Hey guys,
I'll measure up and see what's what Bill - I've got a Vernier Caliper so that won't be hard.
Anyway, they Ambush Scheme is on and I'm pretty happy with it as first attempts go.I decided to go with the scheme supplied by Tamiya for a vehicle from StuG.Abt. 1708, 708. Volks-Grenadier Division that was serving in Halloville, France in November '44. Apparently, this vehicle engaged a US M10 near the German border - it doesn't say what the outcome was! I assume the Hetzer was knocked out by the M10? Perhaps this explains how they got the scheme and other details?
The scheme I tried to replicate was called 'Light and Shadow' which is near identical to the usual Ambush Scheme but has a lot more Brown in the scheme and the barrel is left in a single green colour. Masking wise it's near impossible to get the 'jagged' outlines of the scheme with Blu-Tack but I gave it my best shot and it's not too bad. Personally I really, really like it I was tempted to wimp out and go with the Giraffe spot scheme but as Bill said to me "You never know how far your legs will carry you if you don't stretch them a bit every now and then". I was going to make up a stencil and AB the specks but the shape of the specks seemed to be random ie some square, some round, triangular or even just a blob so I took a very fine flat tipped Italeri brush and hand applied the specks - I think I made the right choice.
I did use the kit vinyl tracks in the end. I gave them a base coat of Gunze Steel then a light dusting over the top with Tamiya Flat Earth. I then drybrushed the raised areas and guide horn tips with Tamiya Flat Aluminium to replicate wear. I did get some overspray onto my tracks when doing the cammo so I'll have to touch up some areas again later on.
Tomorrow I can't really touch the tank as want to leave it to fully cure for the rest of the weekend. I'll paint up the MG and periscopes and fit the roof flap where the periscope pops out of. I'll also build the tool box (which needs some holes drilling in it to make it look a bit more realistic as it is solid plastic) and I paint up the jack, jack block and wire cutters. I'll start laying a few filters over the course of next week so by next weekend I can put some gloss on her and lay the decals and start weathering!
I hope you think she's not too bad guys - here's a few photos:
White-Tak masking in place (the shop didn't have Blu-Tack; not that I think there's any difference)
Thanks for looking guys,
I'll post an update tomorrow.
ATVB
Ben