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Post by dierk on Sept 2, 2012 14:05:14 GMT -5
The great MSC public has decided that my next project is going to be Tamiya's Sturmgeschütz III. These are the goodies:  Spade ACE tracks - this'll be my first go at metal tracks   Lion Roar PE - intended for the Dragon kit, but as they are dimensionally very close, what could possibly go wrong?   And this is what I'm aiming for: www.armchairgeneral.com/rkkaww2/galleries/axiscaptured/SPG/StuG/StuGIII_pic1.jpgNot sure yet how I'm going to tackle the markings, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I'll also have a go at airbrushing some figures - depending on how they turn out they may join the Stug for a photo opportunity  Cheers, Dierk |
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Post by robbo on Sept 2, 2012 14:08:06 GMT -5
Ok mate, enjoy your blog as much as I will watching it  |
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bigjohn
Reviews member 
Member since: December 2011
John Hale
Posts: 3,438
Dec 21, 2011 2:17:45 GMT -5
Dec 21, 2011 2:17:45 GMT -5
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Post by bigjohn on Sept 2, 2012 14:12:04 GMT -5
I'm ready to watch this one.
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modelfreak72
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
Why worry, each of us is wearing an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back.
Posts: 1,479
Jan 28, 2012 23:21:46 GMT -5
Jan 28, 2012 23:21:46 GMT -5
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Post by modelfreak72 on Sept 2, 2012 16:28:52 GMT -5
Very nice! I'm in!
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Post by deafpanzer on Sept 2, 2012 16:49:36 GMT -5
Awesome! That's what I voted for. Great choices with the figures! Please count me in too...
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panzerman75.
Full Member
Member since: February 2012
Posts: 292
Feb 19, 2012 1:07:13 GMT -5
Feb 19, 2012 1:07:13 GMT -5
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Post by panzerman75. on Sept 2, 2012 18:00:16 GMT -5
Oh yes another stug III looking good I'm in
Phil
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Post by TRM on Sept 2, 2012 18:55:25 GMT -5
Nice choice, will be following along!!! ;D
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Post by wbill76 on Sept 2, 2012 19:28:00 GMT -5
Looks like a recipe for success, will be following this one with interest!
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Post by bbd468 on Sept 2, 2012 21:14:54 GMT -5
Oh yeah Dierk!!! This is gonna be good. Im in!!! Gary |
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Post by bullardino on Sept 3, 2012 2:36:47 GMT -5
Nice, I have the same kit, I will follow you very interested  |
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Post by dierk on Sept 3, 2012 7:51:56 GMT -5
Thanks for following - I'll try and not disappoint you. As we're actually having a nice day today, I've been sitting in the garden, doing all the boring stuff like cleaning up the road-wheels and Spade Ace links. One thing does fill me with trepidation: the mudguards (fenders ) will require some butchery, as Tamiya San moulded them as part of the hull...and there isn't a great deal of room for error. So I hope Bill is right and it is a recipe for success - and not disaster As the close relative of the carpet monster - the F*&% Up Fairy - spends so much time with me I should be charging her rent, this could all go mammaries up. Cheers, Dierk |
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Post by bullardino on Sept 3, 2012 8:13:09 GMT -5
Is it so difficult to cut away those fenders?
Don't tell me about that fairy, she spends lots of time round here...
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Wes
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Member since: November 2011
Posts: 686
Nov 16, 2011 9:34:50 GMT -5
Nov 16, 2011 9:34:50 GMT -5
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Post by Wes on Sept 3, 2012 8:17:39 GMT -5
Im looking forward to it.
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Post by dierk on Sept 3, 2012 9:01:06 GMT -5
Is it so difficult to cut away those fenders? ... This is the potential problem Luigi:  Not much room for error - and the PE parts are made up of individual sections, which is the reason I bought the Lion Roar set, as the one I'm building has sections of the mudguards missing. Only 150 more links to clean up...  |
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Post by spud on Sept 3, 2012 12:31:54 GMT -5
the metal tracks are easy just tedious to do I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Dierk, just don't take for ever on it  |
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Post by dierk on Sept 3, 2012 13:18:41 GMT -5
the metal tracks are easy just tedious to do I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Dierk, just don't take for ever on it Very funny Spud all I can say is: the good things in life take longer ;D got the tracks cleaned up - an experience I don't wish to repeat in a hurry... |
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Post by robbo on Sept 3, 2012 13:23:30 GMT -5
A bit of a task eh Dierk. I've yet to experience the joy of metal tracks I have got some though just not used them yet
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Post by dierk on Sept 4, 2012 8:59:55 GMT -5
Hi Robbo - although this is the first set of metal tracks I'm actually using, I have a couple of other sets in the stash - but they are for projects that require a higher skill-level than I currently have. Because the shape of the Panzer III/IV tracks is quite complex they need much more cleaning up than most, I think. To avoid the 'black finger syndrome' I'll wear some latex gloves when I put them together. Thanks for the tip Nemo - I think I'll use my no-namo Dremel and a cutting disk for the initial cutting and then take it from there. At this point I have to admit to a bit of bad planning on my part: I didn't know the Tamiya kit included the later idlers (same as on captured Ausf. D), otherwise I'd have bought the mid-production tracks, rather than the early ones I'm stuck with, now but the differences are so slight, if I hadn't told you I think most of you probably wouldn't have noticed Fitting the later idlers required a bit of drillage to get them to fit the axles. The, sort of, workable suspension requires care when when assembling. As the retaining plates (B2 and B18) fit into very shallow grooves on the suspension-arms, it would probably be a good idea to shave a little bit off the bottom edges of those plates, to ensure a nice tight fit. Too late for my kit, so I'll probably add a little bit of Elmer's Rubber Glue to make sure everything stays put. Here's where I'm at:  The road-wheels are only dry-fitted to make painting easier. I'll fit the outside return-rollers once the tracks are in place. As I'm planning to show the Stug going into battle, the hatches will be closed, so I won't bother to paint the interior - just to keep Spud happy and keep the build-speed up ;D Tracks next, I think - anything to postpone the inevitable, but looming, cutting, swearing, sweating and tears Thanks for popping in - any hints and tips gratefully received. |
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Post by wbill76 on Sept 4, 2012 20:10:21 GMT -5
Moving right along! Your secret on the tracks is safe with us Dierk! |
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Post by dierk on Sept 5, 2012 8:49:17 GMT -5
I knew I could rely on you to keep a secret!  Remember the fairy I mentioned earlier? If I catch the little cow, I'll bloody kill her! Took a break from the tedium of assembling the tracks and made a start on the upper hull. Thought I'd be clever and glue one of the hatches in from underneath...and ended up with my thumb-print melted into the plastic Nailed the gun together as well - it really is a thing of beauty! But care is needed when fitting the metal barrel, as it's not a very positive fit.  And yes, I will get rid of the nasty seam on the side of the mantlet. I know slavery is frowned upon nowadays, but I'd be all in favour of having a little track-assembly slave - the tracks do look the part, but it is a very slow process...maybe Spud would like to pop over to give me a hand, to speed things up - I'd even make him a cup of tea ;D  No wick for the rested...back to making tracks. Crunchy Nut, or Cheerio - you decide. Dierk |
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Post by spud on Sept 5, 2012 9:17:49 GMT -5
LOL. you should get a set of them assembled in a hour. I use dress makers pins, When I have them blackened I pull the pin out a bit put on my super glue and push them back in, Once glue is dry i cut them using the wire is a pain in the ass pins are far easier. oh and wash them with vinegar or nail polish remover to get that grease off them |
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406 Silverado
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Post by 406 Silverado on Sept 5, 2012 9:28:46 GMT -5
Looking good so far. Went back through my Panzerwrecks book and found some very nice pics of Stug wrecks, am tempted to do one now.
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Post by spud on Sept 5, 2012 10:36:24 GMT -5
lol. of course you are ;D
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Post by dierk on Sept 5, 2012 12:04:46 GMT -5
Go for it Rob - always a pleasure watching your wrecks come together. Thanks for the tips Spud - I actually have no problem with the supplied wire, the problem is that all the mating surfaces of the links have a tiny ridge of flash that needs removing to get the gits to line up. After that it's just a case of feeding the wire through with some pliers. I think this might be the reason why Spade Ace are 30% cheaper than Friuls Tell you what: you come round here with your pins and do my tracks in a couple of hours, and I'll make you TWO cups of tea! ;D |
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Post by spud on Sept 5, 2012 12:39:46 GMT -5
lol thanks for the offer but its a good learning experience for ya ;D
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Post by dierk on Sept 5, 2012 13:34:24 GMT -5
lol thanks for the offer but its a good learning experience for ya ;D 't is merely a learning experience - a good learning experience would be to watch someone do a set of tracks in an hour ;D |
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Post by spud on Sept 5, 2012 13:37:52 GMT -5
lol
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Post by wbill76 on Sept 5, 2012 19:25:12 GMT -5
Keep at it Dierk, you're making good progress! You're right about the detail on the gun, very nice.
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bigjohn
Reviews member
Member since: December 2011
John Hale
Posts: 3,438
Dec 21, 2011 2:17:45 GMT -5
Dec 21, 2011 2:17:45 GMT -5
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Post by bigjohn on Sept 5, 2012 21:48:49 GMT -5
Hi Dierk, Nice progress so far. Looking good, Don't loose to much sleep over the finger print. I get at least 1 liquid glue finger print on every build. I'm getting pretty good at sanding them out.... ;D
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Post by dierk on Sept 6, 2012 6:27:16 GMT -5
Hi Dierk, Nice progress so far. Looking good, Don't loose to much sleep over the finger print. I get at least 1 liquid glue finger print on every build. I'm getting pretty good at sanding them out.... ;D I suppose this is another one of those 'good learning experiences' Spud is so fond of ;D In retrospect these are probably not the best set to pop your indy link metal track cherry with - the massive amount of clean-up required, coupled with the ends being quite bendy is really testing my patience...but then, I can always blame you lot, as you voted for this ;D Got one side finished...one hour per side in my dreams... |
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