Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer - Mittlere Produktion - Tamiya 1/48

[PlaStix]

This is intended to be a smaller scale project to see me through to the Panzer MkVI Tiger STGB, which starts at the end of March. Over the past year or so, I have been struggling to find time, both for modelling and being around on Britmodeller. So the updates in this thread might be few and/or far between, for which I apologise in advance. I really like the look of the Hetzers. I haven't made one before, but I have made Tamiya's 1/48 38(t) and it was a nice kit to build - so I'm hoping this might be a similar experience.

I'm not sure what the finish will be yet. I have never done Ambush Camo before - so I reckon this small kit could be a good vehicle for me to try some out. If it goes badly, it may be converted into a winter whitewashed version!

This is the box and contents:

 

 

Some closer views:

 

 

 

 

 

Small decal sheet:

 

Sample of the instructions:

 

 

I have made a bit of a start already. Plastic parts glued on to the metal hull tub:

 

Some assembly done and other parts cleaned up, ready for painting. Where I can, because I brush paint, I leave parts on the sprue runners or with some sprue runner still attached - so I have something to hold while painting:

 

Test fit of the upper and lower hulls:

 

 

Some painting has been started. Any part that will have a gunmetal type finish (at least to start with) was given a couple of very thinned, with water, coats of Revell's Anthracite applied with a medium flat brush:

 

The relevant parts were then given a drybrushing of Humbrol's Gunmetal:

 

 

And that is where I am up to at the moment. Comments and suggestions welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stix

 

 

 

[Nigeyboy]

I'm new back to the hobby after a 30 year gap and I sympathise with the issues of time!! As someone mentioned to me in my build thread it doesn't matter how long it takes!

 

Good luck with the rest of the build!

 

Nige

[echen]

Another masterclass on its way, I see.

[edjbartos]

Nice start Stix, I always like the way that you paint your models so will look forward to seeing this progress along, best of luck with the build...

 

Ed

[Muchmirth]

Oh yes, great kit choice, looking forwards to see how you do the ambush camo. I’m sure it’ll be another cracker.

Paul

[Keeff]

Another great build in store ..... and a good start too!  👌 

 

It's going to be interesting seeing the camo scheme develop ......

 

Keith 😁 

[Longbow]

Sitting in for this one, Stix !! 

[Hamden]

 

Room for one more, can't miss a PlaStix build!

Looks like your off to a good start

 

    Stay safe           Roger

[FrancisGL]

Hi Stix,

I'm glad there is another model of yours on the forum, good start.

Cheers

Francis 👍

[Rumblestripe]

I have a half built one of these on my "shelf of shame" perhaps this will encourage/shame me into completing it. I've gone for a turned metal gun barrel but aside from that straight out of the box.

[PlaStix]

Hi @Nigeyboy, @echen, @edjbartos, @Muchmirth, @Keeff, @Longbow, @Hamden, @FrancisGL & @Rumblestripe,

Thank you all very much for your interest in this project and i apologise for the length of time before this next update.

 

After getting the parts, seen in my first post, above, to where they are, I got all the remaining parts painted with thinned Humbrol's Desert Yellow. I only use Acrylic paints, which I thin with water and apply with flat brushes. To be fair, because of the colour of the plastic, It is a little difficult to see what's painted and what isn't:

 

A quick test fit of the painted upper and lower hulls:

 

Then I wanted to do a test of the colours I planned to use. So, as the wheels alternate in the camo colours, I decided they'd be a good place to try out the colours. I decided to stipple these colours on, to try and get a slightly mottled effect:

 

 

Then I did my usual base weathering routine. First they were given an overall wash of Revell's Acrylic Gunship Grey. Once dry, I used a fine pointed paintbrush to apply very thinned Revell's Acrylic Anthracite in and around the details. Once dry again, I drybrushed a lighter version of each colour over the surfaces. The tyres were given a couple of coats of thinned Anthracite, applied with the fine pointed paintbrush:

 

 

Next, I will probably do some more work on the weathering before fitting the wheels and tracks.

 

Comments and suggestions welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stix

[PlaStix]

Good afternoon. Only a single photo update.

 

A bit more weathering on the wheels done and some mud and a bit of weathering done on the lower hull sides. Not much of the hull sides are going to be seen once everything is in place. The photo shows the wheels, idler and drive sprocket just being tested in place. I won’t fit them until I have done some sorting/fitting with the tracks.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stix

[Bullbasket]

Don't know how, but I missed this one, but rest assured, I'll follow along with the rest of it. Can't miss an opportunity to see the hairy stick maestro in action.

Looking very good so far Stix.

 

John.

[edjbartos]

Very nice Stix, painting as always is spot on....

 

Ed