Stug IV, Early ( Dragon - Braille scale )

[Jelly]

Hi there,

This is my first modelling-related post around in the MSC webpage : )

its a Dragon Stug IV (Early) in 1:72 scale. Its my first go at armor in 1:72. I must confess that I'm gladly surprised with the level of detail displayed in this small model. I don't know how detailed are other brands, but Dragon seems to be quite detaile, IMHO.

Apart from noticing that my eyes just work (and tire) a lot more in this scale, I'm finding this scale pretty rewarding. Some decades ago ( ) I built a couple planes in 1:72 too, but I didnt noticed the eye fatigue. Now I have to keep distance and take short-distance glasses... glasses in / glasses out, etc, etc...

Just depicted this Stug in “generic” yellow / green camo scheme, I place it in “Italy”.
The yellow shade is the ( absolutely inacurate as a panzer color XD ) Vallejo 914 green ocre, airbrushed after diluting it with Vallejo AB thinner. I think that first I used a chocolate primer (from Vallejo too).

Camo was handbrushed, choose the green that I find would match the better with this “yellow” base.

I'm not sure about how the scale is related to a chromatic effect, but I think that this couple of color shades are pretty nice and match each other OK. Maybe not the correct ones from a hyperrealistic point of view but I think the chromatic effect is OK. Well, at last, I like it

Some chippin' – decals - varnish coating – some ol' 80's / 90's burnt sienna overal wash + pin wash.

Haven't glued upper part to lower part just to allow some last time decissions: to put a commander & another crewman covered inside de AFV with open hatches, and to allow a minor detailing (very minor, indeed) of the fighting compartment.

I've put some more detail (basic, scratch) in both hatches: some handles, bars, locks, etc, also the cushion in the iner part of the commanders hatch.

Added a couple aerials too (I made a mistake following blindly the instructions: positioning of the aerial base - starboard).

I've scratch too a towing cable, I have to paint it yet... plus the MG.

Here a salvo of pics (sorry about the quality of pics, I'm a photographic disaster).

Criticism & jokes welcome @120% , as always. Hope you like it ; )






















Thanks for watching
Jelly

[Leon]

Looking really good Jelly! Only suggestion I have is to use stretched sprue or fine wire for the antennas.

[wing_nut]

Yeah baby! I like it.

[Tojo72]

Really nice job on the camo

[dupes]

Indeed! Some good work so far.

I also was pleasantly surprised at how much detail Dragon packs into these kits (after having done some old Italeri braille builds).

[noname]

;)This looks really good and you'd never know it was 1/72. I look forward to seeing it completed.

[Deano]

Nice work there bro , great to see some 1/72 armour

[TRM]

Well done so far Jelly!! I really like some of these DML offering. Built a couple IV's and III's and really enjoyed them! Keep up the good work!!

[reserve]

Sweet! Occasionally I think about trying this scale but I don't want to go blind


Regards,
Mark

[bullardino]

Looking great, Roberto

[desertrat]

just finished this kit a few months back, brilliant little kit, and your doing it great justice !!!

[wbill76]

Nice job on the small-scale StuG.

[Jelly]

Hi there people,

Last week I went to the LHS with the intention to get there a decent set of figures – crewmen- for the Stug... just a couple guys for each of the open hatches, you know.

But the LHS had sold their last box of the figures I was searching for... just some simple Caesar Miniatures set... so I had a couple beers (Kernel & Rogue brands) to take all my “terrible sadness” away before returning home … it worked pretty well

So while I'm waiting to put my hands over a decent set, I had the brilliant idea of not waste the time do some simple scratching / basic equipment that could be seen through the open hatches (braille scale – I can hear your laughs ). So I've been working on it until today.

I managed to scratch what I tought it “could” be seen (I must have a Genius IQ, I think), this is:

* Three radio elements,
* A small loudspeaker.

And added a couple MP40's plus mag holsters.
(( mmm... I dyed with tea some fabric of a basic first aid bandage just to make a camo net... I'm putting it in reserve ))

After glueing all - as any rationale mind would have concluded BEFORE going for it- , one finds that some serious yoga must be done to be able to see “something, very faaaaaar... very small...”

... So I'm not specially proud of the energy & time I've put in this just to end with so poor results

Pics:
























By the way, the point-blank pics of the model seem to show a terrible model !! arrrgh! Fortunately, it looks a metric ton better when you see it @ natural size & distance.

Anyway, current status:





Thanks for watching

[desertrat]

looking great from ere !!!! hope your not waiting tooooo long for the crew !!

[deafpanzer]

LOL! That's great pic of Tommy Lee... your StuG Is looking real good!!

[TRM]

Nice bit of work on the StuG Jelly! Fine job on the interior works!

[M1Carbine]

Jelly - looks fantastic buddy.

Bob

[noname]

That looks great even in close up pics. I know I get annoyed sometimes after taking close up pics but yours looks fine. You can relax now like Tommy Lee.

[wbill76]

Even though not a lot can be seen, it's enough to make it worth it IMHO! Definitely fills those 'empty spaces' below the hatches for the curious to peek at. Now the waiting begins for your crewmen!