Opel Workshop

[Mike00]

I wanted to try a mixed media convertion so I started looking on ebay for anything that caught my eye. I ran across someone selling a Verlinden Opel Blitz Workshop Truck kit. I thought that would be an interesting kit so I then started looking for an Opel Blitz kit for the base. I found an Italaerei Kit packaged for Testors. I bought both kits for less than $30. The kits arrived yesterday and I am ready to get started, but I need to finish a kit cluttering my desk. So in the next few days I will dive in and see if I can learn something and hopefully have a nice piece when completed.

[m0rce]

Looks interesting. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[gustavlekstal]

Looks like fun. Are you planing a diorama?

[Mike00]

Looks like fun. Are you planing a diorama?

I have been kicking around the idea. I will need to find figures to populate a diorama and maybe another vehicle. Do you have any suggestions?

[PaulAyrey]

This looks really cool, looking forward to seeing this one progress

[Mike00]

Getting started on the Opel. I started painting the interior of the cab. I am working on this project while paint is drying on my B-26 for the 100 Years of Bombers group build.

I am not sure what happened to this kit the tires had melted into the plastic. The flat bed of the truck was the worst piece. I have already repaired the cab and will shave the high spots and fill with Bondo Spot putty. I will get back to this project in a couple of days.

[Mike00]

After I had started the interior of the cab I thought it looked a little plain. So I decided to up grade with another Verlinden kit #1556 Opel Blitz Detail Set. This kit upgrades the cab, engine compartment, and tool boxes.


I got started by cutting the hood panels free and removing the seat that I had glued in place. Next I cut the bottom half of the firewall from the floor.
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Next came assembly of the cab pieces. First thing was to detail the resin firewall with PE foot pedals and glove box. I drilled the firewall for the steering column. Then it was glued to the modified floor with CA. I then assembled the resin and PE seat with CA.


I then turn my attention to the engine compartment. I installed the steering column, and constructed the battery tray from PE parts. Next I glued the battery tray to the firewall and then glued the battery to the tray, and started on the engine by cutting the valve cover and replacing it with a resin cover.



Well that's it for now I hope to get to work on it some today.

[Coen]

Now this is an epic undertaking in small scale!
Oh what a wonderful build this will be!

[AchtungPanzer]

Very nice model. I see many PE parts. Will be very good. Well done buddy !

[Mike00]

Got to work on the motor last night. All of the PE and resin parts have been applied.


I found a couple of pictures on the internet of the engine compartment and I thought that I would take this a step farther. I I drilled holes where the spark plugs would be and cut wire to use as plug wires. The wires were glued in the holes and the other end glued to the distributor.




I gave the motor and the cab dashboard and floor a coat of Vallejo grey primer. The primer brings out the details on these parts.



I constructed the chassis and it is ready for primer.

That's it for now.

[Mike00]

Just a quick update. I made a little more progress on the Motor and chassis today I still have more painting and weathering to do before this step is complete.

[AchtungPanzer]

Good work with engine . Now is base - I look forward to next steps.

[caSSius]

Interesting project and looking great so far! Shame about the tires damaging the plastic, but good recovery on your part. I'll be following this with interest.

Cheers,

[Mike00]

I constructed th Photo Etch frame work from the Verlinden conversion kit. I needed to get it ready for a coat of Vallejo primer.


After priming I gave it a base coat of Tamiya German Gray. This was frustrating, because the Tamiya paint drys so fast that it clogged my airbrush. I have tried different types of thinner and nothing seems to work well when spraying Tamiya paint. I think when I use all of my Tamiya up I will replace it with Model Master or Vallejo. After the base coat was dry I did some fading using Model Master Dark Gray. Next will be to finish the motor and cab interior with extra details and weathering.

[Prop72]

Great work - love the pre-shade!

[Unit53]

Great project and looking fantastic, good luck with the rest of the build...

[Mike00]

Thanks for the comments. I thought that I will do a diorama, I found a Trumpeter anti aircraft crew that has a few figures at rest. They should work for what I have in mind.

[Nige99]

That's a hell of a build!! Your detail is stunning. Really like the crew you've chosen.

[Mike00]

I am getting ready to assemble the cab, but I need to do a few things first. Normally I construct most of the model and give it a base coat of the first color. This being a mixed media build I am having to build in sections. The first thing I did was to give the chassis a coat of AK"s Dust effects.


After removing the excess Dust Effects I let it dry about an hour. While the chassis dried I moved to the motor and did a little weathering with Vallejo paint and earth tone pastels. When I was happy with how the motor looked I glued it's motor mounts in the frame.


After letting the glue dried I test fit the floor and the firewall.


Well that's it for now I will be putting the cab together tomorrow. I think its going to take a little work to get the parts to fit the way they should.

Thanks to everyone that's following.

[UKguyInUSA]

That's coming together really nicely, Mike....looks great so far!

Cheers,

Martin

[Coen]

That's really fantastic work Mike. That engine especially

[gustavlekstal]

The seat and engine looks great!

[Mike00]

That's really fantastic work Mike. That engine especially

Thanks Coen that means a lot.

I really like the Youtube videos keep them coming.

[Mike00]

The seat and engine looks great!

Thanks for the comment hopefully I can get the same results from the rest of the build.

[Mike00]

For the last couple of months I have been having trouble regulating my blood pressure. The doctor have been changing my medicine to regulate my bp. It left me feeling blah and not feeling like doing anything. We finally got a handle on it and I got back to the bench. The last time I worked on the Opel I had glued the cab together. The resin firewall is thicker than the kit firewall. I tried to install the roof and wind shield and I had major fit problems. I cut ever thing apart and started over. The first thing was to file the firewall down to help eliminate some of the fit problems. When I was satisfied I glued it back together.

I have to do some clean up on the cab and I will try to finish it later today. While the cab was drying I got to work on the resin work bench. My first attempt at old wood wasn't what I thought it should look like. I painted and gave it a dark wash and when dry it looked like I had when to a store and bought a new redwood table. Back to the drawing board, I gave it a coat of Ammo dust colored acrylic paint and let it dry for a half hour. I the used AK wash for DAK vehicles and let it dry for about five minutes. I the cleaned up the wash with paint thinner. The thinner took off the wash and cut into the dust colored acrylic paint letting the redwood color to show through in places. Please give me some feed back on the wood finish I like it but I keep second guessing myself.

That's it for now

[UKguyInUSA]

Fabulous work mate and I hope your BP has stabilized and you're feeling much better?

[AchtungPanzer]

Very good progress. All looks very well - keep it up Mike

[bobbewieter]

Looks very nice still have a lot to learn...

[Donkeywalloper]

Glad to hear your feeling better mate.
The Bench is superb and really beautifully done.
In fact the whole project is really class A.

John

[Mike00]

I got to spend some time at the bench yesterday working on the Opel. I put a few items in the cab before the roof was glued in place.

Next I weathered the bed and mounted it on the chassis. Then I placed the toolbox and work bench on the bed. I have some filling and sanding on the cab and when that is done I can glue them in place.



I also worked on a Miniart Garage kit. I was thinking of using it with the Opel as part of a diorama.


After I glued the wall sections I found the kit maybe to big for the diorama I have in mind. I will have to make up my mind soon, because I have to clear the bench for a commission build for a local museum. I will be posting on that project soon.

[Donkeywalloper]

Oooooh Mike, the full shot of the unit from above......
That is beautiful work my friend, really beautiful.
Honestly just looking at the roof of the vehicle, its a lovely paint job.
The Workshop detail and the "Add On's" you have put on the model to accentuate the detail is fabulous.
More, more, more.
John

[Mike00]

I finished gluing all the pieces to the cab last night. I let the glue cure overnight and later today weathering and final assembly .



Well that's it for now.

[Mike00]

I glued all the pieces in place last night. I weathered the truck with AK Interactive, Vallejo, Ammo of Mig and artist pastels.






I need to paint a few details and I think I will add more equipment to it before I call this done.

That's it for now.

[wappynutter]

This is an absolute masterpiece Mike... well done mate.


Looking forward to seeing you continue with this build..
Good luck, Happy Modelling..

[Donkeywalloper]

Could not agree more with Wappy, its just brilliant stuff.
Awesome and everything in between.
John

[MarkVerploeg]

This looks very nice
You can cut away part of the uilding if it is too big but it has to be done very carefully as miniart plastic tends to rip apart if the knife is not sharp enough or you apply too much presure to it
Keep up the good work