PlasticPanzers.com Forum

Thanks Adam

The sprockets and idlers are kit parts, I sprayed them with some red primer I had left over from painting the engine bay.

Philipp

Looks good Philipp. The problem with the tracks must have come as a surprise. Just out of curiosity, can you build a standard Hetzer out of this kit?

Vincent

Thank you Vincent

It was a bit jarring to see such a problem with a modern kit. I guess I'll need to look for some AM tracks for when I build the Academy kit...

You can't build a regular Hetzer with this kit, there are a bunch of differences with pretty much all parts beside the running gear.

That being said, the Academy Hetzer seems to be a nice and cheap alternative.

Philipp

I’ve built one of the Academy Hetzer kits during a previous GB and it was very nice.

Primer soon Philipp?

Philipp Gross wrote: ↑20 Nov 2021, 14:09 Thank you Vincent

It was a bit jarring to see such a problem with a modern kit. I guess I'll need to look for some AM tracks for when I build the Academy kit...

You can't build a regular Hetzer with this kit, there are a bunch of differences with pretty much all parts beside the running gear.

That being said, the Academy Hetzer seems to be a nice and cheap alternative.

Philipp

Thanks Philipp. I was interested to know because it has an engine included. Always good to open up hatches to show what's inside.

Vincent

Vincent Power wrote: ↑20 Nov 2021, 23:42 Thanks Philipp. I was interested to know because it has an engine included. Always good to open up hatches to show what's inside.

Oh well, even if the engine were the correct type, the hatch is moulded shut

Ages ago Eduard released a series of Hetzers with full interiors, but they are long out of production and it seems they don't plan to re-release them any time soon.

Adam Durrant wrote: ↑20 Nov 2021, 18:55 I’ve built one of the Academy Hetzer kits during a previous GB and it was very nice.

Primer soon Philipp?

Right, now I remember...it sure came out fantastic

I've glued both halves together and I hope to start painting this week, once the last missing bits and pieces are in place. Famous last words

Philipp

Almost there, as far as I can tell all that's missing are a few rivets on the new fenders




All Hetzers came from the factory with two spare antennas stored at the rear left, the kit is missing these. I used two spare plastic antennas because brass would have been too inflexible for this position. Also note the homemade replacement for the missing skirt bracket, evergreen profiles came to the rescue Thankfully there's a series of photos from all sides in Spielberger's Leichte Jagdpanzer, that made things a lot easier to figure out.


Finally the coiled tow cables on the rear, I used thin copper cable by Perfect Scale and leftover Dragon Panzer IV cable eyes. The tape is temporary to hold it together, as far as I can tell from the pictures they used leather straps. I'll need to raid my spare photoetch for something suitable.


Philipp

I didn't realise you have added so many small details Philipp. The small loops on the hull sides, and the PE look great.
What scheme are you doing for it? Something easy?

Vincent

Looks realy good before the painting.

Thanks everyone

I'm afraid my only option is the hard edge camo scheme you see on most Hetzers of the time. Several thin brushed layers should to the trick....I hope....

Doesn't look much different but I'm now officially done with building:

No, I didn't forget four rivets...I triple-checked the photos and that one panel really was welded


Strangely enough, the other side was riveted.

I'll throw on some primer next, possibly even tomorrow

Philipp