Rommel vs Monty (North African GB 1941-43) Jan. 1 - Aug. 31 2014

Thanks Bish, yeah I saw that one and I believe there is one more that showed it at 0 degrees. Going to drive me batty!!

jibber, the panzerfunkwagen looks great, like the weathering.

That flag is the German Battle Flag, though it is also the one used on German ships, it not quite the same as a White Ensign. Though I can't say I have seen it used by German ground forces as an aerial recognition flag.

Dan, that's some really nice results with the AK stuff. I have the DAK weathering set, but still need to get the dust effects. If I can get a finish like yours, I will be pretty happy.

Eric, nice work on the Bison. Did you se that link to Acthung Panzer.

Thanks Eric - I believe the frontal armor plate (Zusatzpanzer) provided extra protection from enemy direct fire, and was backfitted in the summer of 1940. The vehicles was used to scout ahead would likely encounter the road blocks, however the announcement warned that the Zusatzpanzer was not to be used as a Rammbock! Armor86

Mike - I have use the AK Interactive paint and weather materials and their paint doesn't need thinning. To get the yellow - orange overtones you will need to apply their filter - AK-065 Africa Korps Filter. Use their products for the first time with Steel Cats GB last year. Enclosed photos of my Tiger I DAK before the filter was applied and afterwards. Suggest using their Enamel wash for DAK vehicles AK 066. Armor86

Before filters were applied.

Filter after first coat.

Turret before filter applied.

Filters applied.

DAK Wash applied.

DAK - Africa Dust Effects applied.

Finished

PE work on your 8 rad looks great Dan! Did they use that huge ram on the front of them often (if thats what it even is)?

Chugging along with the Bison. Really neat kit and not quite as small as I thought it was. Considering it was lengthened by 1 whole road wheel station and also widened, its very near the size of the PzIII I am  building! Still have to add the radio's and boxes to the left side of the fighting compartment. The right side offered the option of a shell rack holding 2 shells or a large box, I chose the first. Almost ready for primer and paint on the interior sections. Will assemble them when done and then paint the outside areas with the help of some masking...

As you can see in the pics, the gun is nowhere near 0 degrees elevation yet it is as low as the carriage will allow it. There is a U shaped plate on the carriage just below the point where the barrel mates to the block that prevents it from going any lower. I am wondering if this was possibly removed in some of the pics to allow the gun to lower all the way or if its just simply a mistake on Dragons part. I dont mind the elevation as is on the finish kit, just something that keeps nagging at me. Truth be told, I may never find out with the limited data on these vehicles!!!

A86, looking sharp!

Well, my AK Interactive materials were just delivered, I got thinner, grey primer, RAL 8020 plus white spirit for oil washes. Nothing is mentioned on the bottles about thinning ratios -- does anybody have any recommendations? The paint looks quite a thin formulation to start with.

The shade, gelbbraun, in the bottle looks nothing like the colour swatch used to advertise it. It's simply a very pale yellow, with none of the brown to orange overtones I was looking for. Unless it doubles its darkness as it dries, which is very unlikely, it won't be the final coat on this model, I'll mix something that gives me the visual depth I'm looking for. If anyone is familiar with AK, I'd appreciate your perspectives!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

A lot of nice builds, continuing with the Tamiya 232 RAD 8 - hope to finish soon, so I can get started on what I signed up for - Dragon Pz IV Ausf. D "DAK" some photos. Armor86

The Tamiya kits are pretty straight forward just dealing with the sanding is whats taking the most time. I hope the chipping works well for you and thanks for the nice compliment.  

OK, I take care of necessary "other" chores around the house for a few days and I'm already 3 pages behind and trying to catch up and keep current!! 

jibber:  wow, looks like the M3 was built in a day and already ready for paint.  At this rate, you'll have half of Monty's armor built before I complete my PzIII.  And working backwards, thanks for the tips on chipping using the AK system... will have to try that real soon.  And finally, a really nice 8 Rad you built!  But moving so fast,... do you remember the one that I'm referring to?  

jester:  I wouldn't worry about not setting the Bison gun level.  Go for the other extreme; these guns could be elevated to about 75 degrees and used as mobile mortars.  How often do you see that?

TB379: looking great with the PzIV.  Nice scratch building additions.  I'm looking forward to seeing the rack that you're working on.

We had a relatively warm day in Louisville on Sunday and even though it was still a bit cool to paint in the garage, I couldn't resist to put a coat of Tamiya white primer on the PzIII.  Mission accomplished, so now, I hope to be able to spray acrylics in the basement and get this build going again.  Hopefully, some pics in the near future....

Don

I've never built an SU-85, I'd like to get one done this year. I look forward to seeing yours.

Well -- as much work as you can pack into a few sessions. Most structural work on the IV-D was done in three sessions stretched leisurely over a day each, the same with the Su-85 I have underway. the big thing is, these kits don't fight you.

M/TB379

I've done a few lately and theres a couple more on the shelf. You never know when you need one but they're still a lot of  work.

:-) I know what you mean, Jibber! After working on a 2002 Trumpeter Abrams in which fit was a matter of engineering parts by file and placing ultimate faith in superglue, the Pz. IV just fell together! I'm not surprised you had this one done overnight. I really am a big fan of vintage Tamiya!

Cheers, M/TB379

[/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/M3%20Grant/DSC00035_zpse9efb782.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/M3%20Grant/DSC00039_zpsdc9d9cb9.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/M3%20Grant/DSC00040_zps21e01609.jpg.html]

Nice work Jibber. Love the weathering

Eric, there is one pic on Acthung panzer which seems to show the gun at 0degrees.

www.achtungpanzer.com/sig33.htm

Mike, I love the scratchbuilding! Its nice to see the multimedia material on a kit before paint like resin, etch, and different colored styrene!!

Jibber, I hope to be able to achieve that chipping effect as yours looks great! Going to have to try some of that AK stuff.

I have a question for anyone that may know.I have the gun and carriage built (will post some pics later this evening). One problem I can see is that the gun cannot achieve 0 degrees elevation. I have built the carriage according to DML's instructions, which we all know really does not mean anything, and can see no way of reversing any parts in order to get it level. Most pics I have seen show it at about 10 degrees and that is about what the kit will sit at but the box plates and a very few pics show it level. I am wondering if this was the case on the real deal or if this is an engineering flaw in the kit???

Thunder here's my technique. First is a primer coat that I let dry, then I brush on the Chipping fluid to the areas I want chipped or you can brush the whole thing. I let it dry for several hours then spray on the top coat. To start the chipping, I brush on luke warm water to the areas I want chipped and then use a stiff brush to the area. Sometimes you have to work the brush a bit but stay at it it'll start coming off. Thats what I like about the AK fluid, it comes off slowly and I can control it better. I think this works on any kit.  

Jibber -- do you mean you let the chipping fluid or the topcoat dry overnight? It sounds pretty straight forward, I can see me using this method to good effect if I can get it to play! Russian armour, German armour, I imagine it would work for aircraft where the paint is through to bare metal -- Japanese planes, for instance, or the leading edges of US planes in the Pacific...

Thunder, you can just brush it on after the primer's dried without affecting your top coat. Wait for it to dry, often times I'll let it sit overnight but thats just a guess on my part. To start chipping it, just brush on water and let it set a few seconds to penetrate then use a stiff brush to start. Very simple. I also use a toothpick for scratches.    

Thanks, Jibber -- I have an Su-85 underway and will be using the AK fluid to try my first winter scheme -- I'll stipple it on, and maybe try flicking it from a stiff brush to create random sprays in specific areas, if that makes sense. If it works, I have a StuH 42 awaiting the same technique.

M/TB379

Jibber - great job on this unique recon and communications vehicle.  

I like the flag, and I can see the benefits of that particular product.   As for being naval, it can be explained away as being picked up while transported across the Mediterranean.

regards,

Jack

www.realityinscale.com/.../en_US

Thanks Bish

Thanks guys, I brushed the AK on. I've tried it both ways and what I've found is that when I airbrush, it doesn't cover evenly so I brush it on the areas I want chipped. I ordered a set of flags from a small company Bish recommended in England. I picked up a set of German, Japanese and US, they were a little pricey about $40 total to Michigan all in 1/35. I thought about it for a while and decided I can't make a flag that good out of tissue or from a decal (I tried both), because these are printed on cotton and each package comes with a dozen or so assorted flags. More than I will ever use but I think they're very realistic except this one is a Kriegsmarine. Sorry I chose poorly.

I'll get the link and post it.    

I have to admit that this build was a real challenge. Eight wheels with articulating suspension and all the different angles for the body and fenders, it drove me crazy. I spent way to much time with the interior and didn't realize none of it would show even if I'd left all the hatches open. But it's a different type of  vehicle, very cool.

Thanks, SS! Jibber, marvellous job on the 8-rad! I like the chipping, I have the AK heavy effects fluid and look forward to using it. Did you airbrush it on, or apply it with a brush/stipple method? The flag is very realistic -- did you make it from scratch? I'll be taking a shot at an air ID flag on the Pz. IV, another new technique to try!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Tigerman I think your right about the flag, I have a couple different ones and it never occurred to me. I used Heavy Chipping by AK. I've tried hairspray and other "chippers" but I like the AK. It's a little more work but I think you can control the amount you take off better.

Mike: You are doing an awesome job on your Pz.IV!

Jibber: Thats a great looking Funkwagen you got there! What did you use for the flag?

That looks great Jibber. Did you do the hairspray method for chipping? One comment, it looks like you have a naval flag rather then the traditional swastika draped over the rear.