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Rui S
I'm in

Erwin Leetink
Welcome and have a seat...

Black Baron
Following

Erwin Leetink
Welcome. Wagon number 2 is on its way.

Alec K
Cool project! Following.

Erwin Leetink
Cheers, be my guest...

Erwin Leetink
Come and see: both carriers are ready for action!!!

Alec K
Nice progress 👍

Erwin Leetink
Cheers for the compliment

Erwin Leetink
The Karl itself is taking shape. Dry fitted the main components to get a size impression (note the partial figure for size comparison). Enough work remains to be done, specially around the plattforms and fitting of small parts on the front and rear panel...
Speaking of which: I opted to have 2 of the ladders folded, yet wonder how the folded part was fastened to keep it upright, although the pictures I see seem to have no brackets whatsoever? A holding pin???
As always, comments are welcome 🙂

Alec K
It's coming along! This will be a BEAST 😄 Regarding the ladder: looking at my reference (I looked at several images in Thomas Jentz's book), I cannot see any kind of holding mechanism. We can speculate as to what held it up, but in terms of representation, I would just glue it without any fasteners. In photos, the folded section is parallel to the upper rail, so maybe they just tightened the hinge? Who knows...

Erwin Leetink
It certainly was a large piece of heavy metal... The orginal was 11 metres long!!!

I saw the same on the pics in the reference books I consulted... In the mean time, I also made the corrections so that both folded ladders are parallel cf. the photos.

Erwin Leetink
All parts are in place, with a layer of brown primer and a base coat of dark yellow on. Waiting for the two camouflage colors. Actually not looking forward to this, as I have never done it before. ..
In the meantime I started on the next kit: Sabre models 0mmr flatbed rail car.
A nice build, without peculiarities. Only the instructions are a bit awkward in places. But nothing that is impossible to do. Just read carefully.

Don Edgecomb
Excellent progress! I've got all these goodies too so definitely will be following!!

Erwin Leetink
Thank you! You are more than welcome to join the throng of visitors. The more the merrier.

Don Edgecomb
Erwin- How do you like the Sabre kit? As I've been studying their instructions, I've had to go out to Sabre's site to download additional pics about their PE (Fotoatzung) proper installation. Thoughts?

Erwin Leetink
If you get the sometimes cryptic instructions (mind the direction of the half circle, while there is only one way, for example) there is no problem. The plastic itself is good to work with. Not too soft or too hard. Mounting points can be easily removed. Little flash. I opted not to use the PE for the brakes or wheel brackets, since the details on the plastic parts are fine enough to be used...

Don Edgecomb
I'm currently restocking my wire and rod since I'm going hard core on the undercarriage.

Erwin Leetink
I'll keep it OOB, as I think it looks well enough as it is...

Erwin Leetink
The camouflage is on. Rather satisfied, considering the fact that I wasn't really looking forward to it. This was my first time ever in tackling camouflage...
Now for the details and weathering.
Comments welcome!

Alec K
Looking great Erwin. This is a mammoth project man, I like it 👍

Rui S
Great camo and result. Very nice, keep it coming 👍

Nathan Dempsey
Looking great so far. I look forward to the finish.

Erwin Leetink
Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your encouraging words.

Erwin Leetink
Just finished the Sabre models 0mmr flatbed rail car. Ready for painting.

Alec K
Nice progress 👍

Erwin Leetink
Thank you

Rui S
Nice paintjob on the flatbed raio car 👍. More photos?

Erwin Leetink
Cheers. I did some more weathering, and consider the flat car now finished. Just uploaded the results...

Lenny Li
It's gonna be an enormous project!

Erwin Leetink
It certainly will... I am far from ready... 🙂

Erwin Leetink
And Karl is also done. Except for the tracks, which are in back order for a couple of months now. Apparently Friul is not really trustworthy these days (according to my LHS). Of course the crew will be added in due time.

Alec K
Look great 👍

Erwin Leetink
Thanks Alec!

Don Edgecomb
Looks great! Awesome build. Looking forward to the finishing touches and final display!!! just a note.....I have been finding alternatives to Friul as their cost is still rather high. …Cheers, Don

Erwin Leetink
Thanks Don... It seems as if nothing much happened recently, but I've been building slowely but surely. Just upoaded some pics of both the BR-86 and G10 in progress

I know that Trumpeter themselves have plastic indi tracks in their assortment, but I read somewhere (can't find the page anymore) that Friuls are the very best. Besides: the tracks have been paid for...

Vittorio Gentili
I'm in!

Erwin Leetink
Welcome, enjoy the ride!

Erwin Leetink
I did some construction work on the Ammo Panzer IV last weekend. Officially, you get the choice between the PE fenders or the plastic. IMHO you actually have no choice...

Erwin Leetink
An, yes... I need to change the rear fenders :\

Erwin Leetink
Breaking news!!! The Ammo panzer for the Mörser Karl (Pz. Kpfw IV Ausf. F Fahrgestell) is done. Minus tracks and head for the driver. My hopes for the tracks are Masterclub, as they announced the correct tracks with open guide horns to be released soon. For the head I have to order a set with a Schiffchen somewhere.
As I have seen a picture of this vehicle with a tarp over the shell gripping device (for want of a better word), I figured it would be a nice change, specially since the vehicle just completed a long train journey.
The tarp on the hatch is a necessity, as the hatch dropped and was stepped on. This is to cover up the damage ????

David Taylor
wow.

Erwin Leetink
Glad you like it 🙂

Erwin Leetink
After painting and adding one rather bored looking Soldat/ Fahrer (this came with the Zvezda kit), I declare this Mercedes L-4500 finished. Number 6. 4 more vehicles to go (I think)…

David Taylor
How big is your Dio going to be Erwin.

Erwin Leetink
Rather big... I think about 1.80m long, by 80 cm deep... I can only tell when I have all vehicles completed and can toy with the layout.. .

Erwin Leetink
Karls' driver is also done. This Gefreiter needed quite some adjustments to the lower parts to fit. Figure is from MiniArt.

Don Edgecomb
Your progress looks wunderbar! I like your driver for the Karl. He looks like he just graduated from driving an RSO to this beast. Miniart also just released a new version of their figures with additional resin heads added to upgrade their figure line. Your dio is almost going to be about the same size as my U-Boot pen dio. You should add the Dora in the background of your dio. Cheers, Don

Erwin Leetink
Thanks for your reply and compliment, Don! These figures are not yet with resin heads, but it sure is a good development...

As for Dora... I didn't know she was present in Warsaw in 1944? Plus, not less important, both space (this dio will not be 2m long) and the bank will not allow me to have her in my stash, let alone build up, no matter how much I'd like!!!

Furtermore, another vehicle is ready:
The MiniArt gondola is done! As always, I left of the air hoses till I will couple the truck to the others. Actulally this waggon has no brakes, so no hoses are included. Yet in order to have it included in the train, provisions to pass through the air for the brakes of the other freight cars need to be present. I did no go so far as to add piping to the underside, as not of it will be visible anyway (wait, did Í say that??? :astonished🙂 . The cargo will be oildrums. 8 are included in the kit, together with the personell loading/unloading (who can tell the difference?) but that is not enough for me. So another set needs to be procured. That set contains 12 drums, which makes the tally on the doors accurate 🤔miley:

Erwin Leetink
Yet another wagon ready to receive (some more) paint. And because Thunder Model, in all their wisdom decided to include only one PE grate (and I prefer the grates over the slatted ones, which are included) I decided, after some wise advice) to make the grates myself from Evergreen. Looks a bit different, but not easy to make. Comments are always welcome.

David Taylor
Exellent weathering.

Erwin Leetink
Thank you very much David. I am glad you like my handywork!

Erwin Leetink
Aaaand finished. This is the last wagon for this project.
Not one for the faint hearted or inexperienced. Very detailed but with some flaws that need corrected or worked around. I made the couplers articulate and left the airhoses off, to facilitate coupling with other wagons.
Hope you like it and as always comments are welcome...

Alec K
Well done Erwin! I really like your weathering technique, looks very realistic. Looking forward to some overall pics😉

Erwin Leetink
Thanks Alec. I still need to do both locomotives. Then I can do a mock up and see if this is all I need /want.

David Taylor
looks like you picked it up and shrank it.

Black Baron
Where is the mind blown emoji?

Erwin Leetink
Thanks guys... @Black Baron : does not work with this site.

Erwin Leetink
Karl finally got his shoes on… I mentioned earlier that I wanted Friul tracks for Karl, as those rubber bands were out of bounds. These, however, were impossible to get by my LHS (who generally is a reseller of Friuls). So he finally managed to get a different brand: Masterclub.
So, after 8 months (!) I finally got some metal to assemble. Took me 2 days :roll_eyes:
After dipping them in burnishing fluid, I put them on…

Erwin Leetink
Well, another step to the completion of the diorama is taken…
I can say, not without pride, that I finished the BR-86. It was an interesting journey, again with a couple of firsts. Like weathering black and red…
Thank you for watching and I hope you like it…

Alec K
A well earned indeed, it looks really good Erwin 👍

Erwin Leetink
Thank you very much Alec 🙂

Rui S
Well done 👍 Looking forward to see this giant dio😎

Erwin Leetink
Cheers.. So do I. I have one locomotive in the works, then the figs (need to rebuild a couple. Not my favorite activity) and the accessories. I hope the DIY stores will be reopened by then, so I can buy wood for the base.

Erwin Leetink
Well, the shunter is ready for markings. Only then I can start the weathering... The BIG issue is finding the correct markings. I dislike Peddinghaus decals, as I have very bad experiences with the quality of those. Very thick carrier film, that is impossible to hide, no matter how much varnish you throw at it...
CMK had a similar loc with markings, and they are trying to get them for me (kit is OOP). Fingers crossed...

Marder III
awesome work

Erwin Leetink
Thank you very much for the kind words...

Marder III
Are you making the Pz Kpfw IV ammunition carriers as well ?

Erwin Leetink
I made one of them, though I know there were more than one per mortar. If you look at my pictures you can find it

Marder III
just went through them and saw it. wow ! that's a lot of pics its going to be a massive diorama.

Erwin Leetink
A milestone has been reached. All rolling stock/vehicles are finished now, and I am very content with the result.

David Taylor
Just gets better and better Erwin.

Erwin Leetink
I take my bows for you... Now on with the rails, figs and accessories...

Alec K
Looking really great Erwin 👍

Erwin Leetink
Cheers Alec!

Erwin Leetink
Added the ballast to the rails... now, how to weather them...

David Taylor
Been a while how's it coming along,looks great.

Villiers de Vos
All the elements are coming together nicely

Rui S
The ballast looks great. IMHO no need to weather it 🤔 maibee just a litle oil and Grease stains in the Middle 😎

Marder III
How big is the dio going to be and how many figures are you using and what brands ?

Erwin Leetink
@David: It indeed has been some time. I spend most of the time on a different project, putting this one on a siding 😉
La rencontre | Project by Golikell (1:35)

Erwin Leetink
@Villiers & Rui: Thanks for your comments... I indeed will need to add a black/brown smudge down the middle of the gravel between the sleepers ...

Erwin Leetink
@Marder III : the size of the base plate is 150x65cm. As for the amount of figures: that comes close to 25... As for the brands: you can look them up in the project details 🙂

Erwin Leetink
After quite some silence on this project, I went ahead again. Not that I didn't do anything on it: I did paint the figures to a close to finish state. Now I decided to finish each little scene to a complete one, in order to keep things interesting. The first 3 are done: the motor orderly with officer telling where to go, the gunners on the Karl (obviously this is not the complete crew) and the driver of the shunting engine...

gorby
Wow amazing project! Certainly more impressive than my 1/72 attempt.
Incidentally, the driver didn't fit into the 1/72 drivers seat either.

Erwin Leetink
Thanks for the kind words... As Trumpeter didn't care to include a driver at all, I had to resort to the driver from the MiniArt artillery riders set... As are all the other figs on the Karl...

David Taylor
Well worth the wait Erwin.

Alec K
Glad to see this project is still going 👍

Erwin Leetink
I know it has been on a siding for quite some time, having finished a couple of other projects in the mean time, but I am glad this one is back on track!

Erwin Leetink
The next scene in ready : transferring the fuel.
The fuel drums are being removed from the gondola and loaded into the Mercedes truck, while the Leutnant keeps track… The truck is from Zvezda, while the drums, figures and waggon are from Miniart.

Pietro De Angelis
Fantastic job, congratulations!

Erwin Leetink
Grazie Pietro!

Erwin Leetink
I decided not to replace the heads of the goons.
This enabled me to finish yet another scene.
"Wo bleibt ja das LKW?"
A working party is in the process of unloading a bunch of crates from the box waggon. As always, there is this guy who keeps working while the others are taking a break.
While this one is done, I also could add the bloke that guides the ammunition Panzer IV off the flatcar…
This is getting somewhere…

Erwin Leetink
The Propaganda Kompagnie, ever ready for some nice footage to show in the cinemas, also arrived at the scene to capture the arrival of the glorious Karl. Yet the Hauptmann is not satisfied with the subject the Gefreiter is currently shooting.

Erwin Leetink
The last scene is complete... Both carriers will be connected to a draw bar after which the upper parts will be joined by large pins.
While one soldier of the railroad troops guides the engine driver in the shunter, another one guides the draw bar so it will ease into the slot, without damaging the air hose.
On top of one of the carriers yet another one sits ready to insert the pin.
All this under the watchful eye of the driver of the steam locomotive...
This finishes the whole project!!!

gorby
Nice work Erwin, it's turned into a remarkable dio.
I would question one point....would the bar which joins the two carriers be light enough for one man to lift? It looks like it might be quite heavy to me.

Erwin Leetink
Thanks Gorby... The bar is already connected to one of the carriers on one side. So there is no (or almost no) vertical movement possible...

Mr James
Very impressive work. Hundreds of hours of work have gone into this, and it shows.

Erwin Leetink
Thank you so much for the kind words Mr. James. A lot of work went in to this dio indeed. I am happy to learn that this is visible...

Kay Alabama
Шедевр

Villiers de Vos
Very ambitious and impressive.

Erwin Leetink
Many thanks for your compliments. They are very much appreciated!!!

Kay Alabama
Это не комплимент, а реальный отзыв повторю шедевр. Комплимент в нашем понимание когда в компании в беседе и т д насыпают лапшу на уши как бы это сказать когда хотят показаться своим в компании. наверно правильно это будет когда льстят. Прошу заранее извинить за разум старого солдата. Как в аватаре держать строй. Есть пословица лицом к лицу не увидеть лица , а большое видится на расстояние.

Frank Brzobohaty
NAXOS receiver done and front engine too.

Dave Flitton
Nice start!!

Shar Dipree
Following

Finn
I'm in

Łukasz Gliński
Joining, looking very 48ish

Frank Brzobohaty
Thank you.

Frank Brzobohaty
Base painting done. I need to learn to do the continuous line camo for the next night fighter. Any good guides for 1/72 scale? I am good enough to do it at 1/48 but just not skilled for 1/72.

Rui S
Beautiful work 👍

Dave Flitton
Excellent result. Makes me excited to build mine, if I can find it.

Finn
Awesome

Frank Brzobohaty
Thank you all for the nice comments

Shar Dipree
Very nice DO335. 👍

Rando
VF-161 might just be my favorite Phantom scheme, so the box art sold me on this one. I need to enjoy a state-of-the-art kit and I hear Fine Molds is excellent. I got some masks and missiles on order but otherwise just a nice simple OOB here.

Rando
This kit is awesome. I'm already on to the main fuselage assembly and I'm not even rushing—it just falls together. Instructions say to paint (and decal?) after the fuselage and wings are attached

DerMattes
Watching 👍

Tommy Agne
Count me in! Watching👍!

Dave Flitton
Nice start, count me in.

Ekki
Following.

Gerald
Hello Welcome here 🙂

supr_avg_gunpla
Much appreciated!

Pierre Pierre
nice !

Ilya Bochkov
Thanks 🙂!

Neuling
Clean work, cool camo!

Chip H
Nice job!

Robin (WhiteGlint)
Fine work on that hind, crisp looking camo 👍

Cristian A
OMG what an absolute beauty! congrats 😄

Guy Rump
Great job! 👍

Ekki
Missed this one. Great work!

★ Starfish ★
Looks good so far! I think the Tamiya colors look fine!

Cristian A
Thanks Michael for the input, the more I look at the two Tamiya colors the more inclined I get to use them, also I already have them and they are of good quality.

Will continue to post progress.

Finn
Following

Shar Dipree
Looks good so far. Following.
How good and detailed do you think the kit is?

Cristian A
Hi Shar, the details are good enough for a 16 EUR kit but the build is not easy, struggled a lot with the canopy and cockpit. It's not a perfect representation of the real Alligator as it is built after the initial variant / prototype (EOP above, no camouflage scheme and paint references for it, no countermeasure system under the back landing gear and the nose is a bit different as well). The panel lines are recessed, so hopefully weathering will go smooth.

Shar Dipree
Thanks Cristian. I wish you success.

Cristian A
Thanks Shar, I wish you the same.

Sergej I
Following with interest

Ronan
Followiing too 😉

Ekki
Watching.

★ Starfish ★
That color looks awesome!

Cristian A
Yes it does!!

Thanks a lot for encouraging me to use it. I was very close to buying this entire paint set instead:

HTK-CS86 Russian AF Helicopt.. 1, Hataka Hobby Orange Line , Acrylic Lacquer, 8x 17ml

Shar Dipree
Looks great so far.
What kind of mixing ratio did you use for the ak paint?

Oliver
following

Cristian A
Hi Shar, around 40% paint + 60% thinner. I measure it in pipette drops - example 4 drops of paint, 6 drops of thinner.

CaptGPF
Following!

Guy Rump
Following as well. 👍

Cristian A
Thanks, welcome Guy and CaptGPF. Alligator is almost ready

Mr D
Very nice, how has the Zvezda kit built been ??
I got the Zvezda Mi-8.heli to build soon.
Like the job you've done 👌😃👍

Cristian A
Thank you Mr D! This kit has a few challenges:
-The cockpit fit in the fuselage
-The landing gear assembly is s bit weird
-The rotor assembly doesn't go straight as per the instructions
-The Vikhr anti-tank missiles position

I suggest taking all the time for dry fitting these parts before gluing. Overall a challenging kit in my opinion especially if you will want to make the modification I've done for the search and tracking system (EOP bellow the fuselage).

I'm glad it worked out at the end. I could compare this to the newer Zvezda kits I've built and they were much more easier 🙂

Mr D
Thanks for the feedback back Christian 👍.
Dry fit testing is important... sometimes easy to forget?
👍👍

Cristian A
My pleasure 🙂 yes it's definitely easy to forget, but in this case the parts I mentioned just don't want to get in the correct position.

Looking forward to seeing this kit built by ★ Starfish ★, he's the GOAT

★ Starfish ★
@Cristian, I'm watching you, so now stop exaggerating! 😄

Ekki
Very good result! Well done!

Moreno Baruffini
During the summer I wasn't idle, but I started some projects 😜.
This is the biggest, that I'll try to keep active in the following months.

DerMattes
Following 👍

Mirko Römer
Taking a Seat, nice topic!

Moreno Baruffini
Dear all, many thanks for all the likes, I didn't expect so many!
As you can see, for the moment I have collected some materials (I have also the decals from the Italeri kit).
I've started the assembly "backwards", starting from the recce pod and the missiles. The Revell Kit is wonderful, and contains many parts suitable also for the Italians ECRs. Let's see what I could obtain...

Ekki
Watching as well.

Moreno Baruffini
Thanks again! Working on the small cockpit parts... Having time only during WE 😉

J35J
I'm in!👍🏻

Moreno Baruffini
Thank you!!! Last update: working on small parts and on the afterburner 🙂

Moreno Baruffini
Thanks again for all the likes! Slowly going on...

Daniel Mysak
Nice project, I will follow. The Italian ECR Tornado is on my to-do-list as well.