A little bit of soldering done on the few PE pieces the kit includes.

Typical soldering process I use... shave some solder, place the flux in the parts in places to solder, apply the solder shavings, and heat... easy as that, but a tad more difficult when the parts are this small (note the tweezer and solder iron tip in comparison to parts).

Anyway, on to the pics... solder looks a bit strange on pics, but a bit of sanding with a fiber pen will take care of it. Usually happens to me with parts this size.

May have to try that.

Doing some research on the flak, it appears Dragon didn't include the pe shell basket parts included in the single kit.

Yes, not included... will try to see if I can do something with a micromesh or something similar...

Sorry for these slow days... caught the flu, bad, and I have mostly paint work to complete the build and weather... as soon as I can work with paint and fumes, will post update.

I look forward to it. Been cutting and cleaning plastic fo rmy build. Have the lower hull outside mostly done. Been looking at photos and plan to mix wheels as I have cleaned them all. Going to the drive train next following what you have done expect will use the other option for the gun platform, so thanks again.

So this started me looking, and I found that Eduard 35527 has this item. I checked the PMMS 'subject' review page for this 20mm flak, and there is a veritable ton of stuff out there for this gun.

hth,

That set may work but it's designed for the Tamiya gun not the Dragon gun.
I have added an RB barrel cause it had more pluses for me then minuses for my needs.

Hello, Gents!

Little update... finally got around to painting and joining the upper to lower hull.

Had the flu, but finally felt better this weekend for the paint process.

Gotta say that I have no idea what happened, but the first paint layer, as soon as I applied it, came out gritty, and the paint and primer bubbled up in a couple of places. Frustrated, as this had never happened to me, I placed it aside and went to sleep.

Next day, the paint is still grainy, but the bubbles were gone, and the paint was nice and tight. Instead of stripping, I decided to eliminate the grittiness via a fiber pen, and it worked beautiful! No need to strip.

I proceeded to prepare the Tamiya paint once again, but this time extra diluted (with their lacquer thinner once again), and did extra thin passes, in I'd say 6 layers. This time around, everything worked fine.

Sealed with Future, so you will see a slight sheet... I use the future to protect the base coat, and apply decals.

Pics follow:

Hello Gents!

Slow progress due to oils and enamels, but looking better every day!

Started working on the washes and streaking... self explanatory images follow.

Enamels and oil mixes for the various shades attained, with some Future or flat coats between work.

Started as well working on the muffler rust and soot tones... nice base achieved for rust pigment work.

Next up, chipping and scratches during the week.

Pics up next...























Hope you like it so far!

I like it. Looking forward to the chipping and scratches.

Looking good so I'm looking for next updates.
I have only one note: it's a pity that you don't use oil dots or oil rednedring technique. When a whole wehicle is painted with one colour they are works great.

Oil dot rendering will be done. Today I will flat seal, and leave ready for the oil process!

Some more oil rendering done. Oils used are Windsor & Newton, and washes are Ammo and some oils diluted with thinner.

I will allow this to dry for maybe 3 more days, and then seal. After the seal dries, I plan on misting some dust/dirt color with enamels, and drag a rush with thinner downwards, as to create dust runs, top to bottom.

Will also add some oil/fuel stains, dust accumulation in corners, etc...

Started to build the kit tracks... two words... they suck. going to order some Fruils or Spade Ace. I used the Spade Ace on a prior Hetzer build, and they were very nice. I did change the wire, though, since it was extremely hard, difficult to cut.

While tracks are built, I will also start to detail the interior crap used to crow the vehicle. Ammo boxes, MGs, and other stuff.

Now, the pics... hope you like them. Feedback welcome, as always.

I like the look.

What about the tracks is bad?

I am slowing processing on my build. The gun is 75% complete, I am at the point where I have to pick an angle and attach all the small sub-assemblies. Which angle did you go with? The hull interior is 50%, all the plastic is done, need to do the mods you had (radio - cut out already, instrument panel, transmission, wiring, etc). Thanks again for the visual aids.

Trying really hard to like the kit tracks... no detail, and a pain to build, in my opinion...

Don't know if this would help you, I plan to use the Hobbytrax Hetzer jig when I get to that step. I have a number of Hetzer kits so this worth it to me. Comparing it to my Academy kit I had handy, the Dragon track is the early type. So the jig will probably be a little big for the Dragon tracks as it was also big for the Academy track and both appear to be the same size. The jig was made using the Tamiya kit track. Not sure if early type would be correct for this kit.

Early had two wells, late has three wells in the middle of the track.

Some extra work done.... COmpleted the tracks, and installed them after priming with Ammo Black, base coat of Vallejo Natural Steel, and a quick, light Gunmetal coat.

Washed with Ammo enamel Track Wash, and some Ammo Dark Earth wash as well.

Delicate stuff... they started to come undone, but got them set.

Now, will start to weather lower hull, roadwheels, etc...

Love what you have done there; looks very good. Any plans to crew it?

Hello Guys! Slow progress, but getting there.

The thing is trying to get a semi-wet/dry look.

Used real sifted dirt, pigments, water and white glue. Diluted Future coats buildup after the mud dried, and will proceed then to matt and speckle/spatter in some areas.


Next up, work on the skirts...
Pics follow:

Looking good! You have done a great job on it.

Thank you Colin!

Small Update... started to work on the skirts.

AK Red Primer, hairspray and Tamiya mixes.

File and tweezer used for the scratches, as well as water and stiff brush.

Will apply filters next, seal, and start weathering.

Pics follow...

http://s153.photobucket.com/user/CJ3B/media/Dragon%20Bergepanzer%20Hetzer%2038t%20mit%202cm%20Flak%2038/IMG_3868.jpg.html?sort=9&o=161

http://s153.photobucket.com/user/CJ3B/media/Dragon%20Bergepanzer%20Hetzer%2038t%20mit%202cm%20Flak%2038/IMG_3869.jpg.html?sort=9&o=162

http://s153.photobucket.com/user/CJ3B/media/Dragon%20Bergepanzer%20Hetzer%2038t%20mit%202cm%20Flak%2038/IMG_3870.jpg.html?sort=9&o=163

http://s153.photobucket.com/user/CJ3B/media/Dragon%20Bergepanzer%20Hetzer%2038t%20mit%202cm%20Flak%2038/IMG_3871.jpg.html?sort=9&o=164

My apologies for the delay... Photobucket has been acting VERY strange for me lately.

I have finished the build, but have to take better pics. In the mean time, here's some skirt work that I managed to take before attaching them, but was unable to upload... let's see if it works.

These were taken before finishing up the details that needed correction.

Calling this done; will take better pics for the review... these are cell phone pics.

Will see if I build a base later on for this kit.

Your comments are welcome... thanks!

Really like the color and chipping you added. Well done.

I really understand about the tracks comment now, yuck!