#3 Tristar Panzer I Ausf A *COMPLETED*

Very nice work, painting looks great  I was also admireing those MG barrels.  I also had a problem with dryed paint in exhast covers.  I did a combination of what W Bill and Wing Nut had said.  I dampen from the back with thinner and scrubbed with a stiff brush and all came out with no problems.  Back on an even earlier build I tryed soaking in thinner and the paint turned into a big gummy mess and never really got all the paint off.  Try scrubbing gently, not to damage the PE.  Really happy you are back too building and posting, have been waiting

Rob

First off I just mist the screen until colored but if I should clog up the holes I blow a quick puff of breath on the screen and knock the paint out of the holes.

The wife says i'm windy anyway.

Tony Lee

Buy me a ? Heck, not only will I but, I will have no recollection of that ever happening.  Done!  

The important thing is that she supports your hobby. Definitely a keeper.

Cheers

Dave

Rob- Lesson learned... gonna do better next time I will airbrush very little paint at a time and blow air like Tony suggested.  It has been fun anyway!  I will try to clean the exhaust cover but I wasn't in mood for last two days.

Tony- Thanks buddy!  Will try that next time... Mauder II of course! 

Dave- LOL!  Looks like most of us are lucky to have supportive wife... she returns home with the boys tomorrow so tonight is my last night as a bachelor for three days! 

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Guys, here's update...

I airbrushed future floor wax on Panzer I last night so I can apply decals so it looks shiny just for now... will tone it down during the weathering stage.  Decals have been applied... only seven decals. 

 Wheels have been installed finally... gonna paint one of the wheel caps next.

I will have to fix one of the decals with white paint because I accidentally damaged it while working on the wheels.  Being impatient I didn't allow the decals to dry completely.  Like I said tonight is my last night as a bachelor I am trying to finish as much as I can...

While working on the decals, I took the liberty to apply decals of rank insignias from Verlinden on the crew of 234/1 I built earlier.  I thought it came out great but it needs to be toned down... flesh painting is next which is not my favoite part...

While a coat of future was drying for atleast 24 hours, I painted the MK tracks following the steps I learned from you my friends...  1- Primed with flat black paint a while ago.  2- Airbrushed coat of MM Gunmetal and MM Metalizer Gunmetal  3- Painted thinned burnt umber.  I think it needs another coat...

Best thing happened today... being a bachelor I took the liberty to visit a local small hobby shop 30 minutes away here in Indianapolis I have been hearing about. I was so glad I checked it out...

I thought I died and went to heaven!   There were so many great kits and they were ALOT cheaper than HobbyTown USA and Hobby Lobby where I have been going for last 2-3 years!!!    Those two stores will not see much of me from now on unless I only need a set of paint...

Believe it or not I didn't buy any kit this time... doing my BEST to control myself but I managed to buy three reference books from Squadron, DML's recently released German figures set (you gonna love those) and the best purchase was this tool...

Stirring paint is a breeze now... no more stirring with toothpicks or whatever I can find. 

Thanks for looking...

Yeah those sure beat a tooth pick. I got one from Micro Mark (no name brand) for $8 last year,love it.

Your Panzer is in the short rows now.

Tony Lee

Hey Andy,

Looking good matey!

I've just dropped you a pm saying I'm looking forward to seeing your build with base paint and decals on!

The figures look great! One day I'll be able to paint figures too!

That wooden base that you have there - that is what I'm after now I've got rid of that photo frame base! That would be perfect! I like the 'lazy boy' stirrer too

I can't believe the size of the shops you guys have over there - my God I think I'd feel faint. My LHS armour section is no bigger than my bedroom (which is pretty small)!

Keep us posted!

ATVB

Ben

Tony- Thanks for dropping by!  I bought mine for $11... I didn't care how much as long as it is a lifesaver!  Used it twice last night and I kept telling myself why didn't I get it long time ago.  My wife just paged me... she is on her way and she gave me plenty of hints she wants us to rake the leaves today.  To my temporary lifestyle of three days bachelor... good bye... you have done a good deed to my models! 

Ben- Thanks for the PM.  Will get back to you later today.  That base was my wife's grandma who passed away three years ago.  My wife found those while she was going thru boxes last summer and she thought I could use those for my models.  How thoughtful of her!  I use it for WIP pictures...

Next time you hear from me I will be a married father of two little boys... good bye bachelorhood! 

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.

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!

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!

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...  

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.

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...

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!

Looking really nice Andy.

Nate

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 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

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.

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, 

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! 

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!