It’s probably a case of ‘88 envy’ but I’ve decided on this as my next armor project…
I’m building the “Initial Modified” version. Got the suspension assembled (pretty straightforward) and most of the details added to the glacis plate (which has left me pretty cross-eyed)
There’s a pretty substanial glue mark above on of the hooks on the glacis that I had to sand. I starting using Tenax a coupla months ago and while it’s definitely good stuff, I have problems applying it as it came with no applicator (I use an old brush).
I guess I should get one of those ‘touch and flow’ applicators???
Hey Winetanker, nice to see a WIP on this subject. I’ve always been attracted to the open-tops: Nashorn, Hummel and Wespe. Looking forward to this one.
Looking good Winetanker. Gotta luv those German open top tank destroyers! BTW, what’s the difference beween the Nashorn and the Hornisse? I could never figure that out.
Those “touch and flow” things are tricky. I have one, but it gets plugged up so much that I went back to the ol’ synthetic white Testor’s brush. You have to make sure you don’t touch the tip to plastic too long, or it somehow plugs up the tip.
In any case, I did one of these fine Nashorn’s a few years ago here in a pretty detailed WIP. Here it is if you want to get any tips and suggestions on the assembly or finish. doog’s Nashorn A great kit, just be careful about those darned lugs in the main hull interior. I glued those in when they’re only supposed to be used for locaters.
Thanks for that link doog; I hadn’t seen that one (probably because it’s titled Hornesse).
I can only hope mine turns out half that good. And that my hair is half that good as well [H]
My kit must have later instructions because it has bold letters on that template step…TEMPLATE–Do NOT glue. Still, there are a few other errors in the destructions, like no part numbers for the hatch hinges. After 15 minutes of playing “Where’s Waldo” with the sprues I found this link…
I actually HAVE that problem occaisionally! And the destructions in this kit have my hair falling out![bnghead]
Got the hull built-up. Glacis plate a little misaligned and needs fill…
Forgot to take a pic of the exhaust manifold. I’m leaving it off until paint. I was a little tricky but only goes together one way, so there the destructions were actually sort of helpful.
THEN, I started building the gun…
Aside form my tweezers launching the lever on top the breech into the upper stratosphere the gun itself went together rather easily, but the destructions then tell you to first assemble the left half of the mount (with all its doo-dads and whirlygigs); then assemble the right half( more doo-dads); then assemble the bottom, THEN fit all these together around the gun.
IMHO, this is insane; if not physically impossible. The sides for the splinter shield would have virtually no support, nor is there anything to align them with. Not to mention trying to fit everything together with delicate whirlygigs hanging on by less than a square mm of glued surface. Plus, there would be no way to elevate the gun.
Fortunately, it was BP models to the rescue, and it seems the ‘old’ destructions were actually ‘better’, or at least more logical. I’ve managed to get the gun mount assembled (minus the whirlygigs)…
I think I’ll work on the wheels tonight. Mindless tedium seems preferable to eye-crossing scrutiny today…
Looking good, WineTanker—I think I assembled the gun barrel and the “doo-dads” (You’re the second person I’ve heard use that term besides me!) and then the left and right side cradle. I painted these all separately and then weathered them before putting them together, painted and weathered. I felt that those cradles would get in the way of proper finishing.
I’d wager if you did it that way you probably attached the shield supports to the bottom rather than the sides. Otherwise, you’d have a fairly hefty piece hanging on a two-piece assembly that’s held together with no locator pin.
Since I left the barrel elevate, I think I can paint all the nooks and crannies.
The return of hockey and a sinus headache have slowed progress somewhat; not to mention the fact that I can see my breath at the workbench despite the heater running full-blast. Still, I have most of the fiddly little widgets, doo-dads and whirlygigs assembled and ready for paint.
Gun…sorry the other side was out of focus…
Sides, rear, bins, periscopes, etc…
Still deciding what color to paint the shells, but I’m liking the rattle-can brass…
Any progress is good progress! I hear you about other things getting in the way of building…just makes you appreciate bench time all the more when you do get it. [;)]
Jester–I like 'em too, but those fiddly bits…[+o(]…such a pain to put together and then decide which ones to paint separately and which one’s to attach!
Bill—but this is my ‘vacation’! I run the family farm, so right now, my major jobs are shoveling snow and killing rats! I want to get another 2 or 3 kits built before it’s time to start plowing.
