Bob -- Verlinden makes a radio set for German vehicles, I've seen them used on this kit in a review or two. For mine, I'm planning on moulding and casting the radios from Alan's Bison II, which are the right scale and type. Re painting, my gut tells me to paint in subassemblies -- if there was any way to mount not only the shield but the gun as a whole after painting, that would ease things enormously. In the real thing the carriage and gun would be painted before final assembly, so following that order makes sense.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

I would leave the gun and shield off to make painting easier and attach after painting and detailing. Here is a link to the Dragon kit showing the radio set up:

www.1999.co.jp/.../4

Thanks for the help guys!

I would leave the gun off as well. That's what I plan on doing with my Marder. I will add the gun as late as possible, that way it doesn't get in the way and there's less chance of breaking something.

I found an old thread on the forums here where someone built this kit, so I'm using it as a guide for what sub-assemblies to have when painting.  I've finished the gun and shield, and started work on the body.  I haven't started scrounging around in my spares yet, hopefully I have something I can use for the radio.  I drilled out the back part of the gun sight and the muffler.

The Marder is looking good, Bob!

I started work on my Hetzer yesterday evening but I only managed to clean up a few parts and didn't build anything yet. I'll post some pics as soon as I mke enough real progress to warrant an update.

Great job on the Marder  Bob. That is a really nice kit and I love the decals it brings.

I have made some progress in a very tedious step, assembling and painting the tracks. Some links have to be assembled to match certain turns.

Here I place a piece of masking tape sticky side up, assemble the required number of links and then apply some liquid Testors cement. I let it cook for about 10-15 minutes so it's pliable.

While pliable, I carefully remove them from the tape and form them around the parts.

Most of the side is formed and painted. Once the bottom parts dry, the long top piece will be attached on top of the running gear.

The track was painted with Rustolium black primer for the shadows. I then mixed a combination of Testors flat black, rust and steel and was hand brushed. Once dry, a #2 pencil and a Prismacolor silver pencil were used to show wear points on the track, and sprockets. Once the track is on the Hetzer, I will apply some rust colored oil washes and some MMP powders to tie in the effect.

Good work there guys, they are both coming on very nicely.

All the sub-assemblies are built, now it's off to the paint booth.  I'm having drywall put up in my basement, so I'm going to wait to paint until the dust has settled from that.  Sorry for the blurriness of my pics, I'm not quite sure what is going on with my phone.

And dry-fitted together

PJ: Nice work there on the camo and the tracks!

Bob: Yeah, looks like you're all ready to go as soon as the dust settles!

Thanks Bish and Gamera. I'm presently working on a display plaque with terrain for it. I think the little plaque adds a nice touch to the presentation.

Some really great builds going on here!  Really enjoying this GB!

Got some time to do more on the Nashorn last night.  This Bandai kit is pretty nice.  No real fit issues, but I have seen a lot of ejector pin marks that need to be taken care of.  That's about the only negative so far.  Here are some progress pics.  Thanks for looking!

Eagle90

Another update. Whipped up the terrain for the small wood plaque and secured the Hetzer to the base. My handy extra helping hands is holding the engine hatch open till the glue dries.

Next will be attaching the tools, hatches, tow cables, small do that's, and attaching the side skirts and this little guy will be done. Hopefully that will be in the next update.

Eagle - That Nashorn looks like a neat little kit

Plasticjunkie - I love your weathering, and your interior looks great

Nice work PJ. I like how you have rusted the spare tracks but avoided it on the working tracks. Good call. Some nice staining on the back as well.

Eagle, nice start, unfortunately, ejector marks are a bain with some older kits, bt at least it seems better than the Nitto ones.

Eagle: For some reason when I first saw your first photo I was thinking it's a bedpan and thought 'OMG HE'S POOPING OUT ROADWHEELS...'  On a more serious note nice work, those injection pin marks make her look like an AFV Club kit though!

PJ: Never tried blending the model into the base like that but it's darn good idea!

silentbob33

Eagle - That Nashorn looks like a neat little kit

Plasticjunkie - I love your weathering, and your interior looks great

Thank you!  It is a nice little kit.  Going together well I'd say.

Eagle90

Bish

Nice work PJ. I like how you have rusted the spare tracks but avoided it on the working tracks. Good call. Some nice staining on the back as well.

Eagle, nice start, unfortunately, ejector marks are a bain with some older kits, bt at least it seems better than the Nitto ones.

Thank you Prof. Bish!  These ejector marks didn't take long to make disappear.  And like you said...it's not a Nitto kit!  This one has a few little quirks, but worlds better than the Nitto ones!

Eagle90

Gamera

Eagle: For some reason when I first saw your first photo I was thinking it's a bedpan and thought 'OMG HE'S POOPING OUT ROADWHEELS...'  On a more serious note nice work, those injection pin marks make her look like an AFV Club kit though!

PJ: Never tried blending the model into the base like that but it's darn good idea!

LOL!  That is too funny!  Great to start the day off with a good laugh!

Thank you.  The ejector pin marks are really nothing major.  Compared to the Nitto kits I did, this one is a joy to do.  The fit is pretty good, the instructions are understandable, there is a little bit of flash, but nothing to worry about.  All in all a good kit.

Eagle90

Thanks gents. I will be posting the finished product soon.  

Hey everyone.  Did some more work on the Nashorn.  I took pics, but forgot to post some of the first ones.  So here are the progress pics in order.  It has been a good kit.  No major issue other than when I started to paint it, I think the scale (it's 1/48) threw me off.  I was thinking 1/35 not 1/48, so the camo pattern may be off a bit.  Thanks for looking!

Eagle90

PJ: Looking forward to seeing those completed photos!

Eagle: Looking good, I didn't realize how small the Nashorn is in 1/48th till I saw her in your hand there. Camo looks fine, since it was applied by some dude with a spray-gun I wouldn't worry too much about how it looks because pretty much anything goes. Love the rusted out muffler and the worn paint in the fighting compartment. If I may nitpick a little, you might want to repaint the tow cable a dark grey and then rub some pencil graphite on it instead of the aluminum paint which is a little shiny!  

Gamera

PJ: Looking forward to seeing those completed photos!

Eagle: Looking good, I didn't realize how small the Nashorn is in 1/48th till I saw her in your hand there. Camo looks fine, since it was applied by some dude with a spray-gun I wouldn't worry too much about how it looks because pretty much anything goes. Love the rusted out muffler and the worn paint in the fighting compartment. If I may nitpick a little, you might want to repaint the tow cable a dark grey and then rub some pencil graphite on it instead of the aluminum paint which is a little shiny!  

Hey Gamera!  Thank you sir!  Yeah, she's not too big, but fun to build. 

Heck, I don't care if you nit pick...that's how I learn things! 

LOL!, i agree......I mean...uh, yeah, they just broke their other tow cable and they acquired a brand new one from supply!  Yeah, that's it! 

Seriously, Bish told me the same thing, but that is all I had and wanted to finish it, but I have since gotten some paint that might be more appropriate! 

Thanks for the kind words and advice!

Eagle90

LOL... yeap brand new cable!

I just point this out since I've been 'dinged' on this a couple times myself! 

Gamera

LOL... yeap brand new cable!

I just point this out since I've been 'dinged' on this a couple times myself! 

No worries Gamera!  That's how I learn!  I mean acquire a new cable from supply! 

Eagle90

Excellent progress Eagle and looking great.

Finally finished the little Hetzer. It was a very enjoyable build.

The lenses  of the optical device look white because the clear parts cement takes several days to cure in a thick application but eventually the clear blue color will be visible.  Hope you like my model!

sweet build PJ, love the detailing and the weathering and the inside looks really nice. Sweet base as well.

Just got back to the Marder after finishing the SU 85, I am hoping to get the fighting compartment done and pics taken before the end of the weekend as I am away next week.

Your Hetzer looks great! To echo Bish, the weathering and interior look amazing.

The drywall is up and sanded, I just need to shop-vac one more time then I'll be good to go to start painting my Marder.

Thanks guys! glad you like how the little guy came out.

Here's a couple more interior shots

engine compartment

I really like what you have done on the inside there PJ. I am not a fan of chipping on the outside of a vehicle, but the inside is a different matter and you have got this just right. Love the look of the rear end of the gun especially.