It's shaping up very nicely Bish. The base and terrain also look good.

Thanks guys.

Looking good Bish, #$#% that's a bunch of injection pin marks in the infantry compartment! 

The base looks good too, also interested in how to do this to pick up a few tips. 

Looking good Bish! I look forward to seeing how she turns out. I will be getting back to my 251 tonight. You were right, the Fruilmodel tracks for this are an absolute unmitigated disaster/nightmare. They are so small, and are mode of castings. The simulated rubber pads/blocks do not fit properly into the tops of the track pieces, they are just terrible. You have to press so hard with an object to get them to even halfway "seat", that you destroy other connections nearby. Once I got a decent string together, when I articulated them, (like to go around a roller or drive wheel) the blocks would fall off. These things are so hard to connect, I see no possible way they can be connected on the vehicle without destroying something. I worked on these damn things until my fingers were raw, and now that they are "done", I didn't even think I will use them. I finally hit my stride while assembling the dragon "indies" using Testors orange/white tube glue, that I am going to end up using them after all. I might end up with one side being the "magic/EZ tracks" and the others from the sprue, but Oh well. I glued the first bunch weeks ago with super glue that was too thin, so they were very brittle and could not be articulated.... Overall, it was my first set of individual tacks AND Fruilmodel tracks. I put probably 25 hours and $40 into the fruilmodel tracks. I think they would work fine on a larger subject, like a tank. I am so sick of working on tracks...... I look forward to seeing more Bish! Your work is top notch. Rudy

Bish - 

She is coming along nicely. I like the fact that you have the skill set and knowledge to be able to jump around and notice what is and is not correct with a kit. Your decision to use paper mache for your terrain base was well thought. Great way to form it the way you want with less cutting and mess of foam. Keep up the outstanding job and cannot wait too see her with one of your great paint jobs.

Modelrob

The build is coming along nicely. I can’t wait to see more progress on the base. I am always interested in how people construct there bases. Everyone seems to tackle them a little differently. Again  great work Bish

 

Thanks rob. I have started adding the base into my WiP as many people seem to comment on them who ever is building them. And apar from hopefully pas on some tips, its helps to encourage suggestions as well, and that has helped me out a few times.

Gamera

Looking good Bish, #$#% that's a bunch of injection pin marks in the infantry compartment! 

The base looks good too, also interested in how to do this to pick up a few tips. 

 

Thnaks G. Ye, there are a few on there, i think from memory the Dragon Ausf D's are the same. I think if i had to choose, i would go for the AFV 251's over Dragon largely because of this problem.

I do prefer AFV bases to aircraft as its nice to add some proper terrain rather than just a flat piece of grass.

Rudy, yep, i know eactly what you mean. I have been useing Fruils for years and grew to love them. But when i used my first 251 set in 2014, i thought i had gone to hell. Unfortunatly, i had already bought 10 sets for my none Dragon 251's thinking they would be fine. I have been looking for an alternative for the AFV /9 i got a few months back as i really don't want anotehr set of Fruils.

I wish you luck with your build, and look forward to seeing more of it, and thanks for following along.

Hunter

Bish - 

She is coming along nicely. I like the fact that you have the skill set and knowledge to be able to jump around and notice what is and is not correct with a kit. Your decision to use paper mache for your terrain base was well thought. Great way to form it the way you want with less cutting and mess of foam. Keep up the outstanding job and cannot wait too see her with one of your great paint jobs.

 

Thnaks Hunter. I put a lot of it down to haveing interest in the subject. If this was an Allied AFV, i would not have a clue. But being somthing i am interested in, it means i have plenty of referance material to turn to and more enthuisasim to do it right. With subjects like this, i tend to spend as much time researching as i do building.

But when it comes to 251's and Ju 87's, i have a particular passion for those, so i guess i put that little bit more effort in. And with another 27 251 kits in the stash after this, it won't be long before i can build one blind folded

Bish

But when it comes to 251's and Ju 87's, i have a particular passion for those, so i guess i put that little bit more effort in. And with another 27 251 kits in the stash

WOW 27 - 251's...man spread the love friend! (lol)  You got a great stach goin' on! Really looking forward to the rest of this build to learn a thing or two.

Enjoy the build friend.

Hunter

 

Bish

But when it comes to 251's and Ju 87's, i have a particular passion for those, so i guess i put that little bit more effort in. And with another 27 251 kits in the stash

 

 

WOW 27 - 251's...man spread the love friend! (lol)  You got a great stach goin' on! Really looking forward to the rest of this build to learn a thing or two.

Enjoy the build friend.

 

Well, there is a possable 63 versions and variants, so i am not even half way yet.

Thanks, got some paint on and the weathering has been started. But won't get anything done tonight as its the monthly model club meeting. But i will be learning myself on this one, i have not done a Pz Grey build yet, so will be making this up as i go along.

Bish

 

 

Hunter

 

Bish

But when it comes to 251's and Ju 87's, i have a particular passion for those, so i guess i put that little bit more effort in. And with another 27 251 kits in the stash

 

 

WOW 27 - 251's...man spread the love friend! (lol)  You got a great stach goin' on! Really looking forward to the rest of this build to learn a thing or two.

Enjoy the build friend.

 

 

 

 

Well, there is a possable 63 versions and variants, so i am not even half way yet.

Thanks, got some paint on and the weathering has been started. But won't get anything done tonight as its the monthly model club meeting. But i will be learning myself on this one, i have not done a Pz Grey build yet, so will be making this up as i go along.

 

Wouldn't it be something if you built all the versions of the 251. Different paint schemes, dio's and scales. My friend you would be busy for awhile...boy that would be something too see. Thank you for enlightning me on the number of 251's available.

Well, I guess you better tell your boss that you are going to miss a few months of work so you can get started on this (lol) 

Hunter

 

Bish

 

 

Hunter

 

Bish

But when it comes to 251's and Ju 87's, i have a particular passion for those, so i guess i put that little bit more effort in. And with another 27 251 kits in the stash

 

 

WOW 27 - 251's...man spread the love friend! (lol)  You got a great stach goin' on! Really looking forward to the rest of this build to learn a thing or two.

Enjoy the build friend.

 

 

 

 

Well, there is a possable 63 versions and variants, so i am not even half way yet.

Thanks, got some paint on and the weathering has been started. But won't get anything done tonight as its the monthly model club meeting. But i will be learning myself on this one, i have not done a Pz Grey build yet, so will be making this up as i go along.

 

 

 

 

Wouldn't it be something if you built all the versions of the 251. Different paint schemes, dio's and scales. My friend you would be busy for awhile...boy that would be something too see. Thank you for enlightning me on the number of 251's available.

Well, I guess you better tell your boss that you are going to miss a few months of work so you can get started on this (lol) 

 

Well, thats was my plan at one point, all in 1/35th. But i think that might be a tad ambitious, especially if i want to build other stuff as well. I have every variant thats been done in kit form bare 4. So it would take a lot of kitbashing and scratchbuilding to achieve it and the biggest issue is that tehre are no Ausf A's on the market, despite Dragon announcing one about 4 years ago.

But i certainly have not finished buying 251's, i am always looking out for new ones to add.

Can't go wrong with a good half-track build Bish, should be a fun one to watch come together.  

Thanks Bill. I've been checking out some of your past builds to get some tips on weathering.

Where you been hiding by the way. I was beginging to think you had left us after last years change. Good to see you back.

I've been staying busy here and there Bish, haven't been building as much armor as before so that's been a factor. The forum changes are taking some getting used to I have to admit and for a while I couldn't log in or get access to the forums at all, but got that fixed recently. I'll pop in and post when I'm able.  

Well its good to see you back. We have lost a few names since the change's and things have gotten deadly quiet. But hopefully it will pick back up again.

Nice work so far Bish,I don't envy you with those tracks,couldn't have been fun,anyway moving along nicely.

Thnaks Tojo. To be honest i don'tmind these Dragon tracks, once you egt into a rythm, i find they go quite well.

Just a quick update for now. I have to start out by apologising for not taking an pics druring the paint and weathering. This is the first Pz Grey build i have done since i came back to the hobby and started weathering properly. So it was realkly a case of trying a few things until i was happy, but i was so focused on that, i didn't take any pics. But now i have a good idea of what i need to do, i can document it on the outside.

I started out with vallejo Panzer grey. I then thought i would give the AK interactive filter a try. I bought a couple of these filters a while back, and i tried the DAK one some time ago and now this one. And my own opinion on these, and this is not intended to put otehrs off from trying them, but they are a waste of money. I just don't get these filters or see what otehrs say they do, provide depth and other such things. The DAK wash just gave the vehcile a really bad orange fake tan and this just made the paint job darker, and that was it. So i went back ove rthat with a slightly lighter Pz Grey, then a dot filter with MiG oils which has given a nice lighter dusty look. Then some oil dry brushing and some paint wear oin the floor. So after all the faffing around, it was rather simple really.

For the seats, i wnated a brown leather look. But to me, it looks more like wood. So i am just going to let the oil paint dry and try somthing else. I have added some weapons, includeing store MG 34's.

So, after all that waffle, here is how she looks.

I still have to add the rifles and a few other pieces before i can put the top on. The personal kit and radio's can go in later. But its going to be really lousy weather tomorrow and the Mrs is working all day, so i may have to spend all day at the bench. Damn and blast it. . So hopefully by the end of the dy i will have the top on.

The tracks have also revived a coat of NATO black and some steel on the relevant areas. Next up there will be some washes.

And thats all for now. But hopefully i can get plenty done this next week.

 

Bish - 

It looks great buddy. I zoomed in on two of the photos highlighting the bench seats. I really like the look of it. It's almost a wood/leather mix....it's hard to explain but it looks right. That's just my opinion, wait too see how it looks once you finish the interior and are at the point of closing it off before you make a final decision. As always, it looks wonderful! 

Thnaks Hunter. I have to leave the seats for a few days anyway. I made a bit of a school boy error and lkeft them a bit late. useing oils, i should have got to them sooner in the build. I wil be able to work on those once the top is on anyway, so there is no rush.

I have no idea why I was giving you advice. You have forgotten more than I know. (lol) Anyway's your build is looking great as always.

It doesn't matter if we have been doing this 5 mins or 50 years, its always good to get advice, and somtimes someone new to the hobby can come at it with fresh eyes and new ideas. So its always welcome from what ever quarter.

I fully understand...I just didn't want to come across like I was an expert or disrespect your work.

Looking great Bish. The bench seat colors look spot on and the interior weathering looks good too.

I agree with you about those pre-mixed filters/washes. I rather make my own using artist oil paint and thinner.

Thnaks PJ. I just felt i had to give these pre made washes a try, i have been pretty impressed with a lot of the other AK stuff. At least i can say i have tried them and i am sure i can find some use for them. Just not on my German armour. Home made it is.

Hunter

I fully understand...I just didn't want to come across like I was an expert or disrespect your work.

 

Don't worry, you didn't. I always invite constructive comments, sugstions tips or anything else. Its helpe me progress just as much as just watching other peoples builds and asking questions myself.

Bish

 

 

Hunter

I fully understand...I just didn't want to come across like I was an expert or disrespect your work.

 

 

 

 

Don't worry, you didn't. I always invite constructive comments, sugstions tips or anything else. Its helpe me progress just as much as just watching other peoples builds and asking questions myself.

 

Bish - 

It finally hit me....so I went back and looked one more time at the interior bench. They look like they have a dark wood stain with a oil or lin seed oil coating to preserve the wood. It looks spot on. It looks great!