The Ostfront GBII - 2011/12

It seems a bit quiet around these parts for the time being.... But we still got months to go so who knows

I just love that shade of drab! Is that model master paint judging from the background jars? If so, what number is it?

Richard

All quiet on the Ostfront?

Paint is on, coat of future is on as well. Going out of town for the weekend, so the future will have plenty of time to dry before I start playing with decals.

Nothing fancy, just "Underside Grey" and "Field Drab." Looks close enough to what I would expect.

Thanks,  -Budd

Sub,

Looking sweet there! I started a promodeler P39 a little while back with the same intention of slapping some red stars on it. It is somewhat small even in 1/48.... But yours looks awesome sofar, love the belts.

Richard

Update!

Tiny jigsaw puzzle is put together now. Here's the snuggly nestled cockpit before the canopy went on:

All buttoned up:

This is the second model in a row that I've had trouble with the alignment of all the pieces in the cockpit area. Had to shave a couple parts down a bit, then some gentle wrestling got them all in there. However I did have to flow some clear glue along all the canopy pieces as they had some nasty gaps that would be a big no-no for airbrushing!

Landing gear doors were surprisingly easy! Took some tweezer work on the front ones, and a little creativity with masking tape for the wing wells, but it all worked.

As predicted, looks like I will be able to start throwing paint tomorrow! For those on the 1942 GB, I definitely will NOT be weathering this one as much as the Sturmovik! That was nuts!

Thanks

Hey sub, the P-39 is looking good!  Good luck with the landing gear doors!

Even though its a nice loong weekend, I've been spending all my bench time on a Carro Armato M-13/40 for another GB and the BT-5 is currently on hold.  Sad because its' nearly 95% done!  Ah well.....

Nice long weekend here stateside has meant some nice bench time for me. Got the P-39 going, and at this rate, this simple kit might be ready to paint by tuesday!

Pretty sparse cockpit, but I imagine the real thing probably was too!

Lots of pieces lined up like a tiny jigsaw puzzle...

Fuselage is glued up now. Tricky part will be getting those little landing gear doors to stay in place. More later!

Thanks

Nice looking tank! Well weathered but looks like it still has many more miles on it.

With my IL-2 about to go to the paint booth (aka the porch) it's about time to start looking at my diminutive P-39. I mentioned before that the kit came with a Soviet option, but...

After a closer look, I'm really not crazy about the markings. Not sure why, they just don't look "right" to me. This criticism has also been made by other people who have built the kit, that I've found. However...

Between the kit-supplied (below) and aftermarket (above) decals sheets for the IL-2, I have enough red stars and other goodies to decal a whole squadron of 1/72 aircraft! So all that being said, Richard i don't know how much of a stickler you are for exact accuracy, but if it's ok with you I would like to use these decals and reference photos to put together a scheme that "looks right" to me. Maybe something more like the second entry here: http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/archive/hobbyboss-1-72-p-39n-airacobra-80234__o_t__t_15313.html

Anyway, should be getting started soon, and the IL-2 kit makes this one look easy!

Thanks

Sorry to be gone for so long fellas!  Been quite busy with other things, spring being here and all!  I've got a bit of an update on the BT-5:

Got the weathering done on the lower hull, which had to be done before I installed the tracks.  I used mostly Bragdon "Dust Bowl Brown" pigment for the lighter dust color.  I like this better than most of the MIG pigments as those sometimes look too orange or yellow.  However, I still used the MIG pigments...adding them on top of the Bragdon to impart a gritty, grungy look.  Mostly Russian Earth, Dark Mud and a bit of Europe Dust.  Then topped it all off with some MIG Oil and Grease Stain Mixture in select areas.  I may add a bit more pigments to the wheels before the end....

Remember that curve that developed when building the MasterClub workable tracks?

To fix that I pinned the assembled track runs to a piece of foamboard, keeping them as straight as possible.

Then I just sat them outside in the sun for a couple of hours!  It was pretty warm here last Satuday and I figured the heat would soften the tracks enough to remove the curve.  When done I placed them in the freezer for 5 minutes to make them hold their shape.  When I finally removed them the curve was mostly gone!  Yay!

I sprayed them with Humbrol Metalcote "Gunmetal", which is a buffable metallic enamel, and then gave them a heavy wash with Track Brown MIG pigment.  Then I used a soft brush to remove some of the pigments and followed with some buffing with a stiff bristle brush, using only the side of the bristles to buff the underlying Metalcote to a nice metal sheen. 

I still need to dirty and dust up the tracks, but that's where she stands as of now.

Sub Revolution,

Could have sworn i replied already... My bad...

Ofcourse you can change your build, i will get right on it! And don't sweat it, i have been postponing and almost completely shelving my Tiger build too and dropped out of a fair amount of GB's myself. It just happens...

The way i see it: This is still a hobby and is supposed to be fun. If for any reason you can't or don't feel like building a model, simply don't. No guns to your head and no pressure!

Richard

Ok, so in light of my current living situation, I decided to revert back to my comfort zone: Airplanes! I'll come back to do a tank later... This may actually work well for the GB anyway, since it doesn't look like there are many flying things in this one. So here's what I got:

Academy 1/72 P-39N Airacobra (and yes it thankfully has a Soviet option!) I saw this guy at the LHS and just couldn't resist! Plus he can keep my IL-2 for the 1942 GB company.

Very simple little kit (and builds into a teeny-tiny little plane!) But that's good, I need simple right now. Those in the No Excuses GB can see why...

Sorry to bother you again Richard. I think I can finish this one though!

Thanks

Excellent work around here guys!

So some of you may be wondering where me and my poor little T-34 have disapeared to...

I am sorry to say that, sparing a very long, stupid story, the model was either stolen or thrown away. Safe to say I hold no hopes of seeing it again.

But don't count me out yet! I'm going to the LHS tomorrow, and hope to find another one or something similar. After all Richard, this would be what the 3rd, 4th time I've dropped out of one of your GB's? This madness has to stop!

Will update tomorrow on my findings. Thanks.

Ernest, that's brilliant work my friend. Loving it.

Dang dupes!  Until you mentioned it I didn't realize that whole transfer sheet cost less than $6!!  You're right, a much smaller Archer Set would probably run twice that!

Bufflehead,

Thank you for explaining the use of the Mig filters and washes. I am certainly going to add some to my arsenal in the future, providing the gods of wallet filling are smiling down on me Mighty interesting stuff!

Dupes,

By all means go right ahead with your build and thank you for thinking of the Ostfront corner to do it. Looking forward to your updates on it!

Richard

Excellent info! I'm going to need to dig up a set of those...no doubt MUCH cheaper than going for individual Archer Sov sets.

Kermit - just realized that the Sd.Kfz.251/2 I cracked into would qualify for this GB. Not knowing when I'll get to my P-39, is it a problem if I switch? It's the Cyber Hobby kit in 1/35.

kermit

Ernest,

Lovely work on the BT-5!. If you ever start masterclasses on weathering sign me up for sure as i really love the technique and skill you display with your models. I am really impressed!

These mig filters, do they brush on straight from the bottle or maybe airbrush on? Are they acrylic?

Up until now i always sufficed with drybrushes, watercolor washes and pastel chalks but these Mig products and the AK interactive stuff are really calling me lately...

Richard

Richard, thanks for your kind words!  There's still a bit of work to do and I might screw it all up in the end, so we'll see how she turns out.

The MIG filters are enamel based, meant to be applied over an acrylic paint coat.  They can be applied with either a brush or AB, however I prefer using a brush because I can manipulate the filter more to my liking.  Although its not meant to be used as a wash, I find that if applied slightly thicker than designed the color will pool or streak in the areas that I want.  Unlike oil based filters, these enamel based filters dry quite quickly and the pigments are hard to remove,  so I have to maintain control of this or else I can end up with a disaster. 

Combined with pre/post shading with the AB, chipping, dot filtering and washes, I find that drybrushing is practically unnecessary.  If I do drybrush, I go in the opposite color direction, using burnt umber or dark brown oil paint to reverse highlight exposed metal edges, rivets and bolts, or to depict wear or ingrained dirt on a surface.

I've yet to try any AK Interactive products, but I agree it does look very compelling!

dupes

Ernest - BT-5 is looking great! Can't quite make out what scale your dry transfers are...help me out?

Thanks dupes! The dry tansfers are

MG708 NO.ROMAN, R.R.-WHITE

approx sizes: 1/16, 3/32, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16

The size I used was the 2nd largest, 1/4. I measured them and they are VERY close to 1/4"

The roman lettering on this transfer is a little wider than on the kit decals and the style is a bit different, but I looked high and low to find a decal set or transfers that came close with no luck. I was shocked to find these in the RR section of the LHS in San Jose!!

Ernest,

Lovely work on the BT-5!. If you ever start masterclasses on weathering sign me up for sure as i really love the technique and skill you display with your models. I am really impressed!

These mig filters, do they brush on straight from the bottle or maybe airbrush on? Are they acrylic?

Up until now i always sufficed with drybrushes, watercolor washes and pastel chalks but these Mig products and the AK interactive stuff are really calling me lately...

Richard

Ernest - BT-5 is looking great! Can't quite make out what scale your dry transfers are...help me out?

Back with another BT-5 update:

Chipping was added using Vallejo German Camo. Black Brown.  Applied using the sponge technique, but a few hard to get to areas were done with a fine brush.  Started painting the details (shovel, fender straps) and finally installed the muffler.  I had to take the turret off the bottle holder to remove the hatches so they could be chipped properly, so I decided to photograph the model with the turret on.  I also decided to temporarily add a couple of wheels to see how the weathering was turning out.  I think the wheels need to be dirtied up some more!!

I have to leave town next Monday for a business trip so I'm trying to get this done no later than this coming weekend.  Not much more to do....finish up the detail painting, add a bit more washes, work on the headlights and then finish up the tracks.  

Another update on the BT-5! 

I finally applied several filters, then the markings, and then a overall brown wash to dingy it up!

For the filters and wash I used MIG products.  Green filter first, then grey(more like a tan) and then brown. 

Then I applied the markings using dry transfers from Woodland Scenics:

I've never liked Italeri decals as they are very prone to silvering, even with a gloss undercoat.  I couldn't find an exact match for the numbers, but the WS transfers were close enough and the right size.

The red stars were made using a generic photoetch star stencil.  After protecting the markings with a couple of coats of Vallejo Acrylic Flat, I applied the overal brown wash to break up the green a little and give it a dingy look.

Next I'll add some chipping, paint the shovel and fender straps, do a dark pinwash, and finally add some dust and dirt.  Oh, and I have to add the tracks....almost forgot that!

Glad to see you back Richard!  Looking forward to seeing your Tiger soon!

modeler#1, the Pz. IV is coming along nicely!  I like the dirty, dusty look you gave it!  Not too sure about that chain on the muffler though.  Most AFVs at this time of WWII didn't use chains for anything.  For towing they would have used tow cables which were stronger and more durable.  Its your build though, so if you want to stick with the chain, go right ahead!

got some more progress done

Peticularly proud of the photo below took forever to get that string in place

rust and chain

some stawage im thinking of puting on. but doing a solid stained wood base instead of a diorama so that might take away from the main focus.

Guys,

EXCELLENT work sofar everybody! I love each and every picture i get in my email!

Njal,

Ofcourse! I would be more than happy to put you on the big list and even a quick build is a build so i wish you the greatest fun with your decompression build

I know it has been quite a while since the last time i posted an update on the Tiger tank but now that i have cleared my bench a little with completed projects i find my mind wandering of to it more and more.

Richard

Hi!

I'd like to enter- I will be building the Tamiya 1/35 citroen traction. It's not much, but I haven't completed anything in a while so I look forward to a quick build!

No there's nothing wrong with the photos the pre shading did not turn up. probably because black and dark grey don't mix.

Looking good modeler#1!  I like that you applied the preshading, but I don't notice it much after the panzer gray was applied.  Maybe the glare from the flash washed them out in the photos?

more pics.

like i said before:some updates

primed the tracks in black

turret assembly in final stages

pre shading the hull

and the turet

and some stowage

i will post some current pics later today

bufflehead

I like that battle damage on the stowage bin modeler#1!  Did you get more primer? 

 

i used white spray paint to prime the rest worked okay a little thick but nothing too bad

I love that bt-5 the preshading looks wonderfull!

I have got a lot done since i last posted- i have pre shaded,painted,put decals on,and applied some pigments. pics will probably be up today.