1/35 Trumpeter KV-1 Ehkranami WIP
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 07:29 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Brandon, I just found this build and have really enjoyed seeing your work, and reading all the comments. I do have a comment on the trumpeter KV kits (not a knock on your build or skills) when it comes to the link and length tracks. I've fiddled with them until I gave up. No matter what I did the tracks extend too far past the #1 and #6 road wheels before making the straight line for the sprocket and idler. It is really obvious in the last picture you posted of the right side of your KV that there is a track link and a half or two links flat on the ground before they head up to the sprocket. On mine I finally gave up and bought Model Kasten tracks. Has anyone cracked the code on how to make the link and lengths fit better? Nice build and I'm looking forward to seeing how you complete the painting and weathering.
Guy, yes I did struggle with that issue. I tried adding one extra link but that made the entire string too long to fit. I fiddled with the left side and got it to sit down a little better, but it is an issue with the kit tracks. As nice as these tracks are, the kit could benefit from some aftermarket. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks as well Gary, you will enjoy building your KV...your nephew is right in his recomendation.
#186
Texas, United States
Joined: May 24, 2006
KitMaker: 771 posts
Armorama: 750 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 10:59 AM UTC
Brandon, it's too bad the link and length have that issue, but at least I know it's not just me! In any case I'm really enjoying your build log. Keep it going!
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 02:32 PM UTC
....attempted to apply the decals today..didn't work out so well. As I mentioned above I was going to use some identification numbers taken from a Tamiya T-34 in my stash. I bought the kit used and perhaps did not realize how old the decals were or perhaps the kit was stored improperly, but the decals completely shattered in the water! I tried several numbers and they all did the same thing. I guess I need another plan for markings, or perhaps I will leave it devoid of markings as if it were driven straight off the factory floor into combat....gonna research some pics for ideas.
Texas, United States
Joined: March 08, 2010
KitMaker: 2,465 posts
Armorama: 2,383 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 03:21 PM UTC
Hey Brandon,
Man i hate to hear that. i had the same darn thing happen to me on an old M24 chaffe kit and had to swipe some decals from an AFV M18 hellcat kit to finnish. have you thought about hand painting the marks on? anyway good luck man.
Gary
Texas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
Armorama: 4,817 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 03:41 PM UTC
That is an excellent forum addressing the DIY photo booth. Only two things would make it better, eliminating the seems on the vertical piece, and curving the joint so that it is not at a right angle to eliminate shadows in that area.
I was unaware of the track issue, that's good to know about. I'll keep it in mind as I'm going to be building at least two of them starting November I think.
Regarding the decals, there is a decal restoration fluid made by the makers of Mocro Sol that would probably help you greatly in that situation. Just have to think on what it was called....
The tank is looking so clean, I can't wait to see some weathering
United States
Joined: September 07, 2006
KitMaker: 164 posts
Armorama: 155 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 03:48 PM UTC
Quoted Text
O.k. looking at the photography forum I got this great, cheap, easy method of building a photobooth from Matan Ram : https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/161922&page=1]
It worked great, I just need to get some better lighting to help the pics turn out better....more to come.
Brandon,
Looking good!
It also helps if you use a tripod and as much natural light as possible (or turn your flash off).
Maybe you already knew this? If so, just trying to help....
Paul
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 04:06 PM UTC
Gary: I thought about painting the markings on but I don't trust my skills enough not to muck it up. I will probably just use the kit decals, but still deciding.
Jeremy: weathering to come shortly! I am going to try some new things with pastels on this one..hope it works out like I am planning.
Paul: Thanks, photography is not my thing, I am learning things on the fly and appreciate any advice I can get. I did take things out of my basement "man cave" and to a room lit with lots of natural light..helped alot. I don't have a tri-pod but perhaps a good investment if I am gonna keep doing these build logs in the future.
Texas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
Armorama: 4,817 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 04:13 PM UTC
Awesome, what pastels are you going to be using?
And regarding the tripod, I picked one up cheep (about $20) at Target.
Georgia, United States
Joined: January 31, 2010
KitMaker: 2,191 posts
Armorama: 1,814 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 04:23 PM UTC
One thing I've noticed with older decals is that the water temperature makes a big difference. Try using warm water.
Join AMPS.
http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 04:25 PM UTC
Jeremy, I just have some pastel sticks (look like chalk) I picked up at the craft store, I just shave them down with a knife blade...they work great for me. I am going to use the methods as seen on scalemodelmadmans youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ScaleModelMadman It is the the weathering with pigments segment. Should be fun!
Texas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
Armorama: 4,817 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 04:33 PM UTC
Nice Brandon, I'll have to check out the video later, but I have an old set of pastel sticks in various colors that I have been saving just for such occasions
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 01:53 PM UTC
Gloss coat and decals added, up next is a pin wash to bring out some of the detail.....here are a couple pics.
Thanks!
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 17, 2010 - 02:01 PM UTC
New Jersey, United States
Joined: November 02, 2009
KitMaker: 609 posts
Armorama: 433 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 17, 2010 - 11:10 PM UTC
Looking good, Brandon. Those huge bolts on the turret sides are going to look great weathered up with pigments. Question - can the fender storage boxes be posed open or do you need a PE set for that?
Hame, Finland
Joined: February 04, 2009
KitMaker: 702 posts
Armorama: 665 posts
Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 12:44 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Looking good, Brandon. Those huge bolts on the turret sides are going to look great weathered up with pigments. Question - can the fender storage boxes be posed open or do you need a PE set for that?
Easier way is to use PE storage boxes but I think you could saw off that lid with hobby saw and fine blade. You should look actual photos to determine, which parts to saw off.
An anti-modulation modelist.
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 08:10 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Looking good, Brandon. Those huge bolts on the turret sides are going to look great weathered up with pigments. Question - can the fender storage boxes be posed open or do you need a PE set for that?
With some expert knife work you could open the lids on the storage boxes. Honestly though the detail on the handle to open the box is a little soft, in my opinion it would be better to go with aftermarket parts.
Maryland, United States
Joined: September 15, 2005
KitMaker: 291 posts
Armorama: 284 posts
Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 03:59 PM UTC
Looks awesome, but one issue - probably too late. The slogan is missing the first word. It should be a three work slogan saying "hit/kill fascist bastards." You're missing the "kill" part.
New Jersey, United States
Joined: November 01, 2005
KitMaker: 266 posts
Armorama: 262 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 02:05 AM UTC
I wonder what the Russian translation is for 'Now we see the violence inherent in the system!'
Neil
Vilnius, Lithuania
Joined: November 09, 2009
KitMaker: 132 posts
Armorama: 109 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 03:09 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I wonder what the Russian translation is for 'Now we see the violence inherent in the system!'
Neil
Bitte schön, Neil: Teper' vidim, chto nasilie v sisteme vrozhdeno! (Теперь видим, что насилие в системе врождено!)
It's one of the variants
New Jersey, United States
Joined: November 01, 2005
KitMaker: 266 posts
Armorama: 262 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 04:49 PM UTC
Hi Raimondas,
Thanks for the translation! I'm not sure whether Monty Python's Holy Grail ever made it to Lithuania
Neil
Vilnius, Lithuania
Joined: November 09, 2009
KitMaker: 132 posts
Armorama: 109 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 08:55 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Raimondas,
Thanks for the translation! I'm not sure whether Monty Python's Holy Grail ever made it to Lithuania
Neil
It did, one way or another
Anyway, this slogan is way too long even for MT-1 turret
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Monday, November 01, 2010 - 05:16 AM UTC
Update on the weathering, I have started with the tracks. I used pastel chalk powder mixed with isopropyl alcohol to make a "sludge" I applied to the tracks. after it dried I went back and removed it from the high spots to hopefully get a more realistic look. Honestly, the color of the mix looks more rusty than dirty to me, your opinions? Suggestions? Fire away, as I stated at the beginning of this thread weathering is a part of this process I struggle with and any help/advice is appreciated!!!
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Friday, November 05, 2010 - 12:34 PM UTC
South Australia, Australia
Joined: August 14, 2007
KitMaker: 5,926 posts
Armorama: 712 posts
Posted: Friday, November 05, 2010 - 08:38 PM UTC
Very nice KV Brandon!.. Now.. What are you going to build for the campaign?? Hmmm??
I wish Trumpeter had moulded the tracks in their Bergepanzer IV the same way as the KVs.. Link and length are great.. I like them better than individual links.. But I like DS tracks even more!!
Always after the easy option... I am really a lazy person at heart.. Too many other things to build!
Only a short time to go until the Campaign starts...
You may be right, I may be crazy.
Utah, United States
Joined: February 15, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Monday, November 08, 2010 - 01:43 PM UTC
Thanks Warren. And don't worry about the KV for the campaign there are a few more lurking around in the old stash
