Italeri Group Build Sept. 1, 2006-Jan. 15 2007

I've paused for the moment on the upper hull of my Panther as I determine what to install now and what to install later to facilitate spraying the camo.  I hope to be at a point where I can spray the base camo this weekend.  I'm still trying to decide which scheme to do.

The kit I have is pretty old and I'm a little concerned about the integrity of the decals.  I've had this kit for at least 12 years, maybe longer.  Are there any decent aftermarket decals out there?  Any brands out there worth focusing on?

espins1 wrote:

I've paused for the moment on the upper hull of my Panther as I determine what to install now and what to install later to facilitate spraying the camo.  I hope to be at a point where I can spray the base camo this weekend.  I'm still trying to decide which scheme to do. The kit I have is pretty old and I'm a little concerned about the integrity of the decals.  I've had this kit for at least 12 years, maybe longer.  Are there any decent aftermarket decals out there?  Any brands out there worth focusing on?

Same boat as you. I recommend Archer dry transfers myself. Saves the job of futuring.

zokissima wrote:

tigerman wrote: Just decalling and weathering. I cringe when I say weather. Did I just read it correctly? You will be weathering?

Hehehe. Well, not in the manner that you would normally take. I do prefer subtle myself. My poor picture taking really doesn't show the drybrushing and such that well.

tigerman wrote:

espins1 wrote: I've paused for the moment on the upper hull of my Panther as I determine what to install now and what to install later to facilitate spraying the camo.  I hope to be at a point where I can spray the base camo this weekend.  I'm still trying to decide which scheme to do. The kit I have is pretty old and I'm a little concerned about the integrity of the decals.  I've had this kit for at least 12 years, maybe longer.  Are there any decent aftermarket decals out there?  Any brands out there worth focusing on? Same boat as you. I recommend Archer dry transfers myself. Saves the job of futuring.

I've heard of them, but I don't know much about Archer dry transfers.  How do those work?  I'm assuming they work very differently than normal decals.  Will I be able to get the markings onto the zimmerit? 

Just thought about doing a little update tonight.  The construction is almost done, I would estimate it at 2 days (if my tool brackets don't go wrong ) The gun and the shield have been completed for some time now, so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

I just glued the front fenders. It took me a while to form them, glue, putty, reputty, rereputty and reglue them   It's not that waisted, cause they look just slightly beaten up.

I made the rear fender's spring from small wire by twisting it around a needle. Took me a while to then be able to get the legs to stick out a the right angle. I had to make only 5

Tell me what you think so far guys, cause when the light and tool brackets are in place, I will limit manipulation to the bare minimum.  

Cheers!

espins1 wrote:

tigerman wrote:  espins1 wrote: I've paused for the moment on the upper hull of my Panther as I determine what to install now and what to install later to facilitate spraying the camo.  I hope to be at a point where I can spray the base camo this weekend.  I'm still trying to decide which scheme to do. The kit I have is pretty old and I'm a little concerned about the integrity of the decals.  I've had this kit for at least 12 years, maybe longer.  Are there any decent aftermarket decals out there?  Any brands out there worth focusing on? Same boat as you. I recommend Archer dry transfers myself. Saves the job of futuring. I've heard of them, but I don't know much about Archer dry transfers.  How do those work?  I'm assuming they work very differently than normal decals.  Will I be able to get the markings onto the zimmerit?

Think of them as temporary tattoos that you burnish onto the tank. They will go over zimmerit and I applied microsol to soften them up to conform even better. They are spendy, but alas, no silvering.

GT, looking awesome man. Great use of the PE.

? for all.  What are your impressions of Italeri.  Do you like their product?  I'm new and like Tamiya and DML/Dragon, I have yet to try Italeri.  Are their products as nice as Tam's and DML's?

Steve

Looks fantastic Gun Tech!!!  It's coming along very nicely, and I especially love your PE work. 

ps1scw wrote:

? for all.  What are your impressions of Italeri.  Do you like their product?  I'm new and like Tamiya and DML/Dragon, I have yet to try Italeri.  Are their products as nice as Tam's and DML's? Steve

Well Steve, that is why I started this GB, to expose the brand to those who haven't tried it and for us with some in the stash to build them. I think it's an overlooked brand myself. They are reasonably priced, but don't come with all the bells and whistles of the newer Dragon kits. They have some nice eclectic subjects that others don't offer. Italeri generally takes a bit more TLC than others, but the results usually speak for themselves. I recommend them, especially if a 1000 piece multi-media kit gives you the willlies

ps1scw wrote:

? for all.  What are your impressions of Italeri.  Do you like their product?  I'm new and like Tamiya and DML/Dragon, I have yet to try Italeri.  Are their products as nice as Tam's and DML's? Steve

I really like their Panzer IV serie and variants. It has details for the suspension on the underside instead of being flat like old Tamiya kits.

Thank you both for the good comments, Eric and Scott. It means a lot!  

Good news, Good news!!!!  I have finally gotten some major progress on my Puma.  No pic, sorry.  Just a few steps left before priming and painting.  One question, can you use acrylics for a wash or are oils a better way to go.  If no one has tried maybe I will and let everyone know how it turns out.

Ron

Well, speaking fror myself, I am impressed with the great work being displayed here. Keep up the great work guys.

As for me, my M-20 Utility Car is all painted. I just need to detail it out before I Future it and add decals, then I'll be weathering mine. Almost done.  The two Italeri Country Houses are done with assembly. I just need to paint the sills, jambs and shutters, and thn I can weather and detail them out. I'll be trying a different technique for applying vines on the side of these to see how it looks.

I should have pics posted later today after work. 

redd_34 wrote:

Good news, Good news!!!!  I have finally gotten some major progress on my Puma.  No pic, sorry.  Just a few steps left before priming and painting.  One question, can you use acrylics for a wash or are oils a better way to go.  If no one has tried maybe I will and let everyone know how it turns out. Ron

Since I spray my base with acrylics, I've never done an acrylic wash, always oils so as not to ruin it. Oils do dry slower, so will allow more flexability with errors.

The build's coming along great GT,look's like it'll be worth waiting for

ps1scw,I really like Italeri kit's.I prefere to build British and Commonwealth armour and their Crusaders are great with the addition of some PE.Their old portee's are good aswell.If you read back in this thread though both me and Terry were building their newer AS 42 kit and it was a pile of crap,Terry soldiered on with his and made a great job of it but mine ended up in the bin.

Jean-Michel, your little tank looks excellent! Keep up the great work!

ps1scw, I also like Italeri models. I've always been fond of building their ex-Exci Re-issues of 1/72 scale armor, and they have some of the best helicopter models around ion my opinion. I've also enjoyed building their aircraft for the same reason.

Here is my latest priogress on my Italeri models for this Build: 

Here is my Italeri 1/72 scale M-20 Utility car. I got the final paint on it, and it's ready for a coat of Future and decals now.

Here are my two Italeri 1/72 scale country houses. I have all the sills and shutters on them now and they are painted. Now all I have to do is detail out these guys and they are ready for a dio base:

I hope you like them. Comnments are welcome.

Thanks Tigerman! I'm glad you like the M-20.  If you want to see some smaller models I built, check out my "Newest Armor from Maddog Manufacturing" Thread.

Meanwhile, I'm declaring myself finished and collecting my badge!

Here are the three projects I was working on for this Group Build. First, the Italeri 1/72 scale US Army M-20 armored utility car:

Now the two Italeri country houses. One with a porch. Both of these are 1/72 scale. These were really fun to build and detail out. I especially enjoyed putting the ivy on them. There are two pics of each House. One is showing the front and back of the Country House. The ones of the house with the porch only shows the front and two sides.









Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Now if I can only get that photo base finished so I can put these or something else on it! 

Now where is that badge.......? 

Well after a few minor and one major problems with this build(thanks to my dog)my Puma is finally finished.

Pretty much OOB except for the Jordi Rubio barrel,it went together really well and I'm pleased with it.

Nice job Glyn, it looks really sharp.

I think I have taken a holiday break so to speak, just can't focus.

Thanks guys! I appreciate the compliments.

Comet, these houses should all still be in stock at any LHS if you have one around. If not, I'd recommend Squadron or some other mail-order Hobby Shop instead of E-bay. Good luck and I hope to see your houses someday. Your Puma looks great as well! Nice rust effect on the exhaust!

Scott, Prometheum, Ron, looking forward to seeing your projects too.

Jean-Michel, thank you. I'm glad I was able to make them look so realistic. Now to put them on a base....

Tigerman, don't worry, that happens alot during this time of the year.