Gamera

Ben,

She's lookin' good! Almost there now!

Cliff

Cheers Cliff,

I'm really very pleased with how she's turned out - as a cheap kit I'd originally decided to keep it a simple quickie build but found it turning into quite an involved build now that will look nice in the cabinet. These older kits are serious fun as most of the smaller parts need drilling out or sprucing up somehow which is all good practice.

Thanks again buddy,

Ben

Ben,

She's lookin' good! Almost there now!

Cliff

wbill76

Ben,

Nice to see this one moving along. Looks like you've got it headed in the right direction...don't forget to do some bare metal wear on the sprockets and idler contact surfaces.

Cheers Bill,

She's coming on nicely. Another weekend or two and she'll be in the bag (unless I have Magic Tracks to assemble which might add another day or so and might take me into an extra weekend)

I'm really wanting to get back into my Tiger I Initial Production but this has the makings of a fine little build so I'll not be rushing her now!

I'll be turning all my attention to the lower hull as it is now when I'm happy with the fighting compartment and exterior upper hull weathering. I'll be keeping it light but realistic-no mud bath for this SPG!

Cheers,

Ben

Ben,

Nice to see this one moving along. Looks like you've got it headed in the right direction...don't forget to do some bare metal wear on the sprockets and idler contact surfaces.

tigerman

Decals look excellent. Shaping up really nicely.

Thanks TM,

They were a real PITA to apply. They needed soaking for 3 minutes before they would even begin to leave the backing paper but they look spot-on now. No silvering.

Decal Sol and Vallejo Acrylic Gloss Varnish was used. A spot of varnish on top after application of the decals sealed them nicely

Any ideas on my Filters - why have they gone 'heavy'? They are more like a wash now?

All the best,

Ben

Decals look excellent. Shaping up really nicely.

Hi guys,

I've got a fair chunk done today and should deinately have her completed at the end of next weekend

Decals are on, filters and a couple of light washes to see what works best are on and everything is looking really nice so far. I tried some Humbrol Metalcoate (shiny metallc buffable) on the recoil slides and after buffing they looked a lot better than before.

I looked at other pictures of Marder II's on the web and they are all nearly posed in 'travel mode, with the barrel supports on and travel lock at the barrel rear engaged so I thought I'd be diferrent and leave the travel locks off and show her as she'd look when in action. The gun is totally posable and elavates/rotates freely so if I decide on a base that will be handy.

I tried my AK filters but they acted more like washes and left a wash-like residue behind. I shook the bottles well but all of my filters for DY type painted armour are about two thirds empty so I think there must have been an accumulation in the bottom which turned them into more of a wash - it's no problem as they look fine but I think I'll chuck them now and get two new bottles in these colours. Tomorrow the build will be getting a light all-over Umber Oil Paint Wash.

Tomorrow I'll fit the tools and paint the moulded-on tools aswell. Karl Doog recommended to someone who was painting a DY vehicle to lightly dry-brush all edges with a metallic colour paint as this makes the vehicle look 'heavy' and more realistic so I'll be trying that out for certain!

Next week will see heavier muddy weathering, dull coat and some light pigment work to finish her off. I'm not going to go heavy all-over on the weathering.

I hope you like so far - remember she's still far from complete!

Thanks for looking guys. I've still got the hose to come from Andy (Deafpanzer) and I'll be painting some of them spent shell cases up that came with the kit as 'litter' to put in the fighting compartment.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions on improving my build I'd love to hear them!

Many thanks - update tomorrow!

Ben

Making good progress Ben...I wouldn't worry too much about the spare track rail...I can't really see the problem you mention so don't think you have to resort to hanging rags about the place just yet.

Looking fine so far. Dont worry about the track link you can always just leave them off, they dont have to be there. Have a look at my final pictures in /forums/t/141101.aspx

There is a BIG glue run on the front which I just covered with a length of fruils and no one will notice ever. This was my first attempt at a bit more weathering than normal, it can hide a lot of problems.

Phil

Good afternoon folks,

With absolutely NO commitments today (unlike yesterday and other previous weekends when I've been planning to get stuck into this build) so today the air brush got fired up, paint was mixed and the overall basecoat with a light hint of a pre-shade was applied. Because the 'Green Dot' scheme was pretty simple I was able to apply that too (there must be a name for that scheme).

Overall, I think it's come out really, really well. Obviously there are decals and tools to go on plus the filters and washes, some light chipping and muddy / streaky style weathering on those nice big side walls but at this point the basecoat looks spot-on. I think I'm really getting to grips with the finer art of air brushing as the standard set up refused to make leave a nice round spot so I exposed the tip by removing the end cover (as reccomended in the instructions for drawing super fine lines) and she worked great-first time I'd used this little 'function'.

The PAK is dry-fitted for the photos as I'll need to remove that again to allow full access to the fighting compartment for detailing. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it in transport mode with the barrel clamped up and pointing straight forward with the muzzle wrapped up OR show it in full action with spent cases and live shells on view with the barrel pointing off at an angle - I like that idea.

Next week I'll get some Vallejo Gloss on so she's ready for the decals, add the tools then start the fun bit-weathering!!! I'll use that crate at the rear but not the standing side crate as it looks 'odd'. I've painted the rear crate a lightened flat brown and I'll then top coat that with DY and will use the hairspray method to chip it up, nicely exposing the wooden base. I'll paint the figures as it is all practice but don't know if I'll use them.

I'm looking at replacing the kit MG which looks awful as someone mentioned earlier in this blog I think with an MG from one of the accessories kit's I have-I'll just need to cut off the mount. I think it would be nice having an exposed bullet belt instead of the round magazine (could I use an MG42 on this kit and keep it accurate as, iirc, the kit one is an MG34). 

The only real error on my part was fitting the left hand (as you look at her face on) spare track rail slightly kinked. It's fairly kinked but will hide easily if I hide it under an oily 'rag' hung at the front The only other issue were the gaps between upper and lower hulls (kit poorly fitting imo) so I've stuck them together well and they won't be visible either way. The halves certainly didn't drop snugly into place and took a little work!

Todays work:

Here you can see that wonky track-link which will need to be 'hidden'!

Thanks for looking guys - please send any comments or suggestions this way

Re the hose - Andy Deafpanzer has very kindly offered to send me a section of hose that he used on his Marder II.

Take care and have a good week everyone!

Ben  

Hi Andy,

I'm building totally OOB which is fine with me as I want a 'Coal Thief' Marder II anyway and they are the only supplied decals. This must be a re-issue and not an original kit from 1975 kit the mouldings are too crisp and detailed - the figures are superb. It does have a big Gold label on the box saying 'Tamiya 70's Masterpiece Models' or something which would suggest a re-release BUT the box is dated 1975 which would suggest the kit is from 1975. Does anyone know? If the decals are 'iffy' I'll probably see if I can save them or just make up something from my spares tub.

Everything has built up fine and I reckon it should make a nice little model.

I'll be using the kit tracks too which are not the best but will colour up nicely. I'm not spending £28 on Friuls for use on a £20 kit! I'd rather but Friuls for my Tiger!

I'll be air brushing the upper hull and fighting compartment after lunch today which should be fun!

Update later!

Ben

Definitely you did alot of work this time.  Everything looks good!  Are you planning to use the kit supplied decals if they are still good or an aftermarket decals? 

Hi guys,

Made good progress on the Marder today although I am working from home on the support phone. It's been mega quiet so far (touching wood).

All the sub-assemblies are ready to go Tomorrow the plan is:

• Pre-shade then paint the exterior of the upper hull and side walls and also paint the interior (the lower hull is already painted
• Fit the radio, MP40, boxes and when dry I'll just drop the gun in and bracket it up to show her in transport mode (luckily I checked the instructions again and realised that I's left off the recoil slide hook so that's now fitted).
• I'll join the uper and lower sections together making sure that the touching parts are cleared of paint. 
• Next week is cammo, washes, weathering time and cammo and painting of tools and fixing of decals - I'm not rushing at this stage so I hope to have her totally complete in a couple of weeks max.
• The wooden crates-the standing one doesn't look right and the big gap at the base is visible anyway so I'll only be using the single small crate at the rear. I'm going to paint it a 'wooden' colour then hairspray it and paint it with DY then chip it up to add some visual interest. I've also found a fire extinguisher in the spares tub as there isn't one in the kit - that will be going in.

This has been a super build and I've LOVED it! The gun assembly is great and looks superb now I've added a little Gunze dry-brushed highlight to the slides and what would have been moving parts. If you want a nice quick build and don't fancy forking out for the Dragon version then this is perfect!

Work so far:

I painted the leaf springs with a little Mig grease/fuel stain mixture:

I'm very pleased with the gun so far: 

Thanks for looking guys - I hope you'll agree with me that this has the potential to be a really nice little build!

Any comments etc please, sound off

Thanks guys, I hope to have a superb wip update tomorrow.

All the best,

Ben  

Congrats on your econo-car. I wouldn't mind getting 68 mpg compared to about 18.

Your little marder is shaping up nicely. I thought it was a decent kit when completed, but the MG sucks.

Cheers Bill and Andy,

Looking at the photos the you sent and other pictures of PAK's too they don't show a bright, mirror-like finish. I think a second coat (which it needs anyway as the Gunze Buffable paints are very watery) and a good second 'buffing' should look just right.

As you say Andy, should the second coat appear too shiny after buffing the washes will take the edge of them anyway. The paint colour is called 'Stainless' so I imagine it could buff up pretty shiny so I'll take it easy.

Off work tomorrow so hope to get things moving on nicely..

Cheers chaps,

Ben

Agree with guys here... great process on your Marder.  Hope you still have the pictures I sent you earlier... I don't think they were too shiny.  I am sure it will be taken care of after a coat of dark wash... 

Coming along nicely Ben...I don't think you need to go with anything brighter/shinier on the recoil slides...they would be left in bare metal but weren't chromed, so a dull steel look is appropriate unless the gun has just been in use in which case it would be somewhat brighter from the contact/friction action.

Looking good Hinksy!  Gotta luv them Tamiya kits for their simplicity and building ease!  I was going to ask if the Tamiya Marder II was the only game in town for 1:35 but my question was answered earlier in the thread.  Keep up the great work and enjoy your new Citroen!

Hello Gentlemen!

I hope you are all very well. I've had a particularly busy weekend and up to midday today, a busy weekend too. I've started to do some very basic painting on the Marder so the wheels have been done (a bit slapdash as I don't have Panzer II Wheel Masks and my circle templates were way off so the rubber was done by hand) but this won't matter as they are going to be well 'muddified' anyway!

I'm building and painting her in the sub assemblies that you see her in now and then the final filters, washes, decals & weathering will be done when she is all tied together. I've painted the lower hull, inside and out and the main gun. All ok so far

When the interior fighting compartment is complete and detailed but prior to 'proper' weathering I'll do some external pre-shading and do the exterior walls etc in one hit. I want the interior sorted first.

She's coming on ok. I'm very pleased with her (ignore the wheels at this point as like I say they will be well caked in mud at the end)!

It's been an enjoyable little build so far but I'm looking forwards to getting stuck into my Initial Tiger I again! 

Todays work:

Wheels and MP all ready for fitting:

Main gun painted - the whole exterior will be painted using the pre-shade technique:

Hull interior - as you can see it has received just a very basic paint job at the moment:

The main gun (still fully removable btw) - I tried using a touch of Gunze Buffable Metallic Stainless on the breech block and recoil slides as a tester - I think it will need something a little 'shinier'? What do you think?

Thanks for looking guys. I'm off work on Tuesday and Wednesday this week so hope to get really stuck in on painting the interior details, adding some washes/filters and generally getting her looking like somewhat respectable!

Any comments or suggestions? Please, chuck them my way!

The main question that I have is how to really knock that gun about and chip it up - any advice on obtaining a good looking effect on the gun? 

Have a good week folks,

All the best,

Ben

Hi chaps,

A bit of a disaster today in as far as that I got roped into covering a colleagues shift this afternoon between 2pm and 10pm (yes, I'm still at work - it's 7:30pm here now!) so my afternoon which I had dedicated to the assembly and painting of a certain Marder II was severely affected

The good news is that it has been a quiet afternoon and I've got everything primed and ready for paint next weekend

Everything apart from the right hand wall of the fighting compartment has been left in sub-assemblies i.e. the left hand wall, the gun, the upper and lower hull sections and all the wheels are mounted on painting spikes. All the tools and  extras have been left on the sprue and primed as I won't be using them for a while yet.

Here are a few up-to-date photos:

The final sprue with the two figures on and the wooden crates:

The Commander figure which I'm going to at least try and paint. I didn't think the detail was that bad for an old kit: I've got some more figures in the spares tub - I think I have a Dragon one minus a headset. Seeing as I have a radio with headphones mounted on it it raises the question? Would there have been more than one pair of headphones in this vehicle?

My faithful foam block with wheels on sticks, left side wall of the fighting compartment (with Dragon Periscope that you can just see), MP40, the drivers seat, kit supplied live shells and spent cases, tools and all the other bits left on the sprue primed and ready for colour:

DAMMIT!  I've missed one of the seam-lines off a wheel (right hand side)

Upper and lower sub-assemblies with gun in place (sorry for the poor photos today):

Fighting Compartment view - note that I've drilled the muffler out as it was solid: 

Thanks for looking guys,

I've noticed a few areas that will need a little tidy up and a couple of ejector marks that will require attention but she is looking ok.

My intended 'hose' is too big and the best I can find instead is some thin black cord but I'll find something to do the job. 

Thanks guys - any advice, comments or general 'stuff' please throw it my way

All the best and have a good week,

Ben  

Congrats!!!  Nice looking car.  Too bad it didn't come with Zimmerit.  Maybe next time?  I think my aunt drives same car too.  She lives outside Exeter where my grandma was born and raised.  Fortunately she got out of England... she met my American grandpa during WWII at a dance while he was serving in the Navy.

Glad my pictures helped!  Looking forward to your next update... 

Thanks Andy,

That's great. I haven't had time to get to the bench today but will have about 3 hours to spare tomorrow.

Next weekend is totally clear so I reckon we'll be getting close to weathering by next Sunday - I've just had so much to do so next weekend will be a good time to get stuck in.

I've sorted some hose and have dug out some Gunze Buffable Stainless paint for the gun recoil slide and breech block. I've also found a decent fire extinguisher in the spares tub and some thin tube for Carp fishing which will be ideal for the hose.

Anyway, I have my new car. With the price of petrol so stupidly high I decided to get a Citroen C1 as they have some great reviews, are the cheapest you can get to tax and the petrol consumption is unbelievable. My 'old' car was a 2002 Ford Ka (do you have these cars in the US).

My now 'old' car cost £200 a year in road tax and did about 35 mpg. My new C1 costs £20 per year in road tax and does about 68 mpg

I ended up with a Citroen C1 VTR+ which is the top spec model, full electrics and part leather interior - it's a 2010 car and has only done 8,000 miles, it's in near perfect condition and is a real blast to drive. Obviously it's a small car but it's really punchy and soooo much fun to drive. They are VERY popular in the UK.

The Range Rover in the background belongs to my Dad. That is new too. One day I will own one of them - it's like a futuristic space shuttle and cost him nigh on £60,000

Right, back to IMPORTANT business - wip update to follow tomorrow!

Take care,

Ben 

Congrats!!!  Hope it doesn't mean you can not buy a new kit for next 4 or 5 years...

Everything is looking good.  Sorry it took me long to send you pictures of the Marder II.  Check your PM! 

Here's great pictures of the gun and the interior around the gun... it helped me a lot.  FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSE ONLY...

=

Here's pictures of my interior... hope they helps too,

Again, don't hesitate to holler if you need my help.  It will only cost you couple of if my wife and I ever come to England again. LOL

Hi guys,

I'm off to pick up my new car now (yippee) and expect to back for 1pm (it's 10am here now).

I've been trying mega hard to get some interior shots of Marders, in particular the actual guns. It's going to be very visible so I want it looking really good.

Can anyone help with additional shots of these guns (models/real thing) as I'm really only finding exterior photos?

Thanks chaps,

Ben  

Huxy

Love that radio-setup!! Looks really cool!

Hi chaps,

First off, thanks for the hose info, Bill

Also, a very nice surprise to see you on here again Lasse. It's been waaaay too long old chum

I'm very pleased with the radio setup. I know it's totally innaccurate and looks nothing like the radio on Andy's Marder II from his actual kit but when in place it won't be that visible so it's turned out well.

I'll be getting the basecoat on this weekend. I'm going to have to paint it in sub assemblies I think i.e. the main gun, the fighting compartment floor, the upper hull and the side walls.

I'm going to make the gun a nice centrepiece and then concentrate on some serious weathering.

What are you building now Lasse? Wip update please!

All the best,

Ben

Love that radio-setup!! Looks really cool!

Yep, Bill has answered your question.  I didn't like the kit part as it was in styrene so I stole the tubing from Tamiya Flak 88.  If you have that kit, it has plenty of tubing you can use for your Marder II.  It helped make it look alot better that way...

Sure I will scan and emal the color plate when I have the chance. 

Hi, Ben, I'm glad your enjoying this kit, up until dragons new offering it was the only game in town and allowing for its age it was a good game. My memories of this kit are all good. Nice clean build so far and I look forward to seeing you finish it.

Terry.

Ben,

Coiled and stowed in the holder is the normal mode for it, it doesn't connect up to anything in terms of keeping the vehicle running/operational.

... it's a pitty, because this kit still waits to be assembled including infrared-fighting-gear ! Unfortunately no time for this kit until today.