Hi everyone:

This is the 1/72 Panzer IV J from Revell. Overall I think it was a pretty easy build. Most everything fit well. This was my first attempt at airbrushing cammo in this small of a scale. I'm relatively pleased with it, but hope to get better.

It is going to go into a small diorama with the Dragon 1/72 Elefant (which I'm currently working on), along with a barn, and some soldiers resting and relaxing.



Let me know what you think of it. Comments and criticisms are always appreciated.

Thanks guys!

John

G'day mate.
Thats awsume, especially considering its 1/72 scale! what did you use for the branchs?
cheers, great job

Very cool, I still haven't figured out how to get that soft camouflage. When I airbrush something it is usally very stark in contrast.

Funny thing; I just finished a 1/72 draqon elefant alongside a barn, but mine is in assault with soldiers running next to it.

Great job on the IV....

Hut

That looks great. I like the foliage, it really adds to the model.

nice camo work all details as they should be and the flora cover is nice. Well done. 1.72 can be armor scale too !!!!!!!!

That 1/72 stuff has really come on in terms of accuracy etc. This looks brilliant and I wouldn't have known it was 1/72. Excellent!

Vinnie

Hi John,

Geat build and the paintwork looks fine. The weathering on the running gear is good and really earthy. I look forward to seeing it in the dio.

Wanze

Quite impressive for the small scale stuff. I had thought of given 1/72 armor a go. But i still need practice on the 1.35th!! #:-)

For 1/72 scale you've nailed it quite well. I like the composition and finish a lot.
One comment on the camo. I would suspect that the TC would want a clear view. I would try to turn the branches over to the leaves are pointing down and covering the outside of the turret armor, this would hold the concealment and give the TC a better view.

Thanks for all the kind comments guys. I really appreciate it.

Hut - In order to get a softer cammo appearance, all I did was to lightly overspray the base color on top of the cammo colors. It helps receed them a bit and gets rid of the stark appearance.

Slodder - thanks for the tip on the foliage. I guess I did put the blinders on the commander by having the leaves block his view. Very good point. I'll try to moisten the branches with water to soften them, and then bend them down out of the way.

By the way, the branches were made using dried Caspia plants. I broke them into little branches, dipped them in a white glue & water mix, and then dipped them into some Woodland Scenics fine ground foam. I then spun the twigs between my thumb and index finger to shake off any excess material.

John

Excellent Panzer IV there, John! One of the best looking 1/72 builds I have seen. I've seen tons of the small scale builds and to be honest, they look like crap. They have that "cheap toy" look to them, but yours looks very good and nicely detailed, and the paint job is top notch. I'll have to give your method of tree/branch making a go sometime, only in 1/35th! :-)

Nice model John. Interesting effect how your branch/leaves application really break up this 1/72 tank's silohuette--just like the real thing! Pretty cool.

Congrats on this build.

Steve

Nice looking 1/72. The camouflage is awesome