The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Andy,

There is a lot of mighty fine work going on in this GB.  I'll see what I've got in the stash to throw my hat into the ring.  After I finish my current build.

Dave

Jorg- Thanks for doing a great WIP... we all are going to learn and benefit from this. 

For the interior... since I use MM enamel, I use Panzer Buff for the walls/floors etc.  Engine would be either dark green or metalized steel weatherized with thinned black & raw umber, etc. 

Dave (Hughes2682)-  I agree with you about great WIPs here so far!  Absolutely I would love to have you aboard as I have seen your work in the past.  Please go to the first or second page and review the list I created for this... there are some gaps and we hope to build all variants if possible.   If not, no worries just build what you have in your stash. 

Because you are joining after the GB started, you have to buy all of us a case of ... all right?

Panzer buff , hadnt heard of that B4 Andy . I was going to say white toned down with some gray ,so its not so harsh white , after looking at the pic . I read also that the interior white usually had a rusty ting to it ...............that must be the panzer buff .

This little thing was exhausting ............... After tinkering with the angle of the exhaust pipes into the muffler for a good 2 hrs last night its finally ready for more paint .

The engine air intakes . The kit provides PE for the intakes but i'll leave them off for now .

Another vague area in the instructions is how these intake covers fit . I havent figured out if this is correct .

Hi guys - this is the first on my posts for this Group Build!

I thought I'd do a quick intro on what I'm building before I get started:

Here's the kit - Tamiya's relatively new Panzer III Ausf. N:

I decided on the 'N' as I love the stumpy little 75mm KwK barrel and being a newer kit it's well detailed and comes with a metal barrel (rifled) and PE for the intakes etc:

Sprues: 

Onto the build itself:

I'm planning on building it straight OOB (I may decide on Friuls later but the kit one piece tracks are pretty good and I want to see how they fit before I make any expensive decisions so, for the moment, it's having kit tracks).

I always like to replace my barrels but obviously I don't have to with this and the PE is there so that base is covered - another reason why I chose this kit.

I'll be going for the Kursk Summer '43 scheme which is is a DY base covered with loose olivegrun and rotbraun thin stripes. I was going to go for the box art winter scheme but decided on this as I've just done a rough and mucky winter sheme on the 1/48 StuG III G that I've just completed so this scheme will keep some variety on display in the cabinet.

Being Russia and high Summer there might be a fair amount of dust chucked at this thing!

The only other thing that might be added is a scratchbuilt framework for stowage around the back of the rear deck.

My first WIP update will follow very shortly.

Finally, my thanks to my very good friend Andy for hosting this GB which has proved to be unbelievably popular!

Many thanks,

Ben

I have continued checking the net for colour references.
The previose picture is of a Finnish StuG and is probably not relevant if you want to replicate a German vehicle.
This link could be of interest;
http://svsm.org/gallery/StuGIII-family

Here is a picture from the link

StuG III, Jacques Littlefield Collection, by Vladimir Yakubov

The problem with all of these is that they are reconstructions and even if done with care they are likely to have some flaws...

StuG III, Jacques Littlefield Collection, by Vladimir Yakubov 

Jord 

Doogs/Brian,
Thanks you for your advice guys - very much appreciated

Brian,
Your StuG looks great so far - will be very interesting to see what you can do with all the brass

Shellback,
Nice save on the exhausting parts - those covers look all right to me? 

I am flying to Crete for 3 weeks vacation in 16 hours - will try to get some Elfenbein on the interior before then.

Jord 

Log:
Got some interior assembled primed and a first pass off Elfenbein (ivory) on there as well.
Need to blend some red, brown and black for the red primer.


According to the references I have found the colour scheme for the interior should be;
Lower areas and areas that are not visible - red primer
Walls and interior construction elements - buff / ivory (Elfenbein)
Gearboxes and drive housings - black or greenish blue/bluish green
Pedals, gear-wheels and leavers - any of the above or black

Please - comment and correct.

Incredible how unforgiving that photo lens is...


Jord

I'm leaving for a service camp with my church tomorrow and it goes until Friday, so I won't be posting on here until then. Before I go, I want to post some pics. First up is the primed and yet-to-be-painted upper hull:

This is the partially painted lower hull, with a few mistakes that the weathering will HOPEFULLY cover up:

Here are the road and idler wheels:

And here's the two bottles of Tamiya paint that just arrived in the mail, meaning I can finally finish the lower hull and road wheels

Other than that, I hope you guys have a great week and I'll be posting again next weekend.

Wow, lots of good work fellas! Have gotten started on the StuG III A myself...it appears that either Dragon's first mold was for the C/D kit, or Gunze never made a dedicated A variant, as there's lots of work backdating parts for the A. Had to saw off and relocate one of the return rollers, fill several holes, remove and replace several panels on the superstructure - basically lots of dremel-ing (is that a verb?).

Now that that's all done, Mia has started in on some of the roadwheel cleanup and suspension work. Going to be a bit of a "tag-team" effort between this and the III H.

Also dug up a set of Friuls out of the closet...unless Mia gets ambitious/bored, I don't feel like cleaning up 180 dml indy links with ejector pin marks. Ohhhh, the days before magic tracks!

OK, now that I have completed one kit, have several more in the nearly completed stage, was invited to join by the GB fouinder, and am in a Panzer Gray frame of mind, I would like submit this kit to the GB.

Dragon's Imperial Series 1/35 Panzer III Ausf H

Carl (Shellback)-  You can check it out at your LHS or order one online... Model Master 'Panzer Interior Buff'.  I really liked it because I don't have to mix and I think it is a perfect match for Panzer interior.

Used on my 234/1 earlier...

My StuG Ausf B...

Give it a try if you use enamel like I do... you can buy me a if you like it too.

Carl- Nice work on the pipes & air intakes! 

Ben- Welcome aboard!  What took you so long?   I believe yours is the first Tamiya build here.  Funny I have Dragon Pz III Ausf N so it will be interesting to see how your Tamiya kit comes out. 

Jord- GREAT reference picture of the STuG interior!!!  Thanks for sharing with us.  I wish I have seen it before I built my Ausf B last year.  Good process on your StuG.  My periscope broke off few times... be careful.

Any chance you have a room in your luggage for me so you can take me to Crete?  PLEASE!   Try not to think of us and of course post a picture or two of your vacation when you return.  I believe our guys love pictures of the beach of course filled with bikinis...   Have fun!

Mike- I am so glad you were able to get Tamiya paint.  Great process... looking forward to your next update!

Dupes- Yes, agree with you... plenty of great WIPs here.  You are so LUCKY to have a lady who enjoys building models too!!!  My wife has absolutely no interest.  Don't forget to post pictures when you have the chance.  Of course your kits not Mia! 

Stik-  Hey, welcome aboard... I am so happy you are going to be with us!  You were great to work in your Korea War GB and we can continue with this fun.  Great about another Imperial kit as it looks like we will see at least four Imperial kits built here.  I will build an Imperial StuG III Ausf F/8 for this GB. 

I will update the roster to include Stikpusher and Hinksy.  Ben brought third build for this GB... anybody up for the challenge to build three? 

Wow , so much good stuff going on here i had bring up the fsm site on 2 tabs so i can go back and kook at the post while i type this reply ................i cant remember it all otherwise .

Andy , now that i'm back into building German WW 2 armor i'll order me self some of that panzer buff . Interioe on the 234/1 looks cool with your chipped paint and all . Can i e-mail you the beer ? 

Stik ,Good to see you getting into the G.B.

Jord , i did some more looking at my pics of the M and yes the vent covers do look correct .

Mike , looks good .

Ok , let me know if i missed anyone .

malone duke

On those vents. Do you still use the screens? Also none of my ref. Photos show that extra plate or the cages. All have just screens. Can I be correct if I just add the screens?

Are you asking me about the Ausf M i'm building . If so then yes the screens go on first and then the cage/ covers over that . The covers are for deep water wadding which is one of  the differences of the Ausf M over the Ausf L .

 I dont like this !

Looks like the mold for this kit was supposed several Ausf of the Pz. III . Instructions call for removiing some raised detail that is meant for a previouse version Arrows Problem is tthe surface non skid detail arround the area will not match the sanded off location where the raised plastic is removed .The new location for the Bosch lights is where the X is so that wont cover the sanded off area.

Any idears ?

Carl- I agree... shame to Dragon for doing this.  They didn't want to provide new fender for this kit.  But I do have an idea... find a perfect stowage to hide this.  I think I have Verlinden german stowage.  Or a white painted cross jerry can for water will do the job?

Good ideas Andy . I'll have to come up with some kind of stowage or tow cable or whatever .

How many beers do i owe you now ?

Carl- Maybe a helmet on the fender if it is easier?  Often we see helmets hanging on sides and fenders. 

You only owe me one now...   Wait a minute I think I owe you few for your help working on the GB badge. 

Andy , more good beers ........... i mean idea's .

Initial Production Panzer III Ausf. J - On the subject of fenders and storage / equipment placement on mine project. I'm now at step 7 (Dragon Kit No. 6463 - Smart Kit) reviewing the instructions and placement of tools jack, jack wood block, fire extinguisher, wire cutter, other items etc on the fenders, I see there is no spare road wheels ... called out .... and lacking any real photo's of 2nd Panzer Div. vehicles to verify the Dragon instructions currently working with only couple of artist plates in some reference books .... which only provide the german grey paint and markings that are found within Dragon instructions and no details of tools / equipment.

Anyone have suggestions or photos within the time period of say .... Sept - Oct - Nov - Dec 1941 or prior to battle for Moscow. The regiment spend time in Germany / France over the summer of 1941 refitting from its vehicles lost while in transit from the Balkans theater and once done was sent to the Russian Theater around Sep-Oct 1941 and was apart of the German push to take Moscow. 

Well, I haven't posted pics in few days and in those few days between posts I've managed to finish my build . I sure do love summer break from school. So on to the pics.

Posing the figs. These guys look great and only required a little filling and clean up for my tastes. I'll be sure to post pics of them later today once I get more paint on them.

Paint! This was my first time air brushing Vallejo and I loved it. Very easy to thin correctly but it seems to not be very durable so quick sealing of the model is a must. I used Desert Yellow and darkened it down to what I think is a nice match to Afrikagelb.

I used Vallejo Dark Rubber for the tires and I think I'm in love with it. Much better than the flat black I usually use.

The upgraded smoke candle rack and PE chain was a welcome addition in this Orange Box kit. The original rack was nasty looking.

Time for the tracks. Again, Orange Box upgrades are welcomed when compared to the original tracks. Go Magic Tracks!

Here she is. I tried to make it look like the pics you often see of dirty, dusty, grimy DAK tanks. I think I may have used half a container of MIG Desert Sand pigments.

*Haha just noticed I managed to forget to finishing weathering the left side front bit of tracks...

I'm really liking the way it turned out, I think it may accompany me to the local IMPS show next February. Knowing that, if you guys see anything that I can improve on it let me know. Who knows your suggestion may be the difference between 2nd and 1st place.

Erik

Well done ! Weathering looks great .

Erik - dig it! I'm a total sucker for DAK vehicles!

Two quick thoughts.

First - Vallejo and durability. What did you thin it with and did you lay down a primer coat beforehand? Vallejo I've found performs infinitely better if it's got a primer to grab onto. And if you want an absolutely rock-solid coat of paint, try thinning Vallejo with Future. It'll dry more satin/semi-gloss, but smooth and very tough.

Second - Only improvement I could suggest would be maybe burnishing up the tracks a bit. They don't look like they've been scoured through sand and grit the way I'd imagine. 

Erik- WOW!  Your Pz is looking great!  Was it difficult applying decals on the turret because of the hatches?  I agree with Doogs... bang up the tracks a bit.  I use graphite pencil on the tracks where contacts are made. 

AND I can't wait to see more of the figures... can you post more pictures at closer distance so I can see those?  I am seriously thinking about ordering the same figures set.

Armor86- I am going to check my Pz III reference books now to see if there are any pictures near Moscow. 

Erik, sweet DAK Pz III.

Armor86- Went thru few reference books I have... not many for Panzer III at this moment.  Maybe this helps...

Photo for discussion purpose only

An Ausf J (late) model of 2nd Panzer regiment 16th Panzer division on the Russian front 1942 summer.  This model was upgunned with 5cm L/60.

Shown in other book, for discussion purpose only, those were part of 2nd Panzer division during drive to Moscow June 1942.

Hope this helps...

I appreciate the comments on the tracks guys. Under the half bottle of MIG pigs the tracks are in fact beat up(metallic metal contact surfaces, worn guide horns where the would rub on the inside of the idler etc). Should I add any other effects?

Erik