Group Build #2: Progression?

Why not.I'm quite sure he'd like the idea.

 

Yeah that'd be wonderful. Maybe I can see if I can make something as well?

Progression on my tank has been a little slower than when I started off, but it's coming together smoothly now. I've almost completely built the lower hull, only a part of the tracks still need to be done. The upper part is almost ready for the final paintjob, it sits there waiting for the lower hull to get ready.

 

Got a question on the isu 152. What colour should I paint the headlight? I take it that the base green would not do. Maybe flat white, or silver?
Just to indicate there's a headlight there.

 

Silver is best (I guess you mean the front of the light where the glass would be )

 

I have the same dilema with my TD.I have yet to decide.White helps it stand out a bit and doesn't look bad at all.I painted the headlights on all my PST kits white.

 

Then maybe I'm going to do that. On the other hand, the colour of the reflectors in a headlight are always silver, that's why I was thinking about shiny silver.. what do you think?

It's funny to notice that I have absolutely no experience with this kind of things. German tanks always have (semi)covered lights, so no worries there. Another problem was that I almost placed the lower hull incorrectly to the upper, since I expected the drive sprocket to be out front. This caused a lot of thinking, also during the making of the tracks!

 

I paint lights silver. If it is a large light, I will do a tiny bit of drybrushing sky blue over it to hint at reflection. Go real easy on the blue though.

 

My problem is with the damn soft plastic tracks.They may be a pain,but at least indy links are made of material that will hold paint and can be weathered to match the rest of the vehicle.If I paint and weather them first,the stuff is bound to come off when I put them on the tank.If I install them first,I'll never be able to reach a lot of places with a brush.Other than this,my TD is coming along fine.

 

I have the lower hull and suspension completed. WooHoo!

 

I have everything complete except the tracks and a few fine points of detail.Gonna tackle that today!

 

seems like you guys are doing fine!
Have you solved the trackproblem already, ST?

 

I've decided to paint the inside of the tracks before installation.Then I'll paint the outside.

 

Hi ST, I always paint 'rubber' tracks before installing them, and have never had a problem with the paint yet. Try testing them by painting a small area, letting it dry then flexing it a bit.


My model is on hold - we needed the table because the in'laws came round for a meal.

 

GOOD NEWS!The tracks came out AWESOME!I painted them wth several coats of flat black then drybrushed them with a buff color.When dry,I painted on this brown stuff that drys real thin.It isn't paint.The black paint on the track pads shows through but looks dirty.The buff color simply highlites the track teeth etc...but those look dirty as well.This is the absolute best weathering job I've ever done.
And now for the BAD NEWS!THE SONSABITCHES DON'T FIT AND I BUSTED OFF THE RIGHT IDLER WHEEL TRYING TO PUT THEM ON!!!!
It looks like I'm gonna have to get some indy links for this build.The idler probaly won't support the tension of vinyl tracks now.Indy links WILL support the idler however.Boy am I pissed!!!!

 

Been there, done that :angry:

You could always refix the idler on with a metal pin, which should give it the required strength.

 

I should have quit trying to put them on.I know better than that.So far,the only indy links I've come across for Shermans have 3 or 4 pieces per link.It looks like this build isn't quite through yet.

 

Well,I ordered some indies from Squadron for around $18.So much for getting a deal on the original kit.A modeller on Finescale forums said this is a common problem with Italeri Shermans.I am not looking forward to putting indies on a vehicle that is essentially finished.Gonna be a lot of touching up on this build.

 

I have the left side track finished. Will have to get around to doing the right side later.

 

Hey Sturmtiger,
how terrible for you that the tracks came along that bad. I really hope you can manage those indy links to look as nice as you made the rubber tracks made look good. Seems like a nice challenge to me, despite that I can ofcourse understand your anger towards the accident.
Good luck!!

 

Sounds good, you're still on schedule!

Ricky, step on it!

As for my tank, I've got all the parts together now, so it comes down to delicate painting and wheathering at the moment. I think I'll get it done in time