Italeri Hetzer

M.Julian Marles
Nice, built the same boxing a few years back!

The Blytonian
Hi again Julian. I wrote a lengthier reply last night on my tablet last night -in bed after awaking in the wee hours actually, but lost it to an insecure login-dropout or uncommanded log out anomaly. I bought this model over 30 years ago if memory serves accurately, but a demanding career and location moves interceded allowing no time for pursuit of hobbies of any sort for quite a while. Distracted by other activities when it did, only over the past year have I made a shift back to static plastic albeit the rekindled interest had been fermenting for the past half decade.

So, whilst not intending to attempt a 2016 slide moulded tool silk purse from a 1970's tech sow's ear, nevertheless I have invested in Eduard's nicely executed Italeri Hetzer PE detail kit to enhance what was really a rather nice model of its era, kudos to Italeri. I fancy it will build into a respectable representation of a late production Skoda example even today, which once covered in its 'eye magnet' warpaint presented within the framework of a vignette, will hold its own in terms of plausible suspension of disbelief by all but the most technically (Hetzer) versed viewer. Have you still got yours, or has it since gone to the 'now only a memory' model graveyard?

M.Julian Marles
Funnily enough I just tore it away from its poor diorama about ten minutes ago. All is not lost..just need to put a couple of wheels back on and some side skirts, etc. Maybe update the paint a bit. I guess you inspired me to take another look at it! 😄

The Blytonian
I have both late and early Academy Hetzer new tools for a direct basis of comparison. I've researched all the reviews and read the nitpicks. I've formed the conclusion that their scale accuracy is as good as any according to extant reference sources preferred by the anointed. My understanding is that their detail if imperfect is so good as to be mistaken as a clone for Tamiya's tool. But, Academy's come with IM plastic track which I prefer, and in sections so a pleasing compromise for those who detest assembly of individual links per Magic Track or Model Kasten. And the price is so right affording detail up etch resin and barrel in the no strain or pain build budget. AFAIK all mainstream IM 1/35 Hetzer kits whether from Eduard, Dragon, Tamiya or Academy have their individual foibles. One just has to decide which matter, and how much time and money one is going to spend in addressing them.

Anyway, the point of all of the above is looking at parts on the Italeri kit sprues, I am simply amazed at how good the moulding is for a 70's kit! Mine was produced back when the moulds when almost new, and things like the fenders and Schürzen are almost as thin as the IM parts in today's Academy moulds if not quite. Scrubbed up with an Eduard PE detail kit which has three sheets of PE including a perforated toolbox, replacement scale thickness fenders, mounting brackets, Schürzen, latches, mount and miscellaneous detail, plus corrective idler rim inners, it's going to come up a treat in war paint with some Gen 2 Dragon figures in support.

M.Julian Marles
That's great, looking forward to seeing it! I have the Academy late and a bunch of DML/Gunze kits. The italeri kit was supreme back in the day, and as you note, still stands up today.😉