AJay
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2012
- Messages
- 142
Bonjour mes amis!
First off, hope everyone had and is having a Merry Christmas!
Anyway, here's my latest build. I will be detouring from the norm here. Many modelers have built this kit and made a fantastic job with it, so I figured there was no point trying to create yet another version modeled after the box-art, therefore expect something a little different
As you may or may not know, the kit comes with a masks to produce that lovely ambush camo, however, I'll be using only part of it, maybe.............
So far, so good. I believe the real Hetzer had this downward stance upfront due to the weight of its gun. Looks okay so far, and so much easier on my eyes compared to that 1/72 King Tiger!
I won't be using the 6-holed idler wheel in the pics and after some research have opted for the 4-holed idler; there were some in service late in the war as you can see in the photo below.
Oh, and I messed up the kit's schurzen so made my own with plastic card. These are better as they're thinner than the original kit versions and more realistic when compared to Hetzer walk-around photos I've collected. Also the bolts on the outside of the kit's schurzen weren't needed in my Hetzer's case, they were welded to the mounting brackets from behind. Note: I've seen photos of schurzen with bolts, too, so the kit ones were also correct.
I've added some subtle damage to the rear mudguards/fenders. I created the bends by adding superglue underneath and then manipulating the softened, thinned plastic. If anyone has any better ideas for this process please let me know as i'm new to armour modelling. The storage box on the rear had the holes drilled out with a twist drill.
Added lead wire and a piece of shaped sprue for a junction box for my Hetzer's Notek lamp. Lead wire is so delicate - maybe I'm better off with brass next time? What do others use? Any help would be appreciated.
My first piece of photo etch and it wasn't too bad to bend using a metal straight edge. I'll perhaps need a tool for future builds..........I love the authenticity the PE gives to my Hetzer's grille!
More soon, folks!
First off, hope everyone had and is having a Merry Christmas!
Anyway, here's my latest build. I will be detouring from the norm here. Many modelers have built this kit and made a fantastic job with it, so I figured there was no point trying to create yet another version modeled after the box-art, therefore expect something a little different
As you may or may not know, the kit comes with a masks to produce that lovely ambush camo, however, I'll be using only part of it, maybe.............
So far, so good. I believe the real Hetzer had this downward stance upfront due to the weight of its gun. Looks okay so far, and so much easier on my eyes compared to that 1/72 King Tiger!
I won't be using the 6-holed idler wheel in the pics and after some research have opted for the 4-holed idler; there were some in service late in the war as you can see in the photo below.
Oh, and I messed up the kit's schurzen so made my own with plastic card. These are better as they're thinner than the original kit versions and more realistic when compared to Hetzer walk-around photos I've collected. Also the bolts on the outside of the kit's schurzen weren't needed in my Hetzer's case, they were welded to the mounting brackets from behind. Note: I've seen photos of schurzen with bolts, too, so the kit ones were also correct.
I've added some subtle damage to the rear mudguards/fenders. I created the bends by adding superglue underneath and then manipulating the softened, thinned plastic. If anyone has any better ideas for this process please let me know as i'm new to armour modelling. The storage box on the rear had the holes drilled out with a twist drill.
Added lead wire and a piece of shaped sprue for a junction box for my Hetzer's Notek lamp. Lead wire is so delicate - maybe I'm better off with brass next time? What do others use? Any help would be appreciated.
My first piece of photo etch and it wasn't too bad to bend using a metal straight edge. I'll perhaps need a tool for future builds..........I love the authenticity the PE gives to my Hetzer's grille!
More soon, folks!
