1944 Group Build

Just curious, will the 1945 GB allow for any "what if" vehicles? I don't have anything specific in mind, but I know there were a lot of drawing-board and test designs that never actually saw combat.

Should have some final pics of the T-34 today or tomorrow.

Steve, no, but there was an idea to wound this all off with a 1946 What If GB for 2016. mainly because the German aircraft fall under the title Luft 46 and the 46 has been applied to other nations as well. I have quite a selection of Luft 46 and paper Panzer kits so will defiantly make sure that one goes of.

And I know this is thinking years ahead, but for those who have been along for these GB's you will know they started with a 42 GB in 2012. But, assuming we are all still here in 2019, I would like to start the whole thing off for 80th anniversary GB's running all the way through.

Hopefully, me and Stik can get together tonight, the timing was a bt out last night, he came on about 4am my time. Bloody time zone.

Ok, time for a small update this week. I couldn't get to the masking until Thurs night and was able to get the camo scheme on tonight. I used white tac on the sides and did the front rear and top without masking. After spraying the green and brown, I then removed the masking and went over it with a thinned coat of Dark Yellow. This was a bit to much, so I then free handed some more green and brown. Overall, I am really pleased with it and have the result I wanted. There is not as much brown lower down as the AFV image shows, but I think that's a bit to much anyway judging by the pic of the real thing, well that's my guess anyway.

I have decided to start including progress pics of the base, figures and the rest of the dio as for me the kit is only one part of it. And this week I have been working on these pieces. The wall, which is from MK 35, was painted grey and then I went over various blocks with different shades of grey.  It then got a few washes of various oil colours and ended with a coat of future. I had intended to go for a lighter grey lok as it shows on the box, but I much prefer this.

The base is now ready for celluclay which will be added when the vehicle is further along.

And finally the figures. One the right is 2 Alpine resin figures, one of which is Kurt Meyer. I have really come to like the Alpine figures. The 2 metal figures are Hornet and the plastic one is from a Draon set. I have altered the right arm slightly and still have to finish that.

All comments welcome of course.  

Thanks, Bish & nomad.  It's just the little fiddly stuff like this that's left.  I hope to finish up this week.  I have a Stuka waiting.

Also finished up the scout planes.  They are also from Trumpeter, but not the kit planes.  Trumpeter's separate set comes molded in clear plastic--the kit's planes were not.  I had some left over from the floatplane GB a few years ago.

That is really an outstanding painting on the half-track, Bish.  What a great job you did!  Fantastic!

Still can't believe how good those little planes are. Very nice. And a Stuka you say. MMMM, I wonder if there is a GB for that

Thanks check. I was a bit concerned about this scheme but I am really pleased with how its turned out and its nice to have something a bit different.

CMK: Boy, that's some really sharp rigging you have done. It is very nicely done. And your Kingfishers are great. You certainly have a knack with them there miniature planes.

Bish: Outstanding paint job on your camo. That there warrants some bowing in your general direction. Just sweet. So, how did you pull it off. Do tell.

I'm progressing along with the tri color camo on the Hellcat. I had to redo the white "half moon" flashes right under the tail planes. Just about done masking for the dark sea blue. I'll have some pics up right directly.

While considering the '45 GB, I'm finding myself a bit limited in my choices from my stash. I was hoping I'd have something that I could knock out fairly easily because come the start of the new year my bench time is going to be further limited. This is unfortunate. Since having seen the terrific ship builds here I'd love to build either the Tamiya CV 14 USS Ticonderoga or the Trumpeter USS Baltimore. Just not sure I'd be able to pull those off by the end of next year. Despite this I remain hopeful in finding something to do.

Thanks Joe. No real secret, the worst bit was the masking and trying to match the images. I did over do the DY overspray a bit and so added some more green and brown and then gave another light over spray, I think that's what really helped. So really it was just by chance.

I know what you mean about 1945. I don't actually have many that I can defiantly pin to that year, but I have a lot for 46.

Thanks, Joe & Bish.  Only thing with the Kingfishers, I managed to know the prop blades off one of them.  I guess it'll be on the catapult doing an engine run-up.

A Stuka GB?  Know where I can find one? 

Picture time! Here's the completed model, Tamiya's 1:35 Soviet T34/76 "ChTZ". The model was built box-stock, using Tamiya acrylic paint, Doc O'Brien's weathering powders and Archer dry-transfer decals. Archer's note on the marking is "Poland, 1944", which would make this vehicle part of Operation Bagration, summer '44. This was my first Tamiya model and it really was a pleasure to build, despite its being a relatively old kit (the box copyright says 1990). This was also my first Soviet armor kit, as well as my first base. Overall I'm very happy with how it turned out, and I had a great experience with both the build and the GB. Special thanks to Bish and Schatten Sparten, and thanks to all of you for following along. It's great to be among such talented and supportive modelers.

That's nice Steve, really nice work on the base as well. Thanks for being a part of the GB.

checkmateking02

Thanks, Joe & Bish.  Only thing with the Kingfishers, I managed to know the prop blades off one of them.  I guess it'll be on the catapult doing an engine run-up.

A Stuka GB?  Know where I can find one? 

I am sure there must be one around here some where. Such an awesome lovely mean looking aircraft as the Stuka should always have a GB going, don't you think

Wow!!! What great work Raven, Bish and CMK. The dio looks great Raven. Great job.

Bish you have done a fantastic paint job there. the detail is just  awesome.

CMK, how did you get all that detail on those little planes? I still have not got mine even glued together yet much less painted. Mine did not come with any decals for the planes so I do not know what to do with that. Thinking back on this build I have learned a lot. I think I will try my hand at another ship soon.

Thanks for all the help and tips on all the builds that I have done. You all are just awesome.

Doug

Thanks Doug. We try our best to help out and what goes around comes around.

Your welcome Bish.

Okay here are some update photos. Still a lot of work to be done. Please be easy on me for the paint job, but I need your comments on how to make the next one better. A lot better.

got the clear coat on, deck and all top side, and going to get the clear coat on the hull so I can start weathering.

That's looking good Doug. I can't comment on painting ships, but I do notice you have had a little run that's run under the mask. I have heard of people painting the previous colour after masking and then painting the next, though I am not sure how this stop the paint running under the mask. But the runs don't appear nothing a little touch up with a brush won't resolve, that's what I normally do.

Looks excellent, Steve; a real tribute to the Soviet juggernaut.

Awesome bird, the Stuka.

Did some work on one last night.  Now I need to get over there and officially sign up.

Thanks, Doug.  Actually, there isn't much to assemble on a plane in 1/700 scale.  These float planes consisted of the fuselage/wings, the main float and two wing floats.

I lost the wing floats for both planes, so I used the floats that came from the kit parts.

Trumpeter markets a bunch of after-market aircraft for ships in 1/700.  I'm not sure, but they might make them in 1/350, too.  The ones I've purchased have always come with decals for the planes--whether they are scout planes from a cruiser or battleship, or the air group for a carrier.

Starfighter decals makes after-market decals in 1/350.  Mark the owner is a good guy and his products are excellent.  I've used both his 1/700 and 1/72 offerings.

www.starfighter-decals.com/1350-de.html

When I mask planes this tiny, I use a combination of masking tape (thin strips) and liquid decal potion to cover the clear canopy, then a combination of tape and poster tack for the rest--depending on what seems to work best.  I use a black acrylic paint applied with a brush for the engine and props, assuming the props haven't broken off by that time.

If your're interested in how it works, you can check into the carrier aviation GB still going on.  I did up the USS Enterprise air group from Midway--Dauntlesses.  The photos and techniques might be helpful when you get to working on Missouri's scout planes.

I think you've got the Measure 32 camouflage scheme down really well, Doug.  Good job and very well-executed.  It's going to look great when finished.

What Bish said about apply the base color before adding the second color is true, and I often do this even when airbrushing.  I think it works because the second coat of the first color sort of seals the edge of the masking tape, preventing the second color from seeping under the tape.  I always do this when I paint yellow tips on aircraft propellers.

Anyway, great work on Missouri!  Keep it coming!

Great work thus far guys!! That T-34's a real beauty Steve, well done!!

checkmateking02

I think you've got the Measure 32 camouflage scheme down really well, Doug.  Good job and very well-executed.  It's going to look great when finished.

What Bish said about apply the base color before adding the second color is true, and I often do this even when airbrushing.  I think it works because the second coat of the first color sort of seals the edge of the masking tape, preventing the second color from seeping under the tape.  I always do this when I paint yellow tips on aircraft propellers.

Anyway, great work on Missouri!  Keep it coming!

That makes sense, I have not tried it myself, but then its not that often I need to use tape for masking.

Ok guys, the 1945 GB is now up and running. Stikpusher will be running the roster. I know you guys know the drill, same rules as before, I will fill in the details in a bit for those who don't.

cs.finescale.com/.../163030.aspx

Spent most of the afternoon adding five pieces of sprue to this for rigging, including the flag.

Rigging isn't quite as taut as I'd like it, but I had to do some over again, after I tightened it, cuz it pulled the mast out of alignment.

CMK, that is so good, watching your build with great admiration. May get brave and try a ship myself one day.

Thanks, lost!  They really aren't that bad!

Steve: Your T-34 looks great on the base. You did a really nice job.

Doug: Oh yeah, that is some really outstanding work you have done on your camo. Kudos to you on your patience and efforts.

CMK: The extra time you put in on that rigging to get it right definitely paid off. That is some very remarkable craftsmanship you're demonstrating.

I managed to get the dark sea blue on the wings and tail today. Took me a little extra time in that I had a little mishap with some pre used silly putty. I used some putty that I had just used to mask for the white half moons under the tail to size up what I would need to mask the side of the fuselage. Well, I had not kneaded it near enough and when I lifted it back off to trim it I discovered a mess of little white paint flecks embedded into the gloss coat. So, I had to take some time to spray on some repair IB and some new gloss coat. But, she's all good now. I'll have some pics tomorrow as I ran out of time before the Denver Bronco game started.

Thanks Joe.

CMK, That is some fine rigging you have done there. Going to try and start my rigging today. Hope it turns out like yours. First time at doing it.

Everyone is doing such a great job on their builds. Keep up the great work all.

Mornin' Gentlemen. Here's a quick update pic of where I am currently at. Now to putty mask for the upper fuselage dark blue and get that on.

Joe:  thanks for your comments:  and that's nice work on the painting, there.  The three-colors is a pretty attractive scheme.  

Nomad:  thanks; and good luck with your rigging; be prepared to be patient with it; don't be afraid to redo it if necessary (it's why I use white glue; you can fix the goof-ups!); and take a break and walk away from it when it becomes frustrating.