Tamiya StuG III Ausf B 1/35 - Now onto the base! (14/05/11)

Cheers Richard,

I must admit she really exceeded expectations and the real bonus for me was to have the pre-shade work. That showed through to the end and made a real difference imo.

The pigments (apart from the pigment work on the lower hull walls behind the running gear) has all been applied dry over a matt coat and no fixer has been used. I found the best way to get her looking good was to apply tiny amounts of different MIG pigments via the tip of a paintbrush and work in using a stiffer-bristled brush. I'd then go over the areas that I'd worked on with and old toothbrush which loosened any excess which I'd blow away then I'd repeat this step if needed.

I've struggled with pigments in the past in as far as applying them over a flat surface goes but have found that the only way to really get them to work well is to build up the pigments adding VERY small amounts at a time as they go such a long way!

As for the base - I have only made one before and really want this one to look the business. I haven't started it yet and hope to do it this weekend. I think I know how I want it to look but as it's pretty small and I'll be using Pollyfiller as a fixer for the scenery then it has to be right first time!

I'm looking forward to seeing how yours turns out!

ATVB

Ben

Hinksy,

Been reading and looking through your buildlog and i must agree with what has been said sofar: absolutely top notch work!. Love the dust effects on the top especially; very realistic and lifelike. Can't wait to see what you do with your base. Still struggling to get mine to look like i want it

Richard

It's looking brilliant now Ben, well done, good luck with the base, should really add to the realism.

Terry.

I think that base is just right for what your doing. After all, its not a full Diorama. I much prefer to see models displayed on a base. Not heard of that shop before, might have to give it a look.

Hi guys,

As promised I am now making plans about the base. I found that my favourite UK based on-line model shop (ABC Modelsport) sell a great variety of scenics and also 6" diameter wooden bases which is a perfect size for a 1/35 StuG III B so I ordered a base (it was only £2 so I didn't expect anything fancy but it beats a photo-frame) and some Summer reed grass which is ideal for a late Summer scene when everything is hot and dry. The grass can obviously be cut to length to represent a scorched, sun drenched field in desperate need of water. The grass is the perfect colour too - a very light tan.

As it is, it's just right for my needs. I'd love to able to have a big sprawling vignette stacked with detail but at the minute I just haven't got the room

I've got the figure to come but I don't know if I'll need him yet - I was planning to have him walking alongside the StuG in the grass.

It all turned up this morning. The base was Walnut with a green felt backing! £2! I couldn't believe how cheap they were so I ordered two more straight away as he only had a couple left! £7 for two bases including postage. I've looked at my scenery and now need to decide how I'm going to do this.

I'm thinking about leaving some Walnut visible around the edges and I'm going to use my Dremel motor tool to carve some lines into the base to work as 'tooth'. I'm then going to use something like 'Polyfiller' (a white glue that you pump out of a gun that you normally use to hide cracks in walls etc). The guy at ABC said he he uses it for all of his bases as it can be sculpted and remains workable for some time.

I haven't started yet - maybe tomorrow? If anyone has any advice I'd love to hear it. It's my first 'proper' base so I'm a total newbie again now! The plan is to have the StuG ploughing through the grass so I'd like it popping out the front of the base pushing the grass down and the figure walking alongside.

Below: The £2 base with a sample of my long dry Summer grass:

I'd have liked it a bit bigger but like I say - it won't fit into my cabinet (I might try an oval one next time!

 A selection of some of my other scenery: 

Thanks for looking guys - any advice on making a good base would be greatly appreciated!

ATVB

Ben  

Yep, know where you are.. Have a good day. I still have another week off, so afraid its more sitting around checking the forums and making sure the Mrs thinks i have done somthing when she gets home.

Bish

We go right up the A14 and then M6, which is just where you are correct? I will sure we will be going up to manchester at some point, once i have plucked up the courage and got my OP's kits ready lol.

Hey Bish,

That's right mate. You know where the A14 becomes the Catthorpe interchange and you are basically on the M6 then at the very start of it if you keep going straight. Come off the M6 at Jct 1 and head to Rugby and after a couple of miles you are at my house. I 'live on the edge of the town by the countryside.

Keep me posted - I'm off to work now so enjoy the rest of your day!

ATVB

Ben

We go right up the A14 and then M6, which is just where you are correct? I will sure we will be going up to manchester at some point, once i have plucked up the courage and got my OP's kits ready lol.

Cheers Bish - just remember to start with a VERY light application of pigment and slowly build it up,

As you probably know Jct 1 of the M6 is basically at Rugby which is why there are so many Industrial Estates here and the Eddie Stobart HQ! No doubt you'll find yourself betwenn Jcts 19-18 of the M1 or at Jct 1 of the M6. I'm about three miles away from the M6 Jct 1.

Let me know when you are going to be down this way one weekend. We'll talk models and drink Earl Grey tea with that stiff upper lip that only us Middle Class English have - make sure you grow your best curly moustache for that day too

Look forward to seeing you sometime buddy,

Take care Bish,

ATVB

Ben

ye that does help alot Ben, thanks. SMJ posted a weathering guide some time ago and i have been following that on my last few armour builds and been very pleased with the results. Adding a larger amount of dust and doing a single colour project are the last two things i have to try.

We do go past that way now and again, i guess you are about 1 hour 30 to 2 hours from where i live. My partners family is from Manchester, so we occasionally go past you to visit her family. But as i spend most of time time in Odiham at the moment, that is a far way awa. But once i get out of the army next year, i plan on getting to model shows and traveling around a bit. would be nice to meet someone from the site.

Bish

Well its certainly worked a treat. The 251 i will be doing for the Ostfront GB is going to be in a summer 41 setting, so i want it to be nice a dusty. I have not yet given this sort of finish to a vehicle, so going to be trying something else new. I know you can get a dusty apperance with the right paint, so i am going to try that combined with pastel chalks. If i get a finish like yours i will be well happy.

Hi Bish (Cheers by the way Jose),

Funny that - my StuG was Summer '41 (Poland) I  think the most important thing with pigments on painted armour is to apply the pigments using an older brush - just dip the end of the brush into the pigments and just pick up a little bit, it really spreads out well.

The first mistake I made a long while ago was to tip a little pile of one colour pigment onto the build then brush it around (DOH)! It just ruins everything and it's nigh on impossible to shift without having to remove your paint too.

I just used plenty of varied earthy colours applied in tiny amounts with the tip of a small brush.

You could also try putting about 10-20% Buff or a similar light brown colour into your AB cup the adding about 80-90% water. It sprays on like coloured water but when the water evaporates you are left with a nice light coloured layer but be careful - this layer is easily damaged due to the soft paint. I used this method on my JSU-152 and it looked great

My JSU below: See the lighter, dustier tones on the right fender (as you look at the front of the build) in front of the logs and up the side wall of the casemate and the colour on the left front fender - that was done using this method. A lot more subtle but very effective and VERY easy to do. You can also see a bit on the top of the barrel.

It's a shame you don't live closer, I'd pop round to say hello but I don't find myself down your way very often! If you ever think you'll find yourself between junction 17 - 19 of the M1 one weekend let me know beforehand - you can pop round for a cuppa!

I hope this helps you Bish!

ATVB

Ben  

A really nice finish for a great subject!

Well its certainly worked a treat. The 251 i will be doing for the Ostfront GB is going to be in a summer 41 setting, so i want it to be nice a dusty. I have not yet given this sort of finish to a vehicle, so going to be trying something else new. I know you can get a dusty apperance with the right paint, so i am going to try that combined with pastel chalks. If i get a finish like yours i will be well happy.

Hercmech

Great Job. Love the weathing on this one. Thanks for sharing your build!

Thanks for the great feedback guys

Bish - I wanted a nice dusty appearance as this is supposed to be a build for a Summer Vignette. I didn't do anything at all special - just careful varied application of MIG Pigments put on after the final matt coat. All the dust is 'loose', I haven't used any fixer but have relied on the matt surface alone for the 'tooth' for the pigments. I found that a if I built up various layers then gently brushed it down again with old medium then soft bristled toothbrushes gave it a nice dusty look, all I had to do was blow away any excess that the toothbrush removed and it worked realy well.

Andy - She's not quite complete yet. I've got my base and figure to sort out for the Vignette. All are ordered and I'm hoping to have the base done this weekend. I'm planning a simple Walnut base with a single infantryman walking alongside the StuG. A chap I know over in Austria is doing the figure for me as my figures suck - badly

I'm not sure when I'll get back onto the Marder. I want a break for a couple of weeks as I've been building during every spare minute of my time off. I want to get a couple of Panzer III books for the GB to do some research.

I've also just bought a pair of 1/144 Dragon builds - talk about braille scale! A Lang and a Flammpanzer. It only cost me £4 for the pair but the detail is amazing and it even has PE parts including PE Shurzen for the Lang! I can't wait to try these out!

ATVB

Ben

Great Job. Love the weathing on this one. Thanks for sharing your build!

Great looking build Ben. I love the dusty apperance you have given it. I am going to have to go back and see how you did that asi want to do somthing similar for an upcoming 251 build.

The "My dog ate my model" incident was a blessing in disquise...   Look forward to see how things come out for your next build Pz III.  Now it is good timing to put little work on that Marder III... LOL

Have a great day buddy!

BaBill212

Hi Ben,,,,,,    great job, A+

I do recall your first postings on this one, with the lab pup and the chomping....  the revision has come quite a way.

Thanks for sharing!

Bill

Thanks guys,

Your comments are much appreciated

The dog, in all honesty, did me a real favour by destroying the first StuG as it wouldn't have turned out as well as this one did. Plus I had an entire box full of spares for a StuG III B and a second set of decals which it turned out I needed as I found the decals were tearing very easily on the second kit so I've forgiven the dog (you can't stay mad at her-just look at them eyes)!

My next build won't start until the Panzer GB begins on July 1st! I hate having half built kits lying around and it's something I've promised myself I won't ever do as I don't see the point of it - as a result of this I won't be starting any new WIP builds before the GB starts so it's some time I'm going to take to sort the figure and base out for this StuG, buy some 'stuff' and do some Panzer III research.

Hopefuly, I'll be able to come back to the GB refreshed and raring to go!

Thanks again guys,

Ben

Hi Ben,,,,,,    great job, A+

I do recall your first postings on this one, with the lab pup and the chomping....  the revision has come quite a way.

Thanks for sharing!

Bill

congrats on another great build

Very nice work Ben.....looks great!

Nate

Hi guys,

Thanks for the pictures Bill, I'd already done the chains by the time I'd seen this post but luckily I'd got them about right anyway! Helpful piccies, thanks. I always think little additions like this always make a big difference. I haven't done the rear one's but I'll do them now I know where to fix the chain

Anyway - I think I can say that the StuG is COMPLETE!!!

I've just done some final touch-ups, added the pins on the spare wheels, put the additional spare track links on between the headlights (I saw a photo of a StuG III where a second row had been added and I liked the look), some final rust on the mufflers to give that flaky, layered appearance with light and very dark browns that rusty mufflers always take. I think sometimes they get painted brrown in to 'uniform' a manner so they don't really look rusty, just painted flat brown.

Finally, some extra Dragon tools wedged in along the fenders to finish things off (a pick and large shovel at the rear and a sledgehammer up front behind the jack block).

Another coat of Vallejo Periscope Blue on the Periscope lens and a touch-up on the rear lights with some light soot dusted on the muzzle has finished it off nicely.

I've still got the base to come which is on order and will be built up next weekend with some grassy Summer scenery and the figure that my friend is building me too so it's still essentially a WIP but the StuG itself is done and I'm really, really happy with her - take a look

Spare shovel (shovel head can be seen below the skull) and the sledgehammer poking out from the jack block:

Pick axe head behind the jack: 

Chains in place:

Mufflers looking good: 

Remember, although the StuG is finished it's still a WIP until the base and figure are all completed so any advice, comments and critiques etc all highly welcomed and I'd be very greatful.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me and provided assistance to me whilst  I was working on this build

Hopefully I'll have a base to show you next weekend!

Take care everyone and have a good week!

ATVB

Ben

Definitely your best work to date Ben. In answer to your chain question, a pic is worth a 1000 words. HTH!

The chains used were very fine and while the pic below shows how the chains were attached for the rear, the front was essentially the sam, just attached at the base of the angled front tow points.

Guilty as charged!

Yes I do skim through and just look at the pictures, as they do say 1000 words vrs reading the text.

Tanks for taking the comments as constructive, its people like you who make the site productive.

Now before I get labeled a 'lurker' some WIP's or at least photographs showing past completions are over due! I honestly have not had a decent day model building sense February. Family matters out west required my presence for the better part of two months.

SuppressionFire

Looks great Ben!

The only item (I know another rivet counting perfectionist) That does not look the part is the oil stains on the engine hatches. Too black, only a pool of used oil will look like that.

Next time try Tamiya Acrylic 'Smoke' It looks more the part and has a slight gloss shine. Apply in a random way with a toothpick or ragged sponge. Also apply after the final dull coat to retain the semi gloss sheen.

Older oil stains will pick up dust and eventually stain the paint. These are trickier to pull off and will need to be done in layers as to avoid too neat of a look.

*By not using a brush you never have to worry about brush marks*

Cheers SF,

He he he! BUSTED! Another one who only looks at the pictures but doesn't read the blog typo!

I mentioned on the third post on the bottom on page 4 below the WIP update from yesterday:

"I forgot to mention that the grease/oil stains on the rear deck were fresh when I took the photos which is why they look a bit 'stark'. They've toned down nicely now but will probably end up being covered if I go with the tarp".

Seriously, thanks for the 's SF, the oil stains are all toned down now and very visible but look much less stark and more dusty now.

Thanks for the tip on using Smoke - I'll try that on my next build.

There should be a final completed photo update late (minus the base obviously).

Thanks buddy,

Ben

Looks great Ben!

The only item (I know another rivet counting perfectionist) That does not look the part is the oil stains on the engine hatches. Too black, only a pool of used oil will look like that.

Next time try Tamiya Acrylic 'Smoke' It looks more the part and has a slight gloss shine. Apply in a random way with a toothpick or ragged sponge. Also apply after the final dull coat to retain the semi gloss sheen.

Older oil stains will pick up dust and eventually stain the paint. These are trickier to pull off and will need to be done in layers as to avoid too neat of a look.

*By not using a brush you never have to worry about brush marks*

Like a derby winner charging to the finish line,looks impressive.

PANZERWAFFE

I have to agree with the others, this STUG IS AWESOME, it has to be your best yet.  You have done more then improve, you have moved up in the ranks of modelers.  The weathering just really put it on a new playing field, very nicly done.

Hey folks,

You guys are too kind - I'm welling up

Seriously, thanks so much for the mega positive feedback, thanks!

As I get more skilled I'm getting more 'confident' in my work and instead of tip-toeing around I'm just going for it and these things are all working really well. Reading all your blogs on here help a lot too and give me loads of ideas as do magazine articles.

All I need to do now is learn how to really paint figures like you guys and improve on my scenery/base making work.

She should be done properly today (minus the base, scenery and figure). I'm going to try the tarp which I think should look good. I've found a decent 1/35 Swastika flag for only a few pound on-line. I think a badly painted tissue paper one won't help my model in the looks department one bit!

Hopefully I'll be able to call her finished later but even if it goes on for another two weeks it doesn't matter as the base has to be made and the guy painting my figure is only in Austria of all places!

Thanks again guys, seriously - I really appreciate your comments

WIP update later,

Ben