Hello,

This is my first armor/ground force build. I have built one other airplane model before. I have decided to take modeling serious and continue it as a hobby. My first airplane build was to feel around, to see if I would enjoy going through the build process again. If you have any coments, be sure to post!

Here is a picture of the model box.



Here is a picture of the parts required for step one removed from the sprue.


I used a pair of side cutters to take them off the sprue. The next thing I did was use a hobby knife to clean it up a bit and then used a sheet of 1000 grit? sandpaper.

I know it is not much, I just wanted to show you all the start of my build. I have a few questions for you all. What is the best brand and type of paint for German equipment? What is the best technique to simulate grease?

I hope you enjoy my first armor build!

Jacob

are you airbrushing, or are you brushing? If you are brushing, use Vallejo paint. If you dont have that at your hobby shop (like me), use Polly Scale. The actual color, i dont know.

Hello,

I have an airbrush and plan on using it. For the figures, I may try a mix of handbrush and airbrush. I picked up Fine Scale Modeler's November issue and it has weathering tips that I am going to try.

I had to order glue(I have none) and it will be in tommorow so I hope to start glueing the step 1 parts together.

Jacob

Hey Jacob,

You may want to adjust your camera's date. 2005? Heheheh.

I have this same kit sitting on my shelf....I'm looking forward to watching your build. Please, let us know of any issues you run into while building it.

As far as paint goes, I like Tamiya and Model Master Acrylics. Both have a decent "German Gray" color for you kit. An air brush will do nicely...I'm still using an old Testor's single-action....for detail painting, a wide variety of paint brushes is nice.....0 to 00000.....comes down to "fineness" and detail.

Hope all goes well....got this one "subscribed" to.

Mike

You have asked one of those questions that will get 101 answers depending on who answers you, I like Tamiya paints but that is just me. You may be better off buying what paint you can get hold of easily and then asking for assistance as regards thinning and air pressure to use when spraying. Best advice I can give you at the moment is purchase paint by a company such Tamiya, Mr Color, or Vallejo, I am sure other recommendations will follow.

As Darren says... a question with a 101 possible answers....

I like using Vallejo's Model Air colours. It allows one to drop it directly from the bottle into the A/B and spray onto the model - no thinner needed, although you can use it if you want.

That said, I also like the Tamiya paints, and have sprayed their acrylics (using their thinner) and love their fine grey primer in the rattle can

Rudi

Like Darren says.

Everyone likes another paint. Go to your hobbyshop, buy one or two bottles from all brands and try them out. Then you can decide what's best for you.

I myself like Vallejo Model Color and Model Air, Tamiya and sometimes Model Master Acryl.

Lars

Hello,

My Hobby Shop (Hobby Land) can get just about any paint I want. He has in stock the entire MM enamel and a few acrylics.


Jacob....who is headed to school

Hello everyone!

Well, my dad picked up my glue on Friday and I almost have step one complete, as far as getting the parts glued together. Let me know what you think!




The build is going pretty well as I wright, my only complaint is with the pictures. I can not, for the life of me, figure out how to make them less blurry. I try to take the pictures from different distances away from the subject but they always turn out blurry. Does anyone have any tips?

Jacob

From what I can see, it looks good. I built this kit awhile ago and the only problem I had was the hand rails on the legs of the Pak. They broke, so I just used wire to make new ones. Can hardly tell. I still need to re-paint mine though.

You can try using a tripod for your camera, or stack books, or something, up to the right height if you don't have one. If your camera has a macro setting, you can try that; it helps when taking pictures up close. Some cameras also have an option called steady shot, it smooths out your shaky hand movement when taking a picture.

You should check out the photography forum here for some extra tips.

Photography Forum

Coming along just fine Jacob, keep at it. Hope your pictures come out a little clearer, before you get to apply some paint!

Cheers -

Tim