JeroenPeters

Nice! Great subject for wood metal linnen finish! This is THE site to get your intel from: http://mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/mig3/external.html

Damn! There's no stopping you is there? Really love the chipping effect you've achieved. Thanks for sharing another great build...

More progress! Cut out the top window that serves as cockpit entry. I'll make this window/door from scratch. Just need to rework some of the corners that i went in a little too enthusiastic.

Oh my god.. Look at that.... Love the roundels shining through the linen. That never came up to me. Amazing presentation as well..

Hands down. Best 1/32 163 i've seen so far. Cheers, Jeroen

Small progress

Bos Model Claw By Johan Bos Available from Johan Bos (Pfuf) for € 75,- (Adjustable arm not included) Introduction With the sudden surge of WW1 biplane models, the ‘need’ for a tool or jig to hold all those wings in place in order to align them and apply the rigging without damaging your model became imminent. We saw the Aeroclub Biplane assembly jig for instance. It allowed to carefully set the jig to the right angle of attack and make sure everything lines up. See photo as used by Paul Thompson: And we also saw a whole range of wooden laser cut examples like this one from JHmodels: Thus far I’ve managed to restrain myself. Mostly because these jigs only serve one goal: rigging a ww1 biplane. Since I build a lot of ww2 subjects as well in a wide variety of diameters, I’ve been holding back until something more flexible and versatile came along. I have seen our fellow forum member Pfuf (or Johan Bos) working with a self designed and machined contraption which allows him to turn, bank, twist the model in all directions, while a the same time not blocking his working area too much. When he messaged me and told me he was en route to produce and market his contraption I knew I had to have one… The device I’m not calling Johan’s invention a jig, because that would not cover all the bases. I’d rather call it a claw. It sits on a flexible arm (not included in the set) and grips rounded hooks carefully around the wings or fuselage without damaging the model. Let’s start with the arm. This is an important part of the ModelClaw and was not fabricated by Johan. It’s a technical tool that you might find in a specialized store for lab-workers or engineers(?). It’s produced by NOGA. An Israeli company that produces high quality holding systems. It serves as a weight and steady base on which to work from. The heavy foot contains a magnet that can be turned inside with a knob: releasing and engaging the magnet when placed on a metal area. Let me say here that the weight of the foot is sufficient to carry a single engine 1/32 plane. It even holds my He219, unless you off centre the claw too much. Half way up the arm there is another know that secures the entire arm when turned tight. When turned loose the entire arm turns limb, allowing the model to be positioned in any desired pose. This is a feature that I love most of the Claw. It enables you to detail and weather paint the underside of your model, twist the knob, and lets you work on the sides. Pretty cool. The price of this part (NOGA arm) alone retails for 104 US dollars. Important to state is that this part is not included in the ModelClaw set. You can get the NOGA one or a cheaper chinese alternative. At the end of the arm there’s a hole where the base of the claw is clamped in. And this is where the real fun starts… The Claw Johan designed all the parts that make up the Claw in 3D software and had the parts machined. When you unpack the box it resembles Meccano in a lot of ways. The main components consist of U-beam rails, flat 90 degree hooks, support frames, mounting blocks and a selection of nuts and bolts. From this point you can do two things. Look at the manual and examples of Johan’s constructions on the forum. Here for example. And he also made a movie demonstrating the ModelClaw: What you can also do is look carefully at your model at hand and get creative. In the end we’re all modellers aren’t we? Depending on what type of plane you’re building you can find places where you want the ModelClaw to grip. Especially considering the places you want to reach and not let the ModelClaw block your working area. The only tool you’ll need is a Philips screwdriver and you’re good to go. I think the most common way to build your Claw is to start with the main beam that runs parallel with your fuselage. Then you can decide where to place a cross beam and 90 degree angle supports that hold the actual hooks. A special support frame is also supplied to support the tail or rear fuselage of your plane. When the model is in place you can loosen long soft plastic screws to release the hooks. Enabling them to twist and extend. Place these over the wings and fasten the screw. This can be done by hand and you don’t need a screwdriver for this. Since ho hard pressure is applied to your model, you don’t have to be afraid your surface will receive damage. I have used the ModelClaw for a few weeks now for my He219. The wings on my 219 are still loose (not glued) but the ModelClaw holds everything in place. Enabling me to align tail, wings, fuse and other parts until I’m happy. As soon as I reach painting stage I’ll place the He219 in the claw to allow me careful work on the mottling and weathering. Since I am now a little side-tracked by the Ar234, I might alter the jig a little to accommodate my Arado. Conclusion / Verdict I think we have all experienced damage to our paintwork by handling the model with our bare hands. Trying to lay our model on it’s back on a improvised stand in order to paint the bottom. Snapping off a radial or wheel well door when trying to reach a difficult spot and missing a hand. That’s where the ModelClaw proves it’s worth. We have seen similar solutions on the market before but they are limited in their use and flexibility. I don’t think a model can be too small or too big (just remember to attach the magnet to a solid metal area) to use with the ModelClaw. Johan Bos is clearly a clever engineer that puts his talents to use of the modeller. In first place himself and it’s up to us to profit from his inventions if we like. From 1 to 10 I’d rate this set a 8. A tool that will add comfort and ease to the bench. Very highly recommended Our sincere thanks to Johan Bos (Pfuf) for the review sample. To purchase directly, send an e-mail to Johan Bos: bosmodelbase@Hotmail.com If (and only if) Johan reaches 50 pre-orders the ModelClaw will see production. You will receive a parts list, instruction manual and all the parts you need. Remember: the arm is not included. You can order it for 75 euro’s or a cheaper version from around 25 euro’s. The ModelClaw itself costs 75 euro’s. Jeroen Peters

Wow!!! I can't believe the craftsmanship displayed here. Please don't start using the computer and 3D print your work... This is a craft that should not get lost. Congratulations...

I think it needs more glazing.

Hahahaha! The text on the razor saw says: MAD IN CZECH REPUBLIC!! How's that for a freudian slip of the blade!

Nice one!!! I just love these HGW sets. They really add life to an already vibrant model.

Mwuahahaha! Great stuff...

Thnx Alan, Lots of sanding to be done on the flaps....

Freakin great! (but i already told u that at Telford ))

Really nice result you've got there! Nice one!

Hi Jim, Here is the pic showing the hinges in the MDC resin wing:

I love it John! Super cool kit and great modeling. As always

Cheers Brian, Ralph, Couldn't resist so decided to cut the flaps out. These need hinges...

I believe I saw your model somewhere. Telford? Lovely....

Great tip!!! Will use this for sure!

Another Superb review!! I'd love to see one of these in Dutch colors. They were built under license by Van Berkel.. Really cool

Thnx Jim, Alan! The fuse is closed and the insert for the bomb carrying device is wedged in between. Spent the afternoon sanding. Almost smooth enough to start describing some lost lines.

Kagero Photosniper 3D #14 (0014) Panzerjäger 38(t) Hetzer & G-13 Vol. 1 Publisher: Kagero Written by: Mariusz Motyka, Hubert Michalski, Mike Koenig, Stafan Draminski Available from Kagero for € 20,65 Introduction I’ve always had a soft spot for the Hetzer tank. Compact and functional in design adorned with a wide variety of pretty cool camo schemes. This subject has been issued in ‘our scale’ by a couple of companies: Tamiya, Dragon and Academy to name a few. It’s not too hard to find good reference material as quite a number of examples survived the war and the fact that Switzerland used their G13 variant after the war. From the top of my head I can name about 3 museums in my vicinity that have one on show: The Army Museum in Brussels, Wings of Liberation Museum in Best (Netherlands) and the National Military History Museum in Diekirch (Luxemburg). Once a year the museum in Overloon (Netherlands) host a military vehicle show where a driving / functional Hetzer can be seen and even be hitched a ride on. So here we have a new reference book by Kagero on this little tankhunter. Taking the above into account, my expectations are high. Let’s go through the chapters and see what we get: History and Development The first few pages deal with the development of the Hetzer and Technical Information. These pages are accompanied with superb line drawings that are clearly made with the 3D model that was made for this book, showing the different Hetzer versions from different angles. This is a drawing style I haven’t seen before. The technical drawings with side and upper profiles are in 1/48 scale (clearly the modeller was in mind here). Walkaround Before we are taken to the 3D rendered images we get a large section with walk around photo’s made by Mike Koenig. The Hetzer we see here is a restored G13, but with all the details of an original german 38(t) version. This vehicle is owned by 2nd Armoured Productions in Clarksville, Indiana, USA. The walk around covers all the external details as well as the complete interior. The nice thing about this Hetzer is the very complete interior that serves as a great modellers reference. Paint, ammo, instruments… it’s all there. The fact that this Hetzer is still in driving condition gives us a good idea of the wear and tear on the wheels and suspension. 3D renderings About half way through the book the 3D renderings pop up. I am familiar with Kagero’s high level detail 3D artwork from (amongst others) their Fokker DVII book, but these Hetzer renderings are something else. The cut away style we see on real engines or weapons is used, highlighting the cut-lines with red colour. Step by step the outer armour of the Hetzer is peeled away, revealing the interior in clear detail. This is what should please the modeller. After the renderings have taken us cross-section wise through the interior, the gun is shown separately from different angles. And last but not least we are treated to huge full page views of the interior. Honestly, these titles keep blowing me away. Conclusion / Verdict If you have any plans of doing a Hetzer in the near or distant future, treat yourself to this book. All I can think of is that when these ultra detailed 3D drawings were ever used to 3D print a model, that would be pinnacle of armour modelling…. From 1 to 10 I’d rate this book a 10. That’s how much I like it J Very highly recommended Our sincere thanks to Kagero for the review sample. To purchase directly, click HERE. Jeroen Peters

Today Erik B. dropped in for a visit and brought with him the MDC Ar234. A great opportunity to compare the two kits and see what all the fuss is about. Without further ado, here we go: The wings match quite well when viewed from the top. The MDC wings show a bit more pronounced angle halfway down. Also the Fly wings don't feature the aileron and flap hinges, which are reproduced on the MDC wings. This should be an easy fix. A more visible difference is the angle of attach. Fly being more thick and horizontal. The inner flap on the MDC kit is also a bit wider. The fuse matches quite well. Slight difference in cross section where the MDC is a bit more flat on the top. Also the Fly wheel well openings are a bit more forward. See photo's below for difference in wing root / angle of attack: The intakes and exhaust on Fly is smaller in diameter: The wheels have the same diameter. Actually the Fly wheels are quite nice. One thing that does show is the smaller diameter of the wheel hub on the MDC kit: The Rato packs. In reality these should have raised rivets. Neither kit features this. The MDC has maybe too smooth and delicate detail: And last the tail planes. The control surface should run all the way to the end of the tail plane. MDC is correct. Fly needs to be corrected, but thats easy: Cheers! Erik & Jeroen PS Erik... you forgot one MDC resin wheel. I'll take it to the next sticky afternoon.

Painted the wheel bays. Ready to close the fuse...