Hello everybody,

This is my first-time proper model, still work in progress. It's the old Tamya PzKpfw.II Ausf.C, painted in DAK colors. It's supposed to be one of the very first panzers to arrive in North Africa, originally painted in Panzergrau and field-painted in Sandgelb. The model should represent the panzer in December 1941, after seeing months of fighting and heavy weather.

The tank Commander figure is just on base-coating phase, and certain accessories are not even coated yet.

Any advices from the esteemed Forum members, spotting of any mistakes (which surely are plentiful) and feedback would be most appreciated! Being my first model, I'd very much appreciate getting feedback for corrections so that I don't develop wrong habbits

Here are a few pictures:















Thank you very much, and have a nice day,

Drone

Hi Ivan,
That's 1 well used Panzer you got there, nice weathering job. The only thing I see that is off is the 2 black jerry cans are covering a vent. That vent was actually a hatch that the radio man use to get in and out so it would be left clear of cargo. Also you left the seem on the outer edge of the road wheels. That should have been sanded off before painting. Look forward to seeing it completed.
Prost

Hi Sal,

Thanks a lot indeed!
I decided to go for a very worn-out look -- I wanted to try as many techniques as possible on the model for educational purposes In principle, I have developed a bit of dislike for over-weathered models (seems to me a good way to try to hide certain lack of ability in painting), but given my first-time weathering experience, I wanted to try it all.

I'll remove the jerrycans from the hatch, you are absolutely correct!

I (shame on me) was not 100% sure if the seam in the rubber band on the roadwheels was a production artifact of the model, or actually a detail of the rubber when moulded in real life, so decided to leave it in the end.

Thanks again,

Ivan/Drone

Ivan,
Great Job with all the "firsts" you have attempted. I think the extra track and the way it sags on the front of the vehicle came off really well. Some suggestions to improve:

1.Keeping in mind you wanted to attempt as many techniques as possible, For a North African vehicle, your rust on the vehicle is a little heavy in my opinion.

2. Make sure you "tie down" your jerry cans and boxes with straps made from paper, or rope made from thread.

3. Add a little steel metallic or graphite from a pencil to the teeth of your drive sprockets to show wear from the tracks.

I am sure others with a better eye for detail will have some more for you. Great job once again and happy modelling!

Art

Your overall effect shows you've been doing your homework on weathering, etc. With your next model back everything down by 50% because everything gets magnified on a scale model.

If you do another desert setting remember the sand will also rob you of some minute detail, but that adds to the realism.

It's great so see guys coming back to the hobby, or starting new because what older modellers learned mainly in a vacuum is now available to everyone (that's why I love the Kitmaker Network, just consider the knowledge you can plug into!).

I like your using an older kit to try things out on, I surprise myself sometimes when I pull another out of the stash and slap it together to try something, only to find at the end another model I'm proud of and stands the winds of time.

Another thing to try is an uncluttered model. That will bring the 'back off by 50%' to light.

Keep up the great work, and never throw any model you've finished away, they all tell a story for you, and remember the people on these forums are more than willing to help. critique and make suggestions... because we are all still learning!

Pretty sure this is the Poland Campaign Panzer II.... a fairly recent kit. It's got the rounded hull nose, and the molded tow cables that wrap around there.

Either way, the rest of your post is spot on.

Art, Peter, Jesse,

Thank you VERY much for the feedback and advices guys!!! It is very much appreciated indeed!

Yes, I did quite some reading (Osprey Modeling, etc.) before getting hands-on. In fact, it was just last month I got my first compressor and airbrush and I began experimenting.

I fully appreciate the scale-back 50% advice! Especially while I was putting the rust on (a mix between 50% MIG Rust and MIG Track Brown in a lot of 98% alcohol), I did realize I am going way over the top with it (just couldn't hold back ).

I am particularly attracted to making models from the North African Campaign, and judging by the vast majority of the references, uncluttered models will not be that easy to do However, even if I continue with more cluttered machines, I'll make sure I'll hold back.

Thanks a lot again guys, your feedback is very much welcome and appreciated!

Best,

Ivan/Drone

Ivan, when building DAK vehicles think "cluttered with a purpose".

The crews added all sorts of racks,for Jerry cans, for tools, for track links, wheels etc etc. Then they moved their gear into and around the vehicle. This was done such as to not impeded them when fighting. Turrets weren't blocked,nor were hatches, or vision ports.

Keep at it you're doing good.

G