PSullivan

Guys, Thanks for the compliments! I used Tamaiya acrylics starting with straight panzer gray thinned with isopropyl alcohol then gradually lightening it with white for highlights. Once dry I sprayed a coat of clear flat then then future floor polish and placed the decals for the first gun "ADAM". I kept the entire model in sections for the painting, i.e. lower chassis, upper deck, gun cradle, gun, and wheels. After applying the decals I did another coat of clear flat and once dry started applying a burnt umber wash (artist oils), then some pin washes using a mixture of burnt umber and lamp black oils. I did some more pin washes using oils to get a decent rust color. I have just started the initial dry brushing using artist oils. Right now as you see the model it is only dry fitted together except for the wheels which are now glued in place to show the gun in the lowered firing position. I still have a ways to go with the weathering and quite a few more parts to add. I plan to keep the rails off until the very end as I have already broken off small parts fiddling with the dry fitting. I found it handy to build a simple jig to hold the lower chassis tub while assembling, aligning and gluing all the parts involved with the early running gear. Paul

Hi, Just joined IPMS a few days ago and I think I've figured how to post pictures (I hope). I bought the TRUPMETER KARL and have been working on it off and on for a long time and still have a long way to go. When I started I decided to to use the early style running gear/chassis which looked kind of busy and cool. That was a mistake as it took allot of time, effort, cutting, sanding and fiddling to get everything aligned and correct. It turned out to be very frustrating. As for the rest of the kit, things were pretty easy. Anyone wanting to build this might want to opt for the later style chassis, which is a much easier assembly. Instead of the kit tracks I bought the Fruimodel set which, although expensive, are excellent and very easy to assemble. I also bought the Eduard photo etch set for the kit and wound up using only about 1/2 of it. Sometimes it's more trouble than it's worth to trying to attach the really tiny bits. Paul #47302

Hi Gil, I'm still trying to figure how to post. I've got some pics of the Italeri 155mm and Karl over at Photobucket that I'd like to post. I'll figure it eventually. Regards, Paul

After seeing ads in modeling magazines for IPMS for the past 35 years, I have finally joined. I started plastic modeling as a kid, building all sorts of things, ships, planes, cars, etc. In my late teens I settled on WWII AFV's with a definite lean toward German tanks especially 1939-1942 early war models. I've tried my had at plank on frame shipbuilding and completed a kit of the tug SEGUIN (incl. R/C) back in 1986. At the present I would describe my self as a desultory modeler. It takes me forever nowadays to complete anything. Two years ago I built the old Italeri 155mm Howitzer, just for practice, and right now I have spent the last year off and on working on the Trumpeter KARL mortar. I finally have it painted, washed, and some initial dry-brushing done, still have a ways to go. I guess I really enjoy buying kits more than building building them! Paul