The Grasshopper, something different

[Tim A.]

Hi all
My latest project is Dragon's Heuschrecke IVb "Grasshopper". There's not alot of info on this rare gun. But the kit is great and comparing it to the couple of photo's I've come across of the real deal it is dead on enough for me. I will be placing it in a diorama display when finished. As there where only 3 prototypes built and none saw action the paint jobs were clean no battle damage, scratches etc. This will be hard for me as like most I like to weather stuff up. In addition I've decided to finish the whole unit in primer as if rolled out for some more testing before the finish color was applied. There is alot of discussion as to what the primer color actually looked like. Anywho here's a couple of shots of the hull with the first layer of color, kinda different

Tim

 

[Dave Diaz]

Tim,

I think the biggest challenge in painting models that never saw action like this is that people often get carried away and apply way to much weathering on them.

I think is more of a challenge to get that "unused" look on them. Anyways, it looks great so far.

dave

 

[Tim A.]

Hi Dave
I had thought of depicting it left abandoned long after they relized this design would'nt work out very well. An excuse to use the rust chalks but I'm going to practice self control and finish it out fresh. I might change the lower hull from the standard interior buff to what would have been the final exterior color. As this was an open turrent gun and the turrent was designed to come off it does'nt seem like they would do it in the "look at me here I am" color.

Tim

 

[Brokeneagle]

Interesting subject - like the primer color.

 

[iowabrit]

Theresa real one at Duxford..(at least, I think its a Heuschrecke)

 

[Iron Mike]

She's lookin' good, Tim! There was a Grasshopper build on the cover of MMIR #48, if you can dig up a copy for some inspiration. Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[Tim A.]

I'm working on the turrent and will have some pics in a day or two. The photo's I've found are of the one at the Aberdeen proving grounds. No turrent interior shots. I did find one period photo taken of the turrent being lifted off. I'm also making a towbar for the turrent wagon as the kit does not come with it. It is clearly visible in the Aberdeen photo's.

Mike, I'd prolly never find it but would like to see it.

Tim

 

[StuG]

Fine start....Good luck...

 

[Tim A.]

Working on the turrent. I might finish out the turrent outer shell in a raw steel un-primered state when done. The dropped shields will be open and need detailed. The dio will depict the turrent just set in place.

Tim

 

[moon puppy]

Really, still on the factory floor? That's an interesting idea. Something always worth seeing.

 

[Tim A.]

moon puppy wrote:

Really, still on the factory floor? That's an interesting idea. Something always worth seeing.

Well mabey not that fresh moon puppy but close, thats the plan anyway.

I depicted the gun and breech as being finished, painted and installed before the turret was completely done. I don't know but thought it would add contrast and a little more interest.

 

[moon puppy]

That's a pretty wild idea, guess they would tow the gun if they needed to change positions in a hurry and didn't have time to reattach it to the chassis. Just guessin...

 

[panzerace007]

HOOD,

That's lookin Good ! I like the Idea of it Being on the Factory Floor ! How well has the Construction gone ? I've heard that it is a difficult Build ... borderline P.O.S. ? Just curious ?

ERIK

 

[Kreighshoer]

that looks awesome! the raw steel turret really sets everything apart!

 

[Jenny Croft]

WOW this is a real showstopper ! I love the raw steel finish .

Jenny :kiss:

 

[Tim A.]

Thanks for the compliments all! I'm counting on the dio making clear as to the reason for the paint scheme. :hmmm

The whole concept of the removable gun design while seeming to be a good idea would be a headache to actually do. From what I can tell the gun would need a team of engineers following it around everywhere. To remove the gun the hull needs more equipment than it carries. In the Aberdeen photos there is a long rod mounted under the crane on the (right side facing the front) of the hull . I thought it was the towbar for the gun carriage, now I think it is part of the extra stuff needed to detatch the turret. But where would the pulley wheels, rigging and hoist be carried? This stuff had to be heavy. Voyager offers a kit for the lifting hoist that looks really nice. I read somewhere the carriage towbar was mounted to the gun barrel but in the photos I don't see any hint of how it was done.

Erik, The kit is nicely molded and everything goes together well. Reference photos of the real thing comes in handy as the kit instructions can be miss-leading such as showing the jack clamps backwards on the hull, stuff like that. Curious though, the equipment related to the whole purpose of the vehicle is missing but Voyager offers these goodies.

Tim

 

[Cheyenne]

Hey man , this is a very cool build , .......... The primer job turned out very good !!!
The mix and match of different metal/primer is also a nice touch .

One suggestion , .... how about adding some chalk numbers and figures to the tank body , .... you know manufacture stuff , part location for the next guy in the assembly line , math , etc. while in the factory , or just out of the factory just before they are ready to finish it .


Here , this is what I mean , ............

 

[Tim A.]

Great photos Cheyenne thanks!

I am working on an overhead traveling crane that the tank will be sitting under as if the turret has just been dropped into place.

Tim

 

[Tim A.]

I finished up the Heuschrecke this evening.
Still getting used to the primer color. I have read more than once of it being discribed as a red brick that appeared to have a pink-ish tint (sometimes). Although my camera's eye is not capturing the true color thats on the model they are close enough for debate. With that said I'm going to let it go and move on to diorama.

Tim

 

[bob letterman]

Nice job on the Hueschrecke Tim. A very unusual subject. I built one of these in the early 70s. Can't remember the brand but it was a weird scale like 1/28th or something! I like the factory idea and think this should turn out to be an unusual diorama!

Cool idea!

Bob