_GOTOBOTTOM
Campaigns
Where Armorama group builds can be discussed, organized, and updates posted.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Richard S.
Sturmgeschütz Brigade Build
WARDUKWNZ
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: June 01, 2011
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Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 03:12 PM UTC
Jeff ,, Congrats buddy on being part of the head shed

I see the tracks issue is still being talked about so i'll throw in my 2 cents .
Magic tracks have never given me a problem ..be it big ones like the Tigers or small like for the 251 half tracks ,,the biggest difference between the magic and metal tracks is the amount of time it takes to bang them together .
Magic tracks are almost lighting fast to build since they are already cut and ready to use .
Metal tracks (depending on the makers) will need drilling and slight cleaning and then many pins cut and build link by link,,but the results of metal tracks is always better than plastic , the only ones which come close in my opinion are Model Kasten ,,but hell if the choice is there for metal then metal it is and well worth the effort .

Phill
Petro
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: November 02, 2003
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Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 03:20 PM UTC
I have yet to try true "Magic Tracks". They have to be a hell of a lot better then cutting and cleaning the old link to link Dragon tracks.
I find out soon enough.
StuG F/8 inbound by the weekend.
Tanksami
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2011
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Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 04:07 PM UTC
I haven't used either yet lol, they are some guys in my club, who will only use fruils even if kit has magic tracks.

But I can't say which is best, I will know what I think of magic tracks after the stug & tank destroyer campaigns

PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 05:07 PM UTC
Thanks Phill.

I'll give the MT's a whirl on my StuG and if I feel it's a big parachute (at least for me) I'll shift gears and go metal. I think Gary used Tamiya Thin Cement on his Panther (that's what I remember) and it worked out, so I just need to try something different. Gotta watch the spending on AM stuff so I can participate in more Campaigns!








~ Jeff
Tanksami
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2011
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Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 05:19 PM UTC
Jeff,

Big ups on being inducted to the hallowed halls of fame, does it entitle all of us on the stug campaign to be allowed to say we knew you when!!

Has anyone tried using the testors slow drying liquid cement on their magic tracks if so how did it go??

Mike
JediWookie
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South Australia, Australia
Joined: November 26, 2011
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 79 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 10:22 PM UTC
This is what I will be building, no add on's just straight out of the box



PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 10:43 PM UTC
Welcome Gary! The StuG Ausf. E looks like a great choice!

And Mike ... you're cracking me up!


Just think guys, it all starts tomorrow!








~ Jeff
ltb073
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New York, United States
Joined: March 08, 2010
KitMaker: 3,662 posts
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 12:10 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Has anyone tried using the testors slow drying liquid cement on their magic tracks if so how did it go??

Mike


I have never found anything really magical about Magic Tracks, the only nice thing is that they don't need any real clean up. I was using Testors Liquid Glue in the bottle, tape, string, paper clips....well you get the idea to hold them together but then Anthony, call sign Tojo72, said that he uses Testors Fast Liquid Cement
I have not had the chance to try this yet and my Dragon StuG III Ausf. C/D that I will be building here dont have Magic Tracks, but the old style Dragon track on a spruce So I will try Anthonys method once I get them all cut off and cleaned up
PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 12:24 AM UTC
Hey Sal! Then we will BOTH be experimenting on a new technique as I'll give the kits tracks a try with the thinner cement, but I will pull the plug if it all goes wrong and then will go metal! After the start tomorrow I'll tackle the tracks and give a report.

If I have to re-think it I can always be building on the rest of the kit while I get the Friuls!


Well, off to the Vets with my 6 year old Shepard mix, Wille for his annual shots. Fun, fun, fun.








~ Jeff
Tanksami
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2011
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 12:48 AM UTC
Hi Sal & Jeff,

I had been lead to believe that using the slow drying liquid cement allowed yoy to be able to get a better fit around the drive sprocket & sag if required. my thoughts go out to you both with those old style dragon tracks man do they suck a lot of time & effort!!

Mike
PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 02:13 AM UTC
I DO have MT's for both targeted kits so I should be good, it's just that the proposed Winterkettens for the E are not. Then again, if the MT's work out on the G I may see if I can get the them in metal for the E then.

Unless there are MT's available in that style I may be doomed for I think they would be perfect for it. I may enlist Gary's little helpers for the removal from the sprues.








~ Jeff
1721Lancers
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: March 21, 2012
KitMaker: 1,673 posts
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 02:16 AM UTC
Hi there,
well here´s my report on glue and tracks .
1.Dragons old school tracks take time, but go together well
and fit good. Painted or unpainted. Glues had no pos.
or neg. effects.
2.Dragons MT´s are just a faster version of above.
3.Hobby Boss- for me only the Tigger II tracks, T26E4
and VK4502 have worked. But a word of warning, I used
Mr Cement Limone on the Tiger2´s and had track shrinkage,
on the second set I used Revells Contacta Liquid and all
went well.
4.Trumpeter - I´ve only done the T55/62 tracks, and can say
stay away from the Mr Cement. I got the track shrinkage
again with it. Only use Revel Contacta.
5.Friuls - excellent.
6.Bronco and AFV Clubs vinyls - well what can I say, they´re
rubber bands. Look ok but don´t ever use Humbrol Enamels
or any enamels with Revel Thinner. They will melt, slowly
but surely.This happened to my Comet and Cent.
7.Tamiya vinlys - with the new glueable style Ihave also
had no problems, and if your careful you can even add
a good sagging, without shoving a metal rod through the
hull.
I think that´s all, just be aware, bad tracks can ruin
good models.
Paul
PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 04:51 AM UTC
Nice to know Paul and thanks for the report!



It will all come to the surface soon ... the tension is growing.








~ Jeff
Bluestab
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 03, 2009
KitMaker: 2,160 posts
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 06:25 AM UTC
I'm a big fan of Magic Tracks. I think the styrene they are made from works better than the older Dragon sets. Being already separated from the sprues, they are essentially ready to be worked with. The old Dragon tracks were prone to break when removing from the sprues, especially the Panzer 3/4 tracks. And your finger tips don't pay the price either.

For glue I have used Testors, Ambroid, and Tamiya liquid cements. I prefer the Tamiya brand. Their applicator brush works well with the links and there's far less waste.

I make two runs (top and bottom) for each side. I usually start with 10-20 link sections. The first section I wrap around the sprocket I assemble the bottom and work my way to the Idler wheel. And I keep them loose to be able to remove them for paint. I then attach them to the tank using Testors tube glue.



Tanksami
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2011
KitMaker: 1,314 posts
Armorama: 1,217 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 09:26 AM UTC
HiGuys,

Thanks for that will bear that in mind wind doing the tracks on the stug, may even crack the plastic today lol

Mike
GaryKato
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California, United States
Joined: December 06, 2004
KitMaker: 3,694 posts
Armorama: 2,693 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 06:59 PM UTC
Here is a link to the campaign gallery.
The Sturmgeschuetz Brigade
jkb_sprint
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Thessaloniki, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: April 23, 2012
KitMaker: 402 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 07:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi there,
well here´s my report on glue and tracks .
1.Dragons old school tracks take time, but go together well
and fit good. Painted or unpainted. Glues had no pos.
or neg. effects.
2.Dragons MT´s are just a faster version of above.
3.Hobby Boss- for me only the Tigger II tracks, T26E4
and VK4502 have worked. But a word of warning, I used
Mr Cement Limone on the Tiger2´s and had track shrinkage,
on the second set I used Revells Contacta Liquid and all
went well.
4.Trumpeter - I´ve only done the T55/62 tracks, and can say
stay away from the Mr Cement. I got the track shrinkage
again with it. Only use Revel Contacta.
5.Friuls - excellent.
6.Bronco and AFV Clubs vinyls - well what can I say, they´re
rubber bands. Look ok but don´t ever use Humbrol Enamels
or any enamels with Revel Thinner. They will melt, slowly
but surely.This happened to my Comet and Cent.
7.Tamiya vinlys - with the new glueable style Ihave also
had no problems, and if your careful you can even add
a good sagging, without shoving a metal rod through the
hull.
I think that´s all, just be aware, bad tracks can ruin
good models.
Paul



Very usefull info! Thank you very much.
PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
Armorama: 5,960 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 08:15 PM UTC
Thanks Gary!

TODAY IS THE DAY!! GET THOSE STUG'S OUT OF THE BOX AND DO IT!!



So, don't make me say it again ...



... because I will.


Let's see pics like this



and this



or this



only in plastic, resin and PE!!

Go get 'em guys and make me proud!








~ Jeff
Tanksami
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2011
KitMaker: 1,314 posts
Armorama: 1,217 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 09:40 PM UTC
By Your Command!!!

Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday all Stugalites, Happy to the Stug!!



Mike
WARDUKWNZ
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: June 01, 2011
KitMaker: 1,716 posts
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 10:36 PM UTC
Oh its on now guys .. its STuGie time
So to make Jeff proud heres a nice big pile of pics to get you guys thinking ..now some will bring the ture STuG lovers tears to their eyes ,,others will bring smiles


















Enjoy

Phill
panzerconor
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: February 08, 2012
KitMaker: 1,271 posts
Armorama: 1,253 posts
Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 - 02:43 AM UTC
It's go time.


But I won't be starting for another week
1721Lancers
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: March 21, 2012
KitMaker: 1,673 posts
Armorama: 1,640 posts
Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 - 03:31 AM UTC
to the rythem of The Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"

Hey Ho, Stugs go,
Hey Ho, Stugs go,
Hey Ho, Stugs go,
Hey Ho, Stugs go,
They're forming in a straight line
They're going through a tight wind
Stugies losing their minds
The Blitzkrieg Bop.

Fotos soon to follow.
Paul
1721Lancers
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: March 21, 2012
KitMaker: 1,673 posts
Armorama: 1,640 posts
Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 - 05:36 AM UTC
Hi there,
foto No.1- The old sprocket with new Magic tracks with hollow guide horns. Just shows how good Dragon are.


Foto No.2- Same sprocket with Magic Tracks with solid guide
horns. Good eh. There will be a mix of both on each side.


Foto No.3- Running gear with distressed road wheels, tacked in place with white glue, next step fit the tracks. but not tonight.


Foto No.4- (the Stranglers - Nice n easy) nice and sraightly does it all the time.


Foto No.5- Oh Sh..... I´ve gotten the wrong etched side skirts.

See you later, it´s now refreshment time.


Paul
Bluestab
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 03, 2009
KitMaker: 2,160 posts
Armorama: 1,906 posts
Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 - 06:40 AM UTC
I'm wrapping up a StuG III F for another campaign. I thought I would have been done with it by now but I had a setback on its tracks. I'm waiting for them to dry now.

I'll probably start on my StuG III E this weekend, at least to try to get my start off pics up. Unless a house falls from the sky I'll still go with a vehicle from StuG Abt 197 in overall grey.
PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
Armorama: 5,960 posts
Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 - 08:41 AM UTC
Man, what I had to go through to get these 2 pictures up. Of course, I'll start with this build first:



I'll add a few detail parts such as the mantlet with barrel & muzzle brake and the late steel return wheels:



I'll pick up some tracks (if the MT's don't work) when I get the tires/wheels for the APC.

I don't know what happen unless I got a hold of a bad version of Gimp, but it hijacked my URL, really using a lot of memory and my Photobucket Account wouldn't let me access the pull down menu for the links and tags for the images.

Any way, still need to find a SAFE one to download.

I was going to build 2 kits side-by-side but never quite moved ahead and made that space I needed.

I wonder what the family would think if I knocked down a wall and extended the Hobby Room?








~ Jeff
 _GOTOTOP