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

tigerman wrote:

Yes Larry, always a pleasure to have you around. One question since I have the same kit in the stash. Are the tracks long enough to glue down or are they too tight?

Eric,

The tracks can be glued.  They have just the right amount of slack in them.  Hat's off to Tamiya for a perfect fit on this one. 

LpC

bufflehead wrote:

Hey Larry!  Haven't seen any of your work in a while, not since the Kursk GB last year.  If you did post anything I must have missed it, my apologies!  I'm glad to hear your back in the work force, hope you enjoy your new job!  Your Tamiya Jagdpanther looks to be the the newer one based on their nice Panther Gs....GREAT JOB!!  Those tracks do look nice, the pins really work!    Anyway, glad to see you again Larry and hope to see more of your work soon!

Thanks a lot Earnest.  I appreciate it a lot more than I can express.  I was really falling into the black pit of depression again after my prolonged unemployment....and found myself isolating from people and things.  My new job has me putting together SharePoint/MOSS and Dynamics CRM from the ground up.  I'm learning a lot and like what I'm learning. I'm very grateful for getting this new opportunity. 

Thanks again

Larry

Plastic_Cross wrote:

dupes wrote: Ho ho, LARRY! Your Jagdpanther looks GREAT! I finished the M7 for the Winter Warriors group build, but gave the model away to a friend of mine as a going away gift before I took final photos.  I might have some 99% complete photos somewhere, and I'll look for them and post them to your GB thread to provide some closure. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you guys here on the forum.  I'll try to re-structure my time to allow for some regular contributions again.

Hey, as long as your Priest pics are close to the completed version, throw them up! I'm sure everyone in the GB would love to see them...and snag your badge!

As for re-structuring your time to allow for regular contributions, I'm all for it.

Thunderbolt379 wrote:

Hi all, Sorry it's been a while, I've been spreading my time around a few projects. It's coming time to lay some colour onto the StuG and I need to buy a few shades. I know this is a dumb question for long-time Wermacht builders, but there's so much variability I thought it best to ask. I've seen quite a variety of paints used to simulate German three-tone shades (I once got a very pleasing result from Humbrol 83 (or 84) Ochre and, essentially, US Olive Drab! By no means correct but they sure looked good on that Panther...) so what is 'right?' Given the variety in shade due to field mixing of the original paints, is there any hard and fast shade that can be called 'korrect?' I'm looking at doing a Tamiya Acrylics job. I've heard both XF-59 and XF-60 quoted for the dunkelgelb, and both XF-58 and XF-61 for the panzer olivegrun. Which is the better choice for a summer '43 vehicle??? I'm cleaning up the wheels for template spraying, and I'll spray out the gun mount declivity and underside of the mantlet at the same time. Would you recommend Testor Dullcoat as a protection for the acrylics before washes and filters? On my JGSDF Type 74 I had to repair some paintwork where washes took the acrylics right off, fortunately behind the running gear so the repair would never be noticed. I also have my first MiG pigments and am looking forward to dusting/mudding this beast! Cheers, TB379 On the bench: Tamiya 1:35 StuG III/G Academy 1: 35 Tiger I Early Hobbycraft 1:48 FG-1D Corsair Revell 1:72 Panzer III/L Trumpeter 1:35 SA-2 Guideline

I use Tamiya XF-60, but don't lighten it, though I should. Ditto with XF-61. I'm thinking of going with something closer to Olivegrun for my Jagd.

Depending what kind of wash you use, you want the opposite for your sealer. Isn't Testors a laquer? If so, you wouldn't want oils mixed in thinner for your wash. it would work with an acrylic wash. 

tigerman wrote:

Thunderbolt379 wrote: I use Tamiya XF-60, but don't lighten it, though I should. Ditto with XF-61. I'm thinking of going with something closer to Olivegrun for my Jagd. Depending what kind of wash you use, you want the opposite for your sealer. Isn't Testors a laquer? If so, you wouldn't want oils mixed in thinner for your wash. it would work with an acrylic wash.

I'm curious about that myself.  I've always assumed that lacquer is petroleum based (?) and that it might be affected by mineral spirits or turpentine/turpenoid.  So I've always laid on a coat of acrylic flat base, either Polly Scale Flat or Tamiya Flat/Future mix, before doing an oil/enamel wash/filter and have never had any problems. 

Scott/espins - Thanks again for posting in depth information of your subject, great pics, what a beast!

Larry - awesome build.... I like the tracks as is, you did a really good job on them. is tha the old Tamiya #69? I think I have it in my stash somewhere...

Hi Scott,

Sorry you've had such a runaround getting hold of a set of grills for this animal!

I'm up to cleaning up the wheels ready for painting, and I have a question. These wheels fit awful close together... I had been going to paint the reverse side of them, especially as they're perforated, but is that strictly necessary? I could do what I do with Abrams wheels, assemble the pairs, spray them tire-black, then template-paint the outer faces only. That looks fine on solid wheels, but the only perforated type I've done was on the T-62 and I did those colour on both sides.

I've checked photos but you can't see a darn thing in the shadow zones, and other StuG models are equally hard to see details on. What's your approach, if I may ask?

TB379

Thunderbolt379 wrote:

Hi Scott, Sorry you've had such a runaround getting hold of a set of grills for this animal! I'm up to cleaning up the wheels ready for painting, and I have a question. These wheels fit awful close together... I had been going to paint the reverse side of them, especially as they're perforated, but is that strictly necessary? I could do what I do with Abrams wheels, assemble the pairs, spray them tire-black, then template-paint the outer faces only. That looks fine on solid wheels, but the only perforated type I've done was on the T-62 and I did those colour on both sides. I've checked photos but you can't see a darn thing in the shadow zones, and other StuG models are equally hard to see details on. What's your approach, if I may ask? TB379

Good question.  I've painted the front side of the wheels flat black and was waiting for the grill screens to arrive so I can spray the base coat all at the same time.  I'll have to peel them off of the tape, put two together and see how it looks.  hmmm.... 

Hi guys,

Everybody's been pumping out some great work so far! (Sweet Jagdpanther Larry!)

And I managed to finish all the construction on the LAV-AT and it's now awaiting paint, I should have some progress pics up by Sunday.

Chris,

I sense your frustration, Scott! It'll be next week before I can get up to the hobby shop in town to pick up paint, olive, yellow and black for this build (what a time to run out of XF-1...) and a shade or two for the Corsair build (what, you say, aren't they mostly FS15042? Well yes, but not El Salvador's really interesting ones!)

Here's the state-of-the-StuG:

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We have five weeks left to go on this GB, right? Better get my finger out, I want my first GB badge!

TB379

Well, the base is 95% completed now, so it won't be long before I can call this project done :)

Question is; does anyone want to see the little SU-100 on its lonesome as well?

Cheers

Mike 

Thunderbolt,
I would not use XF-59 since it is supposed to replicate the DAK yellow.
XF-60 Is your Tamiya choice for Dunkelgelb RAL 7028
Also I would prefer XF-26 over XF-58 , XF-61 and XF-62
XF-59 and 62 or olive, we are looking for green
XF-61 is to dark.

Lately I have tried the Xtracolour range and there Dark Yellow is spot on to the RAL plate.
Also it is semi gloss so you can jump the "Future" step.

As allways
Boarder
 

JMart wrote:

Scott/espins - Thanks again for posting in depth information of your subject, great pics, what a beast! Larry - awesome build.... I like the tracks as is, you did a really good job on them. is tha the old Tamiya #69? I think I have it in my stash somewhere...

JMart - Thanks a lot for the thumbs up.  I've done a little more weathering and drybrushing on it and will post the final pictures this weekend hopefully.  As far as the kit itself - this is newer Tamiya issue, #203 Late Version. 

Best Regards,

Larry

Well here is the little Dragon 1:72 SU-100. I took these pics before base and model were "fused" together. Apologies about the fluff than can just be seen, No matter how much I dust the model, it always creeps on and with the camera magnification....

I am learning more and more about how to take better digital camera photo's with manual settings. I hope this does not look too washed out. 

Model was completed using Vallejo paints and oil washes. MIG pigments were also used to dirty up the lower chassis and wheels. I also used the dot filter method, which has given a lovely subtle finish to the fighting compartment sides, front and back. Definitely be using this method more and more.

Pics of the completed model on its base will be done a little later as my camera battery went flat. I will also post up pics of the little wargaming Armourfast SU-85M, which was completed as well.

Cheers and thanks

Mike 

Nice work Madmike! 

I was hoping the grill screens would be here by Saturday, but apparently they didn't ship until yesterday from Phoenix.  I would assume they'll be here Monday or Tuesday, then you're going to see a painting frenzy on the StuG.  I've been dying to get back to work on it.  The StuG III Ausf. G is one of my favorite armored vehicles. 

Goog Looking SU Mike. I always liked the shaped of those brutes. Very clean.

I might get back to the bench. Been extra (even for me) lazy. I last worked on my build, oh about 3 weeks ago.

tigerman wrote:

I might get back to the bench. Been extra (even for me) lazy. I last worked on my build, oh about 3 weeks ago.

Just do it man!  I've found that when I'm in a slump that if I just get in there and start making progress, that in itself gets me motivated to do more. 

Part of the reason for my laziness is the lack of a proper building area. My 7 x 10 walk-in closet serves as my hobby space. It has a large window and is home to my clothes and other junk. My wife uses the smaller walk-in. When the room is cluttered, I feel a lack of motivation.

As for the kit itself, I should have kept the schurzen. It would have covered the unsightly seems that I got when mating the top and bottom pieces together. It's almost impossible to get in that are to sand properly. I now see why people diss Imperial kits so much. I haven't even started the bizzilion tracks yet. I also have to use the travel lock, because the aluminum barrel is too heavy.

This build makes me want to get back to my Cromwell.

T-man, I think you just need to heave all of those clothes out on the lawn, throw in your favorite building-motivation music and GO FOR IT!

You are getting me a bit worried about the "Imperial" kits...I happen to have a few...they can't be THAT bad, can they?

Don't be scared Marc. Perhaps it's just me. I've heard a lot of negatives about Imperial kits. I imagine the newer kits spoiled many of us. Of course the instructions are fun. I will try to post some pics of the two areas that I mentioned.

As for my clothes. Hehe. I could use some new ones anyway.

I'm not saying you need to heave them out there and leave them, mind you, just long enough for you to motivate yourself to do some building.

I think once I free up my build list a bit I need to jump into one of those Imperials and see just how bad (or good!) they are. Looks like I've got a couple of Pz.III's, couple StuG III's, couple Pz. IV's, even a Firefly...I'll come up with something to throw together.

Some quick pics of my hobby space:

And her is a pic my sons Tamiya Humvee that we have been working on:

Finally a pic of the aforementioned bad spot:

As I was taking my pics, one of the brackets that held the travel lock fell off and went down between some boards on my deck. I figured it to be gone. However, to my surprise I found it and it was easier than I thought to retreive. Lucky me, I think. Almost ready to toss this beast and begin on the Tamiya Marder III.

I still have a couple of Imperials, might trade them in for a new Smart Kit!

Heres a shot of my LAV-AT before paint, I have though, painted the hubcaps black for the time being but I will repaint those soon when I paint the superstructure.

 I cut apart the steering assembly in order to have the wheels turnable. This kit has been awesome to build so far, with no problems whatsoever. I'll be painting it up soon and should have more pics up in about a week.

Chris,

    Tigerman, dont give up my friend. I've had some fit problem's like this before and one of the easiest way's to fix this is the old caked mud cover up.

LaborInVain -- thanks for the steer! I'll be hitting the LHS tomorrow and see what they've got. I'm not sure we have Xtracolor in this country, but they do stock Polyscale so I'll have a look at their acrylic clear flat as a protective layer. I'm interested in dot filter weathering but still not positive on the chemical orders of priority.

Madmike -- fantastic braille-scale! Looks superb!

Scott -- Yep, dying to get there on this one myself!

Townsy11 -- Pirhana's looking good! I have it's stablemate, the basic APC with turret, and will be getting another to do both Iraq colors and NATO cammo.

TB379

First of all, nice Humvee. (So is he building that, or are you? )

Second, I'm voting that all of your armor builds be moved up the food chain to a display place of higher prominence compared to all of those CARS. There's some nice stuff in there!

Third, IMHO those pics on your workbench of your "family" need to get the boot in favor of more workspace...

Four - a little mud under the fenders would fix that "bad spot" right up! Seriously! Glue and dirt, T-man, glue and dirt.

Finally - are those AIRCRAFT in your stash? I had no idea... gotta tell you though, while mines a bit bigger, our collections are nearly identical. Heheheh.

The Humvee has been entirely built by son, sans the camo job. We are obviously still working on her.

There are about 5-6 more kits in the stash that didn't get in that pic.

The cars are the kids. The eldest son got the notion to try one and the other kids followed suite.

Yeah the pics need to go. Boo hoo.

I have about 6 wingies and might put some up on ebay. I go through this "I want to build one" mentality every year. Only the Zero is in progress (not in pic). I like Japanese planes.

Mud? What's that?