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Post by dupes on Apr 10, 2015 20:08:26 GMT -5
The detail level in this kit is obviously far superior to the Tamiya kit...but from a "get 'em built" standpoint, I don't know that I could justify the time. Wow. What are your feelings? Is it worth the complexity? Or is it overengineered?
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 10, 2015 20:16:23 GMT -5
The detail level in this kit is obviously far superior to the Tamiya kit...but from a "get 'em built" standpoint, I don't know that I could justify the time. Wow. What are your feelings? Is it worth the complexity? Or is it overengineered? All comes down to what you want out of it. If you just want a 222 for the shelf then this one's probably overkill. If you want the details for a diorama setting or especially for a wreck or repair scenario then this one's far superior for value OOB vs Tamiya's IMHO.
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Post by Leon on Apr 10, 2015 20:19:25 GMT -5
The 222 is really shaping up nicely Bill! Nice work on the gun mount assembly.
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bbrowniii
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Member since: March 2012
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the precipitate.
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Mar 25, 2012 22:08:04 GMT -5
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Post by bbrowniii on Apr 10, 2015 21:00:27 GMT -5
Splendid work, Bill. Just splendid.
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afvfan
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Member since: December 2012
Bob
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Dec 10, 2012 17:32:38 GMT -5
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Post by afvfan on Apr 10, 2015 21:55:24 GMT -5
It's a shame, that with all the care of detail they put in this thing, they really blew it with the PE turret mesh. Looking at pics of the real deal, the mesh isn't anywhere near that heavy.
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elco
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July & Oct 2014 MoM Winner
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May 12, 2013 8:27:19 GMT -5
May 12, 2013 8:27:19 GMT -5
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Post by elco on Apr 11, 2015 1:54:56 GMT -5
Looking good with so much details in such tiny kit!
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Post by TRM on Apr 11, 2015 8:13:55 GMT -5
What? I heard 'Paint'!! LOL!! Ahh...Dupes firing up flares again!! Great to see your progression on this Bill!! Coming along nicely! Love he gun assembly! Clean work as usual!
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 11, 2015 11:00:11 GMT -5
Thanks Leon and Boyd! It's a shame, that with all the care of detail they put in this thing, they really blew it with the PE turret mesh. Looking at pics of the real deal, the mesh isn't anywhere near that heavy. I agree Bob, they could've used the same mesh type that they did for the engine screen for better scale representation but I have a feeling that it wouldn't have been sturdy enough to do the bends needed to create the complex angles/curves to match the turret and have enough rigidity to maintain its shape at the same time. When I was working with the engine mesh screen it kept wanting to bow out anytime I looked at it, so short of doing the mesh as separate pieces with heavier frames and then sticking the mesh to it (which itself raises other issues on look/accuracy), I'm not sure there was a better option available. Thanks Elco! Have to agree, there's a ton of detail in this kit for sure. Todd, you did indeed! I hope to have some more of the paint work done this weekend if everything allows, fingers crossed!
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 11, 2015 17:47:03 GMT -5
One of the neat things about checking reference photos is that you often pick up little details that can be added to a build but also creates a little distraction at the same time. Today was one of those days! I was getting parts ready for painting with the airbrush and realized that the rear engine hatches would need some attention. I had always planned to open up the top and right side hatch but hadn't figured out a way to also open up the rear hatch due to the way Hobby Boss designed the parts. The light bulb went on after looking at this reference photo of the restored former Littlefield Collection 222. The HB unarmored exhaust grill part D36 includes the hinge plate base that you need but is molded solid and is designed to be in the closed position with the armored cover part C62 added over that to complete the whole arrangement. I learned however that at some point in the production run the unarmored grill was deleted entirely and the hinge plate added directly to the armored cover as in the reference shot above. So I set about seeing if I could do the same thing with the kit parts. The first problem was that D36 is smaller than the armored cover, so to fit the hinge plate, I needed to widen it a bit. I glued some thin white styrene sheet to the rear of D36 and after it had set I broke out the razor saw and cut off the base plate that I needed. I also needed to add some other details that the photo showed including the latch mechanism on the armored cover and the matching locking bracket. The latch was added using a piece of small sprue cut from an extra part courtesy of the spares bin and the bracket was scratch built using some left over PE strip brass. I also painted up and weathered the bottom half of the hinge pair with red oxide along with the two engine hatches that will be posed open. The third engine hatch was also painted and installed in the closed position to round out this little 'detour' activity. Before I knew it the whole day's bench session had gone by attending to this, so airbrush work will be delayed slightly until tomorrow (sorry Dupes!)
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Post by Leon on Apr 11, 2015 17:55:09 GMT -5
Nice rework on the covers Bill!
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 11, 2015 19:09:31 GMT -5
Thanks Leon! Just have to be careful not to look at any more reference photos between now and tomorrow to stay on track.
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Post by TRM on Apr 11, 2015 19:24:56 GMT -5
On the Fly!!! Nice catch and redo!! Show some of the goodies...why not? Looks fantastic Bill!!
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Post by wing_nut on Apr 11, 2015 19:25:17 GMT -5
Coming along nicely Bill.
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afvfan
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Member since: December 2012
Bob
Posts: 1,772
Dec 10, 2012 17:32:38 GMT -5
Dec 10, 2012 17:32:38 GMT -5
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Post by afvfan on Apr 11, 2015 20:07:30 GMT -5
Thanks Leon and Boyd! It's a shame, that with all the care of detail they put in this thing, they really blew it with the PE turret mesh. Looking at pics of the real deal, the mesh isn't anywhere near that heavy. I agree Bob, ..... I'm not sure there was a better option available. The least you could have done was drill out each hole!
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 11, 2015 20:17:19 GMT -5
Have to show off as much of that interior as possible Todd! Thanks Marc trying to keep a steady pace! Bob now that would be sheer torture!
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 12, 2015 16:23:23 GMT -5
Now that the build is getting very close to the point where it will be time to join the hull halves and chassis together and make the final push for the exterior details, I broke out the airbrush and went to work. I sprayed a primer coat of MM enamel Panzer Schwarzgrau over the upper hull and various other details. The pedestal gun mount also got the same treatment as a base coat for additional detail painting/weathering since it's also a key component in the next couple of steps. Next up was a base coat application of MM enamel Afrika Grunbraun '41 (their version of RAL 8000). The turret mesh screens and the roof deck screen also got some paint treatment at this stage. Originally I was only going to paint the upper hull but after some consideration I decided to go ahead and paint the lower hull as well as some of those spaces are going to get very tight once the hull halves are together and other details like the fenders and storage boxes get added. While all that cures, I'll be working on the gun mount to keep things moving along!
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Post by wing_nut on Apr 12, 2015 17:50:06 GMT -5
It's like a shark... If it doesn't keep moving forward... its dead
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 12, 2015 18:18:16 GMT -5
It's like a shark... If it doesn't keep moving forward... its dead Just have to keep a sharp eye out for any dolphins!
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Post by dierk on Apr 13, 2015 3:31:45 GMT -5
Getting splendiferousser by the minute! My personal preference would be open screens, to show off as much of the interior as poss.
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Post by Leon on Apr 13, 2015 4:50:17 GMT -5
Looking really good with the base coat on Bill!
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 13, 2015 9:56:29 GMT -5
Thanks Leon it's always good to see the paint go on even if it's in fits and starts! Getting splendiferousser by the minute! My personal preference would be open screens, to show off as much of the interior as poss. I agree especially after painting them and seeing how little you can view through them when closed.
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Post by dupes on Apr 13, 2015 10:45:52 GMT -5
Yeah, I'd lean toward as much viewability every chance you get on this guy...no point in covering up many hours of good detail work!
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 13, 2015 13:18:27 GMT -5
Yeah, I'd lean toward as much viewability every chance you get on this guy...no point in covering up many hours of good detail work! No kidding Dupes! Doing my best to show off as much as possible while still having it all be 'logical' as to why it's opened up on the base.
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Post by dupes on Apr 13, 2015 14:57:54 GMT -5
Ahhhhh, true, you've got the base "theme" to worry about...hadn't considered that.
Maybe they just need to air the compartments out? Pretty hot in that desert.
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 13, 2015 17:52:33 GMT -5
I think you're right Dupes, can only imagine what these guys had to put up with in terms of temperatures, dust, etc. The vehicle definitely wasn't designed for a desert environment and I bet dust in particular was a real joy to deal with inside these things. Detail work continued on the gun mount and turret areas. I dry-brushed a lightened mix of the panzer gray to help bring out some of the details and provide some depth to the finish. I'll likely add a pin wash to go with it but need to wait for that. Picked out all the various details including the telescopic gunner's sight and open AA sights. The crew seats were also painted up and installed in place along with the gunner's elevation/rotation control wheel. Last but not least the guns themselves were painted with MM non-buffing Metalizer Gunmetal and lightly dry-brushed with MM enamel Steel to round out the day's efforts. The mount with the seats added makes for a much tighter arrangement inside the fighting compartment but everything is continuing to play nice in terms of the little add-on details I included so that's always a plus!
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Post by Leon on Apr 14, 2015 4:57:49 GMT -5
Nice work on the gun mount detailing Bill!
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Post by Deano on Apr 14, 2015 5:36:44 GMT -5
Great work on the hatches Bill , this interior needs to be seen as the level of detail is amazing!
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Post by TRM on Apr 14, 2015 6:31:43 GMT -5
It's awesome seeing some color hit he exterior Bill!! Looking good my friend! Great looking gun mount!! Keep it goin!!
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Post by wbill76 on Apr 14, 2015 10:11:57 GMT -5
Thanks Leon, much of it gets hidden away by the turret sides and the guns themselves when mounted but it's kind of like Mt. Everest...it's there so a shame not to work on it! Deano, have to hand it to Hobby Boss in the detail department, they did a good job with all the interior sections IMHO. Thanks as always! Todd, always a good sign when you can slap paint on the outside. Moving along, steady as she goes!
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Post by mrt51 on Apr 14, 2015 10:51:22 GMT -5
Looking great Bill!
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