Hi guys -

Here are the final in-progress shots of this one. Everything is glued in place now. I ultimately decided to have the new baseplate flush to the top of the hull sides and went without treadplate in the end. I have added two ammo bin doors to the back of the base so there is some semblence of functionality, whether it was feasible or not. The ammo doors will clear the gun (in a turned position) and the rear of the breech will also clear the edge of the hull in this posiotn (but only just). I also added some rear engine bulkhead detailing that I was able to gleen from the Achtung Panzer book.

If you recall from my previous posts that I wasn't trying to replicate the vehicle in the photos exactly, but only using it as inspiration for this "what if, based on reality, sort of, kind of, but a whole lot of fun model". There is a lot more to the one seen in the photo and I will save that info for a future build using a different selection of kits.

One last look before I apply the paint . . .

Best,

Mike







All images copyright M. Rinaldi © 2007

Hi Michale - awesome build. I really like it. Before you paint it you might want to double check the track direction. Its hard to tell from the photos but the tracks may be on backwards. Look forward to seeing it painted - Charles

Mike, good on you for taking time for an enjoyable project. Whiffer or not, it still looks like a great project.

I've never had any luck photographing on a white backdrop - any pointers for that?

Hi Mike,

Just plain Awesome...and very inspirational.
Cant wait to see it under paint.
These "Last ditch" panzers are so interesting,thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Ray Blythe.

"an afflication caused by trying to mount tracks to a model placed upside down and backwards in the wee hours of the morning."

Thanks for the keen eye Charles. No worries, I'll switch them after I finish. This wasn't the first time I did that, & knowing me it won't be the last. Keeps you guys on your toes . . . :P

Photoshop is your friend Graeme. Email me off board and I'll send you some tips to maximize the white background.

Thanks guys for the nice comments. Looking forward to sharing more progress photos soon.

Best,

Mike

There's a cure for that... start building planes. The blasphemy...

About those PS tips, could ya send me those too?
Always looking to improve my photography and publishing skills.
Just started discovering CS3, Bridge, RAW plugin etc, etc... It's almost a second hobby!

Greets,
Marcel

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http://www.mjussen.nl/
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Thank you guys for your kind comments.

I felt that it would be more appropriate to place my Photoshop response there. Just bare in mind that I assume a certain level of understanding with the software on your guy's part, not experten but you must have some basic undersanding of how to do things. Otherwise my post would be a mile long trying to explain every aspect of each feature used. There are a ton of Photoshop how-to books out there and I will leave that to you guys if you choose to explore it further. Of course you can always email me with specifics so I can at least help in a more refined way. I hope it was helpful for some of you.

Best,

Mike

Brilliant work as usual. Very clean and precise contruction work. I can't wait to see this one painted...and knowing your style, it will be spectacular.

In admiration,

Adam

Gday Mike!

Man thats worth the wait! Great work and stunning images! CC me in on your email to Graeme re the photoshop work!

Looking forward to see it under paint.

Sam

Die Schlange-Grube

Michael,
This looks like an interesting topic.The build looks great.Look forward to seeing some colour on it.
Cheers
Andy

Big project...

Is possible you send to me, too, the photo tips ???

e-mail to you....

regards and congrats !!!

Panzerserra

Mike,
Great job. Now when this is done it's calling out for a setting sitting outside a factory. Those shots with the barrel raised remind me of shots out of the Speilberger book.

Jim Guld- I've too put on panzer IV tracks on backwards and the judges didn't catch it. he.he.he....

Great build! Looking forward to seeing it finished.

TS

"Let There be Rock!!!"
AC/DC

..... on some slightly used sighting equipment, as new condition . You supply the crew ,I can provide transportation to site of your choice; airfield, factory, beer garden or brothel house. I like it alot by the way, will you do it all one color or different for gun . It would look pretty sweet with different yellow or sand base and some grey on the gun.
Ohne zucker , SD

Lovely pairing of the flak with the Panzer IV, I am not an expert as to how it was mounted but overall it looks superb to me. You do such great work, I am anticipating the pictures that show the painting and weathering. Take care of yourself, get back to work on you-know-what!

Cool subject as well. I like what you did with all of the Evergreen. The photos also look very professional. Can not wait see it painted. That 88 looks like one nice kit.

Congratulations
ANPW

Not bad Mikey-

not bad at all.


In fact-

Fantastic-

Now get it to Dragon to get the tooling going so we can al build one!

Can wait for the paint-

JD

The model is in itself inspiring but I would like to ask you about something else. I find the photos excellent, they truly show all the details of your work, the lighting looks spot on. What kind of photographic equipment do you use in terms of setup and lighting, besides the camera itself?

Thanks in advance,

Francisco