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Recovered PzKfw. IV J

Piet based this model on photos he received from a fellow modeller in Holland of a Pz. IV recovered from Bulgaria in 2008 where it had been installed as part of a static bunker defence line on the border. He later discovered more photos on the internet but unfortunately they have since been removed.

The model is a converted Dragon Ausf. H with the rear panel and engine bay modified to a later J model. Using the photo as reference he modified the model to match with several wheels missing, no gearbox, hatches and commanders cupola gone, etc.

Weathering of the interior was done utilizing both salt- and hairspray techniques, while the outside is done completely with oil paints on a Tamiya base paint (XF-9). Piet used several colors to get the desired result, including: blue, yellow, burnt umber, burnt sienna, sap green, green, black, white, etc. He used a palette to mix the paints and observe the result before applying to the model.

With the salt technique Piet observed he achieved the best (ïn-scale”) result with very fine salt (eg. Himalaya salt) on a base of Tamiya XF-9. After wetting it with diluted wood glue he painted it with several rust colors over which is sprayed elfenbein (an off-white yellowish color). Parts of the white paint are removed showing the rust and everything is dry-brushed with rust-colors and given several light rust washes.

The breech block was done using the hairspray technique. The engine was installed after modifying it and the engine bay received petrol/oil tanks, which are also included inside the fighting compartment.