Hi Guys.
I have the Tristar Brummbär kit built now. Below are images from the first two steps. More images and build info can be found on The Assembly. Please feel free to comment and/or critic, and also feel free if you have any questions.





Cheers.

Looks like a nice clean build so far Frank. Also appears that this will be set on a base of sorts, by looking at how the wheels and tracks were assembled on the one side. Does the kit come with some form if interior ??
The Pz IV family is my favorite so I'll be following this build here and on the link you posted.
Keep up the awesome work, and updates.

Rob
www.scratchmod.com

Great to see you back on the workbench Frank. I will follow your build log closely.

Keep it coming.

spit

great start Frank, how would you rate Tristar for detail, mold quality, flash and overall fit? never bought a Tristar before and would like your opinion. built the same tank years ago and tried my hand at zimmerit the old putty & screwdriver way... you know, the long and silly way. cheers, mh.

Thanks guys for your very kind comments. They are appreciated very much.

Rob: Yes, it will be mounted on a base ... working on it right now. As its possible to articulate the boogies, I thought it would add some interest rather than the normal flat method. The interior details include only the full gun breach and mountings. Nothing else. The newer kit has rounds, round racks, radios and other details for the fighting compartment. No transmission/driver area details though.

Hellhound: I love Tristar kits ... maybe my favourite! Thers a little flash to be cleaned from the lightening holes in the tracks, but nothing else. Fit is generally good to very good. On par with Dragon for parts and build difficulty. Very sharp details. Some little inaccuracies with instructions ... especailly this kit ... they were better before.

thnaks Frank, the info is much appreciated. my return to the hobby has me wanting to try out lots of model makers we never had back in the day. cheers, mh

You´re welcome. Id have no problem recommending Tristar. I love panzer IVs so that one reason, but their figures are top notch as well. Very fine details and nice to paint.

Well the next stages are complete and My Blog has been updated. More info and images can be found there. Thanks for checking it out.

Very nice work Frank. I always enjoyed your builds and thanks to you I am the proud owner of a Tasca Sherman and will be building my first WW2 kit since I started modeling again.

I take it by your pace you should be finished building by no later than tomorrow evening or friday.

Keep up the good work and always enjoyed your blogs

a very great, professional build you have there Frank. i checked out your blog as well and the details are looking superb. this is one model that is primed for a fun painting session.

got any ideas about adding figures (i see the wheels are set for a terrain base)?

cheers, mh.

Thanks again Sean and MH. Your comments are appreciated.
The build is finished ... takes time to take photos and write up the blog as well! More to come. Base and figures are underway at the moment. I´ll post again when I have more updates.

Way to go Frank about time you came out of the closet my friend.
I've got to build an Early and Late to go with my Mid Prod so i'm trying to keep up with this one.

She sure is lookin good buddy.
Tony Lee

Hi Tony. Thanks very much. I remember your build .. you had an interior as well?
Yeah its great to be back modelling. Work has been takeing its toll for the last year or so, so its great to have some holidays and be able to do some modelling.

Hi Folks. Just a few images of the finished build. Looking back I´d consider this a fun and enjoyable build. Went together well, and with some care and a little dry fitting, here and there, it should be no problems. More info and images can found at the link below.





Live link to my blog

Good to see you in action Frank. Nice touches added to your build.

Great stuff Frank. You make it look so easy that I'm tempted to order a Brummbar myself. I remember scratchbuilding one in 1/72 using the Airfix Pzr IV donkey's years ago.
Great Blog too. Very speedy build- are you on holidays?

Looking forward to seeing the base and figures- what figs are you using?

Thanks Greg and Pat for your very kind comments. They´re appreciated very much.
Yes ... Im on holidays .... I haven´t had this much free time since last year! 2 figures will be used ... both are from Tamiya´s late Tiger .. special edition with extra crew ... 8000 series. Stay tuned!

Lol! Great Minds think alike- I'm using three of the figures from that crew to go with my Wespe in the miniart Dio campain

Great minds? Yip ... have to agree! Im using the two standing figures. Are those Legend´s heads? Cause Im using two of them as well More proof of the great minds theory!

Yep Legend's German Heads Set #3. They're very good though and for €5.30 and free shipping from Luckymodel they're brilliant value.

Spooky!
I´ll add some pictures later today or tomorrow. Im working on the base now ... for the next step in the blog. Another cork building for those interested!

Hi Guys.
Below are some images of the base I have started for the Brummbär. Ive used cork again for the main building and bits an pieces for the rest. More images and info on The Assembly. Questions, comments and critic are welcome.

The next addition to the scene is the figures. One Tamiya and one from Legends. More images and text can be found HERE.

Looking good Frank! Sure to be another masterpiece in the making.

This is looking great Frank, really looking forward to the painting process.

How is the cork to work with?