The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Ben- That's a great looking Jagdtiger kit!  Nice to have molded Zimm so the build would be much quicker.  I have Tamiya kit that comes with a motorcycle.  It looks pretty good but of course I need to add Zimm to it.  I think I will use putty again as it was fun and easy.  

Dealing with PE can drive you crazy but at the end they look just great.  I think I am ready to give up with PE but there's not much left to do since most of tools have been attached so far.  

Appreciate you stopping by... please do not be a stranger and come back anytime to check my work.  Thanks mate!

deafpanzer

Ben- Eric (tigerman) has started a thread in GB for Big Cats II.  Be sure to go over there and sign up... but have fun with your Firefly.  You have three whole months to build it so enjoy and take your time making it the best if possible. 

Hey Andy,

I'm all signed up! I'm going to build the Dragon Porsche Jagdtiger with Zimmerit. I'm glad Eric has decided to start the GB in September! It will fit in perfectly with the planned completion of my current wip Firefly! I'm just about to start work on the 6 x suspension assemblies. I would like to think that I could have it completed by October at the very latest (bear in mind I'm restricted to mostly weekend building).

I've been waiting for ages to find an excuse to buy and build this and I love nothing better than building kits as part of a GB!

I'm going to build kit the Dragon Jagdtiger shown below (kit #6493)

Your PE work is tremendous - almost as good as your figure work!

I'll keep popping in to see your latest build!

Don't forget to update page one with a photo of my third build and whilst you are there change the Hinsky to Hinksy on the tick chart

Cheers buddy,

Ben

Ben- Eric (tigerman) has started a thread in GB for Big Cats II.  Be sure to go over there and sign up... but have fun with your Firefly.  You have three whole months to build it so enjoy and take your time making it the best if possible. 

Guys- Little update... more PE work.  I am so ready to do something other than dealing with PE.  

The kit part of cleaning rod was incorrect.  According to my reference book it had two wooden rods so I scratch built one but kept the cleaning head.  And it had two leather straps only to hold the rods... 

Improved and correct version...

The kit part of box had molded on clasps so I had to work on it too... used PE from Aber set.

Improved set even has a lock... commander didn't want his crew to steal his booze of course!

Off to bed... good night everybody!

Thanks guys,

I've really enjoyed myself on this GB and definately look forward to the next one.

• The Sig 33 was a simple, fun build and one I'd love another crack at. Next time with a cammo scheme and extra detailing but this did the job.
• The Pz III N was a great kit - the best Tamiya kit I've built to date. The paintjob worked well and the scratchbuilt racking was something different that everyone always comments on when they see it!
• Finally the StuG III C/D, whilst being a very quick build, was great to build as I knew it was a 'hybrid' that would have been well battered and damaged/chipped etc. I like to be able to let my imagination run riot and build something heavily weathered and damaged.

The Firefly will be a total opposite - they didn't see a massive amount of action so a litle dust and streaking will do it. I know very little about Allied Armour apart from naming pieces of armour so I hope to be learn a bit on this new journey that I'm about to start. I do know that the marking options are poor and will need to look into new decals or Archer dry transfers.

Also, I'd like to be able to at least paint a figure that won't look out-of-place on one of my builds - I definately want to be able to have a figure to go with my next GB build and even better to go with my Firefly!

Andy has shown me that a good, well presented figure can really set a build off.

Thanks guys,

See you on the next GB! If anyone can help with Firefly decal/unit marking suggestions then I'd be VERY grateful!

As usual I'll be blogging my progress - looking at the VERY full box I don't think this will be a quick build?

Take care,

Ben

Guys- I had a great weekend working on my Pz III.  Why?  I got poison ivy all over my body so I couldn't go anywhere.  That's something I should do on purpose once a while so my wife will allow me more bench time?!?!

I dealt with PE pretty much for two days.  At first I hated them but now I am getting better hang working with PE... I believe I haven't even cussed for two days!!!  Must be a new record... 

The shovel was probably the most complicated PE build so far... an hour maybe longer... I lost track of time!  

More PE work... spare wheels holders. That was easiest of all but I had to remove some of the kit parts. 

And I have to say this... I think I have found me a new love.  Gator's Grip Acrylic glue.  It doesn't dry too fast allowing me enough time to adjust especially those tiny PE bolts.  

Off to add more tools and PE for the other fender... anybody know a great tip how to make itching' from poison ivy go away?!?!?

Those look GREAT! Don't think you could have found a more different sampling of vehicles all based on the III chassis. Nice stuff.

Ben- Well done!  New camera definitely works a lot better and I can see their true color now.  I will use this picture for the Hall of Fame... I like how we can see the tracks.  

If you ask which is my favorite, I probably will say Pz III Ausf N because of the stowage and its winter camo!  

Again thank you so much for being a great team player.  Any GB host should be lucky to have you!  See you at Big Cats GB later this year.  Of course I will follow your Firefly build... I am always up for American armor.  The British lazy bums just upgraded the gun, right?  

Hi guys,

I have 'properly' finished my StuG III C/D by fitting the 2m RB Brass Antennae and two rough Jerry cans lashed to Antennae holder.

I've also picked up a new camera and took some shots with it just now (please excuse the date etc. on the photo - I haven't managed to set it up properly yet). They look great on the computer so I thought I'd download them as part of a final completed build post!

So, that wraps up my three entries for what has been a really enjoyable GB! Well done Andy - you've been an inspiration!

To recap, my three entries completed as promised were:

• Tamiya Panzer III Ausf N (Leningrad scheme) with scratchbuilt stowage cage
• Dragon/Cyber-Hobby Sturn SiG 33
• Dragon/Cyber-Hobby StuG III Ausf C/D

RB Brass Antennae and the two Jerry Cans now in place - I'm calling her done!

I'm really pleased with these photos

A 'Big Cat' GB eh? By my reckoning my Firefly will take me to September so I'll be up for that one! I know what I'll be building (surprise) and I've been been looking for an excuse to tackle it so it's perfect timing!

I hope you'll drop in on my Firefly build guys. I'm going to make a start tomorrow.

Take care everyone,

Ben

Terrific, I look forward to the chance to build my first ever King Tiger! Thanks for the info,

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Mike- Yep, Eric (Tigerman) sent out a feeler in Armor earlier about doing Big Cats GB and it will start in September.  No question it will be popular!  I plan to build DML 6600 Tiger I.  

GRIN -- for def, they are superb! Must look at some tutes, the faces are going to be the most difficult part for sure...

Big Cats? When, where? I'm in! King Tiger with zim!

Mike/TB379

Dupes- Agree with you about great team effort here.  I think we are OK with Flammpanzer.  Steve (dude) has signed up to build it.  I will PM him to find out if you wish. Thanks for your comment earlier.  This old Pz III just needs a lot of love...

I need to review the roster and identify the remaining gaps when I have the chance. 

Mike- Knew you'd like the resin figures from Tank.  Wish they were not that expensive so I can buy many of them!  Only have three sets in my stash at this moment...

Ben- CONGRATS!  Your StuG really look GREAT!   I dig the mud splatters.  I almost did that on my StuG F/8 but I chickened out as usual. 

THANK YOU so much for being a great team player for stepping up to fill in that StuG III C/D gap.  You have built three variants for my GB and it means a lot to me. 

I am so glad you have chosen Firefly as your next build.  I know you have been itchin' to build it since Christmas.  Bet we will be in same GB again... perhaps the Big Cats GB this fall. 

Ben -- your build is an absolute work of art! So that's how you do mud spatter... I must remember that! Mud as yet is not in my repertoir... She looks very convincing indeed, the eye sees metal, not plastic, and that's the real trick. Well done, sir!

Mike/TB379

PS: My Tank figure set was delivered on Saturday, they are truly remarkable and I look forward to working with them!

dupes

Nice stuff Hinksy! Getting awful close to filling all of the buildable gaps - that's a pretty solid team effort right there.

Cheers Dupes,

I agree. This has been a really good GB and it's been great to see all of us pull together to fill those gaps.

As for the build - it's not my best but it looks good and I'm happy with her.

Ben

Nice stuff Hinksy! Getting awful close to filling all of the buildable gaps - that's a pretty solid team effort right there.

Hi guys,

I'm glad to be able to call the StuG III C/D complete!

Pigments are done, Light Dust and Rubble Dust Pigments have been applied and all the wheels are on following a lot of sanding down of the very oversize suspension arms!

Friuls are looking good - both lengths were primed with Vallejo Primer Red and painted over with a mix of Flat back (60%) and Flat Earth (40%) which turned out well. A final all over rub of the raised areas with a flat small file sorted that out - the tracks were then finished off with an all-over brushing of Mig Rust Wash.

The Mufflers were treated with a sloppy mix of light and dark rust and black soot pigment all mixed in little pots with fixer.

Finally a brush loaded with AK Dark Mud was taken and shot at with dry air from the air brush to give some nice mud spatter effect. I've got a Brass 2m antennae to fix to the base on the StuG and the Jerry cans to do but they can wait as I'm ITCHING to get started on my Firefly! I will hopefully find time to do a litle work on that prior to returning to work on Wednesday (we have tomorrow and Tuesday off in the UK due to the Jubilee).

I hope you like her chaps - at least that StuG III C/D ap is filled now! What a great GB! Thanks Andy

Thanks guys,

I hope you like her - it's been an enjoyable build. Simple and enjoyable! 

I hope some of you can spare the time to check up on my Firefly blog!

All the best and take care,

Ben

Haven't been on in a few weeks - lots of good stuff!

Andy - you're flying through that K...gonna be a good one.

Detailfreak - the bergepanzer looks awesome! Great work there.

Still hoping I can bang out the Flammpanzer by the end of the summer, but I got approached to do a review of a new product which might take me a bit too long to squeeze both in. Will let you know!

Guys- Another update... dealt with PE pretty much tonight. 

Aber PE clasps come in three pieces.  It would have been a nightmare but using a trick really helps speed up the assembling the clasps. 

Three pieces as shown... for the wire cutter

Glue the lower strap using CA to the bottom of wire cutter...

Second... glue the top part of strap using CA to the wire cutter.

Final step... attach the clasp handle to the strap using CA.

Voila! 

Not too bad after four hours... I didn't even cuss this time.  Hope to do the other side tomorrow...

Anybody play 'World of Tanks'?  I don't play and I got 'points' coupon for new & existing players that came with new Dragon DAK figures set.  Please let me know if you want it...

Ben- Hey buddy! HA!  Nope, I haven't attached the turret to the base yet.  I will probably do that tonight or tomorrow...

Sounds like you have been roll with your StuG.  I really appreciate you stepping up to help us out closing that Ausf C/D gap!  Looking forward to your next update!

Love your Queen... God save the Queen!  I can't imagine UK without her. 

Guys- Little update but spent hours on the bench last night dealing with PE.  Don't we all love those stuff?

I didn't like the kit supplied hooks... over scaled in my opinion. 

I had this aftermarket hooks in my stash... from Tiger Model Design.

One of few PE work I did last night...

More to come...

Hi Andy,

Another interesting little build! Is the 'K' a 'kit-bash' project? I ask because I see you are having to open out the turret hole?

I'm having a day 'chilling' today as it's been a manic and a very HOT week It's the Queens Diamond Jubilee weekend so apart from this weekend we all have Monday and Tuesday off work too!

Tomorrow I'm going to be getting the tracks primed and painted. I might go for a super heavy rusty look by using Mig track & rusty pigment tones applied with fixer / thinner. Otherwise it's going to painted and treated to a Mig Rusty Wash. I'll also be painting the wheel hubs using the Quickwheel Mask. Apart from that the mufflers have to be rusted up and the flat sides of the lower hull walls weathered.

Finally those two Jerry cans will be going on along with a Brass RB Antennae. Some final pigment work and I'm calling her done!

A base might be on the cards along with a couple of figures but I've got two very nice Dragon kits which I'm itching to get started on right now!

Cheers guys and take care,

Ben

Guys- I did something crazy last Tuesday. Keep in mind Indy is well known for the big races.  You can figure it out...

Tell you the truth I nearly soiled my shorts!!! Anyway here's an update on my Panzer III Ausf K...

Because Pz III Ausf K used a larger Pz IV turret, I had to sand the hole to make it fit into Pz III chassis. It was a great thing to own a Dremel because it took me only a minute or two for this job. 

Perfect fit...

Attached the extra armor... A PE set would have been nice but I couldn't find one for Ausf K anywhere even eBay.  They have been out of production for a long time.  I think I am going to sand down the strips.

Ausf K had several odd subjects such as muffler which I admit I haven't seen it before...

And intake guards instead of actual screens commonly seen on Pz IIIs and StuGs...

More to come...

Carl- Thanks bro!!!  Glad you liked it... too much fun with this build as I did alot of new stuff on the StuG such as hairspray technique, wavy camo, Friul tracks and AK streaking products.  Please ask Gunny politely not to destroy my StuG! 

Greg- WOW!  Now it looks dirty and GREAT!  Remember we have dirty minds... we love dirt! I have to ask.. what did you use for the mud?  They look very realistic.

I wouldn't have built this StuG if you didn't send me the surprise package.  I will always cherish this gift and I think I am going to name the tank commander 'Greg' but I am not sure if it is a common name in German.   Do you think the German authorities will allow the commander to grow a beard as long as yours.

Andy , she looks great . The unusual camo and the weathering look perfect my friend . Those tracks are way cool .

Ben , i like the rust streaks .

Detail , bad a$$ weathering .

                          Update,the left fender has been added and the mud has been flying,have to scrounge some more fender supports but the P.E fenders look the part .Some of the detail items have been added. Thanks for the extension Deafpanzer,great looking stug you have built,alot of great builds here. Well I best get to the important stuff.

                                  Any comments or questions are welcome.

                                                        Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Mike- I have to say the Zimm on StuH always catch my attention.  You are doing a good job! 

Am sure you will like the stowage set from Legend but wait until you see the figures from Tank.  Congrats with the StuG F/8 addition to your vast stash! 

Worked on my Pz III for last two nights... made a great process and I will post an update when I have the chance.

WIP as promised, here's the StuH 42 as it stands right now:

Almost all zim is on, there's the glacis to go (lots of fiddling as the sheet was not designed with separate hatches, but I want them to be clearly distinct). The tail end was provided as a substitute part but I didn't notice before assembling the tail (or the set arrived after I was at that point) so I'll either ignore it or use the supplied zim stamp to create some residual zimmerit in rear areas with putty.

The grills are on, fittings are underway, the only structural elements left to go are the skirt hangers, then I'm into paint, e.g, the running gear and tools.

I ordered the Legend stowage set, it'll probably take a few weeks to arrive as LuckyModel have to order it in. I also ordered the Tank figures, they may be here by the end of the week. And I bit the bullet and got the new Dragon/Smartkit F/8 on sale -- I couldn't pass up those savings!

I'm enthusiastic about this project, it's my first "everything-on" and so far it's going as planned!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Hi guys, pics coming tonight -- have made some progress. I'm at the external fittings stage, have added the grills and applique armor. I've decided to order the figures and stowage, so the only thing I'll be short will be Winterketten, and I'm thinking they may be an option for the future if I can locate an unused set of the new MTs.

This is meant to be an 'everything on' job, so I'll get everything onto it I can think of. Research photos suggest the commander could stand in the hatch with the binoccular sight deployed, there are a few photos with both in evidence, but many without, so I need to make a call on that -- if the figure won't pass through the hatch with it in place that's the decision! I also have pics of vehicles with zim mounting extra track over the frontal slopes, so I'll do that too.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Thanks Andy....still in between....all my stuff is in storage right now...still hoping that it will only be for a couple more months....keeping my fingers crossed...

C

carsanab

Deaf...your Stug looks great!!!!! Congrats on a great build!

now I really want to get back to my III..

Carlos- Thank you man!  I thought about you few days ago when I was reviewing the list of ongoing models.  Hope your move has been smooth so far!  In case you didn't see my comment earlier the GB has been extended thru the summer til August or so because we still have at least ten ongoing builds.  I just started my second build here too...