Tonight I decided to attach the plastic link and length (L&L) tracks. These are just like their 1/48th counterparts in terms of the parts breakdown. I had carefuly glued the vinyl tracks last night (if you use too much glue they just melt!) and now that they were dry I attached those first. They are good for factory fresh looking tracks (that is, no sag!). They were stretched pretty tight and I decided that the L&L would look better. I have to admit that I love the "mean" look you get with the wonderful German track sag that is so popular. I've built many of Tamiya's 1/48th AFV's and they use the same L&L system, but of course, with much tinier tracks.

If you are planning on building this kit and are not that experienced with link and length or individual ("Indy" link, such as Modelkasten, Friul, and Magic Tracks..) links then I would recommend you follow Tamiya's instructions by starting at the return roller and moving forward. What isn't mentioned, but is helpful, is to make sure each link and length is level. Just add a few drops of liquid glue where each tread section meets the wheels, roller, sprocket, and idler, and add a few drops where each section or individual tracks meet one another and go slowly but methodicaly making sure that each section is level in terms of their relationship to the "ground". By that I mean you should eyeball it as you go along, starting with first piece and spot down the side of the vehicle from the front and back and make sure the track section stays level from side to side. If one track unit sags off towards the lower hull or outwards to the side, it will then make each further link you attach start to wander off the same direction that the track is leaning and soon your tracks, as they wind their way around the running gear, will resemble the mathmatical infinity symbol...

I also cleaned up a few mold seams on the figure's trousers and tunic and attached his head (in the previous chapter he was the "Headless Hetzerman"...Halloween is just around the corner ya know!) but he's found his noggin' and is much happier. I have only assembled him to use as a size reference for the pictures. I also used my dental pick and scribed out around his tunic collars and waist to add a little depth. I sometimes scribe out around the wrists to hollow out the sleeves, ala Gen2 style of figures from Dragon.

In the next chapter I will deviate from the kit's instrucions and begin attaching some PE parts. I've noted that the Aber set seems to have a few parts that seem to be for the G13. I've noticed in pictures on the internet that the drivers two glass vision blocks are mounted in a nice thick armored mounting block that juts out from the front hull but the G13 has the glass blocks mounted nearly flush with a sheet metal (?) rain guard and some unique "D" styled rings welded along the body (foilage attachment hooks?). I'm not sure if these are indicitive of late war style Hetzers or post war G13's. More surfing will be required!

At any rate, I'll start with the PE tool brackets and other parts that are definite Hetzer parts and really make this kit look the part. Stay tuned!