The review on this kit will be out shortly. I wanted to show how the kit turns out. I scratched the radio set up based on a blurry photo and a build over at Planet Armor. I have no idea how accurate it is. I've done a little dry brushing and some minor chipping and dirtied up the floor with pastels and a light oil wash.







Let me know if I'm on the right track. Thanks for looking.

nice job, reference on this baby is the enemy, thats why i put mine aside for a while. so the radio sits like the 'Stummel's', your interior looks good like the bit of red primer in the gun frame (3rd Pic).

Cheers,
Mat

Russ

Its coming along really nice. What colour did you use for the interior? Looking forward to seeing the completed build.
Darryl

Thanks to both of you for the comments.

Mat-you're right about the lack of references available. Even other builds of this kit are hard to find. Considering it didn't come out until December of '44, I figure I may be allowed to take some liberties. I am going to use the figures from the DML self propelled artillery crew and since one of them is on the radio I figured the only place he could stand and talk was at that right rear corner.

Darryl-I used Polly Scale German Panzer Yellow. I figured it looked like a newer paint job, not faded yet. Scratches done with PS Depot Buff, one of their railroad colors,

Nicely done.

Darryl

I put the top on. Had to work it around as the fit was difficult, and there was still a small gap to fill around the edges. I'm still trying to figure out what camo scheme to go with. I was thinking hard straight edge three color. I don't have much experience (or success) with German armor camo so I'll see how it goes. Any tips or ideas would be helpful. I'll post photos of progress soon.

Russ,

Very nice work. I really like the wear and tear detail. It looks great! Please keep us posted!

More work done. Painted the exterior with the rattle can/blu-tac method. Not as neat as I wanted but as I weather maybe it will fix the edges a little. I did a basic mud job of pastels for the underside, rust and mud colors. I still need to do a bit more to create some variation. Here are the pics. Tips and comments welcome and thanks in advance.









I haven't added any of the small parts like the width indicators and tow hitch as I didn't want to break them off. I plan on having the rear doors open so they were placed for painting but will also be left off until done.

Well, I killed the paint job, so I had to redo it. Then I spent some time working on weathering. I keep planning on doing a diorama for this. One day I will actually get it started. I am now starting on the figures and trying to figure out how to paint the uniforms. I plan to show the crew loading up more ammo to return to action. The setting will be urban, which will account for the dusty appearance. Anyway, let me know if I am on the right track.

Russ,
your 251/22 has been build quite good, but I think the dusting doesn't do the job justice.
It is too heavy and monotonious and it surpresses any details in vehicle and paint.
Dust does accumulate on vehicles when used, but it is usually much heavier at the bottom then on top. Urban areas are much less dusty then the field and so would the dust covering the vehicle, unless this vehicle was in the immediate area when buildings collapsed. Try to vary a bit and maybe lighten it on the topsurfaces.

Sorry about the remarks, but I think your build will benefit from them.

Ron, thanks for the input. That is what I needed to know. I can still lighten things up as it is just a pastel mix that I dusted on.