Sd. Kfz. 184 Panzerjäger Elefant (Italeri)

[madairbrush]

First of all, thank you all for the kind words and for the constructive suggestions.

I am a perfectionist when I build my models. I have bought the minis and I painted it like the box art (I thought it is an authentic set) . I didn`t know, that the german tank crews didn`t wear a camo uniform, because on many dioramas with tanks I have seen soldiers in camo (also on the tanks). But you are right.

Normally I would repaint them to get the model as realistic and authentic as I can get, BUT I love the look of this camo type and it was a lot of work to paint them. So in this case I will make a exception.

Tomorrow I will post the next steps of my first pine tree...

[Leon]

Don't blame you for not wanting to repaint the figures Matt!

Looking forward to your work on the pine trees.

[madairbrush]

So here comes the update of my first pine tree, Leon.

I didn`t make pictures of every step. But I plan to make a second ... bigger one. I will make a more detailed descriptinon with more pictures with this one.

Here the actual status of the first tree...

I added spay glue and 4-6mm static grass. After this I spray painted it with flat brown.
The next layer was spray glue and 2,5mm static grass. After this I added another layer of brown and some zinc spray, for a better electrical conductivity.
The last layer will be dark green flock 0,5mm for the pine needles.

I have made this first tree two times. My first try was miserable. I added too much static grass and I used 12mm. It was terrible and didn`t look like a natural pine tree. So I had to wash off all the glue and the static grass, dried it with a hair dryer and made a second try. After this failure a made glue on every single branch and added the static grass. So I had a better control over it.

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

[Leon]

WOW.... That looks fantastic Matt! Never would of thought about using static grass.

[madairbrush]

Actually this is only the tree without the needles. The green needles will follow later. The second tree I have started today. I will post pictures soon.

[madairbrush]

I started a second tree. Here are some pictures with an explanation.

First I took a wooden shashlik pike. I sanded the upper end, to get a thinner tree top.

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

After this I started wrapping the wooden stick with wire (0,3mm), starting on the lower end. I have made some loops - this will be the branches ...later.
After the first third, I used 0,4mm wire and make more bigger loops.

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

After the secon third I used 0,3mm wire again. At the top I used 0,15mm wire. Important is, to make the treetop out of wire (0,3mm).

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

After all of the wiring work, I covered the whole trunk with super glue...
Next steps will follow soon.

[wbill76]

Looks like the 2nd attempt paid off Matt, it recreates the spindly branch structure common to evergreens nicely. Looking forward to seeing the other tree come together as well.

[Leon]

Nice start on the second tree Matt and thank you for the SBS explanations!

[madairbrush]

Time for the next update of the tree built...

After I finished the wiring work, I cut off the ends of the wire loops. Than I bent the branches in the right direction and shape. Now it looks like a metal tree. I covered the trunk with PVA glue and sprinkled some sawdust over it. I did this two or three times, to get the right thickness of the trunk. The branches were also covered with PVA glue, but here I used very fine sawdust. With the help of the sawdust, you get a realistic bark look.

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

After this, I spray painted the whole tree with flat brown.

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

Now I added the smaller branches with the help of 4-6mm static grass. Like I described the last time. The last step for the branches is a last coating with 2mm static grass. Don`t cover the whole tree with static grass. The trunk should be without any grass. Only the ends of the branches.
After this you have to spray brown and zinc spray over the complete tree. (wet in wet)

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

Here is the complete tree with all branches. This is without any fir needle. This will follow in the next step...

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

Ohne Titel by Mathias, auf Flickr

[c3p0.]

Keep up the good work sir along with those photos. Your tree construction is very educational to modellers like myself. Looking forward to more from you.

[wbill76]

Nice trick with the sawdust. Tree growing is looking good.

[deafpanzer]

Brilliant work on the tree... thanks for the SBS toot!

[sollie]

Wow. back in march 2015 you commented on my (same) kit build ,wich I reply'd to really late, sorry .

( modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/3594/italeri-kit-211-elefant-updated?page=3 )

I see you did a splendid job on this old kit . Awsome tune up With the extra parts added, and Paint and weathering will be the icing on the cake

[Leon]

Fantastic work on the second tree Matt! Thanks for the SBS process.

[martslay]

Awesome! Many thanks Matt!

[madairbrush]

sollie: Many thanks to you. Your model was the reason for my to buy/ build this kit. I was verya impressed by your work. So I feel very flattered to hear that from you.

@all: I ordered the last flock (0,5mm), but all the online shops didn`t have this flock. So I have to wait for 2 weeks, until I get this stuff...

[pt109]

Excellent!

Nice camo for an Orel Russia vehicle.

This model is actually a copy of the old "early" Elefant at Aberdeen in Maryland, quite banged up with the missing engine vent intakes. There's photos of it in Achtung Panzer 6.

Great job! love the figgies and trees...

Paul

[brentprice]

Looking good all the way round. The trees are turning out nicely. I will try this method for making trees in the future. Thanks for taking the time to share the progress and methods of your work.