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Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer

  • hetzer2
  • hetzer1
  • hetzer4
  • hetzer3

About the Author

About António Pires Preto (antoniop)
FROM: LISBOA, PORTUGAL

I started to build 1/72 planes a long time ago. And stopped a long time ago... My hobby has been Radio Control for the past 14 years. But after a while I got fed up with the "competitive" side of the hobby and decided to look at static kits once again. 1/72 was out of the question and armor seemed...


Comments

Great work, Antonio! It's the Eduard model, right?
MAY 03, 2007 - 11:54 AM
Thanks guys It's the Eduard Mid version that comes with aluminum barrel, photo etch etc. Very good kit.
MAY 03, 2007 - 01:26 PM
Hi António, WOW! Fantastic job. The camouflage job is outstanding. I'd go . Joe
MAY 03, 2007 - 06:45 PM
Antonio-- a work of art. Well done! DJ
MAY 03, 2007 - 06:46 PM
Excellent work, really looks great, the figure complements it perfectly I think. Just out of interest, what is that blue thing above the left rear fender? a light? As I said, great work! James
MAY 03, 2007 - 07:13 PM
This is a stunning looking Hetzer Antonio, the weathering and camouflage is excellent, the only nit-pick I have is the colour of the insides of the hatches, i would have guessed they were painted dark yellow so as not to stand out too much? unless you worked to a particular vehicle that had them finished in the interior ivory colour of course, that aside, its a wonderful model. James, you're right about the blue strip being a light, its a late model of the convoy lights fould on the back of german vehicles, I believe it just gave off a faint glow that allowed the following driver to keep the right distance behind at night.
MAY 03, 2007 - 07:21 PM
Hi Mark, James Thanks for your comments!! The blue thing on the back is a light (I'm almost sure) and it was done according with the instructions. Seemed a little odd to me too, but Vinnie built one and the blue light was there. So basically I trusted to reputable sources Oh yes, the hatches. In fact the color on the crew compartment is all ivory White Including the 4 or 5 hatches. I tried to break it a little with some wear and dirt, but still stands out. It just defeats the camouflage. The engine bay is field green and white. I got a few reference pictures of the interior of one being restored and there it was, the all white interior (original and restored). In that picture I found that the color suggested by Eduard for the ammo was not correct and it was the only thing I "corrected". But you can't see it coz I closed the tank and all the detail can only be seen in the build pictures I have on my site Other than that it's built following the instructions
MAY 03, 2007 - 08:29 PM
Thanks for the info Antonio, just goes to show that the normal rules werent always followed by the manufacturers.
MAY 04, 2007 - 03:22 AM
Hi António. A stunning model. As already mentioned, the camo and figure are excellent. The whole presentation is top notch ... the weathering suits the base and a nice name plate also. Whether the ivory white is correct or not, I believe it gives the model an edge, as it contrasts nicely with the camo of both figure and tank. It draws the viewers attention nicely to the open hatch and makes one want to see inside. Any images of the interior before closing?? Another fact is the very sharp photographs. Zero nit-picks from me!!!
MAY 04, 2007 - 04:58 AM
Hey Frank, thanks!! I thought of that too. When I saw the possibilities of getting a contrast between the camo and the open hatches I couldn't avoid doing it. But with open hatches someone has to be there... hummm... the figure followed. Where to put it?? How about putting him on top of the tank looking for enemies? It's logic, it would give a little more "dimension" to the model and it would still be a minimalist presentation. That was the reasoning behind this display. The base was a miraculous finding. I wanted a good looking one and I don't have the tools needed for building my own. A picture frame that I used on another base was a ripp off (empty frame - 38€!!!!). I went to google, typed wooden bases et voila!!! a manufacturer called Wiremill Designs that makes the most beautiful bases (https://www.woodenbases.co.uk/) was on the top ranks of the search. The rest, Credit Card, waiting etc followed The plate was done in Photoshop and printed on an Inkjet Printer. The rivets are just two round little spots with chrome effect (works uh?) The interior? Here it is the build log http://www.pirespreto.com/newversion/hetzer.html with some pictures of the whole process. If you click the pictures you get a bigger version just like in Armorama. They are not the same quality (I was taking them as building went along with harsh lighting and a worse camera), but you can have an idea of how well detailed the interior can be. I think I have one pic of all the ammo racks oils washes applied and everything... and then I closed it sniff sniff One of these days I'll put here a picture of my photo setup and you'll fall laughing Just to give a clue. Black card (thin) taped to a wall computer monitor, anything, aluminum sheet (food wrap) on each side (wrinkled). In front of this setup a mirror at 45º angle. Photos are taken with flash pointing to the ceiling (indirect lighting) and the lower areas get the reflection from the alu foil and the mirror. The only caveat is that these flashes don't come cheap. Pivoting head = big money (for a flash, I mean) When my wife sees me setting up my "studio" she thinks I'm mad (there's the loony again wrapping something in aluminum and taping a black card to the computer monitor... tsss tsss)
MAY 04, 2007 - 05:27 AM