deafpanzer

Ben- Those aftermarket racks you posted earlier didn't match the one you liked.  I would just scratch build one... it isn't that hard you'd be surprised if you try.  I dare you to make one!  Just use one of those styrene rods... many hobby shops sell those.  I brought a set that comes in ten different sizes or so for only $5-6. 

Hi Andy,

Blimey - you didn't read my post properly did you bud LOL!

The only AM stuff I buy is Friuls and barrels (and Jerry cans etc) - the purpose of the photos was to show a few images I'd found to give me ideas for a racking.

It will be scratchbuilt from Styrene card stock and scraped to give a grained wood-like appearance but will be assembled in a way similar to the racks on the photos.

I like the bottom photo (the one of the actual model which a talented chap had built ) which looks nice and simple like it was put together in the field - quickly!

I'll be starting my Panzer III N properly after lunch so will be posting an update later on

Cheers matey,

Ben

Hi guys,

I've managed to make a decent start on the Panzer III N today.

I marked a point on the build guide where I wanted to get to as I've got a fair bit going on later today so with that achieved from next weekend I can start making proper inroads into what I'm planning will be a superb build.

Winterketten Friuls, that lovely Winter scheme, lots of stowage and a scratchbuilt rack - good stuff. I'll be taking it slowly and carefully but it's nice to get the roadwheels and lower hull out of the way

Here we are so far - nothing interesting I'm afraid:

Tamiya's supplied PE for the rear - a nice touch. There's also PE covers for the intakes on the rear deck:

Wheels cleaned up and ready for painting - I'm ordering one of them quick wheel masks for dedicated Pz III 1/35 scale road wheels: 

Well that's it so far! A start and it's always nice to get the 'tedious' bits out of the way! Oh dammit, I forgot about about the Friuls! LOL!

This is set to be a fun build - enjoy the rest of your week guys.

All the best,

Ben  

Hey all - been occupied finishing up the big Spitfire over the past several days...but as of last night, it's done! So it's back to the Pz.III L. I've been mostly doing the little fussy things - sanding wheels, cleaning up the friuls (last batch I had were flawless, these have flash all through the guide horns...grr) and such.

Just sprayed the main wheels with Vallejo Dark Rubber (after using it on the Spit, it's up there among my favorite things right now). Hoping to finish up main construction and shoot a lot of primer tonight.

Eric,,,   I sure was thinking about giving it the boot... but found the right stock (in house) and figured I could make it work.

John,,, Thanks,                 Also, good luck with the whitewash / hairspray. It is a nice looking effect. I tried it once and didn't have any luck. Not sure what I did wrong...  but there is always a next time.

Ben,,  You're off to a good start. I'll be watching to pick up some detail ideas for my micro.

Doogs,,  Will be looking for your pics!

Hey guys i dont know how many of you will be interested in this little tutorial but i wanted to share it with you anyway .When it comes to painting wheels and tires we can all agree that painting them can be a real drag .Here's the best method i've found to accomplish this tediouse task .Be prepared for a tire colored finger or two!

I paint the wheel color first.

Then i find a circular object that fits the diameter of the wheel . Here its a wire nut .

Then hold it over the wheel .

And spray the tire color on the tire and ......my finger ..............of course thats the drawback .

The results are fast .  Cleaning the fingers....that'll take another 5 minutes .

Ben- Looking good... one of hardest parts are over... those wheels!  What is taking you so long to finish your Tamiya kit?  It is supposed to be a shake n bake kit... it should be over in few hours.  

Doogs- Good to have you back!   Wondering where can we find your completed Spitfire?  I am assuming Spitfire GB.  Don't be shy about posting pictures... you know we all get excited when we see new pictures.

Carl- Excellent tip for us to try.  I used one of marker's cap on the 234/1 wheels a while ago and it was great.  I never thought about using those electric caps for smaller wheels.  Looks like I owe you another for the tip. 

However I do have a tip to share with you... buy a box of rubber gloves.  They are great especially when I airbrush.  Remember I suffer mild case of OCD...

Andy  , hmmmm ...............rubber gloves ? Good idea . My wife gives me the "yuck " look when i show up for dinner with colored fingers .  Now i'll put the gloves on over the painted fingers before dinner !

OCD .....................? Can you take a pill for it ????

Quick update. I'm about to start my Panzer III L but it is the 1/48 Tamiya not the 1/35 scale one.

Thanks

Scott

Carl,,,  good tip indeed!     

Andy / Carl,, I was thinking the same thing (rubber gloves) OR those little finger cots (mini prophylactics),,   could be even less expensive.

deafpanzer

Doogs- Good to have you back!   Wondering where can we find your completed Spitfire?  I am assuming Spitfire GB.  Don't be shy about posting pictures... you know we all get excited when we see new pictures.

Carl- Excellent tip for us to try.  I used one of marker's cap on the 234/1 wheels a while ago and it was great.  I never thought about using those electric caps for smaller wheels.  Looks like I owe you another for the tip. 

However I do have a tip to share with you... buy a box of rubber gloves.  They are great especially when I airbrush.  Remember I suffer mild case of OCD...

Aww shucks, I was trying to be modest...

Here it is...

Ton more pics on my blog (link in sig) in the Completed Builds section, and I've got a post with a bunch in the aircraft section on here, too.

Regarding paint-on-fingers...if you're shooting acrylic, Windex'll rip that stuff right off (did that myself this morning).

Matt,,, your Spit is awesome!     Great scheme, build, weathering, etc. etc........   VERY nice!

Scott,, will be looking for pics of your 48th Pz L,,,,,  nice choice

Hey all!  Haven't had much to post in awhile due to work and regular life.  I've got to say that I'm really enjoying all of the work that I'm seeing on here!

Like I said, I've been working on a lot of the fiddly bits so haven't had much to show lately.  I've gotten the coupola complete, the loaders hatch, and a lot of the detail on the rear deck.  Just a few pics. . . .

the coupola:

the loaders hatch detail:

the rear deck details.

the spare track rack was put in place.  weld seams will be added later.  i tore up the front fender for some added interest (plus I had damaged the part ).

I added some interior details to the fighting compartments rear wall.  a little tricky since the hull halfs were already together.  I still need to do some work on the radios, drybrush them, and do some weathering to the additions.

Really enjoying watching everyone's builds come together!

Comments and criticisms are always welcome!

Doogs , really well done Spitflam .

Brian .............

CARL - Your turret looks AWESOME with color!  Like the primer showing, makes a nice contrast   Are you going with a camo pattern on this one?  Your scratched pins / hing on both sides of the turret really show and are very convincing.  Going to try the wirenut mask, most of my builds have these wheels.  Thanks for the tip and get some gloves man!

JOHN - This is already a cool build but with all the goodies should be really good!  Nice to have the wheels almost out of the way.

BILL - Great save on your turret and nice grab rails!  Seeing the turret and your fingers togther really gives a sense of the scale.  Looking forward to more.

BEN - Into another one already, SWEET.  Looks as if your off to a good start.  That winter camo with heavy stowage and rack is going to look nice.

DOOGS - Look forward to seeing your progress.  The Spitfire is EXCELLENT!  VERY NICE!

SCOTT - Looking forward to your "L"

BRIAN - I am loving your STUG!  That is some fabulous PE work!!!  Really enjoy seeing this thing come togther.  I'm going to try to scratch the details on my loaders hatch using your pics.  Your making a great ref, hope you dont mind.  Still taken with the cupola, VERY NICE!

Had to work and stay at work all weekend (nights too) so did not get all that was wanted accomplished.  Was able to attach the glacis plate.  Where would the wiring for the Notek light go?  Have not found any good pics that show the wiring for this.  Have most of the rear deck constructed and have assembled the fenders with exception of the tools.

Completed tracks

Thought had pic with them on the chassis but cant find it?

Have spent most of my time in the interior AGAIN, more scratch work!  Added some bulkhead bracing to both side walls, first aid kit and have put some dings and scrapes on the paint.  Have also dirtied up the floor.  Mainly have been working on the headsets with wiring.

Almost

Now IN

Replaced the wire with a small twine.  No fuss, real strong and much easier to work with.

Have attached the right fender and hope to be able to get everything else togther?  Because of the interior work, the casemate has to go on next at a funny angle..push...pull...pray...and it should be togther!  Then have to put the other fender on (should have went on before the casemate) and try to get it up under the casemate.  Its pretty tricky but I did a few dry fits to try to get the hang of it.  Have to hope for the best at this point.  All of this because of the interior!  After thatshould be able to make somereal progress.

Gorgeous Spit Doogs. Wait a minute.....this is a Pz III thread!

Rob, the interior is cool.

Ben, nice start!

Carl, I never thought of using wire nuts for wheel masking, thanks for the tip!

Doogs, awesome looking Spitfire!

Brian, that's some great PE madness you got going there! Ever go to Hudsons on the square there in Bedford?

Rob, that interior is looking great!

Scott - looking forward to the 48th L!

Bill, Carl, Rob, Eric, ogrejohn - thanks guys! Hopefully I can get the Vorpanzer half as well sorted. Still a lot more comfortable with wings than tracks at this point!

Brian - That thing is looking slick! Don't know how you have the patience to deal with all that PE!

Rob - Nice work on the tracks and holy is that an interior!

Alas, not much to show for my efforts last night...yet. I'm having a battle over what to put on now, and what to put on after painting. And more friul-prepping, which is always the bee's knees.

Hopefully I'll start primering tonight. Good news is...with the Mustang stalled out waiting on supplies, and the P-47N not really kicking off until I get the AM cockpit I ordered for it...there's no aircraft to whisper sweet nothings and lure me away for at least the rest of the week. 

Carl- I didn't realize you were using acrylic paint... I use enamel paints only on armors so that's why I have to wear rubber gloves while I airbrush or I will have to wash my hands with thinner... bad idea.

Scott-  Awesome!  I updated our roster list so it shows you are building a 1:48 scale.  Looking forward to your WIP!

Doogs- BEAUTIFUL Spitfire! I dig the camo and engine.  I really want to marry it... thanks for sharing with us.  Finally we have a target for our Pz and StuG IIIs to shoot at...

Brian- You and Bill are so good at making my head hurt... your cupola is one of best things I have seen so far here in this GB. 

Rob-  WOW!   You are really good... can't wait to see more of this!   I can check my reference book 'Achtung Panzer' tonight to find out where the wiring goes for the Notek lamp. 

Carl:  Thanks for the !  I never would have thought of wire nuts for masking roadwheels.  Would be really interested to hear what colors you used to paint your turret.  Looking awesome!

DoogsATX:  Thanks!  I wouldn't call it patience with my PE stuff.  More like restrained frustration!  Absolutely love the looks of the Spit.  Now I need to know how to convince the wife that it's a sound investment .

Rob:  Thanks!  You're more than welcome to use the pics as a reference.  The instructions actually have a good breakdown of the PE shapes.  I'd be more than happy to scan them and send them via PM if you would like.  Just let me know.  Your interior is amazing!  After seeing your interior it inspired me to add some of the details in the pics.

Ogrejohn:  Thanks!  I've only been to Hudsons once.  Despite a really small selection, and for the town size I'm not surprised, they do have a full MM paintrack, Tamiya, and Humbrol.  Not a huge selection but the employees were very friendly and they did have quite a few items.  Reminds me, I need to visit there again!

Andy:  Thanks!  I should have let everyone know to buy some stock in asprin before starting this thing!  Maybe just a few 's should do the trick!

Brian,,   your PE,,, wow!   Excellent work!!

Rob,,    those headsets turned out great!

Just had an earthquake here,,,  nothing huge. Apparently a 5.9 hit around Richmond VA

We felt it all the way up here in eastern PA

Earthquake?  Nope, somebody in Washington DC dropped a copy of Obamacare, the President's health care legislation.  Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, joked on Twitter.  I thought it was funny...

My deaf brother who lives in Fairfax, VA felt it too and he said everybody eating at Pizza Hut became quiet suddenly and looked at others trying to figure out what just happened. 

For real...           all over the news

No real damage though,,,     a good thing

Just got home from work and saw the earthquake on the news.  WOW, they never have earthquakes up there.  Good there was no heavy damage and sounds like knowone was hurt?  BILL, did you or your area have any damage?  Hope not.

Brian, That would be nice to have a copy could be a big help on this and future builds.  I'll take a copy if its not to much trouble.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Rob- Here's the information I promised to look up as soon as I get home from work... photos taken from "Achtung Panzer #5 StuG III" for discussion purpose only...

Now it makes sense that the wiring goes to the front headlights.  I couldn't find any actual photos of Notek light's wiring.  Hope this helps...

Andy, Thanks for the pictures   Dont think thats the right one though.  That looks like the set up for STUG A,B,C.  The G model did not have the headlights and the Notek light was mounted in the center of the glacis.  Thats the problem I'm having trying to find a picture with that set up.  Thanks again taking the time to send

My mistake... for some reason I thought your StuG was Ausf C/D!   I loose track very easily...  I will look at the book again...

wow ,glad to hear you liked the tip and thanks for the comments guys !!!

Rob , i havent figured out what camo scheme yet . Your detailing and weathering are super well done .

John thanks !

Andy , thats not acrylic .Its MM enamel . Trying to go back and see where i said acrylic .................

Brian , i used  Krylon primer ruddy brown  and MM flat black for the primer colors . Over them i misted  MM armor sand (no.1704) . I sprayed the armor sand in a varying width and thickness to let the primer colors show thru randomly .

Bill , thanks .

PANZERWAFFE

Andy, Thanks for the pictures   Dont think thats the right one though.  That looks like the set up for STUG A,B,C.  The G model did not have the headlights and the Notek light was mounted in the center of the glacis.  Thats the problem I'm having trying to find a picture with that set up.  Thanks again taking the time to send

I'm not sure but all the photos I've seen makes it look like the wiring runs through a hole under the light bracket. The photos don't show where the wires go from there but I would suspect a small hole in the glacis right under the bracket close to the front of the bracket.