This is my first build log here, and I’m already several days in, so bear with me.
This started as a challenge by my LHS to buy and build a kit in a little over a month (because some of the guys there rarely finish stuff). The kit was Tamiya’s old and rather crappy Panzer II F/G. The rules were simple: use only what’s in the box, e.g., no aftermarket, no scratch-building, and nothing from the spares box.
I decided to stretch the rules a little and build something kit-bashed using what’s in the box. So, I have the plastic parts, clear baggies, 2 staples, the instructions, the poly-caps, decals, and the box if I really need it. Technically, they are all part of the package…so we’ll see how it goes.
I planned early on to do a hovertank with the back of the Pz II representing the front of my tank. That said, I had to do some major surgery to cut off all of the molded on details. And because I needed to conserve parts, I needed to save what I cut off. Thin Zona saws helped with this.
Lot’s of pieces to use later…
The torso of one of crewmembers made an excellent substructure:
A few days ago I glued the top and bottom halves together and had a big gap to fill. Without the ability to use styrene strips, I used one of the Tamiya sprue logo pieces:
Before and after:
The Fourmost Miter Sander is one of my favorite scratch-building tools:
Could be better, but it’s ok for what I have to work with:
Thanks guys. By the way, nice avatar OctaneOrange.
So, I worked on the rear turbines today. I had to chop away the rear armor, and in it’s place, I glued together 2 of the included figure stands. Then I Dremeled some holes for the actual turbines:
Before and after…sort of:
I liked the look of the idlers, so i used them, but opened the center up for turbine cones. The cones I used were thick sprue pieces shaped with a Dremel into the best cone I could get freehand:
Glued and puttied:
I’m still not sure what I’ll do with the flaps on either side of the turbines. If I leave them, I’ll need to reshape them…maybe add some kind of air brake.
Well, I’ve added a bit more over the past few days. I keep banging my head in the wall just wishing I could open my spares boxes. But I’m committed…for now.
I needed to cover up the large opening on the left side, so I took the underside of the turret (the part the allows it to rotate) and saved the angular part off. With a little work and sawing, I cut out the circular inner lining and then glued it to the side.
After a long deliberation with me and myself, I decided to add a dust vent for whatever small particles were sucked into the engines. This consists of a one-piece box that I cut out the inner bits, as well as 4 canteens that will act as dust spouts…sort of.
The box was also given angled cuts on one side of the 3 slats to help with the fit.
I had a fun time trying to drill a hole centered on the top of each canteen when the mold doesn’t even seem to be centered.
It’s a little rough, but I’m thinking some Mig pigments will enhance the believability.
Not much new lately, just filling, sanding, smoothing, wash, rinse, repeat. I have started a few smaller assemblies that I will attach later.
First, I’ve made 2 air brake steering flaps. I cut the top lid of the storage bin in half and fit some leftover turret bits on the opposite sides. I then recut the edges of the lid into a more angular shape:
As part of the covering the center up, I made a dust filtration system (the dust exits through the side ports I already made). I cut one side of the spare track link piece off and then glued several running gear bits to it. These bits were originally molded on:
Finally, I added a scanner/antenna assembly to the front. It is made of the antenna holder with the sledgehammer tool set glued underneath (hammer head removed).
Thanks again for the comments guys. This is a fun little build.
I decided to add tinted windows to the cockpit and turret area using the clear bag the parts came in. To do this I mixed future and Polly Scale RLM 83 Light Green and airbrushed it on a large section of the bag. It didn’t adhere well, but I covered such a large area that i could cut out the best sections. Then I glued it in place with Future, and later I added some white glue to fully hold it in.
This is a pic of the finished dust filtration system. I still need to do more filling and sanding:
Here’s a pic showing off the air flaps. The actuators were made from MP40s.
Finally, I changed the cupola by routering a roadwheel and fitting the hatch to it. I’ll glue it later:
Thanks man. I wouldn’t call it on-the-spot though. It’s more of a blaming-everything-else, then cooling-off-and-working-through-a-solution engineering.
Anyway, in this update, I’ve modified the road wheel shock absorbers into hovering things (if you’re a Star Wars fan, we can call them “repulsorlifts”). Then I attached them facing inward on the underside of the chassis. When I get it assembled, you’ll be able to see the results better.
Alright, so I’ve been hitting it hard lately trying desperately to hit the painting stage (not yet though). I did finish making the barrel out of a sprue. It’s certainly not turned aluminum, but it will work:
And I made an ammo feed belt by splitting the tank tracks and CAing the German ammo drums in between:
Here it is sitting in the feed roller/drum thing (made out of the exhaust and stowage bin):
Well, I have about 5 days until the contest, but it’s going good so far. I just primed it with my cheapo rattle can grey. Here’s a pic moments before. I added a rail and two grab handles out of the 2 staples in the box, and I added a bit more detail bits around the model…nothing that big.
Well, the first bit of painting is finished. I opted for a unique “tetris” looking camo pattern, which required a lot of tape. There was a little bleed through in a few areas, but I can easily fix that. I’ll probably paint the turret and details tomorrow.
