*FINISHED PICS* Helo Hetzer

[wbill76]

Congrats doog on getting this one done and in time to have a “care-free” trip to Germany! The new owners will no doubt be pleased and you’ve got another build to be proud of. [tup]

[DHM]

My rusting technique will be described in the January Finescale article on “SPOOKED!”, my burnt-out Pz IV-J article. I recently received an email from Aaron Skinner telling me that the article would focus on the building and weathering of the Pz IV,and that the rest of the article ( all the rest of the info on the finishing of the base and figures) will be available online on this site somewhere. It’s really not hard–just rough up the plastic with an old, stiff brush and some Tenax R-7 glue (in truth, any will work; Tenax is just fast) and then base coat with a dark rust. When dry, add a thickerish wash of lighter rust colors and while that is wet, sprinkle and/or directly stipple in the pastels of various rust shades, and let dry. You can scrub some of them off when they dry if you’'re not pleased with the colors or add additional stabs of wash here and there to provide surface variation–remember, the more layers and subtle variations, the better.

I can’t wait to see it!

Thanks agian for the comments, gys! I guess I’lll start on that new tutorial this fine Sunday morning! Be loooking for it!

once again, I can’t wait to see it! I’ve never tried silly putty marking before, so it should be helpful.

P.S.–Aaron Skinner was also looking over the full Hetzer article which I had sent him as he wrote me that email and said that it “looked great” and that he was excited by the over-150 WIP photos and the detailed information O had provided. He said that “this is the kind of article that we love!”!–so keep your fingers crossed–again! [:D]

My fingers are crossed. It really is an excellent article. In fact, it’s the best weathering article I’ve ever seen![#toast]

[dahut]

Very nice doogeroo. Congrats!

[jthurston]

2 things:

1. I’m forced to take back what I said earlier about this build looking too dark. To me, in the other set of pics, it had a ‘wet’ look, as if it’d just been pulled out of a lake or something. But in these pics, it looks almost too perfect. As always, Doogo, your build is an inspiration.

2. The object on the front right fender - Is that a jack block? Was it common to see jack blocks painted in the overall color, or would this be a one-off thing? Just wondering, because in some cases it may look better int he overall color, while in others it may look better in a ‘natural’ color (wood, lt. brown, etc).

Either way, you’ve nailed yet another project. [tup]

[the_doog]

2 things:

1. I’m forced to take back what I said earlier about this build looking too dark. To me, in the other set of pics, it had a ‘wet’ look, as if it’d just been pulled out of a lake or something. But in these pics, it looks almost too perfect. As always, Doogo, your build is an inspiration.

2. The object on the front right fender - Is that a jack block? Was it common to see jack blocks painted in the overall color, or would this be a one-off thing? Just wondering, because in some cases it may look better int he overall color, while in others it may look better in a ‘natural’ color (wood, lt. brown, etc).

Either way, you’ve nailed yet another project. [tup]

You might have a good point there j!

You know, to be nonest, I usually paint them a wood color, and just overlooked it! I thin I’ll paint it like that–I did go through the trouble of “graining” it with the exacto blade.

Thnks for the sharp eyes! I’ll do that! [:D]

[tigerman]

This is just my opinion, but I find in most cases, nothing wrong with OOB. Half the time, you couldn’t tell an AM gun from the kit’s, if it’s properly done up without seams and such. I believe the weathering is the key and makes or breaks the entire build, along with the paint-job. Though I admire people whom go the extra-mile to spruce up their kits, the majority of PE and AM can get lost in the weathering process. However I know accuracy and building pleasure lead to most people adding AM. Nothing wrong with that.

In saying all this, your weathering, much like Ron’s just give off a different aura from your builds, and could take a plain finish like mine and push it over the top. Congrats on your consignment, for I imagine you’ve opened up some doors for yourself.

Have a safe time in Deutchland.