WOW, i haven't been on much this last week or so and looks like i have a lot to catch up on.

Ben, the Tiger is looking good.

Dave, Love the paint job on the Panther, that's some nice spray work.

Carl, Nice little toot on the cleaning rods, thanks for that. Little things like that can make a big difference. Looks like you have emptied out RB. A week is not bad, they must have improved since i had problems a few months back. Nice to hear.

Eric, Those rods are wood ain't they. Looks like just metal at the ends.

Marc The tools look good, a lot of great info on scratching tools between you and Carl.

Tony MMM, nice kitty. She is looking good.

I hope i haven't missed anyone. Need to try and keep in touch so its easier to kep track.

My own progress has been very little. I didn't touch it for 4 days this week, and i am so close to getting some paint on.

The Voyager PE set is very frustrating. There are lots of parts that don't seem to be used. I have looked through the instructions a dozen times and can't see them. And the sprue layout doesn't show parts that are not used.

I find this really odd as the PE set is for a very specific kit, a limited production one at that. And its not like the sprues are taken from otehr sets as most have parts for both the Panther hull and Pz IV turret on the same sprue. So i am constantly haveing to check that i haven't missed anything.

About a quarter of the PE set isn't used, and add that to the half of the kit thats not used, thats a lot of stuff for the spares box.

Well, hopefully an update soon.

Cliff , your welcome . I had to do some research to find out where that little piece of p.e. went . We both learned something then .

Carl: Thanks! And interesting, the muzzle brake in my Dragon kit has the bolt head molded there, had no idea what it was- thanks again - just learned something new today.

The U.K. ? Well , say hello to the people over there for us Mike  .

Fabulous work all round, guys! Sorry I've been a ghost her over the last month but things have eben ultra-busy with the end of the Aussie academic year, wrapping up courses and working in my other skillstream (hands on with resin, rubber, clay and plaster, forging fossils at the palaeo lab...)

My KT is on hold, I had hoped to get the final spotting of the camo done but there's simply no time. I'm on a plane tomorrow headed for the UK for three weeks. This year I'll have a netbook so I'll be online daily, or wherever there's free wifi, so I'll still be keeping up with posts and watching these fabulous replicas coming to fruition!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Glad your back home Gamera .

If anyone has the RB Models 88 mm barrels and cant figure out where this part in the p.e. fret is supposed to go here is some help . There are two of these on the fret but one is a spare .

Here's what it is on the actual muzzle brake . Its a bolt that tightens down against a metal tab that has a pin attached to it for locking the muzzle brake in place . 

Here's how it looks on the finished RB barrel .The little p.e. bolt head and tab fits into the slight depression .

Wow, great stuff all around guys!!!

Back home now and will be back to work on the kitty tomorrow!

Andy , I was even signed up with pay pal automatically when ordered from RB models . It all went really well . Those Friuls should be nice .

Like i said before the only complaint i had is no insructions on the RB barrel .I found some info on the muzzle brake that might help .

Carl- Holy cow!  Don't you love those products from RB?!?!?  I find it alot cheaper to order directly from RB in Poland as long as you order several things altogether.   

Taxtp- Nice work on 1/48 Tiger!!!  Looking forward to see more from your shop...

Marc- Thanks for another great tip!  Now I have to go and get me an anvil!!!  Hope Lowe sells those that small?  Again outstanding work on your TINY KT!  You are one real sick man... naked M16 now 1/72 KT!  You are my hero. LOL

Guys- I have been fighting a cold for last few days but I think it is starting to go away.  Little update on my Tiger... correct Friuls set has arrived.  Since I am going for Tiger #3 it has mirrored left tracks and the kit came with DS Tracks which I was not too impressed.  Believe it or not it was sold on eBay for ten bucks.  Not bad!  

Completed one side so far... I have it at 100 links as of now.  I need to figure out how many links exactly needed for each side.  Anybody can help me out? 

Hope to post another update soon.  Somebody has to rake the leaves tomorrow... 

Ben: The Tiger I cleaning rod were, more than likely, the same wood w/metal end connectors.  As for the jack blocks, I usually paint mine with Polly Scale's Railroad tie brown - I figure the wood was treated with some type of preservative (creosote?) with the metal parts in dunkelgrau or dunkelgelb...or even the whole block being oversprayed in a field-applied camo color. Check out this 14.Panzer DIv Panzer 4:

Just for smiles & giggles, here's a pic of the early rear NoTek convoy light: 

Good info on the rods guys, thank you.

Here is the latest status on the 1/48 Tiger.

Cheers

Tony

Hey Ben , thats cool . I enjoy the research and i can always learn from others that have far more know ledge than i do .

Cheers Carl,

That's how I've painted them in the past - wooden with metal threaded ends. The previous post regarding the KT rods made me ask the question.

Cheers matey,

Ben

I'm no authority on the cleaning rods but the picture i posted earlier clearly shows the rods being made of wood with metal ends for the male/ female threads . As far as the jack block the metal ends and the strap are the color of the tank itself , most often the dunklegelb that was applied as the overall color . I have some pics i can post later .I've read where the wood was a dark color , almost black , and the discusion is that the dark color might be from exposure to the wood . Some say its that the wood was varnished and the varnish turned a dark color .

Cheers Greg,

The recent talk about metal or wood cleaning rods begs the question:

Were the rods that are mounted on the insides of the tow cables made from metal or wood on the late version Ausf E?

Also, What colour should I paint the metal parts that are moulded onto the Jack Block?

Ben

Shellback

Eric, i'm pretty sure the cleaning rods are wood . Three of those in the pic are wood painted olivgrun . Sure good to hear you like the details .

Carl is correct, sorta of.  Most barrel cleaning rods were wood with aluminum(?) connectors.  IIRC, some early war rods were metal.

Ben: hopes it's a great day!

Everyone: all your cats are looking great!  Haven't had time to post, but have been watching/lurking.  Been busy with a few set backs with another GB.

Hey guys,

First off - Marc I'm IMPRESSED! That's some superb detailing my friend! Excellent work! 

As mentioned on my previous posts it's my Birthday tomorrow so I booked yesterday off work and I've also booked Monday off too Due to family stuff yesterday and today I've had to put work on hold but will be hitting it as much as I can during tomorrow and Monday. I've made a to-do list for the next couple of days:

• Paint up tools and tow cables (I've primed them tonight so they'll be ready for paint tomorrow) 
• Once tools are on add chipping, streaking weathering and pinwashes
• Assemble and fit Friuls
• Flat coat everything then add pigments and fresher surface mud around the running gear and hull

I was going to use them Lion Roar Tow Cables in place of the kit cables but the kit cables look brilliant and will be a perfect fit. The bits that hold the cable down are a bit too small to hold the Lion Roar ones. I'm going to assemble the Lion Roar ones and use them on my Birthday 'Elefant'   (sorry, did I mention it is my Birthday tomorrow)? 

 Everything ready to go for tomorrow: 

The detail on these moulded cables is so crisp it's a crime not to use them imo! I'll use Gunze Steel for the cable - obviously it's an ideal colour!

My 'tool tip and Wooden handle paints' (Vallejo Old and new Wood, Tamiya Red/Brown for the cutters and for the metal tool tips Gunze Buffable Steel Metalizer, 2B Graphite Stick and wet & dry paper plus various other acrylic shades for adding woodgrain - I might add Tamiya Clear Orange to some for a varnished effect):

Update tomorrow guys,

Sorry I've not got more to show you now but when these are painted up and fitted bu this time tomorrow this Tiger I will look killer (probably)!

Take care,

Ben

Hey Marc ,I'm really stoked with my purchase . I've never ordered anything like this before , especially from Poland , so i was pleased with the swiftness of how fast the order got here . Also the quality of the barells is well worth the cost .  Only thing that RB models could do to make things better is include  a little drawing as to the location of the p.e. parts . I still cant really figure out where a couple of parts should be attached at . I have looked at a Arber pdf for their gun barrels assembly and that helped .

Thats a good idea that you came up with for making the depressions in the rod racks Those will be some tiny parts for the rods !I'm liking the idea's you are comming up with . Its good to learn new methods for creating details . Thanks for the w.i.p. info Marc .

Mmm yeah baby.  Nice carl.

I finished the cleaning rods for the little kitty.  A little smaller in dimension than Carl’s .  The rods are 0.5 mm brass tube with the “threaded” ends 0.3 brass tube that fits inside the large one.

I made the rack part by taking a bunch of hat pins, since they are relatively hard, and held then over a piece of 0.5 mm tube and tapped it with a hammer, each pin making a nice depression in the tube.

These were glue to the hull and the cleaning rods to that.

Woo Hoo !

OMGosh !!! My order from RB models arrived today !!! Only took a week ....all the way from Poland for less than $11 shipping !!!   ..................oops , threw my back out .............

Eric, i'm pretty sure the cleaning rods are wood . Three of those in the pic are wood painted olivgrun . Sure good to hear you like the details .

SMJ , glad you like the ref. pics . I dont want to leave what i do up to any guessing . Yes , details can be fun ......if you have the time to pursue them like i do .

Marc , wine bottle caps ...........i only drink the cheap stuff that comes in a box ....cardboard and a plastic bag .........probably wouldnt work . I might have to upgrade my wine stash................ Thanks for the ideas . I dont have a scriber that cuts a groove like that . Perhaps another tool is needed in my tool box .Man thats some small parts your working on . Are you going to make your own cleaning rods ? The 1/35th KT is a beaut . Seems like i seen that one when i was doing a Google search . More lead foil supply man

Ben, thanks man ! Sounds cool about the new group and have good birthday .

Hey guys,

Carl - loving them rods! great work!

Sorry about the abscence of any updates from this end but it's been one seriously busy week. I've been off today and am off Monday too as this is my Birthday Weekend so I'm hoping to get a bit done this weekend. I've been out all day today and my buddy John has invited me to a new group he is attending - it's held in the back of a model shop in a local town so should be good. I've never been to the shop so I'll hopefully pick up some stuff too!

As for the Tiger I've got the Friuls to start and some weathering and some VERY light chipping to apply. I'll start the chipping and the pin washes this weekend then it's onto the Friuls.

I'll post an update tomorrow fellas.

Take care,

Ben  

Here you go Steve.  Instead of a giant penny how about a giant turret.

Carl, that's fricking awesome dude. I had no idea that the rods were mostly metal. On my jagdtiger I painted them wood, as I've seen most modelers do!

The molded on cable was sanded off and replaced a new one made from twisted wire.

An upcoming task is going to be separating commander's vision ports that are molded together on the cupola and making a new MG mount ring.

Tony, Andy, Armor86... nice work there boys.

IB148...  I chuck road wheels on my Dremel and it make quick work of the the sanding task.  Most times it just take a toothpick to mount the wheel and sometimes you gotta get a little more creative... sometimes it just doesn't work at all.  But when it does it really speeds things along.  I did 36 1/72 Tiger II wheels in a matter of minutes.

Carl... the clamps/straps are lead foil from wine bottles hence the red color.  I have all different colors too:P].   When I angles bends in thin sheet plastic I score the back side with a scriber.  I have one of the type that cuts a little thread of plastic out leaving a groove.  Make the bend and ran a line of Tenax down the line.  There is a bit of play time and the bend can be adjusted a bit.  Lovely work on the cleaning rods.  By some sort of amazing alignment of the planets or variation in the Earth gravitational pull... I am doing the exact same thing at the moment.  I do with I had the giant size pieces you are getting to work with

Steve, when I get a chance to pull out the camera again i will do one better than the giant penny.

EDIT:  Carl... or anyone... Got a good site with Tiger II walk aorunds?

taxtp:  Nice save on the gap repair! 

I asked about the gluing of the tracks because I know there are modelers who test fit without gluing and I'm at a loss as to how that's done with a Tamiya kit.  I wonder if there is a glue or technique that's used to hold but not secure parts?  I think I need to start a new post concerning this topic...

Shellback: Still diggin' those reference photos, thanks!  FANTASTIC work too!  It seems like you are really into the details..it'll be cool to see it all come together.

Good morning everyone ..........no rain today out here in the Pacific north west .........at least where i am , 300 + miles inland from Eric's location .

I decided to scratch build the cleaning rods for this cat . The kit supplied rods are molded as one with the rack that holds them , along with the tow cables .

Here's a look at the actual rack and rods .

I used Evergreen styrene rod , 3/64th " , for the rods and .025 " rod for the threaded ends and the "eyes" on the end of a couple of the rods . I'm not sure of the purpose for the "eyes" on the end of the rods but i noticed them in the picture above . Perhapes they were used for attaching a cloth to swab the barrel lining with gun oil ? Here's how i made the "eyes" .

Here's the .025 rod .

I flattened the end of it with needle nose pliers . Similar to what i did with the copper wire for the wing nuts .

It will look like this ...

Here's the fun part , drilling the end with a # 77 micro bit .

After drilling the ends of the 3/64th " rod with a #72 micro bit i insert the "eyes" into the ends of the 3/64th" rod .

After  inserting the "eyes" and the threaded ends into the 3/64th" rod here's the finished cleaning rods in the racks .

Now to go paint them ........

Looks much better Tony.