And so it begins

[CINDERS]

Glad I could jog the memory Jim.
L & S there were some pitched air battles at home, sadly I only learned later in life that my father worked as an RAAF engine/airframe fitter on that wonderful aircraft in WWII, I gather he was not to impressed with it's demise!

[Flying10uk]

skill improvement on my part.

I built the plastic model kits to the best of my ability and as carefully as possible regardless of how long it took. My brother, on the other hand, built plastic model kits as fast as possible with copious amounts of model cement "smeared" over the entire model.

[browningautorifle]

My brother, on the other hand, built plastic model kits as fast as possible with copious amounts of model cement "smeared" over the entire model.

I wasn't that bad but I've never had enough patience to do really well on most of them. Like woodwork, it takes patience. I don't do good wood work either.

[Flying10uk]

I don't do good wood work either.

The old saying "Measure twice, cut once." is very pertinent to woodwork.

My late father was notorious for cutting wood just a little bit shorter than was actually required. Most people use a tape measure that starts a zero and the day that I found one of my father's tape measures that started at 2" I thought that I was seeing things. After a "double take" to confirm that the tape measure did indeed start at 2" I did eventually get it where it belonged, the dustbin.

[browningautorifle]

"Measure twice, cut once."

No, I get that. I just don't have patience.

[Low & Slow]

My issue with wood is that I can measure three or four times, and still not get a squared off cut. Must be my saws. All of them.

[CINDERS]

L&S they don't make saws that cut straight anymore......!

Taking shape, still scads to do have completed one track 46 grouser & 46 spacer plates plus 3 pins per pr = 38cm long track.
Have steel weathered the road wheels and sprockets that was a chore using applicator and Tamiya silver/steel compound.
Tracks will then be Mr Color clear etch primed, Humbrol #173 enamel painted, sealed then weathered.
(European dusty conditions on whole vehicle)
Cables & MG 42 to put onto the tank and that will be it then onto the Sturm Tiger or Jagdtiger may be a coin flip.

[Flying10uk]

It's looking good Cinders.

A good tip for woodwork, and I don't know how widely it is known, is to blunted the point of nails before hitting them into wood as the wood is much less likely to split. As unlikely it may sound it does actually work.

[Low & Slow]

blunted the point of nails before hitting them into wood as the wood is much less likely to split. As unlikely it may sound it does actually work.

This is one thing I did actually learn about wood craft to good effect.

[CINDERS]

Track grouser & spacers done all pins etch glued and drying out.
47 grouser 47 spacer per side with 3 pins per set man it is very fiddly!
If its not to cold tomorrow Mr Color etch primer clear then 24-36 hours to dry then paint & weather them fit to the AFV then finish it may do an Ardennes one with mud and heavy dirt on it.
I do not think its very dusty in Europe in Jan-Apr so will probably be a better fit.
Just have to see if that unit participated in the Ardennes offensive.
I know the 1/16 Panther is really going to test my shaky hands and eye sight.
You have to cut & glue the track horns onto the grousers so that's 2 per grouser no wonder there is 2300 parts in there with the full interior, what have I done to myself!