Suitable first Armor Project (Tiger or Panzer must be solid colour)

Welcome, Dru!

I'm in the process of building my first armor kit in 17 years - and opted for Tamiya's 1/35 M4 Sherman Early Production. It's an easy, fast build, solid color, and the tracks were taut on the real thing so there's no problem with the vinyl tracks and not sagging.

If you're not determined to do German, I'd highly recommend giving the Tamiya Shermans a gander. Built up this much of the thing in two hours...

Yes, that would be a great kit to start with. Yes, Eduard is great stuff and is perfect for that kit (as long as its specifically for the Tiger I). The Pz. II ausf. a/b/c has individual track links I believe, so just be aware of that, but its a newer (and very good) kit, and has a few PE parts... so I guess its your choice. They will probably have about the same number of pieces, not including the individual track links you'll get with the Pz. II.

If you are wanting a solid color vehicle and a REALLY easy and quick build might I suggest the new Tamiya Pz II (this kit)

http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/35292ausf_abc/index.htm

I built one back in the spring and it took only one weekend to construct. Very nice fitting and well detailed for the most part. It also comes with a very models Photo Etch fret as well.

The Tamiya Tiger is a decent kit as well but like I told the other gentleman... it's easy to get overwhelmed with all those wheels and such. If you have some patience then by all means, have at it. The Eduard sets (like most others) usually tell you which kit the set is for. Even if it doesn't most of the detail parts would fit about any kit with the exception of structural pieces like fenders and such, which need to be tailored to a specific kit.

Good luck bro...

That Tiger kit you mention would be a good choice. It does have several different paint schemes and come with few options so you can choise slightly different versions. There is also the Tamiya kit 35277 which is a Tiger I used in North Africa so is also a single colour scheme if you want somthing other than grey.

personally i would go for Aber PE, but they can be very off putting if you are not used to PE, so eduard might be your best choice if there is any for that kit. But you  just want PE grills and are not to worried about all the other PE parts, Tamiya do seperate PE grills for the Tiger.

As mentioned, the newer Pz II kits come with tracks you put together. But there is also the slightly older Pz III Ausf N kit.

So would that Panzer be a easier build than a Sherman?

Never having built a Sherman i couldn't say for sure, but possably not. I have noticed that alot of people recomend Shermans as a first armour build.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Based on the conversation thread so far - i think that the Tiger might be out for a first build and something slightly easir (or less complex)

The Panzer kit mentioned is a strong favorite, particularly as it comes with a bit of PE.

The Sherman is a close second, but I'm not sure - can you get PE bits for this tank?

The merits of the Sherman however is that if I do this kit then It could be a start of a 'Normandy' collection which Id like to start, and then when I've got some more confidence, particularly with the Airbrush then a later Panzer of Tiger could be on the cards later in the year.

I do however have a 'paint question - would you suggest the recommend Tamiya paint for either the panzer or the Sherman - or paint from another range?

Thanks - your help will be inavuable,

Dru

Another great Tamiya kit for consideration is the  Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.B (Sd.Kfz.142)  it comes with some PE and an interior and a great decal sheet and one piece tracks and builds like a dream.

here my build on it

/forums/t/97001.aspx?PageIndex=1

biffa has a good point. That would be a great kit to start on.

Tamiya paints will be perfectly fine. There are plenty of other brands, i use xtracolour enamels from Hannants. But tamiya Acrylics will be easier to use and will save you figuring out which are the right paints to use.

The Stug is on the shortlist - but only at number 3 for now.

I have a question about the Panzer II thou. There is a French Campaign 292 and Polish Campaign 299 kit numbers.

The Polish one has a rounded front hull armour - does anyone know if one or either of these kits with the option to build either rounded or squared off version... or rather, were both versions used in both theatres?

Cheers,

Dru.

They are basically the same kit, just with different markings. One allows you to build an A,B or C the other just a C. But the differences are minor. Not sure on the reason why one has a rounded front and one is squared off.

Dru, I believe (could be mistaken) that the squared nose (heavier armor) was introduced after the Polish campaign due to suggestions from the field. It was an upgrade for the French Campaign. I suspect you could find the original round nose still being used in France but I don't think the square nose was available during the Polish campaign. Again, I could be mistaken as i'm speaking from memory rather than going to dig out my books on the Pz II... Someone please correct me if this is not right.

Edit: I will go dig out my Pz II refs to check... be right back.

K-dawg  I think you might be right. I have just found some pics which show Pz II with the rounded front and they seem to be earlier. One is of an Ausf c as opposed to C. It seem clear that the rounded fronts were earlier tanks.  So it is likely that the A,B and C tanks used in Poland were then upgraded.

From what I can find the square nose version was simple an Applique over the original round nose of the early Pz II C. Many (but probably not all of them) were upgraded with this armor kit for the French Campaign.

Also, apparently some were upgraded with the Late C commanders cupola.

Looking into it a bit more, I see there is an older Tamiya kit (without PE parts) for the Panzer Kampf II Ausf. F/G.

It comes with figures but look like its for a Desert campaign. It does say that comes with different marking etc - does anyoe know if one of them would be a solid grey from either the French or Polish Campaigns?

Cheers,

Dru

The Ausf F didn't enter service until 1941 so would not have taken part in either of those campaigns. And to be honest that is not a very good good. Much better to go with one of the newer Pz II's

The Tamiya Cromwell would be a good choice. It was used in Normandy, a solid color, one-peice tracks and very easy to build.

 There are about 4 PE kits available from Eduard and a resin kit from Verlinden that are made for this model. I also believe 3 set of tracks are also available. I comes with a decent figure and some options like the Normandy cowling and a hedge cutter.

STL DALE

So would that Panzer be a easier build than a Sherman?

Only if you enjoy 32 roadwheels with rubber-tires. That kit MIGHT come with indie tracks like the Late, but I'm unsure of that.

I'd second building one of the Tamiya M4 Shermans, especially as a first kit.  It's the first armor kit I built and it prepares you for the more difficult kits, you'll encounter.

The single color, the vinyl tracks and fewer road wheels, make for a simple build and a great display piece, when finished.

-Fred

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions.

I think I'm going to do an early sherman with the Tamiya kit. I will also look to get the Eduard PE kit for this tank.

I'm also considering getting a metal barrel - does anyone suggest the best one to get for this tank?

Also finally, as I don't have the Tamiya instructions for this kit, does any one either know the code of the Green used in the tank (I'm going to get both a spray and a bottle) or can suggest another manufacturers paint which gives a good finish and colouration identical to the original?

Thanks,

Dru

Dru

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions.

I think I'm going to do an early sherman with the Tamiya kit. I will also look to get the Eduard PE kit for this tank.

I'm also considering getting a metal barrel - does anyone suggest the best one to get for this tank?

Also finally, as I don't have the Tamiya instructions for this kit, does any one either know the code of the Green used in the tank (I'm going to get both a spray and a bottle) or can suggest another manufacturers paint which gives a good finish and colouration identical to the original?

Thanks,

Dru

I picked up the Jordi Rubio barrel since that's what I found in stock when I was making an online order somewhere. Fits just fine, but it does make the assembly somewhat awkward if you want to raise and lower the barrel. I don't, so I just made everything static.

As for paint, literally ANY olive drab will do. Olive drab had a ton of color variations depending on factory, paint manufacturer, field touch-ups and repaints, weathering, etc. 

Cheers,

Thanks for the confirmation - olive drab.

Does anyone know (without me researching, whether or not this early M4 kit can be made/converted into a M4 Sherman that was used by the British Forces during the Normandy Landings - is it just a case of different decals - or was there equipment differences as well?

Ta,

Dru.

Final question before purchasing said kit.

I'm confused about which Tamiya Olive Drab to use as it appears there are a few within the range.

As I don't have an airbrush I would like to get a spray can AND a brush bottle with the same olive drab - but the numbers don't seem to correlate/match. Can anyone please guide me,

Thanks,

Dru

If it's Tamiya acrylic paint, it's not very forgiving when it comes to brush painting. If you end up using this paint brand for brushing I suggest looking up how to properly thin and paint first (Last time I used it was a failure and haven't gotten around to trying again since).

If you are using a rattle can for painting the body, you can just spray a small amount into a bottle cap to collect the paint and use it for brushing. You should be able to find out what to thin it with if need be.

Dru

Final question before purchasing said kit.

I'm confused about which Tamiya Olive Drab to use as it appears there are a few within the range.

As I don't have an airbrush I would like to get a spray can AND a brush bottle with the same olive drab - but the numbers don't seem to correlate/match. Can anyone please guide me,

Thanks,

Dru

If you want to brush with the same, forget Tamiya. Their bottled paints don't brush well at all. You can make it work, but it's a huge pain.

I'd recommend good old Model Master Olive Drab. Easy to find in bottle and rattlecan.