Malone-it's good to see your work in progress....looking forward to more.

Rbear-scary moment indeed-things like that always scare me until after the dust settles and I realize that there are very few things that can't be fixed.  Looking forward to seeing pics of your KT

Marc-another outstanding build.  I especially like the camo & weathering.  I would have never noticed the track issue if you hadn't mentioned it. 

Thanks, Bob. The edges of the second color are nice and sharp, so it's all good.

Okay, I got a bit caught up, some fine work going on here. I did manage to see a couple of obvious things I missed (thanks, Carl) so I've got a couple of things to do in the morning before I seal the paint with clear and start the washes. Funny, since I did them on my last KT.......   Oh well, one more reason to keep current!

malone duke - off to a great start ... I'm plugging along with piecing together Voyager Photo Etch ... photos below of the back end (Tiger I - DAK) ... drill small holes where to placed all the fittings .... Armor86 

The tool of choice - PE ...

A little more sanding on seems ... air intakes ... chains emplaced. 

Had to apply paint inside .... before installing 

Please take a look, comment on needed areas ... know about bolts on each side of plates, once exhaust plates finished - move on to rear fenders ... Armor86

Armor 86, I don't see a thing wrong. It looks pretty freakin awesome to me!

Marc , them s.o.b.d.s. tracks ! I've heard bad things about them shrinking but i didnt realize they'd go to doing that so suddenly . Nice build thow ...dont hold any bricks near it !

Ripcord welcome over here

My gosh guys, if you blink , you miss so much here.

Malone, what up with dat hull?

Armor86, that's insane work. What opti-visor do you wear? LOL

T-bolt, glad you're back in the fold.

RBaer, glad all is well. That would have put me over the edge to ruin a great camo job. 

Armor86-PE looks great-I've got to get a PE tool before I try tackling anything like that.  Rest of the build looks good too-can't wait to see it with some paint.  I don't see too many DAK Tigers here in the forums-looking forward to seeing yours.

tigerman - the opti-visor is a must have tool .... especially if you're over 50 .... Armor86

Armor86: Now that's some nice detail!

armor86

tigerman - the opti-visor is a must have tool .... especially if you're over 50 .... Armor86

I've been using one for the past year or two and I'm not even 50!

malone - nice prep work on your second build.  Which kit is this?  That was some kind of nasty seam you had to clean up on the hull side, characteristic of resin molds.

Armour86 - superb detailing, can you tell us what you used to create the textured surface?

Bish - the Brian Leigh Davis book is also in my library, along with Osprey's revised edition of The Panzer Divisions, and Squadron's   Tank and AFV Crew Uniforms Since 1916.  The book  I mentioned consists of three volumes, but the first one deals with mostly frontline combat units.  First printed in 1986, it can be quite pricey depending on it's condition, though that JJF book on 653 tops it - seems to be a real collector's item.  

So here is a quoted entry from Vol.1 dealing with the field grey panzer uniform:

The field grey Field Dress of Armor-design: a field grey "special dress" (Sonderbekleidung) was introduced by an order (HM 40, No.684) dated 29 May 1940 for gun crews of assaultgun units of the artillery.   An order (HM 42, No.555) dated 26 June 1942 extended it's wear to all assaultgun units.  Later, crews of selfpropelled guns (Selbstfahrlafetten), crews of armored artillery (Panzerartillerie), and of armored trains were authorized to wear the field dress.

To me the fact that the particular vehicle you are building was attached to HQ and also the command vehicle for the recovery section doesn't necessarily mean they were dressed differently than other mechanics.  Was the turret attached just for crew protection or were they expected to operate the main gun?

If they were issued the panzer wrap, there is good reason though why it's not that prevalent in photos.  For work around vehicles troops were advised to wear coveralls, as well as the special reed green denims introduced in 1941.  In many photos they also wear  pre-war fatigues.

There are a few recent releases in resin that look quite good:

Corpus

Evolution Miniatures

regards,

Jack

Jack, some great info there, thank you. The Verlinden figure set i plan on useing are commanders, so not likely to be getting dirty. But i am thinking of adding a Mechanic or two in overalls. So i think i will do the Field grey for the commanders.

The main gun could be used, of course they had to turn the whole vehicle to aim it. But as it is a command vehcile, i would imagine it was not intended to go out and hunt the enemy. I will have a look for that set of books. I ordered the one about the 653 from Amazon yestersday for £14 includeing postage, so hopefully it will arrive early next week.

Bish - I have to apologize.  In trying to answer your question I've made the mistake of approaching from the wrong angle.   I was thinking the vehicle in question was still part of the recovery unit, but after reading some threads over at missing-lynx,  it seems it was in fact combined with the Panzer IV turret for the purpose of being assigned to the combat unit itself, (and as you stated, specifically as a command tank).    Apparently once the unit received properly equipped Bergepanthers with the wench,  the older Bergepanthers without the wench were available for such modifications.

So that is a definite yes for the field grey panzer uniform.   Collar insignia was black with metal skulls and pink piping.  Shoulder boards would also be black with the pink piping.  There was also the addition of a 'P' cypher  on the shoulder straps, it's colour depended on the wearer's rank: embroidered pink, white metal or gold metal.

May 1944 brought new changes and distinctions creating complexity.  Specifically for SP anti-tank units:

-those serving under Army, Corps, or under infantry, rifle or mountain division kept their uniforms as above.  

-for those under infantry, rifle or mountain regiment command, the collar insignia was replaced with standard Litzen on green patches, edges piped either in white or green depending on the parent regiment's Waffenfarbe.

-units under command of Panzer and Panzer-Grenadier divisions, along with those under Army or Corps command equiped with the Elephant, were to return to wearing the black panzer uniform.

regards,

Jack

Jack, I hate to sound like a "grammar nazi," but it's winch not wench.

pyrman64

Jack, I hate to sound like a "grammar nazi," but it's winch not wench.

Actually I think a certain German field marshal who used to post here did have a Tiger equipped with a wench...

The basic ground work is hardening and all the figures needs is some gear and weapons and I can put this one to bed.

Marc: Looks great!

Wow-zers Marc ! They add a lot to the build .

Hey Jack, to get the textured surface I used a couple products - one Vallejo Plastic Putty (401), Tamiya Liquid Surface primer (grey) upper and lower hull and / or Liquid Surfacer Prime (white) turret. Using putty knife and applied small amounts to surface, allowed to dry then sanded until I liked the texture ... I then applied the Tamiya paint with an old brush - any thick paint with very little self-leveling properties will due.  Another suggested paint would be Mr Surfacer 500, but it can't be found around here in the US.

I brush it on the model in long strokes first and when the surface is completely covered, I begin a stippling motion. The paint sticks to itself and the texture is formed completely. My objective was to create a subtle slightly surface. Once dry lightly sand. Armor86

Marc, I have to someday take the plunge and builds some figgies for my armor. They really do set the piece off.

Marc - I like them figures, have to keep reminding myself the actual scale you are working in.

Armor86 - thanks for explaining your texture method.

My spelling error ... aw well, I guess everyone is entitled to a homer moment.  Don't feel anywhere near as bad  with that compared to the mistake I made with Bish's build.  Hope it didn't precipitate  his decision to buy that book.

regards,

Jack

Jack, no need for the apology. Vehicles like this can really cause a headache. As they are field conversions, there are no official documents giving details. And as they are so rare, photos and any info is very limited. I knew these were converted from old Bergepanthers, which i think were themselves field modified from the very early Ausf D. But i was also under the impression that the vehicle i am building was the command vehicle of the recovery section. Sp it seems i don't need to worry about finding a mechanic figure.

Thats interesting info on the shoulder boards. I didn't know about the addition of the P. Waffenfarbe is another area that can cause confusion.

I am hopeing i can dig out the figures by the end of the year. You have been a great help. Hopefully it will give me some more insit. I just hope the finished Dio is worth all the effort.

Lovely work Marc as always. Which figures have you used there.

Thanks all.

Bish, this kit came with a set of figs.  Dunno if it it was a mistake but they were all doubled up in the box so with some work I could have made more.  But my eyes needed a break

Ye i have seen those kits. Sounds like you got a lucky break with the extra figures.

Wow!! Everybody is so far ahead of me I might not ever catch up. One thing, my PE skills are lacking after seeing most of the others. Great jobs everybody.

It looks like I'll be able to start back working on my Tiger some time next week

SMJ - Thanks for sharing the technique you used for the mud on your Tiger. It's something I will definitely try on one of my future "dirtier" builds. Of course I'll have to substitute "good 'ole Adirondack Mountain soil" with local fare. Hope it has the same effect. 

Armor86 - All that detail looks great. Thanks for the surface treatment. I love learning all these new things when I come here. Now all I need is a lot more time on my hands and a few more builds to practice on.

Malone - Panther is coming along nicely. Great job on all that snipping, filling and sanding. Tedious work that pays off in the end.

Jack - A ton of great info on uniforms. More reference material I don't have at my fingertips. One of those subjects that I haven't paid a whole lot of attention to, but really need to start to take it to the next level.

Marc - A picture of your magic wand, please. (... and now that I read that statement, this is in NO WAY a solicitation for lewd photos! LOL Think: "wizard")

sorry guys, this is what i'm building. so far so goo, the hull sure has alot of cosmetic work...

Hi guys,

Some amazing work going on all-round!

Wingy - that is one amazing build! Superb!

First off, I feel that an apology is owed on my part for the massive lack of activity coming from this tiny corner of England!

We are so busy at work with the run up to Christmas really punishing us, that I have been working 7 day weeks for the last month! Apart from making them Friuls up which seemed to take forever I really needed a good weekend to get things sorted. Luckily, after kicking up a bit of a stink at work I've been allowed to take this weekend AND next weekend off work and use them for myself. All I have off this year is Christmas and Boxing Day and New Years Day - I'm working 2pm-10pm on New Years Eve Goddarnitt!

Saturday Update: I know the last time that you saw my build it was painted with filters, Gloss Varnish applied, decals all applied and Friuls were on for a test-fit. Basically she was looking like a really nice painted plastic model and was in desperate need of some good weathering to make her look like a real 60 ton tank!

• Remember - I want this to represent a fairly new tank with minimal 'physical' damage. I'm concentrating on grime effects and dirt, not chipping and denting.

Today I removed the friuls and applied a light Raw Umber Wash made with W&N Oils and AK Odourless Turpenoid. I then did a bit of dry brushing and light chipping. I broke out my AK Streaking Grimes (Rust Streaking Grimes and Winter Streaking Grimes - my favourites) These were built up on the glossy surface - mainly on the front and rear mudguards, side trackguards, sloping turret roof and the smooth surface of the rear turret bin. When dried these were streaked and I stopped when I had the look just right. I then thinned some Mig Grease/Oil mix and dotted that around the engine deck and stippled some AK Dry Mud effect around the lower sections of the hull. I've re-painted the hatch door interior and have just painted over the interior with Klear so I'll be putting the DY on that tomorrow and chipping it again.

I made up some spare Panzer III late version links and fitted them as if the crew had fitted them as additional armour around the driver's vision slot and bow MG. I rusted these up nicely as I want them to look like they have been pinched from an old knocked out Panzer. At present they have only been treated with Mig Dark Rust Pigment so more to come on them later.

Finally, using Mig Dark Wash, I have applied small pinwashes around panel lines and hatches etc - POP!

So, the tank WILL be completed tomorrow! I want to leave it overnight now to properly dry and after a short lie-in tomorrow morning I'm going to give her a final layer of Vallejo Matt Coat to tone it all down and take the Glossy shine off the build. When this has dried I will be applying some mixed, loose pigment with a brush - especially black soot around the Exhausts. I'll then do a bit of highlighting with a Graphite Stick.

Finally, all attention will turn to my Friuls. I'll start by flowing my Mig Russian Earth pigment wash mix around the links as this looks great when dry as it dries like dark, dry mud. When this has set I'll take a fine file to the tracks to expose bare metal on the guide horns and bare metal on the raised areas of the track that would be making contact with the ground.

When the Friuls are on the tank will be complete but NOT the build - there's still the base to come! It will be small and simple but will finish this build off perfectly as it will be going to shows with me! I don't want to start a new kit until next year so this should work perfectly timewise!

I'll provide more information on my base tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the base as I've got a couple of great ideas for it! The base isn't much bigger than the Tiger but will be a nice touch.

• Seeing as my tank will be complete tomorrow I want to show it in all it's glory so I've only taken one photo to wet your appetites! Proper full photos tomorrow!

Here she is - nice and grimy, nearly there:

Oh, btw - did I mention that I asked for Dragons Late Panther G for Christmas? Well, it arrived the other day and obviously I had to, erm, make sure everything was intact! Lovely looking kit!

Sorry to go on a bit but I wanted to bring you all up-to-date as I haven't been doing much this month - we are now back on track!

Take care folks,

Ben

Ben, thats coming on nicely. I have that panther kit on my to buy list. Look forward to seeing you build it.

I got two quick questions on the streaking grime. After you apply iy, how long do you wait until you go over it. And when you do, do you use a wide flat brush or a small pointed one.