Hey Andy, great job so far! Always kinda liked the looks of the IV I think it had more 'character' than the Tigers. Love the pre-shading and the zimmerit and skirts look great. Have to say though the idea of sanding down the drive sprockets to fit the aftermarket threads would give me the willies though.

Kenny- THANK YOU for the great link... I see couple of camo schemes I really like.  I will look thru it again later tonight.  I am glad you shared because I found Pz III site from there that we can share for my ongoing Panzer III GB. 

Anthony- I am sure you know why I am anxious to have it finished... so I can join you guys at Pz III GB!  Thanks for stopping by.

Manny- Love your Ausf J!  I want to take it out for one night stand... hope you don't mind?  Nice work on the Zimm part too.   Bet there is a topless lady hiding behind the destroyed building...

Doog- Thanks for dropping by!  Bet you love the heat and humidity in NC... I had to put up with it for 8 years before returning to Indiana.   Sometimes it can be fun building older kits.  I had to give this kit a chance after building my Chaffee recently.  I am planning to build an Imperial Dragon kit next...

I am glad you liked... more to come! 

Rbaer- Glad you liked the Zimm... actually I was planning to try Milliput for my future build but now I am not too sure.    Agree with you about re-visiting... I built this tank when I was maybe 14 or 15 years old back in the 80's. 

 Black tracks, pinkish tan, and figures without eyes?  Jeez, let's hope I am doing better this time...

Pat- Crap!  I think you are correct about the cocked muzzle brake.  I had it fixed earlier and now it is cocked again.  I am afraid it got loosened again so I will look into it when I have the chance.  Thanks for the catch!

Great build and fantastic result for the zim!  Only thing I noticed and maybe it's just the camera angle, but the muzzle brake looks like it's cocked a little bit.  Maybe it's just my eyes going bad.  Otherwise, great work all around.

                                                                                                      Pat.

Andy, zim looks great! I'm pretty sure I'll try something else next time I do zim, rather than the Milliput I used last time. It was a bear to get thin enough, and I can still see thick spots......

I have to say, the fun of building an old kit is there for me too, whether it be from re-visiting something I did in high school (age!) or something I wasn't interested in back then. I see it as a real modeling challenge, and it can be cost effective too, especially when you look at the cost of an old diamond-in-the-rough vs. a new kit, even adding in a few AM parts.

Andy,

I read where someone said that you coulda just got the DML PzIV w/zimm, but I'm riding co-pilot with your thinking on this project. I woulda done the same thing! I know what it's like to enjoy the challenge and to revel in a project that you have created out of personal initiative rather than pre-formed plastic--not that there's anything wrong with that in the end!

In other words, carry on; great job here!

I built this same model over a decade ago, and did the same thing with the zimm, but used Squadron White putty with the same Tamiya applicators. I think they work great. Mine looks a lot like yours.

Andy,

I read where someone said that you coulda just got the DML PzIV w/zimm, but I'm riding co-pilot with your thinking on this project. I woulda done the same thing! I know what it's like to enjoy the challenge and to revel in a project that you have created out of personal initiative rather than pre-formed plastic--not that there's anything wrong with that in the end!

In other words, carry on; great job here!

I built this same model over a decade ago, and did the same thing with the zimm, but used Squadron White putty with the same Tamiya applicators. I think they work great. Mine looks a lot like yours.

This is my old Tamiya J done in a Normandy scheme as part of Panzer Lehr---a well documented vehicle...

that is really coming along great Andy,looking foward to the rest.

http://panzerivtheworkhorse.devhub.com/.

I'm building the Academy version and whilst I don't have much in the way of reference other than the box art, I am looking at the above site for help.

Very good for cammo'.

I hope mine turns out as good as yours, great build!!!...cheers....Kenny

Manny- Boy, you are correct.  I checked my reference book again where I found the drawing of camo scheme.  It was used in 1945 on an Ausf H and it was not even used in the Eastern Front but in Germany.  Here's more information...

I will use this camo scheme on my Ausf J in the future.  So I guess I will go with the second choice.  I checked again to make sure and it was used by 12th Panzer Division deployed to the Eastern Front in 1943. 

Thank you Manny for the catch! 

That scheme you picked sepicts a late war J and doesn't have zimm----maybe something to think about...the scheme is definately late-war...

BaBill- Captain America was AWESOME!  One of best Marvel movies so far... maybe I am little biased because it happened during WWII.  My boys liked it better than Spider-man which surprised me. 

Guys- Here's more pictures of my Panzer IV.  I am going for this camo scheme... it was an unanimous vote in the GB as they liked this scheme too.  I don't think I have seen anybody do this scheme here before?

Below was my second choice... maybe next time... maybe for my Ausf J. 

Pre-shading and rubber on wheels job...

It looks like I owe wBill another because I used his Dunky formula once again 50/50 MM Dunky and MM Light Grey... I still use Model Master enamel paint for armors only. 

Love those circle templates... painting wheels aren't that bad unless they don't fit the template fully.  This time it was a perfect fit!  

That's all folks... thanks again for looking!

I just saw a new trailer for the movie.....  let me / us know what you think

Have fun

Psstoff- Thanks!  I was like that but after few attempts it wasn't that hard and fun afterward.  You might want to try that on an old kit like mine. LOL

Eric #1- Thanks for dropping by! 

Eric #2- Passion for wheels?  Nah, just another good deal because it comes with four extra wheels.   Yes I used water to clean but it wasn't helpful.  At the end I used lacquer thinner to clean my tools real good. 

Babill- Great picture!!!

John- Just come over with a case of and I will show you how to do it.  You are only an hour and half away...  

Taking my boys to see the movie Captain America now... open captioned movie! 

Dang it Andy! Now you got me wanting to try to do some zimm! You sure did a great job on it and I can't wait to see the paint work.

Thanks Andy,,   will do..........

Nice score on the Pz IV J. You must have a passion for road-wheels. haha

What did the putty clean up with? Water?

Nice!!

Nice work! Can't wait to see her with a nice coat of camo paint.

Good looking zimm too, that's one thing I'll never attempt!

LOL!  Thanks Eric!  Yeah, I have to agree... I think the barrel was $16, skirts were $20 and MK tracks were $35.  What the heck... I am having fun with this old kit. 

I went ahead and brought this kit for only $25 thru Dragon Facebook promotion.  I am sure this kit doesn't require any of AM except for Zimm.  I believe this variant still requires Zimm...

I am not sure if I want to use 3M White putty again... its drying time was too short within a minute or so unlike those 3M Blue putty I have been hearing about its longer drying period.  I haven't tried Milliput so I have to try it next time.  For sure it is still better than Squardon or Tamiya putty...

Gee Andy, after you added all that AM, you might as well just bought yourself the Dragon H with zimmerit. LOL

Seriously, that is some very sweet work on the zimmerit.

I like the idea of just one putty, not something you have to mix.

Manny-  Take my girl out for a date?  Yes, only if you send me one of your beautiful female figures... thanks for the comment. 

BaBill- Thanks for the compliment... more to come! Enjoy the golf tourney... FORE!

Andy,,  absolutely AWESOME

Thanks for sharing!

Superb work...the zimm looks especially nice...Mk IV's had very shallow zimm and you really did it nicely...

I love your Tamiya Mk IV H w/ aluminum barrel, PE sideskirts, MK tracks and zimm and want to take it out on a date...