no one got hurt. That must have been scary.

While I will let the rest dry overnight here is a first look at the camo after silly putty removal:

As soon as your paint is dry to touch remove the putty.

Was trying to get my pics posted but there has been a distraction here.  There are cops everywhere here.  Just had a drive by shooting right in front of my house.  Police are picking up shell casings out of my front yard and in the street.  So far six of them.  Will get my update posted soon, I hope.

Ok I took the advice and sprayed the paint.

Here is where I am so far:

Excellent progress so far Andy.

I often use silly putty for masking, as a matter of fact just finished pulling silly putty off the Somua.  Recommend painting after applying.  As Bill212 has mentioned if left there for long period of time it will move.  It makes a great mask, easy to put on, can be shaped by using toothpick or something of that sort and push around to get the desired mask.  It is very easy to remove also, just take another piece of putty in your hand touch to the mask putty and lift off.  That easy, no mess and if there is a little left just keep dapping at it with a fresh piece of putty.  It is also reusable and last a long time.

BaBill212

AndyT,,    that silly putty mask is wild looking    reminds me of the blob...   do you paint soon after application?        As I remember silly putty it "travels" a bit with gravity.....      never tried it for a mask.

 Bill

First time I am trying it. Might not get to paint until tomorrow night. I'll see how it holds up.

AndyT,,    that silly putty mask is wild looking    reminds me of the blob...   do you paint soon after application?        As I remember silly putty it "travels" a bit with gravity.....      never tried it for a mask.

Bill

Here is the fuselage with silly putty applied as a mask for the camo pattern.

tread @ Andy T

Nice Andy !... I think you have the first wingy thingy pics on this GB

Looks like it's almost time for the top wing ... keep the pics a coming

tread

Here are some pics of my progress:

Eric, take a look in the link that was posted early in the GB, http://www.chars-francais.net/  Look at the H39's, image 3, 4, 5, 17, 60, and 51 is a real good one can clearly see the camouflage.  There may be more pics, did not look through all of them.  Will still look through my pictures and references tonight and try to find something in color for you.  Hope this helps.

Football day

got the bottom of the hull cemented to the top, and molded in the 75mm gun mantlet...Buffalo Bills lost 23 to 20.... I hope the Jets to well tonight

hope you guys all had a nice week end

tread

Eric, want to say that I have seen photos with camo and hearts.  Let me look through my pics before I say anything and will let you know,

Chazz, the Matilda I and II were in large numbers in France, that is for what armor they did have there.  That is an old kit but builds up pretty nice an easy.  Lots of extras you could add or could just build out of the box and still looks alright.  The ones in France that I've seen were either painted a two tone green  or a green, black scheme.

Eric , forecast was rain today , but no clouds ...................yet .

Good luck with the build on that Matilda Scott. Should be quite entertaining.

Bill, 200 pieces just on the bogies! Goodness. My kit sans tracks has slightly more. LOL

Nothing done yesterday and I'm not sure about today. I'd like to paint soon, because the weather is turning quick. Carl should be able to relate to this great NW weather.

Rob, have you seen the hearts on two-color camo? So far I haven't found any evidence of it. I usually see numbers.