As some of you may know, the past month of July has been quite an adventure in terms of various things happening to me. First I had a major computer meltdown at the end of June which resulted in me having to do the unthinkable (I’m a former certified Microsoft systems engineer, former network engineer and PC support specialist, etc.) and actually take my PC to the Geek Squad at BestBuy to get it back. That took a couple of weeks. Second, at the same time as the aforementioned computer disaster, contractors were here adding the now fully functional model room/spray booth, etc. and that took essentially the entire month of July to get it completed before I could get back to the bench. Third, and lastly, the past weekend my wife and I decided it was as good a time as any to do some interior paintwork before she headed back to work as an elementary teacher since her summer break was coming to an end. That resulted in all of last weekend being taken up with repainting the two bathrooms and my original office space before all of the summer casa revisions could be considered “done” for this year. Long story short, it is now possible for me to resume my “regular” weekend schedule.
The last week of June, I had a couple of weeks off around the July 4th holiday and I started work on a project involving the Tamiya Wespe and various goodies.
I won’t repost all the details (you can see those Here if interested) but here’s where it’s at right now:
I will finally be able to fire up the paint booth today and get the interior painted and continue work on the interior details. It’s been 3 long weeks with no bench time and I’m ready to get back to it! [;)]
I built this one years ago OOB, i hadn’t yet discovered the joys of AM goodies. Its one of the few Dios that sevived my seperation and is now showing its age. I will be looking forward to seeing this one come on.
I did click on the link and look at the more detailed version of this build. WOW! This is looking good so far! I will be watching this one with interest. The Wespe is a very cool vehicle, and was really ahead of it’s time.
Any idea how you’re going to paint her when you get to that point?
Ohhh, one of my favorite SPG’s. I have another in the stash, finished my first before I joined the forums.
Amaing detail on the interior. So you’re going to paint the MG and equipment attatched eh? More guts then I, but I suppose it might be the only way to do it.
TAP, Detailfreak, appreciate the comments and interest! [B]
Bish, I’ve had this one in the stash for a long while as well…think I picked it up at a HobbyLobby 40% off sale/coupon a few years back and it’s been quietly waiting its turn. I’ve been making a conscious effort the past few months/year to build more of the older kits that I’ve got on hand as the chances keep increasing that a newer kit is going to be released of different subjects and I’m already heavily invested in AM stuff for the older ones! [;)]
Chris, thanks for the comments! I’m going to paint it as a vehicle in Normandy with Das Reich to go with the Echelon markings. Three tone with broad diagonal stripes of green over the DY and thin red-brown borders around the green.
Eric, much of the interior is dry-fit so I can detach it and/or move it around a bit to help with the detail painting. The MG is loose in its mount but can’t be removed 100% for example, so should still be able to detail it without too much hassle…it’s space in particular is a very tight fit in the tiny space that is the Wespe fighting compartment. The radio can be completely removed from its mount and the wiring disengaged to allow it to be detailed prior to permanent installation. The Wespe is one that has appealed to me for a while…it was one of the more successful expedient designs that the Germans came up with and actually has pretty “clean” design lines considering.
Ye, i know the feeling. Just as i was building the Italeri Ostwind, i saw the announcement from Dragon that they be will releaseing one (still waiting) The only consalation is that the Italeri is the prototype and the Dragon a production, so i can justfy the two. But i have resisted other temptations to replace older kits with newer ones.
What you want to bet Dragon or AFV will release a new wespe soon, now that you have started yours.
Anything’s possible Bish…it wasn’t long after I built the Bison I that Dragon did that, same thing with the RSO w/ Pak 40, and Flakpanzer 38(t), so who knows! [proplr] Dragon certainly has most of the components available from the recent Pz II/Marder II molds, only thing missing really is the gun.
Ye, and they have a nack of bringing out a new kit, or a newer version of one of there older kits soon after another company does, like with the new nashorn.
I am sure they could pull that off. And i don’t think that gun is done in a towed version is it, or is that the same gun that AFV do.
AFV produced the towed version of the leFH18 and even offered it as a package with the 251/4 at one point in time. DML hasn’t yet done this one although they did do the sFH18 and have done other towed guns so it’s not too far fetched that they would tackle it at some point down the road. The 10.5cm was the mainstay artillery piece and was common on all fronts/theaters throughout the war.
I couldn’t recall if it was the same. I do have the 251/4 AFV kit. But then if Dragon do bring it out it will cost an arm and a leg, and from what i remeber building it, the Tamiya kit is just fine any way, and with the extras you are adding, its gonna be a great one as always with your builds.
Ahhhh…I see you have some AM decals with some Das Reich markings----some cool scheme possibilities there…like the AM muzzle brake…the figgies in that kit are good for plastic, but they have limited use as they look like they are freezing to death…
Haha, this happened to me with my Italeri Marder III H. As I was in the middle of it, Dragon and Tristar both announced a new molding. Needless to say, they were both a huge upgrade over Italeri. I did enjoy the build though.
Haha, this happened to me with my Italeri Marder III H. As I was in the middle of it, Dragon and Tristar both announced a new molding. Needless to say, they were both a huge upgrade over Italeri. I did enjoy the build though.
Sorry to hear of the computer. [:(] Sounds like you’ve got/had a pretty full plate. I’m all for following this build. The interior is coming along nicely.
Bill, that is some exquisit detail in the fighting compartment. Man you got tolove how a little photo etch and extra styrene goodies can make things pop!
MR, you’re right about the supplied figs in the kit…they look thoroughly miserable and completely out of place for a Normandy setting. The Tamiya kit only provides a markings guide/decals for three vehicles (Unknown unit Paris 1943, Gross Deutschland July 1943 Op Citadel, Unknown Unit Normandy 1944), none of which are for winter/cold periods/theaters! The Echelon set is for a specific vehicle, Scharnhorst, so I will be following their provided guide for the scheme.
Dave, the supreme irony of the computer failure is that I had a full backup on a separate HD (always a good practice!) but part of the crash was the loss of my OS HD…so I bought another one and had it installed and ready to go…was adding the new OS (Windows 7, which I’m thoroughly impressed with!) and had to format the new HD for it to work…problem was that my backup HD was almost the exact same storage size as the new HD and I wasn’t paying close enough attention and formatted the wrong HD. [:O] Was a pretty thorough disaster as a result! Things are back on track now and thanks for the comments! [B]
Brian, thanks for your comments as well, now you understand my comments over on your Marder build! [:D] Glad to have you along for the ride.
The new indoor spray booth/photo booth work area was finally inaugurated and I’m extremely pleased with it and the results it produced. It is still necessary to wear the breather mask for safety’s sake but being able to paint indoors in a controlled environment without having paint fumes permeate the rest of the house in the process was a dream come true.
The interior finally received it’s long awaited paint treatment. I applied a primer coat of MM enamel Italian Dark Brown by air brush to provide a good foundation for all the PE and AM replacement gear and to check the various putty/filling work as well. The gun has not yet been installed and is just dry fit in position for now since it was easier to photograph that way vs. having it separate.
The primer coat was followed by a base coat of 50/50 mix of MM enamel Light Gray/Panzer Dunkelgelb. Since it was easier to handle the gun separate from the hull, I went ahead and painted the entire gun now vs. waiting until the exterior was assembled. The fact that the gun can be fully elevated will insure that I can still get to the areas around it post install for the eventual camo application.
Now it’s on to all the detail painting and interior weathering prior to assembly phase! I do have one last thing I need to do in the yard (involves laying a short stone walkway) that my wife and I decided was the final thing needed out there…I can complete that today so should be able to spend time during the week on the details so stay tuned for an update between now and next weekend. [;)]
Next…computer meltdown…I feel your pain…[:(]…I forgot you started the summer that way…amazing how we have become sooooo dependent on the little box of technology
Further…Villa de Plunk…a house is like a sponge, at times it take all your time and money. The good news is Bill’s Studio (Mancave…) is started. Good luck…it will continue to grow and improve as you have ideas but at least your out of the starting gate.
Most Important…The boss…household 6…the queen everyday at Villa de Plunk…your wife, hopefully she is as happpy as can be with the results of all the home work.
Lastly…the build…I am so glad to see you back…the build takes a back seat but as always your off to a great start
Summer project are killing me too…good to see you back
