Oooookay, so a little background first.
Bolt Action Miniatures (BAM), as they were then knownwas a small wargames company run by two enthusiasts, providing 28mm WW2 wargames figures. BAM supported a number of master-makers, and pushed 1:56th scale as the correct scale for 28mm miniatures (one of the standard miniature sizes in wargaming), based on a number of calculations, which I explained on my web-site (1:56th scale for 28mm).
I made a number of vehicle masters for them, which were produced in resin and white metal. The last complete vehicle I did before my mini-stroke was this Hetzer. Now, before the eagle-eyed among you shout, I had to make a few simplifications to it, as it had to be easy to produce,have as few loose parts as possible, and be sturdy enough for use on a wargames table.
After a few weeks of playing with plastic card and filler, I ended up with one of each wheel and a section of track which were then duplicated so that I could assemble a set of ambidextrous running gear. The hull and most of the fittings were another single assembly, and a set of three hatches, the remote MG and the gun/mantlet completed the kit.
When the build here came up, I originally thought of doing a Panther (not my master, but one I've had for a while), but while digging through the lead-pile, I saw my Hetzer, and thought "why not?"
Funny enough, in all the time I've had this kit, I've never completed and painted one- partly because I had my mini-stroke before I could get to it, and then I kind of felt too intimidated by actually finishing one! All the kind words and support I've had here have encouraged me to try my hand at this one- several years late, but, as they say, better late than never.
So, without further ado- here is what the wargamer ends up with when purchasing a kit from Warlord Games (the current owners of the master).
As you can see, it looks pretty similar to what I made. The mantlet is different to what I sent in, mainly because the company preferred this version.
So. I'm going to clean 'er up, assemble the bits into a whole, maybe add some stowage, paint 'er up, and maybe add some foliage. The vehicle will be placed on a base, and I will add a crewman (or maybe two) to provide a sense of scale, and tie in with the wargames force this vehicle is intended for. I'm not going to do a historical scheme, just a generic one, as (typically for wargames use), the vehicle will do duty on several fronts, and not be attached to a specific unit.
What I DO hope to achieve is a completed vehicle, some practise in painting and weathering, and build on my confidence more. I have no issues with criticism (feel free to comment on techniques and methods)- the confidence is merely related to my own confidence that I CAN do things, not anything else.
Bolt Action Miniatures (BAM), as they were then knownwas a small wargames company run by two enthusiasts, providing 28mm WW2 wargames figures. BAM supported a number of master-makers, and pushed 1:56th scale as the correct scale for 28mm miniatures (one of the standard miniature sizes in wargaming), based on a number of calculations, which I explained on my web-site (1:56th scale for 28mm).
I made a number of vehicle masters for them, which were produced in resin and white metal. The last complete vehicle I did before my mini-stroke was this Hetzer. Now, before the eagle-eyed among you shout, I had to make a few simplifications to it, as it had to be easy to produce,have as few loose parts as possible, and be sturdy enough for use on a wargames table.
After a few weeks of playing with plastic card and filler, I ended up with one of each wheel and a section of track which were then duplicated so that I could assemble a set of ambidextrous running gear. The hull and most of the fittings were another single assembly, and a set of three hatches, the remote MG and the gun/mantlet completed the kit.
When the build here came up, I originally thought of doing a Panther (not my master, but one I've had for a while), but while digging through the lead-pile, I saw my Hetzer, and thought "why not?"
Funny enough, in all the time I've had this kit, I've never completed and painted one- partly because I had my mini-stroke before I could get to it, and then I kind of felt too intimidated by actually finishing one! All the kind words and support I've had here have encouraged me to try my hand at this one- several years late, but, as they say, better late than never.
So, without further ado- here is what the wargamer ends up with when purchasing a kit from Warlord Games (the current owners of the master).
As you can see, it looks pretty similar to what I made. The mantlet is different to what I sent in, mainly because the company preferred this version.
So. I'm going to clean 'er up, assemble the bits into a whole, maybe add some stowage, paint 'er up, and maybe add some foliage. The vehicle will be placed on a base, and I will add a crewman (or maybe two) to provide a sense of scale, and tie in with the wargames force this vehicle is intended for. I'm not going to do a historical scheme, just a generic one, as (typically for wargames use), the vehicle will do duty on several fronts, and not be attached to a specific unit.
What I DO hope to achieve is a completed vehicle, some practise in painting and weathering, and build on my confidence more. I have no issues with criticism (feel free to comment on techniques and methods)- the confidence is merely related to my own confidence that I CAN do things, not anything else.
