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Steel Cats (Sept. 2012-Aug. 2013)

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  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Saturday, December 8, 2012 1:17 AM

Tojo72

Wow Marc is on a roll.Wish I could do more,very busy at work.Oh well,more OT pay = More kits !!

Anthony, I feel your pain. I had the major construction done quickly, but grounded to a halt last month, because I had to work so many weekends too! I was hoping to get something done this weekend, but it looks like Christmas has creeped into the forefront. Bah Humbug!

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Rugby, England
Posted by Hinksy on Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:36 AM

Hi guys,

I thought I'd post a quick update on my base progress. I've got all me materials sorted and know what I want to do - I know it's a small base but is ideal for me at the minute because general space is at a premium and by using this little base it will fit inside my cabinet!

I've posted a series of photographs at the bottom of this post to give you a better idea:

I know it's been suggested the base is too small BUT it fits into my cabinet and will do the job perfectly - any bigger and it would become a dust trap on my bookshelf. I've got all the materials (scale rubble, grit, long grasses, barbed wire) and when this goes to shows with me it will look great sat on our display table on a nice base.it's just that when I took the photos I thought this will look SOOOO much better on a little base and when I found this piece of wood at work wrapped in film I knew it had to be ideal (it's from the work kitchen and wasn't used when they fitted it).

Finally, I do have another base which is MDF and is much larger and a perfect size BUT I'm going to use that for my Elefant that I got for my Birthday as it's a big old beast and I think I can either make or buy a clear plastic cover for it - 1.5mm clear plasticard will do the job nicely? I don't know why I said that this base was MDF as it obviously isn't - I've been told that it it probably Maple?

Btw: the tank will be firmle fitted to the base by means of a sinmple single woodscrew of the correct length - when screwed down the tank will be 'pulled' into the base material to give the impression of serious tonnage!

I've spoken to Alan at our club and he suggested that using a paste made up from Polyfiller and White Glue would be better than my planned Mig Acrylic Resin and Plaster of Paris mix?

FYI - Here is our club website (Leicester Modellers) - the photos at the top of the front page show our table at a smaller local show last year http://leicestermodellers.weebly.com/

Photos:

The tank as I am planning to position it on the base - photos taken from both sides and rear:

The other base for use with my Elefant build:

 Beer

Materials (Scenic grasses, rubble, leaves, soil/twigs, cat litter):

I'm going to start the base assembly either tomorrow or next weekend - today there are a few thing that I want to finish up on the Tiger:

Please let me know what you think re the best material to make up the ground - Acrylic Resin & Plaster of Paris mix or polyfiller  and White Glue mix? Do you get Polyfiller in the US? It comes in a tube that you have to mount on a gun and it comes out like tube Silicon does when you want to seal your new worktop!

Thanks guys,

Ben  8-)

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

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  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:03 PM

Bish- I never get tired looking at your build... such a small turret!  Nice camo work too! 

Anthony- Your Tiger is looking good!!!

Detaifreak- LOL  Any chance you can come and teach me how to solder? 

Marc- Will you at least let me finish my first build before you can finish your THIRD build! LOL  Magic tracks are fun and easy to work.  I guess I will have to use them more since Friuls have rised the prices of their tracks. Crying  Nice touch making rubber weary looking...

And no kidding... DML instructions do SUCK!!!

SJM- Glad you liked the pictures!  Hope to see your second build here too. 

Jack- I often see them at model shows... one day I have to try one of their products.  Maybe Pz III or IV since I will use it often than other variants.  

Ben- Can't wait to see your work on the base.  I am planning to do the same... making one from scratch so I will have to rely on your toot this time.  No kidding... it will be my first attempt.  

Andy

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:11 PM

Guys- Update on my Tiger... storage bin is complete.  I think the building stage is finally over so I can proceed to have it primed and painted next. 

Added just one lock instead of two...

Caught an error with the commander hatch!  It was set at 90 degree so I had to break it apart and correct it.  Fortunately nothing else was damaged...

Figures are ready too... they are from Alpine.  My favorite...

Planning to have them standing high on the top of the turret... having 'invincible' attitude you can say.  Of course they have the Tiger!!!

Thanks for looking... next time you will see it primed! 

Andy

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Illinois
Posted by armor86 on Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:19 PM

Deafpanzer - I too have found DML / Dragon kit instructions are very complex and not easily followed ... Voyager Instructions also lacking too. .... latest photos on my quest to assemble and install voyager photo etch ... the back end is almost complete. Armor86

 


Dan

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • From: imperial beach, ca
Posted by malone duke on Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:40 PM

Dudes,  deaf it's still getting crazy man!  I can't believe how clean the build is going for you.  Armor86. Your work is still lookin sweeter.

Not much to report. Still doing all the cleanup. A a few things are just off on this guy. I'll have pics on Monday.

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Saturday, December 8, 2012 11:04 PM

Andy & Armor: Your Tigers are both coming along nicely. Toast

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
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, December 9, 2012 1:09 AM

Amazing guys. Such attention to detail. Jealous.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Sunday, December 9, 2012 3:15 AM

Andy, thank you. Those two figures look like they are ready for the weather we have coming this week. I have not tried Alpine figures before, they look nice.

Ben, my advice for the base would be celluclay.

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
    September 2009
  • From: Rugby, England
Posted by Hinksy on Sunday, December 9, 2012 6:19 AM

Great work fellas,

I'll be putting the finishing touches to my Tiggy later then I'll decide what I'm doing with the base. I have the bigger one and I'm tempted to chop it in half or buy a more suitable one, or not even use one and have these final photos taken by my Dad's buddy who has a mega set-up for taking proper photos of the modelling kind.

It won't be happening until next week now so I've got the week ahead to search around and think about it Indifferent

Andy - I've only done one base before, about two years ago for a Tamiya 1/48 halftrack when I was still wet behind my modelling ears! It was on a picture frame - I still have it in the cabinet. Why do I have to do everything first Goshdarnitt? Wink

A bit bland but I like the build:

Ben Toast

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

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  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Nashville, TN area
Posted by bobbaily on Sunday, December 9, 2012 7:29 AM

Andy & Armor-you guys are amazing.  The PE looks great.  Shame to cover it with paint.....

Bob

 

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: MOAB, UTAH
Posted by JOE RIX on Sunday, December 9, 2012 8:04 AM

Andy and Armor - I need to echo everyone's sentiments. Simply awesome work woth the PE.

"Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did". George Carlin

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Sunday, December 9, 2012 9:15 AM

Guys- Thanks for the nice words!  Was too tired to apply primer on the Tiger last night... sorry no update.  

Armor86-  It is always fun watching your WIPs.  Last pictures you posted made me realize... Tiger steel surface was not that smooth?  If so, then I should apply Mr Surfacer 500 on? That's something I need to look at.  Will all of work be lost once I apply winter camo because it is harder to see? 

armor86

Deafpanzer - I too have found DML / Dragon kit instructions are very complex and not easily followed ... Voyager Instructions also lacking too. .... latest photos on my quest to assemble and install voyager photo etch ... the back end is almost complete. Armor86

Andy

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Sunday, December 9, 2012 9:27 AM

Andy: The Tiger was built mainly with rolled steel....which is not that rough in texture - especially in 1/35th.

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
    September 2009
  • From: Rugby, England
Posted by Hinksy on Sunday, December 9, 2012 1:07 PM

Hi guys,

I've been tinkering with the Tiger this afternoon and she's pretty much complete now. I wanted to add some pigment to theinsides of the Friuls as they looked far too clean and untouched so they had a light dusting. I've re-painted the extinguisher on the rear deck as Malone Duke kindly showed me a mixture of different coloured German WWII extinguishers and I thought that the green looked good and as it would contrast nicely against the area which it sits on which is painted DY the decision was made for me!

One main thing that I'd changed was the escape hatch - I'd wadn't to show it posed open but when I fitted it the hinge wouldn't let me drop it right open so I left it sitting at about 45 degrees as I had thought that was correct but after being shown photos it was obvious that it was very wrong, it looked like it was floating and I'd started to regret doing it - as one of my best builds I don't want to look at it and think "dammit, I wish I had never done that". Apart from 'floating' it would obviously have been VERY heavy, the turret wouldn't have turned with it open and quite simply a Tiger shown as being in 'in action' wouldn't have had this open! So, I removed the turret and as gently as possible tried to loosen it but I'd used a dab of CA to hold it in that position so I had to snap the hatch at the hinge area and refit it, add some Milliput to fill the gap and tidy it up - it looks much better now and I'm much happier with it. 

Finally I took 4 x RB Brass Tiger I 88mm shell cases and painted them with Gunze Metal Colour Copper which buffs up to a nice shine. I'll add a bit of black soot pigment to the the very ends of each shell case.

I know I've looked into a making a base using scenic effects but it's not suitable for this one. I want this Tiger in my cabinet alongside my other Tiger I that I built at the beginning of the year (Dragon Initial Tiger I) so using that small base I'm going to stain the wood and simply place the Tiger on it. I'll use that larger base for the Elefant as I really want to do one but this time I'm that pleased with my build I don't want to detract from it by putting it on a poor quality base.

I've arranged to go to my Dad's best friend and my Godfathers house next Saturday. He's a superb photographer and does indoor and outdoor work - mainly nature but he has an entire indoor camera set-up. He want's me to take my Tiger so he can take some really good photos with various single colour backgrounds. He is also going to play around with the build photos on photoshop and make up some other images with real life backgrounds etc. He's going to sort me out with a decent photo lightbox and show me what my own camera can really do!

  • Those photos will be posted next Saturday as my completed build photos - I'll grab my GB badge then!

Btw: I might have made a final decision regarding my next build - if it's the Panther then I'll be entering it into this GB as my second build if that's okay Tigerman? Yes

Just about done - not sure what I'll do with the shells but I think 2 or 3 will be 'littered' around on the rear deck as empties chucked from the turret:

Note: Hatch now closed and extinguisher re-painted with green! Much better imo:

Ready for final photos I think?

Malone's Extinguisher photos:

 

I hope you like her fellas. If you can think of anything that need doing or re-painting etc please let me know! I'd like to have her ready to go for the final photos next Saturday Yes

Have a good week chaps,

Ben Toast

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

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  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Sunday, December 9, 2012 4:51 PM

Ben: as the germans would say....wunderbare! Toast

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
    September 2009
  • From: Rugby, England
Posted by Hinksy on Sunday, December 9, 2012 5:23 PM

Cheers Greg!

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

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  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Sunday, December 9, 2012 7:48 PM

This is my K.T. as she looks today . Hull is finished . More weathering to do on the turret .

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Sunday, December 9, 2012 9:22 PM

Carl:don't know what to say, other than.... Wow

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
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, December 9, 2012 10:26 PM

Carl, I think Pyrman64 summed it up well. Wow! Great weathering my friend, the exhausts are awesome with the variations on them. I might as well just box up my Jagdkitty and call it a day.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Nashville, TN area
Posted by bobbaily on Monday, December 10, 2012 5:46 AM

Carl-I don't think I can find the words to describe your build....but 'outstanding, amazing & stunning' come to mind.  Bow Down

Bob

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, December 10, 2012 7:34 AM

Yeah Carl, that looks terrific! Love the dusty weathered look!

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

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, December 10, 2012 11:08 AM

Ben, sweet, really nice looking build.

Carl, likewise. Love the look of the exhausts and that chain looks so real.

Great work guys.

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
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Monday, December 10, 2012 3:14 PM

Carl they are all wrong....

It's better than thatStick out tongue

Marc  

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Rugby, England
Posted by Hinksy on Monday, December 10, 2012 5:47 PM

Hi folks,

Have to admit that your KT is looking somewhat special Carl Toast

Love the way you've added life to that chain, and the exhausts and tracks? Perfection in 1/35 scale!

Looking forward to more!

Ben Yes

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

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  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Monday, December 10, 2012 8:51 PM

Greg,Eric, Bob,Cliff,,Bish,Mark,Ben .............thanks for kind words guys !Toast

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: MOAB, UTAH
Posted by JOE RIX on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 7:20 AM

Carl - Your skills and techniques to create realism are nothing short of astounding. That is really jaw dropping fantastic.

"Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did". George Carlin

  • Member since
    July 2012
Posted by Hasenpfeffer on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 9:09 AM

Hey fellas, still lurking. I've been reading the email updates on my phone. Between work, Holiday parties and decorating for Christmas, bench time has been very un-Marc-like. Wink Anyway, after work tomorrow, I'm done until the 2nd, so things will hopefully turn around. Still working on finishing up the details on the Panther, as well as the figure. Updates to follow.

Marc - Sweet, you're building basically the same kit... sounds like you may do a winter scheme? Should be educational. What ATAK zimm set did you order? I think you'll like it. I have a set of the Cavalier zimm that I may use if I do a 2nd build for this GB (which I probably will) and it doesn't look quite as nice right out of the package. Maybe things are different once it's on. The ATAK zimm comes much thicker, so I learned as I went that a lot of sanding is required before application. Anyway, with the little factory you've got going, churning out 5 or 6 builds for this GB should be no problem, right? Stick out tongue

Eric - The kit I'm building is pretty much the Panther A Late premium kit minus the magic tracks (has DS). I've seen it pretty cheap on Dragon USA - as low as $22.95 over Thanksgiving, but I regularly see it on sale for $24.95. The G is usually a couple bucks more.

Ben - Your Tiger came out sweet! I like the hatch closed. It really didn't look right half open. It would have been cool if you could have laid it open, but I understand it messing with the turret traverse. I also think you are making the right move with the base. Any detail you put on that small sucker would have been absorbed by the shear heft of the Tiggy. How are the Pz.III/IV tracks on the front attached? Did maintanence crews weld them in place or should there be some sort of bracket holding them on?

Andy - PE looks terrific. Paint the thing already... I'm getting blinded by all that bling! LOL Surprise (Same goes for you Armor86.) Max looks pretty intense up there on the turret. Love the Alpines. I'll be painting my first one soon.

Carl - I absolutely share everyone else's sentiments. Truly remarkable. Would you share how you achieved the rust effect on the chain/exhaust? I think I am in need of some rust flavored pigments. The streaking is sublime. I love how subtle it is. Looks like you used all the right colors in just the right places. You've definitely put a lot of thought and effort into it and it shows. Great job in getting the weight on that cable and chain. It's hanging just perfect. 

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Schroon Lake, NY
Posted by SMJmodeler on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 12:06 PM

deafpanzer:  Cool bin on the turret!  Never seen one with a sloped lid...was that a Tiger item or did you assume that came from another type of tank?  Those figures are awesome!  They will really help set the mood of the build, nice selection!

Hinksy:  Concerning your base: May I suggest before you start that you find a real example of the look you want to acheive.  Some photos of actual groundwork that captures the look you want to depict is a HUGE help.

I'd also suggest finding a sheet of some styrofoam...say 1/2" thick to be your ground.  You can cut out the track path and mold the earth without committing it to the base.  If you're not happy, just cut a new piece and try again.  When your satisfied... glue it to the base with Elmer's leaving a 1/2" "frame around the perimeter, protect ththat edge and the rest of the wood with masking tape, mix up a thin batch of plaster and then lather it up...AND don't forget to make fresh track impressions with some spare tracks just before it's dry!

I like to paint the plaster with flat black and then work the color up from there.  Be sure to use the colors that make up your camo' scheme right from the tank...in fact with that three-color camo scheme I'd limit it to just those...or VERY close variations.  Use the wash colors too!

and last but not least...keep it simple.  Hope that helps!Yes

Shellback:  WHOA!!!...Indifferenthold on buddy!  You're last photo update was on p. 102 and you we're adding some work with colored pencils.  Now I see a dusty hull with cables and chains.  I LOVE that very subtle dusting...can you please describe how you did that? 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 12:53 PM

SMJmodeler

deafpanzer:  Cool bin on the turret!  Never seen one with a sloped lid...was that a Tiger item or did you assume that came from another type of tank?  Those figures are awesome!  They will really help set the mood of the build, nice selection!

SMJ- It was another thing learned anew about the Tigers.  Earlier Tigers had either bins from Pz III and Pz IV!  It was confirmed in my favorite bible Achtung Panzer.  Interesting, huh?  If you can look at the actual pictures I posted earlier it was smaller and sloped.  Love this kit!!!  I really like its look better than standard Tiger bin in later models but its much smaller for sure!  

Glad you liked the figures too... love those Alpine figures.  Wish I can afford to buy more... any chance you can loan me some money? Big Smile

Hasen- LOLOLOLOL  Sorry I had to add few more PE last night... my goal is to leave everybody blind just like your build! Stick out tongue  Thanks buddy!

Guys- Another update... more PE at Hasen's request!!! 

According to the instructions and actual pictures of #3 Tiggy they had helmets handing on both side of the turret.  So I went ahead and added them... it is my preference to add them now than after painted because from my experience the glue doesn't bond well on painted surface and it brings me only nightmares.

Helmets hanging...

The other side I wanted to do something different... hanging upside due to vibration and movement. 

Added PE liner to the helmet after the interior was sanded hollow.  

Hope you like it.  Now I can promise you the Tiggy is ready to be primed.  Gave it a bath last night... Yes

Andy

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