ANovaScotian

I'm a guitar player, so I typically just use a length of high E or B string. Just wanted to trying something different this time. Regardless, thanks for the tip.

Happy New Year Britmodellers! I'm not quite as fast out of the gate as some of you (seriously, do you guys do anything else?) but here it is, my first build of 2016! This was started a little before Christmas, and I just sort of picked at it over the holidays. With a long line of projects I would like to complete this year, I dropped things into high gear after the holidays, and although at the time of this posting the model 99.999% finished (realised mid-way through taking pictures that I forgot one thing... see if you can find it), I'm calling it done. Without further ado, I present as my first completion of 2016 and a fitting tribute to the 70th Anniversary of '46, Trumpeter's 1/35 E-75 Standardpanzer. Enjoy... This kit probably would have gone along better if I hadn't created more work for myself along the way. I wasn't confident with the kit suspension set up, so the individual modules were replaced with 1/8" styrene rods glued across the bottom of the tank. Looks kind of like an external torsion bar set up, but hey, it worked... until it came time for wheels and tracks. My measurements must have been off, because the wheels were about a 1/16" out and wouldn't line up with the guide horns, however, a little fiddling and everything got sorted out. Did I mention that everything else went together well...ish? I would say that detail wise, the kit ranks quite high, but loses marks when it comes to fit. Although not terrible, it wasn't the best either. The kit (88mm?)gun barrel was replaced with a piece of metal tubing, which when scaled up, gives this beast a 150mm gun. My explanation being... Its early summer 1946, supplies of tungsten and other dense metals are virtually non-existent. The German army makes the decision to discontinue use of its 8.8cm and smaller anti-tank guns as these all rely on dense metal penetrators fired at high velocity to punch through increasingly thicker allied armour. A switch is made to bigger bore guns 10.5cm and up and have them fire High Explosive Anti Tank rounds as these don't require scarce high-density metals, or high velocity to be effective. The model was painted with a combination of Tamiya Wooden Deck Tan, Buff and Buff+Deck Tan for the dark medium and light tones, which was then treated to a few coats of Vallejo Desert Dust wash. This technique was borrowed and modified from a friend and fellow modeller, and I find it gives just the right colour of "Dunkelgelb" and can be tweaked either way for either darker or lighter colours depend on your preference. With the tank in more or less one colour, I made an attempt to really weather the paint with chipping, drybrushing, washes and streaking; most of which, unfortunately is not very visible in my pictures. Oh well, at least I know its there. Turret numbers were sourced from the spares folder. The kit one-piece tracks, although nice, are a little on the stiff side and after trial and failure with Trumpeter's individual link King Tiger tracks, I threw some money at it and picked up a set of Fruilmodel tracks. The tracks as well as the lower hull and wheels were treated to various applications of pigments to give the vehicle a well rounded "roadworn" look. The spare tracks were soaked in Blacken It and treated to a rusty wash for a more decrepit look. Oh, and that random picture of the radio antenna... you're looking at my first successful attempt at stretching sprue. Only took me four years, but I think I've got the hang of it. All things considered, I'm quite pleased with the outcome of this build. We'll have to see how my E-75 Flakpanzer turns out whenever I get around to it. Regards, ANS

First time seeing one of these built up, I like it. How was the build?

Damn! Looks straight out of the storm scene from Das Boot.

Almost had me thinking it was 1/35. Very impressive work considering the scale, manufacturer and original vintage of this kit.

Mike, that's exactly what modelling should be about. Far too many take things far too seriously. Great build by the way, might have to try one out for myself.

Nice build, weathering is a little wonky, but as you said, trying new techniques. No harm, no foul It's a shame that "Caribou" seems to be the only well documented Canadian Achilles. I've got the Star Decals sheet for Canadian Armour in Korea.

A little too grungy for my tastes, but looks pretty good.

Looking good for a Tamiya oldie. I think it could use a little more weathering (maybe some pigments) around the lower parts of the tank, but that's just my opinion. Well done regardless

Hahaha the RCAF strikes again! Fantastic build by the way. Weathering is spot on; used, not abused... the way I like 'em

Damn! That's one fine looking foiled fighter you've got there!

Nice work. A fine build of an under-represented subject.

The Su-27SM kit was the one I was referring to. It may be accurate, but the panel lines looked a little soft and shallow for my liking.

If the Trumpeter MiG-29 is anything like their Su-27s, Zvezda won't be able to hold a candle to it. I just completed the 1/72 Su-27UB and I have to say its one of the best kits I've built to date, and having compared the two companies Flanker Bs, the Zvezda kit wasn't anywhere near the level of the Trumpeter kit.

Looks sharp Can't wait to get my hands on one of these.

I wasn't happy with my Christmas themed title on this one, so I've reverted back to a more conventional title... enjoy!

Season's Greetings one and all. I seem to be on a bit of a streak at the moment, not quite two weeks following my Panzer IV, I've managed to turn out another piece of classic Tamiya armour. If I can keep it up, I should be able to get another two models finished before the year is out. Today I present the 1/35 KV-1 Model.1942. Enjoy... Another fine piece of Tamiya engineering. From first to last instruction step was the total of an evenings work. This model was a second-hand kit from my local hobby shop. The only addition I made was to replace the gun barrel with a metal one from Aber. Much to my surprise, its former owner had thrown away the single piece tracks and replaced them with a set of Fruilmodel metal tracks. The tracks took a total of two evenings' work to assemble. A rather relaxing task if I do say so myself. Weld seams were replicated with a bead of Vallejo Plastic Putty (in the tube) run around top of the turret and around the added-on armour. The model was pre-shaded with Tamiya Black Green, Olive Green and NATO Green which were all blended together with a light coat of IJA Green. After both decals were on and sealed, the tank received an overall filter/wash of yellow-green to warm up the colour and give the white decals a bit of an aged look. The tracks were painted Dark Iron and dirtied up with MIG Dry Mud and Dark Mud pigments as was the lower hull and wheels. The wheel rims were painted with Humbrol Metalcote Gunmetal and polished to a high sheen as these would be constantly worn on the tracks. The spare tracks were treated with Blacken It and Dark Mud (does double duty for dirt and rust) for a rustier, disused look. The machine guns were replaced with brass tube and painted accordingly. The radio antenna was sourced from an old g-string... a guitar g-string that is. Overall, I kept this one relatively simple as far as armour goes. Thanks for looking Regards, ANS

'Bout time they came out with something for all those Egg Mustangs to escort!

Thanks Doozer, best of luck with your build. I trust we'll see it on here when its finished? This crew had access to a lot Tamiya Masking Tape... a scarce commodity on the Eastern Front

Posting is updated and finished, so come on back and have another look...

Hey All Hot on the heels of my Bf 110 Nightfighter, I present to you Tamiya's Golden Oldie 1/35 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J. Enjoy... Yes, I know that the paint scheme, markings and composition of the model are all incorrect for the Ausf.J version, however, I have an excuse ready... This had started off with three tone camouflage and a full set of side and turret skirts. I wasn't happy with the way the camo turned out (making it up as I went along might have had something to do with it), so instead of respraying everything, I decided "what the hell, why don't I try a winter camo?" So lets just consider this a depiction of a generic, nondescript German tank roughing it out, somewhere on the Eastern front. What can I say about the build? Its a Tamiya kit, although an old Tamiya kit at that. Aside from a lot of mold lines to clean up, everything went smoothly. This build was 99.9% out of the box, with only a few small scratchbuilt items. Firstly everything was primed with Vallejo Panzer Grey Primer*. Initial camouflage consisted of Model Master Dunkelgelb, Olivegrun and Schokladnbraun. This was subsequently over sprayed with quite thin flat white, all the while attempting to keep it patchy and random. The tracks were painted with Tamiya Dark Iron, a colour I find perfect for tracks, exhausts and other things that have oxidized way past simple rust. The spare tracks however, were treated to a light wash of rust colors. The entire tank was given various washes/filters using Vallejo Grey and European Dust Washes to tone down the brightness of the white and further the streaky, rough, patchy look of the colour. Tools and other bits were painted with Humbrol Metalcote Gunmetal and various Vallejo colours. Recesses and details were picked out with MIG Productions Dark Wash. After a quick Google search for "Panzer IV, winter camo" I came across a profile that suited the build and cut the appropriate markings off the (quite old, but still usable) decal sheet. Now you can't have a German tank in the Russian winter without that beautiful, dark Russian mud. This was achieved with none other than MIG Productions Russian Earth pigment with a little Dark Mud for variation. After an initial coating of dry pigments, they were mixed with Vallejo Flat Varnish (the thick stuff, not the airbrush ready one) and slopped on with an old rough brush. Just enough to look muddy, but not so much as to obscure detail. With the weathering finished, the lower half of the tank was lightly sprayed with gloss varnish to give the mud a nice wet look, while the upper half was shot with flat varnish. Overall, quite pleased with this one. First time doing a winter scheme and first time doing thick mud. Bad camo job + white paint = pretty darn good looking winterized Panzer IV if I do say so myself *Note: With reference to Vallejo Polyurethane Acrylic Primers, you must, I stress must let these primers dry for at least a full day or two, or until they no longer give off a strong smell. I see too many people bashing these primers. They are quite good if you give them a chance and treat them properly. If you let the primer fully cure, not just dry but cure, you will have very little to no problems. Thanks for looking Regards ANS

Love the composition! Might have to do one of mine this way. How did you do the "exhaust", clear orange?