The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

looking good,Greg

                                     So work on the panzer III N continues while I decide what or how the jib crane on the berge-panzer should/or could be stowed. So without letting dialogue take up anymore space heres some pics.

                             Any questions or comments are welcome as always.

                                                           Greg "Detailfreak"Rowley

86- Yeah your III is looking real good.  I swear I never heard about ModelMakerZ pigments before?  Can't wait to see all stuff on your III next.  

Early Pz. III J - Initial Production - finished the magic track ... had to rework and lengthen the right side ... retouch portions .... Used Vallejo Model Color - Track Primer as base coat, rust wash, and then a couple of layers of Pigment Powders of rust photos below. Used Vallejo Oily Steel and dry brush edges and where metal made contact. 

Next set of photos after using ModelMakerZ Pigment Powder - Panzer Fading liberally brush over the German Grey paint .... 

Next step returning to storage, accessories, tools, tow cable and other details .... Armor86

tiger man - I picked up the Ausf. H kit last May at an ipms regional show in Northern Virginia for $27.00 ... Armor86 

Eric  When I first saw a photo of the SU-76i I just had to build one...even though no kit or conversion is currently available in 1/35th. There's something about the mix of German and Russian features that make it especially cool.  I hope to get to the point of putting some paint on this weekend.

DaveB- Crazy cool subject. I've never seen that before.

AceHawkDriver, lovely StuG.

Armor86, nice array of Pz III's. I was eyeballing that H, but picked up the Early J at a good sale.

AceHawk & DaveB- Sorry how in the world I missed your recent posts!  I may have been too focused in building a Huey for last few days.  

Ace- Love the stowage especially the wood box and bullet holes on the metal sheets,.  Great details!  Can't wait to add your build to the Hall of Fame soon!  Don't worry if your wife doesn't like it, I'd be more than happy to offer your StuG a nice home... 

Dave- Now your little tank is really looking GOOD.  Dig the barrels attached to the rear... only Russians like to do this kind of thing. 

86- Are you trying to tell us you are a die hard Pz III fan?  All kits you got for Xmas is Pz III!  Bet you are thrilled about this GB... your tracks look good by the way. 

Acehawkdriver - Looks great ... really like paint camo and weathering (rust) .... enclosed photos of my Pz III progressing along with the magic track ... found the left more diffcult due to individual links wouldn't remain together but the right side links stayed together ... enclosed picture of kits from xmas -- future projects to look forward .... 

Paint and materials used .... on track 

Left side 

Right side. 

Install left side 

Well, guys, it's getting there. Most of the fiddly bits are in place. All that remains to do is the gun mount, the rear engine intake grille, headlight, tool box on the right side and align and glue down the running gear and tracks.    I'd better get to the painting stage soon because I'm starting to feel I've been working on this thing way too long.

Hey all.  Was able to get some time at the bench today and got some things accomplished.  Flat clear was applied again and some final detail painting was done.  I'd say I'm finally 98% complete at this point. 

The perisope and vision block lenses haven't been touched yet but I will give the film negative a try as soon as I can get into the attic where they're hiding.

The tarp needs to be dry brushed and weathered still with the "ropes" tacked down to simulate the weight of the actual item.  5 gal cans, still yet to be painted, will fill the box in the foreground. 

Hoping to be done with this one by next weekend but we'll see what the wife thinks of that!

Any comments and criticisms always welcome!

I do...

Remember Jack as the "Joker" Andy ?

Rob- Thank!  I can be stubborn sometimes... I don't give up easily so I had to fix those eyes or it will haunt me for rest of my life. LOL

Guys- Jack Nicholson in the Shining...

Joe Pesci in one of mob movies... I forgot already!

Hope to see some updates soon... it won't be easy with the football playoff going on.  Too bad about the Saints...  

Wouldn't have missed it Andy,,,  I may have finished my build (for this GB) but I am not going to bail and miss seeing the good stuff still going on,,     no way!

Andy , HA HA !!! I'll have to look up those movies and see .

BRIAN - Sounds like you been busy, glad you could get some time back at the bench.  Stug is looking GREAT  Camo, Gear and little bit of wear on it is really looking good.

ANDY - I'm glad you went back over the commander.  Did not think he could get any better at first but he has   All the figures are top notch and like them all very much but my favorite has to be Rambo  HA,HA the mule does look like Joe Pesci.  These guys are REALLY going to look good with your Stug.

Dupes-  First of all congrats about getting married!  Nothing to be concerned about we tried to get Boyd to raid your stash but he was a true boy scout... 

Bill-  You are way too nice!  I am glad you tagged along... Thanks buddy! 

Carl-  Thanks brother!  I am with you. Those figures Rambo and Mule are my top two. Don't they remind you of Jack Nicholas in The Shining and Joe Pesci from one of those mobster movies...

Andy the figures are great . I especially like the expressions on the "mule"and Rambo" .

Andy,,,,   what can I say?        Your figures are      awesome!       Super job my friend.............

Stash raid? Wha....?

Boyd, do I need to go inventory the upstairs storage room???

Boyd-  thank you buddy!  Update on Dupes stash raid mission for us while he is away on honeymoon?

Dave- LOL. I figured I'd the helmet at the same time I work on the StuG.  Too much hassle taking out my AB just for a little helmet you know.  You really can't go wrong with dark washes using oil paint.  I went overboard this time but it easy to clean up using just a brush dipped into oil thinner.  Glad you liked them... 

Andy I was just about to jump on your case because I didn't see any white washed helmets when you mentioned that Rambo is still a work-in-progress Really nice work. The washes do add a lot. I'll have to work up the nerve to try them sometime. Can't wait to see the the figures alongside the StuG.

Andy

Really nice figure work! Impressive!

AceHawk- Would agree with Boyd... my first assumption was using thinned MM gunmetal which I have done to all of my past builds.  However I'd love to see how you come up using film negatives... it should be fun to watch.  

Guys- Hope you are sitting down?  OK are you ready?  I am calling my figures DONE!  Sorry it took me long... but I enjoyed working on those figures.  I have to say kudos to Dragon for coming up with that great figures set.

Applied couple of dark washes using heavily thinned W&N oil paint Burnt Umber.  

THE COMMANDER- If you know me well, it will drive me crazy for rest of my life if I don't fix something.  I had to correct the eyes and I am happy now. LOL 

THE AMMO BOY- Unfortunately I snapped his k98 rifle in half while I was trying to fit it inside his hand...  Have to fix or replace it when I have the chance... 

THE MULE- No I didn't break his rifle.  LOL 

THE RAMBO- Still my favorite... I want to watch all of Rambo movies again soon!  His helmet is temporarily attached using a putty.  I still plan to have it white washed which I will do at the same time on the StuG.  It looks shiny right now because it has two coats of hairspray.  

Dark washes really has helped bring out the details especially on the personal gears.  I have to say I had too much fun working on those figures.  But I am afraid I will not do four figures for a build again for a while.  

Again, thank you for looking and I can't wait to finish my StuG.  Unfortunately I am building something else right now... a big secret project for a friend.  

Sounds like you've got a good plan. I've heard of using film negatives before but have not done it for two reasons - first I don't have any of it lying around and, second, I'm not sure I could cut it small enough.

Here is a link that shows a pretty nice view of the pretty good view of the scopes. You can see pretty clearly that the lenses, as you said above, are not tinted.

http://www.paulstiger1.co.uk/WWII-Optics-Collection.htm

bbrownii:  Thanks for the comments and the replies on the periscopes.  I've taken a look at some photographs online and other websites and people have recommended using film negatives for the vision blocks as tinited lenses weren't used.  It looks as though I can do the same for the periscopes, maybe with a drop of future on top if necessary.  Thanks for the info and if it doesn't work out with the film negatives I may try what you recommended!

AceHawkDriver

bbrownii:  I've included a photo below of the two that I'm looking for (highlighted with the yellow arrows).  Sorry I was tired and wasn't specific enough!  One is the periscope that is raised out of the cupola and the other (sighting device I assume?) is difectly in front of the cupola.  Essentially I'm looking for the lenses.  I haven't been able to find if they were tinted in color for glare.  Thanks in advance for any info.  The pic follows. . . .

I'll be honest, I'm not 100% certain that they were tinted (wbill would know, I bet), but I don't think anyone will kill you for painting them as such. I usually paint mine with some sort of glossy undercoat - often gunmetal. Then I'll either put a drop of future to simulate the glass, or I'll use a tint - Tamiya clear green is one I like, followed by the future. No one has ever accused me of doing it wrong, so...

By the way, that is one sharp looking Stug. I love your cammo! Well done!

AceHawk- I am at work so I am not able to answer your question.  Hope Boyd knows the answer.  I can check my reference books later tonight if you still need an answer.  

Your brother's wedding?  That's nothing!  He will understand if you have to go to AMPS.  LOL  Kidding, looks like Roscoe Turner is the best shot for us to get together.  John and Rick are planning to go too.  

Talk more soon...

Andy:  I may have to look into the bulbs that you recommended.  I'm mainly having a problem with the light being too focused in one spot.  I've tried to diffuse the light using small containers, but now am thinking about constructing a simple light box.  I'll have to see what's going on for Rosco Turner and will have to see if I'm able to go to AMPS.  Unfortunately, my brother decided to get married the Saturday that AMPS is here (so inconsiderate!) but I'll try and make it up there,

bbrownii:  I've included a photo below of the two that I'm looking for (highlighted with the yellow arrows).  Sorry I was tired and wasn't specific enough!  One is the periscope that is raised out of the cupola and the other (sighting device I assume?) is difectly in front of the cupola.  Essentially I'm looking for the lenses.  I haven't been able to find if they were tinted in color for glare.  Thanks in advance for any info.  The pic follows. . . .