The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Erik- Great process on your Panzer.  Those PE grills are a big plus!

You are so lucky you get to build models in a hobby store.  You don't have to worry about running out of glue or paint that way.  Which part of Ohio are you in because I have been to a great hobby shop in Cincy called Broadway Hobby last month. 

Looking good guys!

Here's my Ausf. G. I love working at a hobby shop because I can bring my models with me and work on them at work. That's exactly what I've been doing the past couple nights at work. I plan on working on the G a little more tonight.

Erik

Malone & Mike- Glad to hear about your process.  Of course please do not hesitate to post pictures... remember we love pictures of your process. 

Ben- Saw your post on 1/48 StuG earlier... looking great and you are about to call it done. 

Ok, I washed off the lower hull last night and airbrushed it this afternoon.  I shouldn't have put on as much of the suspension before painting as I did, it made the painting really hard (a lot of creases to get inside). I have some touching up to do, and I learned that one of the holes I had to fill in (there are at least a dozen with this kit, probably it was originally for another version of the panzer) was done poorly, so I got some problems there. Other than that, the top half, which I'm doing seperately, is lookin' good. Maybe I'll get some pics up 2night or 2morrow. Now I'm about to get the wheels on and start working on the tracks.

Once that's done, I plan on adding a LOT of mud to the underside of this bad-boy. Normally I just use pastel chalks, but I want to get some 3D mud to cover the scratches and crude mistakes I've made. Anyone have any advice on getting mud like this on a model? Anything I can mix with pastels (some kind of putty or something) to make it look like dried mud? Thanks!

Hey Andy,

I'm loving the badge - perfect

It looks like we have some nice builds starting already, great work guys!

I've just got this little 1/48 StuG III G to wrap up and by my reckoning I'll be joining the GB on the weekend of the 23rd/24th July with my first GB entry which is very nice Tamiya 1/35 Panzer III Ausf. N. The kit is secure and safe in my stash!

I'm planning on building OOB as it comes supplied with PE grills and a metal turned barrel. I'm undecided on the tracks as yet

Looking forward to joining you everybody! I can't believe the interest that this GB idea has generated!

Many thanks and here's to a great GB to come

Ben

                         I'm with you Shellback.

                                                  Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

" I have nothing against older kits... they are just easier to build and harder to break! "

Andy , i'd get a newer kit if i didnt already have all of these older kits in the stash . This one has a lot of flash to clean up .By the way , seems i remember this DML kit # 9015 being a re-release of the Gunze Sangyo kit #722 .

Nothing more accomplished on this kit today ............just now came in from working on the wall and its time for a couple of brews .

Shellback & Armor86-  Great process!  I noticed how much the Dragon kits have improved.  Shellback's kit is an Imperial from maybe early 90's and Armor86's kit is one of recently released kits so there is about 15-20 years difference in those two.  I have nothing against older kits... they are just easier to build and harder to break! 

Mike- Oh boy, sorry to hear about this.  I plan to build same kit so thanks for the warning!  One good thing about building armors is that we can hide something with mud or stowage...

Okay, so I finished up the suspension and bottom pieces of the Panzer III E. I'll post pics once I paint it.

I gotta say, I've had some terrible luck on this build so far. Besides the problems mentioned before, I put in the parts for the rear exhaust in the wrong order, had to cut out part of it, and now it looks like crap. I'm planning on doing a really muddy weathering job which I hope will cover up most of my and the instruction's mistakes. Warning to people building this kit in the future, TEST FIT EVERYTHING. I went on faith that I would have enough room to slide in the vents once the rear wall was put on, but I was wrong. Now they're crooked, and I'm sanding them down so that they are at least flush with the sides of the tank. Anyways, I'm looking forward to being done with the bottom half of this model. I don't normally weather very much, but I hope that my muddy weathering will take away from the bottom half so that the (hopefully) better job I do on the turret and equipment will be what the viewer looks at the most.

Hope this helps...

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thanks for the info.  just ordered two voyager detail sets despite telling myself at the onset of this GB that I would do it!  can't wait until they get here!

Panzer III (Dragon Smart Kit 6463) was started over the weekend and I have gotten through step 6 in the instructions which provides the first optional build, related to the rear tail of the hull and the deflector plate, in keeping with a early Pz III Ausf J (initial production) version and using references from 'Achtung Panzer No. 2', I'm leaving off the deflector and removed the guides on the exhaust muffler. I usually hold off mounting the road wheels, return rollers, idler and drive sprocket wheels until the end to paint... photos taken with sprocket and idler loosely in place. 

Spend sometime working on the rear idler - track tension adjusting bolt and housing to rid the seam and tow eye bracket.

Metal etch detail under the extend engine deck tail end and idler wheel.

Chazzer:  My sympathies on the loss of your four-footed family member.  Had to put my dog to sleep in April after 14 years in the family.  Didn't know I'd miss him so much.

Ya , am still vorking on der Ausf. M ............

Nice work guys,a lot of nice stuff,I can't wait to jump in.

AceHawkDriver

question for everyone on here.  I don't use e-bay much due to horror stories of sellers however, i'm considering it for a couple of voyager detail sets and didn't know if anyone had purchased anything from these sellers before and any issues with them:

1.  excellent_model

2.  sell_model

3.  modelsbymickster

I use eBay all the times and I haven't had bad luck... (knocking on wood).  I used to order aftermarket stuff from 'Models by Mickster' before he closed his online modeling business about two years ago.  I suspect he is still selling few things via eBay now.  Great guy... quick delivery and communication.  I am not sure about the first two... just look at their ratings and history, if its 99% or higher then it should be OK. 

Hope this helps...

Detailfreak , sad to hear about your loses . Glad to see your able to hang in here with the G.B.

detailfreak:  thanks for the condolences.  looks like your build is coming right along and looking really good!  i'll be watching it closely.

deafpanzer:  thanks for the condolences.  don't quite think i'm up to the level of sending it off to AMPS yet.  as long as I take my time it should turn out decent enough though.

question for everyone on here.  I don't use e-bay much due to horror stories of sellers however, i'm considering it for a couple of voyager detail sets and didn't know if anyone had purchased anything from these sellers before and any issues with them:

1.  excellent_model

2.  sell_model

3.  modelsbymickster

thanks in advance for any help!

Acehawkdriver- I am very sorry to hear about everything.  Modeling do keep me sane... it really relieves my stress every time I model.   Nice details on the StuG... typical of Dragon kits.  Maybe you can enter into AMPS National show next year in Auburn, Indiana.

Detailfreak- Greg, I have to tell you something.  All of your builds always remind me of my first car.  It was a little 1978 Chevy Monza I got for my 17th birthday.  Why?  Because it had 4 different colors.  My dad brought it wrecked and he replaced all damaged parts from different cars at the junkyard.  The car was blue, with red hood, grey fender and white mirrors, etc.  So American... now I am seeing three colors on your build.  Thanks for the memories.

Great pictures of the StuG with air filters by the way!

                           Looks good so far AceHawkDriver, my condolences.

                           I to have taken a bit of time to work on my panzer III,some spare air inlets and removal of the factory molded on fenders.

                            Also added the final drives and much of the rear plate is complete.

                           Any comments are welcome as usual.

                                                         Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Chazzer:  sorry to hear about your pooch.  i lost my twelve year old basset two years ago and still miss her.  hope your health turns around without too much trouble for you. 

i've had a little bit of time at the bench last night and tonight.  we've had a really rough stretch here in my family with my wife and i losing our infant son in February and my grandfather yesterday.  not trying to be a downer either, just trying to stay sane and this is the best way!

the front armor plate and upper fighting compartment are dry fitted, hence the huge gaps, in the lower hull but they are attached to each other.  A real test of my patience!  thought i would share the progress. 

 as always i have some cleanup to do but will let that wait for later.  it's too bad the radios won't really be visible, with what i'm planning on doing, once it's done as they are nicely molded. 

comments and criticisms are always welcome!

                     Hun Hunter as far as I can find only three D model stug were in north africa,and yes they were equipped with the trop. filters.Will post the pics I have later. This book has a bit of useful info..

                  A bit hard to make out but these pics show the filter brackets on a D model.

                   If I come across any more I'll be sure to post them.

                               Found another.

                                                       Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Well gents, I'm not going to have any WIPs from this evening.

In honor of the 4th, I'm focusing exclusively on the the one American subject I've got on my bench. It's P-51 TIME!

Also, in good old US of A style, I came very close to destroying my Zvezda La-5. A book fell on it. Amazingly, the only damage was a snapped gear strut. Those commie bastards are hard to kill!

Thanks Andy , sounds like you had a good day . Nothing new to post yet .

Guys- Happy July 4th!!! 

AceHawkDriver-  Welcome aboard!  Looking forward to more WIP on your StuG.  Please do not hesitate to let me know if you need my help... you are only couple of hours drive away but I can not promise that I will not take that StuG back home with me...

Hun- I am glad you liked the GB badge Carl and I came up with! 

Doogs- No kidding about the heat... I hit the couch for a nap as soon as I returned home from the parade and festival today.  Looking forward to more WIP of your Pz III.  I still see that you are overstocked with Mr Surfacer...   Can't wait to apply Mr Surfacer on my Pz IV and few figures tonight.

Chazzer-  Oh man, I hate when it happens.  I lost my dog two years ago to seizures... one of the best dogs ever.  An Aussie shepherd dog... hang in there buddy.  That's what your FSM friends are here for.... you will be in my prayers.  Of course you are allowed to touch every part of your StuG kit!

Did I tell you that I build that Tamiya StuG kit a year ago?  It was the most easiest and fun one!  I can send you a link to my WIP if you wish. 

Hun Hunter

The Stug III saw action in Tunisia, correct? I assume they were in an overall mustard color?

I guess I could just do something in Panzer grey as well, I actually have nothing in PG. Working on an early Tiger but I think it'll stay shelved for a bit.

N--- I did some internet searching just to be sure and Pz. III's did see action in Tunisia . I didnt find anything on the color yet .

Moving is such fun isnt it , especially with models , they seem to always get damaged for me anyway . Have fun at the lake .

I feel for you Chaz , ive been thru the loss of 3 dogs myself and now i have 2 more . sorry to hear about your health problem also . Sounds like you beat it b4 and now you can agian .

Best of health to you !

Ok ............the model and A.M. looks like it will be a fun project . Looking forward to this one .

Chazzer - man, that sucks to hear! 

I'm so sorry about your pooch. Obviously I've never met him, but we've got an all-heart/no-brains (well, except when it comes to getting to food, then he's the MacGuyver of dogs) yellow lab, so I totally understand the effect a dog like that can have in your life. 

I know it's not a bright spot, but thirteen is a really good run for a lab, and it sounds like he lived a full measure of life, with a loving family and plenty to eat. In the end, isn't that all any of us can really ask for?

Hey guys, I've been keeping a low profile for the past week or two. My dog died last week. I've had him for thirteen years. He was a black lab mix. I always said he was no brains and all heart. The effect he had on my wife, kids and me was immense. It feels like I have a hole in my life. He was there for me through thick and thin. God I miss him! If that wasn't enough, I might have to begin treatments again for an illness. I went through 11 months of chemo a couple of years ago. I have a new strain of Lyme's disease that spread to my heart and brain. Boy that sucks!

I don't want to be a bummer so I'm glad I got it off my chest. Feels better.

With this post behind me I'll be starting on my build soon. I still am excited and can't wait to start. Now I can touch all I want!!!!

deafpanzer

Its almost 11pm and we haven't seen Doogs' WIP... maybe his wife made him watch the kids again?

Got a bit of a late start tonight...two days of working in the heat = falling asleep on the couch at 8 and waking up at 10:30...

As promised, I got a start on the Vorp. All those fussy lower hull bits from steps 1 and 2 are in place:

Looking forward to the real fun now!