70th Anniversary: Norway WWII GB 2010!

Huxy - Great, I could use the extension. I will be building the 1:700 Fujimi Deutschland with the WEM PE Set and barrels, in the 1939/40 configuration (Norway campaign). I will also build her sister ship, the 1:700 Fujimi Admiral Scheer for another GB, so you will be seeing "double" during the WIPs ;) 

I hope it doesn't matter that I finished way early, but I just wanted to get this out of the way before I move on to complete some more challenging and time-consuming projects. This is, of course, the Dragon 1/35 scale Panzer I ausf. A modified version with interior, with the markings that were used during the Norwegian campaign. It's undoubtedly my finest work yet. I hope you guys like it.

Loving every detail as you gave it your best!   The wood of tools were too REAL.  What did you use to make it work?  I will build Panzer 1 Ausf A just like yours but the kit is from Tristar. 

THANKS! For the tools I used a base coat of acrylic Tamiya XF-57 (Buff), and then some Burnt Umber oil paint. It's how the oil paint is applied that matters, though. I used a cheap crappy craft brush with really thick bristles, then the bristles were cut off to about 2.5-3 mm. I just barely applied a little bit of burnt umber to one edge of the brush, and then I added it just a speck at a time to the wood. The key is to apply it as gradually as possible, and just use the clean edge of the brush to drag the oil paint across the surface. You have to be really careful to not apply too much paint, and do not thin the paint at all. It does take some practice to get it to look realistic.

The wood , the wood. So real.

The overall tank finish is amazing. Great stuff.

Cheers,

Richard

THANKS! The only thing I'd really change about this build would be that I would have removed some of the chipping, but at least it blended pretty well in the end, and wasn't too obvious.

Njal, that one looks sweet... And sorry about the dirt, but you nailed it! Looks just like anything that has been in Norway..

I love the finished looks of her!

And here's something about the real No. 13 of the Pz.abt. 40 in Norway:

Just thought you'd like to see the photo!

I'll update the Roster, also with Jmart's updates. And then it was the badge! Anyone got any ideas of how it should look??

-Lasse

THANKS! And that's a cool photo too... I haven't really seen any actual pictures of Pz. 1's in Norway... The only thing that's odd, though, is the position of the rear cross... In the historical photo, it's down below the turret, but as you can see on my model, the cross is at the base of the turret- hmmm, I wonder if Dragon failed to do more thorough research, or if the position of that cross varied.... odd.

About the badge, I think it would be cool if it was in black and white, and it had some snow and some trees... Just a cool historical photo or something.

I am confused... I thought we agreed that we will have Norwegian ladies as our badge?   I hope to start my kit in a week or two! 

Norwegian ladies? You were constantly talking about Swedish ladiers (More specific; Stockholm)... On that note, you got to tell me about the trip!!

Njal, you can see the Norway WWII GB badge in my signature. That photo is from north of Narvik, during the battle for Narvik. It shows three Norwegian soldiers

And about the cross, I don't know.. What you see is the *REAL* No. 13, that is the *REAL* version of what you build!

-Lasse

Oh yeah, cool! I very much like the badge!

Sorry I only would have posted once, but something glitched up

Finally I am back at my workspace after a very busy summer... boys have returned to school so things are back to normal now.  I signed up to build one of those tiny Panzer I Ausf A from Tristar...

I will do a WIP... comments and feedback welcomed.  I do enjoy sense of humor...

I bought the kit at AMPS Show in Auburn for only $20 and I bought two sets of PE barrels for $7 via eBay.

It will be a nice break for me because this kit contains few parts except for the MK tracks part.

After spending only an hour... most of the lower hull has been completed already!  The hull was PERFECT FIT...  

I think it only needs some putty to hide the gap in the rear... I don't think there was supposed to be a gap between the vents either so I will fill that in unless you disagree.  More to come...

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Huxy, my trip to Denmark and Sweden was AWESOME!  I'd love to visit Denmark again but definitely not Sweden... long story.  Maybe we will come to Norway via ferry from Denmark next time. 

A sense of humour?? Too bad I don't have any!!  
That was funny, right...?

Your kit looks sweet.. I like how the tank drives out of the "artarea" on the box!

Glad to hear about the fit, too! In my opinion on the rear shot, the bonnet would have a gap in it - or else it wouldn't be possible to open!! You only need some filler in the left corner there..

I was actually considering starting my kit here now...

You have to tell me the Swede story!! PM me! Gossip about neighbors is what I want!!

-Lasse

Thanks Huxy!  I will definitely fill in the gap in the left corner.  I will not worry too much about the gap around the bonnet because I will put protective guards over the vents and top.  Looking at the picture you posted earlier with #13 has protective guards unless my eyesight is not as good as your young eyes. 

Here's update on my little baby.... worked on the turret especially the MG barrels.  I wasn't impressed with the kit supplied MG barrels so I ordered a set of PE barrels.  When the order arrived, I realized they weren't the exact same but I'd rather to use them than the kit supplied barrels.  You will find out why...

PE barrels were too long so I cut them shorter to match the kit supplied barrels.  That took me a while...

Here's the result... that's why I had to use this PE set.  I would have ordered the right set but waiting for one or two weeks will not work for me. 

Looking thru many pictures in my Panzer I Ausf A reference book from Concord, it showed that they didn't use same machine guns during the war.  One picture looked pretty close to one I am using but I may be wrong.  The 7.92 MG 34 was widely used on its sister Panzer 1 Ausf B and Panzer IIs. 

Our rivet counter friends may holler about this... LOL  More pictures coming... worked on the hull all night but no pictures taken yet.  

Looks things have been very quiet and slow... more update on my build.

Tools and wheels will be painted separately... disappointed that the kit didn't come with clear parts for the headlights but I know Tristar has released newer Panzer I Ausf. A kit that comes with better stuff except for the MG barrels.

I don't expect to do much over the weekend since I am taking my family camping for the Labor Day weekend.  Y'all have a safe long weekend!

Update on my Panzer 1... the build is complete except for the PE muffle grills and of course MK tracks. 

Wheels have been cut and sanded... they are ready for paint over the weekend as it is supposed to be much cooler so I can airbrush in the garage finally. 

  \

Completed two figures... they were better than I expected.  Far better than typical Tamiya figures for sure!

Now I need to figure out which set of heads I should use for the figures... I really like the panzer beret.  History shows that berets were phased out in 1941.  The Battle of Norway occurred between April and June 1940 so it is very possible that panzer crews wore berets to show off why Germans men were better looking than Norwegians?   Not very often we would have the opportunity to build crew with berets...

Huxy or anybody, do you have information about this?  Thanks for looking...

Good news... I found the proof that panzer crew wore those panzer berets during the Battle of Norway. 

So it means I am definitely going for the panzer berets!  The image of this tiny tank Panzer 1 with its crew wearing berets really brought Norwegians to their knees?  I doubt it... it has to the ship or perhaps Ju 87! 

Another great picture of our #13 Panzer 1... enjoy!

Hi folks,

Lasse: I wish to join your GB!

I was about to enter my newly purchased StuG IV into Kermit's Ostfront GB but it seems I'm going to need an ATAK Zim set so that has put that build on hold.

I would like to enter my Dragon Panzer I Ausf A (Yes, #13). "Groan, not another bloody Panzer" says Lasse!

Markings will put her as part of 3./Pz.Abt.z.b.V.40, Norway 1940

Here she is - all OOB as long as the tracks are ok!

Work begins tomorrow! I'll keep you posted!

ATVB

Ben

Hey guys,

First GB update...................!

Today I got the basic interior completed - it looks great and fits very well indeed. I've left the interior removable to allow me to paint that separately with brushes next week - that means I can also paint the interior walls in Ivory White before I stick down the interior and add the barrel holders etc.

Some minor instruction 'issues' but nothing serious! If this turns out as good as Ryan's build I'll be VERY happy!

Here she is so far......................

I do love these little Panzers and am hoping for a great build. This one will definately be having a little base!

No more building until next weekend as it's back to work tomorrow (grumble) but next weekend I intend to get really stuck into this build as I've only spent a few hours on my modelling today, none yesterday and none at all last weekend (other commitments). A break does us all good but I'm raring to go now.

So far so good and thanks for the blog, Bill

ATVB & have a good week everyone!

Ben   

Hey Ben!  Looking like you are having a great start.  I love the details... far superior than my old Tristar kit for sure!  I brought Panzer II Ausf B with complete interior two weeks ago and I am sure it is as good as your kit.  I will be your neighbor for a while.  Our GB moderator Huxy said he will be back with us as soon as he finishes his current kit. 

Njal – Beautiful work indeed!

Deafpanzer – look forward to your build; sweet looking MGs. That Tristar kit looks very different from the usual Tamiya stuff : )

Ben – Welcome aboard and beautiful work on your build so far!

JMart, thanks for looking!  I can't believe I haven't touched anything for the whole week... so I gonna make it up over the weekend! 

Ben, your little panzer is looking great!  Looking forward to see the completed turret.

Guys, quick update on my little panzer... completed one side of the MK tracks.  It has been a very tenacious work assembling those tiny tracks. 

I hope I can do the another half before the weekend so everything will be ready for painting!

Loving your turret interior details.  That's the only thing I wish my Tristar kit comes with... it is nothing inside the little panzer!  I am glad you posted the picture of your Ausf A and Ausf B... I am not sure if it is playing trick on my eyes but A seems to be smaller than B.  I thouught both were same in the size! LOL

deafpanzer

Loving your turret interior details.  That's the only thing I wish my Tristar kit comes with... it is nothing inside the little panzer!  I am glad you posted the picture of your Ausf A and Ausf B... I am not sure if it is playing trick on my eyes but A seems to be smaller than B.  I thouught both were same in the size! LOL

Hey DP,

Thanks buddy. She's looking good and is coming along nicely - I'll get them gaps filled today and get then some primer on her so she's ready for paint. I'm going to follow Wbill's paint steps from when he built this kit and posted the blog on his site (if you haven't been on there you should - there is a little link at the base of all his posts and a couple of his blogs have saved me a lot of trouble). He went from very dark grey right up to an almost light steel grey in about 4 steps-each step just letting a bit of the previous coat through pre-shade style. Beautiful job!

You are quite right about the B being bigger than the A, well, longer at least. I'd say the straight fender on the B is about 10mm longer than that of the A's so work that one out! It does have the muffler on the rear of course and the smoke candle holder sits over that too making it look longer still.

This A kit is a lot more detailed - as you can see the inside of the hatch has no real detail but my current build has handles etc. The B has no interior, just a ledge for the Commander figure. I don't normally do figures as I'm crap at them but he makes you realise just how small these things were-lus he didn't turn out too bad as my figures go!

I'm surprised that the Tristar version has no inner turret detail as the main interior is very good from what I can see of the other Tristar builds. Are they cheap kits? I'm not familiar with them really? I'm not using any figure with this kit but it's good to be able to look inside the hatch and see fine detailing.

Anyway, today I'll fill them gaps, get the wheels assembled and on cocktail sticks ready for painting next week. I'm going to have to fill a few gaps around the turret walls plus the LHS fender drooped a bit when it was setting (I didn't prop it up enough) so the base of the turret wall where it should butt up to the fender has a nice gap that needs attention. Nothing serious though. I'll also be hand painting the tools so next weekend I can get the air brush out and concentrate on that. I don't have my own dedicated workspace so I like to get all my air brushing done over the course of one day.

Btw, where on earth is Lasse?

ATVB

Ben  

Good afternoon folks,

Due to the Formula 1 being on television this afternoon and an unexpected invite out tonight todays modelling session was rather brief - but productive!

Wheels and tools all ready for paint, gaps filled and the main build primed all over and everything generally tidied up. By this time next weekend she should be looking halfway there!

Gaps filled..................

Build fully primed...................

Tools and wheels ready to go.....................

Thanks for looking chaps,

Have a good week!

ATVB

Ben