CrankyCrafstman

Hey all More work done on the AMT Caterpillar D8H. This view shows the scratch built air cleaner intake. This view shows the left side drive frame with the bolt heads I added to the lower track guides. This view shows the right side drive frame with the bolt heads I added to the lower track guides. This view shows the bolt heads added to the rear panel. I have the Cat yellow paint mixed up and I'm ready for paint. I pulled everything apart so I could paint it. I think I'm going to prime it with Tamiya flat white, then I will do the yellow. Well that's it for now be back when she's all yellow...lol Ron G

Thanks everyone

Hey all Some more work done on the AMT Caterpillar D8H. This view shows the seat that I modified with masking tape to represent leather and I ripped it to look worn. This view shows the floor control pedals and the transmission control box. I made the grab rail out of brass wire. I also added the support brackets for the R.O.P.S. on both sides. This view shows the dashboard, steering controls and throttle lever. I ordered a detail set with dash and gauge faces and build placards. I'll show pictures of it when they get here from Canada. This view shows the blade cylinders and the crass brace tube with the hydraulic manifold for all the cylinders and tgere tubes. Well that's it for now be back with more soon. Ron G

Hey all Some more work done on the AMT D8H. This view shows the triple ripper mounted and the blade cylinders in place. Closer view of the triple ripper. This view shows the blade cylinder rods connected to the blade. This view shows the blade and ripper in the down position. I think I'm about ready for some yellow paint. Well that's it for now be back soon. Ron G

Small update. I have the tracks primed in a rusty undercoat. Ron G

Thanks everyone

Hey all I took a break from the Panzer and Tiger. I needed to clear my head from tanks. Ssoooo.... I dug this out from the "I'll get to it later" shelf. Yes I'm back on the AMT 1/25 D8H Caterpillar dozer. Overall view of the Cat D8H. I added some anti-slip tread plate to the cab area. I have the right side reworked to fit the 3D printed tracks. I'm waiting for some Evergreen plastic rod and tube for shafts so I can finish the drive train. Left hand side of the drive train. Need to add bolt heads to this area on both sides. Left side view, everything is only temporarily mounted for pictures. I also need to scratch build a R.O.P.S. for this. This view shows the photo-etch front grill. Closer view of the grill. I need to add some bolt heads to this. This view shows the photo-etch fan shroud. A better view of the fan shroud, this is going to be a real chore to get the fan, fan belt and motor mounted with out ripping the shroud off! Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates. Ron G

Nothing new, but I just saw that Trumpeter is releasing a 1/16 late Tiger 1 and a Sdkfz 251/22 75mm. 😁 Ron G

Hey all Some more work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. top down view. Radio operators side view and tracks. I still need to make all of the wheels and tires. Front view showing the spare track links. Drivers side view and tracks. It's almost ready for the Ral 8000 paint. I need to do the weathering on the interior before I button her up. That's it for now be back with more soon. Ron G

Thanks everyone

Hey all Small update to the Panzer III Ausf N. This shows the barrel cleaning rod stoage that I scratch built from plastic bits. Ron G

I have the Despaie ones also. I give them about a 9 &1/2, but I mostly just use my Tamiya ones.🤔🙂 Ron G

Hey all More work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. This view shows the extras from Value Gear that I am adding to the Panzer III. Another view of the added stoage. This view shows the storage rack that I scratch built from plastic stripes and wood. This view shows the storage rack without the boards. That's it for now be back soon. Ron G

The only WW2 Shermans in 1/16 scale are RC versions from Heng Long, Torro and Tigon. You could take Andy's 1/16 easy 8 and either the 1/16 Achilles or M10 and combine them into a M4A3 (76) W VVSS Sherman. You could get SOL models 105mm turret conversion to make a 105 Sherman, but this is a expensive option at $139.99 for the Sherman & $149.00 for the Achilles/ M10. I'm not sure what the 105mm conversion is. But it's close to $100.00.😵‍💫😱 Ron G

Hey Harv Hope you are doing better. Remember both those AHHQ Shermans are late, very late WW2 & Korean Shermans. I'm hoping that now that Andy has both the M10 & Achilles he will be coming out with an early M4A3 either the 75mm or the 76mm with the VVSS suspension. These would be more what you would have seen during the majority of the war. Ron G

Thanks everyone

Hey all More work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. Some painting, some assembly so here are some pictures for you to look at. This view shows the commanders seat that I scratch built. This view shows the gunners optic that I scratch built. This view shows the machine gun in place. This view shows the gunners hatches and periscope. This view shows the loaders hatches and his periscope. This picture shows the crew in there respective hatches. The commander doesn't fit with all five of the periscopes installed, so I removed the two rear ones (I lost one to the carpet monster anyway 🤬). This view shows the front access hatches for the steering brakes. This view shows the hatches open. Also I scratch built the handles from brass wire. This view shows the rear storage bin. This view shows the storage bin open and the inside painted black. Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates. Ron G

Hey all Got some more work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. I have the inside of the upper hull and turret painted in Elfenbein. I also painted the inner track rollers and there supports RAL 8000. I also cut all of the tracks and the guide horns off there sprues 216 tracks & 216 guide horns!!!! I think I have spruecutterittus!!! I have calluses on my sprue cutter hand...lol Ron G

Hey Carl Yeah, I read those posts on Britmodeler. It seems that WW2 German tracks (actually almost all WW2 tracks were made from Manganese steel). This is a very hard color to try and replicate. I'm going to put my thinking cap on when I go down to the modeling dungeon and try a few things. I'll let you all know what I find out after some experimentation. Ron G

Hey all Back on the Tiger, kinda. I have the dust coat and the clear coats on, looks alot better. I also have the tracks painted and weathered. This wasn't easy, at least for me. They turned out ok in the end, but I was sweating it there for awhile.😥🫣 I think they look ok, what do you guys think? They will look better on the tank. Ron G

Hey guys I think I found the one thing that I SUCK AT! weathering. I started weathering the Tigers tracks and they look like crap! They look just like they did before I started weathering them. There so bad that I didn't even take any pictures.🤬 Ron G

Hey all I switched things up the last few days. I decided to paint the three figures that I'm going to use for this tank. This view shows the three figures in there positions in the turret. This is the commander figure. This is a close up of his face. This is the gunner figure. This is a close up of his face This is the loader figure. This is a close up of his face This picture is all three figures. I still have to do a little more blending and coloer modulation to them, plus a coat of flat clear and some washes. Well that's it for now be back soon with more. Ron G

Hey Carl Neat video, but I wouldn't want to be the driver or radio operator if the tank caught on fire...lol

Hey all Some more work done on the Panzer III Ausf N. It's starting to look like a Panzer III Ausf N. This view shows some detail painting done. This view shows the two receivers mounted to the roof. I still need to paint this area. This view shows the transmitter mounted to the under side of the glacises plate. That's it for now be back soon with more. Ron G

Thanks guys