North African Build

[rtfoe]

Here are some close-ups with the Panzerjager on...

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Oops forgot I still have the Panzerjager WIP hanging so will continue from there.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

Now where was I on the Panzerjager...ah yes, the Afrika Korp scheme...

Prior to painting I did the old salt method by placing water and salt with a brush at spots that would recieve the most wear. With a mix of desert yellow and sand I did a reverse spray from bottom up, then diluting Humbrol Leather I sprayed into nooks and streaked it in areas that rust stains would appear.

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The salt was removed with water revealing the panzer grey underneath much like the hair spray method.

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I wanted the hatches open so these were left off to be attached later with the levers. The road wheels were sprayed freehand and the rubber linings picked off once again with diluted panzer grey mixed with black.

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The interior of the shield was left in the original Panzergrey. I later prepared a wash as you can see the detail is soft from the airbrush work.

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That's it for now...

Cheers,
Richard

[Jim R]

hi Richard
Great finish - chipping/worn areas looks very natural.
About the salt method, a few questions if I may. What sort of salt - is it rock salt or salt flakes? How do you get the salt to stay on the vertical surfaces? Any information would be appreciated as it looks to work very well.
Thanks
Jim

[rtfoe]

Hi Jim,

It's ordinary fine table salt attached with a brush moistened with water. Have the vertical surfaces facing up, apply the salt with the wet brush and wicker away access water with the sharp end of a tissue before the salt dissolves. As the salt crystalises it sticks to the surface. The effect is different from chipping fluid which I find works like the white wash on certain Balinese antique furniture that I have.

Cheers,
Richard

[Neil Merryweather]

Wow Richard, another masterclass!
I do like the wavy sand - very effective indeed.
N

[rtfoe]

Thanks Neil for the compliment. I hope the painting will not lessen the effect of the wavy sand.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

More of the panzerjager with the airfilter tube I think attached and the tow rope painted with a fine brush...

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Here the vision ports have been installed. The airfilter is also painted...

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Close up show that this far from the finish you guys are accustomed to.

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Cheers,
Richard

[Steve Jones]

The base is looking awesome Richard. Looking forward to seeing more of your work this year.

Are you caught up in this tropical storm that raging at the moment??

[rtfoe]

Thanks Steve, I do have some in the pipeline, keeping fingers crossed they'll be finished this year.

So far weather has been good...experiencing the pre Chinese New Year weather with hot and windy conditions with occasional showers. Tropical storms normally hit the Phillipines or Taiwan but by the time they travel across the South China Sea it fizzles and we get heavy rain...lots of rain.

Cheers,
Richard

[scottie3158]

Richard,
That is a great finish you have achieved on the wagon, I will have to try the salt method out myself.

[rtfoe]

Thanks Scottie, one thing good about salt is that it's free. :smiling4:

Here are some parts picked off with paint... all the accessories including jerrycans for water and fuel.

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I maske of the top edge and sprayed in German grey as this would have been the area where the tarp was put over and missed the desert sand spray.

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It is now better with a wash and some graphite to the edges.

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Still needs the boxed up area for the Afrika Korp emblem and decals.

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

That's the way to do it! Lovely work Richard.

[rtfoe]

Thank you kindly Peter,

With the decals, aerial from guitar string and final weathering touches and there you have it, the Panzerjager for the dio...

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Once the groundwork is done I will apply it on the tracks and dust it accordingly...

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Cheers,
Richard

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Looks superb.
Jim

[rtfoe]

Thanks Jim, yesterday I came across a book on Panzerjagers at Kinokunia, one of the largest book stores in KLCC next to the Twin Towers in KL. Was tempted to buy it but had already built my Panzerjager so kept the hand off the wallet. Had I seen this earlier I would have made a better build of the kit. Lots of diorama ideas.

Speaking of the Twin Towers, although I've passed it many times as my wife works just across the street from it, it is quite impressive in the evening. My daughter was helping out at the education fair at the convention center and while accompanying her after it ended we decided to take a route through the park towards the mall. From that spot I can see why tourist take snap shots of it. Here's a snapshot from my daughters H/P...

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Cheers,
Richard