1/35 Jagdpanzer Hetzer Late, Hungary
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 05:59 PM UTC
Hello!
I'm starting another armor build,a very nice vehicle for me-Jagdpanzer Hetzer. The model is from Academy, very good kit, plus some PE improvements from DEF model and RB metal barrel.


I will use also some SS soldiers, built here:
http://armorama.com/forums/221323&page=1There will be terrain, tree/s etc.

Cheers!
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 07:13 PM UTC
Hi! Good Luck with your new project! Does anyone know how the ACADEMY Hetzers compare to the TAMIYA and DRAGON Hetzers? Also TRUMPETER's "Starr" Hetzer...
I see that DRAGON has the "FlaK" Hetzer coming soon, and several other versions coming as well. I'm wondering why DRAGON hasn't chosen to do a new "Bergehetzer"? I think that a PLASTIC kit of this version would find itself in many modellers' collections, including mine!
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 07:23 PM UTC
Academy Hetzer is fine-low cost, nice detail plus two good figures. With bit of PE it will look OK

Cheers!
Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 07:37 PM UTC
I've built Academy's early version, which was a nice build. Don't know how it compares to the other leading brands but I've not heard any real negatives about it. I want the Late as well, but it comes with the same figures - they basically just swapped in a few parts to make a new kit. Just like Dragon.
I would have preferred a "berge" version as well. I don't think the flak Hetzer made it off paper. If I wanted to build fantasy tanks I'd do Warhammer 40K.
On the Campaign Trail:
Tank Destroyer 2020
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 07:56 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I've built Academy's early version, which was a nice build. Don't know how it compares to the other leading brands but I've not heard any real negatives about it. I want the Late as well, but it comes with the same figures - they basically just swapped in a few parts to make a new kit. Just like Dragon.
I would have preferred a "berge" version as well. I don't think the flak Hetzer made it off paper. If I wanted to build fantasy tanks I'd do Warhammer 40K.
Agree on the Bergehetzer-
Re: DRAGON's upcoming sIG.33 auf Jagdpanzer Hetzer-
I believe that several of the sIG.33 auf Jagdpanzer Hetzer (not sure of the exact designation, at the moment) were built, but have no idea if they ever made it into combat. Due to the weight of the sIG.33, this version did have a very noticeable "nose-heavy" appearance, something that I hope DRAGON will incorporate into their kit of this vehicle. But if they don't, I WILL NOT be surprised...
I was wondering if the ACADEMY Hetzers include vinyl Tracks, or if they are "link-and-length" Tracks like the TAMIYA kit, or if ACADEMY chose to use "indy-links"..?
PS- I don't think that the Crew figures' uniforms would matter, since the Hetzer didn't appear on the battlefields until 1944, when the Crews' uniforms would have been the same between the "early" and "late" versions, anyway. My guess is that ACADEMY used the same figures in these kits just for economy's sake...
Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 08:39 PM UTC
They are link and length tracks.
On the Campaign Trail:
Tank Destroyer 2020
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 08:48 PM UTC
Quoted Text
...I was wondering if the ACADEMY Hetzers include vinyl Tracks, or if they are "link-and-length" Tracks like the TAMIYA kit, or if ACADEMY chose to use "indy-links"..?
Link and length, and they are nice, will do the job

Cheers!
V
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 09:12 PM UTC
Quoted Text
They are link and length tracks.
Oh, good! There are some ACADEMY Hetzers in my future!
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 - 10:01 PM UTC
Camo will be in the "Ambush" pattern:

Thanks!
tatbaqui
News Writer
#040
Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: May 06, 2007
KitMaker: 2,713 posts
Armorama: 2,451 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 19, 2016 - 04:03 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi! Good Luck with your new project! Does anyone know how the ACADEMY Hetzers compare to the TAMIYA and DRAGON Hetzers? Also TRUMPETER's "Starr" Hetzer...
I see that DRAGON has the "FlaK" Hetzer coming soon, and several other versions coming as well. I'm wondering why DRAGON hasn't chosen to do a new "Bergehetzer"? I think that a PLASTIC kit of this version would find itself in many modellers' collections, including mine!
I have a Trumpeter Starr but have yet to build it. It comes with individual links and track pins to be inserted during assembly. It has a jig as well.

#424
Queensland, Australia
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
Armorama: 2,248 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 19, 2016 - 08:34 AM UTC
Venelin,
Very nice work on those figures! Can't wait to see what you do with the Hetzer.
Gaz
"Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl."
Frederick The Great
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 19, 2016 - 05:02 PM UTC
Progress so far,
Texture added on the mantlet with Surfacer 500. The right mudguard will be damaged, I will put it later.
Fit is very good, no problems for now



Cheers!
Joined: October 03, 2007
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,357 posts
Posted: Monday, June 20, 2016 - 12:47 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi! Good Luck with your new project! Does anyone know how the ACADEMY Hetzers compare to the TAMIYA and DRAGON Hetzers? Also TRUMPETER's "Starr" Hetzer...
I see that DRAGON has the "FlaK" Hetzer coming soon, and several other versions coming as well. I'm wondering why DRAGON hasn't chosen to do a new "Bergehetzer"? I think that a PLASTIC kit of this version would find itself in many modellers' collections, including mine!
They're out of production right now, but I recommend hunting up the Eduard. Kinda reminds you of a TriStar kit, as it comes with full interior (not perfect, but 90% will never know the difference). They did an early and a late Hetzer. Bought both for less than $30 a piece on Ebay.
gary
Florida, United States
Joined: October 21, 2013
KitMaker: 751 posts
Armorama: 751 posts
Posted: Monday, June 20, 2016 - 01:44 PM UTC
After reading so much about the Battle of Budapest and Battle of Lake Balaton.There was so much fierce fighting so much of the armor beaten up,I will be following your Jagdpanzer 38(t).
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Monday, June 20, 2016 - 08:38 PM UTC
Some parts need to be primed before assembly, because will be hard to paint afterwards. Slight damage on the mudguards:


Cheers!
United Kingdom
Joined: November 10, 2013
KitMaker: 195 posts
Armorama: 175 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 01:19 AM UTC
I think these Academy Hetzers are lovely little kits. They just fall together and the tracks really do not need replacing unless you feel flush with money. I have a number of them in the stash and built several 'Kraut Kit' (ex New Connection) conversions based on the kit chassis. (Hetzer 'Katchen', Hetzer with PAW600, 75mm L/70 rear fighting compartment and more to come). Ideal kits for the newby.
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 12:25 PM UTC
Thanks!
Fit is flawless and the tracks are very good. And is very cheap for the detail

Cheers!
Arizona, United States
Joined: October 20, 2015
KitMaker: 304 posts
Armorama: 293 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 04:27 PM UTC
The Kit is coming along great, Cant wait to see it completed.
Robert
United Kingdom
Joined: November 10, 2013
KitMaker: 195 posts
Armorama: 175 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 06:37 PM UTC
One of four test vehicles. Hetzer with 75mm L/70. Must have been a pig to drive with that gun. Academy Hetzer with RB Models barrel.

New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 07:20 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I think these Academy Hetzers are lovely little kits. They just fall together and the tracks really do not need replacing unless you feel flush with money. I have a number of them in the stash and built several 'Kraut Kit' (ex New Connection) conversions based on the kit chassis. (Hetzer 'Katchen', Hetzer with PAW600, 75mm L/70 rear fighting compartment and more to come). Ideal kits for the newby.
Hi! I appreciate you mentioning that NEW CONNECTIONS is now KRAUT KIT!!!

NEW CONNECTIONS made some outstanding conversion sets, and it's good to see that KRAUT KIT will be continuing in this vein!
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - 09:42 AM UTC
There's no interior, so basic painting inside:

Cheers!
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - 02:39 PM UTC
Quoted Text
There's no interior, so basic painting inside:

Cheers!
Looking GOOD, Venelin!!!
For those interested, there are several aftermarket sources for Hetzer Interiors...
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - 03:06 PM UTC
Thanks!
I hope manufacturers like Miniart, Bronco, Meng or Takom will make a Hetzer with interior some day, because is one of my favorite vehicles ever

Cheers!
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 29, 2018 - 11:51 AM UTC
Continuing also here

I did the cast numbers with pressing melted sprue on the PE template. Also did the three missing bolts on the gun mantlet.


I have doubts about the presence of the ambush scheme in Hungary-most pictures show standard Skoda factory camouflage for the Eastern front, any opinion?
Thanks!
Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 31, 2018 - 02:02 PM UTC
I cut those raised details also and replaced them with brass pipes:

