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

ygmodeler4 wrote:

Thanks guys and Looking good espins1!! As for the paint scheme I don't know.  I'm thinking about doing the plain Panzer Yellow thing. I don't think it's panzer yellow but it's some kind of tan color. Any other ideas?

I'm thinking late war scheme, mabe even an ambush scheme. Looks cool so far.

Looks good Scott.

Thnans for the positive comments.

Thanks guys and Looking good espins1!!

As for the paint scheme I don't know.  I'm thinking about doing the plain Panzer Yellow thing. I don't think it's panzer yellow but it's some kind of tan color. Any other ideas?

Looking good ygmodeler4! 

The basecoat has been sprayed on everything now.  I had a few minor mishaps with the paint cup, but fortunately none spilled on any of the model parts, well, at least on the outside, a bit spilled on the inside, but I was able to wipe it up before it did any harm.  It's a miracle that I didn't get covered with the stuff.....

Tomorrow I'm going to try to do some post shading, i.e. lighten up the base color a bit and erratically spray it on just the upper surfaces that would have had the most exposure to the hot sun on the Eastern Front. 

I just noticed a problem with the round grill screens that go over the fans, it seems a bit of super glue got into some of the mesh... hmmmm, I hope I can fix that with a sharp pin or something. 

TM, the Marder is looking great... you've got a good eye for subtle shading and such that I simply can't pull off (as you probably could tell.)  I hear ya on the interior and gun... I left mine off.

YGModeler, looks great so far... only thing I can see (which it sounds like really isn't your fault) is the big funky looking gap bit on the one side track... I assume that was where you were short a link, but it might help if you either hide that gooey looking segment with some mud or try and sculpt some basic bits of the detail on there.  The rest of the build looks fantastic... what scheme are you going to do? 

Well I finally have pics. It's primed and awaiting first paint coat. There have been numerous setbacks like not enough track pieces and lost pieces and such but it's Italeri isn't it?

Hope you enjoy

Looking sharp Eric!

How did you do the wash?    and the tracks? They looks great!

I am still fooling around with that gun shield......

Nice work Eric aka Tigerman, your Marder looks great! 

p.s. woo hoo!  Go UNR!  another win! 

Here's a few pics after a wash and drybrush. I'm still not quite done and please don't ask for pics of the rear. Yuck to the interior and I should have weathered it before I constructed the gun. Hopefully it looks less cartoony. LOL

Cruising right along!  The engine compartment interior has been sprayed, as well as the white innards of the turret/hatch. 

Gotta run some errands with my lovely wife now (to include a trip to Guitar World, need to replace the strings on my electric guitar ).

Edited: Base Coat goes on in the morning, going to go watch the UNR game at Bullys (a local sports bar) with our oldest son and his wife. Good beer, and great food!  The Bully burger is the best! 

Yes, I'll never not put them on again. Sadly I skimped on my son's KT. they really add a lot IMO.

SJD, glad to have you back. Hey, I know how we all get sidetracked.

Awesome sjd!  Trust me, I know what you mean.  When my wife and kids aren't around, I can get sooooo much done on my models. 

Well, all 6 of the main grill screens have been attached, including 16 infinitely small PE bolts.  Man, those were tough.  Way too small for tweezers..... you basically have to dab your finger on one, and hope it stickes to my finger tip long enough to make it over to the grill.  Then you have to flip it over if necessary to make sure the bolt head is facing up, scootch it over to where it's supposed to be, all the while they snag on the mesh, go flying off, flip over etc.  Then there is the issue of getting the crazy glue to hold them down with out issues.  Man, talk about a learning experience.    After about 4 or 5 of them I started getting the hang of it, piece of cake now

Needless to say, after getting the bolts on I was ready for a beer or two...... or three..... or.... LOL  I wanted to post my pics last night but the battery camera had died.  Once the battery was charged the beers had taken effect... heh heh

I just have one or two more things to attach, then off to the spray booth.  I should have some pics of the initial camo coat later tonight. 

Whew! Cool to know the build goes on!

My wife will be heading out of town next weekend. 

She leaves for a business trip for 2 weeks so I am hopeful to finish in 3 weeks! ;)

 I'll post something this week!

 Cheers, SJD

Gun Tech wrote:

I never primed mine.    What is it supposed to do when you soak PE in vinegar? Good to know for the barrel

Just cleaning the oils etc off the PE, similar to using rubbing alcohol.

Ya, I like the future trick with the barrel, just a quick dip, let it drip for a sec, then blow out the muzzle break and voila!  I put it in one of my little clamps that my wife picked up for me that have a magnet on one side and stuck it up in my paint booth to hang overnight.  I'm very please with the results. 

I never primed mine.    What is it supposed to do when you soak PE in vinegar?

Good to know for the barrel

The PE screens are soaking in vinegar, going to rinse them off in a sec.  Quick question, I know a lot of people recommend priming PE parts, is it safe to assume it's necessary with the PE grill screens as well?

And as far as I can tell, dipping the plastic gun barrel in future worked great! 

tigerman wrote:

Duke Maddog wrote: Wow Scott, how big is that model you're doing? That is incredible!   Is this build being extended? I still have some Italeri kits I can start if it is. I don't want to submit anything new if I won't have any time to finish it before this Build ends.... Yeah, go ahead, I'm leaving it open until it dies out.

Great!

Duke Maddog wrote:

Wow Scott, how big is that model you're doing? That is incredible!   Is this build being extended? I still have some Italeri kits I can start if it is. I don't want to submit anything new if I won't have any time to finish it before this Build ends....

Yeah, go ahead, I'm leaving it open until it dies out.

Duke Maddog wrote:

Wow Scott, how big is that model you're doing? That is incredible!

heh heh That photo is from the restoration photos of the Littlefield Panther.    It's so tough to find good quality color photos from WWII, especially of German stuff.

I'm not quite sure how to paint the details on the engine, so I'm just going to wing it and make it look...well.. enginey. 

Wow Scott, how big is that model you're doing? That is incredible!

Is this build being extended? I still have some Italeri kits I can start if it is. I don't want to submit anything new if I won't have any time to finish it before this Build ends....

Man, it still kills me that the photo of the engine paint doesn't look anything like what it really looks like.... 

I took my barrel last night and decided to dip it in Future as I really want to have a good looking plastic barrel (usually use AM Aluminum) and I must say I'm happy with the results.  Just a light sanding tonight and I can permanently attach it to the turret.  All that's left before I lay down paint is to attach the grill screens.  I was starting to get tired around 10pm last night and didn't want to risk making a mistake with those puppies. 

I also decided not to use the track brackets on the turret as I don't want to cover up the gorgeous turret numbers (223 I believe). 

The end is in sight my friends! 

Edit: I finally have a color picture of the Panther Ausf. A engine compartment.