The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Shellback

Ben , i've been eyeing those solder blobs and wondering what you would do about them ..................nicely done ! Andy , good idea.

First off, I know it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11 so it must be a hard day for you guys and my thoughts are with you all.

Thanks Shellback,

I'm obviously not the best at soldering but intend to get a decent iron and learn to use it properly. I was good with them at school when we used to build Circuit Boards but that was over 15 years ago so I'm a little bit outta practice! I'd like to be able to work with PE but solder it instead of glueing it which I find very messy.

I was a bit gutted with it yesterday as it just wouldn't tidy up properly but them satchels actually look better anyway - wether they were hiding messy solder or not.

Ah well, at least I had a go at it anyway - next time it will be better!

Doogs - I must say I'm impressed with that board too Just make sure you give it a good going over with the saw blade. I used a coping saw blade fresh from the packet as I haven't got a razor saw - tbh the coping saw worked admirably. Just make them scrapes deep for a good grain effect. Then prime, then paint (I used Tamiya Woden Deck Tan from a Tamiya rattlecan which I had but have never used), then cover with a thick layer of dark brown oil paint, leave for 20 miuntes and scrub with an old stiff brush humidified with Turps. 

I'm going to get the final tidying up done on that rack done this afternoon and paint the rest of the stowage in readiness for the white paint next weekend.

Cheers guys,

Ben

Carl- Thanks for the !

Doogs- Your panzer is going to be something we all will not forget.  Still dig the winter camo... that's something I want to try maybe my Pz III Ausf N one day as it comes with Winterketten tracks.  Looking forward to see it completed!  And I am going to check on your P-51... one of my favorite planes of course.

Ben- Thank you for thinking of us.   Sept 11 is something many of us will never forget especially for me.  I was flying that morning.  I used to work for a corporation and I was traveling alot.  I was living in NC and I was on my way to Vermont for a meeting.  Got stranded in Philly because of the attacks.  I never felt so scared but angry at the same time.  Managed to find a rental car and drove back home next day and I never forget how empty I-95 was from Philly to NC. 

It was even harder on my wife because she wasn't sure which flight I was on.  I didn't give her the flight information for that trip and now I always do after that day.

Ben,,   Thank You    ( 9/11 )

BaBill212

Ben,,   Thank You    ( 9/11 )

No problem Bill and Andy. I've just watched the reading out of the 60+ names of the Brits that were either on the planes or in the WTC on that day, 10 years ago. I think it's pulled us closer together, both as friends and nations I can't believe it was ten years ago - that means I was only 21 when it happened. Those ten years have gone by so quickly but if 'they' ever think they'll beat us they are all very wrong indeed 

Well, onto my Panzer III build which seems a bit less irrelevant today but I always enjoy posting a little update, especially as it cheers me up!

I didn't plan much today, just to get that rear rack finished. I have a 200 litre drum sat there, 9 Jerry cans and a wooden crate, I've also hung a water can from the back on a piece of cord thinking it would be handy for the crewmen/infantry to have water on tap! It looks good anyway which is what matters in this case.

I've taken the Dremel to some of the side blobs of solder and tidied them up a bit. I've propped a helmet on one corner and added a couple of straps to it (straps made from wine bottle tin foil and painted Vallejo Leather Belt) to cover one blob - the other side will probably have some Milliput tarp hung over it.

It's not all fixed yet so most of it will all come off now (apart from the racking and rear wood board/satchels which are now fixed) for proper weathering and chipping etc later on.

Next weekend I'm going to tackle the 'Splinter' Winter Cammo scheme which I understand it's called. I'm not going to do it freehand - I'm going to do it quite blocky and mask around the areas to be painted white with Blu Tack. I'll use the pre shade method so the White will be well thinned and applied lightly to allow the grey basecoat to show through. The following week I'll have my Friuls and Quickwheel mask ordered so the weekend of the 24th/25th will be running gear time followed by full weathering.

Here we are - ready to get the winter cammo on (I'll take most of this off now)

That's it guys - stowage ready (apart from weathering) and now all ready for the fun part - winter cammo!

I really hope you like her so far, I'm really pleased with progress.

Take care and have a good week all

Ben  

Nice looking stowage Ben .

Nice work Ben,I like the stowage and the wood planks look good.Got very little done on mine,tropical storm Irene cleanup,now I am in California for vaca,looking forward to getting back to the bench.

Ben,,    it is looking great  The stowage really worked out well.......   super job!     Will be looking forward to the winter camo application!

Nice work Ben,I like the stowage and the wood planks look good.Got very little done on mine,tropical storm Irene cleanup,now I am in California for vaca,looking forward to getting back to the bench.

Ben- Looking forward to see winter camo on your panzer next week!

Anthony- Have fun in Califunny... that's what I call that state.  Hope you will be able to visit that private armor museum! 

Guys- My gosh!  Who's the little boy behind the Ma Deuce?!?!  That's my youngest son...

 There were two jeeps and 2 tons truck at 9/11 Memorial Service we attended today.  My oldest son who is in Boys Scout was party of the ceremony.  I met this great guy... he claimed he has 18 WWII and post WWII vehicles at his garage. 

He told me there is going to be a huge military vehicles show in Crawfordsville next week.  Oh boy, I will be there!  Maybe he will allow me fondle his .50 cal baby next time?

Good news, I have called my Panzer IV Ausf H done today and I am going to finish the figures this week.  I will be with you guys pretty soon.

Cool stuff Andy . Hey , you look old enough to be that kids grandad !

Just glued on the last return roller - the Ausf.L Vorpanzer (not really sure where C-H gets off calling it a Vorpanzer, but it sounds awesome so who cares, right?) is DONE!

Just need to let the glue set on the running gear a bit before I shift if over to the posterboard for some glamour shots...

And here she is - all done!

Overall a very enjoyable build. I think in a few specific areas (road wheel, idler wheel and return roller half joins specifically) this kit falls short of the Panzer IV, but overall, it's very, very good.

Looking forward to the next one, and maybe a bit less OOB!

For kicks...the Vorpanzer alongside my Panzer IV Ausf.G...

BaBill212

Ben,,    it is looking great  The stowage really worked out well.......   super job!     Will be looking forward to the winter camo application!

 

Thanks guys,

You are too generous! I've stripped it all down except the metal framework ready for the winter cammo. I'm looking forward to that but always get a bit nervous when applying any sort of cammo incase it goes wrong big time? Should be fine and can't wait to get these Winterketten Friuls!

Doogs - looking GREAT! Top job buddy! I'm trying to find fault but can't so 10 x

Lovely build sir! If mine turns out half that well I'll be pleased!

Back to work today - Dammit!

Update next weekend - it's only 5 days away!

Have a good good week fellas,

Ben

Matt,,   that III looks fan-frikkin-tastic!      GREAT job all way round....    will it be a stand alone or are you putting it into a scene?

Andy,,  does that gentleman live close to you?     I would be asking for a bit of a tour of his collection....  be sure to take lots of pics at the Crawfordsville show for us!

BaBill212

Matt,,   that III looks fan-frikkin-tastic!      GREAT job all way round....    will it be a stand alone or are you putting it into a scene?

For now, standalone, but I do have plans of putting it into a scene, perhaps alongside Dragon's Tiger I Early, which was reaching front lines around the same time and served alongside in Pz.Abt.502.

I'll probably be taking this sucker to the Austin show on the 24th if anybody's planning on coming.

Impressive looking Doogs .

Hi Matt,,    the pz III alongside the tiger would be a nice compliment....  for sure to show the difference in size and, outward, firepower.           Guessing your going to the Austin show and entering the pz III, correct?    Best of luck if so.....       be sure to take some picks for us.           I would like to be there, but it's a bit out of range for me.

It sure turned out great Doogs!

Bill- Yes, he is from Crawfordville or Plainfield... not too far from here about 45 minutes drive.  Definitely If I see him again this weekend I am going to ask if he offers tours at his garage.  My boys would love that!  Maybe he accepts a case of ?

Doogs- Outstanding work on your Panzer III.  Everybody had great time following your WIP and you have showed us there is an easier way is to apply winter camo effectively.  Go and get the Pz III GB and wear it with pride!

Good luck at the show and let us know how it goes.  I won't be surprised if one of your builds bring home an award.

BaBill212

Hi Matt,,    the pz III alongside the tiger would be a nice compliment....  for sure to show the difference in size and, outward, firepower.           Guessing your going to the Austin show and entering the pz III, correct?    Best of luck if so.....       be sure to take some picks for us.           I would like to be there, but it's a bit out of range for me.

Yeah, I think the big thing's going to be figuring out the exact environment I want them in. I've got a Zvezda R12 motorcycle kit and a few figures (the kit is SWEET by the way...staggeringly good detail) I'd like to throw in. Thinking maybe a quick pow-wow to report some scouted enemy locations, maybe with a knocked-out Soviet something lying around...

I'll definitely take pics. Not sure if it'll be with the big Nikon yet. I'm going to be taking at least four kits (Panzer, Achilles, Spitfire, Bf 109E-7, and MAYBE the Pup). It'll be my third model show, and the first I've ever entered. Fingers crossed!

Oh - and better still - there's a 50/50 chance my wife will be taking the kids to Houston that weekend. So I can totally load up at the vendor tables and not have to worry about explaining myself after!

Matt,,  HA,,, that is great!                 Again, best of luck with the show

Andy,,  a few cordial brews would be a good bet for a return invitation too!

Oh,  and Matt, the R12 sounds like it would round out the scene too (especially with some figures)...  Going from figures to bike to pz III and up to tiger,,,  quite the stepping stones....  will be fun to watch that come together.

PS   ,,,    take the Nikon!

Hello guys,

hmmmm, no updates since the 14th? Where is everyone!

I know a lot of us have day jobs (including myself) and families so finding build time in the week is hard but no updates for nearly two days? C'mon!

Well, here's my update: I have a horrible week at work and have done absolutely zero modelling. I also learnt a leasson this week - a new lad started on my shift and we were talking about our interests. I've learnt that when people ask us what we like to do in our spare time DO NOT say 'I do a fair bit of modelling', he only thought I was a bleedin' model as in someone who models and has their picture taken. I'm not exactly Brad Pitt so that caused laughter (at my expense) lasting for about 15 minutes. In future I will definately be saying 'I BUILD  MODELS OF WWII GERMAN ARMOUR'. I've actually said that before and all I got was 'why do you build German stuff' and get looks like I'm wearing a Swastika armband Perhaps I'd better add and the occasional Allied Armour build too. Knowing my team at work they'll just say 'what's Allied mean Ben'?

So, thats my report - no work to report on. Luckily I've got the weekend to myself and also have booked Monday off to use up some left over holiday so plenty of building this weekend

I'll look forward to catching up with you this weekend.

ATVB

Ben

Hi Ben,    I was thinking the same thing,,,    the GB was very quiet this week. I hope to be posting some more photos soon,, maybe Sunday. I am totally jammed with work,, (not fun work), and hope to get to my bench later Sunday afternoon.

As far as stating what you do in your spare time,,,  I tell folks I build scale miniatures...  that gets a fair amount of   "Oh,,,   really?" and usually am asked to explain.    More often than not, people are (or seem) pretty interested.

Bill

Ben - I've been a bit curious about the lack of action, too, especially now that Andy's polished off his Pz.IV and should be jumping in any moment with his contribution to the group. I'd happily post my progress, but I don't think the Pz.III GB is the place for an M4A3(76)W! The way I'm building, though (bench is getting packed away so I'm "building to paint" and then moving on to another), I'll probably be setting aside the Sherman in four or so days. After that - Trumpy KV-2, and then who knows, I may swing back around for the C-H Pz.III Ausf.E/F. 

As for what I tell people - I tell them I build scale models. Then I tell them "I know, I know, but it's a great way to decompress after a long day, and it lets me do something with my hands". If they ask what I build, my stock response is "Mostly WWII stuff. Aircraft, some tanks". In my experience people are a lot more interested in the decompression angle than in what I actually build. 

Guys- I have been out sick with sinus infection... I get it every year and I hate it.   But I am starting to feel better just in time for modeling over the weekend.  My wife is taking the boys to her mother's for a night. 

Doogs-  Your name is Matt?  At first I was lost, then realized that is your real name!  Yes, you got that right... I will be jumping in anytime as soon as I finish painting five figures.  I admit I am little behind... I never finished my two figures for my earlier build Marder II and I am doing three figures for the current build Panzer IV. 

Still long way to go... I can post updates if you are interested in how to do figure painting.  I like to include figures to all of my builds to show the true scale of the armors.  For example two figures on the Panzer I Ausf A made it look so tiny! 

Ben- I am with you.  My friends don't get it when I say 'modeling'.  They would look puzzled.  One time I posted my work of German infantry and somebody called me 'Nazi Lover!'  He doesn't get it... I am into WWII history.    Now I usually I say that I like to play with little toy soldiers and they get it!

Guys- Looking forward to some updates over the weekend.  "MAKE IT WORK!!!" 

This is what Tim Gunn always tell everybody. don't get the wrong idea... my wife loves watching 'Project Runway' and she makes me watch with her.

deafpanzer

Guys- I have been out sick with sinus infection... I get it every year and I hate it.   But I am starting to feel better just in time for modeling over the weekend.  My wife is taking the boys to her mother's for a night. 

Doogs-  Your name is Matt?  At first I was lost, then realized that is your real name!  Yes, you got that right... I will be jumping in anytime as soon as I finish painting five figures.  I admit I am little behind... I never finished my two figures for my earlier build Marder II and I am doing three figures for the current build Panzer IV. 

Andy - yep, name's Matt. Doogs comes from my last name, McDougall. Got hung on me as a nickname a few jobs ago and it's followed me ever since, so I just went with it.

Have fun with the alone time! There's a 50/50 chance my wife might take the kids to Houston next weekend...just in time for the local model show! Love having them around and all, but I certainly like the occasional weekend to myself.

Also, is it just me, or does that second figure have a little Captain in him?

Hey Guys, I've been doing a bit of modeling, well maybe puttering. I picked up some goodies from the hobby store:

The tracks were some from the owners spares box. Got them for $10.00 and the PE stuff for $12.00. Since I have been giving him alot of business he floats me some good deals. I'm hoping to use some of the PE on the Stug "B". Mainly the mud flaps and tool clasps. A good idea or no? The magic tracks are so COOL. I like the way they go together with liquid cement and are pliable for a few minutes.

I've done a bit of building. I still have lots to do. Here is my progress:

The gun and breach:

Dry fitting:

I tried my hand at weld beads with some modeling clay:

The weld beads came out OK. I lay-ed down some primer last night and they look much better.

Here are some pictures of the Biatch Irenes aftermath, I'll post just a few.:

IFO my house:

The right side:

After the water receded. A half mile from the nearest shore:

New camo for an "88";

At least I can laugh about it now. I hope all is well with you all. Hey Doogs, are the fires still raging or do the Firefighters have a handle on it? Andy, feel better. What you all have posted is both a tutorial and brilliant!!

Any comments on the build are greatly appreciated. As a matter of fact any comments are welcome.

I found a cool Pict:

 I've been having some PC issues. I do hope this posts.

Scott

Nice start on the model  ! What a mess Irene made ! What is that in the hole , a WW 1 tank ?

Yea shellback, I'm doing some more research. It's a WW-I tank that was found and excavated. I'm not sure of the date. I will try to find out. It's pretty neat.

Scott