#3 DML Pzkpfw III Ausf N sPzAbt 501 Afrika (W.I.P.)

Hey scnobs looks good so far. I missed the finally of the last IV, gotta go look for that one.  Without seeing the other color side by side that looks like a color that will work. And NO i it is not my intention to rekindlke any sort of is that the right color discussions

That seems to be the standard sandbag method.  Shaoe it, texture it and add the seams

Your off to a good start. I agree with the color choice. I too am going by Bill's F2 build, and will use the same colors on my F2.

The sand bag method works great, I've been doing it that way for years. I finished my N a couple of months ago with lots of sandbags.Here's how my bags came out.

The Dragon kit is awesome and I'm hooked on them.

Rob

Edmund,

Ought to be a great project! It's worth pointing out that the color I used for the III-N, Afrika Grunbraun, was incorrect for a N. Afrika vehicle in late '42 early '43. At the time I didn't know that and went with what I thought "looked right" vs. the box art. After I had built this one, I came across a color photo of III-Ns with sPzAbt 501 being delivered in Tunisia and realized that it should've had the two-tone Tropen scheme like what I used on my IV F2.

That photo was a poor quality reproduction on the back of a book...but I was able to find a better quality of the original:

Unfortunately Testors doesn't replicate their full range of Afrika colors in the MM Acryl line, so you would have to mix your own colors for both to try and replicate the two-tone if you wanted to go that route.

wing_nut wrote:

Hey scnobs looks good so far. I missed the finally of the last IV, gotta go look for that one.  Without seeing the other color side by side that looks like a color that will work. And NO i it is not my intention to rekindlke any sort of is that the right color discussions That seems to be the standard sandbag method.  Shaoe it, texture it and add the seams

Thanks Marc,

Yes I was not intending to cause controversy I have only respect for eveyone's opinions and techniques I was just sharing mine.  I like to see all the variations on color that people come up with it is very subjective that's for sure.  I promise I will not paint any German Armor pink though I am not that much of a free spirit!

scratchmod wrote:

Your off to a good start. I agree with the color choice. I too am going by Bill's F2 build, and will use the same colors on my F2. The sand bag method works great, I've been doing it that way for years. I finished my N a couple of months ago with lots of sandbags.Here's how my bags came out. The Dragon kit is awesome and I'm hooked on them. Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the pic your PZ.III looks awesome and is very close to what is in my head for mine.  I hope you haven't been peeking in there I will have to put my tinfoil hat back on.  DML kits are my only expereince so far but I am really impressed with their quality and detail.

I would really appreciate more pics of yours or if you have it posted somewhere a link. 

What colors did you use on the sandbags and what color wash?  I would guess a Tamiya Buff or lightened Khaki with a burnt umber wash or wash brown.  Also what colors did you use for chipping.  I used a Poly Scale Reefer grey on my last PZ.IV and it looked okay just maybe a little to dark.

I used to dream about girls and now I dream about DML kits!!

Schnobs - looking forward to what you do with this guy. Seems like a terribly sweet kit!

Scratchmod - wow. That's pretty awesome.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the pics very cool!  I had to stare at them for quite awhile to pick out the two-tone Tropen scheme.  I realy like your PZ.IV F2 but if I tried that scheme right now free handed with my AB skills it would be crap shoot how it would turn out.  Sometimes my Badger feels like a magic wand and other times I feel like I am holding a telephone pole!

I am getting better though.  I have Cyber-Hobby Pz.IV Ausf D "Vorpanzer that I am going to build after this with a montone Panzer Grey and then it's Cammo Time!

I have a Tamiya VI Tiiger1 that my wife gave me for Christmas that will be my first Cammo experiment.  The model itself is large enough for me to get good practice.

wbill76 wrote:

No problem Edmund, just wanted to be sure you weren't copying the incorrect scheme just because I'd done it that way. I'm sure it won't take you long to get comfortable with your airbrush to start doing camo schemes...most people start out the other way around and are deathly afraid of monotone schemes!

Yes I love the challenge of making a Monotone interesting. Color modulation is a cool technique.  I did do the ring around my second base with my AB free handed and I was actualy suprised how easy it was.  I have a Badger 100LK double action with a medium tip and the learning curve was a little steep because I had never even touched an airbrush before but acrylics are forgiving. 

I liked this link and plan to use this technique on this build.

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=2006

I also find doing road wheels very Zen and I even painted both sides of each wheel.

Also I have become very fond of MIG Productions products and Mig Jinemez techniques and style.  I have both of the Night Vision DVD's which are really excellent.  I had a little scare this afternoon when my wife asked me if I had ordered objectionable materials over the internet and handed me a brown wrapped privacy envelope about the size of a big magazine. It finally came!

I am looking forward to reading and absorbing the techniques.  Back to modeling.  Take care Bill!

model maniac 96 wrote:

nice, lookin great so far Schnobs! can't wait to see the end result!!! Jim

Thanks Jim!  Good to hear from you again.  This one has been slower due to work and famly committments.  I did loose my first part to the carpet monster in my case the cement monster.

I think my dog ate it!

I am still looking I believe I can remake it easily enough.

, Schnobs, looking forward to seeing this progress. I too have the MIG book and think its just brilliant, best modelling tool I ever bought, expensive but worth it.

Good luck with your project, if its anything like your Mk.IV then you have another winner.

Regards,

Terry.

terry35 wrote:

, Schnobs, looking forward to seeing this progress. I too have the MIG book and think its just brilliant, best modelling tool I ever bought, expensive but worth it. Good luck with your project, if its anything like your Mk.IV then you have another winner. Regards, Terry.

Thanks Terry I have larger goals for this one and plan to add AM accessories like german helmets, sandbags and maybe a weapon or two. I actually plan to make the sandbags that should be fun. I was like a kid at Christmas last night reading the FAQ book.  My wife callled me a big nerd which I accepted with grace...

Heys Schnobs...sorry for the late reply. As far as the bags go,I think I used Tamiya Buff and Some green. I used more green on some and less on others. I applied the usual washes and dusting with pigments.

As far as the vehicle color goes, I think it was an old bottle of Pactra Afrika brown with some Tamiya Buff to tone it down.

Here are a couple of pics of the bags,I hope they help you.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with yours. I know how you feel with the airbrush,some days I can't hold it to save my life, and having paint spilling everywhere.

keep up the posts

scratchmod

Thanks Rob!  The pictures are awesome.  Ginormously cool!

It looks like you modeled a few of the sandbags to spill out sand and that would be cool to do as well. A guy could probably use pieces of flattened solder to simulate bag ties. 

Also did you install an interior?  I see you have the side doors open on the turret.

One more question sorry I am excited!  Do you have any pics of th rear of the vehicle I would like to see how you painted the Jerry cans.  I looked for pics of this on Armorama today and saw your other pics over there.  Very nice as well!

Thanks Again,

Schnobs wrote:

model maniac 96 wrote: nice, lookin great so far Schnobs! can't wait to see the end result!!! Jim Thanks Jim!  Good to hear from you again.  This one has been slower due to work and famly committments.  I did loose my first part to the carpet monster in my case the cement monster. I think my dog ate it! I am still looking I believe I can remake it easily enough.

Build update:

I got some solid work done tonight because my wife is a Gem!!  She took my kid duty tonght so I could have a few hours to myself.  Here is a pic where I am at the moment.  I mistakenly painted the drive housings for the sprockets and the idler mounts when I painted road wheels so that explains the two tone.  I will just be really easy on those areas when I spry the prime coat.

Hi Schnobs..She's looking good dude. The post your looking for on my III N is on page 5 of the constructive feedback forum. Yhe pics are larger there and should help more.

Rob

that is awesome! can't wait to see more!!!

                         Jim

scratchmod wrote:

Hi Schnobs..She's looking good dude. The post your looking for on my III N is on page 5 of the constructive feedback forum. Yhe pics are larger there and should help more. Rob

Rob thanks so much for pointing me to the your link!  Fantastic pictures and the jerry can rack is amazing not to mention the sandbags!  I am posting the link below so everyone can get a chance to enjoy ii:

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=130538&page=1

Did you glue the sandbags down and basecoat and weather in place?  The pictures led me to believe that.  Great tip about using nylon stocking for texture I was going to try a t-shirt first though because I have more of them than nylon stockings. 

Thanks again and expect more questions my friend!  Excellent Job!!

Build Update:

Had a great build day on Saturday.  It snowed here in Seattle which provided all the excuse I needed to put off outside Honey Do's..

I remember I asked Karl one time for his suggestions on different model manufactures and he had recommended Cyber-Hobby kits if I liked "a lot of fidely small parts". I am still at it and I am about to hire a work gang of fleas to help me!   I have no ideal how the 1:72 scale guys do it!  My hats are off to them that's for sure!  I have enough challenges at 1:35th scale.

Here are a few pics of progress so far.   I hope to finish up actual assembly tommorw or Monday latest.

Cheers!

Edmund, you're making good progress and snow is as good an excuse as anyone can hope for to get in build time! On your closeup of the hull nose and glacis it looks like there's a gap with the weld seam? May just be shadows from the lighting but thought I should point it out to you just in case.

ps1, the Pz III hull design actually provided for escape hatches in the hull sides for both the driver and the radio operator up through the L model but deleted them on the M and later. You'll often see knocked out Pz IIIs with one or both of these side hatches open as it was the quickest way out.  

wbill76 wrote:

Edmund, you're making good progress and snow is as good an excuse as anyone can hope for to get in build time! On your closeup of the hull nose and glacis it looks like there's a gap with the weld seam? May just be shadows from the lighting but thought I should point it out to you just in case.

Tanks Bill pardon the Pun!  I can always count you to provide thoughful constructive comments to improve my builds.  I have been doing all my assembly and painting with the naked eye with some digital macro shots to check close work.  I did see a little gap on either side in the direct sunlight this morning that I can fill with Milliput.

Do you use an Optivisor or some other magnifying method as you assemble and paint?  If so do you have any suggestions or preferences. It's not a huge issue now but some of the PE I have seen would benefit from a magnification tool and I assume it will become a requirment to paint figures. 

I do know Karl uses an Optivisor based on the infamous photo of him painting road wheels. 

Edmund,

I have a swing arm magnifier with its own light source that I use when I need to get extra magnification. I have to wear corrective lenses (contacts or glasses) and have a heavy astigmatism/blurring and using an Optivisor tended to make me dizzy/nauseous so I opted instead for the stand-alone magnifier as a compromise. It makes for a very handy additional light source too and I tend to use it more for that but it's always available for when I need it!

Great to know.  I have same condition a stigmatism corrected by contacts.  The thought of putting one of those on made me nauseeous just to think about much less do.

Can you suggest a good lighted swing arm magnifier or are they pretty much all the same?

Thanks as always!

Regards,

wbill76 wrote:

I bought mine at Office Depot...it's stainless steel and has a flourescent bulb. Can't recall the level of magnification it has. Those are the two factors you should consider (along with price) if you decide to go that route. The flourescent light is 22w and powerful without generating heat like you get with incandescent.

Hey Bill,

I picked up a swing arm with a 75 watt incandescent buld and three-diopter lens magnifer for $25.00 at Staples today.  What a difference!  I can't wait to use it for painting.

Speaking of painting I aplan to model the turret side doors open on both sides like Scratchmod did on his PZ.III.  I find it very visually interesting but I am at a loss on how to paint the interior and detailing the breech.  I can figure out most of it I am sure, but do you think I should use MM Panzer Interior Buff for the interior except for the inside of the doors?

Thanks Bill,