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

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 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

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...

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. 

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. 

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.

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

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

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

FeldMarSchall Model wrote:

Well thanks Tigerman, I happy to join. I've made some progress, not alot.

Hehe, you'll probably finish before me!

Are you doing your own zimmerit or going with something AM?

Brews wrote:

Scott, did you manage to dig up any more info on that Jagdtiger? Cheers, Bruce

Sorry Brews, I can't find anything else on that vehicle, although I have loads of info about many of the other JagdTigers. 

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!

Awesome work there Larry. Those tracks could be fruils. Top job fella. Weve missed ya.

...Guy

dupes wrote:

Ho ho, LARRY! Your Jagdpanther looks GREAT!

Thanks for your generous remarks Dupes.  As I mentioned below, this Tamiya kit was a real pleasure to build. 

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.

Different topic - I'm 1/2 through my AFV Club Scimitar build.  After that I'm planning on building the Academy Sheridan.

Best Regards,

Larry

tigerman wrote:

Personally, I see nothing out of whack with your tracks Larry. I like them. I totally relate to your not wanting to put together indies. I think that is why I hit the wall with my Jagdpanzer in this build. 200 plus indies. I honestly don't think I will finish in time. I just can't seem to get motivated beyond the normal construction.

I'm keeping it simple.  That really helps me finish things.  The Tamiya jagdpanther was one of the easiest and best fitting models I've built thus far.  Had it not been, I'd probably be much further behind. 

You'll get back into deep stuff again Eric, but for now go for some low hanging fruit to generate those endorphins.

Larry

Ho ho, LARRY! Your Jagdpanther looks GREAT!

Wow, if you hadn't mentioned the kit rubber bandies I don't know if I would have been able to tell the difference...

Glad to see you back around - was wondering where you went! On an unrelated note, I know you were just about done with your Priest you were building for Winter Warriors...did you ever finish it (badge waiting to be claimed if you did)? And if so, is there any chance we could see some pics?

Don't be a stranger.

Thanks a ton for the good vibes Scott and Eric.

Eric - yup, those are the kit rubbery band tracks.  I've gotten pretty lazy with the track portion of my builds of late.  I do plan to spruce them up a bit with some weathering.   I did use the steel pin trick to produce some sag without resorting to superglue. 

Larry

Scott, did you manage to dig up any more info on that Jagdtiger?

Cheers,

Bruce

Ok guys - I've not been on the forum......but I have been building.  Here's a few shots of my Tamiya Jagdpanther I've been chipping away at for this GB.  Not quite done, but almost.

I'm working at my new job, and haven't had much time to spare to chat it up here lately.  I wish the best to all my friends here at finescale forum and hope to drop by more often.

Larry 

tigerman wrote:

Yeah I wouldn't want to be the Sherman in this case. LOL

That's quite an understatement!   

hey guys excellent builds in here. i just finished up a sherman for another Gb and i took a shot next to my elefant, talk about bringing a knife to a gun fight...........

Cheers

Cliff

Brews wrote:

Can anybody tell me the history / unit markings / camo of Jagdtiger No Fgst. 305002? It was the only Henschell Jagdtiger with neither Zimmeritt nor travel lock for the gun :)

Here is what I do know about 305002 and if I find more in my references I'll post it for you.

Obviously 305001 and 305002 were the first two JagdTiger and were produced in February 1944.  305001 had Porsche running gear, 305002 Henschel.  They were used for testing by the Army Ordnance Office starting May 5, 1944.  I know 305001 was reequipped by Verskraft in Kummerdorf.  I wonder if 305002 underwent the same treatment?  305001 had track brackets attached which held the spare track links vertically, unlike most other JagdTigers.  It featured a 3 color camo scheme with wide, vertical wavy lines all over it.  Hopefully I can dig up something similar on 305002.