Karl that is truly an amazing build and one fantastic build log, very informative and well presented. 

I agree with the colour choice on the wheels, they would have been taken from the 38d wheel which was different to the standard 38t and early heater wheel in having a smaller diameter and less bolts, in other words they would have been taken from the late hetzer production lines which was due to change again into the Starr.

Again congrats. On a beautiful model.

Terry.

Manny, thanks for the "heavy" . Pretty appropriate I guess for a heavy metalhead like me! I WILL show it at some point--I have to find some shows down here in NC!

Kenny---thanks again for being "gobsmacked"! ha ha. (I love that word!)

Terry, thanks for your comment, and for the agreement on the wheels! I had no idea about that whole "D" vs "t" thing? I'm relieved to hear that I made the right call on the color!

Thanks again, guys!

disastermaster

 

I love it, Steve!

Well, what can I say that hasn't been said before - it's plain beautiful!

What I especially like is that you've really captured a exciting historical situation in one single vehical. Just looking at it I get the feeling of desperation in the spring of 1945:

The Reich is rapidly falling apart, the industrial production is in ruins, but still the germans tried their best to piece together another vehicle to send to the front. The contrast between the naked steel barrel, the red hull and the few parts with camoflage paint signals both the desperation and ingenuity of the german industry at the last days of the war. That's quite an achivement to represent that with a single vehicle!

Have you considered adding one or two figures to it? A german crew or a allied soldier inspecting the monster with amazement would be suitable in my opinion.

/Bultenibo

The attention to detail around the breach is fantastic!

Thanks, Tony! -- I will eventually paint up two crew figures to stand on the fenders or next to it when I get home to NC--right now I"m working up in NY, and won't be back til the 10th or so. An interesting perspective you had on it; I appreciate you posting it! Thanks for the kind words!

Ed--thank you sincerely! I actually spent a lot of time working that to get it looking "Just right"! Thanks for noticing it!!!

Karl how ya doin? i have been away for a while but wow what a build to return to the forum and see. Superb weathering  and a superb build. Just how i would have wanted to do it. BRAVO

Thanks, Andy! I've been .... busy, as usual. Currently up in New York, working; not back until next weekend. and then to start another Waffentrager!

Thanks for the compliment--I'll bet yours would be just as sweet! I KNOW it would be.

Karl

That thing is ridiculously good! Of course, we have learned to expect nothing else from you!

Good luck with that new CD.

PS Expect a PM from me - I've got a quick off-topic question for ya!

Thanks, Boyd, for the nice comments, and the wishes on the CD!

I think that this model would make a great CD cover?!? ha ha!

Hi me up with a PM any time!

Looking GREAT!!!  I smell another magazine cover... no kidding!  

Good luck with the CD!  Please make sure it comes captioned or subtitled... remember I am deaf.  Oh you can't do it? That's OK as long as you send one of your best looking groupies to help translate what you are singing about...

deafpanzer

Looking GREAT!!!  I smell another magazine cover... no kidding!  

  That is awesome!  Nice tutorial with your weathering and scratchbuilding processes.  Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, mac! I"m happy to share anything I have learned here and in other forums! It's just a way to give back for all the help I"ve received!

Karl, super model of a very interesting subject. And thanks for the WIP/Tutorial. I haven't worked up the guts yet for anything as extreme as the different coloured hull and gun or the heavy weathering but I'm reading all I can and letting it ferment in my noggin.

And great save on the muzzle brake - nice to know that even master modelers have things go south every now and again. I'll try to think of this next time I drop a model on the concrete basement floor while airbrushing it.....

Cliff  

Hey Cliff--nice to know your real name!

Thanks for the nice, thoughtful comment! I don't mind showing where I screw up--if there's one thing I've learned through modeling, it's that sometimes a "failure" is not a failure at all, but a blessing-in-disguise!

Of course, dropping a model on concrete...uh oh.......