Here is my second model since coming back into the hobby, the first was Dragons M1A1 OIF which went a little pear shaped when I sprayed on the final matt coat. This is ICM's Luchs with a Jordi Rubio barrel and Eduard etch set got for a song off e-bay. The barrel and etch cost more than the kit (thanks Hannants) but they weren't that expensive.
Not sure as to what finish I will be putting on it yet suffice to say it will be dark yellow and something!! It came without decals so I will be printing my own for it or perhaps putting them on with a stencil and airbrush so if anyone has any ideas as to how recce battalions numbered their wagons it would be a great help.
Any hints and help will be gratefully received.

Max

Looks like your of to a good start. Keep up the good work.
Sorry, can't help you with thebattalion numbers.

As Jesper said,
So far so good, keep up the good work and you'll have a nice looking kit. As for markings I can't help either sorry.

James

This Luchs



was captured in Normandy, and must have belonged to 9PD. Not quite sure how the 4-digit tac number system worked though. Your other alternative is 4PD in the east.

David

Can't help with the markings, but looks like a good build so far. Amazing what you can do with this kit with a little TLC (and some aftermarket!). Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress.

this one is in Bovington

http://ampsnz.hobbyvista.com/realafvs/WWII/German/Tank/Luchs/Luchs.htm

And a site about it from fellow modeller !
http://www.panzermodellbau.com/index_en.html?en_dio_luchs.html&1

Enjoy

Herr

Looks really good. Keep up the good work and keep sharing. It could be nice to see this one finished.

I think some of the nLuchs used on the Eastern front had two digit numbers. I think I remember seeing one with the number "11". This is from memory because I build a Luchs 3-4 years back, so I could be wrong.

Thanks for sharing

Herr-- those are some marvelous shots of the Luchs. She looks great! Hopefully, Lucky Models delivers my Tasca Luchs shortly and using these shots will assist my efforts.
thanks again
DJ

Hi again,
Thanks very much for the input and sites to visit. this is just a small update on where I've got so far. I replaced the hatch handles on the hull and turret with brass rod as the kit parts where too thick. the tools have been put on and really weren't that bad, they've been helped a little with some taken from a panzer 4 kit. The turret jerrycans were replaced with some late war versions from academy accessories set and a few more weld seams put onto the turret.


Just a quick question on the grab handle beside the commanders hatch, should it be vertical as it is in my pictures which is how it is in the instructions, or at an approx 45 degree angle rearwards as i've seen in other pics?


I'm not too happy with the clamps on the jack either so it's coming off and they will be replaced with etched clamps. Does anyone have any close up pics of the inside of the commanders hatch as this needs detailing as well.

Max,

Your Luchs is looking good, making good progress. The grab handle on the roof of the turret is there for aiding access in/out of the rear hatch and should be angled vs. straight vertical as you have it now.

Well this is pretty much it now, gonna give it a quick wash in soapy water then an undercoat of grey car primer a la Halfords. I've put on all the etch that I feel the model needs and so it's onto painting. I've dented the mudguards a little but didn't want to go over the top.
The only thing I'm not too happy with is the tow cable. I've seen pics, although not a Luchs, that show it stretched from front to back ready for a tow in either direction but I think it looks a little off. Views anyone. I'll probably end up taking it off.

Quick Update, the basecoat was applied then a coat of Tamiya dark yellow. Masked the roadwheel points off so they attach ok afterwards.


Roadwheels now put on and the first sections of track glued together and put onto the hull to form their shape. I find it easier to paint them as two sections then attach them onto the rest of the model.

Going to try for a green and red brown pattern over the dark yellow and see how it turns out.

Max

A quick update, not had a chance to do much on it recently 'cos of other commitments however have managed a little today although it's far from finished. After painting (which is pure artistic licence and not a copied colour scheme) I put on a pin wash to highlight details etc plus paint chips tho' I didn't want to go over the top on it. A quick question tho, what colour are the sight bodies on german sights?





Have yet to add the antenna's and some personal kit, webbing etc plus there will be the guy from the kit sat atop it once I've figured how to paint german cam pattern. Also I'll have to print decals or make a mask and spray the vehicle numbers on. Any pointers that anyone may have please mention them as it's the only way to get better.

Max

Hate to suggest you spend more money, but the Rubio barrel has been surpassed by the Armor Scale barrels, which include a separate flash hider drilled out with all the vent holes (they're available in two lengths, the 1.0 meter barrel and the 1.3 meter barrel--the longer version is correct for a Luchs). Check out the review photos on the Perth Military Modelling Site and you'll be astonished. http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/misc/flak38/flak38barrels.htm

Well this is it, I think I've finally finished I'm sure there are things that I will change but I'll need to keep looking at it. Finished the painting and chipping, did a wash to tie in the colours. Added the rust streaks and finally added some pigments to the running gear which is hardly noticeable on the pics. I repainted the pioneer tools with oils as I wasn't happy with them. I painted on the turret numbers but had some crosses from another kit to put on the sides and rear. I've done the figure to the best of my ability at the moment but overall I'm fairly pleased with the results for my second model.
Apologies for the lighting on the pics but best I can do for the moment. As usual if anyone has any hints tips or suggestions please put them on here.

Max

Very nice. Thank you for sharing.

Very nice work Max, for only your second model back your already setting high standards, the camo on the commanders jacket is very well done.

Thanks for the comments guys, to tell the truth the commanders jacket is covered in a decal that I printed up myself from a pattern I found on the net. It's cut to shape and then put on using microsol solution. You can still see the details underneath once it's dry however it's hard to sort out highlighting and shading. Anyone have any ideas how to sort that out I'd be very interested to know.

Max

A great job on this one - especially considering this is only your second model since coming back to the hobby. It went very good.

Thanks for sharing

Hey Max.
Brilliant model mate it looks really good. the figure looks really good and thatnks for sharing it with me. could you tell me how you did your chipping and rust straks please?

Good job

The chipping was done using Tamiya XF63 german grey put on in places I thought would suffer from this or high use areas. The rust spots were added using Winsor & Newtons burnt sienna oil paint which was then drawn down using a wide brush and humbrol thinners. I just kept going over it until I'd acheived the level of streaking that I wanted. Everything I've done with this model I've learnt off this site, going through the forums reading articles i thought would help me. Took me months but I'm very happy with the results.

Max