Pz II Update

Maid some more progress recently.  I have finished the photo-etch and primed the model in standard German Grey;

The next step will be do add a coat of Future to protect the prime coat.  This is going to be a DAK theme so eventually I'll add the proper color over the grey, but in between  I'll add a layer of hairspray to facilitate chipping the final coat to show the grey underneath.

One note on the photo etch.  I am not sure all the effort was worth it for this kit.  Since I am just getting back into the hobby my main purpose of this build was to practice weathering, chipping dusting etc.  As my skills improve I'll look for doing more research, being more accurate and adding all the fun after market stuff.

1/35 PZ II

Also started a Panzer IIF recently.   I am going to paint it up using the following picture as a guide;

I bought after market tracks and some photo etched brass parts.  Tuns out 90% of the work will be the brass.  It is really turning into a project.

Below is my progress so far.  Below was some preparation for the brass.  i had to grind down the details on the fenders and remove the engine grills;

Next will be adding the brass!

Bolt Action Russians

Have been painting some 25mm WWII figures for Bolt Action;

I have about 50 of them and I think I have painted 30.  Also have some MG teams, mortar and a T-34/85. 

Marder IIIh

I have started a new hobby....building plastic models.  Normally i just paint my 15 or 25mm figures for wargames but I wanted a change in pace so i thought I would get back into plastic models.  My goals are to improve my painting techniques and get me otivated to branch out into more research opportunities.

Modeling has sure changed since I was a kid. Not only has the quality increased but nobody builds out of the box anymore.  There is an array for after market items to add details and parts that are not included in the kit.  My first attempt is from Dragon and it is a 1/35 scale Marder IIIh.  It came with an aluminum gun barrel (no mold lines to sand), photo etched brass parts, tracks made from individual links and probably 400 pieces to build from.  Back in the day this kit probably would have had 100 pieces max.

I am almost finished at this point.  Still have the painting and weathering to complete.  i am going to focus on chipping and adding pigments to simulate mud and dust.  Probablt take me a couple of months to complete.

Trying to fit the gunner in place.  Very crowded!

 Gun shield in place

 Finished painting the base coat

Next will probably be adding some details like spare tracks, and the main tracks themselves.