Hi there my friends,

I thought about it for quite a while what I would choose out of the mainstream for this Group Build edition. I built Panthers and Tigers already so I looked a bit further.

I opted for the 1:35 scale German Flakpanzer 38t out of WWII also known as the "Gepard" (Leopard). Krauss Maffei also produced a 2.0 "Gepard" in the 1960'ies but I found this nice Hobby Boss kit #80140 for its ancestor which - as a kit - only dates from last year 2016.

The kit has got some good references already. It builds on an earlier series of 38t variants by Hobby Boss and has very finely detailed interior including drivers compartment, engine and transmission. Apart from a 2cm turned barrel by Master Model, the build will be OOB but this includes, PE, fine moldings and decals for 2 versions.

I plan to place the vehicle in a little dio with some figures too. I will report here now and then during the build. More to come so stay tuned!

Cheers, Michel.

6 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Interesting subject Michel, the kitty is a Cheetah, a Leopard can't change its spots !

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Hello my friends! I started the build of this GB entry! Here are a few pictures of the initial stages. I decided to embed the vehicle in an action diorama, looking out for Jabo's in a Normandy-'44 setting. Although this Hobby Boss kit is (re)known for it's crisp interior detail, I decided to skip these steps and keep all hatches closed. What tanker would drive convertible with Tempests and P-47's roaring overhead? Jeffry can maybe comment here 🙂

The next step holds some PE work in the fighting compartment. The kit has a lot of detail, even without the engine, drivers compartment and transmission. I'll keep you posted on this one.

I also added a picture of my new (out)standing modelling desk. I'm very pleased to have a desk about 4 ft. (120 cm) above ground for my hobby. It can actually be lowered electrically to match your preferred height. Such standing tables are increasingly used in offices so you can find them in the better furniture store. In this way, you avoid back issues and also train your abs at the same time so you can skip gym and do more modelling 🙂 Check it out, comments welcome!

Happy modelling!

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Hi all,
I continued the build today with some fine PE work in the fighting compartment, mainly ammo stores and a FuG radio cage. Very fine bits indeed, the smallest was 2 by 1 mm plastic and even smaller PE nuts.

I learned the technique of soldering PE today using flux. This considerably increases the stiffness of the finished PE result and avoids the issues wit CA glue such as finger gluing and nasty fingerprints on the finished model.

Attached is a picture of the setup: Soldering iron, a wooden base, tweezers, hobby knife and cocktail sticks. I first bent the PE, in this case in box form. To do that, I build my own 5$ PE bending tool first. After bending, you use the cocktail pic to apply soldering flux to the joint, i.e. where you want the solder to be. Then you melt some solder on the tip of the soldering iron and briefly bring the iron in contact with the joint covered in flux.

A wonder of nature, but the acid nature of the flux (careful, it's poisonous) combined with its ability to lower surface tension of the molten metal results in a fine layer of solder in the joint. I tried a closeup to make it clear. Finishing consists in some sanding but if you are careful not to apply too much solder to the tip, it is minimal.

I made a little drawing below to illustrate the technique, check it out!

Happy to share this here and hope you learned with me today 🙂

Questions/feedback welcome!

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Continued the build over the last few days. Hobby Boss armor is really very detailed so progress may seem slow but it's not in terms of the hours spent on this build with an extra 4 on the counter.

I fixed the first round of PE to the interior of the fighting compartment and I'm happy about the result. I also closed all the hatches on the glacis plate now. Next step is some more PE bending but also the decision whether or not the upper armor sides of the fighting compartment will be closed on the eventual vehicle.

I decided to postpone that part until I dry fitted the figures on the 37 mm gun mount. In case there is space left, I will close the armor plates. Here are some pictures giving an up to date overview. I hope to find some more time tomorrow.

Happy modelling!

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Thank you for sharing this, Michel. That's a beauty of a desk you have there; I have a standing desk at work and they take some getting used to - but they are great for back, posture, and general strength.
Your technical advice is really helpful; I have to get one of those PE benders!

Excellent work Michel! I love your method for "modifying" the arms of the figure by just popping the hands on the end of the bend wire. Although I build in 1/72, I think I could use that same technique, especially for modifying bomber crew to provide more variety of poses. I may try that on the Privateer I'm building now...

Hi all,

Continued today doing some painting on the vehicle with the aim to do the final assembly tomorrow.

I have now finished the tree in the diorama. It is supposed to be a Birch, so with a white stem and hanging leaf clusters. The backbone is made from .3 mm brass wire which is twisted and turned to get the main structure right. Then I apply multiple layers of wall paint (white) with the consistency of liquid plaster. This covers the wire after which you can add the foilage carefully using PVA glue. I am quite pleased with the result!

Next step was to assemble all figures and applying green stuff "flesh" to the modified gunner. Sculpting really is an art but by starting to modify stock-miniatures (commercially available figures such as here, Tamiya), you can learn the skills on the go and at low risk.

Here are some pictures, more to follow!

Happy modeling!

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.