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

espins1 wrote:

tigerman wrote: That's crazy. I thought it was pemolded on the hull and turret. Bend-a-zim? How come you stayed with the kit zim? Hope you like it. I decided to do this kit OOB as I really couldn't justify pumping a bunch of money into it.  I used the money to buy a bunch more 1/35 Dragon kits and reference materials instead.  The kit includes 2 versions of many of the exterior parts, one with zim, the other without, but several parts are "appique" plastic zim pieces, which would include the turret sides, hull sides and a few others.  If I had to do it all over again I would have used the non-zim parts and taken this as an opportunity to make my own zim with putty.  But since this is a kit that's been in my stash for at least 10 years I wasn't too worried about it.  I'm still really looking forward to building the Dragon 1/35 Panther G Smartkit later this year.

CAn't say I blame you for going easy on the AM. I'm not using any myself, though it could stand quite a bit. Next time I'll just buy Dragon's new Marder H due out next month. 

I had a work function this evening, but managed to spend a few minutes on the Panther.  Here is a minor update.

Gun Tech wrote:

That Bent-it-Zim looks awesome Scott!

Thanks.  The bent part is actually crisper than it looks in the picture.  The plastic lightens up in color a bit when you bend it which makes it appear more curved than it is.  It turned out ok all things considered.  I was a little worried about snapping it when I did the bends, but the plastic is nice and soft which gives it a decent amount of flexibility.  Makes me appreciate the modern kits and Cavalier resin zimmerit that much more. 

Kinda back in the saddle. I put on my Archer crosses today (refs were poor, so may not be in exact location. I'm gonna try and put on the tracks later. Haven't weathered yet. Oh, how I hate it. I'm ready to move on, if you know what I mean. 

Keep chugging Scott, you're almost to the painting. What scheme are you going to cook up?

Anyone left except, Scott, Jean, Ygmodeler, and Me?

Prometheum5 wrote:

Come on Tm, you've gotta get that Marder finished... if only so you can later get the new DML one (Im so mad) and really appreciate how much better it is...

Thanks Prometheum, I'm with you on this. I put my tracks on and then realized I put one on backwards. Of course I broke it taking it off. A lot of flaking of paint too from the vinyls. That's one thing indies won't do is flake. I'm going to work hard on it, but it will probably be at least a couple of weeks before I call it done. I'd post pics, but photobucket is down and my indoor pics just bit.

Oh, you had to go and mention the new Dragon kit.  I mean how many of you have ever had a new kit released of the subject your still working on? And a way better one?

tigerman wrote:

Keep chugging Scott, you're almost to the painting. What scheme are you going to cook up?

As of right now, dark yellow, weathered from Gross Deutschland

Here is another update photo.  All the handles and misc details have been added to the turret including the machine gun mount on the commanders cupola.  (except for the spare track mounts, need to scour my references so I can see exacly where to place them)

I've realized something over the past couple of days.  Working on one model at a time, chipping away at it little by little every day is the best way for me to actually finish projects....

Here's some of my progress, mind you no washes or drybrushing has occured yet.

The first photo shows that I hollowed out my MG barrel with a knife. Man I'm all for outdoor pics. These were taken in the twilight and if you can make it out, there is snow on the table. LOL. We are over that though.

I mentioned that I'm soooooo ready to move on, but this has been a great GB with some very cool peeps. Thanks for making it so great! 

Prometheum5 wrote:

Looks great so far, but kinda funny without any weathering...almost cartoony.... the rivets on yours look a heck of a lot better than mine tho...

cartoony?-- how about pristine?-- tread--

treadwell wrote:

tigerman, the camo job is absolutely superb!-- it looks exactly 'right'-- tread

You did a amazing job on the camo Eric!      It is a beauty!       

treadwell wrote:

hey scott --- i have never done  any zimm, but the 'bend a zimm' on your panther looks great to me-- nice work!!-- on another note, i anxiously await pics of your completed t-34/85!!!--- tread

That baby is just about done.  I sould have been finished but I overdid the rust wash a bit and need to tone it down.  Hmmm..... I think I will fix that after I spray the Panther. The Panther is just about done.  I finished the gun travel lock, just have to glue on the track brackets and tool brackets.  I think I'll paint the exhausts off of the tank to make it easier to paint the semi-rusty metal part, then attach later.

Wow, Tigerman!  I'm very impressed with your camo job!  Great job airbrushing!  Is it safe to assume you free-handed that?

tigerman wrote:

Here's some of my progress, mind you no washes or drybrushing has occured yet. The first photo shows that I hollowed out my MG barrel with a knife. Man I'm all for outdoor pics. These were taken in the twilight and if you can make it out, there is snow on the table. LOL. We are over that though. I mentioned that I'm soooooo ready to move on, but this has been a great GB with some very cool peeps. Thanks for making it so great!

Beautiful colors.  Did you custom mix them?  The shade of your red/brown is great.  What colors did you use for the dark yellow, green and brown? 

ps1scw and Ron, thanks for the comps. No I didn't customize the paint, but sprayed with Tamiya Dark Yellow, Red Brown, and Dark Green-XF 60, XF 61, & XF64. I really love Tamiya paints, they thin well and spray well.

Scott, you are correct, I free-handed the camo. Amazingly for me, it was a one-time application.

ps1scw, I did nothing fancy, but oversprayed the camo with a dusting of XF 60 Dark Yellow to blend things together.

Now, I'm ready to ship my model to Ron to finish the weathering process. 

Go Scott, go.......go Scott, go..........Get 'er done.

Cartoony???????  LOL  I guess I got some work to do.

Prometheum5 wrote:

I didn't mean cartoony in a BAD way, just how funny a tank looks with nice bright camo colors and no shading... the freehanding is really awesome, and I'm sure it will all look great once done...

No problem, I'm just playing. I knew you didn't mean anything by it. Cheers.

Great work there Eric

Less is more when it comes to weathering in my opinion......a pin wash and a little dry brushing and that'll be one sweet looking Marder

I think you should keep this GB going as I feel like building another Italeri kit now

Comet wrote:

Great work there Eric Less is more when it comes to weathering in my opinion......a pin wash and a little dry brushing and that'll be one sweet looking Marder I think you should keep this GB going as I feel like building another Italeri kit now

You got another Sd.Kfz.234 variant on your mind Glyn?      Just joking buddy. Bring it on! Your are a awesome builder!  I hope this GB will go until I finish my kit for it......     plus I have a few Italeri kits in the stash........