The Karl itself is taking shape. Dry fitted the main components to get a size impression (note the partial figure for size comparison). Enough work remains to be done, specially around the plattforms and fitting of small parts on the front and rear panel...
Speaking of which: I opted to have 2 of the ladders folded, yet wonder how the folded part was fastened to keep it upright, although the pictures I see seem to have no brackets whatsoever? A holding pin???
As always, comments are welcome

Hi Erwin,

That's one big, impressive beastie you've built there, the partial figure is dwarfed, .

Is it a complex build?

Cheers, ,

G

You can say that again! The original vehicle is 11 metres long!!!

Actually, so far it is not too difficult... There are 2 parts mixed up (left and right steps of the walkway) and 2 holes indicated to be drilled out, but not used anywhere (not seen on the photo's of the original gun either). Also some parts are included, but not on the instruction (rear and convoy lights), but their location can be found on original photo's...
The most difficult parts have yet to come: the platforms with all their PE parts...

Seems like there was some buckle and a pin on the hinge.
They are present on Ziu in Kubinka:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/M%C3%B6rser_Karl_in_Kubinka.jpg

I indeed see a pin and hole on the hinge... This is so small, that it will not be visible on the model... Thanks for your help!

Looks great Erwin - I was going to say I wasn’t sure about the folded ladder bracket but guessed some kind of simple spring-clip would have done the job & barely visible for your purposes - looks like I was half right. So according to my abacus this monster’s approx. 30 cms long? I’m glad you’re painting it, I’d end up with more spray on my face than the kit

Hi Martin,

I'not unhappy that the ladder is only held by an barely visible pin, since it saves me the hassle of trying to reproduce it..

You still use an abacus????
Yes, it is pretty hefty... By the way, I only fo the primer with the hairy stick. The basecoat and camo (dark yellow, green and brown) will be done with the AB (the running gear is already airbrushed...)

All parts are in place, with a layer of brown primer and a base coat of dark yellow on. Waiting for the two camouflage colors. Actually not looking forward to this, as I have never done it before. ..
In the meantime I started on the next kit: Sabre models 0mmr flatbed rail car.
A nice build, without peculiarities. Only the instructions are a bit awkward in places. But nothing that is impossible to do. Just read carefully.

Hi Erwin,

Nice looking beast...nooo, not you, I meant the Karl, .

the flatbed looks a nicely detailed bit of kit, how will it be used alongside the Karl?

Cheers, ,

G

That would be something, if could see that from my profile pic

The flatbed will be on a second track (carriers+shunter on track 1) together with some other rail wagons and a steam engine, with the ammo panzer just about to drive off. ...

The camouflage is on. Rather satisfied, considering the fact that I wasn't really looking forward to it. This was my first time ever in tackling camouflage...
Now for the details and weathering.
Comments welcome!

Hi Erwin,

Excellent camouflage, . Was so good it took me a few minutes to spot the beast, .

Thoroughly enjoying this build, looking forward to seeing it weathered-down...do you use proprietary weathering products, or do you make them up your weathering colours from standard colours?

Cheers, ,

G

Thanks, my friend! 😁 Though I made some corrections after seeing my own pictures. (no bigger critic than yourself). I saw that the ladders had their outline visible in yellow. That looked rather strange... Gone, they are, yes!

I am actually a bit puzzled now: usually I spray a mist of a lighter colour af the base coat as a forced highlight on the upper surfaces. But with a 3 colour camouflage, how to handle this? I will go easy on the weathering with this one, as, after every action, it went to the depot for an overhaul. Some of dot filters to get rid of the uniformity, pin wash for the creation of depth and dusting from the rail travel...

Nice camo Erin , lookin good !!

Thanks buddy. Really appreciate it...

Sorry man , forgot the " w " on Erwin !!

I noticed, but that is no problem... 😊

Hi Erwin,

When you have mentioned the 3-color camo I expected a mostly yellow monster with some narrow green and brown stripes. Classic Reich-type camo.
But the pics show me something much closer to the contemporary NATO version.
I am not critisizing just wondering why this was chosen in the WWII period (and not used on more tanks, vehicles etc...).

The build and your painting is lovely, the result has a very good beasty impress, though. Congrats!

Tamás

I know what you mean: actually Trumpeter suggests just that...
But indeed the original photo's show quite a thorrough covering of the base dark yellow layer by the camouflage colours... Why this pattern? I dunno...


Thank you very much for the compliments... They are very much appreciated...

It is really proceeding nicely for sure. Huge thing!
J

Thanks Jerry

Yep excellent work Erwin, waiting for a figure to show its true scale. Regarding your earlier musing about weathering you might want to try dry-brushing (yeah so I’m a dinosaur) the different camo shades i.e. lighter versions of each. Intricate & tricky for sure but can’t think of a better idea

Dry brushing... I am ofcourse familliar with the technique (I am no dinosaur, but not that young either ), but to my knowledge one generally uses it to bring out highlights of say hatches or handles or to represent worn areas...

No worries. I will put in the driver when all is done...

Hi Erwin,

I agree with the old dinos...ooops, I mean Tim, I swear by dry-brushing for adjusting colours...must make me a dinosaur too, .

Though I have been known to swear at dry-brushing when I've got it wrong, .

Cheers, ,

G

With hard edge camouflage, that might be feasible, but this is soft edge camo. How do you envision that? No critics here, just looking for guidance...