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Ferdinand
docdios
#036
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England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 1,998 posts
Armorama: 1,236 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 08:44 AM UTC
Tim Sloan shares with us his build of Dragons premium kit modeled as unit 113 from 1.Kp 653 sPzAbt Kursk 1943, Enjoy!



Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
Kastanova
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: May 10, 2008
KitMaker: 150 posts
Armorama: 135 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 09:40 AM UTC
extraordinary work by Tim, the weatheirng and camo are sublime.
when did they start putting zimm on these after kursk?
Spiff
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Nevada, United States
Joined: September 07, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 10:17 AM UTC

Quoted Text

extraordinary work by Tim, the weatheirng and camo are sublime.
when did they start putting zimm on these after kursk?



After Kursk, many of the Ferdinands were sent back to the Niebelungen Werke in Austria to have several modifications done to them:

Zimmerit
Commanders Cupola
Bow Machine Gun with additional armor around it (300mm total)
Wider Tracks (from 600mm to 640mm)

Some had the modifications done later as they were rushed to help deal with the Russian Armor in the Nikopol bridgehead.
Spiff
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Nevada, United States
Joined: September 07, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 10:21 AM UTC
Beautiful work as always Tim!
AikinutNY
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 21, 2003
KitMaker: 683 posts
Armorama: 630 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 02:12 PM UTC
Tim,

What is your trick with the track? Fruil or Dragon?
SGTJKJ
#041
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: July 20, 2006
KitMaker: 10,069 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 10:10 PM UTC
Excellent job, Tim. I like the way you have subtle chipping in the right places. Your weathering of the suspension and tracks is superb.

Thanks for sharing
Crewchief
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: July 01, 2009
KitMaker: 154 posts
Armorama: 146 posts
Posted: Friday, November 06, 2009 - 04:58 AM UTC
Magnificant build, there's only one thing I can think of that would keep me from believing I was looking att the real thing., the background. I could sure use some tracks pointers from Tim, that's not all, did anyone else notice how real that tow cable looks?

Chuck
pzcreations
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Georgia, United States
Joined: May 24, 2006
KitMaker: 2,106 posts
Armorama: 1,116 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 02:04 AM UTC
Thanks everybody for the compliments..really appreciate any feedback.

The tracks... theyre the kit supplied magic tracks, assembled using a track jig, I make two runs, one for the top and one for the bottom, using liquid cement. Laying the top run first, and wrapped halfway around the drive sprocket and idler wheel, I also stick some balsa wood chunks on top ,to help form the track sag..then add the lower run..leaving this to set a few hours before doing the other side..

Painting the tracks.. After theyre assembled and set up over night , I spray them with flat black primer. Then airbrush on some Vallejo camo black brown. seal with dullcoat, and add washes off MiG pigments to suit the area..for this I used Russian earth..I think...cant remember. Then I'll hit the worn areas with a graphite pencil.

Cables and weathering..
I work around dozers and track loaders just about everyday, so I study their weathering and worn areas, as well as the cables (almost the same kind) great source for reference..keeping in mind different use, and also different metals used..I assume.
AikinutNY
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 21, 2003
KitMaker: 683 posts
Armorama: 630 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 02:14 AM UTC
You better get after the crew and get their track tension corrected before they throw a track! I just can't believe that is the kit's track! I have used Fruil with a blackening agent to get close to that look.
daffyduck
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United States
Joined: September 07, 2006
KitMaker: 164 posts
Armorama: 155 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 03:27 AM UTC
Tim,

Looking at a profile view it looks like the gun mantle sits too far away from the front....? Is this just me or am I seeing things?

Very nice model not meant to criticize just an observation....

Regards, Paul
Uruk-Hai
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Stockholm, Sweden
Joined: January 31, 2003
KitMaker: 795 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 03:36 AM UTC
Thats a beuty! I especially like the tracks and the ballmount for the main gun.

Cheers
jimz66
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: December 15, 2006
KitMaker: 1,165 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 05:37 AM UTC
Nice job Tim. Very well done. Very well painted too. Thanks for sharing.
AikinutNY
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 21, 2003
KitMaker: 683 posts
Armorama: 630 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 06:07 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Tim,

Looking at a profile view it looks like the gun mantle sits too far away from the front....? Is this just me or am I seeing things?l



I looked at my 653rd History and it looks OK. Some crews turned it around to get to the bolts easier and the would make the plate closer to the gun compartment. When the unit was rebuilt in winter 1944 all were turned around.

The tool box on the side was relocated to the rear after Kursk where a lot of tools were damaged or lost due to battle damage. Some had two boxes, one in orginal position and one in the back.
devil_in_details
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Alabama, United States
Joined: October 21, 2009
KitMaker: 22 posts
Armorama: 20 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 09:35 AM UTC
Sweet. I wish I had the talent. Mine never turn out so well. Not bad, but not this quality. Keep on posting for us poor learners to admire!
Ovidiu_Cupse
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Cluj, Romania
Joined: March 30, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
Armorama: 30 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 07:57 PM UTC
Very nice job Tim.
I have a question: It is correct the tool box position and the air deflectors on the rear plate?
In "AJ-Press - Tank Power 22 - Ferdinand, Elefant Vol.1" on page 84, this tank destroyer is without air deflectors.
pzcreations
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Georgia, United States
Joined: May 24, 2006
KitMaker: 2,106 posts
Armorama: 1,116 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 01:38 AM UTC
I loaned out the book I used with this model, so I couldnt check. I know the tool box was relocated, and if you say it doesnt have the deflectors, then I guess it doesnt..its been a while since I built this model.
AikinutNY
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 21, 2003
KitMaker: 683 posts
Armorama: 630 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 02:21 AM UTC
After Kursk the tool boxes were moved to the air defector in the rear. Not all were done at that time, but when they did the rebuild during the winter of 1944 all were relocated at the factory.

But, there were some that had two tool boxes.

The name Elefant came after the rebuild was done and it seems that only Adolf was the one calling them that. when the last two vehicles are lost outside of Berlin they were still called Ferdinands or "Ferdies" by the officiers and crews.
GregCloseCombat
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California, United States
Joined: June 30, 2008
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,394 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 03:55 AM UTC
Nicely weathered tank! I really like the tracks on this one.
awrc
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 18, 2005
KitMaker: 281 posts
Armorama: 201 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 04:07 AM UTC
Fantastic weathering - love the rust streaks and the look of the toolbox's original position particularly.

Al
LordLost
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Virginia, United States
Joined: July 27, 2006
KitMaker: 26 posts
Armorama: 24 posts
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009 - 03:35 AM UTC
I have to agree... the old tool box location is just masterful! incredable detail.... just incredable...

-Chris
Braille
#135
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California, United States
Joined: August 05, 2007
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Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009 - 07:56 PM UTC
Tim,

Outstanding job!

-Eddy
pzcreations
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Georgia, United States
Joined: May 24, 2006
KitMaker: 2,106 posts
Armorama: 1,116 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - 06:32 AM UTC
thankyou gentlemen, really appreciated
 _GOTOTOP