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Academy Hetzer
toby2282
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England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: July 15, 2005
KitMaker: 195 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 06:13 AM UTC
Hi,

Thought I would post my latest build, the new Academy Hetzer. Some problems with the build, but overall not bad for the price. As with all the current Hetzer's, each have their flaws but in my book if it looks like a Hetzer it must be a Hetzer!!

All comments welcome







Cheers

Toby
exer
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Dublin, Ireland
Joined: November 27, 2004
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Posted: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 09:51 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi,

Thought I would post my latest build, the new Academy Hetzer. Some problems with the build, but overall not bad for the price.



if you don't mind me asking- what was the price and where?

What are t6he problems with the build?
and
Is the mesh screen included in the kit?

Very good finish by the way
toby2282
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England - North West, United Kingdom
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KitMaker: 195 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 08:02 PM UTC
HiPat,

In the UK it retails at around £20. There are a number of small issues with the kit such as fitting of the hatches on the lower superstructure, tracks, tow cable along with some dimensional problems. The etch is provided in the kit, but I lost mine so replaced it with some diamond mesh. The kit was enjoyable and it does include a pre-cut adhesive mask for painting the ambush camo.

Toby
exer
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Posted: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 10:02 PM UTC

Thanks Toby. I like the Hetzer a lot so I think I'll pick this up.
Kuno-Von-Dodenburg
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Posted: Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 08:32 PM UTC

Quoted Text

....along with some dimensional problems.



I think that much (too much) fuss is often made about so-called "dimensional problems".

Because for every kit with real "dimensional problems" that leap out at you, such as the ancient Tamiya T-62, there are probably 20 more with so-called "dimensional problems" that are only really apparent after poring over scale drawings and/or going over every angle of the kit with compasses and calipers to pick out minor degree variations, or something or other being 2 or 3mm to short or too long.

Which of course someone somewhere invariably does with every new release, befoe coming onto the forums and boldly announcing what a turkey it is because it has these "serious errors".

But more often than not, it's nothing obvious to the naked eye, and nothing that anyone except maybe the most obsessive micrometer-wieding anorak would even notice.

As you say, this looks like a Hetzer, on which by the way you've done a nice job. I don't see any "dimensional problems" whatsoever with the finished build. The only thing that catches my eye is that in the first photo, the track seems to be not making contact with the guide roller at the back. There looks to be a bit of a gap between them.

- Steve
toby2282
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England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: July 15, 2005
KitMaker: 195 posts
Armorama: 112 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 10:25 PM UTC
Hi Steve,

I agree with your point that sometimes too much is made of dimensional issues. That being said I still think that where there are inaccuracies (outside of what would be acceptable limits) these should be noted. It is then up to the modeller to decide whether they want to purchase the kit. In some cases a wrong angle can throw the angle of subsequent sides etc. I would expect that a major manufacturer such as Academy to be able to measure the main angles correctly.

Having said that I am not a purist and if it looks like that particular tank then it must be that particular tank. As long as the dimensional issues are not too major. In this kits case I read about the issues on a number of forums including Missing Lynx's Time on Target review section where the measurements are shown.

With regards to the tracks on the idler, it was one of the kits failings in that it was a guess as to how many links were added because I didn't add all the links together! I looked at taking a link out when I noticed the idler but it would have made the track too short. The only individual links offered are to be fitted around the idler and drive sprockets and to join up with the large lower run. I looked initially at taking out this last link but it made the track look un-natural where it joined the large run. If I built another one I would have to think carefully about how I did the tracks.

Thanks for the comments

Toby
exer
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Dublin, Ireland
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Posted: Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 11:02 PM UTC

Quoted Text

In this kits case I read about the issues on a number of forums including Missing Lynx's Time on Target review section where the measurements are shown.




Hi Toby
I just had a look at that review and what is interesting is that while the kits measurements are different to the two sets of Drawings the reviewer used, the measurements on the two sets of Drawings don't agree with each other either so who is to say whether both drawings are wrong and maybe Academy is right
toby2282
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England - North West, United Kingdom
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Posted: Friday, June 01, 2012 - 10:02 AM UTC
Hi Pat,

I tend to look at Panzer Tracts as being the benchmark in terms of plans. Reading through Franks review, especially the dimensions, it would appear that the Academy kit is slightly smaller in almost all measurements when compared to PT. Now I can't say with certainty that PT plans are 100% accurate, but the fact that the Academy measurements are slightly smaller in most areas would suggest that the kit is slightly too small. Could anyone tell the difference if you put a Tamiya Hetzer next to an Academy Hetzer??? I know I couldn't.

Cheers

Toby
vonHengest
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Texas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2010
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Posted: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - 03:24 AM UTC
A quick thought on the "wet" spots on your wheels. When you see this on a vehicle, especially an otherwise dry example, what you are looking at is grease that has been slung out around the hubs from the bearings while the vehicle was in motion. If you run a little bit of the "wet" effect around the outside of the hub extending from the large wet spots it will help complete the effect you are going for. Just make the lines random lengths, and it's fine if you go all the way around the hub on a wheel or two.

It actually doesn't look like a bad kit. I had considered this one when I was looking for my first 1/35 Hetzer kit, but I ended up going with the Tamiya kit once I found one. I'm surprised that this kit exhibited the fit issues that it did for you, I was hoping that the parts would just drop in place together without any real fit issues. There are a lot of parts on this kit that show very nice scale fidelity such as the fenders. I think yours turned out nicely, and I'd certainly be willing to pick one up once I build my Tamiya kit.
retiredyank
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Arkansas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2009
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Posted: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - 07:52 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

....along with some dimensional problems.



I think that much (too much) fuss is often made about so-called "dimensional problems".

Because for every kit with real "dimensional problems" that leap out at you, such as the ancient Tamiya T-62, there are probably 20 more with so-called "dimensional problems" that are only really apparent after poring over scale drawings and/or going over every angle of the kit with compasses and calipers to pick out minor degree variations, or something or other being 2 or 3mm to short or too long.

Which of course someone somewhere invariably does with every new release, befoe coming onto the forums and boldly announcing what a turkey it is because it has these "serious errors".

But more often than not, it's nothing obvious to the naked eye, and nothing that anyone except maybe the most obsessive micrometer-wieding anorak would even notice.

As you say, this looks like a Hetzer, on which by the way you've done a nice job. I don't see any "dimensional problems" whatsoever with the finished build. The only thing that catches my eye is that in the first photo, the track seems to be not making contact with the guide roller at the back. There looks to be a bit of a gap between them.

- Steve


"Damn the torpedos! Full speed ahead!" I agree completely with what you are saying. I can't stand it when a kit is given bad marks for things being misalligned by 1mm or a few degrees. This kit built up very nicely and I would be proud of it.
The only critique I have to offer is that the crosses on the sides appear to be freshly painted. You can fix this by going over the whole kit with a filter. The markings on the rear appear to be properly worn. Very interesting that Academy provided a mask for the camoflage. I would definitely buy one, but Hetzers aren't my cup of tea. Again, very well done.
AFVFan
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: May 17, 2012
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Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 - 10:57 AM UTC
Nicely done, though I will agree with the 2 previously mentioned items (tracks & decals). The paint is really nice.

Question? Would it be possible to cut a link out of the top run to get the tracks to fit the idlers properly? If it was a bit short there you'd never see the gap behind the side skirts. I know the idea won't help you since the glue has set up on yours. I was just thinking of possible cures for people who may tackle this kit in the future (like myself).
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