"The Hunters GB" (2/1/08 to 6/1/08)

Alright T-man, stick a fork in me , this guy is done. The Italeri Semovente M40 75mm Tank Destroyer, created by the Italians early in the Afrika campaign once they realized that they were getting their a***s handed to them by the U.S. and Brits. This is one small vehicle mounting a pretty hefty caliber gun, especially for so early in the war.

Without further ado:

...and a couple on the base I "borrowed" from my sd.kfz.222 (had to settle for this route, no desert in my backyard to take action shots in )

Enjoy! All comments and criticisms highly welcomed!  

 Got some more work done on my marder last night and was able to put some paint on the lower hull. I'm gonna be painting and weathering the lower hull before I attach the top because I would'nt be able to get to the top of the fender's and the tool stowage.I scratch built the canvas top support's,if anyone know's were I can get a pic of one of these with the top on it it would be much apreciated.

Hahhaha, thanks T-man. Yeah, sure, send your Jagd-thingy over, I'll bang it out.

Ahhh, base exterior coat was MM Sand which got toned waaaay down with all of the washes/pastels/drybrushing. The base base coat peeking through in a lot of places is Italian armor gray-green, made by mixing 2 common Tamiya colors together - I wanna say XF51 Khaki Drab and XF65 Field Gray...or something like that.

Panzerguy - amazes me you guys that can separately paint and weather 2 halves of a model...how do you make sure it all matches?

Dupes, that Semovente looks pretty sweet, especially on that nice looking dio base.  

Panzerguy, I know I have a book somewhere that has a photo of some Marders with their canvas covers on.  I'm not at the house right now, but I'm pretty sure it is in this book: 

http://www.amazon.com/Eastern-Front-Camouflage-Czechoslovakia-Yugoslavia/dp/0897471423

I'm making slow progress on my Su-100 after starting out gangbusters.  Got laid up with the flu for a week, but now I'm back on it and its ready for paint finally.  I'll try to post some pics soon.

 Jeff

Scott,
Thank you very much for your kind offer, I really need a little bit of knowledge MIGO'd over, my service center SLOC is looking very empty and the STO's from main plant are doubling on RLT for some reason :)



The gap that worries me is between the actual castematte and part C13.
The angel on top of C13 depicts a weld seem.
I expect a fine line between C18 and C13 since this is bolt on plate but I think that the gap visible on the previous picture behind C13 should be filled.

Anyway and while you are at it :), would you have any reference picture from inside the fighting compartment?
Was RLM02 or red primer used in the lower parts of the interior?
Radio housings; black or RLM02?
Radio panels; black, steel or RLM02
Main gun brake cylinder housing; elfenbein or black?

Thank You
Boarder

Dupes,

Congratulations on a fine (and fast) build
The Semovente really looks the part, interesting how that shaded too tone sand makes it so convincing.
You might want to have a go at the mold seems on the suspension springs and give them a dark oily wash, they where lubricated with grease.

Where does that gun recoil, I always wondered?

Best Regards
Boarder

Labour In Vain wrote:

Where does that gun recoil, I always wondered?

Well, you're only talking about a 75mm L18. The Semovente was Italy's answer to the StuG IIIA. Technically, it was as much a tank hunter as the early StuGs, and probably less of a tank hunter than the SU-122 , although it was largely used in the anti-tank role after Alamein, using HEAT/HESH rounds, apparently.

Dupes: good job on the Semovente, I really like the weathering and the base adds a cool touch.

Brews wrote:

Technically, it was as much a tank hunter as the early StuGs, and probably less of a tank hunter than the SU-122

Heh. I should put a picture of this thing next to the ISU-152 I started with...you'd see just how right you are!

Thanks for looking fellas, glad you like it.

Wow lads, what an awesome collection of work. Im lovin it. Dupes you semo just looks fantastic. I have one in my stash to do.

Now ive finished another GB effort im here full time to start my Stug IV Late. Im using (For the 1st time i might add) PE Zimm .

 I was a bit concerned with this stuff as to what glue to fix it with, but after a trip to my LHS for some standard cyano, i came accross this...

Slow curing Cyano. woo hoo.

The dragon kit goes together like a dream, Im not working to the instructions so i can attach the zimm easier. The stuff is soo thin and, im sure, with some paint on it, it will look great. Anyhoo heres my efforts so far.

Sorry for all the pics Lycraman.

...Guy

dupes wrote:

Panzerguy - amazes me you guys that can separately paint and weather 2 halves of a model...how do you make sure it all matches?

  Very carefully.

Labour In Vain wrote:

Scott, Thank you very much for your kind offer, I really need a little bit of knowledge MIGO'd over, my service center SLOC is looking very empty and the STO's from main plant are doubling on RLT for some reason :)

gaaaah!    SAP terminology!! 

I'll dig through my StuG references and post some pics shortly for you. 

dupes - nice job on the Semovente! I have that one in my stash, will save your pics for reference.. Critiques? You even got the direction of the arrow correct ;) my goodness, you build one a week? :)

Chris- gorgeous Nashorn...

Panzerguy - thats a nice looking start...

Labour In Vain wrote:

Scott, Thank you very much for your kind offer, I really need a little bit of knowledge MIGO'd over, my service center SLOC is looking very empty and the STO's from main plant are doubling on RLT for some reason :) The gap that worries me is between the actual castematte and part C13. The angel on top of C13 depicts a weld seem. I expect a fine line between C18 and C13 since this is bolt on plate but I think that the gap visible on the previous picture behind C13 should be filled. Anyway and while you are at it :), would you have any reference picture from inside the fighting compartment? Was RLM02 or red primer used in the lower parts of the interior? Radio housings; black or RLM02? Radio panels; black, steel or RLM02 Main gun brake cylinder housing; elfenbein or black? Thank You Boarder

Hopefully these scans will be helpful to you.  They are all from the excellent Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G Walk Around, Squadron/Signal Publications Armor Walk Around Number 2.  You can read my review of this book, along with more sample page scans here:

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=2970

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Dupes,

Looks awesome!  Love the paint and weathering. The scuffing on the rear deck is awesome.

Not crazy about the rust on the exhaust, though.  Looks too neat. 

Scott,

I owe you big time!
The pictures are excellent and exactly what I needed.
I probably end up buying the book to
Again, thanks a million!

CS61; OK
CA01; OK

I'll post when I am at next CO19 step :)

Boarder

I'm glad those were able to help.  Looking forward to watching your progress on this build. 

That book is a great addition to anyone's reference library, especially for Stug III G fans!  

Cruzr wrote:

if its not to late i'd like to throw my hat in the ring. I'm building dragon's Elefant right now

Just as long as you are just starting and not mid-way through it.

well i bought the kit two weeks ago and i'm about 15% done, your call

cheers 

Cruzr wrote:

well i bought the kit two weeks ago and i'm about 15% done, your call   cheers

Since I allowed another member to do it, and you aren't that far along, welcome aboard.

well heres the pics of my Elefant so far. i glued the upper hull on last night. i'm disapointed there isn't more intierior detail, but what can you do. this is my first Amour in years and also my first crack at PE, which i must say can be a big pain in the but with the timy parts ( already lost a few to the carpet moster which is even more impressive since i dont have carpet) but other then that it's not bad

So i'm sorry for the blurry pics i have a junk digi. I will be getting a better digi for the final pics