Well, the time has come - the new WIP! I have three kits currently in my stash; I have the Tamiya 1/48 Tiger I Early Model (I’m planning a dio for that one later on in the year), the Dragon Panther G with Zim (that was going to be my WIP now but there is a hold up on getting the PE and Fruils I’ve ordered and I don’t like to start a build until I have EVERYTHING to hand SO I have decided to start on the ONTOS!
I’ve been wanting to do a 'Nam era build for a while now, mainly because it was my interest in the Vietnam conflict that got me into 20th Century Military History. I know Redleg is also building this very same kit so that will be a great help as he is running a WIP too. I’ve ‘pinched’ his paint recipe for the Parkerized finish on the barrels but I’m sure he wont mind [;)] I’ve opted for XF-74 OD which seems to be pretty much ideal.
I’ve spent this afternoon getting all my required paints together that I do not already have. I’m off out for a family BBQ shortly so the work ‘proper’ will not start until tomorrow morning but at least the WIP is underway!
Box Contents…
And the family gundogs who just happened to be out sunning themselves whilst I was taking these pictures! NOTE: England, May, Sunny & Warm! This is unheard of! That is Holly on the RHS who is ten years old and retired now and on the LHS is Purdey who is our VERY promising new recruit! She is about 18 months old now & mad as a box of frogs but a real character and always raring to go when out shooting!
As I say, the build will start properly tomorrow so update will be then.
Well, I’ve got her started and she’s not looking too bad. I’ve found some of the thinner items on the sprue to be very brittle so if you are planning on building this kit-be careful. Luckily I’ve broken othing major (so far) and bits of chopped stretched sprue has made a good replacement in all cases.
The one thing that has been a real PITA is the PE. I’m very to PE and have only used it in flat grille form before so bending light guards and the conical centre piece for the muffler was, erm, difficult!
I managed to do the muffler guards ok although the cone shaped piece isn’t great but with paint on she’ll be ok. It’s got that slightly battered look to it but tbh I’d probably have given it a few dents anyway from use in the conflict. I also got the two rear light guards done in PE but the front ones had to be the plastic kit pieces as did the piece on the top of the front hatch-I was going nowhere fast and making a mess!
I’ve got a feeling that this will be the easy part of the build-the turret and barrels should be very interesting! I’ve assembled the hull as far as I want to go-I’ve left off the tools and spare tracks which i’ll paint by brush in the correct colours and fit afterwards.
Note: After looking at these photos I can’t believe how much of a mess that PE has made with glue (ok, I made)! I’ll be attending to that ASAP!
Looks good Hinsky. While i am not exactly an expert to PE, i have used it on many models in large quantities. That said, I putt off starting my Ontos for the sole reason of the PE muffler! Cheers to your bravery!
PS- Lovely labs you have there! I too have a blacky named Buddy. Amazing dog. Sadly he injured his right rear paw chasing after God-only-knows-what one night and needs surgery Poor fellah
Tbh she’s a bit ‘messy’ at the minute (note to self: must improve clean-up) and the glue, which is hardly visible when looking at the build in the ‘flesh’ does look shocking in the photos!
I’ve gone as far as I can with the hull - there are 3 spare track pieces and a jerry can to go on the LHS but I’m going to mak an area where they will sit, spray the base and paint the track runs and can by brush and affix later.
Today I’m planning on getting the top hatch assembled and the undersides on the clamps for the barrels so they can be sprayed next weekend when the AB is loaded with OD. I’m also going to attempt to assemble the barrels today and take things from there.
Finally, PE! God I hate the stuff! It looks great but when you are new to modelling especially it’s a real PITA! The muffler was easy enough but could I get that conical section to fit? Could I hell like! (said in an irate Northern English accent).
As you can see I managed to fit the rear PE guards and muffler guard (well, I didn’t have much choice with the muffler guard) but the front light guards beat me as did the piece on top of the hatch-I messed that up badly but it’s a cheap kit and a learning process so I won’t be getting upset if itsn’t my build of the year! I’m DETERMINED to finish this though-a lot of people I’ve spoken to have given up on it when assembling the barrels-how hard can they be? [:P]
I hope Buddy is feeling better btw - you can’t beat a good Labrador; clever, loving, protective and your best mate - oh, and permantly hungry!
Well…I can see you had fun with the exhaust [^o)][+o(]…I am not sure by the photos but the exit plate where the exhaust comes out of the hull appears to be slightly high…should not show over the side armor plate…
Some tricks to learn here…less is more…use small amounts of glue!!..A good tool is a dentist pick…or a long straight pin… I use it to direct small amounts of glue where needed.
The photos give you a good idea of what to clean up…
I haven’t really had my modelling head on this weekend so I’ve been doing a tidy up job this afternoon and sorting out the mess from yesterday!
I’ve removed the wonky rear PE guards and cleared all the excess glue from the rear using the Mk 1 Emery Board and motor tool with a soft disc. I’ve cleaned up a few other bits and assembled the turret hatch area and bases for the top barrels on the vehicle in readiness for paintwork after the barrels have been done.
Re the join that pokes over the rim: hard as I tried I ran out of room to push it down which left it protruding so I took the motor tool to that and ground it smooth & flush.
I think she looks a lot better now and I’m definately a lot happier with it.
There are few EP holes on the rear of the plate over the MG which I’ll fill before priming and painting it. As you can see the .30 cal is held in place with Blu-Tack.
I’ve left the hatch hinged as I’m still undecided on a figure.
No doubt someone can answer this-was the turret static or could it be rotated at all?
Thanks for looking guys - have a good week everyone (why do these weekends go so fast)!
Another good trick to use when working with PE, especially PE that needs to be formed into a rounded/curved shape, is to anneal it first. You can do this using a candle flame, a lighter, or a gas burner…just be careful as some of the more delicate stuff can incinerate if it gets too hot too fast. Heat the PE until it glows red then let it air cool. This will take the “spring” out of it and make it much easier to form to shape.
As also pointed out, you have to be sparing with the glue. Everything that you see showing up in the photos will get magnified 10 times once you have it painted. Paint won’t hide it at all, it will only make it that much more glaring.
There are also some mold seams that you’ve missed, the last photo for example has a mold seam still present on the curved portion where the exhaust exits the hull and also on the long rod (travel lock?) that’s on the glacis of the hull.
I know you like to build 'em fast Ben…but if you slow down a bit and examine your parts under good lighting before assembling, you can catch these types of things when it’s still easy to clean them up vs. later. [Y]
Good advice as usual buddy. I’ve had a message from someone re annealing PE, I’ll definately be giving it a go on my next build.
I can see the seam and will be attending to that! Next week I’ll hopefully be back up to scratch.
My heads been in the clouds this weekend - meetings at work tomorrow, why hasn’t my new AB arrived? I ordered it on Wednesday? Frustrations and worries that manifest themselves in rushed modelling and messy, rushed builds! That’s why I’ve only really tidied her up today and will hit her next weekend with a clear head and positive attitude [;)]
Ben - There are many times I am out of sorts and I stay away from the bench. You need to be on your game!! Also there are times I start something like the exhaust and can see it is not going well…I put it down and come back later.
Patience is a modelers best friend…If you gulp the wine it is just grape juice…you need to savor every mouthful!!
We all get that “I want to finish” bug but you have to have the patience…
I have become accomstome to the rate I build…my concern mainly is living to 90+ so I can finish everything in my stash [;)] and if I don’t…like the fine wine, I enjoyed everyone I did drink!
Well, I’ve decided to temporarily shelve the Ontos for the time being-I’m seriously not enjoying builing this kit and can’t envisage this improving!
On the plus side my new PROPER AB arrived today and it is sweeeet! I’ve been holding back on starting my Panther until this arrived so a new WIP will begin this weekend and the ONTOS will be going back in the box to be tackled at a later date-I really need them aftermarket ONTOS barrels that Red is using as the kit ones are just abysmal [:(]
Poor fellah
