panzerconor.
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Member since: April 2013
My cat's breath smells like cat food.
Posts: 176 
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Post by panzerconor. on Jul 16, 2014 21:38:32 GMT -5
This should be a helpful build to overlook, since I'm working on a StuG III as well, a bit later production variant but this should serve as a good example to follow  Love it so far... -Conor |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 17, 2014 10:45:36 GMT -5
Thanks Conor, glad to hear it will help you with your own project.  |
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reserve
Senior Member
Member since: July 2012
Si vis pacem para bellum
Posts: 2,372
Jul 11, 2012 9:11:45 GMT -5
Jul 11, 2012 9:11:45 GMT -5
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Post by reserve on Jul 17, 2014 13:44:17 GMT -5
This appears to be a sweet kit; it's looking very nice. Has it had any Dragon moments so far?
Regards,
Mark
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 17, 2014 19:02:21 GMT -5
This appears to be a sweet kit; it's looking very nice. Has it had any Dragon moments so far? Regards, Mark A couple here and there Mark, but nothing out of the ordinary. |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 17, 2014 19:14:32 GMT -5
Finally managed to get enough time in on this one to warrant an update! I've been working on the 'standard' workable MK tracks to take the place of the kit-supplied Magic Track winterketten type. The MK tracks assemble 8 links at a time via a jig included in the set with separate guide horns and track pins. The pins twist off after the glue has set while the handles on the guide horns are easily removed with sprue cutters.  Typically on a Pz III/StuG III vehicle the number of links per side is 92-93 but I always wait until after I've got the road wheels on to complete the full runs. For now both runs are at 90 links per side until I can test the right number needed for sag/fit. I also assembled the spare track run of 14 links needed for the rear 'tailgate' area.  Now it's time to move on the paint work! |
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dupes
Head Moderator 
Jan '16 MoM Winner
Member since: March 2012
Need to build 80 kits per year until I'm 100 to deplete my stash. Maybe I should sell a couple.
Posts: 7,184
Member is Online
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Post by dupes on Jul 17, 2014 19:37:41 GMT -5
Bill? Using MKs? Odd. I'll tell you what you can do with those Magic Winterketten if you don't plan on using them... |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 17, 2014 19:59:14 GMT -5
Bill? Using MKs? Odd. I'll tell you what you can do with those Magic Winterketten if you don't plan on using them... I bet! I'm hanging on to them for possible use in the future...they're a good set, just not suitable for Tunisia! |
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dupes
Head Moderator
Jan '16 MoM Winner
Member since: March 2012
Need to build 80 kits per year until I'm 100 to deplete my stash. Maybe I should sell a couple.
Posts: 7,184
Member is Online
MSC Staff
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Post by dupes on Jul 17, 2014 20:02:04 GMT -5
I figured you would probably use them on something...but thought I'd try!  |
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Post by TRM on Jul 17, 2014 20:10:39 GMT -5
A great feeling to get the tracks out of the way!! Bring on that Paint!! |
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Post by Leon on Jul 17, 2014 20:32:58 GMT -5
Sorry Bill...thought I replied on this before my computer went on the fritz.Looking really good and nice work on the tracks. |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jul 17, 2014 22:29:10 GMT -5
AHHHH! Bill sure loves his MK tracks... I think he eats them too. Tracks looking good assembled! |
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losboz
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Member since: September 2013
Posts: 322
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Post by losboz on Jul 18, 2014 8:46:10 GMT -5
Those MK tracks do look good
Nice progress Bill
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 18, 2014 9:56:14 GMT -5
Thanks T! Might see some paint flying in the next couple of days if it all goes to plan. Leon, glad to see you're back online buddy, thanks as well. Andy, crunchy tracks? Maybe with a little chocolate...not a bad idea! Los, thanks as well, always glad to get them out of the way. Necessary evil and worth the effort but definitely not something I necessarily look forward to each time. |
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panzerconor.
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Member since: April 2013
My cat's breath smells like cat food.
Posts: 176
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Post by panzerconor. on Jul 18, 2014 10:20:29 GMT -5
You sure do make those MK tracks look easy. One of these days I'll get the courage...or, patience is a better word, to try those out. Some day!
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 18, 2014 11:17:09 GMT -5
You sure do make those MK tracks look easy. One of these days I'll get the courage...or, patience is a better word, to try those out. Some day! Patience is the key...I won't lie to you, it takes several hours to assemble them. Their chief advantage, for me, is that they then behave like ordinary styrene when it comes to painting/finishing and are workable! |
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DeafStuG
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Member since: May 2013
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Posts: 1,283
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Post by DeafStuG on Jul 18, 2014 15:13:46 GMT -5
Nice build, I favourite MK Tracks.
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 18, 2014 19:15:56 GMT -5
Thanks Jeremy! |
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elco
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July & Oct 2014 MoM Winner
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MOY 2014 Winner
Posts: 660
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Post by elco on Jul 19, 2014 1:04:06 GMT -5
Tracks looking good but once tasted those Easy Links Tracks |
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Hinksy
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Member since: June 2012
THE ENGLISH LIONHEART - HINKSY!
Posts: 1,016
Jun 22, 2012 16:46:21 GMT -5
Jun 22, 2012 16:46:21 GMT -5
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Post by Hinksy on Jul 19, 2014 18:33:38 GMT -5
Hi Bill, Looking great there matey the gun assembly looks excellent! I've actually got this kit as a shelf Queen in my cabinet at present with the chassis and torsion bars sorted along with Glacis and rear panel installed - last time I picked this one up I'd started on the Casemate. I started building this and a load of different things came up but as soon as I'm back from my few weeks away with work I've got some plans for this one. I'm yet to try Winterketten Magic Tracks so I'm looking forward to them! Keep the photo updates coming - we can never have too many photo updates! I was wondering - are you going to do anything with the interior? I was thinking of doing a tidy yet 'tatty' paint job inside the compartment and doing a really nice job on the gun assembly, leaving the Casemate roof unfixed so it can be removed to show off. I've never been able to really go to town on an interior that I know will never be seen again. Ben  |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 19, 2014 18:38:14 GMT -5
Elco, you're tempting me! Ben, no plans for the interior on this one for me, it's all closed up so no need to spend any time there. Hope to see yours come off the shelf sooner rather than later!
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Post by richardcraig-Email Not Valid on Jul 19, 2014 20:41:13 GMT -5
Hi Bill ... Nice work so far.. I do agree that it might have been easier to paint if you hadn't glued the panel on ,but I'm sure you'll do it just fine anyways... Nice tracks, I too like to get them out of the way asap ...blah!
Keep it coming.. I might just have to start that old F kit in my stash... If I can get the other stuff out of the way.. lol
Rick
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 20, 2014 16:25:59 GMT -5
Thanks Rick! I hear you about getting the other stuff out of the way...you'll get to it eventually! Speaking of that... Started in on the paint work today to get this one moving ahead in that department. First order of business is a primer coat of Model Master enamel Italian Dark Brown.  Also started in on the road wheels, return rollers, sprockets, and idlers. Same prime coat treatment and the rubber portions were airbrushed with MM enamel Gunmetal.  More to come of course! |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jul 20, 2014 16:29:14 GMT -5
Wheels on stick... yummy! I haven't eaten anything since dinner yesterday. LOL
Looking good my friend!
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 20, 2014 16:31:11 GMT -5
Not a good sign for the diet there Andy! Thanks as always my friend. |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 22, 2014 16:46:45 GMT -5
More progress in the paint department to report! After letting the primer coat sit for a day, I used some MM Flat Black to create some pre-shading.  Basecoat came next. Since this one is getting the 2nd Tropen scheme ordered in March '42 (2/3 RAL 8020, 1/3 RAL 7027), I laid down the first color using MM Afrika Braun in very thin passes to build it up over the primer/pre-shade effort.  At the same time, the wheels-on-a-stick got their hubs done using a draftsman's circle template to mask the rubber wheels.  Next came the camo pattern using MM Afrika Dunkelgrau.   Rounding things out, the wheels and return rollers were glued in place on the suspension so that it could get up on its feet for the next stages. The workable torsion bars are doing their job nicely. Everything sits level and no 'floating' wheels.  Next up will be working on the rest of the exterior details. |
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Post by Leon on Jul 22, 2014 17:00:35 GMT -5
Nice work in the paint department Bill.The StuG is looking good. |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 22, 2014 17:55:32 GMT -5
Thanks Leon! Going to have to be very careful in the weathering department. These two colors are already fairly light and low-contrast to each other...can easily lose the pattern if I go overboard! |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jul 22, 2014 20:06:39 GMT -5
Sorry I had to pause and check the calendar to make sure its not Sunday today! LOL Love that kind of camo... thats why I just love DAK! Looking great Bill!
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Post by mrt51 on Jul 23, 2014 10:22:54 GMT -5
Mmmmmmm.......Looking great Bill! I've used those MK tracks. They work good.
Terry
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Hinksy
Full Member
Member since: June 2012
THE ENGLISH LIONHEART - HINKSY!
Posts: 1,016
Jun 22, 2012 16:46:21 GMT -5
Jun 22, 2012 16:46:21 GMT -5
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Post by Hinksy on Jul 23, 2014 13:24:45 GMT -5
Hey Bill! Looking sweet - this thread has prompted me to pull out my kit (the same as this one as you know). It's in a stste of many small sub-assemblies at the minute so I'll be tackling mine when I'm back after these few weeks away. Looking great matey - cannot wait to see this finished! Ben |
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Love it so far...
