Illuria Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 (edited) So after being inspired by dawkuk's efforts with this kit, plus Plastix' skills with hairy sticks, I decided it was time to pick up one of the kits on my list that would be cheaper amd a better testbed for getting my skills up to par before I knock out more expensive kits. As I mentioned in my intro post, I plan to do the whole German E-100 heavy line from World of Tanks, replacing Leichttraktor with PzI and VK3601 with VK3001 due to unavailability of kits. The PzII sits on that line and Tamiya's kit is so cheap it just made sense. I decided an Eduard photoetch set would be good to go for, especially since it was only a couple of quid and I need to get used to it sooner rather than later if I'm to do any serious modelling. Without further ado, the bits: And the set of tools that I currently have (Italeri paints were purchased by the gf, there's Vallejo at my LHS if I need anything new): (Apologies for the awful camera skills/lighting, didn't think it needed much effort due to the content) Edited September 24, 2015 by Illuria 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawkuk Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Sitting in firts row, mate. Please don't hesitate and ask if you'll have any questions. Watching it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Great stuff! Looking forward to seeing what you do with this great little kit. If you are planning on painting most of it with hairy sticks, it might be worth getting hold of some flat brushes. I learnt from the real brush painting experts on here that flat brushes combined with thinned paints can give a smooth finish to the paint on larger flat areas. I got myself Humbrol's flat, four brush set - they seem to work well. Kind regards, Stix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illuria Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 Hi Stix, I have a 1/4" and a 1/8" flat brush ready, looking to try and get a slightly bigger one before I put paint to model. Update of tonight's work: I have filled the holes in the bottom with Squadron Green Putty, sanded the fenders, removed the grills and attached the appropriate photoetch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 this was my first armour build, foes together really well - look forward to your progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawkuk Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 You might wanna do something to fill the hollow space under those grills. Just some engine-like shape. I didn't do it and now i regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illuria Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 I had been thinking about that, gonna pop down to the local shop and pick up some plasticard to try and scratchbuild something vaguely resembling an engine. I'd be interested in any schematics or pictures as at the moment I'd be guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 or cheat and add an air recognition panel.... P9250201 by Robert Worth, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illuria Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 But then I'd hide the lovely photoetch grilles! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 But then I'd hide the lovely photoetch grilles! them's the breaks ;-) but the etch makes a much nicer kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badder Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 build up the engine block with a couple of pieces of lego and some crafted plastic sheet, then add some formed sprue, bits of wire etc to finish it off. You won't see much of the engine through the grill, so it doesn't need to be spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illuria Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 build up the engine block with a couple of pieces of lego and some crafted plastic sheet, then add some formed sprue, bits of wire etc to finish it off. You won't see much of the engine through the grill, so it doesn't need to be spot on. That was similar to my intention, unfortunately I don't have any Lego lying around and didn't have the time at lunch to go to the hobby shop, but I've got time to wait. I was after some kind of schematic so I can have an idea as to what is supposed to be visible through each grille, so I can at least get vague shapes right. As a note, I've just ordered a 2cm KwK 30 and MG34 barrel from RB models as they were MUCH cheaper than the Aber alternatives (about half the price! Only £7 delivered). Fortunately I've got lots to do on the hull before I'm going to be putting the turret on. The turret seems fairly tight in the upper hull so will definitely scrape any paint off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawkuk Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Yeah, the turret goes very tight. I'd suggert some sandpaper work on the ring in ther upper hull, where turret goes in. I'd also remove those two plastic hooks and glue turret down once ready to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illuria Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry for the lack of photos to most recent update. Unfortunately it seems that my phone camera (my only camera available) doesn't like to focus on things closer than 10cm so all the tiny PE details I've been adding don't really show up very well. Most of the PE has been applied and the return rollers have been glued on, and the road wheels, drive sprocket and idler also built. I love the Tamiya polycaps, they're excellent! I dropped some of the PE parts and lost them to the carpet monster due to inexperience with handling PE, so I ordered a new sheet on Sunday which arrived today, so I now have some replacement bits to complete the kit. I think I need some smaller tweezers to handle small PE parts. I'll maybe get a PE folder tool if I decide to get a PE sheet for my next model, in the meantime I'm using a metal ruler and a trapezoid knife blade to fold, which works fairly well. I'll be done with assembly and applying primer shortly, I'm waiting on my metal barrels from RB model before I can declare the turret complete. I'm debating on removing the tabs as suggested, or just painting the turret on-model since I'm using rattlecan spray for primer and then brush-painting the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illuria Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 (edited) Apologies for the lack of recent updates, been super busy at work. Have managed to get a bit more done so here's some pictures for you! I am now build complete, turret is not glued and nor is the spare wheel as I intend to be able to paint under that, and also for obvious reasons tracks are not attached. Oh, and the top and bottom halves are not glued either. Edited October 2, 2015 by Illuria 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Nice work - I think the etch really embellishes this kit - I thought about something under those grilles too but just painted it flat black inside and decided that was a step too far for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 nice PE... i used the same barrels on my PzII, really do make a big difference for little money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illuria Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 Today I purchased some Vallejo 862 and 867, Black Grey (for rubber wheels) and Dark BlueGrey (for the hull). I have some gunmetal Italeri paint for any metallic parts. I think I might buy a lighter grey to mix with the Dark BlueGrey for drybrushing highlights as well. I also purchased a Humbrol acrylic matt primer in a spraycan for locking in the colour once completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illuria Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 My search for reference photos for the PzII has turned up pretty fruitless. I am however aware that the Marder II is basically a PzII hull, so the engine should be the same, right? I have turned up this engine conversion kit for Marder IIs: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/220348-tank-workshop-tws2013-marder-ii-engine-compartment-dragon which I could use as a rough reference for what should be visible through certain grilles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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