DML #6540 Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind COMPLETE Pics p.17

Thanks Eric, Nate, and Rob, appreciate the comments!

Mike, this one's setting a new world record for time to completion but it's the end result that matters most! Am looking forward to the MBA program, best of luck with your daughter's departure from the nest!

Andy, thanks as well. The BITW GB is going to present an interesting challenge for me...I took a survey of my stash and have quite a few eligible kits to choose from, more than I had first thought! Going to have to weigh the decision carefully before making the final choice for sure.  

wbill76

Andy, thanks as well. The BITW GB is going to present an interesting challenge for me...I took a survey of my stash and have quite a few eligible kits to choose from, more than I had first thought! Going to have to weigh the decision carefully before making the final choice for sure.  

I figured BITW GB is a perfect opportunity for you to do one of your favorite camo schemes... grey & dark brown if I am correct.   Looking forward to see your WIPs as usual...

That sure is looking sweet Bill! Do you mostly use the Model Kasten tracks? I haven't tried them yet and am getting ready to do my first set of Friuls.

Andy, yep the two-tone 2/3 Panzer Gray 1/3 Dark Brown schemes are always fun!

John, thanks for the comments. Yes, I normally go for MK tracks when I decide to replace kit tracks. They are cheaper than Fruils and paint up just like static indy links but with the flexibility of being workable and have become my track of choice as a result. They do take time to assemble depending on the set in question but are worth it in the end IMHO.

Thanks Bill. I might have to give them a try if they are cheaper. My first set of Friuls are a winterketten set and they ran 30 bucks plus shipping of about 5 bucks.

As always Bill your knocking this one dead. Its looking very good. Have you ever "timed" how much time you swallow up with the MK tracks? 

Hope all is well...

Thanks Jim! I've never clocked the time to assemble an MK set with precision but would estimate 4 hours or so depending on the set. I usually break up the assembly into small sessions here and there as it is a repetitive/tedious task to do in one shot as I'm sure you can imagine!

Thanks Bill thats what I figured....

tigerman

I just love that camo job Bill. Superb.

Good t see you back on the horse.

Thanks Karl, nice to hear from you as always! "Normal" is an interesting concept but have to agree, it does feel good to be back posting on a more regular basis again.

Lost track of this one Bill. It's coming along great though just as we've come to expect!

-Stephen

Thanks Stephen! It's pretty close to the finish line, I hope to get a good solid push in this weekend that may just get it across and onto the shelf...we shall see!

More progress to report this weekend. First up I applied an overall coat of Future acrylic floor polish by airbrush to seal in the paint work and serve as a protective barrier for the later weathering stages. I let this dry for an hour and the applied the decals. Markings for Wirbelwinds were generally minimal and mine is no exception. I chose to mark it as a vehicle with the LAH and applied the crosses to the hull sides and rear, using Walther's Solvaset and some gentle prodding with a toothpick to get them to conform to the irregular zim surfaces. Once the decals had set, a 2nd coat of Future was applied over them to protect and seal them in as well.

I let the Future cure for a full 24 hours before moving on to the weathering stages. First step was an overall application of MM enamel Raw Umber as a 90% thinner wash to the entire vehicle. After that air dried, I added dot filters using MM enamel Flat White, Raw Sienna, and Panzer Dunkelgelb. I worked in small sections at a time so that the paint dots wouldn't start to set and wore a paint breather mask throughout to avoid heavy exposure to the thinner fumes. The small dots were blended together using repeated strokes with a square tipped blender brush lightly dampened with thinner. After about 2 hours of work, the filters were done. As you might expect, the increased surface area of the zim portions made this a somewhat complicated task. I had to work those areas in smaller sections and apply the blending strokes in the direction of the zim "grain" in order to get the desired result.

This one is pretty close to the finish line...just need to apply a pin wash and give the suspension/tracks a dose of pigments and this one will be complete.

  "THAT"

        is just beautiful.

Professor.....a textbook weathering.....perfect

Rounds Complete!!

Always looking good!   I dig the zimm... dark washes made them come out this time.  Now I am looking forward to do the same on my Pz IV soon...

Looks good as always, Bill! Can't wait to see her 100%

Looks great as always Bill. Another masterpiece.....

Right on Q.

Those filters sure change the look of it. It looks great!

DM, thanks for the smiley vote of approval as always!

Mike, Will, Jim, and Eric, thanks for the comments as well!

Andy, the zimmed surfaces always behave differently when it comes to washes and weathering. Glad you like it and look forward to seeing the results on your IV as well.

John, the filter/weathering process is always one where the greatest transformations occur IMHO. Glad you like the result.

Shapein up now I would say

Nice William

Tony lee

Thanks Sir Tony!

Nice looking vehicle, Bill! A good finish all around so far. I imagine you're about ready to put this on the shelf by now? !

What's next?

Karl,

Almost ready for the shelf, should get there this weekend if everything goes according to plan. As for what's next, I've signed up for a GB (yes, no lie!) that Eric (tigerman) is running, Blitz In the West, and will be building a DML Pz IV-C "Super Kit" for that one as my next effort.

That looks an awsome build, and love the paint scheme.

bill, didn't you take part in the 251 GB a couple of years ago.

Bish,

Thanks for the comments as always! Wasn't me in the 251 GB...last GB I participated in was back in 2005 or so. A loooooong time back.

Must be so used to seeing so many of your WiP's that i was sure some had been in GB's. Not sure why i thought you were in the 251 one.

Holy crap, Bill--you in a GB? Wow!

You better get yourself a carpal tunnel brace BEFORE you even start, lol.

Karl,

Might not be a bad idea! Timing is good for me to work on a GB and have a change of pace as a result but isn't something I expect will become a habit.