Panzer Aces GB January 2007 to May 31, 2008

You are very welcome Larry. Glad to be of help. Looking forward to seeing how this comes out. 

Duke "waiting for an Ace to try my hand" Maddog

Duke Maddog wrote:

Duke "waiting for an Ace to try my hand" Maddog

You're a funny guy Duke

I've been so busy with my P-40E and Bf109D that I haven't had a chance to try and find my notes on the 12th SS.... they are somewhere in my "fortress of solitude" which is cluttered with all kinds of reference books, model parts etc. 

espins1 wrote:

Duke Maddog wrote: Duke "waiting for an Ace to try my hand" Maddog You're a funny guy Duke I've been so busy with my P-40E and Bf109D that I haven't had a chance to try and find my notes on the 12th SS.... they are somewhere in my "fortress of solitude" which is cluttered with all kinds of reference books, model parts etc.

No problem my friend! Take your time.

I thought you'd like that!

I owe you guys some pictures.....but they are not pretty.  After I sprayed the base color coat I noticed too many "build" flaws.  So I filled, sanded, trimmed, etc.  Then painted it again.  My thought then was to attempt a "whitewash" type of effect by spraying an incomplete flat white over the base color. 

That didn't look too bad, but then I did some remediation work, which has left this Hornisse looking a bit like a calico cat.  I'm all thumbs when it comes to working with superglue, and created a bit of a mess, which required even more remediation.  I was hesitant to post these pics.................but what the heck - we are all friends here.  It will look much better when I'm done...that's if I don't drive over it in my car first.  

You're a braver soul than I Plastic_Cross as that Nashorn is a challenging kit by anyone's standards.    I haven't had the courage to start it yet as I want to get a little more armor building experience under my belt before I tackle that puppy. 

The beauty of modelling is that we can always whip out the old airbrush and touch up if necessary.  That's one of the reasons I love working with Tamiya Acrylics.... they're relatively forgiving as you can strip paint or remove just small areas if necessary with just a little bit of Windex on a Q-tip and spray again. 

Thanks for posting those pics amigo!    You should be able to touch up those couple of boo boo areas without too much trouble.  Are there any danger areas I need to worry about for when I start building that kit?

Plastic_cross, the Nashorn is looking good already! I would say to both you and espins1 that the trick to successful SPG modeling is to add a lot more to the interior than is provided in the kit - you must make it look "lived in". Think of what you would have with you if you pretty much lived in it. For example, most kits like this provide MP-40's in their clip-on mounts - so add at least two if not four MP-40 ammo pouches. Would you be thirsty after serving an 88 for three hours? Then add canteens. Does it have an MG? Then add ammo cans. Would you waste space on a gas mask when it's already 1944 and there's been no chemical warfare to speak of? Throw it out. Do you drive randomly or follow the guy in front of you, or should you maybe have map case? Binoculars? Mess kits? Bedrolls? Extra clothing? Playboy...maybe not  Every necessary for life and combat should be present. I've done this with my Wespe I'm building for the SPG GB, and it really makes it stand head and shoulders above your average SPG model.

As far as the painting, don't be discouraged! I've built so many models I would consider myself to be an airbrush master by now, but just last night I spilled the color cup onto the model while painting - I guarantee you it looked a lot worse than any mistake you've made. (The picture of the error is in the SPG/Artillery GB thread if you want to have a look). Just keep it up!

Thanks a lot for the encouragement.  I spent several hours this weekend and ended up taking three steps backwards.  I think this kit has me spooked ! 

I have another Nashorn kit (DML 6166), which can be modifed into a Hornisse.  Although the current build is salvageable, I think I need to start this thing over again.  I'll re-use the tracks and wheels, and possibly the gun too. 

Scott - I don't think there is anything that is super difficult on the construction.  There are errors in the instructions, but these are identified on the Perth site.  I really think that my problems with this kit are a result of me not fully concentrating and focusing on what I'm doing.  Also, I think I tossed out the 2nd "A" sprue by mistake while cleaning my office, because I was missing half of the "A" parts.  I ended up scratch building some of the parts, which did not turn out the greatest.

I am going to take a week or so off from this particular build, then start from the beginning again.  Hopefully I'll be rid of the bad karma I've got.

Larry

"Dragon 1/35 JagdTiger 5%"

Does that mean you opened the box?

Hermesminiatures wrote:

"Dragon 1/35 JagdTiger 5%" Does that mean you opened the box?

 That's a good one Hermes .  But the big laugh is on me as I have to reset my Hornisse back to 0% .

Hermesminiatures wrote:

"Dragon 1/35 JagdTiger 5%" Does that mean you opened the box?

aye, opened the box, studied the directions, done some research, drooled on the parts and then washed them off. 

Hermesminiatures wrote:

As far as the painting, don't be discouraged! I've built so many models I would consider myself to be an airbrush master by now, but just last night I spilled the color cup onto the model while painting - I guarantee you it looked a lot worse than any mistake you've made. (The picture of the error is in the SPG/Artillery GB thread if you want to have a look). Just keep it up!

Thanks Hermes.  I looked at your photos.  I would have freaked out if it happened to me.  You made a brilliant recovery.....your Wespe looks fantastic.  I also appreciate your painting step by step pictures.  I am still baffled by camo and your post really helped me out.

Larry

Hermesminiatures wrote:

If you have an even somewhat decent printer, just get some good clear decal film and print the text at an appropriate size from MS Word or Photoshop or etc. It can't be any easier than black text. If you want to try it you can get some Expert's Choice clear decal film (it's the best kind) and then seal the finished decals with a light coat of flat lacquer to prevent the inks from dissolving.

Here's my really dumb question   - Do you seal the decals before submersing in water?  Or are you referring to sealing after application?  I'm familiar with laser/inkjet printers and was concerned about the ink running when the decal is submerged prior to application. Which is why I'm thinking that the lacquer coat goes on before dipping in water?

Larry

Thanks.......again Hermes.  I'm sure I would have made a mess without the having the wisdom of your experience.

 Larry

"For every modeling technique that works, I have three that don't"

I love your signature line Hermisminiatures, that's great! 

Well, I'm finally back home and itching to start my Von Rosen King Tiger!  I spent the last hour getting caught up on the forums and see that there has been some progress in our GB!

Plastic_Cross's build of Albert Ernst's Hornisse is coming together very nicely!!  Great work Larry!  Is it a "Hornisse" or a "Nashorn"?  I think I saw it referred to both in the posts.  I don't know these particular vehicles very well so please excuse the confusion.

Duke Maddog, I want to apologize for not PMing you while I was in LA.  I didn't have a computer at work and my buddy got sent to Alaska and took his laptop with him!  I didn't have internet access for over a week.  I never did get to go to a hobby shop while I was there. 

Scott,  I see that you popped the top on your Dragon Jagdtiger box!! YEAH BABY YEAH!  5% is better than 0%!  Maybe I'll catch up to you this weekend!  I also read in the General Discussion Forum that you are planning a Dragon Panther G Group build??  If so.....SIGN ME UP!!  SIGN ME UP!!  I've been wanting to get that kit, but only after I finish the Dragon Early A and the Tamiya Early G in my stash.  But if you do get this Panther GB going then I may have to put the Dragon G at the top of my Panther build list! 

Anyway guys, its great to be back and hope to be posting WIP photos soon.

Ernest

Hi Ernest, glad to see you made it back safely.  How was your trip?

I've done just the preliminary stuff on my JagdTiger, but progress should start moving exponentially next week as I'm almost finished with my P-40E for the CBI GB.

Unless someone else beats me too it I think I'll start a Dragon Panther GB later this year.  Depending on how much interest there is I may also open it up to all the latest Dragon releases like the M4 and Pz IV series.  I'll put out a feeler post in the not too distant future to see if there is enough interest.  I would love it if we could get a bunch of us building those Panthers! 

espins1 wrote:

Hi Ernest, glad to see you made it back safely.  How was your trip? I've done just the preliminary stuff on my JagdTiger, but progress should start moving exponentially next week as I'm almost finished with my P-40E for the CBI GB. Unless someone else beats me too it I think I'll start a Dragon Panther GB later this year.  Depending on how much interest there is I may also open it up to all the latest Dragon releases like the M4 and Pz IV series.  I'll put out a feeler post in the not too distant future to see if there is enough interest.  I would love it if we could get a bunch of us building those Panthers!

Scott, the China trip was very nice!  Never been to Asia before so it was a blast to see their culture and society.  We went to Shenzhen which is very "westernized", but Hainan was much more rural and old fashioned.  Unfortunately I didn't get to visit any hobby shops in Hong Kong as I had planned.  Maybe next time!

Glad to see that you're almost done with the P-40E!  Which GB is this in?  I'll have to check it out!

As for future GBS, I'm into all the Dragon M4s and am eagerly awaiting the release of their new Pz IV F2/G kit.  The Panther is my favorite WWII tank and it seems Dragon kits are the ultimate!  The Early A I have in my stash also has Cavalier zimmerit, 2 sets of PE, Aber rod cleaning kit and metal barrel.....its SWEEET!  Just needs AM tracks to finish the accessories.  Well, that and then building the sucker!  I would love to be involved in a totally Panther GB!!

Ernest

espins1 wrote:

I would love it if we could get a bunch of us building those Panthers!

Scott - I just recently got the Dragon Panther G Smart Kit (my first Panther kit), and so you might be able to lure me in that direction.

Ernest - Thanks for the nice comments.  Unfortunately, the build took a turn for the worst and the Hornisse hull is now sitting in a dark corner.  Just a minor setback - while I am regrouping to attack that kit again, I plan on building Rudolph Roy's Jagdpanzer.  I plan to start that shortly.

Larry

Even if we get only 5 or 6 participants, we gotta do a Panther GB later this year. 

I should be at a point where I can work on my JagdTiger soon.  I'm busy wrapping up two other GBs, one should be finished by the end of the weekend, the other about a week after that. 

Just getting started on Hans Bolter's early Tiger I.  I have not been able to find any reference as to his tank number.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  If not then he will be commanding tank number 131.

 Ronnie 

redd_34 wrote:

Just getting started on Hans Bolter's early Tiger I.  I have not been able to find any reference as to his tank number.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  If not then he will be commanding tank number 131.  Ronnie

Which unit was he in?  Given his unit I might be able to find something for you rather quickly when I get home. 

He was in s.Pz.Abt. 502 1st companie during the early Leningrad offensive.  Anything would appreciated.

Thanks

bummer... I was hoping there would be a pic in "Tigers in Combat II" by Wolfgang Schneider, published by Stackpole Books.  They have a chapter devoted to the 502nd, but unfortunately nothing on Bolter. 

When I get a chance, I'll dig through some of my other Tiger books.  Going to put some decals on my P-40E. 

bufflehead wrote:

Hey Ron, I'll check when I get home to see if I can find any pix of Bolter's Tiger.  I have few other references on Tigers.

Thanks alot!!!

Ron

Ron, these may not be what you're looking for, but you might find these interesting anyway.  The first is a pic of Bolter in the commanders cupola.  The other 3 show the unit org numbering on several different dates.  You'll notice there are some single digits there for a short period.  Stark testimony to how mauled they got, although they dished it out better than they got.