1/72 Hasegawa Pz. Kpfw VI Tiger I ausf.E

[flyjoe180]

Then it was on to my least favourite part of any build, the wheels. All 38 of the suckers. Washed with grey and rust:


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Rust applied to the tank in various areas. I also reckoned that the tools may be exposed to rust and wear. The rear would be beaten, smokey from the exhausts and probably a little rusty. So dirtied that area up a little more.


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[flyjoe180]

Then it was wheel attachment time. Typical, a few wouldn't fit so out with the drill.


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Four rows of wheels of varying widths and styles and we have a tank waiting for tracks.


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[flyjoe180]

And today a flat coat. Then on to attaching those tracks once that dries. They scare me to be honest, I'm not convinced the will be easy to connect at the ends. A dry fit shows they will go onto the wheels okay but it's the ends I have fears about. I'll have to find a way to droop them at the top too, maybe a dab of super glue might do the trick? Any advice appreciated. The tracks are made from a rubbery compound.


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[Wong Ryan]

Nice ... the weathering really make a difference.


For the rubber tracks and for this scale, I normally use the smallest stapler ...


But you have to be creative to hide that stapler bullet after that

[aaron]

You're making my model monster hungry Joe. I like your progress on this sorry I don't know hasegawa rubber but I'd c.a and melt the pins if there are pins. Not too far from done aye? What Matt varnish do you use?

[flyjoe180]

I normally use the smallest stapler ...

That's a handy tip. Not sure it would work here though.

Not too far from done aye? What Matt varnish do you use?

Hey Aaron, cheers for the support. There are pins but the holes they pass through are very thin at the edges so I can't push them through without ruining the holes. I'm going to get this done today i reckon.


Matt varnish is Humbrol Matt Cote. 50/50 mix with thinners in the air brush and off you go. I also use their gloss and satin varnishes.

[Guest]

That's looking really good Joe - bigger than 1/72, which is always a good sign I think!


You've probably done the tracks by now, but I use superglue to hold them together & to add sag, I apply the glue & then stuff bits of household sponge under the sponsons to press the track against the roadwheels.

[flyjoe180]

That's looking really good Joe - bigger than 1/72, which is always a good sign I think!
You've probably done the tracks by now, but I use superglue to hold them together & to add sag, I apply the glue & then stuff bits of household sponge under the sponsons to press the track against the roadwheels.

Thanks Patrick, nice to know I'm on the right track (no pun intended). Glad you are liking what you see so far.


I haven't done the tracks yet, still getting the courage to plunge into it. So you reckon if I super glue the ends that will work? Great idea using some subtly hidden sponge. I have some dark sponge somewhere that I can tuck into the gap between the wheels and tracks at the top.

[Guest]

It works for me Joe - use tweezers to hold the ends together until the glue goes off.


The sponge thing is just temporary to apply even pressure onto the tracks - once done you remove the sponge. I just cut up an old scourer & use that.

[aaron]

Superglue and alligator clips for my rubber band tracks mate. Just get stuck in bro.

[flyjoe180]

Just get stuck in bro.

Good advice

[takeslousyphotos]

Looking good Joe ......... I'll be watching your progress.


Peter

[Neil]

I was reviewing my stash earlier wondering what to do next and I have an M1A1 Abrams - seeing this thread and how much fun you are having, I'll be doing that next then. Excellent build.

[takeslousyphotos]

Patrick or Aaron, do you think a dark grey or light black wash with a light rust wash over the top do the trick? I'm about to paint the tank and will do some more on the tracks while it dries. Or is it advisable to apply the wash after they are fitted. There is going to be some touch ups required afterwards because of the heat method of linking the track ends but I can probably hide that on the bottom.

When I built my "Morser Karl" it had the rubbery tracks .......... I painted and muddied mine before I fitted them.and hid the join nicely under one of the road wheels.


Peter

[rickoshea52]

I like armour in this scale and when it is pulled off well like this and Aaron's the difference in scale is hard to spot. 1/72 scale armour doesn't get the praise it deserves as far as I'm concerned.