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Dragon's Early Hetzer (In progress pics)
WeWillHold
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 17, 2002
KitMaker: 2,314 posts
Armorama: 1,905 posts
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 07:12 AM UTC
These are in progress pics of Dragon's Early Hetzer.

This is a pretty good kit as far as fit and includes a few pe pieces for the machine gun guard, and muffler/rear decks screens. However there are molding/pin marks on some parts especially on the inside of the indi track links. The first pic shows how one of the idlers did not mold properly. I'll try and contact the company and see if they will provide a replacement part, but I'm not sure they'll respond.

This Hetzer will eventually go on a little vignette base, pulled into some brush in an ambush mode - with a couple of Dragon Tank Hunter figures alongside.

The right side pic shows a field applied bar with tie downs where several gas cans will be lashed on.

Lots to do on this one yet, - weather the decals, finish weathering the suspension, adding the machine gun and mount, and then application of the links and side skirts.

As usual any helpful comments are appreciated. Thanks.
Steve

A comparison of the idlers moldings




thebear
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: November 15, 2002
KitMaker: 3,960 posts
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Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 08:14 AM UTC
Like Wow ...You really moved along on this one didn't you!! Really looks good ...Don.t forget to paint the black rubber on the small wheel ...I know it is covered by the side skirts but...lol... If all else fails and you can't get another Idler wheel, I have the Italeri Hetzer with the later style Idler but it could have been relpaced because of damage...(in real or in kit form) the parts are yours if you want them ...you'll have to make em fit though. How did you deal with the Mantlet ? Wierd fit isn't it ... Keep up the good work !! Now I should go finish mine !!lol

Rick
jrnelson
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Iowa, United States
Joined: May 23, 2002
KitMaker: 719 posts
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Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 10:13 AM UTC
Very cool looking Hetzer Steve!

I really like the paint job... once again you amaze me with the "depth" you can create out of a solid color paintjob.. You really should explain how you do that :-)

The only suggestion I have would be to "rust up" the muffler under the screen a bit - maybe make it a bit darker. Just my opinion - looks great as is.... hehehe

Later-
Nelson
Pnzr-Cmdr
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: July 16, 2003
KitMaker: 483 posts
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Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 10:46 AM UTC
Steve, Like mr. nelson has said.. you are GREAT with a single color paintjob! i love this model. like the bear said, paint the black rubber on the return roller and rust the exhaust some.. are you adding side skirts?

this is a great little model! i love the little hetzer
TankCarl
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Rhode Island, United States
Joined: May 10, 2002
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Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 11:41 AM UTC
Hmmm,how about a bar about 1/2 way up,going over the water cans?That way there would be no need for straps,the camo tie down loops would be free for intended use,and it would be neat looking.
As for the bad idler = battle damage,crew can be out,looking at the damage, while the soldiers provide local security...
Jeepney
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Philippines
Joined: July 22, 2002
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Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 11:55 AM UTC
Panzermeister!

What is this??! It does not have a drop of OD or even green on it!!! New Year's resolution?

Very nice and effective washes and drybrushing. I especially like the detail around the weld seams. The texture of the mantlet looks superb. Great job!

May I suggest that you take another look at some of the roadwheels? The rubber to metal border is not that clean. Nothing a few layers of mud or dust can't hide though
Alpenflage
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 21, 2003
KitMaker: 1,120 posts
Armorama: 1,002 posts
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 03:17 PM UTC
Excellent work on a neat little kit. Your paint job is very good, as is some of you weathering.
I' m a bit perplexed by your Jerrycan rack idea. A neat idea, but did you see this in a photo somewhere ?

Modelkasten makes very nice replacement drive sprockets/idler wheels for the 38t. I would think those MK idlers would work well. Each set has 2 types of idlers as well. Thats the MK A-9 detail set.

Keep up the good work !

Robert
SS-74
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Vatican City
Joined: May 13, 2002
KitMaker: 3,271 posts
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Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003 - 06:50 PM UTC
Lord Hetzer,

This is again testimony of your superb skill in painting a mono-tone vehicle, the fading effect is very convincing to say the least. Trust you had used some preshading technic, is it the case?

Sorry about the idler, I feel that I am partially responsible, I should have inspect the kit whilst purchasing it. I will see what I can do to remedy this.
octupus
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Hong Kong S.A.R. / 繁體
Joined: June 19, 2002
KitMaker: 411 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 04:48 AM UTC
SteveWWH,

I really enjoy seeing your post of the Hetzer. You have done a great job on it especially the paint job and shading. It turns out good. I would like to see it painted and with figures on it. Keep us post!

AJLaFleche
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 05, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 05:00 AM UTC
No additional critiques or significant comments. But I do want to say yours is a nice change in this vehicle's paint job in that most are done up in some variation of the 3 color scheme. Yours becomes a de facto stand out by being monotone and the outstanding way you painted it makes it even more so.
Captain94
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California, United States
Joined: October 06, 2002
KitMaker: 239 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 05:24 AM UTC
Very nice so far!!

Could you make the incomplete wheel into battle damage?


When you finish your Hetzer, be sure to post a few pics!!



generalzod
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United States
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 3,172 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 04:07 AM UTC
Steve,verie nice job What brand of dark yellow did you use? It is a verie faded job Doesn't look like it came out of a bottle,ie factory fresh Also as far as a new idler Friulmodel makes a set You would want the early type
animal
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Joined: December 15, 2002
KitMaker: 4,503 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 04:57 AM UTC
Very nice Steve. It might be nice to blacken the muzzel tip of the barrel a little bit. I love the paint and weathering. I can't think of anything else that would improve this model as everything else has been already stated. Bravo
thebear
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: November 15, 2002
KitMaker: 3,960 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 06:21 AM UTC
Just wanted to add a note to what Animal said...Don't blacken the barrel too much. We(Me included ) always seem to add too much black around the muzzels..Remember that the gun was the reason for living for a tank ,so the first order that was given after a fight was to clean the gun out ..I think a discoloration from the heat of the firing makes more sence than pure black ...and remember the the powder was not the black powder and burned much better than the older types.. I'm not saying not to use any ..but a little goes a long way.

Rick
WeWillHold
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 17, 2002
KitMaker: 2,314 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 07:07 AM UTC
My thanks to those who have posted.

Per a couple of comments, the wheels have been drybrushed which has cleaned up the demarcation between the black rubber tires to the wheels themselves---thanks for tip on this one. I had also missed painting the small return roller black -thanks Bear:-)

My thanks to Lord's jrnelson and Bear who both offered to provide a good idler wheel to replace the kit deformed part. A couple of pretty decent guys!

Lord Chaddus, the Hetzer is painted primarily with Model Master Acryl Dunkelgleb that has been lightened and darkened to provide some depth.

The jerrycan rack is my own modification---just something to make this one a little different from the rest :-) --the assumption being with gas so hard to get later on in the war, the crew did a quick field application of a simple rack to hold some extra fuel cans for emergencies.

Thanks for the comments and suggestion on this one. Much appreciation :-)

Steve
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 01, 2004 - 12:56 AM UTC

Quoted Text

These are in progress pics of Dragon's Early Hetzer.

This is a pretty good kit as far as fit and includes a few pe pieces for the machine gun guard, and muffler/rear decks screens. However there are molding/pin marks on some parts especially on the inside of the indi track links. The first pic shows how one of the idlers did not mold properly. I'll try and contact the company and see if they will provide a replacement part, but I'm not sure they'll respond.

This Hetzer will eventually go on a little vignette base, pulled into some brush in an ambush mode - with a couple of Dragon Tank Hunter figures alongside.

The right side pic shows a field applied bar with tie downs where several gas cans will be lashed on.

Lots to do on this one yet, - weather the decals, finish weathering the suspension, adding the machine gun and mount, and then application of the links and side skirts.

As usual any helpful comments are appreciated. Thanks.
Steve

A comparison of the idlers moldings







Sorry to hear about the idler wheel I have noticed that on the last two kits some parts were not totaly formed. Bad Dragon not a problem with Tamiya in this area I guess quality control at Dragon is not that good!
Looks like a nice build so what tracks are going to use?
Friul?

On the wheel painting have you tried Tamiya Nato black a nice color for wheels a touch of gray in it!
To say a little I would lose the Jerry can idea.
Not to say that it is not a good idea but I don't think this thing had many on board.
On the Ambush scheme their is nice photo in the Panzer color series of books of a knocked out one in a field with this scheme! (:-)
turrettoad13
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Mississippi, United States
Joined: February 26, 2003
KitMaker: 607 posts
Armorama: 490 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 04, 2004 - 01:00 PM UTC
Bummer on the idler Glad to see so many others giving up their spare parts to you to fix the problem . A "pocket " tank like this is a nice change from the norm . The wash makes all the details on the hatches and pannels stand out . Good job my friend
hworth18
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: January 10, 2003
KitMaker: 426 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 04, 2004 - 03:27 PM UTC
I had a similar idler wheel problem on my Hetzer also, except mine were broken..
It has delayed finishing the kit for awhile, which wasn't such a bad thing anyways.
Your build is looking great and I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished product.
 _GOTOTOP