My final entry for this project. Yesterday I was able to take photos with the award won at IPMS last month for this build.

DRUMS01

Nice job Stik, brings back some memories of REFORGER 

Ben

 

Thanks Ben. I had a few memories of REFORGER myself guiding the end look that I was aiming for.

Nice job Stik, brings back some memories of REFORGER 

Ben

Thank you Models. You are far too kind! And don’t sell yourself short.

After  Looking at this and then looking at what I build I feel insignificant 

Beautiful job!

M1GarandFan

Stik , Actually I wrote part of my post wrong. I was agreeing with you that the Tamiya was the older kit. I wasn't really aware of Italieri until I joined this forum, but knew of Tamiya from my modeling days in the 60's and early 70's. I thought Tamiya's Panther ausf. A was a great kit 'til I joined here! I've learned so much about some of these manufacturers from the forum. I had no idea that so many have changed hands over the years and they rebox each others stuff.

 

Italeri's Leopard 1A4 is often considered their finest armor model kit and their highpoint of the 80s. It still holds up quite well today and has been reboxed by Revell with updated items to modernize it.

Tamiya's kit was a simplier, more robust kit designed to be motorized and survive rigors of handling and replacing of batteries.

Thanks Svenne.

Hi Stick,

Very cool build. As mentioned the commander adds motion, very nice!

Svenne

Phil, this  basic kit is indeed an afternoon build. And nice enough. Actually the kit figure is decent, but terrible as a TC, he does not fit properly in the hatch. 

And thank you.

Love what you've done this. Your commander figure looks much better than the department store mannequin that comes in the kit.

Tamiya's Leopard 1A4 was my first ever 1/35 scale armour kit. I remember how easily it all went together. 

Stik , Actually I wrote part of my post wrong. I was agreeing with you that the Tamiya was the older kit. I wasn't really aware of Italieri until I joined this forum, but knew of Tamiya from my modeling days in the 60's and early 70's. I thought Tamiya's Panther ausf. A was a great kit 'til I joined here! I've learned so much about some of these manufacturers from the forum. I had no idea that so many have changed hands over the years and they rebox each others stuff.

M1, thank you. I didn’t know that the Italeri kit was older. I suppose that their proximity to Germany may have something to do with it. A quick train ride and they can see the real deal.

Agreed about the road signs being a good context addition to dioramas. In this case, I googled all the different sign locations on the Tamiya box, as well as what area that the decal subject unit was located in. This sign was the best matchup. It was not random at all.

Stik, ditto with the rest of the group on a great job with an old kit. I'm a bit surprised that Italieri has a better kit than Tamiya even though theirs is older. I really like the foliage camo on the panzer. The road sign is a nice addition to any dio IMHO.

Thank you Templar. I’m very much learning on doing bases. This time it worked out right.

Another keeper Stik,admiring the dio skills.

Rob Gronovius

Good job on a vintage kit. I was always amused when the Germans could butcher the local landscape for camouflage, but the US Army got charged maneuver damage for any leaf or twig that was broken off.

 

Thank you. I have to say that all the upgrades that I made to this are on the Italeri kit of the A4. I’ve built both now and Italeri definitely beat Tamiya on this subject in quality.

And yes it was a bit of a shock to go from stateside to Germany on camo and such. SOPs such as adding foliage and digging holes when you stop and occupy an area went right out the window...

Good job on a vintage kit. I was always amused when the Germans could butcher the local landscape for camouflage, but the US Army got charged maneuver damage for any leaf or twig that was broken off.

Thanks guys. I’m happy to hear that you approve.

Bish, the pine boughs are from a company called Hudson & Allen. They are actually some sort of preserved moss, but they’re are perfect for 1/35 stuff like this. The company makes tons of diorama stuff, but I’m not sure if they are in business anymore. The camo net is from a company called Orange Hobby. It came in a basic medium foliage green, but I painted it to match the nets that I remember. It’s a great product but a little fussy to work with. Very delicate stuff. 

German, aside from the roadside static grass and deadfall, the foliage on the base and some on the tank is stuff from the railroad area of Hobby Lobby. The local railroad hobby shop also carries the stuff, it’s basically HO Scale Woodland Scenics brand trees, that I though would be good as branches and shrubs. 

Very cool SP! Nice work on the tank, commander, and basework. 

I too think the camo nets are really cool. 

Agreed, nice job. I especially like the TC's pose, implies a sense of motion.

Very nicely done, really like the look of the tank and the base is very nice. I have not come across those woodland pine boughs, going to have to have a look for them. Who makes those cam nets.

Looks good stick.  Really like the foliage 

Nice work, Stik.