The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Bill , your detail sure does add to the and make it look better !

Doogs- I am not sure if I have told you this but I am planning to replace all of enamel paint with acrylic paint from Vallejo later this year.  Already have several bottles of Vallejo and about 25 bottles of LifeColor... love them for figures and detail painting.  But I really haven't tried them for airbrushing.  I just want to stop using toxic stuff especially the paint thinners...

Case of 72 Vallejo paint bottles is on top of my Christmas wish list...

Bill- WOW!  That's a huge improvement there!   Off to get some aspirins now...

Brian- Yes I use Mr Surfacer primer all the times... all three types.  I prefer 1200 as primer as it is much finer and smoother.  But I have used 1000 before when I was out of 1200.  I just added little more Mr Surfacer thinner.  I use 500 to rough up the surface texture like the mufflers. 

 It even worked better on my figures...

Hope this helps...

AceHawkDriver

DoogsATX:  Thanks for the reference.  This will be my first time using Vallejo paints so the reference is needed.  I like the stuff really well so far.  I've tried the MM primer (rattlecan) but didn't have much luck with it.  It turned out glossy for some reason (too heavy a coat maybe?). 

Anyone used Mr. Surfacer 1000 for priming?  Since Tamiya's Fine Grey primer is what I'm used and can't find I thought I might try it out instead.  I realize that 1200 is probably the best for it, but I have the 1000 and wondered if there would be any drawbacks?

I try to not rattlecan things if I can help it - every time I try it ends up a disaster of pooled paint.  Out of the airbrush, though, MM primer sprays better than any of the others IMO. Though I also like Mr. Surfacer and Alclad's microfiller stuff. Both take sanding a little better, but bother are also in need of sanding to really bring them to their best.

I accidentally used Mr. Surfacer 1000 once. Don't sweat it. It's basically like the difference between 1000 and 1200 grit sandpaper. Yeah you can tell, but you have to know what you're dealing with.

AceHawkDriver

DoogsATX:  Thanks for the reference.  This will be my first time using Vallejo paints so the reference is needed.  I like the stuff really well so far.  I've tried the MM primer (rattlecan) but didn't have much luck with it.  It turned out glossy for some reason (too heavy a coat maybe?). 

Anyone used Mr. Surfacer 1000 for priming?  Since Tamiya's Fine Grey primer is what I'm used and can't find I thought I might try it out instead.  I realize that 1200 is probably the best for it, but I have the 1000 and wondered if there would be any drawbacks?

I try to not rattlecan things if I can help it - every time I try it ends up a disaster of pooled paint.  Out of the airbrush, though, MM primer sprays better than any of the others IMO. Though I also like Mr. Surfacer and Alclad's microfiller stuff. Both take sanding a little better, but bother are also in need of sanding to really bring them to their best.

I accidentally used Mr. Surfacer 1000 once. Don't sweat it. It's basically like the difference between 1000 and 1200 grit sandpaper. Yeah you can tell, but you have to know what you're dealing with.

deafpanzer

Doogs- I am not sure if I have told you this but I am planning to replace all of enamel paint with acrylic paint from Vallejo later this year.  Already have several bottles of Vallejo and about 25 bottles of LifeColor... love them for figures and detail painting.  But I really haven't tried them for airbrushing.  I just want to stop using toxic stuff especially the paint thinners...

Case of 72 Vallejo paint bottles is on top of my Christmas wish list...

I hear ya there, man. One reason I'm excited I finally got Lifecolor shooting well through an airbrush - I like their color accuracy FAR more than Vallejo (V's Model Air and Panzer Aces seem solid, but their Model Color line is ridiculous...get ready to mix!).

So far my biggest problem airbrushing the two of them has been (after figuring out what to thin them with to no shoot like crud) getting them to do what I know how to do with enamels, or with what I call the "weird acrylics" like Tamiya and Gunze. 

I suspect I'll be back and forth for a long time, but I want to start transitioning the big base coats and such to acrylics, then use the old arsenal for the detailed camo and such.

And you can pry my Alclad out of my cold, dead, realistically-metalized hands.

Paint!

This was my first attempt painting an entire something with Lifecolor, and I have to say...ugh. I really, really like Lifecolor's color fidelity...in the flesh this thing looks perfect. But...I can't get it to airbrush well. Even over primer, the first pass (light and misting) goes on crummy. Subsequent light passes build it up quite well, but all the time the airbrush is busy going "WTF?". I can't imagine freehanding anything with this paint. In the future I will keep it in mind for base coats, but I don't believe it's spray characteristics lend it to finesse in any way.

You can also see that the difference between the PG and the Vallejo Dark Rubber is more pronounced when there's more context in which to compare them.

Spaced armor goes on tomorrow, then more paint.

Greg, looks like a nice start! I can't find anything about the tow bar stowage, sorry.

Bill, you da man! Nice detail addition!

Doogs, the paint job looks great! I only use Tamiya for airbrushing and use their thinner and have never had a problem. The biggest problem I've had with Tamiya is color selection. They don't hand brush worth a crap though. Never had any luck using MM acrylics and I can't stand the smell of the enamels. I haven't tried the Lifecolor for airbrushing.

DoogsATX

Paint!

This was my first attempt painting an entire something with Lifecolor, and I have to say...ugh. I really, really like Lifecolor's color fidelity...in the flesh this thing looks perfect. But...I can't get it to airbrush well. Even over primer, the first pass (light and misting) goes on crummy. Subsequent light passes build it up quite well, but all the time the airbrush is busy going "WTF?". I can't imagine freehanding anything with this paint. In the future I will keep it in mind for base coats, but I don't believe it's spray characteristics lend it to finesse in any way.

You can also see that the difference between the PG and the Vallejo Dark Rubber is more pronounced when there's more context in which to compare them.

Spaced armor goes on tomorrow, then more paint.

Hey Doogs,

I really like that shade. A good DARK grey - with the white on and the washes too I reckon it will look really very good.

I'm also planning a DARK basecoat i.e. straight Tamiya German Grey with just a dash of white to lighten it slightly to help any pre shading poke through.

On the subject of paints I'm getting quite a collection of Vallejo Panzer Aces built up now and use them for detailing/brush painting as the Tamiya stuff virtually dries on contact with the build!

The Vallejo stuff is great BUT I haven't used it for AB'ing yet (I haven't needed too). What do I thin it with - water?

I'll be getting stuck right in to the Panzer III N this weekend and as Monday is a Bank Holiday I'm going to a show being held nearby where there's a great display of mainly Modern (Scimitars etc) and some Vintage British Armour. They have it every year but this year it's going to be big! I'll take some photos!

Anyway, I hope none of y'all get affected by that nasty weather coming your way (East Coast?) so stay safe ok

ATVB

Ben

Another quick shot in natural light:

Hinksy

On the subject of paints I'm getting quite a collection of Vallejo Panzer Aces built up now and use them for detailing/brush painting as the Tamiya stuff virtually dries on contact with the build!

The Vallejo stuff is great BUT I haven't used it for AB'ing yet (I haven't needed too). What do I thin it with - water?

I love my Tamiya paints, but in the heat we've been having, they've been dusting pretty bad on me.

Last year I went on a mission to find a good thinner for Vallejo (water, for me at least, was awful). AIrbrush Medium was recommended, and worked okay. But there are two that seem to work pretty reliably well:

Testors acrylic thinner (Vallejo AB cleaner has also been recommended, and I believe they both contain some glycol) - What I prefer to use for a flat coat...what I used with the road wheels

Future - mixed about 50/50, goes on smooth and strong.

Now one cool thing about the Lifecolor - because of the way it came out of the brush I glommed it on in placed, and it still dries admirably thin with no loss of detail.

Andy:  Thanks for the info.  I've used the 500 before for the same thing as you (and will on the Stug), but have not used the 1000 that I have.  What ratio do you use with the Mr. Surfacer and the thinner?

DoogsATX:  I'll have to try decanting the two rattlecans of MM primer that I have and try shooting them through the AB.  My problems with it were probably too thick a coat, and maybe not mixed well enough.  Thanks for the heads up.

Question for everyone (I'm going to ask in general armor as well).

Drybrushing over Panzer Gray - what color? I've had very good luck using dunkelgrau over allied armor, but I'm afraid it might be too light and too tan with the Pz. Gray I'm doing. 

Hey Guys, I have been watching, with growing trepidation and embarrassment, the build and am in awe of what you all do. My skill levels are moderate at best. I have been back in the hobby for about 9 months and have yet to complete a model that I am proud of. I have a few partial builds that were shelved due to mistakes that I would rather correct with more skill and knowledge. That being said, I am not giving up just taking it very slow to build the best I can. I want to make this a build I can be proud of. Now that I've gotten this off my chest I feel a bit better.

Doogs- It looks GREAT!  It will look even better after you apply lighter shades as planned... I am not sure if I have the right answer because I use pre-shading method.  If I was you, I would probably start with light gray shade but I would try it on a spare part first or somewhere hidden like the bottom of hull. 

About the paint, I think I will like Vallejo because I use airbrushing alot and I find it alot easier just to pop the bottle cap and squeeze the paint into the airbrush requiring less cleaning up at end of sessions. 

Brian- I can not remember what ratio I used for Mr Surfacer 1000.  Normally I add little until it starts to look like 2% milk.  I would start start with 70/30 paint/thinner then add more thinner if necessary from there until you hit it right...

Chaaaazzzzzeer-  Good to have you back! You are not supposed to feel that way because GB is supposed to be fun for all participants.  Yes, I admit those guys are DAMN good and I am feeling the pressure to build my kit better this time. BUT I want everybody to have fun in my GB because it is not the right place for competition.  At least you can admit you are learning a great deal from those geeks like I am, right?

Like the grey Doogs. 

Doogs, et al, I too have been seeking thinning Nirvanah with Vallejo paints.  I think I am satisfied with Life Color's Acryllic Thinner.  Smells like a very weak alcohol/water mix.  The Vallejo airbrush cleaner is great for cleaning but comes in a small bottle and costs a bunch more than the Life Color.  It also smells a bit stronger hence it's superior cleaning properties. 

One thing about Vallejo paints though.  If you are using a large volume, you will need to clean the tip frequently or use some sort of retarder on the tip.

Satch

Chazz , you gotta post some pics of your build !

Brian,,  Thanks kindly, (cracked me up by the way,,)    I have a little bit of leeway with the small amount of scratchbuilding I'm doing.... I've lost quite a few of the little parts only to remake again. I think if I did that with tiny PE parts I would really be PO'd...    and yes, as a few others have stated, Mr. Surfacer 1000 works....  just not quite as fine as 1200...    good luck with it.

Carl,,, Thanks muchly!

Andy,, Thank you too and sorry about the headaches....   I'll send you some Excedrin

John,,  Appreciate it,,, every little bit helps I suppose,,  especially with this tiny lil guy

Doogs,,  The paint job is looking good.     I am getting itchy to start painting too. I'll probably use about a half ounce on the entire piece!

Ben,,  Thanks for the thoughts. We're supposed to get hit tomorrow night through Sunday....  somewhere around 6 - 10 inches of rain and some concerning sustained winds....  a lot of people around are freaking out. We'll see what happens.

Chaz,,   Jump right in,,,  and, not to worry. Just take a look at my pic postings and you shouldn't think twice about something being a bit lean.

East Coast Friends - stay safe

Bill

I didnt like my original color , Armor Sand .  I mixed in a bit of MM wood with the armor and misted that over all . Looks pretty close to dunkelgelb  to me . I still left some red primer exposed .

Before

After

A deeper hue,,,,,  nicely done Carl

Thanks bill . It seemed to make it look yellower IMO .

Absolutely,,,     and sure,, I'll drink to that!

Its friday evening , we might as well !!! Well , i already have .......had to take a nap after .

Hey guys, thanks for the support. I momentarily forgot that the GBs are supposed to be FUN. Did more building on the "B". Will try to post tomorrow. Were expecting a bit of rain and wind Saturday night thru Sunday night. I live in Guilford, CT. 06437. Right near where the middle of "Irene" will pass....what a biatch! I need to spend most of the day tomorrow buttoning up my 210 year old house, the barn, garage and out buildings. Its one of the "perks" of living on the sound. LOL!  It's gonna be a long bumpy ride! If I have to evacuate I will be sure to grab the kits and tools and try to come back for the wife and pets....LOL

If anyone is in this biatches path, stay safe. We'll sure have a few stories to tell.

Amen brother Carl.

Busy night!

Attached the spaced armor. 

Painted spaced armor, wheel hubs, and touch up areas with Lifecolor Panzer Gray

And...sprayed the white winter scheme! Gunze Offwhite.

Say what you will about zee Germans, they do some mean camo patterns!

Guess I really need to get crackin' on those friuls now...

                   Chaz don't forget the wife and kids.Bad humor in the face of disaster.strap down and get you and the loved ones outta dodge.Last trans.Roger Wilco andOut   sound of white noise..............

                               The owls are going off in my back yard.

                                                     Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

DoogsATX

Busy night!

Attached the spaced armor. 

Painted spaced armor, wheel hubs, and touch up areas with Lifecolor Panzer Gray

And...sprayed the white winter scheme! Gunze Offwhite.

Say what you will about zee Germans, they do some mean camo patterns!

Guess I really need to get crackin' on those friuls now...

Hey Doogs,

You don't hang about do ya!

I think that looks really very good. I'm undecided on wether to do the white parts freehand or use Blu-Tack sausages to mask the edges of the areas that are to be painted white.

All I need to do is remember to keep some grey sections on the turret walls for the decals to sit on!

I'm interested in the Gunze 'Off White' you've used. I have some Gunze Acrylic Off White and also Tamiya Flat White - I need to think on this! Your's has come out really well

I've got to order my Winterketten Friuls too - I've never worked with Winterketten before so that should be fun! They look briliant when fitted too.

Anyway I'm out for most of the day today so when I get back I see what time I have left otherwise I'll be starting further work tomorrow and carry it on during my day off on Monday

Looking foward to more updates - there's some great work going on here

All the best,

Ben  

Greg, in all seriousness, the wife and pets are always first.The kids are grown and safe. I'll take any humor I can get. Without It think I would go CRAZY ! I've got too many bad things going on not to. I appreciate the sentiment though. I'll be in touch. Anyone else out there in the storms path..stay safe!!! Gotta get the kits!!!!

Bill & Carl- Whoa!  You guys had a without me?  Nah, I was busy as I finally found the time to work on my Pz IV... painting the tracks!   

Carl- Your color looks spot on!   Great modulation of color...

Chazzer- I thought about you guys out there on the east coast.... be careful!  I figure you know what to do because you are a retired fireman if I am correct and you survived several snake bites.  Nothing can go wrong from there, right buddy?

Looking forward to see your pictures... just take your time.  I lived thru three hurricanes when I lived in NC... no fun!

Doogs- WOW!  Loving the camo... ditto to your comment about Germans and camo.  This is one of the reasons I like to build German armor! 

Can't wait to see it weathered next...

Everybody have a great weekend! 

Carl & Doogs, Nice paint work guys!