#3 Tristar Panzer I Ausf A *COMPLETED*

I am afraid I had too much fun applying MIG pigment to my little panzer.  Before I did it, I googled to find out the color of soil in Norway and found plenty of results... very brownish.

I didn't have dark brown MIG.  I recall there is one out there... if so, I need to buy it!  I used a mixture of Dark Mud & Russian Earth with little Industrial City Dirt.  I used filtered water with a drop of soap I learned from you guys.

Here it is... mudded up now!  Applied some on the top too.

Gonna let it dry... I forgot how long I am supposed to let it dry completely?  Of course I will wear mask while I remove the excessive pigment with a stiff brush.  Then apply MIG Pigament fixer... thanks for looking!

Dave- I agree with you about the wood handles.  It looks like previous washes made the oil paint raw umber disappear.  I will apply another coat at the end.  Thanks for good feedback! Owe u a

Jose- Thanks for stopping by!  Love those MK tracks... they were so tiny this time!

Disastermaster- No worries!  I plan to apply MIG pigments (not washes) today.  I am sure it will dirt it up real good... I have couple of reference books on little Panzer with so many great pictures and they were in great condition when they were part of Denmark and Norway invasions.  Thanks for the feedback!   And I NEVER will be tired of your smiley icons!!!

Ben- Not finished... 95% completed... a coat of MIG pigment and #2 pencil then I hope to call it done today if my buddies don't kidnap me again. LOL  Thanks for looking buddy!

Hey DP,

I like her buddy, very nice.

I've seen a lot of your work and it is stunning so........................

• is this build now finished - I'm not sure? If so, did you intend to go for the fresh & clean look?
• If not, are you going to beat her up, ad some streaks, rust and pigment etc?
• She's still looking too glossy? It may be the camera - don't take this the wrong way but this model doesn't look finished - it needs some serious weathering! Otherwise she is looking sweeet!

ATVB

Ben

Time to chime in instead of stalking........

For me it's looking too clean

so what!

I think you've done a wonderful job on this little rig; it's come out very nicely.

Nice looking mini panzer ... and do not worry too much about the tracks... thay look great!

Andy,

Thank you very much and, don't worry about my silence..... I never heard or saw anything.  Nuthin'!

Your Panzer is looking sharp with it's shoes on.  If I may make a comment, The tool handles look very new.  I would think that they would get weathered in a hurry. IMHO.  She's lookin' good.

Cheers

Dave

Panzerwaffe-  Thanks man for stopping by!  Can't wait either because I am anxious to start a new kit (Marder II) as soon as I turn into a bachelor for the weekend!

Dave- Same here as it has been a pleasure following your WIPs especially the current one Churchill!  Please do not tell my wife I might add it to my stash one day...

Bill- Learned something tonight... noticed same thing has happened to my StuG III earlier that I had to tone it down.  Thanks for the tip!  Its a good thing we are fans of MM Lusterless Flat.   I was able to put the "shoes" on tonight....

I just noticed that the center wheel may be floating on the right side (below).  I wonder if you glue MK tracks to the wheels permanently or leave it as it is? 

 It is taking me two hours just to update the Garmin GPS device before my wife and boys leave for West Virginia in the morning... crazy?  But it allowed me to do little more work on the little panzer. 

Andy turns into a bachelor in 8 hours 24 minutes... later!

Nice save on the muffler screen Andy, definitely worth the effort to get it cleared.

Mig washes are oil based which tends to leave behind a slightly glossy sheen but you've found the solution for that with the dull coat application. Looking forward to seeing it with its "shoes" on!

Deafpanzer,

Nice save on the muffler guard!  . Those tracks are looking superb and I love the look of that jackblock. Solid work on this wee beastie.  I for one have been enjoying following this build.  Thank you for posting.

Cheers

Dave

Very nice Andy.  Was definatly worth the sore fingers 100% better now that you cleaned out the guard.  The rear light really pulls toghther the rear end.  Really like the effect you have on all of the wood  Will be waiting to see the tracks go on, the end is near and i am excited to see this little beauty complet.

wbill- Thank you for the kind words. It is always great hearing from you.

Ben- I read your post again and I realized I missed the red lens in the rear... good catch there!  I painted it... considered it done.  Can't believe I missed this one! LOL

Guys-  I think the muffler guard has been fixed!!! Thank you guys for the tip about using sewing needle.  I think it is good now...

 It took me about an hour but it sure was worth every minute... my fingertips are now sore from last night.!  I see I have missed couple so will fix it.  The paint came off in some area so it had to be repainted.  It only need another coat of weathering.

It looks good at farther distance.  I had to apply a coat of MM flat clear because for some reason MIG washes made the little panzer shiny. 

Rear light lens have been painted... thank you Ben!

I hope to install the tracks on later tonight then I will apply a coat of MIG pigments.  Thanks for looking!  Happy Veterans Day to everybody who served for our country.

Nice to see your progress with this one Andy, the tools look sharp and the subtle variations in the panzer gray scheme are definitely enhanced with the washes/filters you've applied.

Ben- Thanks for looking!  I agree... the weathering stage is not over yet.  Need to apply raw umber to pins and others.  I did use the metal brush I use to clean my guns earlier and it worked on one of the guards but the other was too thick.  It is not end of the world... I will try the sewing needle tonight.  If I can't fnish it by Friday, I will put it on a hold... Pvt Mutt will not be happy if I don't start my Marder soon!

Jetmodeler-  Like always thanks for stopping by!   I will give it another shot using a sewing needle.

Marc- Thanks buddy!  It was my first attempt painting pea dot camo... it still needs to highlighted which should be easy to do.  You will be hearing from me over the weekend with my Marder unless I have been kidnapped by Swedish bikini team.

Hey Andy... looking good.  Went back a bit to see what's been happening.  the pea dot camo on the one guys pants is sweet. 

Ditto on the sewing needle... as apposed to a pin... should be pointy enough to poke out those holes.

As Jetmodeller has said I'm sure that these can be poked out - somehow!

I know how small those holes are having built the Dragon variant of this kit as you know and I had to clear mine too.

A pin was far too big so I used a bronze brush that we use for cleaning our shotguns. I just rolled it over the PE applying mild pressure and it worked.

I'm sure this PE can be saved Andy! Have faith!

ATVB

Ben

Andy,

The washes just make it look better, and it looked good before the washes.

I have a suggestion for the muffler covers. If you take a sewing needle and poke it into the holes it should work. Its takes time but its worth it.

Hey DP,

Looking good matey - very nice!

Obviously it will be dullcoated so no pigments will have laid down yet I assume............

Whilst she's still a WIP (you probably have all of this on the 'to do' list anyway) get some sooty pigment on them exhaust pipes(after the dullcoat obviously) and I think the red lens on the rear light needs painting.

Can't wait to see her with the tracks on  - shame about the PE guard though. Can you make a thinly rolled Milliput 'sheet' to drape over it a bit (or something like that)?

So, she'll be done by Friday eh? We'll see!

Keep us posted,

Ben

After being sick with sinus infection, I was able to return to my workspace over the weekend.  Here's an update on my little panzer... I hope it will be done before Friday.  W-H-Y?  Because my wife and boys are taking a 3 days trip to West Virginia and I get to be a bachelor. Y-E-S!  Its a perfect timing to start a new WIP on my Marder II for the Marder Madness!!!

Worked on the tracks again... I realized the tracks were a link too short.   I should have had them checked before painting.  I applied another coat of raw umber as suggested earlier.  Used pencil #2 for the edges...

I tried to fix the muffler guards by stripping with paint thinner.  Here's the good and bad news...

I couldn't fix one of the guards.  I have learned my lesson not to over spray and blow air, etc.   I wonder if there are aftermarket PEs for this so I can fix it completely.  The tools have been added...

Weathered using MIG washes and pigments...

Please keep in mind MIG washes were still wet when I took the pictures.  I will probably apply another coat of washes tomorrow.  I hope I didn't miss anything... thanks for looking! 

Ben- Thanks buddy!  Painting the tools is one of the easiest jobs but it takes time for different paints to dry. 

Doog-  I agree... earlier in my posts I mentioned that I wasn't sure if it needs another coat of Raw Umber. Now you have said it.  LOL  It will be my pleasure to add another coat!  Thanks for your help...

No modeling time... my wife and I are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary.  I had the chance to check the forums while my wife is on phone with somebody now... maybe she is ordering me some model kits? 

Later, 

deafpanzer

 

I think the tracks are done... next step would be weathering using MIG pigments.  I am a big fan of this big flat paint brush I bought at Hobby Lobby using a coupon... I use it mostly on the tracks.  Painted MM Steel on edges where it would hit the surface and wheels...

That's all folks for now...

Give them a good heavy wash of Raw Umber, and then wait about ten minutes and carefully wipe off the surface with a thinner-wet tissue so you get the color off the top surfaces but leave it in the recesses. They need some "age", IMO.

Looking great Andy!

I'm very impressed with them tools - an excellent wood effect.

I can't wait to see her with some weathering on! Keep us posted!

ATVB

Ben

Jose- LOL!  Yes that would be my next step... I think weathering stage is my second favorite part after building the kit itself.  Thanks for stopping by!  Admired your works and I am not kidding!

Nate-  Thank you for the comment! 

Looking really nice Andy.

Nate

You´re making a nice work on that little panzer. Tools are really cute and nicely painted.

Now ... came on and do not be shy with the pin wash!. That little vechicle need it!

Thanks mg.mikael!!! Looks like #13 is the most popular choice in Panzer I kits. 

Short update... didn't have much time tonight.  Continued to work on the tools and tracks.  Tools are almost completed... only need to paint the clamps.  I applied thinned MM steel to the edges...

I think the tracks are done... next step would be weathering using MIG pigments.  I am a big fan of this big flat paint brush I bought at Hobby Lobby using a coupon... I use it mostly on the tracks.  Painted MM Steel on edges where it would hit the surface and wheels...

That's all folks for now...

Looks like the progress has really flying along since the last time I had a chance to check out your build. She's coming together nicely, and I for one can't wait to see how you'll weather it.

Nice choice of decals, I built my Panzer awhile back using the same markings.

Hey Doog!!! 

Thanks for the comment especially about a bit of a smorabord of my life. LOL  Thought it'd be fun...

I am absolutely with you buddy... both a Dremel tool set and a paintbooth are already on top of my Christmas list.    So I can airbrush in the basement instead of in the garage... too hot in summer & too cold in the winter.  Already did some research on Dremel and found one that may work best for me with least power and cordless for $115 I think. 

I think you will like my wife because of the trees.  She wants to cut down only two because it is way too close to the house especially touching the roof and I want to take down six.  Trust me I have too many trees in the backyard about 50 trees that grass can not grow as you can see in the pic.  I think I will let her win this time...

Thanks again!  I first learned about pre-shading method from YOU 1-2 years ago here in the forums and I think it is working this time after my first two failed attempts on Stug III and 234/1 because I oversprayed covering the previous coats.  Still learning...  

WOW, Andy--a nice WIP you've got going here--not only good work progress photos, but it's a bit of a smorgasbord of your life, lol!

I concur with Bill about tools and reference books--you can never have enough of them! A good Dremel tool is one of the most useful tools you can have in my opinion-something to consider for the future.

Don't cut down any more trees--we need 'em! Get that young 'un out there to rake up! That's what they're there for!

Nice progress on this tank so far. It looks like a pretty hi-quality offering. Pretty cool that they include those tracks, although I would have just as gladly taken regular indy-link if they could make them without the damned knock-out marks!

Bill- Thanks for dropping by!  Agree with you... can't live without those reference books. But please don't expect me not to stop hollering for your help!

Guys, quick update... not much because I spent most of the day raking leaves in our wooded backyard!  Three huge piles like one in the picture... I am seriously thinking about taking down few more trees next year.

It is great having my family back!  Unfortunately my youngest son who is 9 years old came to me with a confession that he broke my 'tank'.  Yikes!  Whew, it was just a minor damage... had to re-attach the MK tracks using super glue.  I know being so young and curious he just wanted to 'play' with the tracks...

I worked on the tools tonight.  For the wood I used MM wood as base paint and allowed it dry for a day. Then I used a stiff brush to paint W&N Burnt Umber oil paint on the wood parts.  For the steel, used MM Gunmetal and I plan to use buffering MM gunmetal and steel next.  Wirecutter is usually much darker than other tools...

I hope to finish the tools tomorrow during the football game... have a good one!

Making good progress on this one Andy, and kudos for your restraint at the LHS! Sometimes it's better to put money into tools and references vs. kits...I've got more "invested" in books and such than I do in kits now although it wasn't always that way.