1,000 Roadwheels - 2009

Thunderbolt

That is a SWEET looking Stug IV.  You are absolutely right when you talk about how the paint can make all the differenct.  That work you did on the muffler is superb!  Two thumbs up from me

dupes,

I have not placed the order yet.  I'll give you a call as soon as I post this (well, I'm gonna pour a cup of coffee first, if that is OK), but if you see this and have not heard from me, give me a call.  I won't order until we talk...

Mike - looks great, man. How do you work the "generic" zim? Cut to rough shape, dry fit, and trim? Or did you measure the pieces? I've got a sheet of waffle-pattern that I haven't figured out how to use yet.

Boyd - hey, did you already place your Luckymodel order? If not, let me know, I may get in on that with you. I think I have a coupon for 10% off $50 or more.

Firesmacker - let's see that J!

At last, a long-overdue update on the Tamiya StuG IV!

I've been production-lining three kits in their weathering stage for the last week or so, the StuG, the Puma for Achtraden, and the BTR-70 for No More Excuses. That's oil wash/filters, followed by enamel drybrushing. This process is almost complete on all three, and I've begun adding external fitting to the StuG.

Here's a look at the suspension and hull zimmerit (Cavalier generic):

It never fails to amaze me how the right paints make plastic look like weathered metal. Seeing that transformation is truly part of the mystique of the hobby.

I've added the jack block and muffler, there's a little wash and drybrush work left to go around the tail end, but not much. To get the muffler to look rough, I went through three stages. First I sprayed it XF-64 Rotbraun, then I mixed darker shades of acrylic to apply by stipple with a stiff brush. The key to this was a bulking agent: for months now I've been saving my sanding detritus -- every time I sand back filler I tap the dust into a container, so when the time comes to roughen up a Panzer muffler I can mix the dust with paint and lay it on. Then stipple some burnt sienna oil over that, a pin wash of orange enamel for rust around the exhaust, black in the exhaust throat, dunkelgelb for the retaining straps, then a burnt umber wash over that, and she was ready for mounting:

I'll work up the tools and mount them next, do any remaining bits of wash and drybrush that stand out to me, and a very restrained bit of silver here and there among the rust for bare metal. Then it's on to the wheels, mount the standoff armor, open the gunner's hatch and tackle the figure. Nine days to deadline!

Here's an overview of the washed and drybrushed hull as it stands right now:

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Hey guys, all is looking very cool..

Marc, you'll have to add more leafs to the suspension to get all that stuff on there..lol

got the day off tomorrow,, lets see how much I can get done on the Tamiya J

I was going to post an update, but I keep dropping parts. Been chasing parts all night. I give up, will post tomorrow.

Bushi

I'm pretty much done with my Pzkw.IV Ausf J. When I decide to get around to figuring out how to post pics on this abortion of a website, I will post my work.

Regards,

Jeff

Nate, Detail, Thunderbolt, and Dupes thanks for the support and comments. The new build has been fun so far.  I have had a few problems with some of the fiddly parts but working a WHOLE lot better that the F-1 DAK that I ruined. I will turn that in to a wreck at a later date.

Dupes the Roadwheels II sounds fantastic. If it is the Pz . III for the next one, I just ordered the Panzer III and Variants last night. Just think a whole year to research and purchase kits.YEAH!!! Oh I am getting a head of myself.

Bushi

Yeah, they look OK.  Here is the link to them at LuckyModel:

http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=TR%2035052 

I'm about to order some stuff from them, so I figure I'll add a set of these to see how they look...  I mean, for $10.29, can't go wrong, right?

Hmmm. I have not seen the Tristar workable indies...they look good?

Wow, dupes, quite the extensive collection o' stuff!

As far as grabbing a set of magic tracks.... yeah, you'll be a set short, but hey, Marc, have you looked at your stash lately - I don't think it'll be an issue...

That being said, I was over at luckymodels earlier and noticed Tristar workable 40cm indy-tracks for Panzer III and IVs.  They have 'em for about $11.00 a set.  You ever seen these? 

bbrowniii

Mmmmm, yummy goodies, there dupes.

Hey, what is that in the little package that has a corner touching the hull at the top of the pic (to the right of the coffee cup)?  And while you are at it, what is in the Tamiya package right next to that??

Just for you, Boyd old pal.

 1) Legend Pz. IV stowage set

2) RB Models 1.4m antenna

3) Lincoln County Line Pz. Crewman (only if I have time)

4) Eduard Tool Clips

5) Verlinden Rolls + Tarps

6) Verlinden Bags + Packs

7) Bison Decals – Battle of Balaton, Hungary

8) Tamiya Photoetch Details for Pz. IV

9) ??? Camo Netting (Trakz, maybe?)

10) Ausfwerks Grunddeckung (scale dried leaves!)

11) Starbucks Mug (necessary for a long night of zim application)

12) Cavalier Zim (this stuff is fabulous)

13) Tamiya 75mm Brass Shells

Not pictured (there’s more???) is the Modelkasten Bosch Headlights I’m going to use to replace the plastic, as well as some DML tools leftover from other projects…the kind with no pre-molded fakey clips to have to grind off. Was going to try to adapt a set of Eduard Thoma Schurzen I have for a DML Jgdpz IVL/70, but the mounting rails are totally different, and I couldn’t come up with a suitable method of installing them that wouldn’t look like garbage. I really wish that I had some replacement tracks for this puppy, but none of the right Friuls are “in stock” in my closet. Am tempted to steal a set of DML magic tracks from one of my other kits, but then I’m one set of magic tracks short. Hmmm.

No telling how much of this crap will actually make it ON the vehicle, but I’ll try to use it all!

Bish

Thats the kit i sort of guess you might be doing, but with you saying about the gun being a kit in itself, i wasn't sure if you were adding the Lion Roar gun that somone added (think it was wbill)  a while back. Will be good to see how your is coming on. I haven't really be keeping up with the forums as much as i should, just been sticking to the GB i am building for at the time. I really must take a proper look at the Aircraft, armour and dio forums.

Yeah, the only thing I added was an RB barrel.  Even with just that, the gun is a pretty intricate little build.  Not nearly on the scale as the Lion Roar stuff, but still, a nice little assembly...

Thats the kit i sort of guess you might be doing, but with you saying about the gun being a kit in itself, i wasn't sure if you were adding the Lion Roar gun that somone added (think it was wbill)  a while back. Will be good to see how your is coming on. I haven't really be keeping up with the forums as much as i should, just been sticking to the GB i am building for at the time. I really must take a proper look at the Aircraft, armour and dio forums.

I been thinking about gettin g that DML nashorn kit for a while, but now i am going to hold out for the new AFV kit and see how they compare. 

Mmmmm, yummy goodies, there dupes.

Hey, what is that in the little package that has a corner touching the hull at the top of the pic (to the right of the coffee cup)?  And while you are at it, what is in the Tamiya package right next to that??

Oh WAIT!!  I forgot, when you post a new message on the wonderful new forum, you get dumped back to the first page of the thread...

Yup, Bish, I'm on there for the Nashorn Premium....

Bish

bbrowniii I seem to have missed your posts on a Mobelwagen, which kit are you doing as it doesn't seemt o be on the front page. I'm not that keen on the new site either, but trying to stick with it and slowly getting used to it, but i still wouldn't com[lain if we went back to the old one.

Bish

I think when dupes originally opened this GB, I was going to do the DML Nashorn Premium, so I believe that is what I have on the front page (I'd go check, but it is such a PITA to navigate the new site....)  Anyways, last month or so, I decided to do something a little easier, so I switched to the old Tamiya Mobelwagen (with the single 3.7 cm, not the quad 20's).  I also started a thread in the armor forum, but have not done a good job of keeping up with it.

As for an update, I sorta-kinda promised dupes on the phone last night that I'd have some pics up today, so when my kids break for lunch, I hope to get down stairs and shoot some.   Last night I started putting some paint on this thing.  I had to tweak things a bit because I found out I was COMPLETELY out of Tamiya Dark Yellow.  I mixed up some Desert Yellow and some white to get a close apporximation (I figure once the weathering is done, it shouldn't matter too much anyways).  I was surprised how challenging of a paint job it is, with all the exposed interior and the nooks and crannies of the gun assembly.  My work was slowed by a gunked up airbrush (poor maintenance on my part, apparently ) so I really only had time to do a quick, and not very thourough coating, but at least it is a start.

Wish me luck with getting some pics up this afternoon, and more paint on tonight!!

Exceeding expectations! I figured there would be a pretty solid end-of-year push, but this is awesome!

In order to add to the mayhem, I wrapped up the A-4C Skyhawk (I know, not a Pz.IV) I've been working on, and threw the Tamiya Pz.IVJ onto my bench. This was supposed to be a "quick" build...but last night I started pawing through the aftermarket drawer, and came up with a few things to add to her. Heh. Luckily my work schedule for the next two weeks is greatly compressed, so I think I can still finish in time despite the additional goodies.

The cluttered mess so far:

Nice work Bushi. You're really flying on your F2 build.

Nate

Hey Mike, thanks for the complment. But this is my sixth model I hate to say in two years. This one is going together better that the F-1 DAK that is still sitting in the box half ruined and assembled. I wanted to see if I can finish it before Dec 31st. I might just finish it this week. Then I have 11 days off for the holidays. I think I might have to go to the local LHS for another one maybe.

Bushi

Nice choice Bushi,I built this one early on in this G.B.Hope you have as much fun with it as I did.

Bushi, you're a macine! I envy your application, I truly do!

I notice Academy's issue of the old Tamiya H/J (35029) -- I have that one too. The PE arrived no bother, the decals never did -- so that one will have to wait for 1000 Roadwheels II.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Here is my start on my next build Pz IV F-2 (G). Started yesterday at 12:30pm. I have only taken two break only, one to take the wife to work and to get 2 1/2 hrs of sleep and then to go pick up the wife at 3:30AM.

Any and all comments are welcome.

So many little parts I am surpised I can still see. LOL

The  parallel build sounds good to me also.

Bushi

Interesting, but my gut feeling is a Mks I - IV build could get rather unwieldy and out of control, as there's so very much to choose from. III and IV both have so much material they can each amply occupy an entire build by themselves, so how about a parallel "Leichtpanzers" GB for I and II? That would streamline the thinking process!

M/Tb379

Sound like a good idea too me!!!!  What about this idea an all out Pz. build I-IV with prototypes included. Think of all the possiblities. But I can see the question at the workbench" What variation and type am I working on?" ,could get a little confusing. But fun I believe

Bushi

PS> OH what book to buy for reference?

I would love a Pz. III build! I have some excellent Tamiya and Dragon Panzer IIIs and StuG IIIs in the stash. May I suggest a Pz. III GB, then back to the Pz. IV theme?

Cheers, Mike/TB379

dupes

Question for you, though. Anyone up for a Panzer III-based GB, instead? Probably getting a bit ahead of myself. See you all soon.

Great work!!!

I would be depending on when you plan on doing it. I have a few GB's lined up and then the IMS IV. I have to try and calm down on my GB's, i currently 5 kits that i still have to do Dio's for and will have at 3 least 3 more done beforee i get to any more Dios. The GB fever really got to me.

Not enough time for proper replies...hope to be able to sit down tomorrow. Think I'll be able to start in on my final project for the GB tonight - hope I'm able to cram in a full build in the next two weeks (along with everyone else, apparently!).

No worries fellas - 1,000 Roadwheels will happen again.

Question for you, though. Anyone up for a Panzer III-based GB, instead? Probably getting a bit ahead of myself. See you all soon.

Great work!!!

Well guys here are some pics in natural light. Tell me what you think.

Bushi

Hey Everyone, here is my last update on my Tamiya Panzer IV Ausf. D. I hope everyone likes it. Detail the florescence lighting and the flash has made the mud look a little pink I think! Looks like NC and GA mud. I plan to start on my Dragon model# 6360 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F2(G) and try to finish it by Dec. 31 for my second stripe Wish me luck. Any an ALL comments welcomed.

Bushi