Just found this and have read all the way through. Truly amazing job you have done and are doing.
I noticed this after the last "Ratt in Battle" hopefully the link will take you to experimental tanks clip !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gztYrKNN0Q4#t=72
Can't wait to see this all painted up
Paul

I need my Ratte fix.

Working on the helipad.

Shatton's on the way.

After the helipad, I really need to flip this beast over and work on the bottom. Need some $$ tho for some 3D printed hatches. Mmmmm...

Mike

PERFECT!!!

Some of the work done on the helipad. Sheet stock, "L" strips, and PE "grate."



I'll wind up putting a nice round & flat stock support structure under it.

Mike

Oh, the Schatton Kugelblitz barrels arrived from Germany today. Oh my goodness. Badassness!!

Mike

....and NO picture !

Well , I know we will see them soon enough

Cheers

Indeed. Red primer for the MAUS', three colors for the Kugel's...and barrels now? Mmmmmm...I will HAVE to build one up soon! (most likely after the helipad - the bottom of the beast can wait some more )

Mike

For your viewing pleasure:


Each "kit" comes with one barrel, seven pieces for the muzzle break, and an alignment tool. Impressive.

Mike

Basic helipad with no bracing underneath:



And temporarily mounted:



Thoughts?

Mike

some type of screen there ? .. in the helo-deck

Correct. Voyager etched screen, round hole.

Currently adding some braces and bolts. Holes already drilled in the engine deck to accept the supports. Few more things to do/add to the engine deck and I'll call that portion good.

Mike

Nice

Looks great! This project continues to impress!

Looking forward to see more

One barrel assembled (only sitting in the hole - hence looking crooked). Seven more to go.



Mike

Time to really consider the camo scheme of the Ratte's main body (not the smaller turrets).

Looking at two schemes I like.

This one (Dunkel Gelb on a basecoat of Oliv Grün - Octopus):



Or this one (Dunkel Gelb, Oliv Grün, Rot Braun):



Starting to get real close to being able to paint the engine deck area.

Thoughts?

Mike

Hi Mike,

have you considered the battleship camo approach? I mean, this thing really is huge, so typical camo schemes ("let's mimic a bush") don't really apply. You have to take into account what is realistically achievable with camo on such a big beast. Personally, I think that it would not have been about typical concealment, but more about making it hard to distinguish the beast, the direction its travelling, the speed etc.. The main opponents will not be AT and tanks, but artillery and planes...

Therefore, I think you should aim for a mix of the following:

- when seen from the ground, something that is suitable to make the vehicle blend into its larger surroundings, e.g. the silhouette of more or less distant hills, meaning the shades will get lighter the higher you get on the vehicle.

- when seen from above, abstract shapes of fields and forrests from y brid's eye perspective

- on top of the above, the typical hard contrast shapes as seen on battleships, to fake bows and rears. Maybe fake shadows for AA emplacements, cannon barrels etc.

Sorry to "step in" like that, it's just because I had given it some thought already, and am considering buying the Takom 1/144 offering or scratchbuilding one in 1/72...

Alternatively, you might consider a really bright, eye-catching paint scheme; something that say's, "That's right, you better run because you've got nothing that'll touch me."

I would go with the lower version just because it looks good. It would also work well against aircraft which I think would have been the main thread to this beast.

Alternatively the battleship approach might be good.

Hello and congratulations on what has been an epic! build. I have been following for months and felt the desire to chip in on this one question. I would personally opt for the Octopus pattern for two reasons. First - its a great pattern off the German beaten path and yet still easily recognized as German by history buffs and armor modelers. I personally have never seen the second pattern before with those colors but it looks like you would be putting a green in that pattern. Second - Like a previous reply, I think the Octopus pattern serves the battleship comments. The large areas of green and tan would help break it up at a distance as opposed to ambush for example which would make it look like a dark blob from 2 miles up and 2 miles away. IMHO, Great build again, likely setting all time records for views.

Whatever scheme you choose, you need to add a figure dangling over the side in a Bo'sun's chair painting on the unit markings!

Just thinking of the number of gallons or liters of paint needed, if the Germans attempted to build one.

Octopus .... mightily impressive project

Nicolas, I have considered that. It makes sense. The problem I have is trying to figure out how to put that concept into paint on this. There is a Char B1 showing "trees" painted on the sides that is incredible. Trying to expand that into something of the Rattes size is...difficult. One consideration would be to look for landscape artwork and try to mimic something like that. However, that becomes moot (IMO) if I still want that German Navy camouflage on the battleship turret...

Consensus is, and I totally agree, that the Ratte's greatest threat would be from the air (aircraft/artillery). Chip made the comment that:


Any thing with a lot of dark colors would make it look like a "blob" at a distance. Hard to defeat that with something this size (especially, again, if I go with that Navy turret camo - which I really, really like).


I like that idea. I still haven't considered whether or not the Ratte will be displayed in "combat" or displayed as a display. If I go with the latter, Helmut, hanging off the side doing some paint work would fit nicely.

And, nothing quite say's "German" like the Octopus scheme.

Side note/thoughts to colors:
1) The Kugel turrets will have two or three different schemes. Figure that the turrets were plucked from their original chassis and mounted on the Ratte.
2) The MAUS turrets will be one or two schemes. Figure to use the scheme that Dragon shows on their box art and one in primer red plucked from the factory. Or both in primer red.

I wonder if PPG can mix me a quart-1/2 quart of Dunkel Gelb and Oliv Grun? Like cspotten wondered: how much paint would be needed?

Off to work on a Kugel. One set of barrels done, just need to paint and assemble.

Mike

What's the overall height?