After a long model break I have got a new project to work on. Yep, it's another big German vehicle with a BFG

Here it is:
The Trumpeter Sturer Emil


I was really attracted with the box art. The box itself was slightly damaged but everything insad was OK.

Here are the pics of what you get in the box. I have to admit with everything in plastic, I thought there would be some some lack of details but man was I wrong.

These are the most amazingly detailed rubber band tracks ever. They even have hollow guide horns! (Too bad I forgot to take a pic of 'em)









These pics are for just for comparison of it's contemperary



Well, there you have it. I'll be able to start construction hopefully tonight. Hopefully I can do this vehicle justice as this is a tank with a big plinker

Rich

nice to see you building again!
good luck!

I'm glad to be doing it again. Especially that I'll have more time as my last day of school is tomorrow. Thanks lespaul

Here is my little bit of progress for tonight. Mainly some lower hull fittings and the torsion bars. Everything was easy to attach but there was one issue.




When installing part A6 there are two obvious slats one is a small one the other is large. Make sure you put it in the large one as the small one is a slat for the upper hull/ fenders. This is shown wrong in the directions. I hope this is the only direction boo-boo.

More work coming up soon
Rich

Have fun with this project. Quick heads up--the semi-cylindrical tongue that secures the main gun barrel into the rear section of the gun is molded off center, and the gun will point wildly off to one side if you install it as is. You will need to nip it off and just eyeball the gun tube for straightness when you get to it (unless you go with an aftermarket barrel).
If you decide not to use the kit tracks, Model Kasten offers styrene workables, while Hobby Boss has a set of styrene non-workable indie links (which is outrageously cheap).
The level of detail on the Trumpeter styrene parts generally is just superb--this is one of their best efforts. There are a number of brass detail sets that allow you to replace almost half the model, but they are really not needed unless you plan to open up every locker and bin.

nice to see you building again Richard, i've got this kit in my stash with the additional indy links by hobbyboss Gerald mentioned, they really good value for money and for the price i'd definately invest in a set. will be following this one with interest, hell might give me incentive to start my own, though with four Tigers on the go for the getting it done campaign i don't have a clue when i'll get started on it lol, i mean i haven't had time to model recently, coz of family matters, the whole family has had a reunion of sorts as we all haven't spoken to each other in going on ten years, but we're all getting on so hopefully more modellin time is a foot! good luck with your build my friend, i will be watching this one!

GeraldOwens-

Thanks for the advice on the barrel. Glad I learned that beforehand. I saw the hobbyboss tracks and although I can see they are dirt cheap, I'm just going to build this OOB for overall less hassle. Besides, me and indy links don't get along too well and I kinda like the rubber bands

I definitely have to agree about the detail. Comparing this to the Pz.Jgr. I, the detail is like comparing a Lamborgini to Jed Clampetts jalopy

Thanks for the help,
Rich

Padawan-

Sounds like you have a serious tank factory there. Maybe you could outsource to different companies to build the parts for you. (At least that's what I think the Germans did...)

Its good that your family reunion/matters are going well. Are there any others that have the same hobby as you?

I'll try make sure that I make the mistakes so you don't
Rich

School is finally out for me

So what will I do? Well I'll make some progress:

So the next steps 3- 7 are for finishing the suspension


So many wheels, so much cleaning... (No flash present just the little nubs.)




Done. These are some amazing details and I wish I could take some better pics to prove it.




Suspension done. Kind of. The wheels/ axles are NOT glued yet so as to make painting easier.




Here's an above view showing the interleafing. A question I have is: Why were the Germans so keen of it? I know it relieves the ground pressure but wouldn't production/ repair be easier if they weren't interleafed?



Thanks for watching and if I screw up, tell me, or else...
Rich

ah man, you screwed up big time! the wheels are all on upside down!
hehe nah Just kidding, looks good from this end!

looks good so far Richard, don't worry i don't think you'll make any mistakes, if your Karl morser's anything to go by these should be a breeze in comparrison. yeah not many of my family share the hobby, except my bro and occasionally my dad, with our help. lol. when we were kids my dad helped us, now it's the other way around. good luck with the rest of your build mate.

Lespaul-
I thought something was wrong

Padawan-
I have to admit this does seem a bit easier than Karl but it does have its tradoffs. I'm going to go insane trying to get the interior right.
It's good that you have some in the family that share the hobby.

Rich

Here is some progress:

As finishing up the suspension is not an uption right now, I kinda started skipping around. So I went with step 9 which is putting some stuff on the fenders. Everything that is circled is stuff I have to paint seperately so I left them off. There was an option between the headlight and this random box thingie. Seeing as there were two vehicles, I wanted to make sure I was accurate. So I looked around on the net to find pictures of the Emil that DOESN"T have the dummy hatch. It turns out it had that box thing (part E8) rather than the lights. So if you're building it make sure you make the right one.





The next step I skipped to is the floor of the fighting compartment.


The vents are hollow for I guess air intake? Anyway even though you can't see it it's good to know its there.




Up next were the two steps for the cannon:



There were a few bits of flash but nothing to worry about. Everything went together well except for the bottom carraige which had a few fit and tiny gaps. But I think that was my fault








Then I made the barrel. I wish this would have been one piece as I didn't like cleaning the seam...



These are just pics of some dryfitting:



A bit of comparison




Man I'd hate to be on the recieving end of that thing
Rich

One question about paints:
Is it OK if I use an enamel primer and put accryllic paint over it?

I hope you're going to putty, file and sand the joints in the breech block!

Don't worry I am. I just have to wait for the kitchen floor to dry so I can get back to it.

Thanks for the help though, I appriciate it.
Rich

I am considering stripping mine down and repainting it. Anybody know where I can get replacement decals with the appropriate unit markings for this vehicle?

There's no problem with giving an enamel primer under an acrylic paint job, except (IMHO) you're giving it an extra unneccessary coat. The only time I bother to prime a plastic kit is when it includes a lot of resin and/or P/E parts.

Well, If you want, you can have the ones I don't use. But it will only work if you have the dummy compartment version.




So I guess I can just spray the gray right on it then. Thanks for the help Biggles2

Rich

Well, everything in terms of main parts is done. All I have left to add to the model are the crew equipment and tools. As of now, none of the parts you see are glued together (i.e. Upper hull/ lower hull, gunshield/gunplatform, fighting compartment floor/ lower hull, gun barrel/breech)

I know I need to paint all the add ons but after that I'm stuck. I don't know where to go next. Do I need to put the decals on? Seal it up with something beforehand? Do an acryllic dot filter? Dirty the inside first or the outside? What do I do with the tracks? I know, beginner questions but I'm trying to make this look as heavy German steel as possible. If it helps I'm trying to go for a moderately used vehicle.

Anyway here are the pics (sorry for the bad photos, I had to hurry them up)












Big brother with little brother. Don't you just love family pictures


What colors would these boxes and shells be?:


What does this radio look like?:


Should I have the back door open or closed?:



I kinda like it better open, but I'm open to thoughts.

All help is greatly appriciated
Rich

Ok, I made some limited progress. Most of it was just painting tools in which I still have to apply a light black wash to make it look a little better. Besides that my questions from above are still the same. Later on today I'll add the decals. I'm hoping that the won't slive like it did on my Karl

Anyway here it is:











I'm hoping to finsih this by Saturday before I leave for scout camp...
Rich

Hi Rich ...Good work so far ...One thing though ...German antennaes are rigid and wouldn't be bent the way you've got yours bent ....You'd be better to use a straight piece od stretched sprue.

Rick

http://www.alanhamby.com/Gallery/Tiger123_08.jpg

That doesn't look straight to me.

Scott ...they are still rigid antenaes and were only that way when damaged ...you can see a kink in it and it is not rounded like Rich's .

Your building has gone way up there Richard.

Much better then last I saw of you.

One thing that stands out is the Barrel needs more sanding to get the seam gone.

If you can try one of these.

http://www.michtoy.com/MTSCnewSite/supplies_folder/flex_I_file/flex_I_file.html

Nice job so far.

Better bought from a Local store.