The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Bill - how do you work at such small scale? I've been screaming at the jack assembly..couldn't imagine building the whole friggin' tank like that!

Ben - nice rack! Heh...been wanting to say that while viewing this thread on the iPhone the past while...

Chazzer - Keep safe man! I know Irene was mostly a dud in many places...sounds like not where you are! Wow! Thank goodness you're safe, though! 

We're actually having our own natural disasters down here right now. Yesterday we had sustained 20+ mph winds all day. On the one hand, awesome, since they're blowing out of the north and (as of today) finally putting a dent in the triple digit heat (today's high - a frigid 91). Not awesome, because with the drought we basically live in a matchbox.

This happened yesterday in Bastrop, on the way from Austin to Houston:

Coming home from dinner last night, we noticed that the sky looked weird. Another fire, about 20 miles north of us. They fully evacuated a massive neighborhood in NW Austin, Steiner Ranch, and to those who doubt the point of Facebook/Twitter/et al, it's been a lifeline for a lot of the evacuees to stay up with updates, keep friends and family updated, make arrangements, etc.

Hopefully we get rain soon...

Rob - that STUG is amazing! Contest-worthy for sure! Personally, I vote for the Ausf.K with the railcar.

Glued and cleaned the friuls last night in prep for the blackening solution. Got a bit further with the pioneer tools and such (ugh...the jack is killing me guys...HATE that assembly).

Also started the weathering. Got a bit heavy handed, and still have several areas that need attention, but it's coming along!

Doogs,,   I really am looking forward to jumping back into 35th scale....  The micro is coming along ok, but the lack of detail gets frustrating sometimes.

I've been watching your weather situation on the news....  dayum!    I have a brother in Texas,,,     You guys are getting beat up quite a bit.   Hope you do get rain,,, and do stay safe!

Ben,,    I like the stores and rack...  looking very good.  I've used a scribing method for replicating grain,,, and I have also used actual basswood planking which works well too.        I am abandoning my plan for building the same sort of rack. There are just not enough stores in 76th scale for me to add to the deck.

Chazz,,  hope things get better

Thanks everyone for the comments.

BIN - Will see what info I have on the barrels and post anything I find.

BILL - It's a shame about your stowage.  You had me wondering how you were going too do this.  What about making a small rack out of styrene strip and placing a tarp over it as if everything was covered.  That way you could add anything under the tarp as a filler would just be there to give some hape for the tarp?  That may even be tough at this scale?

DOOGS - Your build just keeps getting better!  The washes look good especially on the white!  You are almost convincing me to build my flatcar Pz III and painting it like yours.  The only thing is that did not plan on having the train in a winter climate.  So might go out and purchase the new Dragon Pz III with Winterketten and paint it like yours.  Your such a bad influence!   Would like to enter a contest or just go to one to look at everyones work and maybe meet some folks.  Have never been and do not know anything about them.  Need information on how to get info on these events.  I have only recently come into the computer age and too this forum, what a great experience!

Ok, step two for the wood.  The dullcoat had dried over night and today put on a heavy coat of Winsor & Newton RAW UMBER artists oil.  Does not have to be evn or perfect just smear it on.  Yse an old brush though, after doing this a few times it will trash your brush.

The oil paint is not thinned.  Its straight from the tube.  This will be set to the side so that it can dry.  Will know its ready for the next step when the shinnyness fades and it will start to look very dull.

CARL - After seeing you mask and paint your wheels, you may want to get a body suit to do this....HEE.. HEE

In all seriousness this stuff is pretty messy so use caution.  Once you get a little on your hand or something it seems to get on everything in the house.

It's looking great Doogs. BTW, what camera do you use. That's a great picture.

Forgot to ask DOOGS, what were you doing in Houston?  I work down at the Port of Houston.  Let me know if your in town and maybe we can meet.

Guys- I am back a day early from the camping.  Five families agreed to pack up a day earlier because of the weather and injuries.  It was 100 degree on Saturday with the pool being closed and creeks dried up... everybody was miserable.  Then it rained a lot yesterday but it was cooler finally.  I allowed all of the seven  kids camp out in my basement last night so they had great times at the end...

So much activities here during my absence... thank you for being good!

Bill- Your turret really looks good.  I agree about the smoke launchers.  What about those rods inside the pen that hold ink... will it work if you are up for another scratch builiding job?

Ben- Outstanding work on the stowage rack!  I always wanted to try soldering one day... I might sign up for a class at local hobby shop one day.  I really like that AM wooden box from Plus model... always wanted to order those.

Chazzer- I am glad you and your family are OK.  Did I miss how you broke your finger?  I love old big trees but it scares me ever time a storm hits so we finally took town few that were too close or leaning over the roof. 

Rob- B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L work on your StuG!    I bet you are very pleased how it came out.  You can have the GB badge sewn somewhere on your uniform.   I am with you... I like the second box with Pz III turret... we still have 10 months left. 

Doogs- What a scary picture!  My friend and former boss lives in Austin and he has been keeping us posted about the wild fires in Texas.  It recently destroyed 200-300 houses.  Your Pz III is looking real good... you are very close to the finish line! 

Rob,,  actually thought about that too...  I think I may keep the rear deck mostly clean...   even that may change though,,,  still contemplating.         My mind is starting to steer towards the diorama part of the build.

And your planks are looking good....   will be watching the progress on these!

Andy,,   sorry about the trip.   Injuries??  hope nothing bad.             And I did have some tubing that I was going to use for the smoke launchers but it was turning into a clusterF so I just deleted them alltogether.

Thanks Andy   It was hard to be good without you but we managed (Thats what we were doing without you )  Sounds like all still had a good time with the camping trip in the end.  What injuries?

Bill- I am with you... your little Pz is really looking good.  Looking forward to see it painted soon.

Rob & Bill- One of my friends had series of asthma attacks because of the heat and high pollen count.  It was no fun watching him trying to catch his breath... scary!  Then one of them pulled her back so badly that she couldn't walk or sit much.  Well, we all are in range of 40-50 years old... getting older you can say but our kids had great times. 

And I managed to drink enough to stay hydrated and cool...

Worked on my Pz IV all night and this morning... it is getting alot closer to the finish line.  Can't wait to join you guys here soon!

Sorry to hear about your friends, hope they are alright.  Sounds like you did fine, the secret (you already know) is in the

Andy,,    on the staying hydrated and cool....    !!

Glad the friends are ok too,,,  I know about bad backs,,   I have issues now and then, and it is not a good experience at all

Rob - I don't know when that Ausf. K would be rolling up to the front, but I know my Ausf.L showed up sometime around November, before the winter snows really started kicking in. So you may well be spared having to play with the white sutff.

As far as Houston - wasn't in Houston, just giving it for some context for the peeps outside of Texas, since I'm assuming Bastrop isn't exactly well-known. I do have family there - a brother, and my wife's parents - but honestly I only make it there about once or twice a year. We have four dogs, and after a really bad experience with a kennel several years ago (we had a dachshund killed by a larger dog while there...) my wife won't board them anywhere other than the vet. And people complain about the price of Tamiya kits! Usually the wife takes the kids, and I stay home with the dogs and get some hardcore me time. Win-win!

tigerman - thanks! It's a Nikon D300s with a 35mm prime lens. The camera's honestly overkill for model photography...I got it since it's fast enough to keep up with the kids, and has the ability to manually select focus points (from 54 of them). Any DSLR with a sharp lens (IMO primes are the sharpest...less glass to fuss with) could do the same. 

My friuls are currently drying in the sun...been out there most of the day. Really hoping the vinegar soak and scrub followed by the dish soap soak and scrub will mean full coverage this time....or close to it at least.

Rob , impressive detail andweathering on the interior !!!! I give it a approval rate of 5 out 5 beers .

Like you i have pics come out yellowish . Have tried using your photo editing on your computer to adjust the color ? Not trying to be a know it all but it worked for me .

And yes, knowing me and my luck with paints i would need a full body protective suit if i use your method on the wood ! Thanks for the info .

Hey all!  Lots of good work going on here.  Everyone's builds looks fantastic!  I wasn't able to really work on the Stug except for about an hour on Friday and a couple hours today.  But, paint is finally on! 

The pictures don't show the color contrast quite as well.  May have to look at a better camera in the future.  After I finish deciding on the scheme, a little late in the game but all the basecoats are Dk. yellow, I'll give it a go with some Mig grey for Dk. Yellow filter after a wash. 

Just a couple of pics.  

And the coupola with the periscope and vision blocks unpainted. . .

Comments and criticisms are always welcome!

Doogs that winter camo is looking better and better .

Brian , good looking paint job .

Stupid Blacken-It. They should rename it "Blacken-Most-Of-It". Even after a vinegar soak/scrub and a dish soap soak/scrub...still total fail.

On the tank side, got a lot of the bits finished up and attached tonight:

Rob, beautiful work!

Brian, very nice paintwork! The coupola looks great!

Doogs, I wonder why the Blacken It didn't cover all of the track? I think I'll just prime and paint mine. Your build is looking great!

Man there is some good work being done in here!

I gotta get that damn Stug so I can get in here!!! Two and a half weeks!!!

Brian-  Great painting job on your StuG!

Doogs- Your panzer keeps looking better every time you post!  Often I read that Blacken didn't work too good on Fruils.  I plan to use Fruils for the first time on my next build StuG III F/8 for this GB so I could use everybody's help.  I will probably have it primed and painted like John suggested.  For sure I am taking a break from ModelKasten tracks... it broke few times when I tried to put 'em on my Panzer IV yesterday. 

Hey guys, I'm taking things very slow. I need to ask you guys a question. How do you fold up the very small pieces of photo etched parts? Particularly tool clamps. I want to use them and have challenged myself to do so. I don't want to purchase a PE bender product if I can help it, ie: the bug. There so expensive. I will if I have to. Any one with any tips or ideas would be appreciated. Anyone?

Andy, I broke my middle finger on my right (dominate) hand. A branch shifted during the storm while I was trying to clear a way out of the house. I'm still able to model with just a bit of discomfort. I need surgery to repair a torn ligament. Hopefully in the winter when I'm not so busy, if it can wait. Once again, that Irene is a biatch!

Since my dog died my cat is pulling guard duty:

God' it's so good to really laugh again!!!!

Doogs, I hope you are safe. Please be careful. I know full well the dangers of wildfires. And thanks for your advice. Much appreciated and needed.

Pictures of the storm damage will follow as well as build pictures.

Chazzer, do you live in Connecticut or RI?  NY didn't get the damage you are describing.

deafpanzer

 For sure I am taking a break from ModelKasten tracks... it broke few times when I tried to put 'em on my Panzer IV yesterday. 

Hey Andy,

Bill seems to get on okay with them but I remember when I ordered a set of MK's for my Panzer I - christ the cleanup would have took forever and they were sooo fragile god knows how I would have painted them. Luckily I got a refund as I only made a run of 5 links - imo not good. I reckon the bigger MK's should be ok, like Tiger tracks for example.

Give me Friuls or Magics anyday!

Hey - have you started your GB build yet matey?

ATVB

Ben

Satch, Just have time for a quick note. I live in Guilford, CT. 064376. I'm on the shoreline. I have lots of pictures including my new skylights.The tree is still in my house. Hopefully until tomorrow or Thursday The secretary for homeland security along with some senators and members of congress were here yesterday for a photo-op. With all the secret service and themselves they could have fixed my home!!!! Thanks for asking and I will try to post pictures. I don't have the heart yet. 

Anyone on the PE question?

Scott

Chazzer - I know there are speciality PE workstations and such out there. Me, I just wing it. For really small things like tool clasps, I hold the part in a pair of pliers, then use a dull #10 blade to ease it into bending. I use a small plier that I got at Hobby Lobby from the beading section. It came in a pink box. 

Doesn't always work out perfectly, but for those smaller bits, that's my preferred way. 

Ben- I agree with you about Magic Tracks.  I find it alot easier to assemble MT than ModelKasten but details on MT are not as good as MK.  I think I am going to order Fruil for my StuG... I believe they do offer Winterketten tracks.

Have I started my build?  Not yet, if you can check my post in Armor... my Pz IV is almost done then I will jump in here.  /forums/t/140084.aspx

Chazzer-  Middle finger?   Maybe Irene was trying to tell you to quit flipping the finger at her? Nah, most important thing you and your family are OK. 

To answer your question, before I got my 'The Bug' bending tool, I had two different ways to bend depending on the size or difficulty.  A simple plier with straight edge and my finger or tweezer.  For cleaner bending, I used two razors.  Lay down the brass, place first razor on top of it at the position where you want to bend, be sure to press down firmly so it won't move.  Then use the second razor and place it under the brass for bending. 

Be careful... I nearly cut my finger this way.  That's why my wife got me the Bug tool for my birthday.  It was $35... best part it is 100% made in USA!  Hope this helps?

Andy , how well does the "bug" work for you ? i need something like that myself . Did your wife get it on line ?

That contraption is much cheaper then that $65 or so PE bender. Looks interesting and it's made in the USA!

Okay, so Blacken-It can Suck-It. After messing with my P-51 WIP most of the night, I dug out some Vallejo paints and got to work on the tracks. I picked up their Panzer Aces Track Primer recently, and while I think it's probably fine as is for lighter vehicles, I wanted to darken it up for this one so it didn't look like tan tracks. Solution: add some black gray!

Thinned it down with Testors acrylic thinner (stuff works so great with Vallejo it's not even funny), and I'm digging the result. Still needs washes, pigments, graphite, etc, but as a base, very happy:

Carl, Ogrejohn, and Andy:  Thanks for the comments!  I've finally decided, I think, on the final sceme.  We'll see what I can get done with it tonight.

DoogsATX:  Really love the weathering on that bad boy!  I'll be interested to try the Vallejo track primer and will have to get some Testors acrylic thinner for it.

Chazzer:  Glad to hear you guys made it through Irene without any more damage than you have.  Just wanted to let you know my wife has shown everyone she's seen the cat picture you posted.  Too funny!  As for the PE bending tool, I purchased the Etchmate 3C when this GB kicked off.  I have to say, for larger items such as the fenders on my Stug, it was a big help.  I do find it has some drawbacks when it comes to smaller items such as the tool clasps.  As others have stated I used a combination of tweezers, fingers, smooth flat nose pliers, and razor blades.  The Etchmate is good, but it can't handle, or maybe I can't, the really small bits.  Hope it helps! 

Doogs- Maybe you should email Tony (Pvt Mutt) for help... I think he uses Blacken It all the times and he's pretty good at this.  I haven't tried that myself but one day I might!  Again, I really like winter camo! 

Carl- Yes my wife brought it online from this vendor Small Shop.  http://www.thesmallshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9  I see it is now $40... still a good deal.  I only used it once few weeks ago.  There was no AM upgrade sets for my very old Tamiya Panzer IV set.  I am very sure that I will use more for my next build StuG III and I am looking forward to it. 

One thing I noticed, it has a feature where you can bend brass wires to create handles uniformly inside the beams.  It comes in many different shapes...

Eric- I am trying to buy more Made in USA products even if it costs few more dollars... it is the best way to drive up our economy and drive down unemployment if we can buy more American products.