DML Hetzer Early - 98% complete

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Here is a project I started last weekend to prevent Burnout on the RSO project.

Anyway, it is DML’s Hetzer Early, basically out of box. I added a wire for the Notek light and bolts for the removed Fender Skirts. I also have a set of Friuls for this model I picked up at the IPMS Show in Salem,VA this weekend.

This build was intended to try out some superb techniques that have been posted on the LEM. The tech. involves super thin paint and a lot of time. Plus it allowed me to try out my new airbrush.

I think with practice, this will become my painting technique. I really like it. It is what I have been trying to do for a long time with pre and post shading. The missing link was the 4:1 ratio (thinner to paint) for the post shades. That and using 5 – 10 psi maximum, sometimes 2 psi to paint.

Anyway, let me know what you guys think when you get the time.

Here is the build, no paint:

Here it is with the preshade of Tamiya flat balck, 1:1 Thinner to paint

Here it is with a coat of Dunklegelb, Thinned just like John said, pressure same and airbrush the same. Now it took me about 2 hours to paint the yellow, so this is a stretch. Too bad the pics don’t show the variatin and shading. Not sure what to do. I may use a lighter background next set of pics.


Here is where I am now after post shading. There is some areas to touch up, but this gives you an idea what the technique can do. With an Aztec you can spray at these pressures and viscosity (I tried this airbrush as well as my Iwata CM B and it worked as well as the more expensive one).




Now I must detail paint all the tracks, lights, tools and such.

More later.

2

Looks really good. The last four pics had some serious shadows on the right side of the vehicle that I thought hid some detail.

3

Interesting technique. I look forward to seeing your progress.

4

Looks good so far!

5

Looks really really good. I understand the lighting issue. I posted pics of my Panther which I varied the color and it doesn’t show up in the pics.

6

Love the shaded effect. Great job so far.

7

Always love them Hetzers. I’ll be watching with interest.

8

Good to see you back at the bench ted, look forward to seeing what you produce with this technique.

9

This is lookin’ real good, I like it in the 6th pic. Very nice, subtle and effective! [:)]

10

Look’s really good,I like the affect in the last pic.

Can I ask what’s LEM?as I’d like to read up on the tecnique.

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LEM= League of Extraordinary Modelers. It was started by some ex-members. It’s by invitation only. Some members bounce between both forums.

12

Looks like we are in for good one, Ted. Keep us updated.

The LEM is a forum started by a few scale modelers who were once members of FSM (some are still members here). If you want to check it out, you may click on this link:

http://www.the-lem.com/

BTW, I don’t think they were disgruntled, they just thought that it was time to move on.[:)]

13

Thanks fro all the feedback. I am hoping to finish this up this weekend and will have more to post then.

Also, sorry for the LEM reference. Not trying to open old cans of worms or anything, sometimes I forget.

Regardless, it’s nice to be back here on the FSM again.

14

Looking good. More photos please! [:D]

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Thanks guys for the input and encouragement.

Anyway, here is the latest. It’s way too shiney, that is the Future. It will be gone over with future and tamiya flat base once I even out a few streaks and such. Then it’s on to detailing and mud and pigments and the like.

Please let me know what you think. And keep in mind that this IS a test bed and I am trying all sorts of stuff to try and find my own way of painting.

Thanks,


16

Looking mighty effective so far. Should be sweet when finished.

17

You know what, the way it’s lookin’ now, with the Future coat and exaggerated streaks of dirt and rust, it looks like it has been rained on, credibly so! In my eyes, you have actually created the look of a rain-soaked Hetzer, and in this context, everythin’ looks right! Forget about it bein’ a test-bed, you have a sure-fire winner here! It’s unique, you don’t see many builds with these type of effects! If it was matt-coated (dry look), the streaks would look out of place, but because of the wet-look, this looks pure class! [tup]

Keep it wet, and add some mud, that’s what I say! It looks amazin’! [;)]

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Thanks Guys.

I was sorta thinking it looked like a wet vehicle last night. The only thing is in real life it is really really glossy. What I may do is go over it with a slight satin finish and add wet mud as opposed to the dry look. I dunno. Time will tell.

Either way, I appreciate the comments.

19

The streaking is very effective Ted. Only two things stand out to me as observations. 1) The streaks, at least in the right side/2nd pic, seem a little too uniformly spaced/length in terms of the streaks, particularly on the area by the front of the hull. Since the hull plate in question is angled in 2 directions (inward and downward) and the streaking would be a combination of standing still and movement in wet conditions, the streaking would have a more random effect I would think, but that’s just a random thought pattern. 2) The streaks don’t seem to include the markings but rather go under the decals instead of over them, at least in the pics as you have it here. If the intent of the streaks is to show mud/dirt/water run-off, I would think they would be streaked in a similar fashion. All of this is just my observation. I like the contrast effect against the dunkelgelb finish and think you’ve achieved a very nice streaky effect as a basis for additional weathering/finishing for a Hetzer that’s seen some hard miles. [tup]

20

Oh well. I am trying to get to your level Bill.