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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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FEATURE
Sd.Kfz. 138/2 "Hetzer" Early Versio
Henk
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2004
KitMaker: 6,391 posts
Armorama: 4,258 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 02:38 AM UTC
Bill Cross shows how he turned Dragon's old Hetzer kit into a real gem with the addition of Photo-etch details.



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
Self-Propelled
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: April 01, 2009
KitMaker: 252 posts
Armorama: 229 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 03:06 AM UTC
It really is a gem. When you look at how it was painted, it's amazing to see what some excellent weathering can do to alter the colors. A very good model!
Braille
#135
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California, United States
Joined: August 05, 2007
KitMaker: 1,501 posts
Armorama: 1,485 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 05:58 AM UTC
What an outstanding build! Excellent attention to detail. Looks very true to the real thing.
Super job on the build turorial with a very nice set photos to help guide you through building one for yourself.

-Eddy
SGTJKJ
#041
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: July 20, 2006
KitMaker: 10,069 posts
Armorama: 4,677 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 08:33 PM UTC
Nice build, Bill. I especially like the battered look of this kit. The weathering is great and blends everything together well.

Thanks for sharing
Heatseeker64
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New South Wales, Australia
Joined: October 05, 2008
KitMaker: 307 posts
Armorama: 305 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 09:07 PM UTC
I didn't know Tamiya did an "old" kit ... wasn't their Hetzer only released in recent years?
Self-Propelled
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: April 01, 2009
KitMaker: 252 posts
Armorama: 229 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 09:18 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I didn't know Tamiya did an "old" kit ... wasn't their Hetzer only released in recent years?


This is Dragon's old kit. As far as I know Tamiya has only released one quite new kit in late 2007, or so I think.
shneezbert
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Arizona, United States
Joined: October 31, 2005
KitMaker: 134 posts
Armorama: 99 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 09:21 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I didn't know Tamiya did an "old" kit ... wasn't their Hetzer only released in recent years?

It's actually a Dragon Kit, didn't you his introduction?

Very well built, nice weathering, not over done. cheers
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 04:25 AM UTC
Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments. This is my first Feature, and I thank Henk and Darren for inviting me to do this.

This is the DML kit which isn't quite up to its current excellent standards, but which builds into a very fine model with the addition of a little AM stuff.
wing_nut
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: June 02, 2006
KitMaker: 1,212 posts
Armorama: 674 posts
Posted: Friday, June 19, 2009 - 04:22 AM UTC
Hey now! WOW Bill that really looks terrific.

Missed you at the meeting this month. Are we going to get to see that bad bad in the flesh (steel?) at the July meeting?
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Friday, June 19, 2009 - 04:27 AM UTC
Sure, when's the date? Work kept me late, but I hope to join you then.

Bill
wing_nut
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: June 02, 2006
KitMaker: 1,212 posts
Armorama: 674 posts
Posted: Friday, June 19, 2009 - 10:51 AM UTC
July 10th is the next meeting Are you on the email list for the newsletter?
milvehfan
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 26, 2007
KitMaker: 2,116 posts
Armorama: 1,080 posts
Posted: Friday, June 19, 2009 - 11:24 AM UTC
Hi Bill, Very Fine work on this kit (especially Painting and weathering). An Excellent feature. milvehfan
bill_c
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MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Friday, June 19, 2009 - 11:51 AM UTC
Marc, I do get the newsletter, thanks.

Milvefan, thanks, too.
Juggler
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Michigan, United States
Joined: April 17, 2006
KitMaker: 104 posts
Armorama: 46 posts
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 02:38 PM UTC
Excelent looking vehicle Henk..Was wondering if you could describe your experiance working with the old style DML indy links? Im having some reservations about even bothering with them on my older Jadg Panther...What was your take on it?
Thanks,
Juggler
CMOT
Staff MemberEditor-in-Chief
ARMORAMA
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 02:49 PM UTC
Juggler I have built the old DML Jagdpanther command version as it was in a box by another manufacturer (I cannot remember the company), the tracks need a little work but are fine.
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 02:41 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Excelent looking vehicle Henk..Was wondering if you could describe your experiance working with the old style DML indy links? Im having some reservations about even bothering with them on my older Jadg Panther...What was your take on it?
Thanks,
Juggler

Juggler, I'm a passionate Friulmodel user. I even sell my Magic Tracks when I purchase a new DML kit and go for metal. Axis armor especially needs that sag in the tracks that plastic struggles to imitate. And weathering a real metal track is much more realistically-done than with plastic, at least for me.

In terms of ease of use, though, Friuls are no answer, as you have to clean up the track pin holes with a pin vise.
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