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

Thanks for the images and link, although the link isn't working.  I REALLY want to do that white one, but my siphon feed doesn't have the control needed for it.  I did just buy a brand new gravity feed, I've had it less then a week.  I just used it on a model, and took it apart to clean it, and when I unscrewed the nozzle I got it just about a half a turn out and it sheered off inside the body.  It's 29 bucks for the nozzle, and 118 for the body.  I paid 82 and some change for the airbrush, hose(which I was told I needed and I didn't), and shipping.  , so I'll probably get stuck with just the green. 

This also halts another project dead in it's tracks.  I can't do the camo scheme without that gravity feed.  Unless I can find someone to loan me their gravity feed, but I ain't holding my breath.

tigerman wrote:

Townsy11 wrote: It's a long shot but I don't suppose a Pz.VII Maus would qualify for this GB? Sorry friend. Check the first post for some ideas.

I have an old Italeri Jagdpanther buried somewhere in the stash. If I can unearth it in the next couple days I'm in.

Chris,

Fantacmet,

     The M-18 was used by many different countries after the war, and many of them used different camo schemes. I have a color template of a Croatian M-18 with a leaf pattern and I've seen a Columbian (I think it was) with a striped pattern. I've got Squadron's Tank destroyer walk around which has some pretty good interior pics. If you like I can try to scan them and post them here if you like. Although my week is pretty busy so I probably would not be able to do this until the weekend. 

  Thank's everyone for the great comment's, espin congrat's on the panther still havent got my copy. If it is'nt in my mail box tommorow I'm just gonna pick one up at Boarder's,tired of waiting.

   Dupes the fig's are tamiya I found them at my LHS on the display rack in a little plastic bag the card said that thier from the waspe kit.

    Jmart,  doc-hm3 I used acrylics to paint the wood. I first painted them black then gave them a coat of dark redish brown then a wash using black enamel after that dried I dry brushed them with a liter shade of brown followed by another wash and more dry brushing.

Cruzr - nice job so far! dont worry, dragging standards down is MY job ;) nice construction, thats one mean looking barrel!

panzerguy - looks good to me, I like the figures; ditto the wood handle comments, was wondering if it was real wood!

Your Elefant is coming along nicely Cruzr! 

I'm really digging the Marder Panzerguy! 

chris hall wrote:

Hi Bufflehead, for the tread pattern, you might try this. Get a piece of regular kitchen foil, and rub it down over a piece of fender which already has the tread pattern, larger than the area you need to repair. Shiny side down is probably best. When it has acquired the tread pattern, remove it, and carefully cut it to size, using a steel ruler and a new scalpel blade. Then carefully cement it in place over the damaged area, ensuring not to remove the pattern as you do so. Use white glue, not superglue, so that if you mess up, as I am sure I would do the first few times of trying, you can remove the foil and start over. Cheers, Chris.

Thanks Chris, I'll give that a try!  If it doesn't work I'll try adding the tiniest slivers of plastic.  If all else fails....$$ for set of PE! " border="0" width="15" height="24" />

Cruzr, that Elephant is looking might nice!  With the long 88, that vehicle is truly a Hunter!!

panzerguy, the Marder is coming along very well!  I especially like those figures!  They look very cold even thought they're unpainted....brrr!!

Townsy11 wrote:

It's a long shot but I don't suppose a Pz.VII Maus would qualify for this GB?

Sorry friend. Check the first post for some ideas.

   Buffle-it's a III

   Jester- Interesting camo

   Dostacos-Nice Hetzer

 Got some paint done over the weekend and attached the upper hull little bit of a fit problem in the rear but the mufferler should hide it okay.A couple of touch up's then decale's.I'm gonna be putting a white wash on this using the hair spray tech.

   A couple of fig's I picked up to go with my TD when it's done.

    The driver and radio hatch's hinges did not line up so I had to shave off the one's on the hull side's and make new one's out of scrap plastic and the radio antenna mount had no bracket on it so I made one using thin brass sheet and grant line nut's.

    For my first GB this is really turning out to a ball and I can't wait to see all the finished build's.Later Panz. 

Wow incrediable work in here, i just hope i can try not to drag the standard down. How did you guys find building the Individ links. This was my first time using them ( just the ones that came with the kit) any tips for next time would be great. I was getting ready to shoot the base coat and noticed i had built the tool box inside out ( ya i know) anyway got that all fixed up and double checked again that nothing else had suffered during my brain fart. so her she is before the base coat:

and now after the base coat and camo. the barrel is still not attched or painted as you can see. made it easier to paint the hull with it out of the way.

Still have all the acc on the outside ( tools, cables, etc) plus paint and attch the barrel, weathering  and all that fun stuff so plenty of work left. any and all comments welcome

I had a site that had great color drawings, but has since gone off the web. I'd love something too.

You can check finished builds on:

www.missing-lynx.com

www.armorama.com

www.cyberhobby.com

fantacmet wrote:

Are there any paint schemes on the Hellcat other then plain old olive drab?  Doesn't have to be a desert scheme, but even a camo scheme would be cool.  Winter Whitewash perhaps?  That I would LOVE to do on this, but can't see it happening with it being open top and all.  I wouldn't want to serve on it in the middle of winter.  LOL.

Here is one in winter "dress

I also found THIS page, compilation of museum TDs pics (1:1, not models)

http://svsm.org/gallery/Self-Propelled-Guns

The M18 page has a great "walk around"

One more pic showing lots of stowage and "addons":

Well I've finally got the base coat on. Then on to some minor assembly,and then let he camo begin. I haven't decided on a scheme yet, I'll have to take look around, unless some of you fine gents has some nice color profiles to choose from. Thanks and the builds are looking absolutely beautiful here.  Nice work to everybody .

Jester75 wrote:

There are a few spots to touch up on and I'm not sure if the pattern is very accurate or not but I really like how it looks!! I going to knock down some of the sharpness with a really thinned out coat of dark yellow next. Thanks for looking everyone and as always, comments are more than welcomed here!!

Jester!  Awesome camo. Looks great!  I toned mine down using a mist over the entire vehicle.  Be careful, as the weathering process will tone things down quite a bit, so leave it a little brighter than the final shade you want. That way when you apply a wash or 10 so it won't get too dark.    Mine turned out darker than I planned.  (see page 29 of this thread for pictures.)

But your build looks great!

Wow, Jester that is a really sweet 3 tone. Ive yet to try one of those but im shaking at the thought of it lol. Moose, that is some fine interior work there. Another of my todo's (An interior)  Buffelhead, Nice casting effect on the mantlet. What did you use, Come on spill the beans? I wouldnt worry too much about the rear ejector marks, surely that is what mud was invented for LOL .

...Guy

Hi all, 

SVENNE -- The (r) after Su-76 is German code for a captured vehicle, in this case Russian. (f) was code for French, and (t) for Czech (Tcheck).

I picked up some Tamiya Dark Yellow today, the MM equivalent was out of stock, (which sounds somewhat fortuitous). I'm trying to eyeball a good match for the Chinese cammo, and while the dark yellow is a fair match for the tan, I also need the mid-green: the Panzer Olivegrun '43 recommended online looks nowhere close in person, I need a warmer, yellower shade. I may end up mixing it.

I'm slogging through some lower hull fittings, and hope to do some turret details soon. Will figure out how to post pics and get some WIP shots up before very much longer.

Cheers,

TB379

Hi Bufflehead,

for the tread pattern, you might try this. Get a piece of regular kitchen foil, and rub it down over a piece of fender which already has the tread pattern, larger than the area you need to repair. Shiny side down is probably best. When it has acquired the tread pattern, remove it, and carefully cut it to size, using a steel ruler and a new scalpel blade. Then carefully cement it in place over the damaged area, ensuring not to remove the pattern as you do so. Use white glue, not superglue, so that if you mess up, as I am sure I would do the first few times of trying, you can remove the foil and start over.

Cheers,

Chris.

Hey guys!  Looks like I've got some catching up to do!

dupes: Man that Semovente looks really great!  Wish I could build and paint em as fast as you!  To be honest I can't even see the glued part of the track that you had a problem with!  BTW, what size gun is on that little beastie?

panzerguy: I'll confess that I've always found the look of this version Marder to be a little strange...is it a II or III?  Nonetheless your build looks great...especially with the extra work you put into it!  Bet it'll look fantastic with a coat of paint!

Luftwoller:  I haven't heard a lot of good things about PE zim, but your StuG certainly looks the part...great work!  I've very interested in seeing how the zim looks under a coat of paint! BTW, I've never seen zim on the top on an engine deck either, but stranger things have happened in war!

dostacos:  That's a fine looking Hetzer dos!  I keep thinking its 1/35 and have to keep reminding myself its 1/48!  Do you know if the camo pattern you applied is considered the "cloud" pattern done by the Skoda plant?

Jester:  Maybe I should just pack my Jagdpanzer IV away and buy me a new DML Jagdpanther!  Your's is looking sooo good!   In addition to all the great work with the PE and other stuff you've now applied a niiiice paint job!  Awesome dude!

I apologize if I missed anyone's recent photo posts...been really busy at home and work.  I did manage to get a couple hours of bench time today.  Here's some photos of my....mediocre Italeri Jagdpanzer IV.  I say mediocre because of the many problems I've been having.   I'll list some of them after the photos.  The upper and lower hulls are just dry-fitted as is the gun and mantlet (with the help of blue tac).

Basic views

The mantlet housing is oversized and required trimming to (barely) fit the hull properly

There's a WHOLE bunch of ejector pin marks on the rear hull plate...too many and too hard to remove.  I was thinking of scratchbuilding a new plate, but I don't really have the time.

Since I had to remove the molded in light mount I now have a hole (easy to fix) and lost tread pattern (not so easy to fix)!  Does anyone know how to add a tread pattern to a plastic fender?  I really don't want to buy a PE set just to fix this little quirk with the kit (one of many).

OK, if anyone has this kit and wants to build a somewhat more accurate version here's some problems you will encounter:

Oversized mantlet housing

Unnecessary light mount and Notek light mount requires trimming leaving problem areas to fix

All those epms on the rear plate

No steel return rollers included (necessary if you want to do a later version...option B in the instructions)

Weld marks on hull are all wrong

Fuel ports on side of hull are in the wrong position (ok for a standard Pz. IV but not a Jagd)

Not sure about the front tow eyes, but the ones on the back are wrong.

Poorly detialed pioneer tools

There's more but I won't go into them right now.  See why I'm thinking of switching to DML's new Jagdpanther?!!

Sweet looking interior Moose! I have always wanted to build a US TD ever since seeing the Hellcat on the military channel!