Duck Hunter GB

That's coming along nicely Clemens.

Time for another update on the 88. Just as I think I am getting somewhere I find something else that needs changing.

For now at least, the base and cradle are now complete.

The bar with the kink in it was straight on the kit part and the piece at the end just a blob

The little bit on top is where the site goes. That's not very well detailed so has been removed and will be replaced by a cover.

I will add the recoil indicator after painting.

I have also made a start on the trailers. This one still needs a few bits adding.

Here's a few comparison shots with a 1/35th Tiger I, you get an idea of the size

And if you think there can't be a lot left to attach.

Thanks guys!

Bish: Now that's a big gun! I know how big it is (there's one built-up at my LHS), but size comparisons like this still shock me a bit everytime...

taxtp

We need a good Pz I chassis in 1/48 now.

Are you sure about that? It's tiny (and when I say tiny I mean really damn tiny) in 1/35 already. How about a few comparison shots:

Here it is next to the turret of a King Tiger (1/35 as well):

And in front of the whole beast:

My LHS was out of Tamiya XF-63, so I picked up some Gunze Dark Gray (I like Gunze colors a bit better than Tamiya anyway). It looks very similar, so I think it'll be good enough.

Ye, is rather big isn't. And going from one extreme to the other, boy that thing is small. Lucky you didn't put it next to a Maus, you would have lost it.

Bish: that 88 is HUGE!  I look forward to seeing it complete.

I got a little more work done on my M16.

First thing I did was to cut off the axles on the road wheel mounts of the suspension and drill a hole where they attached:

Then I glued pieces of 0.8mm brass rod in place:

This removes the problem of having a seam line right in the middle of the axles.

Everything dry-fit together:

The axles don't look perfect, but they sure look better than the plastic parts. I still have to add a few parts to the supension bogies, but I should be able to get them done untill tonight.

It's going to be tough to get the roadwheels between those brackets with the axles in place, but I think I'll manage to squeeze them in somehow.

Greg, ye it is rather large. This is the first time I have done anything bigger than 1/35th, so its a bit of a sensory overload. I am hoping to get some paint on this weekend, but we will see.

SS, some nice work there.

Something's not working as intended.

I have a lot of trouble posting pictures here. Sometimes my posts end after a few lines when I post pictures... Am I the only one with this problem?

Thanks mate!

I told you I'd finish the suspension today, so here it is:

Roadwheels mounted in their "clamps". They are able to turn to make painting the rubber areas easier:

Both bogies assembled. The roadwheel clamps are not glued on so I have less trouble when mounting the tracks:

Those suspension bogies are quite fiddly, but the great engineering makes them easy to assemble nonetheless.

Both bogies glued in place. Dryfitting the forward wheels didn't cause any trouble. She sits nicely on all 10 wheels:

Close up of the forward axle and the engine. I love the amount of details in this kit:

I still have to add the exhaust tip and the bracket that holds it in place (time for some scratchbuilding I guess):

I also started working on the bumper. The two main parts are glued together and the seam sanded smooth. Now I have to remove the scratches using finer sanding sticks:

And the last pic for today: A size comparison with the Flakpanzer. She's definitely no small vehicle after all.

Cheers, Clemens

Sorry I've been away for so long guys, classes and work got pretty intense but I'm finding the time to get back to the bench now. Have a couple builds in the way before I start on mine for this build but seeing how it goes until 30 April I reckon I've got a chance to pull it off.

Anyways, everyone's builds look fantastic so far, can't wait to see more updates from everyone.

-Josiah

Josiah, no problem, look forward to seeing your build.

Clemen's, stunning work there, that's really coming on well.

Not sure what problem your having when posting pics. When you say it ends after a few lines, does it just stop you from adding any more.

Thanks a bunch, mate!

Ican write the full post, but when I click on "reply" not everything gets posted. It just ends directly after one of the pics. If I try to edit it and just copy the original text it's the same thing again. I have to start a new post every time this happens...

Time for a short update. I have just completed one of the two trailers. Again, I will do some comparison pics in the WiP thread for those interested in the finer details.

You can see by the amount of white styrene how much has ben changed, far more than I expected.

One down, one more to go. 

Great stuff on here everyone!  Bish!  Good Night!  I love the way you put the Tiger next to the 88!  Wow!  You have gone to the extremes!  Great work!  Great work everyone!  I hope to get to the 88 tonight.

Eagle90

Nice job on that 88 so far Bish, that thing is a monster

That's some awesome scratchbuilding Bish!

Bish

Greg, ye it is rather large. This is the first time I have done anything bigger than 1/35th, so its a bit of a sensory overload. I am hoping to get some paint on this weekend, but we will see.

SS, some nice work there.

bish i will find out what you mean since i seem to have gotten into 1/24 fire trucks.

still working on base/bunker for 88 (and yes jibber (?) i will do a tutoria. lhere is my JGSDF TYPE 87 SPAA. twin 35mm guns. (may have to get that super cool looking russian spaa after this) alls ubassys are not glued so there may be some alignment issues in the pics. pretty much all the holes in the deck are tools, which i do after painting, periscopes and headlights ditto, and handles which i leave until right before priming. this has an adjustable height suspension and  can be in up road mode or down in position mode. indy tracks so karl's tutorial will come in handy and make appreciate my warwheels and war trucks, even with extensive chassis that no one sees.

sitting next to PZ-IB

Wayne, that thing looks awesome and menacing! great job so far!

Looks great, Wayne.  I always thought the Gepard was a sweet lookin' SPAA.

Great work on the Gepard wayne, that's coming along really nicely.

to ALL thanks. yes it does look like a GEPARD but it's a JGSDF TYPE 87. similar layout but no return rollers on suspension. i may break my no more tracks and get a GEPARD if someone comes out with a new one. i have a bundeswehr ELEPHANT tank transporter i could put it on.

Great work, Wayne!

Today I finally got the construction completed. This is the other trailer, only difference is that this one has no seat but does have the tow bar.

And the barrel was finished with a few alterations.

I also re made the 4 ground spikes as the kit ones were to thick. They are not full length as they will be put into the base, the excess rod is just for holding when painting. 

I will get to the tools once I have started painting the main parts. But I replaced one of the handles to help when doing the tool clamps. The kit ones are square and would not be very comfortable to use.

And this is most of the sub assemblies all ready for painting. There is also the wheels and a few small pins and other bits to add to this.

Hopefully I can get the first coat on tonight or tomorrow. 

I love all your scratchbuilt additions, mate! They really add a lot to this monster of a kit!

Thanks buddy. I am getting a real taste for this scratch building, its very rewarding.

Ok guys, how we getting on. Coming up to 2 months left on the GB.

I got the 88 painted over the weekend, I was even up at 2am Sunday morning spraying as we had no power all day Sat so was trying to catch up. I plan on getting some pics tonight before I get the decals on and started the weathering.

Here is a small update now that the painting is done and most of the decals are on. I am using Xtracolour's RAL 8020. I have done several coats going slightly lighter with each one, this should be enough to compensate for the effects of the filter. I have only added a few markings. For the DAK badge, I used the smallest 72nd Swastika I could find and then painted the palm tree by hand. I am going to add a couple more kill rings to the barrel, but doing it one at a time.

Next up, dry brushing with oils and then filters and washes. 

Fantastic work, mate! I love that little Palm tree you painted on the gun shield (I thought it was a decal untill I read the text)

Thanks buddy. I am pretty pleased with the palm tree. It took a few attempts, luckily I was able to rub the paint off quite easily, one advantage of enamels.

hey bish

you are going to need a big base for that.

picked up a BUNDESWEHR OZELOT SPAA (and a FUCHS 6x6 and a WOLF 4x4) at vendor table last week so i decided to reorganize my modern stuff and move my SPAA stuff. wow i have 2 ww2 halftracks, SGT YORK, VULCAN, AVENGER, SA-6 and SA-9) plus a pair of SA-10s in 1/72. guess i best get to building, eh?

It certainly is a sizable piece of wood. I got it cut and routed the other day (playing with my new toy's) and have it stained. I'm also making some badges for it from MDF which are looking ok so far.

Just a quick update before the weekend is over. I spent this week dry bruising with oils. After that I added the filters. I am using AK interactive DAK filter and wash. Its the first time I have used a filter and I am not sure what I was expecting. It has certainly changed the colour slightly, but I seem to recall it being said that filters add depth, but I just can't see it. And I was under the impression it would leave a semi gloss finish, but it is more flat than it was before. But the washes seem to be going down ok. I haven't added all the washes yet and have still to remove most of the excess.

If anyone see's anything I have missed, don't keep it to yourself. Theres a lot of nooks and crannies.