Italeri 1/35 38t Hetzer review

[Modelcrazy]

Thanks Mostrech,
I'm finished with the build itself but want it to place it on a snow base. As soon as I receive the snow order I'll work on that and officially close the build review but for now here is the completed kit. the track will be receiving some packed snow and snow wash so I didn't finish weathering them.
This was a nice low parts count kit and would recommend it for anyone who wants a simple kit of a Hetzer. My only complaint was the non-fitting track around the drive sprockets. The rubber band track went together well and the seam was easy to hide behind the skirts. I would recommend leaving the wheels off until after installing the track because there is no slack or sag.

[speedgraflex]

Your finished build looks great. You really brought the details to life with your realistic weathering. Thanks again for the information on snow and ice effects, too!

[BlackSheep214]

Wow! That is one great kit. I love the weathering you’ve done to it. Well done!

[LyleW]

Looks mighty nice. No snow in Kentucky today. About 75...on Nov 5th. Wow....That's about 23.8 for you weird ones. BTW, do you use the decimal?

[Modelcrazy]

Thanks Bruce, Black Sheep and Lyle,
I started the base using the technique I use for water bases. I started with hard Styrofoam, the kind you use for fake flower arrangements and added some trimmings to make the mound. I then added strips of paper using medium acrylic gel. Once the Krycell arrives I'll sprinkle it in the base to replicate about 1 to 2 feet of snow coverage, The Hetzer will be stationed behind the mound and have a dusting of snow from a flurry after they arrived. The tank will also have some of the Ice and Snow Wash product to replicate some old snow and ice accumulation.




Steve

[Thomas_M]

Really, superb finish!
The camo and the dirt on the running gear; my congratulations! Hard to believe this is the simple aging kit I did as a child! If you´d go and tell some one this was the Academy or Tamiya kit it would be so hard to see that it is not! Good work!!!

[Stikpusher]

Excellent work! What new parts did this boxing come with? I built the Testors boxing of this kit back in the late 80’s...

[Modelcrazy]

Thank you Thomas and Stick.
I received the Krycell and the wash. I liked the product very much although the Krycell bag was smaller that I imagined but had plenty to do the job and another 1 or 2 later. The wash goes on and appears like skim milk. I needed to some into a mixing bowl after shaking and continue to mix the liquid with a brush while applying it. After a few coats the results were very satisfactory.
Here is the final product. The Hetzer is against a small mound waiting in ambush through the night. A light morning snow has just fallen. I was thinking of adding a wisp of exhaust in the morning air but wasn't sure of the results.










I'm looking forward to my next review

[Modelcrazy]

Stick,
I'm not sure which parts were replaced. I have never built this kit before, but according to Scalemates, parts were replaced in last years boxing. As far as I know just the decals are new in this version, which you can't see through the snow anyway LOL.

[Stikpusher]

Thanks for the info on the mysterious new parts. You did a mighty fine job on this. That scene sure looks cold...