To be honest, this is not a typicall walk in the park kit to build.
There are things that should not be done that way or could be better, but then again, we are used to fill up big gaps or redo some major warp, etc, etc…right ?
Wheels
Be carefull when you decide to install the road wheels.
Once they are clicked into place, you wont be able to unplug.
If you force it to come out, the rubber will be detach from the wheel and will still stick to be axle.
Working Suspension for the road wheels
It is a piece of crap, it should not be made to move at all.
If you are not planning to make it work, might as well glue it permanently.
They are so soft that it would be impossible to let them stay on the tracks without flying a bit.
Crane
I think there is a step that it is not in the manual, that is to completely assemble the crane.
It is only half way showned.
You have to kinna guess it which part needs to go where.
Not difficult to guest, but it is nice to see it on the manual.
Gun hull
The top plate which cover the gun hull does not have a resting place to glue.
So you have to look at reference pictures as where it should be glue.
It is practically flying.
Small door on the top
There are miss calculation as for the hinges for the small door for loading the mortar ammo, resulting the door wont shut properly when meet with the bigger door.
It should be PE
Various parts that is to small to be plastic like the screw locks are really tiny.
It should have been made PE.
Thanks for posting your pics Ben. May I suggest three things?
the leaking oil effect at the base of where the mortar attaches to the front armor plate of the fighting compartment: the line where you’ve chosen to depict oil seepage is actually a tightly finished joint.
it’s a matter of personal taste but I feel you’ve overdone the rust effect on the upper compartment walls. The Sturmorser Tigers were only produced the last year of the war and their finish wouldn’t have been so destroyed. Even if you look at construction equipment that’s been in service for a long time, you don’t see the amount of rust that you’ve applied. Again, it’s just a personal observation – I’m not trying to hack at you.
Here’s a useful discussion about rusting and weathering issues:
finally, the rear fenders and the exhaust panel you omitted from your Sturmtiger – their attachment holes are still visible on the back wall. Maybe attend to these issues on your next project?
I like your Sturmtiger Carves, your weatherin’ effects are really well done. As regards the weatherin’, eight months is a long time in the field to get dirty. To say that this vehicle is over weathered is a nonsense! You don’t know where its been, what its done, and how it went about doin’ it. [2c]
While I feel Roy has certainly given some valid observations, I really like the work. Your build shows a lot of character and it is evident that you worked hard on the detailing/weathering etc.
There’s two things I like about your post. Your model, and your build review.
First - the model. I’m definitely a minimalist when it comes to weathering. A large part of that, however, is due to the fact that I haven’t really developed my skill to the level where I can do it well. I think Steve stated it very well when he spoke about the build having character. I’m marvelling at the serious distressed look you’ve imparted to it. Looks like it’s been through hell…which, from my understanding, is pretty much a description of what war is. Very well done!
Second - Build review. I like the way you broke down the build into areas that call for extra attention by the builder. Your succint and lucid narrative is easy to read, and will probably eliminate a lot of headache and frustration for someone else that is planning to build that kit.
I am fairly sure that you didn’t state what sort of scene or dio you are placing this in, so here is my observations.
I believe the weathering is appropriate for an abandoned vehicle, one that has sat for a long time or is being held in a scrap yard or awaiting transport to testing facility. Evidence lies in the tracks, which are superbly done. They have no bare or shiny metal, suggesting that this beast has sat for some time. Evidence also is the failed paint system on the gun box sides, that this machine has sat unattended for a long time.
As far as ececution, that is perhaps the most realistic rust on the hull sides I have ever seen. The build is solid. My only observation would be the leaking seal under the main gun, not sure ifthere is any oil/grease/hydraulic fluid that would leak in this area and surely not under this particular seam.
Really a superb build, the weathering is fitting if the situation described above is the intended scenario.
Accurate or not, every build is a work of a art. It’s all in how the painter (modeler) sees his subject. I like what you have conjured up. The weathering is well beyond what I can do and I admire from afar. Fine job and review.
1). The oil leak you mentioned was there.
See pic below;
2). It is hard to translate b/w picstures into color. But from what I can translate from the b/w pics I gathered so far, it seems that there are very few of this Sturm that are in bad shape.
Started with the one they recovered abandoned near a side of a road.
But then again you maybe right, even if they are abandoned, the rust should not be that way.
Kykeon
Not entirely true upside down.
There are pics showing that they are really putting it upside down.
Here are one of them. I dont know if that is a newly design mallet or what.
Again, I thank you for all your inputs, they will definately help me on my next build.
The photo you have posted is of the Kubinka vehicle. It is an early production model with a different style gun mantlet. It is not the same mantlet as supplied with the AFV kit. There are several unique features on the Kubinka machine, most notably the welded mantlet stop, the only vehicle equipped with this feature. I have several shots of the Munster Sturmtiger which I took this last summer. It has this late style mantlet, as well as the late model 600mm idler. The AFV Club model is a late model vehicle, based on the Munster Sturmtiger, originally from Panzersturmmoerserkompanie 1002. If you look at the box art, and the photos of the Munster vehicle, you can see the differences in the mantlet as compared to the Kubinka vehicle.
Here is a shot of the Munster Sturmtiger’s gun;
And here is the same vehicle in it’s original paint, the same as AFV Clubs box art;
Kykeon, Thanks for the explanation man. Did not realized that even a monster like that has variant. I will definately right side up the mallet. Luckily they are not glued. [swg]
I would like to say that your Sturmtiger is awesome. Everything is wonderfully executed and I particularly like what you did with the tracks. I don’t like hearing “It is over weathered” or “under weathered”. You can do it the way you want and all I can say is the effects are ultra realistics. Very nice job on that one Carves. Oh, and thanks for the review, that kit is on my to do list.
Hey Yann: Thnx for your comments. I may have set off the storm with my frank “It’s over rusted” comment. Well, I tried to explain very clearly that it’s only my opinion and besides that, I can only congratulate anyone on completing a well done model (I haven’t finished one in 4 months!!)
However, it’s my opinion and I would like to think that I have the freedom to express it in the future. Ben asked for constructive criticism and I felt I gave it. I explained my rationale and even directed him to a great set of articles that have helped me greatly.
Whether one sees it as “nonsense” or it makes someone feel uncomfortable to read it, I can understand. We do see sometimes heartless slashing of peoples’ work. I don’t condone that, wouldn’t want to see it happen to me, and I don’t practice that either, I believe.
However, I would be amiss not to share my considered opinion that, for this subject, I felt that his rust for a wartime vehicle went beyond the “convention” of what is normally found on photographed wartime tanks – i.e. too overweathered for my tastes. I clearly said that it was only my opinion (that and $5 would buy you a coffee at Starbucks). But Ben clearly is a careful modeller and asked for input. I hesitated but in the end, decided to give him my honest and sincere opinion with the intent only to assist and not just to be heard.
If you know me or read my many posts here on FSM, ML, TL and Armorama, I think my reptutation as a very helpful, moderate and knowledgeable person is well earned.
Again, not trying to start any flame wars but take me to task if I was cruel or unkind. I felt I was neither. If Ben feels I was, then I will apologize to him offsite.
Best regards.
Roy (hoping to keep the forums clear to express honest opinion)
The way I read it, you artfully balanced your comments, and managed to be complimentary as well as constructive with your feedback.
I think everyone’s comments have been of good intention and well meaning, and pretty constructive. The great thing is that everyone in this forum demonstrates great passionate for their work…which can sometimes generate spirited discussion and opinion. I hope everyone continues to feel welcome to express their thoughts, ideas, experiences and compliments here. There’s a unique sense of brotherhood in this forum as a result of the common bond we have in armor modeling and the history that surrounds it.
To all - I express my gratitude, respect and best wishes for a great holiday season…and a Kick-Ass 2007.
