The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

 *** GROUP BUILD PARTICIPANTS  ***

Updated 9/23/12

*** BUILDERS ROSTER ***

Updated 9/23/12

*  RESERVED FOR COMPLETED BUILDS  ***

Our GB badge:

1. Geist: 1:35 Cyber-Hobby Panzer III Ausf G

2. Hinksy: Build #1 1:35 Dragon Sturm 33B

3. Hinksy: Build #2- Tamiya Panzer III Ausf N

4. Hinksy: Build #3 Cyber-Hobby StuG III Ausf C/D

5. Satch ip: 1:35 Cyber-Hobby Panzer III Ausf F

6. Panzerwaffe: 1:35 Dragon StuH III Ausf G 10.5

7. DoogsATX: 1:35 CyberHobby Panzer III Ausf L Vorpanzer

8. Malone Duke: Build #1 Dragon 1/35 Panzer III Ausf N

9. Malone Duke: Build #2 Dragon 1/35 Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf H

10. BaBill212: 1/72 Panzer III Ausf M

11. Tojo72: 1/35 Dragon Panzer III Ausf G & DAK Crew

12. Shellback: 1/35 Dragon Imperial Panzer III Ausf M

13. Dupes: Build #1 Dragon 1/35 StuG III Ausf A

14. Dupes: Build #2 Dragon Imperial 1/35 Artillerie-Panzerbeobachtungswagen III Ausf H

15. Stikpusher: Dragon Imperial 1/35 Panzer III Ausf H

16. Armor86: Build #1 Dragon 1/35 Panzer III Ausf J Initial

17. Armor86: Build #2 Dragon 1/35 Pz III Ausf J

18. Streetfightingman: Cyber-Hobby 1/35 Panzer III Ausf E

19. bbrowniii: Cyber-Hobby 1/35 StuG III Ausf E

20. AceHawkDriver: Dragon 1/35 StuG III Ausf G 

21. Deafpanzer: Build #1 Dragon Imperial 1/35 StuG Ausf F/8

22. Deafpanzer: Build #2 Dragon Imperial 1/35 Panzer III Ausf K

23. Ogrejohn: Dragon 1/35 Sturm-33 

Reserved for my first post ..............he he

The box cover  Art .

Parts.

For those  that like more details .

Box cover back side .

Empty parts bags

food supply .

My wife if i spend to much time at the bench .

What i look like after several hours at the bench

OK then ....................the fun beggins (begun )

Yay, I'm so excited!!!!

I'll try not to post too many WIP photos, but here's the kit. About 80% of it is still in bags. I'm about half done with the wheels. Sorry about the lighting in the photos. I'll be taking most of my other photos in better light so that you can see more detail.

Also, I'd like to add that I used a circle template to mask each wheel for painting, a technique I picked up from the fine people on the fsm forums!

ANDY!!!

Is it something I said? Did I not take a shower? Are my posts too dry??

I didn't make the list... Does this mean you DON'T want me to build the CyberHobby Stug III E (#06) that I intend to buy at AMPSEast in September and build for this group build? It's OK man.... if you don't want me... I get it.... I'll just go....

bbrowniii

I didn't make the list... Does this mean you DON'T want me to build the CyberHobby Stug III E (#06) that I intend to buy at AMPSEast in September and build for this group build? It's OK man.... if you don't want me... I get it.... I'll just go....

Boyd- NO WAY!  I am not sure what has happened!  I was thrilled that you were joining but why didn't I update the list?  Another blonde moment... yes I was born blonde and I am still little blonde!  I am sorry about that.  I owe you a pack of ... let me know if you will ever be in Indy area or when I am coming your way. LOL

The list has been updated!

Shellback

The box cover  Art .

OK then ....................the fun beggins (begun )

Carl- I always loved that camo on the box cover... dark green spots outlined with brown.  Now I am very concerned for your safety... you are limited to two hours of mobdeling on daily basis or your wife will go after all of us!

StreetFightingMan

Mike- Try not to post many pictures?  I am not sure where you got this... we love pictures!   Looking forward to your WIP.  I have the very same kit and I am planning to build it for this GB later this year.  Good luck!

And here we go!

Up until last week I was 110% dead set on doing the Pz.Abt.502 units like the on the box. The Panzer Grey and kinda-sorta whitewash is really appealing. But now I'm zeroing in on this image:

Anybody know what unit/squadron that is? The, um, "White Parallelograms"?

Okay, well I've got time to decide. I'm not kicking the build off until tomorrow, but went ahead and dunked the sprues tonight, then put them in the oven outside to bake air dry. Here's most of the sprues.

On Thursdays, the wife has yoga instructor training pretty much all night, and I've got the kids, which mean I also get bedtime! Our daughter, Lola, usually konks out pretty fast. But tonight, with all the excitement of pulling the Vorpanzer down off the shelf, she just wouldn't settle down. Here she is two hours after "bed time".

More tomorrow! 

Signed up for the Initial Production J with the short 50mm gun ... Dragon Smart kit 6463 has the early engine deck and have an Eduard etch detail set (35712) for the Pz. III Ausf J. The kit comes with only 2 or 3 markings for units operating on the Eastern / Russian Theater deployed in Oct - Dec 1941.

While working on the Ausf G I pickup two recently published Books (Panzers in the Sand Vol 1 and 2). Found several photos / pictures of early Pz III Js in DAK service.  According to reviews of the kit (DML 6463) it does not come with the extra filters used in the tropical environment, or the kit instructions don't call out the filters as an option. Found possible filters kit parts numbers (K16 and 17s).

Has any one build the kit before ... additional at some point in the Pz III production every vehicle received the extra filters regardless of the theater it was shipped off too. The engine deck is different on early Js from late Js. Does anyone in the group have photos of Pz. III operating in Russia / Moscow theater in late 1941, DML instructions calls for overall German grey, however would have the crews white washed / painted the vehicles during their first winter. Reading about their first winter accounts, many supply issues were encounter, though they may have found / used captured material. 

See several examples of winter camo in early 1942 and later. Looking around for any later 1941 photos of early Pz IIIs or IVs operating in Northern Russia.

Time to get washing in prepare to start the project.

DoogsATX , the white "rhomboid" bar was carried on PzKpw III's of the 11 panzer division . The 14 would indicate the 14th company . The 14K on the extra turret box would indicate the company commanders tank . I wounder what happened to the rest of the 14K  tank ?

I'm still planning on a Stug, just have to figure out exactly what I want to do. Currently in the process of moving so Tankograd is going to be shut down for a few weeks. Once I get settled I'll be making this my primary armor build (eying a 1/24 Airfix Mustang as well).

Looking forward to this, I think I'll have to do a simple camo scheme, my compressor is far too loud for the new apartment.

The Stug III saw action in Tunisia, correct? I assume they were in an overall mustard color?

I guess I could just do something in Panzer grey as well, I actually have nothing in PG. Working on an early Tiger but I think it'll stay shelved for a bit.

Shellback

DoogsATX , the white "rhomboid" bar was carried on PzKpw III's of the 11 panzer division . The 14 would indicate the 14th company . The 14K on the extra turret box would indicate the company commanders tank . I wounder what happened to the rest of the 14K  tank ?

Thanks man! I've been looking into the 11th Panzer and haven't had any luck finding a matching white rhomboid underneath the numbers like that - any chance of pointing me in the direction of more? Trying to get a sense, make sure I'm not missing any division emblems, etc.

DoogsATX

And here we go!

 

Up until last week I was 110% dead set on doing the Pz.Abt.502 units like the on the box. The Panzer Grey and kinda-sorta whitewash is really appealing. But now I'm zeroing in on this image:

Anybody know what unit/squadron that is? The, um, "White Parallelograms"?

The "K", of course, indicates Kliest's panzerarmee.  Can't quite make out other markings.

I probably can't start until August.  I've got a HO229 to do and a T-62 to complete.  However, that will allow me to steal learn as many build techniques and tricks as I can from you guys.

Hun Hunter

I'm still planning on a Stug, just have to figure out exactly what I want to do. Currently in the process of moving so Tankograd is going to be shut down for a few weeks. Once I get settled I'll be making this my primary armor build (eying a 1/24 Airfix Mustang as well).

Looking forward to this, I think I'll have to do a simple camo scheme, my compressor is far too loud for the new apartment.

Is that at the white Elephant ?  About the compressor noise , have you thought about using a compressed air tank ? You can mount a regulator on it and refill it at a gas station ..............No noise !As far as i know Harbor Frieght Tools (corner of Sprague and Sullivan ) has everything you would need .

I'm filing an official protest...if Boyd gets a bigger font, I get a bigger font!

Tour De France starts tomorrow, so when I'm watching that and can't do something on the Sturer Emil I'm finishing up, the Panzer III H will get rolling. I think that I've talked Mia into building the StuG III Ausf. A for me so I can just worry about painting the beast!

Done an awful lot of Panzer Gray lately...will be nice to do something in dunkelgelb.

DoogsATX

Shellback:

DoogsATX , the white "rhomboid" bar was carried on PzKpw III's of the 11 panzer division . The 14 would indicate the 14th company . The 14K on the extra turret box would indicate the company commanders tank . I wounder what happened to the rest of the 14K  tank ?

 

Thanks man! I've been looking into the 11th Panzer and haven't had any luck finding a matching white rhomboid underneath the numbers like that - any chance of pointing me in the direction of more? Trying to get a sense, make sure I'm not missing any division emblems, etc.

I got my info  from" Panzers Colors II " on page 57 . Not much other than a picture of a Panzer III with the the info i gave you . There isnt much else as far as divisional insignia that can be seen in the picture . I know the 11th Pz. Division insignia looked like a "grim reaper of death " with a sword in a raised hand .

DP - It wasn't on this website, but I've seen one or two GBs on other sites where some people crab about too many pictures being posted. I honestly don't get it, seeing as pictures are kind of the point of these things! I just wanted make sure, and I'll post pictures whenever I can.

DoogsATX - Very cute picture of your daughter!  Are you thinking about making a modeler out of her in a couple years?

WIP - Ok, so I started work on the hull piece. In order to be perfectly accurate, the directions tell you to cut off the mount for the the front return-roller on each side and replace it with a new one that you put a couple mm over.  I was stupid enough to do it, and there are a few scratches on the side of the hull from the haphazard surgery I performed to move the mounts forward.  I've sanded pretty well and filled in the scratches as best I can given the location of the marks, but I should have never moved them in the first place.  First of all, even if a person looking at the model knows that the mounts should be a tiny bit forward, unless they have a scale ruler on them, they won't be able to notice the difference. Also, the new mounts have a bit of flash and I trimmed away a bit too much, making them a bit skinny compared to the others.

Anyways, the deed is done, and I'm not very proud of it, but I can advise others building this kit to refrain from this sub-step in the directions.

On another note, I think we deserve a pat on the back because, looking at the kit roster, this GB may be single handedly keeping DML/Cyberhobby in business!

Doogs- Looking forward to your WIP... I love the look of long barrel on that kit.  Cute picture of your kid... bet she got the look from her mother

Armor86- I haven't had the chance to look at my reference books for Ausf J near Moscow in late 1941.  I will do that tonight since my wife and boys will be gone for a night or two visiting her mother.  I will be a FREE MAN... life is good!  Also, please feel free to post your work on Ausf G here even tho it is not part of GB. 

Hun Hunter- Good luck with the move.  Just let us know which StuG you are planning to build so I can update the roster list.  Yes, StuGs saw actions in North Africa theater.  Only three StuG Ausf D and four StuG Ausf F/8 did... check this out http://www.stugiii.com/theaters.html   Hope this helps...

MAJMike- No worries!  I plan to start my StuG F/8 in August too as soon as I finish my Panzer IV Ausf H for Ostfront GB.  We still have about 364 days to finish our builds...

Dupes- The management has received your complaint and action was taken immediately to resolve this.  Hope you are happy now but I bet Boyd isn't...   Great about Mia doing your StuG!    Tell her I'd give her a big kiss if she can build a Panzer III Ausf A, B, C, or D if we can find one. LOL

Mike- Thanks for the warning especially that I will be building the same kit later!  You are correct about Dragon/C-H... I love Tamiya as much as Dragon/C-H because they are so easy to build or break!  We would have seen more Tamiya if they release updated kits! 

Guys- Its only 1:37pm and I am leaving work for the holiday weekend... early start to finish my current build!  Have a great July 4th weekend! 

Yeah, I'm afraid Tamiya might be getting more into R/C and much less into modeling. They only have a couple new aircraft a year, the rest are copies of older stuff or other company's work (like their reboxing of Italeri's 1/48 Ar-196).  Almost all of their 1/35 stuff is repackaged, too. The problem with this is that their prices are what you'd expect from new molds, even though some of this stuff is really out-of-date. (Their 1/48 Lancaster, while a decent kit, has raised panel lines, poor fit, and is from the 1970s, yet sells for $70+) I don't care if they use older molds, which is ultimately what Dragon/Cyberhobby does, but they could at least price their kits more decently. But anyways, that's for another post. Sorry to be

Anyways, I'm almost done with the wheels, I've just got a lot of sanding to do on the idlers (tons of sinkholes). Have a great 4th everybody!

deafpanzer

 The management has received your complaint and action was taken immediately to resolve this.  Hope you are happy now but I bet Boyd isn't...  

HEY!  What the....???!!!  Oh I see how it is.... now just ANYONE can get the super-big font...

Ain't it just freakin' great... you get ONE whiner in the group and it ruins a perfectly good thing!!!!!

Alright, Dupes.... noted.

Andy - if we can find a Panzer III A/B/C/D I'LL build it!

Pretty soon everyone is going to have the superbig font...hehehe.

I wanted to at least get my start picture posted of my Panzer III-G

I didn't realize that the kit has indy links,but they are not magic tracks,the need to be all seperated from the sprues and cleaned up individually !! I really don't think I want to deal with that,so I probably will go with AM tracks,although not sure which ones yet.

dupes - I've been looking for one, and I've also been looking for a SU-76i, but both searches are coming up empty.  I think we'll need to have someone backdate an e model or something, and perhaps take the chassis of a Panzer III Ausf. J and kitbash it with a T-34.  There's an Aires conversion for the Su-76i, but I can't find it for under 50 big ones.

anthony2779 - It looks like the cyberhobby release of that same kit now comes with magic tracks.  There's a bunch of AM sets on SprueBrothers, but I'm not sure which set is right for you.

Ok guys update .........but not much of one . Been working on a retaining wall project . Progress will be slow in the model building department for a while . This weekend will be a stay at home and work on the wall thing . I'll hoist a new flag on my flag pole but thats about it for for anything on the 4th .