Knocked out Hetzer in Berlin

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 8:37 am

Hi guys,

I decided to make a knocked out Hetzer on a diorama, half buried in debris.

Still waiting for the model to get in, I started of with the dio.
Having an old Hetzer for size I could get a sense of the size the dio should become.

I started of with the base made of soft board.

I started with the mold for the pavement.

Poured the plaster.

The left over plaster I poured on a sheet of paper to later break into little pieces for debris.

Pavement out of the mold.

With a metal ruler I scraped of the excess till I had a flat surface.

Then I casted the street on a lower level so the pavement would stick out.

With a prong I scratched in the details of the street and pavement.

The building is also going to be made of plaster.
I constructed the window panes in Cinema 4D and will 3D print them in our Ultimaker 2 3D printer.

This is a screen shot of the 3D print application.

That's it for now folks.
Next up: The printed window panes and the Wall construction.

Cheers

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:40 am

Dude, that plasterwork detail is BEAUTIFUL. Mad skills, cant wait to see more!!

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:52 am

Nice work so far Han
There is one thing that can make it easier for yourself vut i forgot to mention it sunday when you explained your idea
You can mix some cheap water / acrylic paint with the plaster for the debries
This way you have precolored it and that saves a huge amount of time and paint later on as plaster soaks up a lot of paint when it is dry (and becomes soft again)
But i like the idea you are going for
So keep up the good work

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:12 am

Stokesy44 wrote:Dude, that plasterwork detail is BEAUTIFUL. Mad skills, cant wait to see more!!

Thanks Stokesy!

cheers

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:17 am

MarkVerploeg wrote:Nice work so far Han
There is one thing that can make it easier for yourself vut i forgot to mention it sunday when you explained your idea
You can mix some cheap water / acrylic paint with the plaster for the debries
This way you have precolored it and that saves a huge amount of time and paint later on as plaster soaks up a lot of paint when it is dry (and becomes soft again)
But i like the idea you are going for
So keep up the good work

Hi, Mark.
Was very nice meeting you and talking to you last sunday!

Thanks for the tips!
I would do this pre coloring for the building if it wasn't for the fact that there are all kinds of different colors of stones in there.
But for the next street or pavement casting I will definitely do this.

Cheers

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:32 am

It still works with multiple colors
You can use the color that most stones will have
Saves you the time of atleast 1 color
I did this with grey aswell
I mixed grey with the plaster for the concrete in between the stones and used a sponge to paint the bricks in a single color
Then with a brush you can add some different colors

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:50 am

MarkVerploeg wrote:It still works with multiple colors
You can use the color that most stones will have
Saves you the time of atleast 1 color
I did this with grey aswell
I mixed grey with the plaster for the concrete in between the stones and used a sponge to paint the bricks in a single color
Then with a brush you can add some different colors

Yes, I understand. But there are white (off white) stones in the wall aswell.
So that rules out pre coloring.

Cheers

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:23 pm

Someone let YOU have a 3D printer??!!??!!??!!

I am also completely stealing your casting method for street scenes. That's completely superb work.

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:46 pm

Coen wrote:Someone let YOU have a 3D printer??!!??!!??!!
I am also completely stealing your casting method for street scenes. That's completely superb work.

Hi Mike,

I am a freelance designer renting a work desk at a design agency for whom I do a lot of work too.
They have a 3D printer that I have 'unlimited' access to.

And your so welcome to copy my casting methods!

That's why I put them up here.

Cheers

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:54 pm

hansolo wrote:
MarkVerploeg wrote:It still works with multiple colors
You can use the color that most stones will have
Saves you the time of atleast 1 color
I did this with grey aswell
I mixed grey with the plaster for the concrete in between the stones and used a sponge to paint the bricks in a single color
Then with a brush you can add some different colors
Yes, I understand. But there are white (off white) stones in the wall aswell.
So that rules out pre coloring.

Cheers

Yeah your right
With those colors it would be time consuming instead of time saving
Good luck with the build

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 1:11 pm

Thanks Mark!

Cheers

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 1:15 pm

Here are the 3D printed window panes.

cheers

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:54 am

Hi guys,

Small update.

With a 3D application I constructed the molds for the windows for my building
and printed them on our 3D printer. Again from LEGO I build a mold for the wall
to combine with the molds for the windows. Pasted the window molds in their respective positions
and poured the plaster.

The result after removing the outer mold.

Now I had to break away the windows molds.

And there was the cast of my wall.

Next up: Breaking off part of the wall and detailing the stones and beams.

cheers

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 12:21 pm

Oh Oh oH

More more!!!

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:23 pm

Just awesome Dude. Genius.

I'm getting excited about buying a bespoke base and some ready made rubble but this is a different league!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:47 pm

Thanks guys

More comming up soon.

Cheers

Aliktren · Post by **Aliktren** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:30 pm

wow

heel · Post by **heel** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 2:11 pm

This will be nothing short of epic, I'm sure.

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:53 pm

Hi guys,

I made the windowsills separately cause they stick out a bit.

Here they are in their the molds.

I used a steel brush to push and rub some weathering details into the wall.

I dry fiited the windows.

There's a closeup of the brushed in details and some added gun shot holes.

I steel brushed the street and pavement too.

I airbrushed the base grey.

Put a Mig Dark wash over it.

Did a dry brush.

A detail shot.

Added some brown and green pigments here and there.

Detail shot.

Added the windowsills and painted the windows.

While the sills are drying and before I can paint the rest of the wall I started on the Hetzer.

This is the kit. An early version from Academy.

The contents.

The instruction sheet.

Started with the suspension.

Wheels complete.

As it is going to be a knocked out Hetzer I broke one of the tracks.

The rear.

The back top with some nice PE parts that came with the kit and I left out some of the spare tracks cause they were used up
in all the action this guy has been through.

That's all for now folks.
Next up: More building the Hetzer and more painting the dio.

cheers

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 12:05 am

A ore run of superb how too Han.
That's wonderful work, the jadg38(t) will probably take you an hour or two to build out of the box hehe.

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 12:48 am

Very nice progres
I like the idea of using the steel brush on the wall
I will try that on my own build soon
Keep up the good work

PrivatePublic · Post by **PrivatePublic** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 2:23 am

Awesome stuff. You're giving me some fantastic ideas for a Berlin IS-2 dio I'll get around to starting one of these days... Eventually

OliveDrab · Post by **OliveDrab** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 4:37 am

Absolutely stunning work on the Diorama Hans

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 6:07 am

Thanks all you guys!
Way appreciated.

cheers

Joker56 · Post by **Joker56** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 6:29 am

Sweet as a peach ,great stuff Hans

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 12:43 pm

Hi guys,

Small update here:

Finished and assembled the back top.

Finished the whole model. Mounted the gun and the machine gun, all the handels and the side armor.
I took a pair of pliers and bent the crap out of it. With a solder gun I melted the shell penetration holes in the front and side armor.
And called the build part finished.

That's it for now, folks.
Next up: More working on the dio...

cheers

Schoof · Post by **Schoof** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:05 pm

Just GREAT .... was reading it from the start and it when you showed the box the first time ad the end of page 2 my first thought was "ahh yeah he didnt build that yet".. great wotk for the dio, just one question... how did you make all those curved lines in the wall ??

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:18 pm

Schoof wrote:Just GREAT .... was reading it from the start and it when you showed the box the first time ad the end of page 2 my first thought was "ahh yeah he didnt build that yet".. great wotk for the dio, just one question... how did you make all those curved lines in the wall ??

Thanks Schoof!
The lines in the wall are initially made in the same way as the lines in the street. With a bodkin (Dutch: priem).
Then, second time around I went along the lines again, holding the bodkin at a low angle. That I did once left, once right, once up and once down.

This way the stones in the wall get the rounded edges.

Cheers

Schoof · Post by **Schoof** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:21 pm

hansolo wrote:
Schoof wrote:Just GREAT .... was reading it from the start and it when you showed the box the first time ad the end of page 2 my first thought was "ahh yeah he didnt build that yet".. great wotk for the dio, just one question... how did you make all those curved lines in the wall ??
Thanks Schoof!
The lines in the wall are initially made in the same way as the lines in the street. With a bodkin (Dutch: priem).
Then, second time around I went along the lines again, holding the bodkin at a low angle. That I did once left, once right, once up and once down.
This way the stones in the wall get the rounded edges.

Cheers

Cool thanks for that .... i`ll have to try that at one time ...... looks really great

PaulAyrey · Post by **PaulAyrey** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:15 pm

Total awesomeness! Outstanding!

rodrant · Post by **rodrant** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:43 pm

Holly...

What are you doing here ? A Masterpiece? A great tutorial ?

Yes !Yes ! Gimme more ...!

I believe that is AWWSOME ! OUTSTANDING !

keep going mate , will be another piece of art !

demarcation · Post by **demarcation** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:00 pm

Can only agree with the above poster! Masterpiece is written all over this project, absolutely top notch mate!!

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 11:24 pm

Thanks you guys!

cheers

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:23 pm

Hi guys,

The Building:
- I first painted the whole wall white with the airbrush. To partly close off the porous structure of the plaster.
- I painted the spaces between the stones black.
- Then I painted the individual stones in different colors.
- I gave it a dark wash.
- Next I dry brushed everything to bring out the highlights.
- With grey pigment I gave many stones some volume by darkening the lower parts.
- Finally I added some green pigment for mossy areas.

The windows:
- Painted them green.
- Gave m a dark wash with Vallejo Dark Wash.

Left: After, right before.

- Gave m a white wash with acrylics.

Left: After, right before.

- Did some chipping with brown acrylics and an edge of white.

Made the window glass from this package material.

I glued the window panes in to place with white glue.
And stained them with some light colored pigments.

That's it for now, Folks.
Next up: Painting the Hetzer!

cheers

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:43 pm

I need a fainting smiley.
This will have to do for now...

Damn Han! That's wonderful work.

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:59 pm

Very nice progres Han
With some paint on it you can really see the texture on the wall
It looks great
Keep up the good work

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:15 pm

Stunning work han

Nev · Post by **Nev** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:02 am

Love the stone work matey really inspiring work

rwsmith14 · Post by **rwsmith14** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:20 am

amazing work !

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:12 am

Thanks guys!
Way appreciated.

Cheers

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:04 pm

Hi guys,

Did a lot of painting on the Hetzer.

As usual I started of with a primer coat of dark grey

I protected this layer with some matt coat varnish.

Than again a layer of hairspray.

Than the base color of dark yellow.

Than a green camo.

Toned it down with a light layer of buff color.

Chippin'.

Attached a lot of decals! Two..

Tried my new rust colors from AK on the spare tracks and the exhaust.

Did a darkwash with Mig Dark Wash and did the tracks with deluded pigments and brush off.

Did some rust streaks with oil paint.

That's where it's at right now.
Next up: More oil paint rendering, metal graphite and pigments...

cheers

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 1:58 am

You made that look like you did it in just a few hours

Haha
Wow that's excellent looking.

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:02 am

Coen wrote:You made that look like you did it in just a few hours
Haha
Wow that's excellent looking.

Thanks Mike.
Well it was done in one session.

A long session. That it was.

Cheers

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:24 am

Fantastic work. Loved the way you posted it too. Its like a how to do it guide! Fantastic. I have a STuG on the go and I plan to follow your process.

If it looks half as good as yours I'll be turning cartwheels!!!!

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:27 am

hansolo wrote:
Coen wrote:You made that look like you did it in just a few hours
Haha
Wow that's excellent looking.
Thanks Mike.
Well it was done in one session.
A long session. That it was.

Cheers

In addition, when you did the chipping, are you actually chipping the paint off or painting on a dark colour to represent chipping? I only ask because I have seen it on other models and never been sure of the process.

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:06 am

Stokesy44 wrote:Fantastic work. Loved the way you posted it too. Its like a how to do it guide! Fantastic. I have a STuG on the go and I plan to follow your process.

If it looks half as good as yours I'll be turning cartwheels!!!!

Thanks Spokesy! Very glad to be of help.
Let me know how this process works out for you.

Cheers

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:13 am

Stokesy44 wrote:
hansolo wrote:
Coen wrote:You made that look like you did it in just a few hours
Haha
Wow that's excellent looking.
Thanks Mike.
Well it was done in one session.
A long session. That it was.

Cheers
In addition, when you did the chipping, are you actually chipping the paint off or painting on a dark colour to represent chipping? I only ask because I have seen it on other models and never been sure of the process.

It's done with the hairspray technique. So grey - hairspray - yellow. Then moisten the surface with water and brush and stipple the chips with a moist brush. It's a fairly easy technique and the chips are real chips.

Cheers

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:56 am

Awesome. Thanks Han. Looking forward to seeing you in Ep 7!!

hansolo · Post by **hansolo** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 4:23 pm

Hi guys,

Finished the Hetzer today!
In the final stages, when the Hetzer is in it's final position on the dio, I will add lots of pigments to represent the effects of the debris on the vehicle.

Did the final effects with oil paint, darkwash for oil stains and graphite for metal effects.

That's it, folks.
Next up: Work on the dio!
Gonna put a lot of rubble and debris on there...

's gonna be fun!

cheers

Nev · Post by **Nev** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 4:49 pm

Han freaking Tastic!!! (See what I did there)