Battle For Germany 45 GB Starts Now - 08 May 06

I figure it';s money well spent though. I've been working on the thing for about 3.5 months now, so less than a hundred bucks a month.Figure about 10-17hours a month that's 35-59.5 hours in the project already. Not even halfway done yet so 80- 130hours minimum in the build. divide out and you get approx. 3.75 to 2.31 dollars per hour. Not too bad.

 

Ya see, the way I manged was that the project expenses came in at intervals. First the Tamiya T-72. Then a couple of weeks later the model point gun barrel and karaya tow cables. A month or so later, the AEF designs conversion and Eduard PE. Another fortnight or so, The friulmodel tracks and miniarm resin roadwheels got here. So they were pretty staggered. The estimate was with shipping and handling though...

TANKY - you must be totaly insane!  do you know how many wingy things I could by with that much!  I hope it looks drop dead beautiful for that much.  Well to each his own, I guess you don't have bills to pay or a mortgage/car payments etc. so you can spend your money on what ever you wish.  I'm sure it will be impressive, make sure you let us know when it is finished so we can all drool over it okay! 

quote>>Karl I sure hope they get the issues sorted out soon because you can guarantee if it's effecting you and Dave then it's got to be impacting other users as well.  But you've gotta love the old "it'll be fixed in the next release" line, boy if I had $1 for every time I heard that from a vendor I'd have almost enough money to buy Tanky's T-34 and all it's bits <<quote

Darren and Karl, have you ever heard of Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)?  They produce the most widely used GIS mapping software in the world and are 'partnered' with Microsoft.  I use their software everyday and think it stinks.  They give the same old line - it'll be fixed in the next release!  Then it costs you another 5000$ with a whole new set of bugs and problems then about 5 patches later, they release a new version, then the cycle repeats itself.  In the last three years we've gone through versions 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 9.0 and now 9.1 and there are still major bugs in certain areas.  At least once a week one of the 6 GIS mappers in my office have a crash and must restart their system.  Not a very good product in my mind but since everyone is using it (especially clients) so we have to too.  So, as a lowly peon, I just shake my head and plod on... sorry guys the frustration gets too much at times...

 

bobbailey wrote:

Karl-two quick questions-first-is this the 1/35th scale? Second-does it come with instructions that show paint schemes/decals that fit the criteria of this GB?

Bob Definitely the 1/35 version.

I was wondering the exact same thing last night, so checked the reference book I picked up for this build. The Tamiya Late G comes with the revised gun mantlet with 'chin' which puts it late 1944. It also comes with the heater over the rear left fan, which is even later '44, but the clincher is the late model exhaust shrouds introduced in early 1945.

Now obviously I am assuming that Tamiya have done their homework on the 3 options supplied, but I'll take that risk.

Jay I know your pain. I'm an IT change manager by day for one of the UK's bigger retailers, which means it's my job to sign off all the major IT changes to the comapany's IT infrastructure, which in turn means a possible impact to 400 stores and up to 70,000 employes if I get it wrong. If I'd let a implementation like this go through, I'd be out of job!

Karl

 

Thanks Karl-will definatly put the Panther on my 'wish list'. Might even try one for this GB. The Marder is out (for this build-can't find a representitve camo/number scheme for the parameters of the GB.  Not a problem-will wait for another build...I'm thinking an "Eastern Front" GB might be good for '06-'07...

I feel your pain on the implementation side also.  I support an ERP package ( and EDI also).  Change is hard enough.  Then when it doesn't work, things get ugly quick!

OH, and I will get some pics up of the La-7 cockpit and such when I return from London.

or you could do what my superiors do sometimes... decide you like something, ask someone to stay late and install it... when everyone comes in the morning there is something on their desktop that looks nothing like it looked the day before...

I kills me... I have trying to get a little change management theory across to them but they think I am just trying to get more power or "make waves"  we have a new "big" boss so maybe this will change too...

Well... there's an old saying 'you get what you pay for'. Considering FSM is providing this service for free I won't complain too loudly!

Karl, they are saying that firefox will work with this forum. I need to upgrade to OS X before that can happen (insert sad smiley face here)

razordws wrote:

Well... there's an old saying 'you get what you pay for'. Considering FSM is providing this service for free I won't complain too loudly! Karl, they are saying that firefox will work with this forum. I need to upgrade to OS X before that can happen (insert sad smiley face here)

Dave I know I shouldn't moan about something that is provided gratis, but I would have thought that it was in Kalmbach's interests to ensure that the forum works for all the members. After all the whole point of the forum from Kalmbach's perspective is advertising, and there's no point advertising in a format a large proportion of you target audience can't see properly.

Anyway, I'll give Firefox a try tonight and see if that makes any difference. I tried IE the other night, but that was even worse than Safari, evertime time I clicked a button, I ended up on a totally different page to the one anticipated!

Bob We use EDI here too.

Tanky Where are you going in London, I know a couple of very hobby shops to visit!

Karl

 

 

OK a week to go and since I can’t just sit here and wait I have done the unthinkable… built something that does not fly.  Actually this has been on the shelf for many months.  My 13 year old daughter loves the El Camino and we saw this is Michaels so I said I would build it for her. And after putting it off, I finally did.  The pics are not great, something wrong with my cameras, but they hide many mistakes.  Face it… I had no idea what I was doing.  Maybe I should have put a Merlin in it.

 

bobbaily wrote:

Thanks Karl-will definatly put the Panther on my 'wish list'. Might even try one for this GB. The Marder is out (for this build-can't find a representitve camo/number scheme for the parameters of the GB.  Not a problem-will wait for another build...I'm thinking an "Eastern Front" GB might be good for '06-'07...

Hey now that sounds like a great idea for a build, plenty of really cool schemes available for 109s on the Eastern Front and there's plenty of scope for some armour as well

Geez Marc for someone who had no idea of what he was doing you sure have managed to do a lovely job on that ute.  Fantastic paint job too

Cheers

Bob: Easstern front GB would be awesome. Just not anytime soon!

Marc: Did you preshade or post shade the panel lines? LOL
Seriously though it looks like you did a great job!

I'm with Dave, an Eastern Front GB would be great, just no time soon!

I've already got a set of decals for a Hungarian CR42 used in Russia in the summer of '41.......

......would certainly be different.

And a Kursk Tiger or Panther would be cool.

Too many things to build.....

Karl

 

 

...actually, the Eastern Front GB idea came from Rick a couple pages ago.  Still, something to think about, maybe mid to late '06....early '07....I'm gonna have to get a PDA to keep track of upcoming GB's! 

Nice job on the El Camino Marc.

I have been doing some research on the Eastern Front GB & will launch it late in 06 or early 07.  It will be open to Aircraft, Armor & Figure models.  There are some great subjects available in kits for this theater.  But, I'll wait until an open spot in the GB schedules to show up, if ever .

Regards,  Rick

rjkplasticmod wrote:

But, I'll wait until an open spot in the GB schedules to show up, if ever .

Good Luck!  HaHa, I was going to get my Allied Aces GB posted soon and I was thinking of starting it in May, just kind of forcing it's way in there and doing it.  I like the sounds of the Eastern Front GB.  Maybe I'll actually get around to doing a tank?  maybe something in 1:72 so I can also build a plane too.  Maybe a Russian fighter? its a lllooonnngg way off yet so I have loads of time to think about it.

Thnaks all for the comments on the "thing without a wing" and now back to the matters at hand.  Eastern front GB?  I'm in!

Well, just noticed that I got my old name back (without the 'e', which comes from work 'cause hp-unix

only allows an eight letter login, but I digress...) and my posts!  Whoopee!  Anyway Rick-thanks for launching the Eastern Front GB-should be a good build-a lot of history and good subject matter.

On a more relevent subject matter, I reviewed the Eduard PE set for the Revell 109g and compared them to the kit instructions & the kit.  Me doth thinkith that Revell made more than one 109g kit.  The two don't match. Think I'll cut my losses and build this one OOB with AM decals.  Little is visible thru the canopy anyway.  Might try to pick up another build at HobbyLobby (if I go tomorrow).

 

Bob - I am a former AIX user... I used to love the 8.3 thing.. it left some users with interesting login names!  Especially people like Carl Butters... 

I plan on hitting HL tomorrow and see what I can pick up... lately they have had an interesting assortment... the Tamiya "Anteater" Do335.. some new armor and ships... LOT's more Hasegawa and Tamiya stuff instead of the Revell/Monogram stuff... 

Not to knock Revellogram.  Right now I am building the Tamiya Aces of the Eigth P-51 alongside the Monogram P-51.  They are very similar, but for what the Revell kit lacks on the inside it makes up for on the outside, the port wing gun bay is molded so it can be posed open... with a little scratch building it could look very nice!  The lower engine cowl is the same story, with some scratchbuilding and an AM engine it would look great!  The Hasegawa goes together easier and looks decent with less work but the Monogram issue has promise!!!

Marc - awesome job on that El Camino... is that about a '66 or so?  I had a '69 Chevelle, the car version of the El Camino... got a lot of spare parts for it from the junkyard off of old El Caminos...

 

Speaking of Revell/monogram has anyone ever built the 1/48 Revell Mitchell

Jules you know you were looking for the Supermarine whatsit in your avatar, apparently Testors make one in 1/48.

You probably already know that, but there were shots of one on Hyperscale the other day, and I suddently remembered this evening that you'd been looking for one.

The wonder of Alzheimers, new friends every day!

Karl

Darren-change in plans-picked up the Tamiya 1/48 Me-262 today.  Please consider that my entry for this build.  Also picked up the 1/35 Panter G late, might build that one also, time permitting. Dropping the bf-109g & the Marder-saving one or both for Rick's Eastern Front GB.

 Thanks

Tom-I'm in agreement regarding the Monogram/Revell line.  I enjoyed building them after diving back in after a 30+ year break-inexpensive, popular items, etc.  However, I too look for a little more detail/challenge.  Went to HL today, picked up the above.  Selection at my HL wasn't that good-very limited Acc. Min. selection, almost no Hasge. kits, only armour was Tamiya with a few Dragon (two to be exact)-no Acadmey-was wanting the M-36 or M-10.  And I'm finding that my LHS might actually be cheaper unless I buy multiple kits-60 + miles each way to HL...and then add in the time.  Oh well, I'm covered in builds for a while anyway.

 

Marc-great job on the El Camino.

Bob what do you think of the Panther?

Karl

Bob - my HL has quite a selection going now... mostly Tamiya and Hase I think I mentioned.  They've even started putting a couple of "fringe" type kits on the shelves.  Like the Do335 Anteater (UGLY plane!) but oooooh so tempting!!!  The armor section is expanding with a lot more Dragon and Academy than Tamiya.  Most come with the indie links and aluminum barrels in the box with them.  I didn't make it today and am really trying to hold back for money's sake going tomorrow but I fear temptation might win... that anteater sure would look good on the TV!  And who knows... might pick up something else different.  I am almost out of Martlets ya know... 

Bob that's an excellent choice you've made there, that Tamiya 232 is an excellent kit.  One of the niftiest [sp] features is the fact that they incorporated the counter-weight needed to stop the kit from being a tail sitter.  By the way, are you doing the 262A-1a fighter or the 262A-2a fighter bomber?

Jules I suddenly realised I don't have a build against your name, you're doing the Tamiya 1/48 Heinkel HE-219A-7 UHU aren’t you?

 

Tom the Dornier 335 may be ugly but I agree that is one tempting kit.  Alongside the HE-219A-7, the 335 is on must buy (and do) before I kark it list.

 

All, I was mucking around this afternoon so I decided to take a photo of the 1/32 262 lined up against 1/48 Bf-109.  Big difference huh?

 

 

Cheers

Darren - Wow!  One big aircraft... I've seen the 262 at the Smithsonian Air and Space musuem and it is one beautiful AC for sure!

I agree on the anteater Darren... once I saw this ugly mug I decided it was fringe enough looking at least for me...

Darren, That pic convinces me to stay mostly with 1/48 .

Tom, I've built a couple of the Tamiya 1/48 DO 335's & it is a great kit.  You would enjoy the build.

Regards,  Rick

KJ200 wrote:

Bob what do you think of the Panther? Karl

 

Karl-I haven't opened it yet!...asked my wife to wrap it up and give it to me as a Christmas present (a way to minimize the guilt of buying something I didn't need).  I figure the Me 262 will keep me busy till then, along with an Old Guns GB that is testing my patience (old Monogram Funny Car with bad decals).  Looking forward to opening it though....

 

Darren-262A-1a ...and you're right-wonderful kit-plenty of details and three decal options that are all approiate for this build.  Now the tough choice-grey or green splinter....maybe a straw poll is in order.

 

Tom-hope you have a productive visit to Hobby Lobby today!

Darren I toyed with the idea of asking Santa for a Trumpeter Me 262, I'm really glad I didn't, I'd have nowhere to put it!

The 262 is a big fighter in any scale, of course not quite as big as the Dornier 335.  Tom the 335 is an intriguing machine, and a remarkable one to. It's a good job nobody at the RLM had the foresight to realise just what a formidable machine Claude Dornier was proposing back in 1942, otherwise we would have been in big trouble. Could you imagine the Luftwaffe defending the Reich day and night with large numbers of 262s and 335s!!!! Far too scary.

Bob, you'll love the panther when you open it. The kit is stunning, both in terms of it's sheer size, though I must admit I have asked Santa for a Dragon Jagdtiger, and the way in which it is engineered. Here's an illustration of the size...



...and yes they are both 1/35 and mounting a 75mm gun!

Karl

Karl - I was reading up on this today and it really was fascinating.  Seems everyone had an idea that it was a good plane.  In fact somehow it was re-regulated from a fighter/bomber role because of its abilities and the high hopes they had for it against the bombers... somehow though after the Dornier plant it was built in was bombed a major part of the production was shifted to the Heinkel plants... well Mr. Heinkel would hear none of this as he felt his fighter the He219 was superior so he kind of swept it under the rug.  Even after being visited and prodded by Goering he had one thing after another keep him from starting to produce these.  So the only production was happening in a facotry without the capability to really carry this thing through.  Anly about 100 were made with most being prototypes of one sort or another.  They feel they were actually used in combat even though they weren't reported by the allied aircraft because they were well suited to night fighting.  Hitlet even dropped the 262 from the primary production mark towards the end and ordered the 335 be given mass priority but again Heinkel muffed it up.  (Lucky for us)  They even had plans for a side by side 2 seater one with an advanced radart which would have made it a very formidable night fighter, one on flying, one on watching the radar and handling weapons.

There is definatly some interesting builds being done for this GB...I really like the Do 335 and i've had the single seat version with the Ares resin engine in the stash that i was planning on sticking in the back but alas i have not been able to find any decent referance material relating to the engine mounts and engine bay layout....

 

Darren Yeah mate i'm doing the HE 219 BTW Darren i'm forward planning here and i was wondering whether or not the Airfix 1/72 RAF rescue launch would fit the bill for the next BoB GB, apparently they were used quite extensivly during the Battle of Britain but i'm not sure whether or not the upcoming GB is going to be exclusivly Aircraft or not.....