HI all,

With the DML Ersatz M10 done, and my ASLAV done, its time for something new!

I've not done a Panzer IV or related vehicle for ever (doing the suspension [auto-censored]s me!) I figured DML's new Panzer IV Ausf H would be just the ticket.

Im going to do a SS Panzer Regiment 12, 12th SS Panzer Division Hitler Jugend vehicle I think, i've always loved the crudely painted turret numbers' on their Panzer IV's.

For Example:






So, I was able to get a stack done today (Sunday 25th October):




While it looks like i've achieved a lot, really, its just the major hull parts put together, and some zimmerit added. It looks like most of the 12th SS IV's I could find tended to only have zimmerit on their frontal armor, and rear armor, on the hull anyway. Some shots show zimm on the turret front armor, and schurtzen, and even zimm on the hull schurtzen.

I havent picked a specific vehicle to depict yet, so the zimm job is just a non descript copy of all the shots I could locate of this units' vehicles.

For zimmerit I used Mori Mori putty, a 2 part polyester putty from Japan. It stinks, and i've spent most of the day fighting imaginary pixies after doing the zimm, but its great stuff, perfect for zimmerit.

Its a brilliant kit, DML have done a great job with their 300th.

This one isnt for a mag article, so i'll be able to blog every step.

Cheers

SD

Hi Sam! I like the look of this one already, the 'economically' applied zimmerit looks the business. Looking forwards to this one coming together, as I have been pondering having a crack at a Panzer Lehr PzIV G/H from the images at Villers Bocage... So this is going to be a must 'follow' blog.
You have attack of Panzer 'Pixes' also, glad that I am not alone in this phenomenon!

Cheers Phil!

OK, I thought i'd post some step by step shots of how I zimmerit a model. This isnt THE way necessarily, but its my way

Firstly, here are the materials I use: a cheap artists spatula, tamiya and gum ka zimmerit rakes, and finally Work Association Mori Mori putty


I needed to add zimm to the top edge of the front plate of armor, just forward of the tranny inspection hatch hinges, so I cleared away some of the zimmerit that was there:
BEFORE:


AFTER:

This will make it easier to blend the new and old zimm.

I get all the parts to be zimmeritted together BEFORE I mix the putty. Mori Mori putty has a pretty long cure time, (about 30 minutes till it starts to harden, depending on how much hardener one adds) but I still like to get it all organised before I do anything I cant go back on.


I squirt a small amount of the putty itself out into a container (in this case a beer bottle lid) and then use a toothpick to get some hardener from the little black hardener bottle.


Then MIX thoroughly till its a consistent colour


I then apply with the spatula. No need to be too careful here, just slap it on the area to be covered. I ensure there is a little depth to the putty at this stage, about a millimetre




So this is where we are up to now. You can see the areas covered with un-raked putty


Now - rake like mad! Ok, no need to go crazy, this putty is very forgiving, so there is no real need to rush. If youre not happy with the pattern, you can reapply with the spatula and re rake.


et viola! Zimmerit done! OK, I still need to tidy it up a little, there are some fuzzy bits here and there, and of course I need to chip it up a little, its all very uniform here


I prefer Mori Mori putty over Tamiya grey putty and 2 part epoxy putties (miliput etc) as this putty is very easy to use, doesnt eat into the plastic at all, and cures quickly, but not so quickly as to not be able to work the putty.

Hope this has been of some use.

SD

Hi,
This is looking good. I am also building this kit and have changed my mind several times on the identity of my subject. I decided finally on 'Steffi' of the Hitlerjugend. I have the Bison decals and Friulmodel tracks (open guide horn) on the way. Just getting ready to zim the turret schurzen. Any ideas yet on the final subject of your build? I am struggling a little with research on all the major changes between 1943/44 so I am hoping to pick up a little advice here and there. I have loads of research on the Tiger but not that much on the Panzer IV.
Best regards,
Stuart

So this is where i'm up to. Zimm has been tidied up a little, ive chipped some from around the inspection hatch area. Also added the armoured covers for the breather holes, and the visor and kugelblende detail. Also added more spare tracks, and drilled the end ones out and added track pins from brass rod.





Progress is a little slow at present, as im just getting in a little modelling after work (and before!).. come the weekend, i'll be able to bend the time-space continuum and really get some progress!

SD

I'll be sure to try that method. Where did you get the hardener from?

The hardener comes with the tube of Mori Mori putty.

SD

Sam

loking good!! Not sure if you know, but this kit as is, is only suitable for approx 2 HJ pz 4 in Normandy. The rest were early H's.

I'm in the process of building one of these panzers and have used the late H and also parts from the G LSSAH Kharkov from Dragon. See this links for advise I was given on M-L.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47207/thread/1235039642/Dragon+Pz+4+H+6300

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47207/thread/1245526925/Another+Panzer+4+q

Sorry if this is already known, but I'm sure, after seeing your other workks, it's gonna be a cracker.

Regards.
Paul

Gday Paul,

Yep, im aware that there are only 2 identified so far as ones that can be built using the DML kit straight from the box. 837 has been ID'd as one, and this is the one im erring towards:


Cheers

SD

Nice zim work... I'm dreading doing mine ...

Worth mentioning if you decide on '837' and while your still zimming:

The cable holder bars are in the 'wide' position on '837':


..and in the 'narrow' position on the kit:


Just in case you haven't already spotted it..

Hi,
Yep, already spotted! I'd post shots of it now, but im stuck at work. When I redid the zimm on the front plate I redid this area too, but with all the fumes, I forgot to post images!

Cheers
SD

good job and thanks for the beer cap ...i like it.........

No problem, its delicious, and informative!

So, here is the missing shot from last night. Note the different color zimm where i've patched up the area that used to have the mount for the tow cable bracket. Ive moved the tow cable bracket outboard

Looking great so far Sam. Good explanation of the Mori putty as well. I never realised it was a 2 part putty before, eventhough there have been a lot of raving about it.

Hi,
To build 618 'Steffi' then, I need to change the hubs, front hull extensions and glacis interlocks, and use the welded idlers with Friul open horn tracks. Is this all? or is there something I have not spotted. The minefield gets bigger for us newbies.
Maybe I'll go back to my original plan of the 2nd Pz div.
Regards,
S

Im not a newbie

Sam,
I meant me, didn't mean any offence.
S

None taken!

Hi Sam

had a feeling you'd already know that!! But never hurts to say.

I've invested in Orange Hobby PE for mine, the schurzen is four letter great!!!

After seeing your ersatz panther, I'm sure this will be great, I will be following this one closely to get inspiration for mine!

Paul.

Stinking hot day here in Melbourne, not exactly good modelling weather! Managed to get a small amount of work done.. tool stowage. Usually I find this pretty tedious, but today, not so..

Ive tried to keep the build relatively OOTB, no etch other than the kit supplied stuff.

The kit tools are pretty nice, but the tool clamp ends are pretty thick:

(bit of a gap behind the front plate there that needs attention!)

I thinned the clamp ends out with a new Nr 11 blade carefully. It only took a minute or two per clamp. Easy work, but it makes a real difference:


I also thinned out the shovel head, and the flat end of the track tensioning spanner thingy


The other side.. No headlight fitted as yet, i'm undecided at this stage if i'll use the kit headlight, or a Tasca one


Hopefully Sunday will bring better modelling weather!

SD

Well it got much cooler in the evening on Saturday here in Melbourne, so I stayed up and burnt the midnight oil and got some real progress on the IV.

I thought these Alpine SS tankers would look good on the model too.





The figures are held together with blutac for now. I thinned the locking handles on the cupola hatch


Still some parts to add here.. coax MG sleeve, lift ring on the recuperator housing




I think a little dio/vignette might be in order. With the addition of this Platoon/Pegaso figure, the scene looks like an impromptu 'O' group




The Platoon/Pegaso figure is one of the nicest available, beautifully sculpted and cast




Ive been putting it off this far.. but the time has come for me to tackle the wheels and running gear.. this is DEFINITELY my least favourite part of building Pv IV's!

Finally, i'd be keen to hear anyone's opinion on whether 837 has zimmerit on the turret skirts.. im leaning towards a 'no it doesnt' - what do you think?

SD

Got HEAPS done today.. the kids left me alone to model practically all day!!

Lets call construction 99% done..











Next.. a thorough check for gaps etc.. then primer!

SD

Nice build and realistic looking zimmerit

but I think there was zimmerit also on the sides of the upper hull as seen on almost all the zimmerited Pz IV

Hi Sam,
the build is looking fantastic, sooo clean! Those alpine figures look great sitting up there too.

Based on your reference pics its really hard to say weather 837 has zimm on the turret skirts...
On the one hand the relative neatness of the turret numbers (compared to the others you have pictured) leads me to say no....but upon closer inspection the numbers do have a kind of zig-zag edge to them, but it is hard to tell if that is just from pixelation/picture quality or if it would be there in real life.

From a purely asthetic point of view I would prefer to think not because i like the contrast between the schurzen and the zimmeritt on the hull.

The more I look at that pic the more it looks like it would be there though, especially if you compare the backs of the 'doors' for the crew hatch are open to the rest...

either way great build and good luck!!

Sam,

Just started to follow your build log and it sure is coming along fast. Excellent step by step on the Zimmerit and for posting the products used to achive a very realistic to scale Zimmerit pasting job. Pointing out your modifications for getting a better scale thickness on some of the parts as you go along on your build just makes it that much more enjoyable to follow.

Those figures are so appropriate, well detailed and convay a sense of action giving the viewer a wonderful referance as to the size of the vehicle. That Platoon/Pegaso figure is one of the best scalped figures that I have ever seen . . . especailly those hands!

I noticed on the photographs that you posted of number 837 that the forth roadwheel from the end looks as though the rubber tire may be coming off of the metal wheel?

-Eddy