Stokesy's Meng 1/35 Jagdpanther winter kitty

[ElCapitan]

I used friuls for the first time on my Panzerjager build - absolutely loved the process of putting them together. I just wish they weren't so expensive!

Are you going to burnish them?

[digger303]

I used friuls for the first time on my Panzerjager build - absolutely loved the process of putting them together. I just wish they weren't so expensive!

Are you going to burnish them?

me too.

[Stokesy44]

I used friuls for the first time on my Panzerjager build - absolutely loved the process of putting them together. I just wish they weren't so expensive!

Are you going to burnish them?

me too.

Nope. I know they look great when burnished but I have a bit of a phobia about the more dangerous products that can be used for the hobby. Its why I only spray water soluble acrylics and varnishes, steering clear of lacquers and so on. Disposing of burnishing liquid would cause me a problem - its a mental health thing - so I stay within my limits.

I can get an effect I am happy with by priming in black or dark oxide, painting with Vallejo metal colours and washing with rust effects acrylics and dry brushing for highlights.

[digger303]

I used friuls for the first time on my Panzerjager build - absolutely loved the process of putting them together. I just wish they weren't so expensive!

Are you going to burnish them?

me too.

Nope. I know they look great when burnished but I have a bit of a phobia about the more dangerous products that can be used for the hobby. Its why I only spray water soluble acrylics and varnishes, steering clear of lacquers and so on. Disposing of burnishing liquid would cause me a problem - its a mental health thing - so I stay within my limits.

I can get an effect I am happy with by priming in black or dark oxide, painting with Vallejo metal colours and washing with rust effects acrylics and dry brushing for highlights.

I believe, but never tried that a copper sulphate with salt solution will do the trick. I don't know if that will be a problem for you or not...

[Stokesy44]

Finished the tracks yesterday. 87 links per side, only 2 were unusable so I think that's pretty good.



Was all set to spray the base coat on the hull and wheels as well as the tracks but it was blowing a gale and chucking it down which rather scuppered my plans. My spray booth extracts via a hose through an open window and with the wind direction yesterday the rain and much of the extract would have come straight back in.

Oh well, the best paid plans as they say.

[KalebB]

Never even attempted the Fruil tracks, they seem like they would really add to the detail of a kit however.

Enjoying the build so far bud!

[Stokesy44]

Never even attempted the Fruil tracks, they seem like they would really add to the detail of a kit however.

Enjoying the build so far bud!

I would only use them for the big German WW2 tanks like the Panther and Tigers where track detail (hollow guide horns) and sag really adds to the product. Maybe also on Russian tanks like The T34 and T55 for the sag too.

[KalebB]

Never even attempted the Fruil tracks, they seem like they would really add to the detail of a kit however.

Enjoying the build so far bud!

I would only use them for the big German WW2 tanks like the Panther and Tigers where track detail (hollow guide horns) and sag really adds to the product. Maybe also on Russian tanks like The T34 and T55 for the sag too.

Thought about doing a winter Dio with this T-34/76 I'm building currently. Maybe I'll order a set for it and give her the ole college try

[Stokesy44]

I got the base coat down today.

I worked out this is the first time I have put real paint through my airbrush for over a year. Other than priming the JP, I haven't painted a kit since the Valantine and the spraying was done on that last year.

First up were the wheels using my new mask set. I was a bit dubious about how they would turn out because the 2 best circles on the card were not quite big enough for the 2 types of road wheel. I had to use a file to open both by about 1.5mm while trying to retain the integrity of the circle shape - not fun.

I've got to say I am pleasantly surprised by the results





A little bit of clean up is required but on the whole, they have come out better than I could have hoped for.





Then it was on to the hull. Coverage is ok but my lack of practice has showed by how rough the finish is. I must have been too far away from the hull so the paint has not gone down wet enough. Thankfully its not an issue as the kit is going to be so heavily weathered. disappointing but not as disastrous as it could have been.









I'll do the camo next then the detail painting. Wheels go on after that then its weathering time.

[Tomcat64]

That's a very tidy set of wheels mate, the templates have worked a treat - nicely done!

The finish on the AFV doesn't look rough at all in those photos but probably jumps out at you because you know it's there; but like you said it can always be weathered out or hidden behind some strategically placed foliage

[digger303]

I clicked on the pic and went to the flickr site to magnify it. Sadly that wouldn't do that this time because I coudn't see anything wrong with the paint it looks great.

[KalebB]

She's looking good!

Like Digger said I fail to see much wrong at all with that base coat

Can't wait to see where you go from here with this kitty

[Stokesy44]

I clicked on the pic and went to the flickr site to magnify it. Sadly that wouldn't do that this time because I coudn't see anything wrong with the paint it looks great.

She's looking good!

Like Digger said I fail to see much wrong at all with that base coat

Can't wait to see where you go from here with this kitty

Thanks Guys. I know the coverage is good, its the texture . I need to learn to get closer. Its a problem I have with large area base coats. Primer is ok because its magic and self-levelling so I never get a rough surface. The wheels have also come out ok because I got really close when spraying against the masks. I just need to guard against base coat painting like I'm using a spray gun. Get in close and go slowly.

As the base coat is going to covered by camo and then winter wash before any weathering is done I might use a very fine grit sander of the flat panels (side and front) to calm it all down without taking the paint off. With all the extra stuff going on I'm not fussed about marking it a little by sanding. I have some very nice Ultimate sanders so I'll give it a go.

[digger303]

I clicked on the pic and went to the flickr site to magnify it. Sadly that wouldn't do that this time because I coudn't see anything wrong with the paint it looks great.

She's looking good!

Like Digger said I fail to see much wrong at all with that base coat

Can't wait to see where you go from here with this kitty

Thanks Guys. I know the coverage is good, its the texture . I need to learn to get closer. Its a problem I have with large area base coats. Primer is ok because its magic and self-levelling so I never get a rough surface. The wheels have also come out ok because I got really close when spraying against the masks. I just need to guard against base coat painting like I'm using a spray gun. Get in close and go slowly.

As the base coat is going to covered by camo and then winter wash before any weathering is done I might use a very fine grit sander of the flat panels (side and front) to calm it all down without taking the paint off. With all the extra stuff going on I'm not fussed about marking it a little by sanding. I have some very nice Ultimate sanders so I'll give it a go.

Could buy a bigger AB with a fan nozzle and a nice trigger ...it is Xmas after all

[Kevthemodeller]

Great looking wheels, did you use a mask for the rubber? I do like the colour on the hull and wheels, wouldn't worry about the surface issue, as you say it's got to be weathered

Who's and what colour is it?

[Stokesy44]

Great looking wheels, did you use a mask for the rubber? I do like the colour on the hull and wheels, wouldn't worry about the surface issue, as you say it's got to be weathered

Who's and what colour is it?

Thanks Kev, I used Tamiya XF59 Desert Yellow

I used a circle template set for the wheels.

[Stokesy44]

As mentioned I used a fine sander on the hull to calm the paintwork down. Worked a treat so I was able to apply the camo today. I used a 0.2 needle and did the work freehand. Tamiya paints and Ultimate thinner.

Reasonably happy although I got a bit off the reservation down the right hand side if the fighting compartment. The winter wash will hide it so not the end of the world.







Then the red brown, I tried to edge in to the green where possible but it was definitely an imperfect 'field applied' approach





This is the bit I'm not happy with - the side panel of the fighting compartment - it looks bodged and I may have to apply some more of the base coat to reestablish the base camo.







Finished off with a yellow filter to blend and punch up the base colour a bit.







Detail painting next then decals, then chipping and rusting up the spare tracks prior to applying the winter wash. Not sure if I'll dot filter or not before the wash. it might be worth it given the amount of flat surfaces on the hull and that I plan to seriously distress the wash after application. Choices, choices

[KalebB]

She's looking great!

Digging the camo pattern you went with!

Cheers

[digger303]

Looking good, wondering what the machine gun is going to look like.


PS. I like bit's that move to even though I might never move them....

[RangerNeil]

Lovely job thus far.. Like everyone else I look forwards to seeing the finished article.

I wouldn't be too worried about the cammo pattern - certainly post war no two vehicles - with the exception of the BAOR Berlin Brigade - ever had identical schemes. They were usually crew-applied in the field, subject (in theory) to technical guidelines,but more likely to be the artistic whim or lack thereof of the crew. Not totally sure about the Germans by the time the Panthers rolled out of the factory as to whether they just left in base coat and had the pattern applied by field workshops or whether they had thetime for fatory painter to apply it. I suspect by that time they were rushed out but am open to correction?

[Stokesy44]

Looking good, wondering what the machine gun is going to look like.


PS. I like bit's that move to even though I might never move them....

I'm thinking rainbow colours for the MG as the gunner was a LGBT activist - way ahead of his time.

As for things that move - the rear hatch is still on for being displayed open. I sprayed the camo with it shut so the lip around the opening will only show the base colour. Proper clever me

Do you remember the old Airfix 1/24 aircraft kits. They all had moveable control surfaces, the canopies slid back and the Spitfire and 109 had undercarriages that retracted. Awesome stuff.

[Stokesy44]

She's looking great!

Digging the camo pattern you went with!

Cheers

Thanks Kaleb. It looks nothing like the colour card for the option I chose but hey, my kit, my rules

[Stokesy44]

Lovely job thus far.. Like everyone else I look forwards to seeing the finished article.

I wouldn't be too worried about the cammo pattern - certainly post war no two vehicles - with the exception of the BAOR Berlin Brigade - ever had identical schemes. They were usually crew-applied in the field, subject (in theory) to technical guidelines,but more likely to be the artistic whim or lack thereof of the crew. Not totally sure about the Germans by the time the Panthers rolled out of the factory as to whether they just left in base coat and had the pattern applied by field workshops or whether they had thetime for fatory painter to apply it. I suspect by that time they were rushed out but am open to correction?

Thanks Neil, that's pretty much in line with what I thought too. There are a lot of versions to choose from with the kit and none of them are remotely similar in style so I'm definitely thinking field applied.

Its one of the reasons I enjoy building German armour over Allied vehicles. Regardless of the politics they just make better modelling subjects, both in terms of the camo schemes and the sheer number of vehicles. Don't get me wrong, I've done my share of Shermans etc and would love a 1/16 Sherman with full interior but at 1/35 I just prefer the Hun!

[Kevthemodeller]

Lovely cammo work

[digger303]

Looking good, wondering what the machine gun is going to look like.


PS. I like bit's that move to even though I might never move them....

I'm thinking rainbow colours for the MG as the gunner was a LGBT activist - way ahead of his time.

As for things that move - the rear hatch is still on for being displayed open. I sprayed the camo with it shut so the lip around the opening will only show the base colour. Proper clever me

Do you remember the old Airfix 1/24 aircraft kits. They all had moveable control surfaces, the canopies slid back and the Spitfire and 109 had undercarriages that retracted. Awesome stuff.

But I'm sure you know I'm wondering about the kit molded gun, or if you went aftermarket.

[alextheblue]

Great progress and loving the camo!

[KalebB]

She's looking great!

Digging the camo pattern you went with!

Cheers

Thanks Kaleb. It looks nothing like the colour card for the option I chose but hey, my kit, my rules

As long as it satisfys the builder, who cares haha
There's so many variantions on color and pattern it doesn't really matter

[RangerNeil]

<snipped>
Thanks Neil, that's pretty much in line with what I thought too. There are a lot of versions to choose from with the kit and none of them are remotely similar in style so I'm definitely thinking field applied.

Its one of the reasons I enjoy building German armour over Allied vehicles. Regardless of the politics they just make better modelling subjects, both in terms of the camo schemes and the sheer number of vehicles. Don't get me wrong, I've done my share of Shermans etc and would love a 1/16 Sherman with full interior but at 1/35 I just prefer the Hun!

No probs. I quite like German armour myself - when I was (much) younger I had the full set of Tigers. These days I incline towards Soviet helicopters and armour - mainly because of their weird out of the box thinking. Along the lines of if we can't make it weird we'll make it BIG - and if that don't work we'll make it weird AND big.

However - on the topic of how Germans painted their vehicles have you seen this:
https://panzerworld.com/german-armor-ca ... ardization
Bears out the no need to worry business

[Stokesy44]

However - on the topic of how Germans painted their vehicles have you seen this:
https://panzerworld.com/german-armor-ca ... ardization
Bears out the no need to worry business

Thanks Neil.

Got the detail painting done today, a mix of Vallejo and Tamiya as required. Little bit of touching up after but not too bad. The tracks will get dry brushed and rusted before I do the winter wash. That way, when I distress it, all the effects on the spares will show through nicely - here's hoping







Decals on so she's all ready for chipping and then the wash.





I'll apply a decent matt varnish over the decals then the whole hull will get an Aqua gloss coat. The gloss varnish will make the winter wash easier to manipulate once applied. If I spray it onto a matt finish it will stick too tightly and I wont be able to distress it enough for the finish I want.

[KalebB]

Loving the build bud.

Watching this intently as I'll be doing a winter wash soon and never have attempted it before. What was technique will you be using?

I'm thinking of using the AK interactive washable white when I do mine

Cheers

[Stokesy44]

Loving the build bud.

Watching this intently as I'll be doing a winter wash soon and never have attempted it before. What was technique will you be using?

I'm thinking of using the AK interactive washable white when I do mine

Cheers

Thanks mate,

I'm going to spray it with Ultimate Winter Wash which is purely water based - everything above the line of where the skirts would sit along the sides and complete on the front and rear. I'll then distress the hell out of it and add shell hits to the hull sides. Once that's done I will apply a matt varnish to protect it then use oils for rust and dirt. Then finally snow paint if I decide to really apply a winter effect with snow and slush. I did the above on a Tamiya Elefant a couple of years ago. Below is the start and finish (minus the show effects) I am hoping to get.





I like the water based wash because it is so easy to work with. Very forgiving and easy to touch up and reapply as required.

[KalebB]

I appreciate the breakdown of your process bud.

I'll have to keep that one in mind. I've been watching a lot of old panzermeister weathering vids, just trying to decide if I want to attempt the hairspray route or go with a sprayable washable paint by itself

Love that Tamiya Elefant by the way

[Kevthemodeller]

Great looking Elefant mate Looking forward to seeing the Jagdpanther going the same way

[digger303]

I appreciate the breakdown of your process bud.

I'll have to keep that one in mind. I've been watching a lot of old panzermeister weathering vids, just trying to decide if I want to attempt the hairspray route or go with a sprayable washable paint by itself

Love that Tamiya Elefant by the way

Salt, marmite and toothpaste are alternatives.
Toothpaste will attack acrylic paint unless a good layer of varnish is applied first.

[KalebB]

I appreciate the breakdown of your process bud.

I'll have to keep that one in mind. I've been watching a lot of old panzermeister weathering vids, just trying to decide if I want to attempt the hairspray route or go with a sprayable washable paint by itself

Love that Tamiya Elefant by the way

Salt, marmite and toothpaste are alternatives.
Toothpaste will attack acrylic paint unless a good layer of varnish is applied first.

Never thought about using salt, that is a great idea though

[digger303]

I appreciate the breakdown of your process bud.

I'll have to keep that one in mind. I've been watching a lot of old panzermeister weathering vids, just trying to decide if I want to attempt the hairspray route or go with a sprayable washable paint by itself

Love that Tamiya Elefant by the way

Salt, marmite and toothpaste are alternatives.
Toothpaste will attack acrylic paint unless a good layer of varnish is applied first.

Never thought about using salt, that is a great idea though

gives sharp angled results, not quiet realistic to do the whole kit with that method.

[digger303]

Loving the build bud.

Watching this intently as I'll be doing a winter wash soon and never have attempted it before. What was technique will you be using?

I'm thinking of using the AK interactive washable white when I do mine

Cheers

Thanks mate,

I'm going to spray it with Ultimate Winter Wash which is purely water based - everything above the line of where the skirts would sit along the sides and complete on the front and rear. I'll then distress the hell out of it and add shell hits to the hull sides. Once that's done I will apply a matt varnish to protect it then use oils for rust and dirt. Then finally snow paint if I decide to really apply a winter effect with snow and slush. I did the above on a Tamiya Elefant a couple of years ago. Below is the start and finish (minus the show effects) I am hoping to get.





I like the water based wash because it is so easy to work with. Very forgiving and easy to touch up and reapply as required.

It's a great build, but I really like the figures

[Stokesy44]

It's a great build, but I really like the figures

Thanks mate. They were a winter tank crew set from Mini Art. The padded suits made them a dream to weather. I dirtied them up and gave some of them beards as I figured they were veterans on the long retreat back to their homeland. I like a bit of backstory - it appeals to my creative juices.

[Tomcat64]

Awesome work on the camo & tools mate! I wouldn't worry too much about any irregularities - as someone (think it was quax) mentioned a couple of years ago they were probably trying to spray this on while hiding under a tree as some bloke with an outrageous moustache in a Typhoon was lobbing rockets at them!

Looking forward to the whitewash going on now

[Stokesy44]

Great looking Elefant mate Looking forward to seeing the Jagdpanther going the same way

Thanks Kev. Some of the effects on the Elefant were the results of happy accidents. I just hope I get that lucky again!

I think I varnished over the white after I distressed it then added a dark wash over it like I would normally do on an AFV. When I went to remove the dark wash the white started to flake with it. Happy days. Who was it who said 'I'd rather be lucky than good'

[Kevthemodeller]

I think I varnished over the white after I distressed it then added a dark wash over it like I would normally do on an AFV. When I went to remove the dark wash the white started to flake with it. Happy days. Who was it who said 'I'd rather be lucky than good'

You could consider giving the Ammo Mig washable white ago, I used it on my Wespe worked a treat

[Stokesy44]

Awesome work on the camo & tools mate! I wouldn't worry too much about any irregularities - as someone (think it was quax) mentioned a couple of years ago they were probably trying to spray this on while hiding under a tree as some bloke with an outrageous moustache in a Typhoon was lobbing rockets at them!

Looking forward to the whitewash going on now

Ja! Mein Gott, put ze paint on, schnell, schnell!

[Stokesy44]

I applied some effects to the tracks and exhausts as well as chipping the hull. The rust effects are a set from AK. I used a couple of tones and these will be topped up with oils after all the wash work has been done.

So plan A is still in effect

I used a 2mm drill bit to carve our shell hits then painted them in with black and dark rust. All the rust streaks for these will be done after the wash. I wanted the hits to be deep enough to cause rust but obviously not penetrating the armour - just enough to punch through the oxide layer to open the steel plate to rusting.







Then it was on to the airbrush. First up was a yellow filter on the wheels to tie the colour into the upper hull.



Then gloss. Alclad Aqua Gloss is beautiful stuff. No shaking, just pour it into the cup and fire away. This is 3 light coats.



I then did the hull and the gun, same as the wheels - 3 light coats. While I had everything set up I also sprayed the gun breach white as I still like the idea of opening the rear hatch.









Next up is the white wash. I'm going to give the gloss 24 hours just to be on the safe side. Hopefully I'll spray it tomorrow - AFTER I GET BACK FROM SEEING STAR WARS!

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking good mate

[Tat2bhoy]

The big cat is coming along nicely

[KalebB]

Really liking the shell hits, looks great on the kitty. Shows she's been worn down in battle

[Donkeywalloper]

That is really starting to look the Big Dogs Dooh Dah's.
Really nice job.
DW

[Donkeywalloper]

Awesome work on the camo & tools mate! I wouldn't worry too much about any irregularities - as someone (think it was quax) mentioned a couple of years ago they were probably trying to spray this on while hiding under a tree as some bloke with an outrageous moustache in a Typhoon was lobbing rockets at them!

Looking forward to the whitewash going on now

Ja! Mein Gott, put ze paint on, schnell, schnell!

"Outrageous Moustache" put a smile on my face after a bad start to the day.
DW

[Tomcat64]

Awesome work on the camo & tools mate! I wouldn't worry too much about any irregularities - as someone (think it was quax) mentioned a couple of years ago they were probably trying to spray this on while hiding under a tree as some bloke with an outrageous moustache in a Typhoon was lobbing rockets at them!

Looking forward to the whitewash going on now

Ja! Mein Gott, put ze paint on, schnell, schnell!

"Outrageous Moustache" put a smile on my face after a bad start to the day.
DW

More great progress on the kitty though mate - let us know what you think of Star Wars

[Stokesy44]

Ja! Mein Gott, put ze paint on, schnell, schnell!

"Outrageous Moustache" put a smile on my face after a bad start to the day.
DW

More great progress on the kitty though mate - let us know what you think of Star Wars

Thanks Guys.

I believe the pilot in question was Wing Commander Lord Basil Finkelby Farquad Massingbird.