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

Looks like a nice job Cruzr. Like it with the rear doors open. Not seen them posed open. Shows the thickness well. As for the demarcation between the camo colors. If you use blu or white tack then you get a fairly soft edge to the camo. I too have never seen one with that camo before, but im no expert.

I thought that all elephants were zimmed, but again, what do i know.

 Espins is the Elephant man (That sounded wierd, hes not that fat) . Are you going to throw a wash or two at it?

Great job fella, be proud.

...Guy

Thunderbolt379 wrote:

Scott -- I picked up another StuG III/G on ebay this afternoon, this kit builds so easy and there are so many options I can't make do with just one! (Skirts, no skirts, zim, no zim, winter markings, standard schemes, optional 105 barrel to build the StuH 42 instead...) BTW, I researched Echelon decals online. Standard US price seems to be $14.95 for a very small sheet... Go to: http://home.pacific.net.sg/~kriegsketten/ in the company's native Singapore and order online, they're only $6.50! TB379

That's exactly where I got them from.  I ordered two sets of StuG decals, the set I scanned and posted and another Das Reich StuG Scheme, that of Ernst August Krag's Command Vehicle with "Gotz von Berlichlingen" on the sides.  They only took about a week to get here, all the way from Singapore!  And only $6.50 each, really good deal compared to "retail". 

Luftwoller wrote:

Looks like a nice job Cruzr. Like it with the rear doors open. Not seen them posed open. Shows the thickness well. As for the demarcation between the camo colors. If you use blu or white tack then you get a fairly soft edge to the camo. I too have never seen one with that camo before, but im no expert. I thought that all elephants were zimmed, but again, what do i know.  Espins is the Elephant man (That sounded wierd, hes not that fat) . Are you going to throw a wash or two at it? Great job fella, be proud. ...Guy

The Elephant has always been a favorite research topic of mine. 

Yes, all Elephants had zimmerit.  After the Kursk offensive, there were only 48 remaining Ferdinands in working order.  Eventually they were pulled off the line and were "converted" to Elephants, so to speak.  There were several significant modifications done to them, including a new Commanders Cupola (from the StuG IIIG) a bow machine gun was installed along with another 100mm armored plated around the machine gun ball mount making for a total of 300mm of armor in that spot , and zimmerit was applied to them all. 

I wouldn't lose any sleep over not having put zimmerit on your Elephant.  Heck, just look at some of the Verlinden books with all the diorama pics in them...... Francios Verlinden didn't put any zimmerit on his Italeri Elefant and I've never seen the scheme that he used either.  But it still looks great!

Your camo is a bit heavy handed, but that's due to the limitations of your airbrush.  You might want to try some masking to get more of the effect you're looking for. 

I really like how you left the back doors open and set the tanker in the opening, really gives it some life!    Nice work!

Luftwoller wrote:

Looks like a nice job Cruzr. Like it with the rear doors open. Not seen them posed open. Shows the thickness well. As for the demarcation between the camo colors. If you use blu or white tack then you get a fairly soft edge to the camo. I too have never seen one with that camo before, but im no expert. I thought that all elephants were zimmed, but again, what do i know.  Espins is the Elephant man (That sounded wierd, hes not that fat) . Are you going to throw a wash or two at it? Great job fella, be proud. ...Guy

In the immortal words of John Merrick "I am not an animal!" 

The Elefant has always been a favorite research topic of mine. 

Yes, all Elefants had zimmerit.  After the Kursk offensive, there were only 48 remaining Ferdinands in working order.  These were eventually pulled off the line and were "converted" to Elefants, so to speak.  There were several significant modifications done to them, including a new Commanders Cupola (from the StuG IIIG) a bow machine gun was installed along with another 100mm armored plated around the machine gun ball mount making for a total of 300mm of armor in that spot , and zimmerit was applied to them all.  As a side not, the tracks for the Elefant were wider, 640mm (Ferdinand 600mm).

I wouldn't lose any sleep over not having put zimmerit on your Elephant.  Heck, just look at some of the Verlinden books with all the diorama pics in them...... Francios Verlinden didn't put any zimmerit on his Italeri Elefant and I've never seen the scheme that he used either.  But it still looks great!

Your camo is a bit heavy handed, but that's due to the limitations of your airbrush.  You might want to try some masking to get more of the effect you're looking for. 

I really like how you left the back doors open and set the tanker in the opening, really gives it some life!    Nice work!

This is the scheme on my Marder. I think I've seen it on the Elefant. Maybe Scott can verify that. Also, I've seen green and brown squiggles or little patches sprayed all over. That might be more accurate. Turn down the pressure on your compressor and get real close to your kit when spraying. Make sure the paint is well thinned.

Thanks i think i can handle that scheme. Scott do you know if the Elefants wore a camo such as that?? I think what i'll do Tiger is use your pattern but reverse the colors like this marder from April's issue

i don't have the proper tip or the skill yet to get those fine lines with the airbrush yet. here is the Elefant back in her base color ready to go. i'm going out for easter dinner so i'll hit this up tonight

Cruzr wrote:

Thanks i think i can handle that scheme. Scott do you know if the Elefants wore a camo such as that?? I think what i'll do Tiger is use your pattern but reverse the colors like this marder from April's issue i don't have the proper tip or the skill yet to get those fine lines with the airbrush yet. here is the Elefant back in her base color ready to go. i'm going out for easter dinner so i'll hit this up tonight

Actually, I sprayed the red-brown swatch first, then the green within, rather then a red-brown outline around the green. Confused? LOL

Here are some scans from the excellent book from AJ Press "Ferdinand Elefant Vol. 2", by Tadeusz Melleman.  It's part of the GunPower series, volume 23.  These should give you some ideas on schemes that were used on Elefants, but again, I would be the last person to tell you how you should paint it.  It's your model so do it they way you want. 

Mine is closest to plate 3. I wish I had these plates before I sprayed mine. I wasn't overly pleased with the outcome.

tigerman wrote:

Mine is closest to plate 3. I wish I had these plates before I sprayed mine. I wasn't overly pleased with the outcome.

Yours looks great Tigerman!  Is that Cavalier Zimmerit I'm seeing? 

espins1 wrote:

tigerman wrote: Mine is closest to plate 3. I wish I had these plates before I sprayed mine. I wasn't overly pleased with the outcome. Yours looks great Tigerman!  Is that Cavalier Zimmerit I'm seeing?

To take one of your fave lines Scott: "Aye laddy!" Cavalier is great stuff btw. I'm not happy with some things on the Elefant, including the icky camo and silvered decals, so I scored the Dragon Premium Ferdinand. I think the Elefant/Ferd is my favorite TD, even more so than the Jagdpanther. Awefully close though.

There is a lot to love about the Elefant, especially the unique drivetrain, heavy armor and that awesome gun!

I have the same Ferdinand kit in my stash.  Hopefully one of these days we'll have enough time to build them eh? 

espins1 wrote:

There is a lot to love about the Elefant, especially the unique drivetrain, heavy armor and that awesome gun! I have the same Ferdinand kit in my stash.  Hopefully one of these days we'll have enough time to build them eh?

Another GB? No, no, not another. LOL Yeah, maybe someday. hehe Actually it's been done, already had an Elefant GB. My memory is going.

Hi Scott,

Ah, great minds think alike! They certainly have an amazing range, with frequent new releases. I picked up some StuG and Abrams sheets last night. Did you get their free postage offer as well???

TB379

Thunderbolt379 wrote:

Hi Scott, Ah, great minds think alike! They certainly have an amazing range, with frequent new releases. I picked up some StuG and Abrams sheets last night. Did you get their free postage offer as well??? TB379

But of course!  I was thrilled at both the price and the speed, even though they came all the way from Singapore.  I will definately buy through them again! 

I made a lot of progress on the "Das Reich" StuG III Ausf. G today.  Here are a few shots of the lower hull.  This kit is a dream, minimal cleanup and the parts go together perfectly! 

Tiger: lol not confused at all, i figured thats what you did. if i go that route i will lay the green down first then the brown in the centre, giving me the green outline.

Scott: Thanks those pics help tons. a couple of those scans near the bottom ( like plate 3) i might be able to pull off with my lousy brush, i'm going to practice on some scrap stuff first.

Here is an update of my AFV M10.  I still have to weather the animal.  Also waiting on a figure set and stowage set to arrive.

What is a way to model dirt and grass on the hull and tracks?  Once again constructive critism is welcome.   This build has been fun, decided to minimumize the PE.  I'll make up for it in the next build

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here she is with the new camo. using an aztec with a med tip don't think i could get it any closer

moose421 wrote:

Excellent Achilles, Moose :) I have an Academy, but I like your tracks. Fabulous!

Much better Cruzr! 

I know it can be challenging to do 3 color camo schemes without the right tools. 

dupes wrote:

Lots of good work guys! That M10 looks sweet, and Tigerman's Ferdy is coming along nicely...one of your fastest builds ever, isn't it T-man?

Elefant.

T-rex wrote:

TA DA!, here the camo! It looks fabulous, I'm so proud of myself, and I thought it would have look awful, well it looks better with the tracks and some of the assesories on. and its my birthday today.

happy b-day

your build is pretty solid   but i think it needs some dirt and grime   just a touch