Stuh 42 10.5

[mnickolson]

These are a few pic's of my Stuh 42. First time I tries doing weld's Hmm may not agian. Not sure I like the way they turned out so far.


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/IMG_1352Small.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/IMG_1358Small.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/IMG_1359Small.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/IMG_1360Small.jpg


Mike

[Sheeds]

Another Stoog! Nice wun Mike.

Was there a special on lead solder I missed? Between you and brokeneagle I've never seen so much solder! ;)

They look okay to me, but did you find it hard to work with? I prefer using slaters plastic rod, it sticks better and its easier to texture.......my reason for saying is you dont sound too pleased, dont give up just try another method.

Willy.

[Larry Bates]

Hi Mike,

I agree with Willie, they look as good as brokeneagle's in the pics. Don't give up, it never seems good your first time.(he, he) They look good to me. But try something else, plastic rod isn't bad, and it's softer, easier to work with.

Just my two cents worth. ;)

Larry

PS, nice extensions on the return rollers. :thumb:

[mnickolson]

Thanks Willy and Larry.

Willy that is not lead solder. It is something my little brother turned me on to. It is 100% lead. A lot softer than solder and also smaller than any solder I have seen.

Larry I have tried the plastic rod just testing and well it seems either I'm not doing something right or what ever the case I looks really bad to me. I was putting liquid glue on it to soften it and it just seems to make a mess. If any one has any tip's send them my way. I am always open to trying new things and learning new ways of doing thing. :)

[Hagar]

Looks good to me. The method I use for welds it to lay 2 pieces of tamiya tape along weld area. Lay on some red auto putty and then make sure it is no higher than the tape. (I use a razor blade to scrape or my finger. Then I remove the tape and texture with my knife. I'll try to find a camera and put pics on. Hope this helps, and cool stug.

PS where do you get straight lead that is that small from?

[Sticky]

Oh more stuggies! Welds look good to me!

[Larry Bates]

Originally posted by mnickolson@Jan 11 2006, 07:50 AM
Larry I have tried the plastic rod just testing and well it seems either I'm not doing something right or what ever the case I looks really bad to me. I was putting liquid glue on it to soften it and it just seems to make a mess. If any one has any tip's send them my way. I am always open to trying new things and learning new ways of doing thing. :)
Well, just to give you my experience with the technique. First time I tried it worked pretty good, or I thought so, could be open for debate,LOL.

After that, I could not make it work at all. It kept on coming undone on me, so I tried gluing it down with CA then using liquid glue to soften. So I read someones description on how they did it.

So, here goes, cut rod to length, place where weld should be. Now, using a small brush, liberally apply the liquid glue, and let sit for about 10 minutes. This is a very important step to let the rod soften all the way thru. Then use what ever impliment to imbed weld texture or marks. That's it. I have a couple on my panther and they seemed to turn out pretty well.

Hope this helps.

Larry

[Andreas Larka]

I hope that You aren't using the bolted on armour on the StuH of yours. I thought I saw a bolt on one of the pictures... You can't have the bolted on armour on such a late vehicle.

[mnickolson]

Originally posted by Andreas Larka@Jan 11 2006, 01:01 PM
I hope that You aren't using the bolted on armour on the StuH of yours. I thought I saw a bolt on one of the pictures... You can't have the bolted on armour on such a late vehicle.
No I am not going to use bolted on armour. I am not sure if I will use any armour. ;) I am still thinking on that one.. But thanks.

[mnickolson]

Larry thanks a lot. I see I see the errors in my ways now. (Now, using a small brush, liberally apply the liquid glue, and let sit for about 10 minutes. This is a very important step to let the rod soften all the way thru.) This may be my problem. I was not letting it set for any length of time. I will retest with this in mind. Again thanks for you information. That’s the reason I love this place.

Mike

[Sticky]

Originally posted by Andreas Larka@Jan 11 2006, 01:01 PM
I hope that You aren't using the bolted on armour on the StuH of yours. I thought I saw a bolt on one of the pictures... You can't have the bolted on armour on such a late vehicle.
It is certainly ok to use the bolted on armor in front of the driver as this was retained up to the end.

[mnickolson]

Originally posted by Sticky@Jan 11 2006, 02:57 PM
It is certainly ok to use the bolted on armor in front of the driver as this was retained up to the end.
John,

Thanks a lot. I know I just have not decided how late of a stug yet, if I remember right all I need to do is add a muzzle break and a few miner changes and I could use the bolted armor, which I do like the look of. Is that not right on the changes to use the bolted armor?

Mike

[Sheeds]

Hi Fellas.

The way I do my welds, is by using Slaters rod (Krusty brand immitation rod if fine as well). I apply glue to the area the weld will go, place the piece or rod then apply more glue. Once it goes tachy, I remove the excess and texture it with the end of a knife blade, before one last application of liquid glue......not Testors tube glue....STUKE! ;)

This is the cupola off my Tiger II....for example.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Sheeds/cupolaweld.jpg

Willy.

[mnickolson]

Thanks Bill will give that a try.

Mike

[Stuke Sowle]

Tube glue....mmmmmmmmmmm..........

:lol:

I use the plastic rod method as well....and with liquidglue!

[Larry Bates]

i onlY UsE tuBE GlUe WhEn i LaK iMAginATiOn!??@#$. :angry:

[Sticky]

Originally posted by mnickolson@Jan 11 2006, 04:39 PM
John,

Thanks a lot. I know I just have not decided how late of a stug yet, if I remember right all I need to do is add a muzzle break and a few miner changes and I could use the bolted armor, which I do like the look of. Is that not right on the changes to use the bolted armor?

Mike
All of the Stug G's I have seen had bolted supplimental armor in front of the driver. On the other side the supplimental armor was replaced by a thicker armor plate, looking at your pics you need to add this.

HTH

[Andreas Larka]

Originally posted by Sticky@Jan 11 2006, 07:00 PM
On the other side the supplimental armor was replaced by a thicker armor plate, looking at your pics you need to add this.

Exactly. The bolted on armour on the bow of the vehicle was dropped in the summer of 1943. That's what I was refering to. I should have expressed myself a bit clearer I suppose...

As Sticky pointed out the armour in front of the loader should be the whole 80mm part on such a late (5 pilze on the roof etc.) vehicle.

[mnickolson]

Larry,

Tube Glue......HA!HA!HA! don't own any :lol:

[Larry Bates]

ha ha ha hhahahahahmuhahahahaha!

Hi Mike,

Sometimes I use it when I don't want a quick set bond. ;) or when I need three hands to hold some part to glue.

Larry

[mnickolson]

Cool Larry.

Ok my new problem and I am hopping someone might have, know or point me in the right direction. After looking at some pictures on the net it seem the exhaust that comes with the kit is not right. Here are a couple of pictures I found on Tanxheaven. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

http://tanxheaven.com/dmk/StuG/StugIII-21.JPG

http://tanxheaven.com/dmk/StuG/StugIII-22.JPG

[Larry Bates]

Hmmmm,

I have not seen these, sorry not much help on this one. :lol:

Larry

good shots tho.

[mnickolson]

Small update.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/IMG_1367Small.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/IMG_1362Small.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/IMG_1363Small.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/IMG_1364Small.jpg

[Sticky]

I too have not seen that style exhust - I wonder if it was added later. Actung Panzer shows the same style that comes with the kit. Updates look good. Is that Eduard PE?

[mnickolson]

John,
Yes it was a Eduard set I had for a while. It was for a Tamiya Stug G. Though I would try it on this build. I think I am going to use the kit parts.

[Larry Bates]

Sweet build so far Mike ;)

Larry

[mnickolson]

Another update, I have got a little done. Base color on but in the pictures I see a problem around the weld on the front I will have to fix.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1449Medium.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1448Medium.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1447Medium.jpg

Also I have been working with the white balance. Let me know if these look better.

Mike

[James Tainton]

I like the idea of the straws to mask the wheel spindles ;)

[Flak]

Really nice :lol:

[Sticky]

Coming along Mike - What camo is it getting?

[mnickolson]

Thanks James. Another good use for coffee stirrers


Thanks Flak


John

I have been toying with the idea of using an Ambush color Scheme, but now sure.

[Larry Bates]

Mike,

Looking good man. The pics are good. I find though, if you are taking an overall shot of your subject to not use the macro feature as with it you have vertually no depth of field. That's why only some of the front is in focus. Try just using the zoom, as long as it's not the digital zoom. I have only recently learned this stuff on my camera. Depth of field is much better with the zoom. You should be able to get the whole vehicle in focus, and then just crop the pic in your computer.

Other wise, real nice. Ambush scheme huh, can't wait.


Larry

[mnickolson]

Thanks Larry but it looks like the Ambush scheme is out. From the Dragon instructions and what I have found on the net it was not used in 1945 on a late stug like mine. I think I may use the other option but also it seem that the really late ones may have been just done in the field because of the rush to get them to the lines.

[mnickolson]

Got some work done on my Stug this weekend. Still have a little more to do.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1460Medium.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1459Medium.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1458Medium.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1457Medium.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1455Medium.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/_MG_1453Medium.jpg

[Vadster]

I like it & your camo you went with.

[blouie]

Looks great. Are those the kit tracks?

Branden

[mnickolson]

Thanks Alex and Branden. Yes those are the kit tracks. ;) Lot of pin marks to clean.

[Larry Bates]

Mike,

Looks awesome man :thumb:

Your airbrushing looks really nice too. Keep it coming.

Larry

[mnickolson]

Well I sad to say that due to my carelessness this will never make it any further. Today while doing a little cleaning around the bench I dropped it and it broke into several pieces. In to the parts bin some of it will go and well the rest not sure. :(

[James Tainton]

Too bad buddy :(
Well I guess the next one will be even better because of the lessons learned on this build.

[Sticky]

Say it isn't so! Is it really that bad? I dropped my Panzerfahre, and did some serious damage to it. In fact I spent a good 5 hours fixing it, and in the end no one but me can really tell where the damage is. Maybe you can give us a pic of the wreck? Maybe we can make some suggestions! :o

[Larry Bates]

Oh Man! It was looking so nice. Are you certain it can't be saved? :(

L

[mnickolson]

For now, I just put it away in a box. It just made me feel so sad (or upset maybe a better word) I don't want to look at it right now but will try to repair later. Thanks all for your support.

[Panzergrenadier]

Hope you can fix it the future. :(
At leat you didn't additionally step on it like I did with one of my models. Its not fun to pick parts of your lovingly built model out of your fot. :angry:

[Vadster]

Originally posted by mnickolson@Feb 12 2006, 04:24 PM
Well I sad to say that due to my carelessness this will never make it any further. Today while doing a little cleaning around the bench I dropped it and it broke into several pieces. In to the parts bin some of it will go and well the rest not sure. :(
:( I'm sorry that happened. You know it has happened to most of us if that is of any consolation whatsoever.

[mnickolson]

Ok its back from the grave. Im my spare time these past few weeks when not working on the Panther, I have been working on getting this back together. I painted the track agian tonight and maybe I will get them back on this week.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/Picture022.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/Picture021.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/Picture019.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/mnickolson/Stuh42/Picture018.jpg

Not great but still it may live again.
Also sorry for the bad pics but it is night and well lighting is not that good.

Mike

[MikkoH]

I like it!=)

Cheers Mikko

[Sticky]

Looks like a good recovery to me!

[Larry Bates]

YEA!

Way to go Mike! :thumb:
Looks real good.

Larry

[brokeneagle]

Mike,
I only just found this post...I must have missed it in Jan. I am glad you have ressurected it after all that work. Great welds...... even if they are done with solder wire! :lol:
Whats up next for this stubby beauty? Stowage...I thought Sticky's stowage was a nice touch on his. ;)
This might get me to finish mine! :o

[mnickolson]

Thanks All :)

Yes Ian I am putting some goodies on the back. Just now sure what yet.

[Panzergrenadier]

Hallelujah!

It lives again! :lol:


P.S: Your project will be a great guide for my own some time in the future. :thumb:



Siim