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Asuka/Tasca Luchs Complete!
- Thread starter Iron Mike
- Start date
Iron Mike
Master At Arms And Resident Curmudgeon
Thanks guys! Progress was made last weekend, I just didn't take many photos or post anything. I finished track assembly and moved on to the blackening solution.
This is at least the fourth set of tracks I've treated with this batch of Uschi solution, I've lost count.
Since this kit has track tensioners, I decided to go ahead and paint the lower hull so I can install the tracks and glue the tensioners in place.
I'll add dirt and mud, then install the tracks later today. Much more to come, thanks for coming by!
This is at least the fourth set of tracks I've treated with this batch of Uschi solution, I've lost count.
Since this kit has track tensioners, I decided to go ahead and paint the lower hull so I can install the tracks and glue the tensioners in place.
I'll add dirt and mud, then install the tracks later today. Much more to come, thanks for coming by!
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
That is looking really good Mike!
I remember a guy back in the 80's that scratch built one of these. The waffle pattern on the outer wheels gave him a bunch of trouble. It was such a different looking vehicle from the Panzer III's and IV's that it stuck in my memory.
I remember a guy back in the 80's that scratch built one of these. The waffle pattern on the outer wheels gave him a bunch of trouble. It was such a different looking vehicle from the Panzer III's and IV's that it stuck in my memory.
Iron Mike
Master At Arms And Resident Curmudgeon
Thanks guys! I'm having fun with this one. The time change always messes with me, so I decided to hit it early yesterday. Finishing the tracks is always rewarding, here's the result. I always give the cleats a quick swipe with a sanding stick prior to adding dirt.
The fiberglass pencil is a quick and easy way to make the wear surface look interesting and a blend of pigments and chopped rope fibers give our tracks that lived in look. A little pigment fixer keeps the schmutz in place. Let it dry overnight and go do something else.
This morning, the tracks were ready to install.
The tensioners work pretty well, get the tracks where you want them, then fix the tensioners with CA. Did I mention it really helps to have Google Translate to interpret the instructions? It surely does!
Anyway, there's more bits and pieces coming together, thanks for coming by! See all you hep cats soon!
The fiberglass pencil is a quick and easy way to make the wear surface look interesting and a blend of pigments and chopped rope fibers give our tracks that lived in look. A little pigment fixer keeps the schmutz in place. Let it dry overnight and go do something else.
This morning, the tracks were ready to install.
The tensioners work pretty well, get the tracks where you want them, then fix the tensioners with CA. Did I mention it really helps to have Google Translate to interpret the instructions? It surely does!
Anyway, there's more bits and pieces coming together, thanks for coming by! See all you hep cats soon!
Iron Mike
Master At Arms And Resident Curmudgeon
Thanks to those who took time to comment, I appreciate it!
This kit has been a handful. If I hadn't read some online reviews and didn't have several good reference books AND Google Translate, I'd have been in deep doo doo. This isn't a kit you just plow into, there are several steps that require some thought to get you to the next stage of assembly. I'm doing this a little differently than I normally would have, I've prepped all the assemblies for primer, then I will put it together and paint. (yeah, at least that's the plan). Yesterday was a bust, my wife was sick all day and I was feeling the seasonal allergies, so nothing happened. Today was a different story.
This is the Barrel Brass Edition (says so on the box), so I decided to get the barrels swapped out. Here's the kit piece on the left beside the Adlers Nest brass machine gun barrel that was also included in the kit. As you can see, the brass part is much longer and will need surgery.
I shortened it with my razor saw and trusty Mark I Eyeball.
The main gun is pretty much the same, you have to cut the plastic barrel from the base, drill a hole and install the brass barrel. Careful center punching and a sharp bit makes the drilling easier.
Asuka Model included a 1.4m brass antenna as well, clip off the antenna from the base of the plastic piece, center punch, drill and install the new antenna. Easy peasy and oh, so much better looking.
The turret is a multi piece affair, careful sanding and glue application results in a nice assembly.
The mesh grilles on the rear deck are well represented in photo etch, you just need to coax them into the proper shape. I used my Brass Assist Roller set Mk MC from The Small Shop. It's a great tool and makes short work of a task I used to hate. Trim the parts from the fret, file off the nubs and let's roll.
You don't really have to roll these, just some even downward pressure creates the curve, you just have to pick the right size roller to match your arc. I bent the flat sides with my Tamiya PE pliers and glued the parts in place with Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive (not the Tacky kind, that's junk).
Moving along, I just cleaned the rest of the pieces in preparation for primer. A pile of panzer parts, ready to go.
So that's all for today, kats and chicks! Be kool, you hep kats!
Thanks for coming by!
This kit has been a handful. If I hadn't read some online reviews and didn't have several good reference books AND Google Translate, I'd have been in deep doo doo. This isn't a kit you just plow into, there are several steps that require some thought to get you to the next stage of assembly. I'm doing this a little differently than I normally would have, I've prepped all the assemblies for primer, then I will put it together and paint. (yeah, at least that's the plan). Yesterday was a bust, my wife was sick all day and I was feeling the seasonal allergies, so nothing happened. Today was a different story.
This is the Barrel Brass Edition (says so on the box), so I decided to get the barrels swapped out. Here's the kit piece on the left beside the Adlers Nest brass machine gun barrel that was also included in the kit. As you can see, the brass part is much longer and will need surgery.
I shortened it with my razor saw and trusty Mark I Eyeball.
The main gun is pretty much the same, you have to cut the plastic barrel from the base, drill a hole and install the brass barrel. Careful center punching and a sharp bit makes the drilling easier.
Asuka Model included a 1.4m brass antenna as well, clip off the antenna from the base of the plastic piece, center punch, drill and install the new antenna. Easy peasy and oh, so much better looking.
The turret is a multi piece affair, careful sanding and glue application results in a nice assembly.
The mesh grilles on the rear deck are well represented in photo etch, you just need to coax them into the proper shape. I used my Brass Assist Roller set Mk MC from The Small Shop. It's a great tool and makes short work of a task I used to hate. Trim the parts from the fret, file off the nubs and let's roll.
You don't really have to roll these, just some even downward pressure creates the curve, you just have to pick the right size roller to match your arc. I bent the flat sides with my Tamiya PE pliers and glued the parts in place with Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive (not the Tacky kind, that's junk).
Moving along, I just cleaned the rest of the pieces in preparation for primer. A pile of panzer parts, ready to go.
So that's all for today, kats and chicks! Be kool, you hep kats!
Cool cat!
Regards,
Regards,
Roll that brass big boy...
Skinny_Mike
Well-known member
Wow! Great work Mike
Iron Mike
Master At Arms And Resident Curmudgeon
Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback! Last weekend I got a fair amount done, I just didn't take any photos because it seemed like everything fought me. Yay for allergy season! So here's proof.
I kept looking at references and the kit, there was just something about that open grille on the rear deck that bugged me. Asuka doesn't provide screens in the kit and I'm too far into it to buy a PE set, so I made one! Many years ago, I bought some brass mesh at a local train store and that sure looked right to me. I measured the opening and made a card stock template to make sure it would fit right. Sure enough, the dimensions fell right between the squares which made for an easy cut.
I test fit it and sent it to primer. I'll add some fasteners when I install it for good.
After this, I got sidetracked and Sunday evaporated. Thanks for coming by!
I kept looking at references and the kit, there was just something about that open grille on the rear deck that bugged me. Asuka doesn't provide screens in the kit and I'm too far into it to buy a PE set, so I made one! Many years ago, I bought some brass mesh at a local train store and that sure looked right to me. I measured the opening and made a card stock template to make sure it would fit right. Sure enough, the dimensions fell right between the squares which made for an easy cut.
I test fit it and sent it to primer. I'll add some fasteners when I install it for good.
After this, I got sidetracked and Sunday evaporated. Thanks for coming by!
Nice work!
Skinny_Mike
Well-known member
Lookin good!
