One weeks hard work - Tamiya Stug IV
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 10:23 PM UTC
Quoted Text
James the Stug pics in Italy of 16 Pz Div are plain Yellow without any markings, also no side skirts. Its a column of 3 very clean stugs heading to the front. Found another pic of a Stug IV being reloaded in france unkown unit . lots of spare track all over frount of it . When Girl friend comes home 2moro I will try and send as many pic's as poss, shes the wiz on the computer. Got pics of early IV's in the Ardennes 1944. hard to say but to be honest, most photos I have none look camo'd all plain Dunkelgelb. I'm enjoying this build and also doing a Stug IV so will keep looking for good pics keep in touch, happy modelling Geraint
Thanks Geraint, I appreciate any you may be able to send my way. The Stug IV seems to be difficult to find reference for.
I wanted to go for a 3 colour camo, and have found some pics of a late stug with a 'dotted' pattern on the skirts which looks like it would be fun to do. I may therefore create a 'fictional' stug based on this pattern, however, am open to suggestions and if I do find a reference pic of a stug that mirrors my build I may go down that route instead.
Thanks,
James
Tennessee, United States
Joined: October 02, 2008
KitMaker: 308 posts
Armorama: 304 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 11:15 PM UTC
its looking good James!!
i've posted pictures of my completed Stug IV. Feel free to take a look, I honestly think yours is better, with the OBE and figures adding a great touch.
"Be advised. I'm mean, nasty and tired. I eat concertina wire and piss napalm and I can put a round in a flea's ass at 200 meters. So why don't you go hump somebody else's leg, mutt face, before I push yours in."
-Gunnery Sergeant Highway "Heartbreak Rid
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 11:39 PM UTC
Quoted Text
its looking good James!!
i've posted pictures of my completed Stug IV. Feel free to take a look, I honestly think yours is better, with the OBE and figures adding a great touch.
Thanks Justin.
Had a search and can't seem to find your Stug pics/post. Do you have a link to them as i'd like to see your take on this AFV.
Cheers,
James
Tennessee, United States
Joined: October 02, 2008
KitMaker: 308 posts
Armorama: 304 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 11:42 PM UTC
they are up now
"Be advised. I'm mean, nasty and tired. I eat concertina wire and piss napalm and I can put a round in a flea's ass at 200 meters. So why don't you go hump somebody else's leg, mutt face, before I push yours in."
-Gunnery Sergeant Highway "Heartbreak Rid
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 12:26 AM UTC
Quoted Text
they are up now
I see them now, jumped the gun I think!
Great work, At first I thought I was looking at the original Tamiya model (the one they used in their catalouge) as you copied the paint scheme so well!
It's a good solid build, and I can tell you are starting to get familiar with a lot of different techniques. Keep up the good work!
James
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 12:30 AM UTC
Ok well I finished the build off last night, what do you think?
I still need to drill out the muzzle for the MG42.
Shurzen were battered up a bit and lead foil rivets added in the prominent places. This was a lot more hassle than I first thought as they didn't like to bond with the brass and so I have only covered the obvious holes on the outside of the schurzen and where the brackets join to the hull roof.
The figures also had a flesh base coat added incidentally while I was being impatient waiting for superglue to dry!
Thanks,
James
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 01:56 AM UTC
Oh yeah, I probably should have made this a build log thread but didn't for some reason.
Anyone know a way of altering the current thread to blog status?
Cheers,
James
Wales, United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2008
KitMaker: 967 posts
Armorama: 842 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 04:46 AM UTC
I know the disc pattern looks good, all the early Stug IV i ve fount seem to be plain. bummer. Must of lay'd a three camo paint job on these early IV's by 1944 so go for it .If I do find good pic I will send it your way, sorry can't be more help at mo
16 th Pz Div used lots of early IV's so plain Dunkelgelb suited the Itallian front. The zimmerit pattern you have done is spot on for those Stugs. Maybe the MP44 is a little out mind you. If you are going for a Normandy Stug, remember lots of foilage was added to them hinding them from the dreaded Jabo's
Current projects Tam Stug IV cut and shunt Trump KV2 Dragon Panther D with zim BefehlsPanther and Tam Hetzer
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 05:04 AM UTC
No worries mate.
I fancy the disc pattern anyway as something different to do.
Might actually start painting tonight if things go to plan!
Later,
James
Wales, United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2008
KitMaker: 967 posts
Armorama: 842 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 06:04 AM UTC
Good way to achieve disc pattern on Schurzen is make a mask by punching loads off holes ina thin square sheet of styrene. this makes a great template happy spray,n One question what are the Acadamy indy tracks like(detail and to work with)?
Current projects Tam Stug IV cut and shunt Trump KV2 Dragon Panther D with zim BefehlsPanther and Tam Hetzer
Iran / فارسى
Joined: January 30, 2008
KitMaker: 93 posts
Armorama: 84 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 12:29 PM UTC
Nice,!
I saw this stug IV in the squadron walk-around book with the bottom corners of the side skirts cut of at an angle to prevent debris from staying.
Tennessee, United States
Joined: October 02, 2008
KitMaker: 308 posts
Armorama: 304 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 03:39 PM UTC
The build looks great James!
thanks for the comments on my Stug, I will certainly look forward to seeing yours painted and weathered! Keep it up!
"Be advised. I'm mean, nasty and tired. I eat concertina wire and piss napalm and I can put a round in a flea's ass at 200 meters. So why don't you go hump somebody else's leg, mutt face, before I push yours in."
-Gunnery Sergeant Highway "Heartbreak Rid
Vendee, France
Joined: December 22, 2006
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,406 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 09:02 PM UTC
Very nice James, just some of the skirts are bent a little bit too much IMHO. Form what I know those plates were 3-4 mm (maybe more?) thick, so anything that would have the force to bend them so much would blow them off. You may consider this.
spit
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 10:46 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Good way to achieve disc pattern on Schurzen is make a mask by punching loads off holes ina thin square sheet of styrene. this makes a great template happy spray,n One question what are the Acadamy indy tracks like(detail and to work with)?
Thanks Geraint, I did a little experimenting with a hole punch and some card, but I may try some styrene sheet to see how that works, thanks for the tip.
The Academy tracks were actually quite good. They have three attachment points and two raised ejector pin marks on the inside face of each track. I cut them all of the spruces and then went over them with an exacto blade to clean them up. This was a little laborious, but they then went together very quickly and easily. The detail is good though the ejector pin marks are a little visible if used as spare tracks (road wheels hide them otherwise) but can be easily sanded away.
Considering the price (under a fiver) they are a bargain i'd say, and i'd recommend them.
HTH,
James
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 11:17 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Nice,!
I saw this stug IV in the squadron walk-around book with the bottom corners of the side skirts cut of at an angle to prevent debris from staying.
Thanks,
Thats interesting, do you mean afer being bent they were cut or beforehand?
James
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 11:18 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The build looks great James!
thanks for the comments on my Stug, I will certainly look forward to seeing yours painted and weathered! Keep it up!
Thanks Justin,
An update is on the way....
James
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 11:20 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Very nice James, just some of the skirts are bent a little bit too much IMHO. Form what I know those plates were 3-4 mm (maybe more?) thick, so anything that would have the force to bend them so much would blow them off. You may consider this.
spit
Thats a very good point mate. However, i've sprayed the panels now and bending them will remove the paint which I don't want to do. Point taken for future builds though!
James
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 11:40 PM UTC
Panzergrau anyone?
Not really it's the primer coat.
Appologies for the terrible picture quality, with it getting dark at 5pm here now this had to be shot on my work bench.
James
Wales, United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2008
KitMaker: 967 posts
Armorama: 842 posts
Posted: Friday, November 07, 2008 - 04:53 AM UTC
Thanks Geraint, I did a little experimenting with a hole punch and some card, but I may try some styrene sheet to see how that works, thanks for the tip.
The Academy tracks were actually quite good. They have three attachment points and two raised ejector pin marks on the inside face of each track. I cut them all of the spruces and then went over them with an exacto blade to clean them up. This was a little laborious, but they then went together very quickly and easily. The detail is good though the ejector pin marks are a little visible if used as spare tracks (road wheels hide them otherwise) but can be easily sanded away.
Considering the price (under a fiver) they are a bargain i'd say, and i'd recommend them.
HTH,
James[/quote]Thanks James same pin marks on old Dragon indy tracks out with a No 11. They do look good, better than dragons I will have to look out for them. Anything that cheap to get rid of rubber bands is a must, thanks for the info. The zim looks good under a base cote looking great
Current projects Tam Stug IV cut and shunt Trump KV2 Dragon Panther D with zim BefehlsPanther and Tam Hetzer
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Friday, November 07, 2008 - 10:49 AM UTC
Tanks Geraint,
Can't compare them with the dragon set, I have some cyber hobby Pz III indy links but they are much newer and probably not a good comparison.
As you say, for £5 to replace rubber bands, you can't go wrong. Plenty of spares too for applique armour!
(In fact if you build a lot of Pz IV variants they may be worth it for this alone!)
Cheers,
James
BTW, I meant to ask, where about in Cymru are you? I used to live in Aberystwyth.
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 03:51 AM UTC
Base coat of dunklegelb:
Thanks for looking,
James
Wales, United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2008
KitMaker: 967 posts
Armorama: 842 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 05:42 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Tanks Geraint,
Can't compare them with the dragon set, I have some cyber hobby Pz III indy links but they are much newer and probably not a good comparison.
As you say, for £5 to replace rubber bands, you can't go wrong. Plenty of spares too for applique armour!
(In fact if you build a lot of Pz IV variants they may be worth it for this alone!)
Cheers,
James
BTW, I meant to ask, where about in Cymru are you? I used to live in Aberystwyth.
JamesI'm from Tredegar South Wales Vallies near Merthyr tydfil. Just lost to S Africa, bummer. Dunkelgelb looking good nice base , what paint and how much did you lighten it ?
Current projects Tam Stug IV cut and shunt Trump KV2 Dragon Panther D with zim BefehlsPanther and Tam Hetzer
United Kingdom
Joined: December 05, 2006
KitMaker: 2,208 posts
Armorama: 2,152 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 07:52 AM UTC
Quoted Text
JamesI'm from Tredegar South Wales Vallies near Merthyr tydfil. Just lost to S Africa, bummer. Dunkelgelb looking good nice base , what paint and how much did you lighten it ?
Watched the match myself mate, Wales owned the second half, crying shame you couldn't push a try in the last 10 mins, you came close several times. Still If you can dominate the 'world champs' (don't get me started on dis-allowed trys) then the grand slam champs have great things ahead of them.
and now back to armour....
I used the same mix left over from my Semovente (see the article on the frontpage) which is a mix of several builds based loosely around Tamiya XF-60 (dark yellow) but added to and altered as neccessary over numerous builds. I'd say its lighter than XF-60 I know I used a fair amount of XF-57 (Buff) in the mix but can't be specific i'm afraid.
James
Iran / فارسى
Joined: January 30, 2008
KitMaker: 93 posts
Armorama: 84 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 01:37 PM UTC
beforehand, If only I could find the photo.
They had this stug IV with all side skirts sniped off on both sides
Iran / فارسى
Joined: January 30, 2008
KitMaker: 93 posts
Armorama: 84 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 01:52 PM UTC
Not the exact pic(this seems to be a stuh 42) but you get the point
