Under New Ownership GB [February 2005]

Thanks Reb! I got my Sig updated.

very nice work duke! My favorites are the t-34 and the panther.

geoff made a badge a couple pages back, that I must have forgoten to thank him for! I aplogize geoff, I must have got carried away with something.

here it is



i will be starting next weekend. I'm not sure I will get the dragon t-34 but I might be able to afford the italeri one in 1/72. Sure hope so.

Well, today I have officially earned my Badge for this Group Build. Yes, I have completed all my projects for this Build, and here are my pics showing my work.

Now, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the markings portrayed here, as I had found very little clear photographic evidence of markings that corresponded with the existing decals that I had. However, I have tried to place the markings based on descriptions I have read of how captured tanks were marked to make them as accurate as I could in that respect. Given the lack of recorded history of many captured vehicles, and the large quantity of captured vehicles used by all sides, (except the US ) there is no reason to believe that my depictions here aren't true and accurate.

With that being said, here are the models I have completed.

Starting with the Germans, here is a captured Matilda left behind by the retreating British on their way to Dunkirk or points west:



Next, here is a German T-34/76 captured from the Russians on the Eastern Front:



Now, we have the Russsians. During the early part of the war, they got quite a few Panzer IV's:



Later when the Germans started deploying them en masse, the Russians were able to pick up a few Panthers as well:



Okay people! That completes my participation in this Group Build. Still, I will check in to see everyone else's progress. I especially want to see other German T-34's as well as frosty's 'Cuckoo'!

Now, I showed you mine, now you all show me yours!


Now, where do I go to pick up my badge?

QUOTE: Originally posted by tankergeoff wow, thats some awesome work, duke!!!!!!!!!!!1

Thanks tankergeoff!

I've got some more pics to post a little later today.

wow, thats some awesome work, duke!!!!!!!!!!!1

You're welcome rebelreenactor. Always glad to help!

I haven't gotten GSM yet, but I want to. I've already decaled all my tanks though, so it wouldn't help me for this Build. Therefore, I can't vouch for the accuracy of any of these markings, but they sure do look good! I tried to think as if I were trying to mark these so that they would be more recognizeable to friendly forces, and not be attacked by them. I have a bit of weathering to do to them; once it is done, I'll post my pics!

excellent progress! I reall liekt he panther and t-34 camo jobs. I just remembered, if you have GSM 04, there was a russian panther in there. it was just like yours only it had some red brown in it.

oh ya, thanks for that zim info. Its gonna come in handy when I do my 1/72 King tiger dio.

Good luck with that frosty and Rebel! I know you'll both do well.

As promised, I have everything drying under a coat of Future right now, so here are the pics of my Armor before they were clearcoated. I apologize for the glare in some of these photos; I was using full sunlight that was streaming into my Hobby Room window.

Here is the Matilda. She's painted up in a scheme I once read was used by Britain when they shipped these over to France before Germany invaded:



This is my Panzer IV. I just kinda picked a pattern for it. I figured that the Russians may have eventually repainted it.



Here's my T-34. the pattern I used was copied from a Russian T-34 that I have in my collection. The German Balkenkreuse will look good on this:



What's this? Tiger stripes on a Panther?! Oh well, the Russians always seem to be confusing the names of their Big Cats:



Well, I am almost done here. Another day or so, and I'll have completed this Group Build. So, let's get going people! I want to see all your work now too!

I will start the Ferdinand/Elefant Group Build once I get done with this one.

i will probably b doing my zim via the cement & mini-screwdriver method also...
looks like a real workout 4 the optivisor !
getting it rite promises 2 b 'interesting', 2 say the least !

frosty

QUOTE: Originally posted by rebelreenactor Ya, I saw that one, is it in last years GSM? I am still stumped at zim in 1/72, N-e one got any ideas? geoff, did you decide to paint the tiger OD?

Reb, one idea I saw in the Ferdinand/Elephant Group Build was this:

Take some liquid cement, brush it on a part of the surface about 2-3mm wide by three or four mm. Then get a flat-blade miniature screwdriver with a blade about 1 1/2-2mm wide, and carefully press the blade into the surface of the model. Be sure to let the cement dry a little; if you do it too early the plastic becomes stringy. Once the cement dries a bit, the plastic is soft, and will imprint well. Then you move on to the next part.

It is a long and tedious process, but I've seen pics of the result and it is impressive. Also, if you have a scrap model, or piece of scrap plastic to practice on, I'd recommend it.

Good luck. I look forward to seeing how well this turns out for you.

I got all my kits to the clearcoating stage. I'll be shooting them with Future, and while they're drying, I'll come back and post pics.

Rebel, i haven't decided quite how to paint it, but i think it probably will end up OD.

Ya, I saw that one, is it in last years GSM?
I am still stumped at zim in 1/72, N-e one got any ideas?

geoff, did you decide to paint the tiger OD?

QUOTE: Originally posted by frostygirl QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog I'd say do "Cuckoo".... He'd look good next to your Erzats Panther! Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing your work here! Duke: thanx !!! i was thinking the same thing, Cuckoo will make a nice companion to the Ersatz M10... Panthers in strange clothing, LOL ! & i really like that hasegawa Panther ausf. G kit ! On the way !!! frosty

i got the turret, hull & main gun assembled... was almost ready 2 spray some OD,
but i was looking at the one pic i've seen of this 'Cuckoo' AFV,
the pic of the dio in GSM...
& i noticed 4 the first time that this vehicle has zimmerit, yikes !
something i've never tried before...
mite take me a little while longer than i originally thought, LOL !

frosty

i started my king tiger, and then decided i want PE grills and so I'm on hold waiting for them... that mesh mess is a mess.........

Okay, it is time ot bump this Thread back up before everyone loses it!

I managed to get a bit more progress done on my Armor for this Build; most of it painting with a little detail assembly.

To start out with, I finished the upper hull of the T-34 so that once I get the tracks assembled; all I'll need to do is glue it on and touch up the paint. I also put a basecoat on it, leaving unpainted areas where I'm going to detail paint better.



Next, I did a bit more work on the Panzer IV. I painted the wheels here on the lower hull:



This is a shot of some heartache prevention:



I figured painting that here before assembly will save me hassles later when the hull is assembled.

However, the turret is ready to go.



All I need to do is paint the persicopes, coax and end of the main gun and the turret will be complete.

Next came the Panther. I cemented the detail parts to the hull and installed the drive sprockets to the wheel assemblies.



I had started to paint the main hull, but then thought that there was still some detail painting I wanted to do first., so it is on hold.

That is about it for now. Another day or so should bring these to the clearcoating stage. I'll post pics when they are ready to decal.

Ill go check out rons page

QUOTE: Originally posted by Deusmex Thats the cuckoo alright , as used by the Coldstream Guards.

I figured that was the same tank.

QUOTE: Originally posted by frostygirl QUOTE: Originally posted by rebelreenactor Frosty, Are you planning on scratching that M-10 panther, or wait for the dragon one? rebelreenactor: i built an ersatz M-10 in 1/72 4 the Panther GB last year, using the hasegawa ausf G & scratchbuilding the conversion parts.. i'll c if i can find a pic... (sorry, i didn't realize Duke had already answered... thanx 4 the reply & the compliment, Duke ! ) frosty

No problem frosty, you deserve the praise! That was an incredible job you did; much better than I could have done. BTGW, pics of your Ersatz Panther are on page 7 of Rongeorge's Armor gallery.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Deusmex Thats the cuckoo alright , as used by the Coldstream Guards.

Yeah, I also saw a color image showing it in all Olive drab with the white stars on it. I think somneone still has a link to the page which profiles 'Cuckoo' earlier in this Thread.

Thats the cuckoo alright , as used by the Coldstream Guards.

my bad, It would be cool if you could find a pic, but dont hassle your self please!
I've seen a pic of a cuckoo, It had whitewash painted in stripes on the turret, same tank?

I started the P-38 1/48 , only 5% done, not much to see yet. I decided to build straight out of the box, but I may through in a detail engine. Still woking on getting Japanese decals for it, anyone know of Japanese decals that could fit on a P-38?

See?? If Id gone and done the cuckoo then frostygirl wouldnt have done one lol.
Here this cuckoos a popular tank innit?
Hmmm what to do what to do.... I do believe the Germans did like the old Humber whenever they could get their hands on one. I just have to find one that doesnt cost an arm and a leg.

QUOTE: Originally posted by rebelreenactor Frosty, Are you planning on scratching that M-10 panther, or wait for the dragon one?

rebelreenactor:
i built an ersatz M-10 in 1/72 4 the Panther GB last year,
using the hasegawa ausf G & scratchbuilding the conversion parts..
i'll c if i can find a pic...
(sorry, i didn't realize Duke had already answered...
thanx 4 the reply & the compliment, Duke ! )

frosty

QUOTE: Originally posted by rebelreenactor I will! On......... the last weekend in february! MAD armored car day!!! (cant wait) That is some great progress you've got there. Frosty, Are planning on scrathing that M-10 panther, or wait for the dragon one? LoneWolf1Seven, of course you can play, come on in, id be very happy to see one of those German b-17s. I think I am going to have to get something else, maybe dragons German T-34, it looks nice!

Thanks Rebel! I don't know if I'll wait till that long to re-start, but I wish you the best of luck.. I can't wait to see pics of your project as well!

Oh, and Frosty already scratch-built an M-10 Panther, and it came out incredibly awesome! She's now going to do "Cuckoo" a Panther that was captured intact by the British and used for quite some time. They will look great together. Rebel, the Dragon T-34 will look fantastic! I say go for it!

QUOTE: Originally posted by tankergeoff the LHS has my Ardennes KT under the counter for me..... Didn't think about it before, but I gotta get some American Stars to go with it..... The one I saw in the Pic had no numbering, only some stars..... I may get some decal paper for my printer, because the phrase "finders keepers" keeps sticking in my head.... might look kinda cool on the side of that KT

Tankergeoff, I have a decal sheet of US Armor Stars in 1/35th scale. I can cut out the larger ones for you and send them on if you like. As for lettering, maybe you can get a fine-tipped brush and paint the words on. That way, it'll look like some GI had taken a brush and slapped them on the side of the beast. It might add to the realism. I did it once to one of my 1/72 scale kits. Unfortunately, it was one that was too badly damaged by the movers way back when. I might try again on one of my kits I'm working on now.

the LHS has my Ardennes KT under the counter for me..... Didn't think about it before, but I gotta get some American Stars to go with it..... The one I saw in the Pic had no numbering, only some stars..... I may get some decal paper for my printer, because the phrase "finders keepers" keeps sticking in my head.... might look kinda cool on the side of that KT

I will! On......... the last weekend in february! MAD armored car day!!! (cant wait)
That is some great progress you've got there.
Frosty, Are planning on scrathing that M-10 panther, or wait for the dragon one?

LoneWolf1Seven, of course you can play, come on in, id be very happy to see one of those German b-17s.
I think I am going to have to get something else, maybe dragons German T-34, it looks nice!

QUOTE: Originally posted by tankergeoff slow down duke.... yer making me dizzy........ LOOKS GREAT! I haven't even gotten my King Tiger yet. Nice progress

Lol! Okay, I'll try to concentrate on my independent builds so I can get them off the bench.

Thanks for the compliments to my builds!

QUOTE: Originally posted by frostygirl QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog I'd say do "Cuckoo".... He'd look good next to your Erzats Panther! Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing your work here! Duke: thanx !!! i was thinking the same thing, Cuckoo will make a nice companion to the Ersatz M10... Panthers in strange clothing, LOL ! & i really like that hasegawa Panther ausf. G kit ! On the way !!! frosty

You're very welcome Frosty! I know you'll do him justice! I'm glad you're in Frosty, I can't wait to see 'Cuckoo'!

Okay people, I'm agonna slow down a bit, so who's gonna catch up to me?!

Can I play? I would like to get in on this build. Mine would be a B-17 in German markings.........

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog I'd say do "Cuckoo".... He'd look good next to your Erzats Panther! Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing your work here!

Duke:
thanx !!!
i was thinking the same thing, Cuckoo will make a nice companion to the Ersatz M10...
Panthers in strange clothing, LOL !
& i really like that hasegawa Panther ausf. G kit !

On the way !!!

frosty

slow down duke.... yer making me dizzy........ LOOKS GREAT! I haven't even gotten my King Tiger yet. Nice progress

Well, I got some more progress done on my four kits for this Build, especially the T-34. I installed the wheels on the lower hull and got them all painted once the wheels had dried:



While the wheels were drying, and before I painted them, I assembled the turret.



It was painted along with the wheels, but I had also waited for it to dry. I had three other kits I was building after all!

Then I heated the tracks for the Matilda so could move on with that kit. Here they are already assembled on the lower hull:



I decided to paint it in an Olive Drab and brown pattern; one that I'd seen in my WWII Encyclopedia. Hence, the Olive Drab paint on the outside.

Next I started up on my Panther again, building the roadwheels and getting them painted:



You can see them here next to the main hull, which I'd already started painting as well in the hard-to-reach areas that will be difficult to paint later in the build. Here is the shot of that paint on the main hull:



Here is a test fit again of the now-painted turret:



Moving right along, I managed to get all the roadwheels on the Panzer IV:



While they were drying, I built the upper hull:



Here is the turret being test-fit to the upper hull:



That's what I've got done so far. I hope everyone else is finding this Group Build as fun and and easy as I am!

Looking forward to seeing other people's builds!