Dragon / Tamiya Jagdtiger (Destroyed)
Inspiriation After coming across a Jagdtiger kit, i needed to determine what i wanted to build.  I found the photos of Jagdtiger 332, and was hooked.  From what i could learn, it was hit by artillery fire or rockets, and had to be abandoned.  It looks from the photos like it lost a track, and sunk in on soft ground.  Another advantage to modeling this vehicle is the abbundance of photos.  There are photos covering every angle of the vehicle, which greatly assists in modelling it. The hull roof has been blown off of the vehicle, allowing a great oppurtuinity to model the inside of the large hull, as well as model the destruction and fire damage which occured when the vehicle was destroyed by its own crew.
Build Log
02-24-2015 Added photos up to current state. 02-22-2015 Added the mud to the base, mounted the model to the base.  Need to weather the model to finish the diorama. 02-08-2015 Long time since an update.  Much progress has been made.  The interior is complete and weathered.  The exterior has the camoflage painted, and some inital weathering completed.  The base has all the groundwork completed, a primer coat, texture coat and the base paint coats completed.  Next up is finishing the groundwork and completing the weathering and detail work of the outside of the model. 11-29-2014 Interior base painting completed.  Ready for detail painting and then weathering. 11-27-2014 Found a new reference photo of the rear of the vehicle, which i had not had before.  I now have photos of all sides of the vehicle, which is essential.  The only one lacking is the interior of the vehicle, which i will have to make from logic.  I have a small view into the vehicle through the open back door in the rear photo. 11-26-2014 Interior build continues.  I thought i had it somewhat complete, but after checking references, realized the ammunition storage racks were incorrect.  I also had repositoned the gun mount incorrectly.  I added the racks, as well as a FU8 radio transmitter that i had.  The receiver i do not, so i think i will make that be "missing", with some wiring in its place. Older This project started when i purchased a Dragon Jagdtiger from someone who had started it.  After finding the photos of Jagdtiger 332, i decided that this was what i wanted to create.  I found on eBay a lot consisting of a Tamiya upper hull which had also been started, and some leftover PE parts from the Verinden Jagdtiger interior set.  The verlinden transmission set i picked up in a shop in Malaysia while travelling on business.  I used these to form time to time work on the interior of the kit, scratch building and using spare parts for what i did not already have.  The project did not really pick up until November 2014.
Parts List
Dragon Jagdtiger Misc Tamiya Jagdtiger parts Misc Verlinden Jagdtiger PE parts Verlinden King Tiger transmission Leftover Radio Parts from a Dragon STUG III kit
As it stands now.  I used drywall compound mixed with paint to cover the brown static grass.  The texture of the static grass shows up through the thinned drywall compound when it dries, giving a nice color and texture. The biggest issue is cracks in the compound.  These are easy to solve however.  Using an old brush, apply a generous amount of water to the surface.  Gently scrub.  The compound will soften and you will be able to work it into the cracks to close them up.  The advantage of this is that you do not need to repaint and the color stays the same.
This is after some of the vegetation has been placed.  The grass was still not dense enough at this point and more would be added.  Note the green ground cover beneath the grass.  This represents the low lying scrub brush found in fields.  Below this brush is the static grass. I applied the grass by placing a drop of white glue on the ground where i wanted the grass and using the dull side of a knife, fold the grass in half and press it down into the ground.  The styrofoam base pinches it in place and really holds it.
The material applied over the base.  I first used green and brown paint sprayed over the testured paint.  I then used static grass and dirt to cover the surface.  This set up the base for further vegetation.  I mixed different types of static grass together to break up the fake looking monotone green color.  Most of this will be hidden, but it still adds depth to the vegetation
I painted the base to set the base color under all the vegetation.  It also helps me keep the final vision in my mind.  Note that i continue to place the model on the base.  Again, keeping the final picture in mind as you work is critical.
After the testured paint has dried.
The base after the base paint has been applied.  I used a textured paint to add some surface texture to the base.  It also provided a nice edge to the areas not directly covered by the surface material.
Interior Weathering
More interior weathering
Interior weathering in provress
Masked model on the base after the camoflage has been applied. Note the tracks have been masked off to protect them
Comparison between the actual subject and the current state of the model.  Take a look at the differences between them that need to be corrected.
Another angle
Mock up
Masks removed
Interior red paint sprayed
Interior.  White painted areas masked, ready for interior red paint
Interior shot with the new racks
Interior shot with the new racks
Interior shot with the new racks
Mockup in the new base.
Base after the second coat of compound.  This also shows the re-assembeled mockup.
Base after the second coat of compound.  This also shows the re-assembeled mockup.
The base after the first round of drywall compound used to grade it.  It needed at least two more.
The base showing the styrofoam i used to build it up.
Fighting compartment interior showing the new ammuition racks.  Note that the upper left one rack in the photo has already been distressed.
Fighting Compartment Rear.  Note the additional plastic added to the rear wall to simulate the thickness of the rear plate.
A close up of the drivers area
Inital interior build.  This is before a round of primer and white paint.  The ammunition racks were rebuilt since this photo was taken.  The grey parts are the stock kit, the tan parts are the verlinden pieces.  The white parts are sheep plastic that was used to scratchbuild.