Group Build started - progression?

Hi all,

You may have seen it on the "poll #3 tie braker" thread, but if you haven't I present it to you now:

The group build has started today!

So the 6 weeks are running from now on. The finishing date will be the 23rd of November, 12.00h GMT. Any builds handed in after that date will not be competing, since 6 weeks seems long enough...

I'd like to wish all competitors good luck on their TD's!

In this thread, you can discuss problems you face along the process, share your progression so far (if you like to ofcourse ) etc. -you might want to let the others know what kit you bought, or which paintsceme you're going to use- I'm looking forward to the results!

 

My first problem - I need to buy a kit!

I'm off to my local model shop on Saturday...

 

What kit was decided upon?

A tank destroyer obviously!

 

You're already behind schedule ricky! I hear ST already got his kit...



just joking with ya. What kit are you going for?

 

I picked up a couple of kit today at the hobby store..Ive been wanting to try out those Tamiya 1/48 kits..So i picked up the Hetzer and the StuG III b. Opened them as soon as i got home and so far I am impressed, details are impressive for the relatively small scale (well, small to me anyways).

 

I'm hoping to try a 1/48 kit as well. I may do a 1/35 if I find a good deal on one. Can't do any shopping until this weekend though. If I can't find anything then, I will have to order something.

 

Well so far i have most all the sub-assemblies together on the Hetzer, If I am correct(doesnt happen too often) the MG-34 for the remote control turret is the incorrect version of the gun, it appears to be the infantry version with the perforated cooling shroud and full buttstock, the vehicle mounted version has a different barrel shroud and no buttstock, As far as the die-cast chassis that these models come with, I am kind of not liking it, other than giving the model some weight (since when does this matter by the way?) I can see no purpose for it, it actually detracts from the kit (less detailed and it kind of complicates the building process, have to use a different type of glue to attach plastic parts to it). Tha plastic parts of the model are excellent, the details are very close to 1/35 levels, bolt head details, weld seams, etc..

Jody, if you can get your hands on the StuG, you wont be disappointed, mine is gonna get an Eastern Front winter camo paint job, The Hetzer is going to get a late 1944 Western Front 3 color scheme

 

I've got a Jagdtiger with the Porsche suspension in the stash.I now have an excuse to build it.

 

This looks really good people! Some of you have already started and decided on the camo scheme. I'm really looking forward to your tanks, willys! 1/48 or 1/35 seem quite a challenge to me.

But as far as I know the remote- controlled MG on top of the Hetzer always had a perforated cooling shroud.

 

Jody?

The cat's out of the bag, it seems!

 

Just picked up a 1/48 Jagdpanther late, let the games begin.

 

After doing a little more research it seems that it wasnt unusual for the vehicle to be equipped with either version of the MG, so I cant call the infantry version incorrect, but for this build the buttstock will be coming off LOL The 1/48 is interesting, to me at least, having to apply aircraft modeling techniques to an armor kit is kinda different, the smaller parts are also a bit of a challenge to me with the neurapathy (nerve damage) in my hands..hard for me to "feel" the nuances of handling such little pieces, Its been a very long time since i've built a kit, so I thank all of ya for giving me that bit of extra motivation to get back to the hobby i have enjoyed for over 30+ years

 

I really hope the hobby store has something worth using. Going there right after work tomorrow.

 

Dammit,dammit,dammit!I've got my Jagdtiger built but am experiencing some major fit problems with the upper and lower hull halves.Aside from carving up the kit,there isn't much I can do to correct it at this point.If it sucks too bad,I'll build something else!Gotta check the stash.

 

ST, if you can send me some pics of your project so far, I might be able to help you with advise...
Don´t start on anything else too soon!

*to all members: sending pics for help etc will not affect outcome of the game in any direction! *

 

Thanks for the offer.I could have corrected the problem sooner,but it took me too long to figure out the problem was with the kit and not me screwing it up.Part of the upper hull is too thick and doesn't fit properly against the ass-end of the vehicle.I kept looking for something I did wrong.By the time I figured it out,the parts were already drying.
Up to this point the kit went together flawlessly.If anyone else ever builds the Dragon 1/72 Jagdtiger,shave down the lower,rear edge of the upper hull under the rear deck.Really,an easy fix if I had seen it sooner.

 

Couple of pics

Just thought i would post a few

 

I had to order my StuG III. Nothing around here.

Hopefully Squadron/Signal will have it here in a few days.

Going with the Tamiya 1/48 scale StuG III ausf G.

 

Hey 1950willys,what did you use to map out the camo scheme?

 

I just use a pencil at first, that way i can change the patterns until i get it where i want, once i get there i will retrace the lines with a sharpie, then i will paint the outlines with their respective colors then stop there. Filling in the colors will come after i do some preshading. I am finding that alot 1/35 scale techniques arent nearly as effective in this smaller scale. Hard edge camo patterns are generally difficult (for me at least) in 1/35, In 1/48 they are even more of a challenge. I have some .005 inch (.127 mm) sheet styrene that i may use to create a stencil, this has worked good for me in the past in achieving a crisp edge. I reckon that time will tell.....Thank god ive got a few weeks to work on this...4 hours of build time, 6 weeks to paint it LOL Otherwise i will switch to the Stug..one color, panzer gray all the way LOL