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Steel Cats (Sept. 2012-Aug. 2013)

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, September 24, 2012 8:00 AM

Hey wow guys, nice to see so many people making such great progress!

Um silly question here but I pulled out these figures to use with my tiger and the instructions say to paint the pants field grey. Which I assume would be right for an assault gun crew- should I go with black for the panzer? Question is the pockets seem different from the panzer uniform, were these special work clothes?

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Rugby, England
Posted by Hinksy on Monday, September 24, 2012 9:30 AM

Cheers guys,

Some nice work afoot here guys!

I've been up town to do some clothes shopping, the opticians for an eye test and to sort out new glasses, I've been to the dentist and been to the hospital as the doc requested a blood test (nothing major) and I was 1 hour in the waiting room for the blood tests and another hour sorting my glasses out so I'm back now and totally shattered too - plus it's rained like mad here all morning No Plus my mouth hurts and I have a headache (filling)! Tongue Tied

I plan to get the mufflers and a few other small bits done now before I pass out which means that when I start work next weekend I'll be starting on a nice new section of the build.

I'll post update photos later Yes

Cheers lads,

Ben Toast

On the Bench - Dragon Pz. IV Ausf. G (L.A.H.) Yes

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  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Monday, September 24, 2012 10:54 AM

I got paint on, but still have to paint the wheels, barrel and touchups with the basecoat. I'd have taken pictures, but it was dark out and I now have to leave for work.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Monday, September 24, 2012 11:09 AM

Hinsky & Has...great looking felines!

Eric, I'm jealous...I probably won't put paint on for at least another 10-14 days. Huh?

Here's what I was able to do on my Tamiya steel wheel Panther over the weekend....

I have the Eduard set, but I'm not big on using p-e.  I will be adding engine deck screens and the a few other tidbits.

I'm tempted to add Moskit muffler pipes

  

had to putty the final drives on each side

haven't decided on kit barrel or the CMK one

 here's the after market stuff I have for the Panther.  I'm tempted to order the Tamiya "German tank maintenance crew set" with the Maybach HL 230 P30 engine, but then I'd have to get resin radiators.... Confused

Tags: Panther G

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Monday, September 24, 2012 11:53 AM

Hi Gamera,

I've checked my books on panzer uniforms.  The black and field grey panzer uniforms were cut identically, only difference being the colour.  So those pants with the large pocket on the front of the thigh are likely the reed-green denim version of the panzer uniform.

It was introduced for wear May 5th 1941 for two specific purposes:  to protect the black uniform from excessive wear and also for concealment as a summer uniform, particularly in the warmer climate zones.  There was a coverall version as well, but the two-piece version was more popular.

Further, variations of this "denim" uniform could be found in mouse-grey colour as well as camouflage (both German and Italian) material.

Here's a pic of a reproduction denim:

LostBattalions repro company

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, September 24, 2012 11:55 AM

Ben: Well, hope tomorrow is a better day, sounds pretty rough.

Eric: Waiting on photos!

Greg: Nice work!

Cliff

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Monday, September 24, 2012 12:36 PM

Guys- I am really enjoying this GB... keep them coming!  

Update from my end... one of my odd rituals I clean my work bench REAL good between builds.  Don't believe me?  See Tiger kit on the right... Wink

My build will be... even tho its pretty new kit, I am addicted to PE especially RB barrels and Friul tracks. Stick out tongue

Ordered few more AM sets... it will be my first attempt using Voyager PE set. 

I don't think I will use all... 

My personal rule... must include figures to all of my armor builds.  Order this set from Alpine but now I am not too sure if I will use them.  

I need to shop around for Panzer crew in full winter uniform... those figures I ordered may not be appropriate for winter scene in Winter.  I can always use this set for my future Panzer build.  

Sprues are out of its wrappings... 

Was hoping to start over the weekend but got held up at annual Military Preservation Association event where I get to see many American armors especially from WWII era.  Here's one of pics I took... fully operational M24 Chaffee.  Despite my deafness, I could hear it coming 50 yards away... 

Thanks for looking! 

Andy

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: United Knigdom
Posted by Alex Shaw on Monday, September 24, 2012 12:56 PM

Hey guy's, can you put me down for one of these, it's been gathering dust in the cupboard for far to long -

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Rugby, England
Posted by Hinksy on Monday, September 24, 2012 3:25 PM

Cheers guys,

Thanks for the links-great stuff!

Due to a particularly busy day today I only had an hour to get up to where I needed to be - a nice section to start building from this coming weekend.

The exhaust stacks are on and were pretty simple but the 5 posts that make up the top of the exhaust were fiddly as hell.

This part of the instuctions call for the Jack, a 'C' hook and the rear cylinder convoy tube light to be fitted now but the as most of you know I like to paint and fit my tools later and the convoy cylinder is currently a transparent plastic piece that will go on at the end after being painted with transparent green. 

The exhaust covers are on and now it's down to business!

The VERY fiddly towers atop the exhaust stacks:

Section 6 is what I got done today - section 7 switches onto the internal fan detail:

Section 6 is what I got done today - section 7 switches onto the internal fan detail:

Thanks for looking lads - update at the weekend!

Ben thumbs up

On the Bench - Dragon Pz. IV Ausf. G (L.A.H.) Yes

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, September 24, 2012 3:46 PM

tigerman

.

Bish, I already ordered the cables from some chap in Poland, so we'll see.

 

Is this from RB or someone else. The problem i had wasn't the time it took to get here, but the time it took them to post them. I can't remember what the problem was exactly, but there was a delay in shipping and then they were hard to get hold of. It wasn't massive delays, just a few days, maybe a week.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, September 24, 2012 3:49 PM

pyrman64

Hinsky & Has...great looking felines!

Eric, I'm jealous...I probably won't put paint on for at least another 10-14 days. Huh?

Here's what I was able to do on my Tamiya steel wheel Panther over the weekend....

I have the Eduard set, but I'm not big on using p-e.  I will be adding engine deck screens and the a few other tidbits.

I'm tempted to add Moskit muffler pipes

  

had to putty the final drives on each side

haven't decided on kit barrel of the CMK one

 here's the after market stuff I have for the Panther.  I'm tempted to order the Tamiya "German tank maintenance crew set" with the Maybach HL 230 P30 engine, but then I'd have to get resin radiators.... Confused

Nice start, and your way ahead of me. I will be grateful if i can start cutting sprue by next Mon.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, September 24, 2012 3:52 PM

deafpanzer

Guys- I am really enjoying this GB... keep them coming!  

Update from my end... one of my odd rituals I clean my work bench REAL good between builds.  Don't believe me?  See Tiger kit on the right... Wink

 

a nice clean bench, a rare sight indeed.

I have to ask. Where did you get the Panzer Parking sign. I want one.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Nashville, TN area
Posted by bobbaily on Monday, September 24, 2012 5:11 PM

Great progress guys-

Hasenpfeffer-Panther is looking good-I really like the zimmert.  I ordered an RB barrel for my Panther-I found a copy of instructions on another web site but I'm sure I'll be asking you for advise.

Ben-I really like the pre-zimmed Tiger.  However, the instructions for the PE would cause me to lose sleep!  I've got to break down and go the PE route 'one of these days'

Greg-your Panther is taking shape-looks good-and no rubber wheels to paint!

Andy-your workbench is entirely too neat-go mess something up!  Just kidding-it looks great-and I'm sure that it makes modeling so much easier.  It's amazing how much time I spent sorting though boxes of in-process kits or finished kits to find supplies....and yes, I still owe you a StuG for your Pz GB....on my 'to-do' list.  Looking forward to seeing your Tiger take form.

No progress on my end-busy working on the house.  Hopefully I can spend some quality time this weekend.

Bob

 

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Monday, September 24, 2012 5:49 PM

Bish
I have to ask. Where did you get the Panzer Parking sign. I want one.

Bish, you can find the Panzer Parking signs at Belle & Blade (http://www.warshows.com), they're about $25.00USD

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Monday, September 24, 2012 6:10 PM

Bish- LOL!  Glad you liked the metal sign... believe it or not I bought it at a local train show.  No kidding!  But I see them on ebay all the times.  Here it is... good luck!

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=panzer+parking&_sacat=0 

Bobbaily- No worries!  No big deal we can move on and enjoy the current GB since I am hoping to close Pz III GB soon as it has been going on for 15 months. LOL  I am sure there will be opportunities for us to do another GB together. 

Looking forward to your Panther build.  Panther is one of my projected builds in 2013... good luck!

Andy

  • Member since
    July 2012
Posted by Hasenpfeffer on Monday, September 24, 2012 8:42 PM

Glad you like the Panther, fellas. I'm just hoping that I can keep up with you guys! Cool

Bob, I'm certainly more than willing to share my experiences with the installation of the RB barrel. Just say the word. (I think I found instructions for the Aber and Armorscale equivalents - I used the Armorscale ones, but either would work.)

Andy - really nice "man cave". Bench is sweet. Easy to reach ref materials - gotta love it. Complete with the lappy. I agree though, start messin' that thing up! LOL

  • Member since
    July 2012
Posted by Hasenpfeffer on Monday, September 24, 2012 8:58 PM

Hey Andy - thought that Chaffee looked familiar... (although not really the same one)

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 1:09 AM

Welcome aboard Alex Shaw. Glad to have you and your Afrika Korps Tiger.

Andy, the bench is much to clean, which probably means you've been inactive. Love all the hardware you've accumilated.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 4:12 AM

Andy -- definitey an unnatural state, a bench as clean as that (but I envy it!)

My next step was to airbrush the exhausts, I tried the Tamiya mixing recommendation (XF-56 and XF-64, 1:1) but it looks decidedly bronze, not rusty. Does anyone have a favourite mix for exhaust stacks??? I don't want them to look as decrepit as a Pz IV muffler, but they'll need to look rustier than this...

M/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 7:22 AM

Jack: Thanks!!! That's exactly what I needed to know. I'd heard of the reed green uniforms from near the end of the war but never made the connection. Odd, we seem to have cross-posted there somehow. 

Andy: That clean workbench is as Mike put it - unnatural - gives me to willies to look at it. Blind Fold

You need to get to work and dirty it up quick! Wink

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Schroon Lake, NY
Posted by SMJmodeler on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 8:04 AM

Thunderbolt379:  About the exhaust: Drop the XF-56 from the mix,   go straight XF-64 then use washes and/or rust colored pastels locked down with mineral spirits.

I've achieved some realistic results spraying with XF-64 then using burnt umber oil straight from the tube.  I dab (and smear a little) the oil on covering the whole exhaust.  It takes about 3 days to dry really hard but the results are nice because there is actually some texture.  I'll typically flavor it with van *** brown drybrushing and then some fresh rust colored powders and of course black soot.  Hope that helps!

Here's a picture of an L70 exhaust after the XF-64 and oils only:

Here it is completed:

 

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 4:46 PM

Very well done !

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Posted by moose421 on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 8:43 PM

Looking great guys.  Your builds are coming along nicely.  My build is comming quickly.  Will have the bench covered in polyacrlyic this weekend.  Just have to put my boats away and get the new bench set up.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Illinois
Posted by armor86 on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 9:58 PM

Tigerman - RB Barrel came from a Poland dealer on eBay - received within two weeks. $8 - $12 with shipping. Have the Voyager Detail PE which provides cables. Armor86

 


Dan

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Illinois
Posted by armor86 on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 10:08 PM

JOE RIX - the Zimm on the gun mantlet looks great ... I'm using a old no. 11 blade to create the harsh marks and/or weld beads along the front of the upper hull, the top hull sides already have an existing weld bead, but likely will redo them to match the front ... after application of liquid cement (Tamiya Ultra-Thin Cement) to softened the area I then used the blade / dental tool to make harsh marks to resemble the weld beads. I then go back over the weld beads a couple of times to get a smoother result. Armor86

 


Dan

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Illinois
Posted by armor86 on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 10:18 PM

Alex Shaw - I'm building the same kit ... welcome aboard ... I using several AM things to provide some extra detail ... posted photos a few pages back - Armor86

 


Dan

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 1:08 AM

Thanks armor. I'll see if my putty job worked well enough.

I really dislike Tamiya tan styrene.  It's hard to tell if it gets covered with the dunkelgelb. I prefer Dragon's grey much better.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 6:57 AM

tigerman
I really dislike Tamiya tan styrene.  

Eric, you could always prime the Tamiya's with oxide red, like the real ones. Wink

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 7:51 AM

Damn the quality in here is relay something.  Can't wait to start on mine.

Ben, the agony of putting together that little lock really is worth it.

Marc  

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 8:48 AM

At last, some progress to report.

The zim is all done, extra small parts are added, and the Alliance Modelworks PE grills are on, with the exception of the two large ones that go just under the turret rear, I'll tackle those tomorrow. I must say the grills are exceptionally delicate, especially the circular ones.

The exhausts are resprayed in sgtrauight XF-64, as suggested, pending oils and pigments later. Here's the grills:

And the last resin part up the front:

The next pic I'll try for is an all-on shot, running gear and turret mated up temporarily, before she rolls into the paintshop.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

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