Hi All,
As promised, I've started another build log. I am on vacation this week and I'm going to try to get in 2 building session per day. We'll see how that turns out. I'm building a Hungarian 38M Toldi II B40 light tank (if you'd like to learn more about it, click here . I'll be using the new Hobbyboss kit, rather than some of the other, less friendly resin kits. I've got a Balaton and Mini-art Studios kits in my stash and this looks the nicest of the three!



This posting of these projects is always kinda slow, so here's the results of tonight's building:



And here are two shots of the hull:





So there you have it, we are on the move again! Later!
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
As promised, here's the results of my first building session today. The suspension is coming along well and this seems to be a really nice kit. Enjoy!





Later this evening, I hope to get the roadwheel arms in place and get the idler mounts finished. From there, I'm going to start working on the tracks. At 125 links/side, it's going to be tedious!

Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
I wasn't able to get a second session in last night, but I did get one in this morning! Not too much this time, just the rear plate and the torsion bar arms.







With the mercury hovering over 90°F today, I'm going to be staying out of the sun, so I'm hoping to get some more done this afternoon. Stay tuned!
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
I was able to get a second building session done on Tuesday. 99% of the turret was completed and the rear plate got added.













Once I got the turret together, I decided to dry-fit the hull and turret together. The face of things to come...





More later.
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
I ran into a SERIOUS problem: the tracks do not fit together! It's 125 links per side and I am NOT going to spend the rest of the summer cleaning up twice that number for the model! There is hope, however. I've got the old Mini-Art Studios Toldi kit AND a set of Modelkasten Toldi non-workable track (which DOES fit together). So, I'm going to make a hybrid set of track using the length sections under the wheels and the upper part with the modelkastens. With luck, this will work!
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
I was able to get into the workshop last night and make some serious progress on the Toldi. First up was in interior and underside louvers. Nothing too strenuous, but the side louvers did get some styrene sheet backing to blank them off.



Next, were the fenders and brackets. The fenders went on with a minimum of pain. The photo-etched brackets, were a bit fiddly (especially the front ones) but in the end, I got them attached. I also added some detail parts to the upper hull, but not ones easily knocked off! Then, I attached the upper and lower hulls. So, now it looks like a tank!





Finally, here are some pictures of the track. First is the resin ones:



And the Modelkasten ones:



I had a club meeting tonight, so I did not get any work done, but I'll be back at the bench tomorrow night. Stay tuned!
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
Progress, progress, progress. The model is moving along nicely. I was able to get the PE fender brackets installed completely.





I also got the last of the plastic parts on the driver's hatch in place.





Finally, I got the two tiny lifting rings attached to the mantlet. Also, I replaced the handle on the driver's hatch from the PE to bent wire. The PE light guards were thick and hard to shape and bend, as there are no fold lines. I'd really love it if the model companies would include formers for rounded PE parts.



One thing that really looks bad on the model is the muzzle brake. So, I ordered a turned aluminum barrel for the kit. It should be here soon, so it gives me time to get the tracks sorted out.



But more on that later.
Regards,
Georg

One of those models I'd like to build myself, one day The fit seems to be very good, right?

Cristian,
For the most part, yes. HOWEVER, the tracks are a real problem! I am substituting as hybrid resin length set with a Modelkasten link-to-link non-workable set to get the tracks right as the kit tracks need a lot of clean-up.
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
I am happy to report that the tracks are done! I used the modelkasten link-to-link track for the upper runs and the resin parts will be for the lower ones.







I'll graft the two together once the model is painted. I had to remove the front faces of the return rollers as the fit between them and the fenders is really tight. I really did not like the club of a gun barrel in the kit, so I picked up an SBS barrel on E-bay, which arrived last week. I think the replacement looks much better! I'm going to get primer on the model tomorrow night and start painting Friday, so stay tuned!
Regards,
Georg

your right about the tracks!!! But all hobby craft (and Bronco) tracks are horrible ! I avoid buying either brand because of this reason ! We would be better off with rubber tracks !

Hi All,
It's been about 2 weeks since I posted anything, but here's the latest: the Toldi with paint! I used Vallejo and AK Interactive colors for the camo job and some of my last Polly S "dirt" for the tracks and suspension. Here's how things turned out:





I glued the sprockets in place on the tracks because the tracks were weak and to ensure they were put on properly during final assembly!





Here's what the lower hull looks like. The dirt paint will provide a base to work from with pigments.



I'll hit the model with clear gloss tonight on the upper hull in anticipation of decals tomorrow. See you then!
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
We have markings! I used my Decalcomaniacs DM-007 Hungarian AFV's sheet for the markings. Here are the results:







I modified the license plates, as Toldi's did not carry "1H" on their license numbers. I cut the 1 off and applied them in the usual way. I'm going to need some touch-up on the front plate, too.
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
After the clear flat dried, I put a dark green filter over the upper hull and a dark brown filter on the lower hull, running gear and tracks. I'll be doing the pin wash tomorrow, I hope. Stay tuned!
Regards,
Georg

Looking good, Georg.

Chris

Hi All,
The Toldi got it's pin-wash today. Once I get the rest of the weathering done, this should look less stark (I hope).









All for now.
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
While waiting for the repairman to arrive to take care of my broken a/c, I got some work done on the Toldi. I was able to do the "dot washes." Here's how it came out:











I did some dry-brushing on the tracks, as well as getting them fitted to the model. I also got the base-coat on the mufflers and exhausts. I need to muddy up the suspension a bit and then do some dust work to tie it all together. I'm almost there! Stay tuned.
Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
The build it a potentially huge snag yesterday. I had some friends over for a party and while showing to one of them, he asks, "Hey Georg are the tracks supposed to go in opposite directions?" D'Oh! Now I'm thinking of having to rip everything apart and start over. But, I left everything alone until this afternoon.
Good news! I was able to rearrange the tracks with minimal difficulty and now have an almost-done set of tracks for the Toldi! I needed a couple of extra links on one side to complete the run, so those are now on the model and drying. My wife has a migraine because of the weather, so I'm going to get some serious model work done tonight. Once I have everything together, I'll post a couple of pics.

Regards,
Georg

Hi All,
In my last post, I mentioned I had a problem with the tracks. Well, I got it solved and got everything together. Now, all that remains is some "mud" splatter and a light coat of dust.











More tomorrow! Enjoy!
Regards,
Georg