#460
California, United States
Joined: September 16, 2014
KitMaker: 1,156 posts
Armorama: 1,024 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 11, 2016 - 04:02 AM UTC
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Between the shapes and the colors I was so impressed with your build of this big modern kitty that I just ordered one myself. I usually don't mess with post Viet Nam subjects but this one is too pretty to pass up. Thanks for showing it off!
Same here! 
I'm on a Soviet trip lately but this was a must have! It was my first impulse acquisition in a loooong time as I really enjoy planning my builds upfront.
I'm sure you're going to have a lot of fun with this kit. It builds up very nicely with as good as no problems. The part count is reasonable and the fit is excellent. The only tedious part is the three color camo but that is "daily business".
Make sure you show us some pictures when you get around to build it!
I too seem to be building mostly Soviet stuff. I just finished the little T-18 tankette. It is fun to see it next to the KV-1.
When I tackle the Leopard I'll want a bit more practice with the airbrush. I'll had plenty of BAD experience over the decades so this new SIMPLE Badger will hopefully get me on the right track. Its first job will be to make brown & green blotches on the Tamiya Panther for the Dog campaign. If that goes well, we'll see about something more challenging like the Leopard . . .
Vintage Paul
I'd happily live in the past but for air conditioning, the internet, mobile phones, modern medicine & dentistry and, and, and . . .
Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 11, 2016 - 06:54 AM UTC
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Shell - Thanks for the link. It pretty much answered my Qs plus lead to another page on the "bouncing Betty" mines. I had no idea that these were thrown from vehicles.
On the Campaign Trail:
Tank Destroyer 2020
Malaysia
Joined: March 28, 2016
KitMaker: 157 posts
Armorama: 140 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 11, 2016 - 10:14 AM UTC
I thought the earlier colour scheme was too dark so I revised the paint job a little. More yellow patches and a lighter shade of green should help contrast it better to the dark grey.
Also added on the MG42 + Night vision thingy to the cupola and a mesh shield for the sides of the engine compartment. I'm also thinking of putting a 2cm Kwk 38 to replace the mg inside the ball mount because "insane reasons". And lastly, some dude out the back hatch for a future diorama.
The lighting is pretty crappy. One of the pitfalls of apartment living. I'll try to take better shots when I finally get around to finishing it rather than slapping add-on after add-on and trying to rework every little detail for a what-if vehicle...
Also... I used whatever spare parts were left over from the e-50 kit... A Schmallturm AT bunker!.. more dioramas!
#424
Queensland, Australia
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
Armorama: 2,248 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 11, 2016 - 11:12 AM UTC
Bryan,
That looks great! Nice 3-tone with some good variation.
Gaz
"Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl."
Frederick The Great
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 30, 2015
KitMaker: 2,493 posts
Armorama: 2,344 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 13, 2016 - 12:40 AM UTC
Loving that Tiger. Killer camo scheme!
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." - Plato
Bayern, Germany
Joined: September 30, 2013
KitMaker: 1,615 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 13, 2016 - 10:14 AM UTC
Great camo work, Bryan! Is it hand or airbrushed?
Building logs: http://armored76.wordpress.com/
Finished projects: http://armored76.wordpress.com/portfolio/
Malaysia
Joined: March 28, 2016
KitMaker: 157 posts
Armorama: 140 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 13, 2016 - 10:44 AM UTC
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Great camo work, Bryan! Is it hand or airbrushed?
I hand paint all my models with enamels. Can't use an airbrush in my apartment; lack of room and fear of having an "accident".
Its a bit more tedious and time-consuming I would say and I would definitely want to switch to airbrushing when I get a larger space to work in.
Anyway, thanks for the compliments. I still have some weathering to do, wires for the infrared thingy.. decals..etc.
Bayern, Germany
Joined: September 30, 2013
KitMaker: 1,615 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Monday, August 15, 2016 - 11:48 PM UTC
I've got some more done on my Leopard 2...
The decals are on. These are of great quality. The carrier is just the right size with no unnecessary borders, thin,sharply printed (better then shown on the image!) and lay down very well. Another thing worth mentioning is that the spelling is correct... not something self-evident with other manufacturers, unfortunately:
The tracks are painted and waiting for weathering:
Critic and comments welcome, as always!
Building logs: http://armored76.wordpress.com/
Finished projects: http://armored76.wordpress.com/portfolio/
#460
California, United States
Joined: September 16, 2014
KitMaker: 1,156 posts
Armorama: 1,024 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 01:39 AM UTC
Christian - What tracks are you using? Are they steel with rubber pads? I see Fruil has a set of working tracks for the Leopard, something that makes me feel better about tackling such a project.
Vintage Paul
I'd happily live in the past but for air conditioning, the internet, mobile phones, modern medicine & dentistry and, and, and . . .
Bayern, Germany
Joined: September 30, 2013
KitMaker: 1,615 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 11:04 AM UTC
No, these are the tracks from the kit. Working, single link tracks of very good quality. With three pieces per link (inner and outer face plus connecting part) not that bad. Took me about 6 hours to clean and assemble.
The only thing to look out for is that these won't take enamel weathering products too well, apparently. At least there are some reports on the Leopard 2A4 tracks which are the same.
Building logs: http://armored76.wordpress.com/
Finished projects: http://armored76.wordpress.com/portfolio/
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 30, 2015
KitMaker: 2,493 posts
Armorama: 2,344 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 11:47 AM UTC
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." - Plato
#454
Georgia, United States
Joined: July 10, 2016
KitMaker: 1,273 posts
Armorama: 1,138 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 07:13 PM UTC
I'm jumping in on this one too...I've had an Italeri/Testors Leopard IIa4 sitting around a long time, maybe I can make something of it.
"I can make armored cars, safe and unassailable...and behind these our infantry will be able to follow quite unharmed and without any opposition."
-Leonardo da Vinci, 1487
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 30, 2015
KitMaker: 2,493 posts
Armorama: 2,344 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 08:17 PM UTC
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." - Plato
#460
California, United States
Joined: September 16, 2014
KitMaker: 1,156 posts
Armorama: 1,024 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 09:02 PM UTC
Quoted Text
No, these are the tracks from the kit. Working, single link tracks of very good quality. With three pieces per link (inner and outer face plus connecting part) not that bad. Took me about 6 hours to clean and assemble.
The only thing to look out for is that these won't take enamel weathering products too well, apparently. At least there are some reports on the Leopard 2A4 tracks which are the same.
They really look nice and it would be nice not to have to spend the Money on a set of Fruils. What paint did you use that worked?
Vintage Paul
I'd happily live in the past but for air conditioning, the internet, mobile phones, modern medicine & dentistry and, and, and . . .
Bayern, Germany
Joined: September 30, 2013
KitMaker: 1,615 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 01:08 AM UTC
I'm not seeing the need to replace the in-box tracks. They are excellent.
As for the paint, I was using acrylics from Mig and Revell. Anthracite for the rubber pads, steel and chipping colour for the metallic parts then rubbed the metallic parts with gun metal pigments. The rest will be dry pigments fixed with a clear cote.
Building logs: http://armored76.wordpress.com/
Finished projects: http://armored76.wordpress.com/portfolio/
tatbaqui
News Writer#040
Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: May 06, 2007
KitMaker: 2,713 posts
Armorama: 2,451 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 07:34 AM UTC
The rubber pads look nice Cristian. You just gave me an idea how to tackle another build am doing.
I've sprayed a black coat on my cats yesterday. The early Tiger I've built has decals for nr332 of PzAbt 503, which has several pics of being stuck in mud:
Been doing some readings -- it seems there has been some debate as to its base color. Trumpeter instructions call for dark grey, same as Tamiya's in 1/35, but some argue it may be dark yellow. Since its an early, am thinking of a tropen color perhaps (?)
Bayern, Germany
Joined: September 30, 2013
KitMaker: 1,615 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 21, 2016 - 11:02 PM UTC
Details added to the upper deck. Next up detail painting of the lights and periscopes:
Building logs: http://armored76.wordpress.com/
Finished projects: http://armored76.wordpress.com/portfolio/
#424
Queensland, Australia
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
Armorama: 2,248 posts
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:22 AM UTC
"Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl."
Frederick The Great
North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:23 AM UTC
North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:25 AM UTC
Chistian,that rear deck looks great !!!
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 30, 2015
KitMaker: 2,493 posts
Armorama: 2,344 posts
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:36 AM UTC
Cristian - Thats looking awesome!
Anthony - Your Tiger is beautiful. Awesome job sir!
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." - Plato
North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:41 AM UTC
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Cristian - Thats looking awesome!
Anthony - Your Tiger is beautiful. Awesome job sir!
Thank you Dustin,awesome campaign,hopefully some more builds will start rolling in.
tatbaqui
News Writer #040
Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: May 06, 2007
KitMaker: 2,713 posts
Armorama: 2,451 posts
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 05:00 AM UTC
Very nice Anthony -- congrats on your finish! Tat
#454
Georgia, United States
Joined: July 10, 2016
KitMaker: 1,273 posts
Armorama: 1,138 posts
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 05:21 AM UTC
Grade A work guys, a pair of beautiful work!
"I can make armored cars, safe and unassailable...and behind these our infantry will be able to follow quite unharmed and without any opposition."
-Leonardo da Vinci, 1487
#424
Queensland, Australia
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
Armorama: 2,248 posts
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 05:47 AM UTC
Anthony,
Your Tiger looks fantastic! So good, that I used my Ipad to zoom in on the details like the commander's shoulderboard and engine deck.
I can hear the commander now: Franz, I said left, not right! When I said right, I was actually affirming that I had commanded left!
Great!
Gaz
"Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl."
Frederick The Great
