1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G - T-3 (75mm) Polish Army - Revell - Completed

Finally, I finished Stug in Polish Army markings, and in time for Northern Virginia IPMS Model Classic 2013. I was also able to complete small vignette for it.
Figures were painted with Vallejo & Citadel paints. Stug was weathered with AK Interactive wash and pigments.

1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G - T-3 (75mm) Polish Army - Revell - Workbench Part 2

After another quite pause, mainly thanks to  Junior, eventually I was able to push this build forward. That how it goes when little man starts to discover the world.

Stug received coat of grey primer.

1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G Revell - Grey Primer

1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G Revell - Grey Primer

1/72 StuG 40 Ausf.G - T-3 (75mm) Polish Army - Revell - Workbench Part 1

After being quiet for a while, I took on StuG 40 Ausf.G from Revell, which under designation T-3 (75mm) was used in Polish Army in 1945, by 5th Self-propelled Artillery Unit, 6th Infantry Division. This unit was using captured vehicles, since it never received planned SU-76. 5th Self-propelled Artillery Unit was using 3 such Stugs.

To start, I pulled out from my stash well known Revell's kit and metal barrel by JB/RB Models.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Gallery

Here's my completed 1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) tank from Trumpeter, as one of two such tanks tested in Polish Army, to replace aging T-34s. However, Poland decided to skip JS-3 tank, and chose T-54/55 over them.
The whole build you can check in previous posts, here's just quick summary. Painted with Model Master and Tamiya acrylics. Stock gun barrel replaced with aluminum one by JB Models. Cut-out turret hatches (unfortunately Trumpeter molded them shut) and scratch built inner side details. Drilled out headlights and added lenses from MV Lenses. Added fuel lines from wire.  Figures came from Preiser's "Soviet Tank Crew" set. Resin cobblestone base. Weathering with pastel and oils.
Here it is:

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

Click READ MORE to see all the pictures.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Completed

Finally I found some time to do long time due update on JS-3. Tank itself is completely assembled and received some weathering using pastels and artistic oils.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - weathering

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - weathering

Click READ MORE to see all the pictures.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 7

Time for the update of JS-3 build. The tracks were assembled and mounted on the wheels.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Tracks right side

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Tracks left side

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 6

After having assembly and priming done, I could go forward with painting. First I applied pre-shading using Tamiya Black XF-1.

Next, I airbrushed Model Master 4807 Russian Armor Green, lightened up with Tamiya White X-2.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 5

Finally I finished the assembly. The hatch is on the place, and I added blockade for it made from copper wire.

1/72 JS-3 - Assembled turret top

1/72 JS-3 - Assembled turret front

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 4

Some work done on JS-3. Gun barrel fixed in place and muzzle brake added.

Gaps on the turret had been filled as well.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 3

Work on JS-3 continues. After quite a struggle I managed to install metal gun barrel into the mantlet (I had to widen the opening). Having this done, I assembled the turret. Fitting is quite away from snug.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Turret's bottom

Assembled turret revealed rather serious gaps on both sides of the gun mount...

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Gun mount

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 2

I started work on JS-3 by assembling suspension parts.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Suspension

One of disadvantages of this kit are hatches, which Trumpeter molded in shut position. Since I prefer to include figures with my builds, I decided to cut them out.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Opened turret hatches

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 1

Among other modeling subjects, I definitely have a soft spot for Polish armor. While ago, when reading one of the books of that matter, I found the information about two JS-3 (IS-3) tanks delivered for testing to Polish Army (1946/1947). Eventually, Polish Army went straight for T-54/55, skipping JS-3. Both JS-3s are preserved in museums in Poznan and Warsaw.
Having this said, let's focus on the model kit. Trumpeter makes two versions of this heavy tank, JS-3 (which is going to be my victim here) and JS-3m (later version).

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Completed

Finally Firefly Vc is completed. Crew was mounted in their hatches (placing the driver was really tricky :)). Terrain was made with mixture of pigments, white glue and matt varnish. Vegetation was done with different products from Silflor and Polak companies. Decals came from 1st Polish Armoured Division Part 1 set by Armo (72408). This Firefly received markings of 1st Squadron, 2nd Regiment, 1st polish Armoured Division, in England, during Spring 1944.

1/72 Pz.Inz. 140 4TP Polish Light Tank - Modell Trans

Germany based manufacturer Modell Trans released resin model kit of Polish 4TP light tank.
Model kit is packed into small clear plastic box.

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Workbench Part 5

Some family matters prevented me from more often posting, but hopefully everything will get back to normal. However, in meantime I was able to spend a bot of time modeling.
I managed to assemble the crew for Firefly. Parts for them came from Milicast British Tankers, Preiser RAF mechanics, and Airfix donated parts for driver. Here are three musketeers:

Before painting them, I checked if the fit into the hatches

Magazine miniReplika #73 feat. 1/72 Hetzer in Polish Army

I'm happy to announce Mini Replika magazine issue 73 is released. It features my build article about 1/72nd Hetzer used by Polish Army in 1945.

Build is based on Italeri's Hetzer model kit (re-issued ESCI kit), with some necessary modifications.
Featured model, brought me gold medal at AMPS International Show 2011. Here it is:

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Workbench Part 4

Since Firefly build is coming close to an end, I decided to start working on the base for it. I sculpted base it using DAS (air drying sculpting clay). After shaping general terrain layout, I added tracks impression on the ground, with DS tracks from another Firefly... It still needs some more detail, but here's general idea of it.

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Workbench Part 3

Work on Firefly continues. First some problems... I applied Johnson's Clear, which resulted in a bit rough texture and also darken the tank. I sanded it down a bit and few more coats of gloss clear. I was ready for decals. I used decals from Polish manufacturer ARMO, set 72408 1st Polish Armoured Division Part 1.

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Workbench Part 2

Finally I found some time to paint smaller details on Firefly.

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Workbench

Another Sherman on the workbench, but it's a braille scale this time. Quick built OOB (out of the box), without any modifications. I wanted to try slightly different approach with the paint job.

There were no surprises during the build, so could move on quickly to painting stage. First, grey primer Mr. Hobby Surfacer 1200, then black pre-shading.