Marder II - Pak 40/2 Diorama

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:31 am

Hello!

Lately I've been trying to reduce my unfinished models pile of death, It's dark and cold out there... Must fight the impulse to start new builds...

This one has been waiting for some TLC for almost a year now.

Hope you guys can forgive me to post previously started models, I promise to keep the build updated on every step from this point on.

It's a diorama of a Marder II from Dragon and a few figures from Tamiya and Miniart.

The terrain is almost complete, as it is my favourite part of making the dioramas.

Present build status:

Terrain:

The ideia:

I think I'm going to assemble the gun next, not sure yet.

Thanks

EpoxySniffer · Post by **EpoxySniffer** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:57 am

The terrain is awesome mate. Is that real rocks or did you make them and paint them up?

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:51 am

EpoxySniffer wrote:The terrain is awesome mate. Is that real rocks or did you make them and paint them up?

Thanks mate, those are real rocks that my brother found and brought them to me i then washed, glued, primed and painted.

Filo387 · Post by **Filo387** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:57 am

The diorama is amazing. I really need some tutorials on this aspect of modeling. I am trying to do an afghan one for my op herrick sets.

AchtungPanzer · Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 10:50 am

Diorama is really good and very realistic... Man .

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:01 pm

This is really nice - I love the groundwork

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:01 pm

wow that is amazing mate

HWGuderian23 · Post by **HWGuderian23** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:33 pm

WOW - the dio looks amazing! Outstanding work so far

!
Can't wait to see your progress mate...

P.S.: You should do a how-to-do on building scale model terrain because I think you really have a gift for this genre my friend

!

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:48 pm

Jeez, that ground work is amazing! One of the best I've ever seen. Well done mate, I'm really impressed.

I like the positioning of the kit and figures too, can't wait to see this build!

DC87 · Post by **DC87** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:52 pm

Absolutely fabulous, I'm blown away by how good that terrain is

HWGuderian23 wrote:P.S.: You should do a how-to-do on building scale model terrain because I think you really have a gift for this genre my friend !

I second this, a tutorial from you would be a real treat - please do one if you find the time

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 4:02 pm

DC87 wrote:Absolutely fabulous, I'm blown away by how good that terrain is

HWGuderian23 wrote:P.S.: You should do a how-to-do on building scale model terrain because I think you really have a gift for this genre my friend !
I second this, a tutorial from you would be a real treat - please do one if you find the time

Thanks guys, you're too kind!

The terrain is one of my favourite parts of modelling, unfortunately I have no photos of the build process of this terrain. If you have specific questions just ask, I'll be happy to answer.

What I can do is a tutorial from my next project where I can explain how I achieve this result, my process if you will. I can tell this much "variety is the spice of life"

Now on to the update:

Almost finished with the gun, and I'm dealing with some fit issues on the main assemblies and the hull.

Meanwhile the carpet monster ate another piece of PE, from one of the side walls, I'll have to make a new part, fortunately it's one of the simple type.

The photos:

Twistedsniper42 · Post by **Twistedsniper42** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 5:00 pm

this is going to be a great build can't wait to see it done

HWGuderian23 · Post by **HWGuderian23** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 5:03 pm

reelmesh wrote:What I can do is a tutorial from my next project where I can explain how I achieve this result, my process if you will. I can tell this much "variety is the spice of life"

I think it would be great if you could do this (if time permits)

!
Thank you in advance mate

!

P.S.: Your Marder looks great so far. I'm very curious to see this project finished mate

.

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:37 pm

HWGuderian23 wrote:
reelmesh wrote:What I can do is a tutorial from my next project where I can explain how I achieve this result, my process if you will. I can tell this much "variety is the spice of life"
I think it would be great if you could do this (if time permits) !
Thank you in advance mate !

P.S.: Your Marder looks great so far. I'm very curious to see this project finished mate .

Will do!

Update:

Finished the side walls and added some wire holders on the outer edges, the kit had some PE for that but after looking at some photos of the real vehicle I realized they would look better this way.

Dry fitted with the gun and hull:

Thanks!

HWGuderian23 · Post by **HWGuderian23** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:57 pm

Excellent work mate

! The level of detail on this kit is absolutely amazing. I'm really impressed and can't wait to see some paint on it. Thanks for sharing

!

Radzy · Post by **Radzy** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:05 pm

Great Scott & general Jackson! That's a hot potato!

Holly Shmolly that diorama base blown me off chair (and I tried to avoid jaw dropping - I did it so many times 'thanks' to posts on this forum my dentist refuses to fix it again

)... well she's quite hot, so I don't mind going there again

Mate, that is a masterpiece and do not try to deny it !

and this marder is coming along nicely.

NovYank · Post by **NovYank** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:31 pm

That is just absolutely fantastic in every way.

fly1ngdutchm4n · Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:23 pm

Love it, love it, love it!

The Marder is one of my favorite vehicles, I want to build every type of them.
And your base? wow...

spruecutter · Post by **spruecutter** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:16 pm

Great work, that base is stunning

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 3:38 pm

Thanks so much guys, I'm glad you like it, this model has been a real test of my skills and patience.

Markus: The level of detail is gorgeous indeed, but a word of advice, beware of the serious fit issues it has, other than that and the confusing instructions it is a gem.

Almost time for paint! Yes!!!

Radzy: Thanks mate, not trying to deny it. It looks good to me, I'm just glad it looks good to you guys too, because that's the real test. Wish I had a hot dentist, would take half the pain away.

fly1ngdutchm4n: I'm becoming a fan myself, when I started this project I didn't have this opinion, now I do, will build other Marders.

Update:

Almost there, did the back end of the vehicle, the rest of the PE, took care of a seam line on the gun breech rail and wiring on the Bosch headlight.

Had to deal with some fit issues as stated, and I'll have to fill the holes for the radio subassembly (have to move it 2mm to the left for it to fit properly).

So here is as it stands now:

Next will be the tracks and final dry fitting and adjustments.

ww2hispanomodels · Post by **ww2hispanomodels** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 9:12 pm

OMG! This is an amazing project!

Obrigado for showing this great project!

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 9:21 pm

Holy sweet Crap reelmesh!!! How have I missed this???
I'm so far behind Grrrr.
This is wonderful buddy!!! I love all the little tweaks.
It's too bad that we have to hid them under paint sometimes. These will pay off in the end.
Well done dude!

AchtungPanzer · Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:21 am

This Marder Model - First League , top class .

longlance67 · Post by **longlance67** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:29 am

stunning work mate

Shane.

HWGuderian23 · Post by **HWGuderian23** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 10:10 am

reelmesh wrote:Markus: The level of detail is gorgeous indeed, but a word of advice, beware of the serious fit issues it has, other than that and the confusing instructions it is a gem.
Almost time for paint! Yes!!!

Thanks for the advice mate. I'll try to remember that if I ever be able to build such a complicated kit like this

!
I'm a newbie and cutely never build a Dragon kit myself

, but I've heard a lot of negative commentaries about their instructions as well. I think its complexity combined with the bad instructions are the main causes why I'm flinch from doing a Dragon yet.
But anyways ... will follow your progress my friend

.

Gav0909 · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:52 am

Dude this looks awesome even as a bare plastic kit! The PE work is so neat and tidy, awesome work!

Really looking forward to seeing this get painted. The base looks outstanding, did you make that as well?

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:36 pm

Thanks so much guys, you really make me want to up my ante!

ww2hispanomodels: De nada, I'm learning has I go along.

Coen:Thanks so much Coen your feedback really means a lot, practice makes perfect and have lots of it.
Yeah, I almost don't want to paint the damn thing, but a man has got to do what a man has got to do, right?

I love your videos, they make my lonely modeling hours less so, please keep doing those whenever you can!

Markus: This is my first dragon kit too, I have a bunch of them but I was really scared of doing them!

But you know what, just do them, they don't have to be perfect and you'll learn a ton building them. Go for it!

Gav0909: Thanks mate, yes i made the base, I'll post a tutorial when I finish this project on how I make them.

Thanks to all!

DC87 · Post by **DC87** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:34 pm

Stunning, stunning Marder Reelmesh. The skill involved in such a clean build of a Dragon kit is immense

I am now going to spend another 20 minutes happily looking at the amazing pictures of this build

andreb87 · Post by **andreb87** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 7:18 pm

wow! what an awesome diorama base! very clean build too! that's really superb work! wish i could do such a base! could you maybe do a tutorial or a building review of your next diorama base? that would be awesome!

Vilkas · Post by **Vilkas** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 12:13 am

That is absolutely amazing quality build, love it. I am totally hooked on this build, looking forward to more of it, love every bit of it. Keep up the great work

gosselin2112 · Post by **gosselin2112** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 4:23 am

This is very good model building. I hope you plan on showing this off at model shows.

Russ

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:50 am

Thanks again guys, I'll do my best to keep this build clean and going.

DC87: Thanks mate, I must say that it doesn't seem all that clean to me I'm not that experienced, in fact this is the most detailed kit I ever built.

andreb87: It's in the pipeline for my next project, I'll make a tutorial and post it here on ISM.

Vilkas: Here goes some more!

Russ: I'm not planning that at all. In my country there are only a couple of good ones and they are really small comparing to the big international shows.
I guess I never really had thought of that. Maybe in the future who knows.

Update:

This is just a small update, I had to travel for a couple of days because my grandmother past away and I really don't feel much like modelling or doing anything else for that matter.

Nonetheless I primed the Marder, I used Vallejo grey polyurethane primer. I'll let it sit for a few days before returning to it.

Next is my favorite part of the whole process, painting and weathering the vehicle.

Thanks guys!

HWGuderian23 · Post by **HWGuderian23** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 6:07 pm

Yeah! Let's paint that baby

!
What's your experience with the vallejo primer? Did you ever had any problems with flaking color after using this primer? According to what I've heard many guys had huge problems with it.

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 12:46 am

HWGuderian23 wrote:Yeah! Let's paint that baby !
What's your experience with the vallejo primer? Did you ever had any problems with flaking color after using this primer? According to what I've heard many guys had huge problems with it.

Markus, my experience so far has been really good, I do leave it to cure properly before painting or fixing any issue, at the very least 24 hours.
I wash my sprues with warm soapy water before assembly, then after the primer and colors been sprayed I seal the paint with clear, I apply decals and reseal before starting the weathering.
I weather with enamels which are a completely different set of products from acrylics, you should have no problems.

Been using this primer for two years now, haven't had a problem so far.

HWGuderian23 · Post by **HWGuderian23** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:56 am

Thanks for your detailed reply and also thanks for sharing your experience Reelmesh

!

Vilkas · Post by **Vilkas** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 3:46 pm

sorry about your grandma man

HWGuderian23 · Post by **HWGuderian23** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 4:03 pm

reelmesh wrote:Update:

This is just a small update, I had to travel for a couple of days because my grandmother past away and I really don't feel much like modelling or doing anything else for that matter.

Oh I'm an idiot! Please pardon me mate! I've just read this part of your post only now (otherwise I had never asked such a stupid question - please believe me)!
My deepest condolences

!

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:53 pm

Vilkas wrote:sorry about your grandma man

Thanks mate, I'm still getting back to normal.

Well life goes on, I usually get more into the hobby as a catharsis for these moments.

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:59 pm

HWGuderian23 wrote:
reelmesh wrote:Update:

This is just a small update, I had to travel for a couple of days because my grandmother past away and I really don't feel much like modelling or doing anything else for that matter.
Oh I'm an idiot! Please pardon me mate! I've just read this part of your post only now (otherwise I had never asked such a stupid question - please believe me)!
My deepest condolences !

Thanks Markus, don't beat yourself up!

No need to pardon mate, please, It was so off topic... I guess I wasn't in my best mindset.

It's ok Markus, it was better that she has passed away, I don't like unnecessary suffering, this way there's no pain.

Cheers mate don't worry!

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:25 am

So here is another update to the build.

Today I had the chance to paint an apply washes to the interior of the driver and fighting compartment.

Painting:

For the main colour, Dunkelgelb, I used a 2/2/1 mix of these Vallejo Air colours, I really wanted a lighter colour to account for the weathering, the "correct" dark yellow is just too dark for this scale.

Then I painted the details with vallejo Model Color paints.

This is how it turned out...

Then I went in and used these AK interactive enamels for the various washes, I had to dilute them well with white spirit.

Results:

Dry fitting the parts:

That's it for now!

Still a couple of steps away from gluing the whole bunch together, slow but steady.

Vilkas · Post by **Vilkas** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:20 am

Love it! Awesome! I am so enjoying watching this masterpiece coming together. That is some serious paintwork you did. The smallest detail do you paint it with brushes or like toothpicks or smth? I will blame you for...I really want a Marder II now

HWGuderian23 · Post by **HWGuderian23** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 6:43 am

Wow - I don't know what to say reelmesh

!
This one will get a masterpiece - that's for sure

.The paint job you did on the Marder is absolutely amazing and accentuate all this fine details in a fantastic manner. Thanks for sharing this outstanding work with us mate and keep it up

Radzy · Post by **Radzy** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:51 am

Geez mate if you continue with this marder the way you progressed so far... wow you'll probably beat your dio base with level of detail. Your work so far is... far beyond excellence

Great work, buddy, great work!
I can't wait to see it finished... or maybe not

I'm really enjoying your updates

NorthernSwede · Post by **NorthernSwede** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:00 pm

Simply stunning work. i´m picking up my jaw from the floor atm.

reelmesh · Post by **reelmesh** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:50 am

Thanks Guys! Glad you like it, I'm having some serious fun with this build.

Vilius: I used a Van Gogh 5/0 paintbrush for the detailing and chipping, it takes a long time but I think it's well worth the effort.

Update:

I've added two new steps to the build, chipping and some streaking on the fighting compartment walls.

I've tried to convey a really used vehicle, paying attention to add some scratches and chipping to areas where the crew would work in battle. I'm still learning this chipping technique so please pardon me for getting a bit carried away...

Before adding the chipping I drybrushed the parts with Vallejo Buff using a flat soft brush, then I chipped the parts with flat brown followed by two metallic tones with a 5/0 round brush, and finally applied some streaks with AK interactive Interior streaking effects.

On with the photos:

So there it is for now.

Next I will mask off the interior and start painting the exterior of the vehicle.

Thanks again guys!

Vilkas · Post by **Vilkas** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:57 am

It certainly is worth the effort! I need to go to sleep, and I just can't stop staring at the photos

altogether superb build so far and most a pure pleasure to watch. Thank you

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:22 am

That's a superior job buddy!
That is near perfect chipping.
Well done!

Radzy · Post by **Radzy** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:44 am

Dammit mate! Almost choked myself to death when I saw last update!

This chipping is out of scale again. Brilliant job, mate, only pros here. No cons at all.

Cheers,
Radek

longlance67 · Post by **longlance67** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:22 am

very impressive chipping, looks super sharp !

great work

Shane

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:50 am

WOW that is brilliant mate your not building a model you are doing a piece of art work buddy stunning