1/35 Dragon Stug III B dio "Ran When Parked"

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 3:17 am

This is a kit I got along with a Sd.Kfz 234/3 at a model show very cheap ($10 for both) since they were both started. The Stug was 90 % completed and both had all their parts still. Unfortunately the Stug was a bit of a glue bomb and after cleaning up what I could and finishing off the rest I'm not sure how well it would look.

The prior owner really carved up the hatch doors, I got it closed up but still not brilliant. I'm just not happy with the construction so I'm thinking out of the box a bit...

So I'm thinking of experimenting with color modulation on the old girl...if it comes out good, if not that's fine too 'cause I'm gonna throw a tarp over it and park it in a shed! I will have a Jeep and some MP's in some sort of storyline...more than I had for my Jagdpanzer dio.

I had the idea of an old farm shed cleared out and the Stug stashed inside. I drew up some quick sketches (to aid in measuring and cutting)

and after lots of fiddly gluing ended up with a frame

I made one from foam core also...we'll see which is easier to work with and which looks better, depends on what the outside of the structure will look like I guess...

I'm still deciding on what the shed will be clad in, but the roof will be corrugated steel. I tried using cardboard (looked crap), I liked the look of foil but it is too flimsy...then as I finished my soda it hit me...

So I'm experimenting with dimensions still, but I am happy with the look of the raw product

.

I have some test painting/weathering to do on these then I need to chop up a whole bunch of cans...looking like I'll only get around 8 sheets from each one.

Post by **Sturm** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 5:16 am

Very cool, how exactly did you cut up the Soda can?

Post by **burnie43** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:31 am

I'm gonna enjoy this one....like the corrugated tin.....
Cheers
Mark

Post by **spock1701** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:26 pm

The soda roof is a nice touch. Can't wait to see this continue.

Post by **demarcation** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:37 pm

Great work so far!!

Post by **Tandrade** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:13 am

Amaizing!

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Sun Feb 14, 2016 3:54 am

Very cool, I think what your going to capture with your build, is going to be very original, great idea. Are you going to add hay bails at the front? Again very impressive JasonG.

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:35 pm

Thanks guys!

I haven't had time to respond (I hate typing on my phone). My wife is a crafter and actually had one of these Fiskars crimpers buried in her craft room somewhere. I'm glad she did because I was trying to make them with rod glued onto sheets at roughly the correct distance and it was a huge pain and not very accurate.

Sturm, once you get the can dissected without slicing off bits of yourself the rest is pretty easy. I made up a jig to make the scribing job a bit easier, then use aluminum's physical properties to your advantage...once you bend it it will snap if you try to bend it back, perfect every time.

I'm going to play around with weathering with Ferric Chloride but it may not work all that well since the reaction needs heat to get started which is in short supply in the basement this time of year...plus it's relatively nasty stuff...I will use my spray booth and a resperator.

I'm liking the hay bail idea IP1!, I'm trying to picture the scene in my head at the moment.

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 12:17 am

Well off to the craft store, women are starting to stair at me, not many guys go in there, at least not when I'm in their. That thing is perfect for corrugated steel, hey if you have stugs in action, by squadron signal, I think that's where I've seen those pictures at, with the hey bails, very cool look to them, anyway very cool build.

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:08 am

Amazon has it too...spare yourself the embarrassment! I'll have to check out the book!

Today I had a bit of time so I weathered the wood with ink+IPA washes several different layers to build it up. I think it needs some more grimy look then some dry brushing.

Compare with the new wood look, better but I want it to look older

I put some of the panels into the Ferric Chloride solution, since it was so cold (~70f at the most) the reaction was slow which meant I had a lot of control over the effect.

Then testing the weathering...I lightly and randomly sprayed the shiny side with some X19 then stippled on some Vallejo Model Color Track Primer as a base for the rust. The printed side will be a bit more difficult to deal with since there will be no shiny metal showing.

Then the rust itself, Lifecolor's Rust Set is my go-to, a bit of clean up maybe, using such thinned paint makes it hard to be precise.

Here you can see the effect on one of the corroded panels, what's your opinion...OTT?

Post by **spock1701** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 6:55 pm

Wow. Those panels look amazing. How long did that take you?

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:27 am

Thanks spock!

Hard to say really, a few hours including waiting for the layers to dry (even with a hairdryer expediting things)...probably no more than 30 min of actually painting. The paint is heavily thinned, probably upwards of 20 layers on some pieces, fewer on the dark spots. It will probably take just as much time to paint a few dozen as it did these 2.

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 8:53 am

Are you freaken kidding me, that's amazing Jason.

it looks like you ripped it right off a dang barn, great job my friend. I'm going to sit back and in joy the show.

Post by **Timplastic** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 10:59 am

The whole idea is great
The fiskars tool really worked great, I was wondering how you would fold enough panels and get them all the same
The corrosion on the can metal looks very realistic and the life colour rust really makes it alive
Will be interesting to see how you go with it

Post by **Damonkh** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 6:15 pm

This is looking awesome. For the wood, you might look at some staining. Depending on the age you are going after, dark colors would do. Although, sometimes you will find dark grey wood from sitting in the elements for years.

Post by **Naedrux** » Sat Feb 20, 2016 11:47 pm

Top class work on that panel weathering! I'm curious as to the final look of this project!

Post by **digger303** » Sun Feb 21, 2016 12:50 am

Today I had a bit of time so I weathered the wood with ink+IPA washes several different layers to build it up. I think it needs some more grimy look then some dry brushing.

Here you can see the effect on one of the corroded panels, what's your opinion...OTT?

[/quote]

great work and well above my pay grade.
Great idea with the crafty tool.
since you asked I will make one comment. It has a little too much of the dull yellow and with corrugated iron when it rusts between the dark brown rust and the good iron. It generally has a whitish powder area as the zinc gets eaten away. I am only saying this because you asked. I see the real stuff almost every day.
well done keep it up and I am sure to learn heaps.

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Sun Feb 21, 2016 2:45 am

Digger,
Thanks for the feedback! you are correct, I need that white which I think I can get with some heavily thinned acrylic paint if I overdo it a bit and get the tide mark effect. I did go back and add some verdigris to some areas also as the zinc sometimes goes this color too, you can see it in the first photo. I ran short of painted panels, I need about 15 more to finish the roof, so another batch is ready for paint. I am really leaning toward a wood shed because I think if I went with corrugated on the sides too it would not look as interesting (plus the thought of painting that many more is a bit overwhelming

)

the white on the one panel was a mistake, some ca was needed to tack that panel down and it leaked out, I kind of like the look...

about halfway done

Mainly this is a mix of the white color of the can itself, raw aluminum, xf19 and gray Stynylrez to keep it random...I think a flat coat and some pigments will also tie it together a bit.

But that's it for a while tonight, because my work space has been overrun

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Sun Feb 21, 2016 3:28 am

Two cute, my daughter does the samething, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm truly liken this build Jason, your pulling out all the stops. really great build my friend.

Post by **digger303** » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:54 am

I noticed when I went to the UK that a lot of weatherboard farm buildings had been coated with a bituminous product (tar ?) and where it had been aloud to weather it had shades of grey. Not sure if they were doing that across the channel in ww2 or before.
cheers

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:40 am

Thanks IP1, I just hope the rest of the build lives up to the shed! My diorama skills are still in the lower echelon ...

Today I made some more progress on shed construction.

Finished off the roof and did some more weathering. Somehow the shed ended up being out of square and it caused some issues with the roof sheeting, I worked through it and and am happy with the result. Halfway thru or so I realized I was painting both sides for no reason, the inside will really not be visible so I stopped. I feel like I need a tetanus shot after painting all this rust!

Then pressed on with the siding. I dry-fit a side with the corrugated sheet and it just looked too uniform so I did decide to go with wood, with the added benefit that I think this will be quicker to paint as well.
Cut a large sheet of balsa into strips then cut to length into boards then started at the bottom and worked up overlapping each by a couple of mm. Cleaned up excess glue as best I could, not too worried about the inside faces though. I will need to beat this up a bit as a first weathering effect.

I want this to be very heavily weathered, almost like the farmer used reclaimed materials to build from...that's why I went so rusty on the roof. I will start with the ink washes then some dry brushing and detail painting. The siding will be almost grey/white from being bleached by the sun, slightly different shade from the now finished framing wood.

I'm also still deciding on how to finish off the back wall, wood or steel as an extra visual? I also have a few more details in mind I need to try to scratchbuild (chicken coop? livestock trough? hay?), tossed aside by the Germans in their haste to stash the Stug.

Thanks for looking!

Post by **Tiger131** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:48 am

cracking work and as all have said great work on the roof panels looks good enough to put on my roof look forward to seeing more

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:04 am

Jason, outstanding build my friend.

i really like watching builds come alive. Again Very cool

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:32 pm

Fantastic work, that corrugated iron is jaw-dropping good. Bravo!!

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:19 pm

Thanks all! I'm having fun with the shed...

Today I did the first few passes of india ink wash. I have found that Talens Indian ink is about the only one that stays black when this heavily diluted, all others go an odd color blue/purple. I diluted one drop in 20 ml of reagent grade IPA (99.8%), I got some from work but I would recommend the most concentrated you can find (most drug stores have 90%) to avoid having too much water which only extends drying time and may warp the wood. This is probably 5 passes worth, intentionally blotchy hoping it shows thru the detail painting to come...

I did a wash of heavily thinned Model Air Iraqi Sand on the roof to make it look dusty and tone down the rust a bit, some parts were a bit OTT

Testing position on the base

I'm thinking of using some more metal for the back wall, leaving a couple on the ground, it will add interest to the back of the shed and allow a second view inside.

Since the shed is winding down It's time to turn back to the Stug, I will hopefully get it sprayed this weekend. I'm going to try color modulating it, since if I cock it up it's hidden anyway.

YouTube · Post by **Jscale32** » Thu Feb 25, 2016 5:06 am

Very nice work on the rust!

Post by **Tiger131** » Thu Feb 25, 2016 8:14 am

looking good and looking forward to seeing those paints getting used

Post by **spock1701** » Thu Feb 25, 2016 12:54 pm

This is one of the most captivating builds I've seen. I can't wait to marvel at the finished product.

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 11:25 am

In an artist world, that beautiful shed is a build in itself, amazing. Modulation kit? Can't wait for this, want to see how that works. Well Jason you have more of my attention.

Post by **Coen** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 11:46 am

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 10:41 pm

Thanks guys!

I've been working on the shed again this weekend, finally settled on several washes of heavily thinned XF-19 then drybrushing with xf-19 and Iraqi Sand.
I'm probably going to brush this with some alcohol to bring back some randomness in the shades, putting 50 years aging on wood in a week is a bit tricky but nowhere near as difficult as I was fearing. After I'm happy with the look, then I will be clearing it in prep for the streaking (rust and wet effects).

After more dryfitting I have decided on the metal for the back, here is it with the missing panels...and the peak at what's inside

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Thu Mar 03, 2016 4:16 am

Scrubbed a bit of the paint off, did some blending and got it cleared for the streaking to come, this step made a big difference IMO

Post by **Damonkh** » Thu Mar 03, 2016 9:58 pm

That weather is fantastic. Great job!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 12:12 am

This is so good it makes me want to cry!

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 2:43 am

Thanks guys, you're making me blush!

I got the streaking and some moss effect done on one side, don't know if I will do the other side or not...

I also found a base that I think will work well with what's in my head

I need to get some grass ordered, there is no place local to source it...first to lay the ground and get the tank painted...Thanks for looking!

Post by **demarcation** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 9:38 pm

That roof looks spot on mate!! Amazing work!

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 3:35 am

Since the shed is almost done, except for some finishing streaking and moss (maybe) I had a turn at the Stug. The Mr Color set is a 4 shade system of a main, 2 highlights and a shadow. They spray very well once thinned properly, no problems there...but the lack of (english) instructions combined with my utter lack of mojo for the tank itself and, frankly desire to better on it yielded some dodgy results.

I just need more practice, as after the first highlight it was showing promise but it went pear shaped after that. I could respray and try again, but since it will be covered I elected to save paint and not mess with it. I will, however touch up the front that will be exposed. Next time I will mask off individual panels when spraying them and read up on the technique a bit...where to put the highs and shadows exactly, since I'm no artist!

So sticking with plan A, I threw a tissue over this mess and soaked it in thinned PVA letting it dry stiff, I will paint this next once I can figure out what color the tarps used by the Wermacht were.

crap paint job? what crap paint job???

After this blow to my modeling ego I turned back to the dio base. I laid down a thin piece of foam core to prevent the wood from coming in contact with too much of the sculptamold I will be using for the ground and potentially warping. Here it is with the shed/tank/and some pieces from the Tamiya barrel set. I'm needing a few more odds and sods to add more interest.

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:35 pm

Wow, a long time since last update, finally got back at it after a vacation and subsequent loss of mojo.

The ground was plaster of paris mixed with celluclay to add some texture.

after this dried for about a week I painted it with a dark brown craft paint to prevent the white showing thru if I missed some spots with the ground cover (which if you look closely you can see I did). The dirt is soil from my backyard sifted out, dried very well in the oven and mixed 1:1 with a sandy colored grout, that was sprinkled on top of the groundform after painting it with thinned PVA. Once that was dry I soaked it in the dried PVA and let it dry for a couple of days.
You will also notice the Tamiya Schwimmwagen, I was going to order some GI's with motorcycles but found this in my stash so in the interest of saving a few bucks, I will have a couple of German reconnaissance soldiers checking out the abandoned tank instead.

next time I will grind up the dirt a bit more but this will mainly be covered with grass so I was not too worried about it looking too rough, this would not work for a dirt road I think...
Then some static grass tufts to start with

Followed by static grass application. This is a couple different lengths and colors mixed together I am using Silflor grass and a generic applicator from ebay.

After the grass went down I sprinkled in some Fine Turf from Woodland Scenics to blend the ground and grass together. Once the glue is dry I will spray the whole thing with the thinned PVA again to lock it all in.

Thanks for looking!

Post by **OneSmallStep1966** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:35 am

That diorama is looking fantastic and I think you were to hard on yourself with the paint job. Can't wait to see the final reveal.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:46 am

That is just beautiful Dude. Great work.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:49 am

Awesome CGI looking forward to the finish.

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 4:04 pm

Awesome work Jason, Did you get that idea from a photo? There are some out there with later stugs, again very cool.

Post by **JasonGaspard** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 2:17 am

Thanks!
Clay, no...no specific photo per se, I have seen tanks in sheds before but this was actually inspired by me seeing someone else build a shed and wanting to have a turn at it, then needing something to put inside.

I did some work on the trees sagebrush and woodland scenics clump foliage reasonalbly happy although they could be better, I'm still working on my tree techinque. The ground scatter is leaves and bark that I put into a blender.

I got the color on the tarp also this still needs drybrushed and dusted up but the color is finally there, several coats of very thinned paint in IPA.

Post by **OneSmallStep1966** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 8:01 am

What a great idea adding the wood bark onto the edge of the diorama base, it adds so much to what is a superb piece of art.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 12:55 pm

All that I have to say is... WOW!
This is freaking beautiful work! I just caught up on this build and I'm totally impressed.
Fraking cool stuff!!! Totally!

Post by **digger303** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 2:26 pm

You have welded all the elements together beautifully....well done

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 2:47 pm

My goodness Jason what an amazing build, love to see a builds come to life, Very nice.