1:16 Blue Star Models/ An-Bri Hetzer Build

[c.rainford73]

It looks great right now, Carl, and I only see it getting better. I was worried mine needed to be changed! I've dealt with Blue Star before, and he sent me some sample T34 bedspring armor that I gave away in a drawing. That was a few years ago. Can't remember his name off hand and I don't know if he's still in business. The PE was first class, both the bedspring armor and I also got a bunch of end caps for 200 liter fuel drums in both wehrmacht and waffen SS. One of these days i'll come up with a drum I think is good enough for them. The new job has promise. They have a Mazak 5 axis that could easily make the cuts, accurately reproducing the rolling rings, and do it out of PVC so it would be cheap. Just glue in the end caps and paint. Just need to cozy up to the guy that runs it a bit.

I used 2 56 brass bolts on my hetzer and I think they look very good, and they also have bolts that would be better for 1/16. The ones I'm using are 3/16 across the flat, but the 0 80 bolts are just 1/8 across the flats so they might look very good on a 1/16 Hetzer. Does the PE skirt kit for the blue star come with bolts? If not, try these

http://www.microfasteners.com/hbb0008-0 ... brass.html

Gary I will take out the entire photo etched sets to show you and do an inventory.they are very nice!

[c.rainford73]

Ok so here are the photo etched sets for the Blue Star kit. There are two sets of front fenders. One in the main set and a supplemental set that are the corrected bits. They appear a bit larger. A few new photo etch tools in order. These are really nice pieces IMHO.

I also temporarily mounted the remote control machine gun that is in the kit.

The an bri kit has many parts on order too including a metal MG mount and machine gun from Tank-Modellbau.de.

[Max-U52]

That's a great looking PE set. The brass tool box is a great feature. I think you'll still need the bolts to mount it. In 1/6 scale it's all bolted together nicely. If you're going for accuracy you'll need to do something with the MG34. It should have the shoulder stock replaced with a cylindrical cap and you need the armored barrel. I was able to get a kit but I don't know if anyone makes it in 1/16.

[Soeren]

That PE set looks fantastic
Should add some very convincing detail

[c.rainford73]

So I've assembled the beginning of the photo etch front fenders, rear fenders schurzen plates and hangers. I guess Gary motivated me. You can clearly see the difference immediately between the An-Bri kit and the Blue Star kit. I've assembled the kit in such a way as to allow both halves to be separated as my end plan is remote control. I must remember to very carefully remove the top half of the kit to access the electrics.

[c.rainford73]

Thanks Mick. The more fiddly photo etched brackets and pieces will have to wait until my new bending tools arrive. Starting to look like a hetzer.....

[Soeren]

Now . This looking great. What thickness is this PE?

[c.rainford73]

Now . This looking great. What thickness is this PE?

The main components are quite thick details are really crisp and clean.

[c.rainford73]

Tonight I came home to a very lovely little package from Tank modellbau. Many little bits arrived for three builds. A metal bucket for each hetzer and my Jagdsturmtiger. A fantastic little speaker that I want to shoehorn into the An-Bri kit. Two metal tow cables for each hetzer.

An led MG for my Jagdsturmtiger. Two brass ammo belts for each Hetzer. And a very highly recommend metal MG and mount. It's absolutely amazing IMHO.

The late model Tamiya resin drive sprocket caps for the Jagdsturmtiger too.

Thanks for checking in

[PainlessWolf]

Carl! Good evening,
A lovely haul and super shipping to boot! ;o)
regards,
Painless