The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Hey Andy , i,ve come to expect your figures to be top notchand these are right up there with your past work. Are you using those new brushes ? I was also wondering what paints you use on them ......Valejo ? I', going to order some new paints for figure painting so let me know what you use .....ok ?

Nope i havent had any probs posting oics with photo bucket ....................well no more that the usual , but not with erros .

Quick recap since it's been some time since my last post:

I'm converting the old Tamiya Panzer III M/N to a Russian SU-76i.  Since the SU-76i's were based on tanks captured at Stalingrad, this involves backdating the M/N to an earlier model of the Pz III. I could have saved myself a lot of time and effort by working with a different base kit but the object was to take a model I would probably never build otherwise (this one has been sitting on the shelf since the 70's) and see what I could do without using any aftermarket parts.  I've had to raid the spares box but so far have not used any photoetch or had to sacrifice another kit for parts.

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 Starting to add detail to the superstructure

Reference photos show plain stamped sheet metal fenders so the tread plate pattern has to go. Weld pattern on the superstructure added with a hot knife.

The hatch hinges on top are spares from the HiPM Sdfz 232 6 Rad kit. The other gray parts are unused from the Cybermodel Panzer III G.

A bit more detail added: hex bolts on top, lift hooks from .030 solder wire, radio mount, intake screen from tulle fabric.

The M/N had deep wading exhausts so the dual mufflers had to be scratched from sheet plastic. All the grey parts are from the Cybermodel IIIG. The rivets were sliced from the gun mantelet of the Tamiya kit.

A few more details added: side vision port and periscope.

The gun is from the Tamiya T-34/76. I built the kit as a T-34/85 with a resin conversion kit years ago and kept the gun. Guess it pays not to throw anything away.

A closer shot of the engine intake detail. The molded-on kit tool boxes were removed and the larger hole faired over since the yet-to-be built  tool box will not cover the hole left by the surgery. 

That's it for now.

Carl- Thank you... you are too kind!   Actually I have been using LifeColor alot recently.  I only use Vallejo for flesh painting at this moment.

Yes, really love the new paintbrushes.  I am planning to go back to the art store to buy couple more brushes from Series 7.  What surprises me is that they stay stiff and pointed for hours.  I read somewhere that I need to buy an accessory from W&N that helps clean and preserve the brushes better and longer. 

Spent couple of hours painting details on the figures today.  I hope to do more before going to bed. 

This is what I use for figure painting.  LifeColor german Infanty Set 1.  I liked it so much that I went ahead and bought the Set 2. 

I got the same sets for American unforms too.  Bought few individual bottles of different colors used for highlighting and dark washes. 

Hope this helps.. you will like those products from LifeColor. 

DaveB- WOW!  This is really looking great!  Alot of scratch building there... it is going to be a special treat for us guys to watch your build.  It pays to save spare parts!

Nice avatar by the way!

Thank you Andy ............just one more question , where did you find them ?

Thanks, Andy. So far it's been an enjoyable (if at times challenging )  build. I'm on a roll so there should be more photos coming soon.  The avatar is an Alpine figure I painted to go along with a recently completed Trumpeter NKL-26 Aerosan.

Carl- I bought my first set from local shop then I went back right away to get the second set as soon as I fell in love with it.  Unfortunately the local shop doesn't stock LifeColor paint... only small number of sets sometimes time a year.  So I ordered more sets directly from Sprue Brothers last year.  However I noticed the prices have jumped significantly so I am not sure if I want to order more bottles from there.  I'd shop around to find better deals...

DaveB- No question your figure in the avatar is real good looking one!   Any chance are you planning to include figures to your SU build?  It will make my day if you do.  I enjoy figures as much as I do armors.

Carl- I googled and found this... InternetHobbies is having a sale on LifeColor paint sets.  However, they don't sell individual paint bottles. 

http://www.internethobbies.com/lipase.html

Save you $5 for each set if you are really thinking about getting those sets.  Also, I use its LifeColor thinner too instead of water and it works great like you have seen in my pictures.  The bottle is huge and it will last years for me. 

Andy,

Positively!  I try to include at least one figure and a scenic base with each completed model. I figure it's the best way to improve my skills in all areas. Otherwise, I'd be doing nothing but build armor to put in a display case. If it doesn't go against forum protocol, I could post a shot of the Aerosan and full figure/base. I'm pleased with the way everything turned out.

Dave

86,,,   Wow indeed. That Pz III looks awesome...  excellent work !

Andy,,  I did have an issue the other day with some pics too,,,  seems to have cleared up however.  Your figures are smashing (as always)!    Thanks for the heads up on the paints too. Will have to look into them.

DaveB,,  I really like your conversion efforts. I can imagine some pain and suffering too, ha. But, it is looking very nice!

ANDY - Thanks from me too.  I too have been looking at getting some paints for figures and now might give those sets a try. 

Your figs are looking great.  Still really like that MG team.  Really like their expressions.

DAVEB - Really nice work thus far   Always liked these vehicles and so far you are really capturing it.

DaveB- Likewise... I like to include figures to all of my builds too.  I am afraid I have gone crazy this time doing four figures for this build.  No question my next few build I will just do one or two figures at a time so I can speed up my process.  

Bill- Anytime!  You will not be disappointed if you try LifeColor paint on your figures.  

Rob- Thanks buddy!  Hard to believe those MG crew came from Dragon kit.  Only $14 or $16... a lot cheaper than most resin figures.  Dragon latest figure sets are great! 

Andy thanks . The diorama flesh tone set (LFC-CS 13) looks good . What'd you think ?

Greetings - First post of 2012 - Pz III Ausf. J Initial Prod. (Dragon 6463) Photos with road wheels fitted while assembling the Dragon magic track - Of interest primer red on the inside portions of road wheels, rear lights painted green on left and red on right (Tamiya). I believe the turret side hatch glass blocks should be green (open side hatches). The magic track has an excellent fit so far thou I'm having to do some filing on each one, and should use around 93 track. Armor86

Can't tell in photo - painted individual road wheels with MM Crimson primer red,  Vallego Panzer Aces Dark Rubber (hard to see dark rubber on sides) after they were airbrushing panzer gray. 

Carl- I saw that flesh set from LifeColor.  I would have brought it if I didn't have Vallejo flesh set.  I really like both but I prefer LifeColor for the uniforms because they come in sets making my life easier!

86- Once again your Panzer is looking real good.  Yes I can see the primer red between the wheels.  I never have done that and I wonder how common it is for that part of wheels to be left unpainted.  I am always learning something here in FSM.  

Try not to have too much fun with MagicTrack.  At least they were free that you didn't have to cough extra $30-$40 just for aftermarket tracks... 

Guys- Spent another three hours detailing the figures tonight.  I am learning how to use my new MacBook Pro I got from my company yesterday.  It has been great so far but I still have so much to learn how to use a Mac!  

Here's my troop... reddish brown paint was added to leather as I was going for worn out look.  

I still need to work on the tripod... not satisfied here.  

Almost done with this... only need to work on gloves then apply dark washes at the end. 

Details have been applied to personal gear.  For some reason pictures are showing up so bright this time.  

My favorite... the Rambo! 

I am undecided at this moment to apply white wash to the helmets.  Or should I leave them like that?  Dry brushed MM Metalizer Gunmetal on the helmets.

Comments are always welcome!  I am afraid I lost count how many I owe you guys!  Off to bed... good night my friends! 

Andy , thanks for your answer on the lifecolor , that'll be the way i go .Those details on the figures look very good . Good luck with your Mac . I bought one a few yrs ago and couldnt get my micro soft trained brain wrapped around it so i returned it ..........whew !

Carl- Like always thank you for taking your time to look at my SLOW build. LOL   Can't wait to apply dark washes... it is my favorite part and it brings everything together.

I think having an iPad earlier really helped me deal with my new Mac laptop.  I will sign up for a free class at Apple store in a week or two when the dust settles...  you have to remember you live alot closer to Bill Gate and Microsoft than Apple.  Microsoft HQ is located in Seattle or somewhere close, correct?

86,,    the III is coming along nicely,,,,  very nice indeed!

Andy,,   fig-tastic!     The figures are looking great,,   as usual pal,,,,  !

Superb figures Andy,lotsa patience

Bill and Anthony, many thanks! . Worked on my figures for a bit. I think they will be ready for dark washes tomorrow. 

Andy the figures are looking very nice.  Anxious to see what they look like after a wash.  You asked about whether to whitewash the helmets...why not do just one to add a little variety?

Dave

Thanks DaveB!  I like your suggestion... I will go ahead and have one or two helmets white washed... great idea!  That would be a perfect excuse for me to try hairspray technique for the first time...

Guys,

My reference material on the early Stug III's is a bit sketchy. Could anyone point me to a web site (or have scale drawings they could photograph and put online, etc.)  that would show the "cosmetic" differences  between a Stug III A and B?  I have a feeling they were relatively minor.  I have the Tamiya Stug III B but no Dragon III A to compare against it.  The reason I ask is because I have an old MB Models resin and white metal kit boxed as a IIIA/B that I've been dying to tackle for years.  I'd like to do it as an "A"  and, as it comes in the box, it compares to the Tamiya III B.

The resin hull and superstructure are as detailed as any injection molded kit I've seen and most of the white metal parts aren't bad (i.e. are usable.)  Thought it would be a challenging project to start after I finish the SU-76i.

Thanks for your help,

Dave

PS  After posting this (isn't that the way it usually goes?) I saw Dupes finished Stug IIIA. Guess I'll spend some time seeing if he posted any pics of his build...which should help answer my question. Still, if anyone has any info, it will be appreciated.

DaveB- I have Achtung Panzer book for StuGs and it offers great drawings for all variants.  I'd be more than happy to scan or take pictures of Ausf A and Ausf B if you want.  

Andy I would really appreciate that. Whatever is easiest for you (scan or photos.) You can email them to me at: dblankenship@att.net

Just what I need to do though...start thinking about another involved build. One of these days I'll do a "shake and bake" kit from the stash

Dave

Andy , their on the west side of the Cascades . Might as well be in another state . Read into my location and it will explain .......  

Carl- That was a good one!  I flew into Spokane few years ago for a conference in Missoula.  The drive from Spokane to Missoula was breath taking trip!  I hope I can do it again as the lady wants to host the conference again in Montana one more time before she retires.

DaveB- As promised, I am sending you pictures of the drawings... both Ausf A and B.  I used my camera as I don't have a scanner at home.   Hope they helps... 

Worked on my figures last night especially on the flesh and they are almost ready for the final dark washes.  Have a great weekend guys! 

OMG!  Zombies!!!  They are going to eat Carl's brain!  Help us God! 

Nah, I used enamel MM Sand on the eyeballs.  Remember I use acrylic paint on my figures.  A great trick I learned from one of our friend Adam Kuller... he used to post a lot here.  Using enamel paint will make it easier for me to correct eyes on acrylic paint if I want to without damaging the previous paint job.  

Worked on the flesh last night... 

Using my iPhone camera to take closer shots at the eyes, it helps me a lot!   You can see that left eye was bigger than right which I have corrected after taking the picture.  

I will allow them dry overnight before I can use black acrylic paint on the eyes.  

Off to celebrate my best friend's 40th birthday tonight.  Sushi for dinner!  Here come the sake bombs... have you tried this?