Coming together nicely Ernest (takes me a while to catch up on some of these great builds)......  I'm a bit biased too, as this is one of my favorite subjects.

Great job,,, will be looking for the finished version.

Thanks for sharing!

Bill

Hey Bill!  Thanks for the comments!  I'm glad you're a Pz. IV fan!  I've been hooked on them since I was 12 yrs old and built my first Pz. IV by Monogram!

Well, I'm calling this one done!  What started out as a quick OOB build took the better part of 5 months!  I achieved some of my goals with this, but not all......in the end I'm happy with the results.  I played around with some new weathering techniques and learned a few things! 

Just a couple of quick update photos:

I almost forgot to put something in those open vision ports in the cupola.  I used a strip of clear blue plastic that I cut from the lens of some kids play sunglasses...got a bag of them at the dollar store for, uh...$1!!  I then wrapped it around the handle of a large brush and set it in boiling water for a minute to make it stay curved.  Then I simply cut little chunks to represent the episcopes in the cupola.   They were glued in place with a bit of CA gel.

Spent a little bit of time on a couple of spare roadwheels and a jerry can for the front.  I was going to do more, but that would have taken more time and I wanted to get this build done!

And here's the completed vintage 1/35 Tamiya Panzer IV Ausf. D. I hope you like it!

Sorry for all the photos!  I got a new camera and background and had a blast taking a ton of pics!

Take care all and I'll be back real soon with another blog of a project started earlier this year.

Ernest - man, that is some marvelous work!

You should definitely be both happy and proud of this one, I certainly would be.  With the level of craftsmanship here, there can never be too many photos to look at. Take a bow, and my hat's off to you.

regards,

Jack

Nice hearing from you Jack!  Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words!  I admire your work as well, from your WWI biplanes to your recent Firefly with the Tank Workshop parts!  

One of the nice things about his project was that it was not for a Group Build.  Every model I completed in the last 5 yrs was for a GB, so this allowed me to take my time and decide how and when to do things.  It was a good modeling experience!  

Excellent idea with the vision ports. Thanks for posting the solution.

Overall good looking model

Just finished reading your blog from start to finish. Delightful way to spend a chilly afternoon and come away with a good education in the fine art of scale modeling.

I will definitely have to read it again to make sure I didn't  miss anything.

Seeing a build like yours encourages  me to do more armor less soft skin

Glad you like how I handled the vision ports Sprue!  Gotta give credit where credit is due...I got that tip from another forum member, but I can't for the life of me remember who  it was.  Been using it for a couple of years and its a cheap, easy fix for those open view ports!    Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

Armyguy, thanks so much for your kind words.  If you found my blog both interesting and encouraging, then I consider it time well spent!  As Karl Logan (the doog) has often said, we need more modelers posting their work here...there is so much we all can learn, not only from the experienced 'old timers', but even from those just getting started in the hobby!  I'm going take that to heart and start posting more blogs! 

Hey Earnest- she looks terrific! Love the dirty grubby look, not too subtle and not too overdone but perfect!  

I'm going to have to go back and read the whole WIP now.

Thanks Gamera and nice hearing from you!  It was supposed to be a OOB build, but it turned into something else.....

Wow, I like that.

Great finish, the paint work is terrific...cheers....Kenny

That is one more fine gray/grey paint work Ernest

BTW the rest is wow too.

Tony lee

Like It?!!! 

I Love it 

Thanks for sharing the vision port technique.

BTW. What color did you use on your jerry cans?

Very nice work here Ernest! Definitely one to be proud of sir.

Beautifully done, without being over done. Nice job, definitely one to be proud of!

Hey Kenny!  Thanks for checking out the IV and for your nice comments!

Yo Tony!  Now that you mention it,  I now have much less "gray/grey" matter due to this!!  Thanks for the nice words buddy!

Ibuild, thank YOU for stopping by and leaving your comments!  Its much appreciated!  BTW I painted the jerry can Tamiya Field Grey XF-65, but followed with dark brown filters and washes. 

Thanks for taking a look Bill and posting your much appreciated comments!  I'm looking forward to your next project!

Subhuman, thank you sir!!  I am proud, but not enough to not try and do better next time!

Excellent work Ernest,,,,  A+

Simply Inspiring!

Chaz

Excellent work, can't even tell it was a vintage kit.  :)

Bill, Chazz and Tankster, thanks for your kind words and for checking out the IV!  I didn't realize there were more responses so I apologize for responding so late!  Happy modeling all!

Stunning work on this oldie Ernest!  

I like this detailing work!  I will have to borrow a few of your techniques for later builds   

Hey, just like spare parts - you can't have enough good pictures.

 But now,  earnestly....... this is some good stuff. You'd be surprised at how long I'll spend on a small detailed part. 

 Your tool painting method is one of many ways and you have displayed this one masterfully.

 So after all the dust has settled......                    this has come together nicely - even more so considering the antiquity of the kit and all those unfortunate setbacks.

Now it's time to gear up and pass this.

Sorry Ernest, I seem to have missed the finish of this one. That's a great looking build, really nice weathering, I like that a lot.

I know what you mean about GB's. I keep saying I am going to do a build that isn't in one, but I just can't resist them.

I'm late here also. Great job!!!

Uuuummm............wow!

A fitting finish to an excellent start, glad I got to see the final result.

Excellent work!

My sincerest apologies guys, I totally missed the last few responses.  I've only been popping in every now and then and thought this thread had faded away after my last post.

Jean-Michel - nice to hear from you and thanks for your kind words!

Steve - hey DM!  I love your creative responses!  I'm glad you liked the old kit....it was a pain at times, but turned out well in the end!  

Bish - Sorry Martin, I didn't realize you had stopped by!  Thanks for the comments sir!

r13b20 - thank kind sir for you nice comments!  I'm happy you liked it!

Allen109 - as we say at work, "give your customer a WOW moment!"   Looks like I succeeded!  Thank you very much!

RBaer - its not a Sherman, but it was the "workhorse" of the panzer divisions!  Your comments are much appreciated!  

Again all, sorry for missing these responses!  I'll pay more attention next time!

Take care and happy modeling!

Top notch modeling job!!

Thanks jugjunkie and G-Man!  I need to start working on some of the young pups in my stash...these old dogs are taking too much time to train!!

Ernest, you knocked this one outta the park! What a tremendous build and improvement tutorial! Boy, isn't it remarkable to think of what we take for granted in today's kits?  You've really shown some skills in this one!

bufflehead- I've got this build marked,so I can come back to it later.