ACADEMY HETZER - Complete & Whitewashed! (04/03/14)

[Hinksy]

Hi fellas,

Whilst I'm on a bit of a roll I'm going to start my next build - Academy's early version Hetzer.

She'll be built pretty much OOB except for Friuls and I've decided to replace the crappy single length overthick Schurzen with thin Brass sheet (I found a brand new unopened Brass sheet which is perfect at .005" thick - the sheet measures 10"x4"). At least with the Brass Sheet I'll be able to show a couple of bent or missing Schurzen to show off the Friuls

I'm not going for the Ambush scheme - I'm planning on trying to get more practice on my pre-shade and colour modulation work on this build and will be painting her in DY. I'm also going to have another crack at oil paint dot filtering. The box art colour is described as 'Sandy Yellow' which they do provide a Vallejo number for.

The kit comes with two figures - a commander and a chap on the back roof near the MG.

I'm pretty tied up for the rest of the week but am off on Friday so hope to make a start then - if not it will be Saturday.

I will be replacing the kit tools with Dragon tools - the kit barrel is fine but I do want to look into a PE piece for the remote MG surround as it's very overscale. I'm told I can't buy these surrounds in PE as individual pieces, only as part of a PE kit?

Box Art:



Small PE Fret, Friuls and even better - one run already assembled!



Paint Guide:



Replacement Dragon Tools:



Brass replacement sheet to replace the Shurzen - as it's only .005mm thick it will cut with normal scissors:



Hopefully this one will turn out as well as the last 38(t) build!

If anyone has any hints, tips, little known info on Hetzers or useful tips on dot filtering I'd love to read them!

Thanks fellas,

Ben

[Deleted]

Good luck with your Hetzer, I will follow this.
May be this might interest you too.

www.pzfahrer.net/

Eddy

[sturmbird]

there's a good review (and maybe a build) of this kit over on Missing Links.
gary

[deafpanzer]

Yeehaw!!! Great choice... it should be quick since you have done the tracks already.

Be sure to remember to thin your final paints real good when you do color modulation so pre-shading will be seen.

[dupes]

Now hold on...I thought you were building a Stuka!

[Hinksy]

Feb 11, 2014 18:45:48 GMT -5 dupes said:

Now hold on...I thought you were building a Stuka!

Change of plan Dupes (obviously)!

Work commitments mean I will be away for about 12 weeks starting sometime in March and I want a nice quick build to tide me over.

I've decided to make the Stuka my BIG Summer project. It's a monster kit and will need a lot of work - thinking about it I'm going to use a beautiful Walnut base I have showing the immaculately detailed engine open along with the 'pit and make a bit of a dio thingy.

Better late than never Dude

Really looking forward to it but I don't want to leave it half built - the Hetzer kit looks killer anyway and I want to get some more practice in with the dot filtering and pre-shading etc. The Hetzer flat lines will be perfect for that

Ben

[bullardino]

I'm in, Ben

[modelfreak72]

Rolling into the next build? I think you just turned your chair 90'! LOL!!

[Hinksy]

Feb 12, 2014 10:53:10 GMT -5 modelfreak72 said:

Rolling into the next build? I think you just turned your chair 90'! LOL!!

Not even that much effort was required dude - it was already there waiting for me! I just had to reach out and grab the box!

I've started her this afternoon and have already finished the lower hull - very basic assembly SO I'm not going to take a photo of a 38(t) chassis!

There really isn't a 'boring' bit to this build as there are 8 huge road wheels so no repetitive clean up of 32 wheel 'halves' i.e Pz. IV! Everything feeling nice and snug and you just know this is going to be a simple one (hopefully).

I've got one whole run of Friuls assembled from ages ago so have one more run to do - these should be a bit easier than the standard 38t Friuls as they are a fair bit wider.

I bought a cheap picture frame up town today for this to sit on - nothing fancy, just some grass and stowage surrounding it. I've decided the kit barrel, although one piece, isn't great and I want to replace it with something that has the detailed threaded end of the muzzle where the Muzzle Brake would normally be. I've got to place an order for some AK stuff so I might use my Friul guy this time as although he specialises in all things Friul and PE he has started selling AK. Keep the costs down!

The next part of the build moves straight onto the upper hull and begins with the engine deck cover, Muffler and PE bits so I'll post some photos tomorrow when there's actually something worth looking at!

I've been looking at Hetzer photos (models and real things) on the web and found a couple of interesting things:

This lovely little thing was built by 'Chris Wauchop' - it's giving me ideas as I want to try a distressed w/wash again:



I also saw this photo and thought a Hetzer build with a complete barrel and Muzzle Brake fitted would be 'different'?



So, the two questions of the day are thus: 1)Why were the Brakes not used on Hetzers (as a rule)? 2) If I wanted to buy an RB barrel (for example), what barrel would I need to do this?


Thanks fellas,

Ben

[desertrat]

looking forward to this,interested to see how to use the oil paint system? ive read about it but
sounds confusing, hope i,am just thick......

[Deleted]

Interesting kit should be good, the MG shield should be easy to make as you have the brass sheet already,
as for the second Hetzer it's actually a post war swiss vehicle which they designated a G-13 so I suspect that the gun and barrel where upgraded and would not have been a ww2 fit. Just check out the antenna bases as well and you can see this is after the war

[wbill76]

Looking forward to this one Ben! As to your question on the muzzle brake, the reason they weren't fitted is that they weren't needed...a muzzle brake's function is to reduce the recoil of the gun when fired and given the way the gun was mounted in the Hetzer, the gain vs. the added length to the barrel (and the potential to snag it on things due to the limited traverse in the mount) wasn't worth it, so the brake was dropped. So far as I'm aware, no one makes a replacement barrel for the Hetzer that includes the brake...it's not the same gun as you would see on a StuG or Pz IV for example. As Pete points out, that last pic actually is a post-war Hetzer so shouldn't be used as a reference for your particular project.

[remarc777]

Here we go Ben!!

A week with the flew and I completely missed the finish on your 38T. That one I'm gonna view later, first I want to say you got me hooked again.

Another of my favorites and if you finish it the way you did with the 38T and your Panzer III, this will be a pleasant topic to watch again  ...

Thanks for sharing!

greetings, Richard.

[Hinksy]

Thanks guys!

I've actually now decided to make 2014 my 38(t) project year!

I've built my 38(t) E/F, I've built Tamiya's mid production Hetzer which I'm going to re-visit and do the w/wash again, I have Tamiya's EARLY Marder III in the stash and am going to order either the Dragon or the Tamiya later release Marder III H.

I'll then be looking at building a Grille and getting a great little project going for the rest of the year - all builds based on the 38(t) chassis! This is going to be so much fun!

I've posted an intro modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/7416/chassis-variants-help-needed-project saying what I have planned on this very page for you all to read so please, check it out and all feedback will help me out IMMENSELY!

Update on the Hetzer build either later on tonight or tomorrow.

Cheers fellas,

Ben

[wing_nut]

I've been wanting to do a Hetzer for the longest time. I will be watching this one to get you thoughts on the kits as you go. Also because it's yet another bada$$ on a 38 (t) chassis.

[Deleted]

Feb 13, 2014 12:28:02 GMT -5 Hinksy said:

Thanks guys!

First off - do we know WHY the Hetzer barrels were not fitted with Muzzle Brakes, unlike the StuG's which obviously were? Can I build a realistic Hetzer with a barrel and Brake or is it just best to leave it off. I was just thinking it would be a little different?

I realise the Green Hetzer in my photo is post war - look at the antennae bases! It was just to give you an idea of what I was thinking really.

[
Cheers fellas,

Ben

Re the muzzle brake Bill summed it up in his post so it would not be accurate for a war vehicle

[Hinksy]

Feb 13, 2014 14:22:32 GMT -5 @snipersmudge said:

Feb 13, 2014 12:28:02 GMT -5 Hinksy said:

Thanks guys!

First off - do we know WHY the Hetzer barrels were not fitted with Muzzle Brakes, unlike the StuG's which obviously were? Can I build a realistic Hetzer with a barrel and Brake or is it just best to leave it off. I was just thinking it would be a little different?

I realise the Green Hetzer in my photo is post war - look at the antennae bases! It was just to give you an idea of what I was thinking really.

[
Cheers fellas,

Ben

Re the muzzle brake Bill summed it up in his post so it would not be accurate for a war vehicle

Sorry Pete and Bill,

I must have 'skimmed' your post Bill and not have noticed that vitally important piece of information! I don't usually 'skim' posts so apologies for asking the question that had already been answered very thoroughly! DOH!

Cheers guys,

Ben

[wbill76]

No worries Ben! It's all good. The level of posting around here makes it tough to catch it all so a couple of things are bound to slip through from time to time.

[armorguy]

I built a Hetzer Late last year. Have fun Ben, I like this giant project of yours !

[Hinksy]

Feb 14, 2014 1:30:57 GMT -5 armorguy said:

I built a Hetzer Late last year. Have fun Ben, I like this giant project of yours !

Cheers AG!

It's not going to be a MONSTER project, I'm just looking into building AFV's in German use during WWII i.e the early and late Marders and Hetzers, a couple of versions of the 38t light tanks (I've built the E/F in tri-tonal cammo so the other would be an earlier version painted in Panzer Grey), the Grille, the Flak 38 shown below mounted on the 38t chassis (see below - I fancy a Tristar build) and after that there's a good few others after that but the Marders and Hetzers will keep me going for a good while yet.

As for the build, I went to the 'British Shooting Show' at the Stoneleigh Showground near Leamington. My Dad are both keen game shooters plus he's pretty much a full-time Gamekeeper now he's retired so we always go to this show every year without fail - it's funny seeing him buying all this stuff on his card; he's like me when I get let loose at a modelling show with a full wallet and a few kits in mind  

I'll be resuming the Hetzer build BIG-TIME this weekend - update tomorrow!

Ben

[sturmbird]

Feb 12, 2014 15:15:01 GMT -5 @snipersmudge said:

Interesting kit should be good, the MG shield should be easy to make as you have the brass sheet already,
as for the second Hetzer it's actually a post war swiss vehicle which they designated a G-13 so I suspect that the gun and barrel where upgraded and would not have been a ww2 fit. Just check out the antenna bases as well and you can see this is after the war

post war Hetzers have a different main gun than the WWII versions
gary

[Hinksy]

Hi fellas,

As promised here's a quick update for ya!

Assembly has been dead quick today. All that's left is to get the Tool box, Jack and tools mounted. Some wiring detailing - I've left the main hatch unfixed at present - just incase The other is obviously open to allow the twin Periscope to show.

The other two Periscopes have been replaced with clear Dragon Periscopes from the spares tub.

Muffler and etch is on, I've left the top end of the bracket for the the spare track links undone so I can paint them off the vehicle and slot them under the bracket.

The Remote MG assembly was practically impossible to build and I gave up on it so I piched the one off my Tamiya Hetzer. I've kept the parts that are still usuable and will try to make a new decent one using that thin Brass Sheet as a guard.

Finally I decided against using the Dental Floss 'tow cable' so again used Spares bin stuff and some good old currly wurly Dragon Wire and the correct size eyelets. It will eventually be mounted at the rear anyway so the fact that awful wire is so curly doesn't mattet.

Overall, a pretty basic assembly - all that's needed now is some grab handles and the main gun assembly to be done - not to mention the wheels and Friuls! It's a big improvement over the last Academy build of mine (ONTOS) and the moulding is much better. The usual EP marks and a bit of flash but nothing serious. The kit MG is a disaster area mind you!











More tomorrow fellas!

Ben

[deafpanzer]

DAMN! That was quick! Or it is supposed to be that way when you build a Hetzer...

Looking good Ben boy!

[wbill76]

One thing you might want to do with the remote MG station Ben is remove the stock, they weren't typically fitted to these mounts because of the interference issue with the crew hatch. Nice build progress!

[Hinksy]

Cheers fellas,

Andy - there's basically nothing to this build, if you set your mind to the task you could have it assembled and primed in a day but I like to streeeeeetch my builds out a bit. While I'm off work I'm doing a few hours a day. I'll be completed this build today so all next week I'll have some good weathering time! I'm looking forward to starting the next build (Early Marder III) on completion of this one.

There's the main gun assembly, the simplest suspension system ever and no tools (as such) to be monted on the outside bar the Jack and Block and Grouser Box - then just the bar on the side and the spare links. The spare link bracketss are in place but left unfixed on one end so I can can slide the links underneath the brackets (I'll be using pre-burnished Friul Links for the spares track runs.

Bill - thanks for the heads-up re the butt on the MG34. My screensaver is this picture below, obviously adapted to screen size (cont):



I noticed after you mentioned the rifle butt that I also saw that the one on my Screensaver above had been removed - if you click on it and expend it it looks like there's a small tubular piece that pushes into the butt so I'll try to replicate that.

I also had an idea that MIGHT work and be a bit different: Basically the kit comes with two figures - A Commander and another guy in German uniform sort of clambering up the back sloping deck of the Hetzer. What if I put the remote '34 back on my other Hetzer so it looks like the one on my current build has been removed and I'll have 'Mr.Clambering Guy' up on top next to the Commander maning an MG34 with either a belet of ammo hanging off the side or a box of ammo. Perhaps, it could be a 'static' setting?

What you think fellas?

Update soon,

Ben

[Hinksy]

Hi guys,

Sunday Update:

Barrel assembled and Shurzen hangers fitted. I replaced the Jack Block with a much better detailed Dragon Block.

The wheels need to get mounted on matchsticks for airbrushing separately along with the Schurzen - I'll mask off the othe ends of the Schurzen hangers (the ends that attach to the Schurzen) so once the basecoating is done and the wheels and Friuls are on I can fit the Schurzen.

I made the PE box which I was quite proud of but then DOH! It's a Marder box so it's designed to have the Jack mounted on top of it so that will be saved for my next build (Tamiya Marder) and I'll have to fully drill out the indentations on the kit tool box to make it look better.

Basically it's nearly built - just the Jack and the tool box to be mounted and I'll get her airbrushed this week.

Final kit review - it's actually not too bad! Cheap and cheerful! It does what it says on the box

Where I'm at:









All in all - it's not looking too bad!

Tomorrow I'll get her completely assembled and primed

Oh yeah, can you read my last post where I suggest putting the standard MG34 on the roof? What do you think?

Have a good week y'all!

Ben

[desertrat]

looking good, like the toolbox,

[pantherf..-Email Not Valid]

Love the 38t Jagdpanzer!  Very interesting build blog too!


Were the early versions painted with a camo or left a solid color?







Jeff

[robbo]

Got to say mate, the tow cable looks by far better where it is now, it looked like it was going ping off the way it was on before

[bullardino]

Lightning fat build, Ben.

I'm of no help at all about german armor, I'm here just enjoying the build