I've had this one on the bench for quite a while. I've done some weathering on it but I think it still needs a bit more. I've also left off some stowage like boxes, tools and the jack because I replaced their molded-on straps with lead foil. Comments and suggestions are very much appreciated

Looking good Jeepney! I like the subtle dusty weathering so far. Are the wheels attached? they could do with a bit more weathering. Thers a slight sheen to them. The last few times I have made wheels, I have weathered them with black pastels using my finger and spinning them around. If you give them a dusty type all over first and then do this, its gives a great effect! I personally would weather a bit more lower down. But if you´re gonna add more stuff, it is better to add all first and then final weather. This is well made and unusually nice vehicle. It has such a cool appearance!

Thanks PB! I was inspired by your great German Gray finish on your Barbarossa 222s and I tried your style on this one. Guess I need more practice though

Nice so far ...a little dust will go a long way,to liven it up a bit ...I always liked this vehicle and seeing yours makes me want to build mine too...errhhh well as soon as I finish my pershing and then there is that beautiful new 88 from AFV Club and then there is that firefly from Dragon...and so on and so on ....

Rick

Muncher,

Good to see you are at German Armor again. As a proud Exclusive German Armor Modeler, I am pleased to see that the gray come out real good, with subtle weathering that is to my like. I would of course weather the tires a bit more. but it's just me.

The over all build and painting is real good. Way to go!

Thanks Rick and Dave! I actually concentrated on weathering the top of the hull first especially since it's still missing some pieces of stowage. The lower hull and wheels and hull will get the full treatment of pastel dust and Tamiya Desert Yellow when everything's in place

This is a very enjoyable kit and I'll recommend it to anyone who wants an unusual beast on the shelf. Fit is good and there is enough detail to satisfy most OOB builders. The rereleases have some flash and mold alignment issues though but nothing sandpaper or an Xacto won't cure.

Very well done Jeep!

That is a very convincing model :-) I especially like how you have done the decals - are those the kit decals? If so... wow... well done...... There is not a hint of silvering to be found - very impressive considering the age of the kit and all.

I am impressed, and will now have to go out and buy one of these... thanks alot .. hahaha

Later-
Nelson

Thanks Jeff! Yes those are the notoriously thick Tamiya decals. They put up quite a fight but I flooded them with Microsol and applied an overcoat of flat. Voila! Silvering gone!

Yeah this kit is older than I am. Doesn't show it's age though. I've built some "new" kits that don't reach this one's level of fit and detail.

John,

Long time no see! How have you been lately? Great to see your Sdkfz 232 on the post. I suppose it was from Tamiya, right? I had built this kit long time ago when I was in primary school.
like Dave said, it needs some weathering will look more real. By the way, are you gonna make the front wheels turn? How did you do that? Did you make some surgery on the kit?
Keep us post about your progress.

STEVE!!! Long time no hear! How are you?

Yes this is the Tamiya kit. I've always wanted this one and luckily it was recently rereleased. It's made here too!

I wanted to modify the suspension to make the wheels steer but after looking at the parts I chickened out and only beveled the axles. I'll definitely tackle this one again when my skills improve. I'm happy with this one just don't look at its undersides very closely

I like the rust effect on the muffler - how'd you do that?

Looks very good so far I'd add some dents though on the wheel wells if it's possible at this stage of construction (I reckon they are not that heavily armored), some paint scratches, and flatten the tire bottoms to show the weight - as it is, the wheels make the model look like it's hovering. Either sand them or heat up a metal tube (your hobby knife's handle would do) and warp the bottoms by pressing the heated metal tube. That way, the tire bottoms "fatten" sidewards like that on a real vehicle. Unless, of course, you plan on putting it on a base with ground work.

Overall, looks good and is very promising. Perhaps next time we meet, you bring this one again so I can see it in the flesh? :-)

Hey! What can I say? It looks good to me. What colors did you use? How was the kit?

Da Man, aka Da Jeep, aka "Da Newly Wed Dude"!!!!

How have you had time to get this one done with everything else that is going on, including construction of the "Titanium Honey Trap"

Seriously Jeep, a real solid build here. Good job snuggling down the decals, and all fit, espcially the overhead work, is clean and tight.

I especially like the rear quarter pic showing the detail across the back.

As you have mentioned the lower body area will receive the "full treatment" for weathering which will knock this model up another notch.

With all the different angles and edges on this vehicle, some drybrushing with lightened grey would really add some snap to this vehicle --- bringing out even more -- the shapes inherent to the SdKfz.

Well done here John!

Signed
Jr. Titanium Trap Consultant (tm)

ps: Hug Da Sweetie for me.

Hey Jeep!! Just a question ...did you turn all eight wheels ?? I can't tell from the pictures...Can you imagine how complicated this machine must have been to keep in working order...the mechanics must have loved them ...lol

Rick

Hey Jeep.. It sure is a handsome model. With a little bit more on weathering on the wheels . And drybrushing the details will definitely come out.

Hey Guys! In case you didin't know Jeepney and his lovely girlfriend finally tied the knot... Congatulations Man!! Welcome to the club

Thanks guys! This was the project that kept me sane through the months of preparing for D-Day

BISIGI - For muffler rust I first sprayed the muffler with Tamiya German Gray (any dark grayish color will do). Then I applied a very heavy wash (ie clumps of pigment will form on the surface) of Tamiya Brown all over it. The wash gives a convincing metallic sheen to the surface and the clumps give a random rust effect. I actually flattened the wheels somewhat but I agree that it needs to be flattened a bit more. Will try your heated metal rod technique

Shonen - I painted this with Tamiya German Gray. I then flooded it with very thin Tamiya Desert Yellow to make it look like it went through a bit of rain. This was actually an accidental technique because I thinned the Desert Yellow too much and I thought the paint job was ruined so in frustration I just sprayed it all over the model. Came out nice to my surprise. The kit was fun and it's an easy build.

Titanium Trap Consultant - your generous help finally allowed me to post pics of my work . I'll try your drybrushing techniques on this since some of the nuts and bolts are screaming for more attention. Grab one of these Steve! It's a nice diversion from the Friuls and the Abers

Rick - Those wheels are turned just a bit. I'll take some more pics soon since the lighting does not really show this. The angles are not that big though since I just took the easy way out and beveled the axles instead of cutting the suspension apart. I can just imagine the look of resignation on the German mechanics' faces when one of these comes into the shop with suspension problems. How they keep track of its 8-wheel drive, 8-wheel steering, 8-wheel independent suspension, two steering wheels, two sets of driver's pedals, and reversible transmission is beyond me

Marnie - Thanks for the welcome! SHE will be a long-term project hehe

It goes without saying that too much heat will destroy the wheels. :-) Do be careful with the hot rod, it should be hot enough to 'deform' the plastic, not melt it completely. Because the plastic is thick, you have to take that also into account.

Little dust, a little mud and I think y'all have yourself a real winner!