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Dragon Smart Kit Panzer IV Ausf G

Introduction

This is the Dragon Smart Kit Panzer IV Ausf G kit. (The one with the winter box-art). I built it OOTB with modifications to the spare track placement, but then again there isn't really anything to it, just a simple job of cutting some plastic rod segments to have the tracks hanging in place. It is supposed to be a 3. SS-Panzer-Division Totenkopf vehicle situated around Kharkov in spring 1943. I focused more on the winter camouflage which is my first attempt. I painted the tank at first with regular Model Master Panzer Grey and applied the decals and varnish to seal it off. Then I sprayed on a liberal coat of white gouache. Once it had dried for 12 hours I took a damp brush (with water) and started removing the white paint. My goal was to depict a very worn white, when it has been washed away by the spring rains. After the white was worn off, I applied an enamel wash on the unprotected white and it created nice variations with the added bonus of giving the white a nice dirty look. Overall it was a fun build and more fun painting process. As my first attempt at winter camouflage I think it turned out good enough for me.