Mjwomack Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 After some major setbacks in the GB sector recently, I need a simple OOB mojo restorer. But the self-harmer in me, can't accept my limitations so... Yep it's an OOB Hetzer but from a manufacturer I know nothing about (Rubicon) in a scale 1/56 or 28mm which I've never worked in but apparently is very popular with wargamers. With wargamers in mind, they're (allegedly) quick and easy to build , with a low parts count, which should be ideal The grey has come out a lot bluer than it really is, but what I do notice is that the parts count isn't that low. 2 sets of tracks, different mantles, idler wheels and barrel if you want early, mid or late version or the limited production flamethrower variant. And different sets of tracks for the different variants. Talking of track, not sure you like rubber bands but don't want to be fiddling around with individual links? How about a single moulding? Following the @Bobby No Mac approved standard the alcohol based sizing guide is a wine cork this time out! So, plenty of choice for what is basically a wargaming token. The disappointment is in the decals and instructions department I appreciate that with complete runs of digits for number, and various size crosses and some Czech marking as well, there's no shortage in wither variant or colour scheme but the weakling is that instructions. These do a good enough job of showing what goes where and the variants but not the combinations. And the painting guide is can be hyped up to minimal at best! Hence it's going to be out of the box! Mojo, prepare to be resuscitated 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 Welcome to the GB, tbh the Hetzer is such a nice tank with so many different colour schemes you can’t go too far wrong. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby No Mac Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 It looks like this build could be a... ...corker 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted June 27, 2023 Author Share Posted June 27, 2023 And there's me thinking that an image hadn't loaded properly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sampanzer Posted June 28, 2023 Share Posted June 28, 2023 Thats a great little kit, lots of options!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted June 28, 2023 Author Share Posted June 28, 2023 17 minutes ago, sampanzer said: Thats a great little kit, lots of options!! It certainly has, almost bewildering! I suspect that with a little thought you could build every variant 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted June 28, 2023 Share Posted June 28, 2023 Looks interesting - I'm struggling to see the difference between the two wheel/track sets but at least no fiddly individual links! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted June 28, 2023 Author Share Posted June 28, 2023 45 minutes ago, IanC said: Looks interesting - I'm struggling to see the difference between the two wheel/track sets but at least no fiddly individual links! I'll try and remember to do a close up of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARADER Posted June 28, 2023 Share Posted June 28, 2023 1 hour ago, IanC said: Looks interesting - I'm struggling to see the difference between the two wheel/track sets but at least no fiddly individual links! On early wheels screw-bolts cost more often. There not very difficult. Main to choose it what type you like - early/ middle/ late. Under him to pick up details. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted June 28, 2023 Author Share Posted June 28, 2023 8 hours ago, IanC said: Looks interesting - I'm struggling to see the difference between the two wheel/track sets but at least no fiddly individual links! Here then are what Rubicon all the 'wheel choices' stage of the instructions Being appropriately juvenile they missed the pun of Real Choices! the early are top left (except I've just realised I obscured them with the instructions🤪, so the mid production are visible on the left,on the right are the late and flammpanzer. @MARADER knows this already because as he says, it's all about the bolts. As I'm on the variants covered (all of them!) And I forgot to mention about the variant tow points and exhaust. All in all, its a lot of kit for 20 squigglies min my book. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 On 6/28/2023 at 9:03 PM, Mjwomack said: All in all, its a lot of kit for 20 squigglies min my book. Yes indeed. Now if it were me I’d be planning to use up all those spare sets of tracks and running gear. Maybe a bergepanzer or another Hetzer…. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 What a nice looking little kit. Far too good for wargamers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted July 3, 2023 Author Share Posted July 3, 2023 16 hours ago, Ned said: What a nice looking little kit. Far too good for wargamers. Rather! I also helped myself to nice looking King Tiger with full interior; not sure why wargamers need full interior so a bit over-specced in my mind, but it was a bargain for me! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted August 7, 2023 Author Share Posted August 7, 2023 I've started, and hopefully will finish... It's a curious affair! Very counter-intuited how the parts of the wheels are moulded with the tracks, and the suspension is sparse in detail. The worst part by far though are the instructions, I imagine boardgamers are used to strange instructions and rules! Greatest time so far has being understanding the instructions for the different variants (I think Im building a mid-production one) and things like see notes on left when they're on the right! After that though it is in lovely hard plastic to work with and virtual shake and bake! Almost scared at the rate of progress. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted August 9, 2023 Author Share Posted August 9, 2023 Just like the real thing mine is delayed due to interdiction to the supply line! Nothing too drastic just need to find time to get to LHS for some paint. When restocked I'll be following this build closely if not to such a high standard http://iagsmgm.blogspot.com/2020/03/hetzer-28mm.html?m=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 While waiting for paint, I couldn't resist pushing some parts together . I built plenty of 38(t) and variants as a teenager but I've not done one since and had forgotten just how cute a killing machine can be. First love rekindled or something smoochy! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted September 13, 2023 Author Share Posted September 13, 2023 Crikey! Is that the date?!!! Good job that I've started slapping some paint around in that case 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted September 20, 2023 Author Share Posted September 20, 2023 Charging along now... Final paint details and I'll be in the gallery for Sunday's deadline, Oh wait, there's an extension, in that case I could well. be in the gallery before deadline day which will be a novel experience for me! I'm sure all the flecks of contrasting paint along with some weathering will slow me down enough to make use of at least some of the extension🤭 I know I bang on about what great value these Rubicon kits are, but here's all the spare parts leftover for doing the other variants (as far as I can tell all the other variants) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig Eater Posted September 20, 2023 Share Posted September 20, 2023 (edited) With that many spare parts all you could make a basic hull from some plastic card & build another one. Edited September 20, 2023 by Mig Eater 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted September 21, 2023 Share Posted September 21, 2023 (edited) A flat Hetzer hull; you just need to scale it to 1/56 (should be somewhere about 108mm as the Hetzer was 6.27m long) and print it or print it off hen scale it. Edited September 21, 2023 by Marklo 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted September 21, 2023 Author Share Posted September 21, 2023 @Mig Eater @Marklo it would make use of the extension period for one thing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted October 4, 2023 Author Share Posted October 4, 2023 It would seem rude.to be given an extension and not enjoy it to the full, so game off the throttle but progressing all the same Marching to the gallery right on schedule 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted October 6, 2023 Author Share Posted October 6, 2023 Done and dusted! That is to say a light spray of Railmatch paints grime to give a light dusting rather than anything over the top. With the photos in the FRI gallery, what's left to say? An enjoyable little kit of an old favourite of mine. Pretty much shake and bake, let down only by the instructions but they can be figured out eventually! A very robust model, as befits a wargaming scale. Still not sure about the tracks etc. Suspect the trade off of having an soldi model for handling is in the tracks. Or maybe it's just me,, anyhow ready for the Honey/ Stuart GB next year for another attempt at tracks other than my preference for railway tracks. And of course, massive, massive thanks for everyone who's stopped by and to @Marklo for hosting 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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