Hello all!

Sorry for the delay between posts... I had a very hectic - but VERY productive - week, with a couple of nice projects awarded to me and my team.

Also, my daily build hours are weird... I usually get up at 4AM, and build until around 6/6:30am, and leave for work, so...

Anyway, back to business. Did some additional build... started the gun, and there are real delicate parts in this process. Assembly starts with the gunsight.











the gunner's seat was a nice, simple assembly, but with delicate parts as well.










Gun in place with seat. fit and look is beautiful.







That is it for now... will try to get some additional bench time this weekend. hope you like the build to date.

By the way, anyone have pics of a Hetzer interior, to see if I can add some additional simple details to the kit, being the vehicle open-topped? Appreciate any you might forward or refer to me... thanks!

Found these
http://www.pzfahrer.net/inside_tour.html

Trying to look for bergehetzer as that would be closer.

I am liking the look.

Great progress; am really looking forward to starting this one, too.

Keep up the good work! Even at 0400!

Kylie

Some additional work done; pics taken. will try to have them uploaded and written up today or tomorrow. Year end work project closings have been crazy, so my office has priority right now.

Work done is some gizmology in order to improve the open-topped look of the interior.

Will keep you posted!

Thanks for the update and look forward to seeing the new changes.

Promised update... office still hectic, getting ready everything related to projects and shutdowns vs. oncoming the Christmas season!

After working the "depth perception" look of the radios, I got a couple of styrene strips, and simulated the brackets; anyone have good pics on how the radios were wired?



As this can be considered a "what if" (based on the fact that it seems this was a last-effort quickly concocted vehicle, I will add 2 more radios... maybe one set is for ground forces, the second for coordination with Luftwaffe? You tell me if it makes sense... still needs the rack...



A little bit of torch cut marks enhancement on the front glacis... tried and true knife and glue method.



Those with sharp eyes will notice the scratch instrument panel when the upper hull is in place.







Some miscellaneous boxes, conduit, etc... added for a busy-looking interior...



Also started to detail the transmission... some work still left (levers, cables, knobs, etc...).





Hope you like it so far... comments/recommendations welcome!

Nice biuld so far. I'll follow your next updates:)

Thanks, Matt!

I am liking the business. Are you keeping the angle iron on the floor? Where did you get the layout for the instrument panel? Are the side radios in the kit or spares? It's an interesting idea. I think they would have gotten to having them in there but early on it was about the concept working, at least that is my thought.

A bit of more detailing on the transmission. This is done as is, since it will be blocked from view by the AA gun. Let's see what else I can come up with on the kit... nearing the primer stage.

Anyone have pics on how the German radio sets were wired? Appreciate it!

A bit of extra work on the weekend. Did some radio wiring, some of it guesswork, due to lack of clear images with application. will also work on headphones this week, if possible.

I think that the interior is pretty much complete, other than a couple of rifles, canteens, and the like to populate the AFV.

Pics follow:













Hope you like it so far! Feedback always welcome.

Looking good. What type of wire are you using on the radios?

Copper and solder wire...

It sure is coming out nice Jorge. Hats off to the wire detail you've done! Cheers, Tat

Thank you, Sir!

Hello Gents!

Merry Christmas! Got some work done yesterday. I basically primed with AK RedBrown primer, and sealed with clear. Also applied hairspray, in order to lay base coat and work the interior.

Now, leave it drying, and see if I can get something done tomorrow. Pics follow; hope you like the work so far! Critique always welcome.

A bit of more work done today. Applied the Cremeweiss (RAL9001) from AK Interactive. Color looks very nice applied, when compared with white, within a German Vehicle.

After leaving the paint to dry for about 20 minutes, water was applied, and left for about 5 more minutes, and the scrubbing commenced.

In some areas, the paint was removed easier than others, which I understand has to do with the thickness of the coat, or amount of water for softening purposes.

There's a couple of areas that will have to be retouched with a sponge/Cremeweiss, since I understand a bit of more than necessary paint was scrubbed off, but nothing major. Also, detail paint will follow.

Now, onto the pics... as always, critique/suggestions welcome. Thanks!













Hope you like the work to date!

I agree it feels more paint is removed then needed but your touch ups and the rest of the weathering I am sure will produce a good product at the end. Look forward to seeing it.

Hello All!

Happy new year!

Took some days off from modeling for the Christmas period, but sat down early today for some additional work.

Continues to work on the interior... gun mount work performed, as well as additional interior details.

The paint used for the gun mount and cradle is AK's 1945 German Late War Color AK713, included in the AK554 package. Ammo washes and filters were used, as well as a graphite pencil for details and burnishing effect.

Some pigments were used to simulate the dust inside the hull floor, and will use as well for the gun cradle floor.

Will start to work next on the ammo boxes and ammo magazines later on, as well as some rifles, canteens and additional crap in order to simulate a lived-in vehicle.

Now, onto the pics. As usual, critique always welcome.

Some additional progress done. Started to pain the wheels, lower hull. All done with AK Primer, Tamiya paint mix for the Dunkelbelg, and AK for the green and brown.

All using AMMO filters, and AK Ultramatt coated. Hope you like it to date!

looks absolutely amazing!! great work! looking forward to seeing the finished product; I've put this kit on my wish list

Those two updates look great.

Looking really Good, I like the interior details and the paint finish with the chipping and the metal finish on flak-gun.