M-109a3 Gn

[Roelke]

Hello everybody

Today I want to present my finished build of the Norwegian M-109A3 GN. I started this project last year during my vacation around Christmas. I had to wait for parts to continue my Leopard 1A5 BE build and that's the reason I started this new project. I got the idea while I was browsiing the prime portal website where I found almost all the reference pictures for my build. The kit was an old inaccurate model which was collecting dust :) The pics at prime portal, waiting for parts, and this nice model collecting dust where the ideal mix for a new project.
Let 's cut the chat and move on to some pics shall we?? (Beware it's a load of pics it may take a while)

The vehicle as it is used in the Norwegian artillery battalions:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/m109a3gn_08_of_52.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/m109a3gn_05_of_52.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN19.jpg

The kit from revell:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN003.jpg

The state of the model:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN001.jpg

After the cleanup = Major tank surgery :D The red arrows point to parts that had to be removed and holes that had to be filled:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN004Aangepast.jpg

The turrets different stages:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN005.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN008.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN012.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN018.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN022.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN027.jpg

The beginning of the hull:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN032.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN033.jpg

So it ends hear for now :p The rest will follow within a few minutes

Cheers Roel

[Roelke]

So here goes for the next load of pics.

The finished model:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN034.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN035.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN036.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN038.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN040.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN041.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN042.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN043.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN044.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN045.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN046.jpg


Everything on the model which does not have the original dark green colour is scratch build. PE used is from left overs and I used some evergreen. That's all for now :) I must add that I am missing the right mirror :( Let's say they boys are waiting for a new one. Comments sugestions ideas are welcome. Please let me know what you think that is always of great help :)

Then I want to say a very special word of thanks to Erik Torp and Erik Hagen from the IMPS Norge Forum for all there help!!!

Thanks for viewing
Greetings Roel

[Sergionex]

Nice build! :thumb:

[Striker]

impressive build :thumb:

[dsleigh]

Roel,

Off and running! Very nice and impressive build!

David

[skeletondude]

Awesome work, Rovel! :thumb:
That's one mean piece of gun though!

Marek

[Panzergrenadier]

Quite a lot of work put into it, I applaud that, quite an effort!:thumb:

Waiting for the painted shots....;)

[Gopher]

Great work Rovel!

[greybeard]

Wow, Roel. Well done!

I don't know enough about the vehicle or have references that I could suggest improvements, but I admire the great amount of work you have done on this model. I believe that you have done your homework, and built this into as accurate a model as can be made from the kit. Much respect.

I look forward to seeing it with paint.

Cheers
Scott Fraser

[Bravo Tango]

Great Stuff.. a really tasty looking build :thumb:

I like modern SP guns and this looks to be ripper

Brian T

[FINbuster]

wooow :D Amazing work! How did you do the anti-slip(?) on the front of the hull? You have detailed the model really good, cant wait to se it with paint.

[Roelke]

Hello fellow modellers

First of all I want to thank all of you for viewing and the many kind words. They are really encouraging :thumb:

To answer some questions: I got the idea from the website primeportal. You can find a really nice walkaround from Erik Torp. That was my guideline for the build really nice detailed pictures. Building with my computer next to me should this model be around 95% accurate :)
The antislip is made from sanding paper. I don't have Mr surfacer or haven't worked with it so sanding paper is a good substitute Just keep it real fine and thin add to the model with some super glue.
The licence plate is made with a small piece of left over PE or aluminium foil. The numbers are from the kits sprues. Every part has a number and those are just perfect. Cut them off with a sharp knive and add with some super glue to the metal. The real numbers are stamped in the metal plate so that is how I got the idea. They should be easy to paint and look like the real deal

Thank you all very much. I hope to start spraying the camo next week.

Grtz Roel

[james84]

Very very good job!

[Roelke]

Hey

I have started testing and spraying some paint on the model. I only had the guts to try the hull first so :( Not such a big update. The light green and Black are on. I hope to spray the darkgreen tomorrow. Need to let the paint dry first before I tear off the paint with the masking tape. The light green looks lighter on the pictures as in real.

The pics:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN048.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN047.jpg

Grtz Roel

[FINbuster]

Looking good so far!

[Ropi]

Ouais...! Looks just great!

[Flak]

Looks nice...

[Roelke]

Hello

First of all thank you for the encouraging words :thumb:
While I have a lot of time this weak (I'm on leave) I had a nice afternoon of cut and paste work and offcourse spraying the next colour on the hull. I added the dark green today. I hope to spray the light brown tommorrow and then the hull will be finished. Then it's on to the turret :)

The first pic shows the result off 1,5 hour of cutting and pasting masking tape:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN049.jpg

And the hull after paint apply:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN050.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN051.jpg

Comments or suggestions are welcome as always.

Grtz Roel

[FINbuster]

Amazing work! I bought today a new airbrush and have played around with it quite a bit. Work like this is extremely inspiring!

[Ropi]

better then first time :thumb:

[RickLawler]

really nice, tight work....looks great.

[Roelke]

The last colour was added to the hull this afternoon :thumb:

The pics:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN053.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN052.jpg

What do you think about the light green? I think it's a little to light.... ??? ??? What's your idea?

Thanks for the comments

[Roelke]

Hello

It has been a while since I have posted any progress. I have been really busy the past months and I had not much time to do some modelling. But I have continued the project and this is the update. Since the last post the turret has been painted, the light green was made a tone darker to make it look better it did not satisfy me enough. And last of all the hull has been given a wash with oil paints. With the help of a friend of mine who watches me closely *o*

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN056.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN055.jpg

Comments are welcome

Grtz Roel

[canjuaan]

Cool camo!

Can't wait to see how this project turns out.

Johannes

[MartinD]

Hi Roel,

This is getting to look really nice. You might wanna try to photograph this one with a darker background. The contrast will be much less, so the colour will look better, I think.

Cheers, MartinD

[Roelke]

Hello Guys

I wanted to share some new pics of the wheatering stages on my M-109A3 GN. I have finished the pinwash on the hull and drybrushed it completely. Now I have started the pinwashes on the turret. When that is finished it will also get a dry brush. You can still see the differances between the hull and turret. After the hull and the turret are on the same level of weathering we will start with the dust.

The pics:

The hull:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN061.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN060.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN058.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN057.jpg

The turret:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN052-1.jpg

Please share your comments.

Thanks for viewing

Cheers Roel

@Martin D.: I found some backgrounds in a local hobby shop. I must admit the pics are better with these backgrounds. Thanks a lot.

[Pvt Mutt]

Boy that looks good and I don't even know
what it is.

..Mutt..

[Markus]

Even though modern stuff isn´t really my cup of tea, I really, really like this build a lot.
Great work Roel!

[Roelke]

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm glad that even non modern armour builders like the subject. I have finished the pinwashes on the turret today. Tomorrow we will start the drybrushing.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN075.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN073.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN071.jpg

That's all for now. Comments as always are welcome!!

Cheers Roel

[Ropi]

Very nice. keep it up!

[Pvt Mutt]

:thumb:
I went back to page one to have a look see and Holy Smokes
no wonder it looks so good, you've done a complete make over
on this.

Those big guns on tracks do turn me on.:D

....Mutt...

[Roelke]

Hello

Thank you very much for the comments everyone they are of great help!!

Finished the turret yesterday. It has been drybrushed also, now the hull and turret have the same level of wheatering. I also had some time to make the license plates and installed them on the hull and turret. On we go to the next step in the wheatering progress.

The pics:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN081.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN078.jpg

An overall view of the model now:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN085.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN088.jpg

I have more pics on my HD but I don't know if my photobucket account will like such a load of pics...

Thanks for viewing comments as always are welcome

Greetings Roel

[chadperkins]

This isn't my bag but your paint work is really really nice.

[lupanzer]

Dear Roelke.

Spetacular paintjob...very well done...really a work of art...I loved it!

My congratulations!

Luiz.

[Panzergrenadier]

I really really like the look of it!:thumb::cool:

[Roelke]

Hello guys

@ Chad: thanks for the comments!
@ Lupanzer:The paint job was the biggest challenge and I really like that scandinavian camo!
@ Panzergrenadier: Thanks mate!

It's been a while since I have posted my last update but I have a new one. I finished the chips on the vehicle. You have to look and search well to see them but they are there. Because it is not a WW2 tank but instead a modern vehicle with proper maintenance done on it. I decided to a minimum of chipping. I now have to paint some details like headlights, pericsopes, the tracks etc... And last but not least the dust. Just a little more and it should be finished within a week I hope.

The pics
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN090.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN095.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN98.jpg

Thanks for viewing comments are welcome as always.

Goodnight Roel

[serpico]

Hi Roel,

This looks like the old Italeri kit re-boxed as Revell? I started on the hull years ago and thought the hull was difficult to put together right.

... but it looks nothing like yours...hehe!

Really nice camo looks authentic. How did you make the thermal sleeve on the gun barrel, with putty? Or part of the kit?

Big Ass 150mm....I think these vehicles are a bit dated in the US Army now.

Top work!! :thumb:

[Ropi]

big Ass 150mm
155! 155!

[MartinD]

Just a little more and it should be finished within a week I hope.

Sounds like you want to enter it in the competition at KMK Mol? :rolleyes::thumb:
Good work Roel. Chipping is very subtle, but spot on I think.

Cheers, MartinD

[Roelke]

@ Serpico: It's indeed the revell kit. About the hull I had to correct it a little but it fitted rather well. The thermal sleeve is the original one from the kit. It had enough relief so I kept it this way.

@ Martin D: I think you are on to me :D I hope to get it finished for the contest sunday at KMK.

Thanks for viewing and the comments
Cheers Roel

[the_dagger]

What nationality is this gun? The camo looks swedish.

[Roelke]

@ dagger: It looks indeed like swedish camo. But it's a Norwegian M-109.

Grtz

[Roelke]

Hello

I finished my current model saturday morning around 10 o'clock. Started it last year December. I want to share the end pics now with you guys. I'm sorry for the bad pics. The light was not great and I had to take some quick pics. Better pics will follow within 10 days when I return from an excercise.

The pics:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN106.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN111.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/Roeleke/M-109%20A3%20GN/M-109A3GN112.jpg

Thanks for viewing. Comments are welcome

Cheers Roel

[the_dagger]

I really like it! Well done!

[MartinD]

Roel,

That one turned out pretty good, and your award at KMK is well deserved! :thumb:

Cheers, MartinD

[Roelke]

@ The dagger: Thanks for the comments!

@ Martin D: Thanks mate!! I really appreciate it. To be honest I had no expectations of winning a price. And certainly not after I saw what models where in my class MV3, I gave up all hope :) My fellow club modelers even had to say again after my name and model where said by Marijn I won. I did not realize it at all. But after all I'm glad I won with my first really build and weathered kit ever.

CHeers Roel