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Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer


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  • 1 month later...

Hi all!

 

I started building the Hetzer some time ago and would like to show you the first steps today.
The Tamiya kit is as almost always of good quality and shows in my opinion a BMM batch from September 1944.
Since the Hetzer, which was produced by BMM and Skoda, has been updated over time, there is no identical vehicle, which IMHO points to a specific date.
Tamiya, for example, has used the upper hull of an early model without tank or cooling water flaps at the rear, but already the two-piece command hatch.
In addition, early smaller running wheels, but with new stronger leaf springs and the gun mount V.
Of course, even with new vehicles, old stock was used up and so there are all the more variants.
I concentrate with my model on fundamental errors in the reproduction on the part of Tamiya and not to represent a certain vehicle 100%.

 

Have fun!
MD

 

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Here we go 😁

 

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How often do you start with the running gear.

 

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Damaged road wheels.

 

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First surgery is necessary.

 

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Replacement comes from PE set.

 

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Parts from the rear.

 

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Filling holes.

 

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Tamiya is not always first class...

 

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The fit is bad and the bolts are also not reproduced correctly.

 

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Here is the reality.

 

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Back to the 70's 🤢

 

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The rear towing lugs with cast-on track plate holders.

 

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The kit has rubber and link and length tracks.

However, I will print my own chains and also include the more attractive idlerwheel.

 

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Like this.

 

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Done.

Track pins also new (0,3mm)

 

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Much better incl. weldseams.

 

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I took the dimensions from Tamiya, so it fits great.

 

See you!

 

 

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Looking great so far. Having build a similar kit from Academy a short while ago, i can't wait to see what you make of this one. 

I'll follow along if you don't mind.

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4 hours ago, Maddoxx77 said:

Looking great so far. Having build a similar kit from Academy a short while ago, i can't wait to see what you make of this one. 

I'll follow along if you don't mind.

 

Hi Maddoxx

 

Would appreciate it if you would take a seat 🙂

After all, you've already set the bar high with your Hetzer, I'll do my best.
The tank has as it seems many fans, there is the comparison Academy to Tamiya a welcome information for future projects of the fellows here on BM.

 

Tracks:

The Tamiya tracks are actually good to use, but I prefer individual links.
There are also these to buy, but as always not cheap and whether they also correspond to my ideas or fit on the model, you do not really know before.
Therefore, the decision to construct and print my own.
I have no original link in the cellar, so I derived everything from pictures and the dimensions of Tamiya.
I decided to use a click system, because resin bolts are too fiddly and wire not realistic (the end which must be cut off does not correspond to the original).
After a few tries it finally worked and in less than 5min a track was completely finished 😁

 

 

MD

 

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The original...

 

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My Kgs 64350104 in CAD.

 

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The result.
Simply cut off the support and you're done 🤓

 

See you!

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Looking at the parts so far, so similar, that could be the Academy Hetzer. Was a huge price difference between the two brands' Hetzer kits a decade ago. Not any more. Been in 'sticker shock' at the price of Academy kits recently.

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Hello folks

 

The construction is progressing, today it is about the upper hull and figures.
Tamiya has not disappointed me so far, but there are still one or two things to improve.
What I have done describe as always the pictures.

 

MD

 

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Alpine is my favorite.
These 2 comrades I have chosen.

 

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The finished rear track covers.
Annealed with the lighter, they can be bent better.

 

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If you want to omit the front covers like I did, Tamiya reveals some flaws.
The front armor plate is sharp pointed at the corner and does not show the thickness of the plate as in the original.

In addition, the rounding in the corner and the 3 bolts for fastening the cover are missing.

The welds of the plates is also not executed to the end and some welds are too small or not present at all.

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Like here.

 

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The test fit shows that the arms, especially the right one, do not fit the model properly.

 

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But with a little surgery no problem.

The wire is inserted through both parts, allowing for good alignment.

 

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Now the arm can be aligned in a natural way.

 

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The figure is stuck on a brass rod.
So you can still adjust the perfect fit and also paint better later.

The plastic tube is finally glued to the model - for this I drilled a hole in the lower hull.

The gaps are now filled with putty.

 

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I have reproduced the 2 horns on the corners.

 

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The front panel is now in the correct angle, only the radius and bolts are missing.
The thickness does not quite match the rest of the model, but it is better than before.
Weld seams have been reproduced.

 

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Weld seams also on the roof, plus the flame cut marks of the side armor plates.

 

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The putty is hard and the figure fits perfectly.

 

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The belt and folds are worked out later with file and hobby knife.

Unfortunately, there is no place for his pistol.

 

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Control view downwards...

 

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At the 2 figure the scarf must be adjusted with putty and some small gaps closed.

 

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Mr. surfacer 500 for the appearance of rolled steel or cast iron.

 

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The final tracks with side horns are also ready.

 

See you!

 

 

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Nice butchery, I mean surgery on the figure to make it fit more naturally.  I can't believe the amount of details getting added to this kit ... it's superb! 

 

 

Keith  😁

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On 4/5/2023 at 12:00 PM, THEscaleSHOW said:

 

Hi Maddoxx

 

Would appreciate it if you would take a seat 🙂

After all, you've already set the bar high with your Hetzer, I'll do my best.
The tank has as it seems many fans, there is the comparison Academy to Tamiya a welcome information for future projects of the fellows here on BM.

 

Tracks:

The Tamiya tracks are actually good to use, but I prefer individual links.
There are also these to buy, but as always not cheap and whether they also correspond to my ideas or fit on the model, you do not really know before.
Therefore, the decision to construct and print my own.
I have no original link in the cellar, so I derived everything from pictures and the dimensions of Tamiya.
I decided to use a click system, because resin bolts are too fiddly and wire not realistic (the end which must be cut off does not correspond to the original).
After a few tries it finally worked and in less than 5min a track was completely finished 😁

 

 

MD

 

spacer.png

The original...

 

spacer.png

 

My Kgs 64350104 in CAD.

 

spacer.png

The result.
Simply cut off the support and you're done 🤓

 

See you!

MD

 

Can I ask what clearance tolerance do you give for the track pieces to connect and pivot?

 

Very nice.

 

Pete

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10 hours ago, PeteH1969 said:

MD

 

Can I ask what clearance tolerance do you give for the track pieces to connect and pivot?

 

Very nice.

 

Pete

 

Hi Pete

 

Thanks!

 

Tolerance between the links is 0,2mm.

 

BTW: I have not forgotten the Cargo pod 😉

 

MD

 

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