CrankyCrafstman

Hey guys Small update for you to look at. Since you all wanted me to make the turret roof removable, I did just that. This view shows the 1/35 scale turret roof on the left and the 1/16 scale version on the right. I have one more item to make and this will be ready for paint and weathering. This view shows the commanders protection shield. The 1/35 scale one on the left and the 1/16 scale one on the right. Ron G

Hey Carl I'm not 100% sure that this is the case, but it makes sense to me. These were painted at the factory but if you tried to paint one of these, even at the factory those areas would be very difficult if not impossible to cover. You would just have to relay on the red oxide primer to do its job. Now if your in the field it would be even harder to paint those areas. Painting model tanks after everything is glued together may be fine on 1/35 scale models, but it's not possible in 1/16 scale, the model is just to big and heavy and difficult to manipulate around to paint. That's why I'm painting separate parts and then assembling it. I'll still do some painting after assembly, but mostly just touch up stuff. Ron G

Hey all I made some major progress today on the Tiger. I now have the lower part of the hull painted in red oxide primer, just on the edges where they wouldn't have been able to paint with the camo paint. I have the tracks painted in a light coat of track color (my own mix of Tamiya paint) and coated in clear lacquer in preperation for weathering. And I have all of the wheels, sprockets and idlers all painted inner side and outer side. This view shows the bottom of the hull covered in red oxide primer. This view shows where I painted the areas with red oxide primer thet would not have been able to be painted with the camo paint. These are the parts for holding on the outer wheels. The two on the right that are different are from AFV Modeller if I decide to leave the very front outer wheels on both sides off. Outer part of the sprockets. Inner part of the sprockets. Left is facing out right is showing the rear side. This view shows the idlers back and front. These are four of the most inner wheels back and front. This view shows the pair of wheels that go between the guide horns on the left and the outer side of the outer wheels. This view shows the other wheels both front and back. Same thing just the other sides. This view shows the tracks painted track color, this is just the base coat for applying the weathering. My index finger is worn out from airbrushing all day. well that's it for now be back with more updates soon. Ron G

Hey Carl Make sure you make some kinda jig, like I did, to set the tracks on with the guide horns down or you will rip them off when painting and weathering them. I lost 5 of them even with my jig, so BE CAREFUL! Ron G

Welcome to the site. Great start. That paint job looks like it's going to be tricky, getting those natural aluminum surfaces on the cowl. Ron G

Hey guys Small update for you to look at. I got the tracks primed with Tamiya nato black. This view shows both tracks painted with Tamiya nato black, also I made a jig out of wood to keep from ripping off the delicate guide horns when painting and weathering. This view shows the jig I made out of some pill bottles so that I could bend the tracks around them to paint into the cracks, so to speak. I need to dust them with my track color made from Tamiya paint. Then I need to coat them with some clear lacquer to protect them from the Ammo by Mig enamel washes. Ron G

Hey Paul Andy's Hobby Headquarters just released his build video of the sdkfz 251. He is doing it in a few different parts, because there is a lot to this kit. It kinda ends a little abruptly so don't be alarmed, he'll finish it in his next video. Also did you know that Trumpeter makes a 1/16 sdkfz 251 ausf d kit #00942. Ron G

Hey Carl I plan on using the kit parts, but I'm going to cut them at the joints into the individual four fenders. I then plan on battle damaging them, along with other parts, similar to Tiger 131's damage. Ron G

Thanks guys

Hey Paul From what I saw when I looked through the sprues this is going to be a real challenging build. I'm still accumulating reference material for this kit. Ron G

Hey all Small update for the Tiger. These are finally done! And they were a pain in the neather regions. This view shows the difficultie track guide horns. This view shows the other side of the spare tracks, the ones that go on the front of the tank. This view shows the rear of the tank. I'm finally to the point of gluing on kit parts, imagine that...lol. the exhaust shields are only on temporarily, they will come off when I start painting and weathering. This view shows the AFV MODELLER exhaust caps. These are the open running ones. There is still a lot of work to be done, some more painting, weathering, chipping, etc., etc. Ron G

Oohhh! Big tanks, cool Ron G

OUCH!

Hey all Small update, I got the ammo bins painted. I have them installed, but didn't get any pictures. I FINALLY! got the tracks done, both sides. I don't want to go through that again! I also have all of the wheels done, all 48 of em. Now I just need to paint them and weather them. It's getting closer to the end, I think...lol Ron G

Just got this in the mail from AHHQ'S. I'll do a little review of it once I have a chance to go through the kit. From what I can see this is quite an amazing kit.

Hey all I think I have all of the interior details finally done. I just need to paint them and install them. This view shows all four of the lower ammunition bins that go in the floor on either side of the turret. This picture is of the two on the drivers side. This picture is of the two on the radio operators side. This view shows the two bins on drivers side in place in the hull. This view shows the two bins on the radio operators side in place in the hull. A little paint and the interior is complete...Ta Da! Except for some weathering. I'm waiting on some Ammo by Mig washes. Ron G

Thanks Martin 1/16 is a great scale to use your scratch building skills. The only T-72 that I know of is the Trumpeter one. It can be pricey, in the $250 to $300 range. The Takom kits are a good buy in the $129 to $150 range. The classy hobby kits are nice also, about the same price range. If it has to be Russian, I'm afraid that Trumpeter is your only bet. Ron G

Hey Hubert Translation please, I don't speak French.😁 Ron G

Thanks Irish Ok, but that means more scratch building to add all the detail to the roof interior...lol. I may do that, still debating, everybody let me know what I should do. Yes, add the roof detail and make it removable. No, just finish it and concentrate on the exterior. Ron G

Thanks Carl I'm kinda thinking about making the turret roof and hull roof removable. I'm just not sure it will look ok around the weld seams, still debating it. Ron G

Thanks Paul It's a llooonngg way from being done. Ron G

Hey all Ok, it's glued together turret and hull. I gave it a coat of Tamiya lacquer clear so it's ready for chipping and weathering. This view shows the ammo storage bins and gertzaks added. This view shows the front area. Another view of the ammo bins. This view shows the front radio operators position and all the gertzacks and ammo boxes added. This view shows the instrument panel and the gauge decals in place. This view shows the radios and some of the wiring. This view of the turret shows all of the details added. Another view of the Turret, but with the gun breach in place. This view is the turret sitting in place in the hull without the top deck. And this view shows all that you will be able to see after everything is assembled... Interiors do seem to be a waste of time. I'm the only one who will know what is in there...lol And what it will look like when done less paint. Well that's it for now be back with more updates soon. Ron G

NICE, Tom Oldies but goodies, what. Ron G

Thanks guys Yeah Ernie they were a real pain in the rectum, the guide horns should of had longer locating pins so that they could have more glue area to bond them to the track links, then they wouldn't keep falling off like they are prone to do. Ron G

Thanks Kevin