1,000 Roadwheels - 2009

Thanks DF, Stick and Mobious -- I've enjoyed the zim experience so far! Last night I added the stern plate, the armor applique in front of the radio operator's station, and drilled receivers for a handle on the driver's hatch.

A Tamiya Jagdpanzer IV L/70 arrived from Hong Kong in today's mail. If it builds as quick and clean as the StuG (I see sprues in common) I might shoot for another stripe with this one too.

Cheers,

Mike

Mobious wrote:

Hey SMJ, Thanks for the positive comments, The colors were varied starting with the base "I think it's Sand Yellow" followed by the rest of the colors as they were applied. A light post shading of burnt umber was done after the camo colors were laid down. An oil pin wash of Burnt Umber followed by a dot wash was added after that. I've drybrushed everything with acrylics and am waiting to finalize the debris and stowage(and other odds & ends) before finishing with pastels. I plan on finishing the paint and starting on the base over the weekend. I just recieved my Tasca Command Aerial. That thing looks great. Looking forward to putting it in its place!

Thanks for the info...and I did see your latest pic's, she's is a real winner!...I'm looking forward to seeing the completed build.

Well everyone I have finally started on my PzIV F-1 Dak. I think I have stepped WAY out of my comfort zone. So any and all help welcomed.

Bushi

Bushi - got that kit hiding in the closet...I'm going to be sure to keep a close eye on your progress. Looked decent in the box, anyway - let's hope for good things!

Thought I would be done with the Jagdpanzer today, but decided to add another pin wash, and now I'm messing around with Migs a bit. Done soon! 

Hey DF and Dupes thanks for the encouragement and I will surely ask for help if I have any problems. So far I have noticed that the back hull plate has a pretty good bow in it. I had thought I would use some slow low heat to reshape, but change my mind. I will see how it turns out.  I spent all day Sunday reading all 48 pages of this build and I want to send congrats to all the excellent build in this GB. I was just blown away by the work and skill of all.

Bushi

Hi all,

Am now zimming the lower hull of the StuG, it seems to be coming out quite well. I can't wait to see it with paint!

The Tamiya L/70 came in the other day, and it turns out I have their Wirbelwind in my stash... I now have a winning bid on their Brummbar on eBay. If I could find a good deal on their Mobelwagon I'd have all their early-tool Panzer IV derivatives! If they all build as easy as the StuG I foresee some extra stripes before build's end.

Cheers,

Mike

Greetings

Here is an update of my H.  I just about have the turret schutzen done.  Just have to add the f*in tiny bolt heads to the plates and the mounts.  Only lost around 6 of them so far.  Bad news as for the armorscale barrel.  One the manlet doesn't match up to the tamiya gun breech.  I ended up adding a piece of 0.010 plastic to fill the gap.  Also for some reason I failed to notice the mg34 barrel was missing.  So, I drilled out the kit one and CA'd to the resin manlet.  Looks good so I am going to keep it.

Here is a close up of the front fender area.  Just to show some of the PE work.  Finally getting the hang of the wing nuts.  I installed all the tools, except for the bakelite or wood handle ones.  I figure the rest of the tools would have been painted the same colors as the rest of the tank.  I still have to scratch build the bosch head light mounts.  I had to sand the original ones away to install the PE diamond plate.  Also the front fenders and hindges are yet to be installed as well.

Next up on the build list is the hull schutzen brackets and the plates themselves.

Till next time, keep up the awsome work everyone.

I might even try to paint a figure for this bad boy.

Kim

Kim - looking GREAT! Real nice job on the PE schurtzen. Glad we got you back into "building mode".

Thunderbolt - I'm eagerly awaiting your complete Tamiya Pz.IV lineup...should be very impressive! Are you adding AM to all of them?

Bushi - ALL 48 pages? Wow! Now that's dedication! Heck, I haven't even gone back through all 48 pages yet...but there is rain in the forecast for the weekend. Hmmmmm.

Hi Dupes -- Well, I'm not making any promises, but I'd sure like to see that line of tanks as well. I was thinking I'd custom-zim at least one more of them, and see what sets are made for any of them in particular. A Brummbar set, perhaps... And see if anybody makes affordable barrels.

I also have Academy's Panzer IV Ausf H/J, which, on a date of 1994, may very well be Tamiya's early edition. I seem to remember Academy released a swag of Tamiyas in their early days before their own catalog developed, I've even heard it still says Tamiya on the bottom of the hull once you crack the packaging. If so, I'd have an actual Panzer in the lineup as well as the derivatives!

I'm enjoying the tank plant on my bench, that's for sure! I'll try to squeeze through spraying the tracks for the StuG and my Merkava tomorrow.

Cheers,

Mike/TB379

Got some pics here - I believe this puppy is done, barring anything I'm missing or things that can be improved on. Jagdpanzer ho!

Photography in this scale (especially with my aging camera) is quite difficult...any pointers? Wingy? Your photos always seem to come out well (and in focus!).

All comments etc. highly appreciated!

Dupes -- you're a modeling machine, fella! My hat is off to you for weathering and even a star antenna in Braille Scale! I wish my eyesight and dexterity were up to it but I have grave doubts. Still, these modern 72s are engineered for simplicity and I sure have a stack of them in my stash.

I checked Cavalier's website and they don't make any sets expressly for the old Tamiyas, so I'd be doing a custom job. That's okay, I have three quarters of the generic set left after the StuG, and Aus$5 (US$3.50) is a great price to pay for the effect on any model!

There are some Panzer IV H/J barrels available from CMK and Eduard, they're a maybe.

Cheers,

Mike

GRIN -- Aus$20, which is about US$14 at this time, gets you a generic set containing two sheets (there were certainly two sheets in the one that came direct to me), and the StuG will use about half a sheet, so, not counting postage -- you do the math, as they say!

I'm zimming the lower flank hull between the running gear at this moment. You get good at distressing the edges of the pieces with scissors and file so it looks chipped and crappy... The only bit that takes practice is sticking it on so it lines up with the structures with a natural feel.

IIRC the Brummbar was seen in zim -- I'm tempted to do those large hull areas rippled. I'll need some better reference data, though, I have precious little on that type.

Cheers,

Mike

dupes.  Your brail scale is looking great.  Wow, my hats off to you for doing that great of work and in such a small scale.  I tried one build in a smaller scale, a boat, I hated it.  So those of you out there that can build in that scale, I salute you.

Kim

I am off to apply for a job, the market up her in Wisconsin sucks big time.

dupes wrote:

Got some pics here - I believe this puppy is done, barring anything I'm missing or things that can be improved on. Jagdpanzer ho!

Dupes,

 Hats off to you and others who turn out great looking models in this scale.  You've done well with the scale effect; toning down the camo colors and the weathering looks fine.  My only comment is about the rear deck and exhaust.  These seem a bit too pristine given the rest of the construct.  For example, you've got nicely weathered tracks but a pristine spare track run on the rear deck.  The streaking on the hull and schurzen is less obvious on the rear deck, spare road wheels, and the tools look too new.  A little additional weathering here would really be nice.  Lastly, the rust color on the flame arresters could be muted a bit.

 So, what's next??

 Don

 Hey Bushi, Congrats on moving outside the comfort zone. Always an adventure. I haven't built the DML F1, but if I can help just holler.

 Thunderbolt, That's quite a collection and the zimm not only looks great, but is reasonably priced as well.

 Moose, Stunning, That baby is looking great. A suggestion on the light base. Tamiya offers the PzIV tool set that includes a nice base if you're not wanting to scratch one. Looking forward to seeing progress on the PzIV.

 Dupes, I gotta tell ya. The 1/72 is really amazing. The camo looks awesome as does the weathering. Very nice finish.

 Just to let everyone know what I've been tinkering with, started another base for Ol' Stumpy. The original plan was to do a simple base and slap the Sturmpanzer on it, apply pastels, and call it done. Had second thoughts about the size of the base. Decided on doing a "Shep Paine" inspired base. Picked up another base and plan on using a hydrocal building that I'd bought at the LHS on discount because it was smashed. I think it's been in the stash for almost 2 years.  I've pieced it back together as best  I could and fixed it to the base. I've added a brick paved street, sidewalk, curb and a lamp post. The rubble in the bottom of the box will be used for, uh, rubble. don't figure.

 Hey Dupes, How much time left to finish?

Thanks for the support guys, this build looks like it is going to be a fun one to build. I will definately be asking for help when needed. I was wondering what everyone does when you have parts that are slightly warped? I have come across a couple already. I also understand why everyone hates cutting the tracks from spruces. This did not come with the magic tracks bagged up.

Dupes the jadpanzer looks fantastic. I was wondering if it was 1/72 scale? I have enough problems with 1/35 and 1/48 scale. But I may try 1/72 a little later.

I also picked up the German Military Vehicles by David Doyle. Looks to be a very good reference.

Bushi

dupes:  Last time we chatted we were discussing the chips and scratches...I must say you nailed it!  They are thoughtfully located and with enough wear depicted to really make it convincing!  My hats off...well done my friend!  I suspect you went with the raw umber/black mix like we discussed, right?  Share your pro's and cons, OK? 

It's amazing that this is 1:72...again, I suggest a penny for scale in at least one of the photos.  The tools , jack, spare tracks are all superbly painted but I tend to agree with pordoi:

"<snip>...My only comment is about the rear deck and exhaust.  These seem a bit too pristine given the rest of the construct.  For example, you've got nicely weathered tracks but a pristine spare track run on the rear deck.  The streaking on the hull and schurzen is less obvious on the rear deck, spare road wheels, and the tools look too new.  A little additional weathering here would really be nice.  Lastly, the rust color on the flame arresters could be muted a bit."

I might also suggest a wash on the antenna..if it's possible and some soot on the exhaust.  Also, as good as the streaks look, a little tonal variation will help, IMO...refer to the FSM "dot technique" by wbill76...it's a natural evolution to the work you've already done.

I'm excited to see you're next 1:35 effort.  You seem to be getting more bold and experimental lately...any chance the new woman is inspiring you?!

Great work dupes!

Dupes my man.... Outstanding.  Perfect weathering for that scale.  In fact I think itthe weathering that makes it look like a larger sclae than it is.

As far as taking pics... I set the camera on manual with higher f-stop for max depth of field. This will lower the shutter speed but I use some pretty bright halogen lights to I get a fairly decnet shiutter speed.  Set the auto focus on spot or center and point about 1/3 the way back from the closest part to the lens then re-frame the shot. Don't worry too much about the barrel.  The blue lineshow that it is not really that much in front of the left front corner.  It takes some experimenting.

dupes.  Your build is looking great. 

Here is another update of my Tamiya H, using the lion roar PE set.  I have encountered a couple of problems with this set.  Normally with Lion Roar thery are excellent, but not this one.  I didn't have any brackets for the track adjustment tool.  Every other tool but not this one.  Also as you can see on the right rear hull schutzen mount, I had to scratch build a new one.  The kit supplied one was to short to reach the hull and still connect the main bracket.

I had simular problems with the turret brackets as well.  I think that they were either miss labeled or one set was to short and another I had to trim to get the forward sections ot sit vertical.

Here she is with the schutzen plates on.

A close up of the left side with the schutzen plates on.

Now a shot of the left side with out the plates.

Great news.  I don't have to scratch build the bosch head light mounts.  I found them in a Hummel kit that I bought just for parts.  Also I have since added the wire tubes for the left side head light, and convoy light.  Also small lengths of PE chain have been added to the tow pins on the front of the hull and on the drain cap in the back below the muffler.  I used some spare PE brackets to get the track tool mounted.

Next up will be the tracks.  I have a set of early 40cm tracks from DML.  This means that I have a ton of filling pin holes and triming flash.

Oh what fun it is, but seriously this has been fun and taking my mind off not having a job.

Kim

Hey guys, thanks a ton for all of the compliments and comments! I think you're right Pordoi about the spare track run - that needs a bit of work. And let me see what I can do about that back deck.

SMJ - I actually ended up using an acrylic mix for the chipping instead of the oils (worried about dry time when I'm flying through builds!) but went with the same ratio of brown to black. I keep forgetting about that penny! When I have an official "final" pic with any alterations, I'll be sure to include one.

The first stripe is always the hardest...a bit of a hiatus for me while I address some other GB's, and then I'll get working on the other four. I think that Tristar Ausf B is next...

Moose - dang! That's hot!

Dupes... Your build looks great!

Moose.... nice work with the PE looks realy cool!

 I thought I'd post a pic of the progress on the new base for the SturmpanzerIV, along with comparitive pics of the original base.

 This is the original "Build Board" of the Sturmpanzer dressed up a bit.

 This is the Sturmpanzer and the base. IMO way to small for Ol'Stumpy.

 Here is an elevated shot of the new base with the Sturmpanzer in place.

 and Ol'Stumpy's close up.

 Ol'Stumpy's been takin' a beatin' gettin' fitted to the new base. The shurtzen bracket on the left side was broken loose along with the rear mudflap. I've decided to open the commanders hatch and stuff a figgie in there. I've been spending more time on the base and getting it ready for paint and haven't done anything to the brummbar as of late.  I still have a mountain of stuff to do on this one, but I hope I'm headed on the correct path.