I mentioned before I was on vacation when the Challenge started. As it happens, there’s a FLGS nearby where I always like to drop in to see how they’re doing. This time around, I was more eager than normal, if only to hear their Covid survival story (fortunately it was survival). As these things go, I seldom leave the store with empty hands. Choice was a bit limited thanks to supply issues and my lack of interest in Italian WW2 armor. They did have the Warlord plastic Jagdtiger. Definitely nothing I needed for any project, I have to admit, but I think it is one of the best possible fits for the Death Star. Granted, there are many historical constructions of questionable design that smack of hubris, so it’s not alone.
At nearly 72 tons with a 128mm gun, it was the heaviest armored vehicle in the war to see at least a small production series. The Spielberger Schwere Jagdpanzer book has one of those penetration tables listing about a dozen allied tanks that couldn’t penetrate its frontal armor at all, while the gun could take them out at over three kilometers. Of course, it was huge, underpowered, and with a fixed casemate, so any allied tank that took a detour could easily take it out from the side or rear. Not a small exhaust port, sure, but definitely Death Star-like.
The Warlord model is alright, though it’s not easy getting the upper casemate parts to fit well. The interlocking plates are nicely done, though the limitations of the plastic mould do show. I tried to extend them over the sides. Not sure if I’m really satisfied with the result, but it works. The very large side plates are perfectly smooth, so I painted them with very thin Vallejo plastic putty to give it some surface roughness. Most of the painting was done with the airbrush, followed by some washes, sponge-chipping, pigments, and detail painting.
That camo is excellent, some great airbrush work.
ReplyDeleteExcellent camo work, Jasper! Good to see the photos of it after hearing you mention it on the podcast yesterday! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat work on this Behemoth.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a Death Star, although back in the day I recall an article in the Avalon HillGeneral that listed its enemies as small mammals that eat the eggs.
Great model!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking model Jasper!
ReplyDeleteanother fab figure
ReplyDeleteAstonishing work. Super impressed. As someone said just now on Twitter, you bring a find modeller's standard to wargames models. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteCheers, MikeP
Gosh, that is a lovely Big Cat. Well done Jasper.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job Jasper! This inspires me to paint my metal 20mm version that's been laying around in my pile for years... Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteActually I have to comment on the tracks. I served as a Cavalry Scout in the 7th Cav & the 11th Cav. and thus spent many hours/days/weeks/months living on our vehicles (mainly M3A1 Scout Bradleys). Tracks are always shiny from movement. You nailed it! Mud, dirt, grease etc. all wedged up in there but the tracks where they meet the ground are always shiny.
ReplyDeleteCracking work on the camo Jasper!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Fantastic camo on this big kitty. All of the extra detail work adds to the realism.
ReplyDeleteSuperb Cammo
ReplyDeleteSuperb stuff. Definitely one to aim at the exhaust port…
ReplyDeleteExcellent interpretation of the death star and a splendid model!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Brilliant big cat Jasper!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant camo and weathering Jasper! Needs some tank riders 😉
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteExcellent job on the camo!
ReplyDeleteWow. Just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAmazing work Jasper! The weathering is really spot on!
ReplyDeleteGreat camo and weathering on this big beast, good job Jasper!
ReplyDelete