Hi Ralph,

I am converting the DML PzIII Ausf. F Smart Kit in Ausf.G. I will do this before DML brings out a “Ausf. G” as “Smart-Kit”, as they have done right now with the “Ausf. H”.
I have collected over the last year a lot of Pz III “Imperial Series” escpecially the “Ausf. H” and now DML is bringing out the renewed version....
As a note from an “ongoing” rivet counter (yes I catch myself to become one more and more): The Armourscale mantlet is not the correct one for the Ausf. G/H, or for a retro-fit on E/F, because it has integrated the higher mantlet visor covers, introduced with the Ausf. J.
Same mistake has been done by DML with their new released “Ausf.H Smart-Kit”.
The covers used on G/H and to retro-fit the E/F-version were lower and have a different shape. Tank-workshop is offering the correct set, item Nr. TWS203



but as the covers are moulded in the Armourscale mantlet, I think its a challenge to change them.
You can canibalize the manlet from an DML Imperial series PzIII G/H Kit.
I will take the DML manlet from a DML Pz III “Ausf. J Initial version” Samrt-Kit, and will integrate it on the DML “F”. The DML mantlet has the visor covers as sinlge items, so they can easily be changed with the one from Tank-workshop.
Later on I will use the Armourscale mantlet for the “Ausf. J Initial version”.

Erich

Good stuff Sal !!

Sal: The dio looks awesome. Good choice of added figures. Where did you get the little cooker/stove? Is it part of a figure set or other aftermarket? Thanks.

Jeremy: I just might do the Kubel anyway. I don't think it has more than 20 pieces.

Ralph and G: thanks for the flesh out on the Primers. I'll see what we have and try one of them.


The 222 spent the night submerged in Windex, but it seems the Tamiya primer hasn't budged a bit, so tonight it gets the oven cleaner...

Happy Modelling, -zon

G: I haven't used anything from Plastikote in a long time, I'll have to give that a try as well.

Zon: Go for it!

Ok! Jeremy I have been hooky for a while (school) put the last parts on and off to paint tomorrow when I noticed that part C17 (dual machine guns) on the front is missing so I will need to scratch one.





And the missing part goes here



Bob

So beside the figure, which is actual in work, I think I am ready.
Whats your opinion ? (Beside the a little bit to bright pictures)











Note: I have tried to make the "desert dusting" as a result of my own experiences, after driving some thousands of kilometers trough the Sahara desert. So that means, concetration on "dusting" the model and not on "fading" and "chipping", even this looks more artistic. Because in reality, everything is covered by dust within short time, especially if you move a vehicle in the same area and climate conditions as the M13/40 has been used at this time.

Erich

Bob: Your build is looking clean, that part should be an easy fix to get on.

Erich: I like your approach with the weathering, it's looks overall realistic while still showing of the details. The pictures aren't too bright, you may want to try photographing your model in natural sunlight if your lighting is giving you problems. Look forward to seeing your figure

Keep up the great work everyone!

Erich, what is your process for the dusty look?

Bob

Bob: nice clean build. Looking forward to paint.

Erich: the dusting effect worked really well.

Happy Modelling, -zon

Hey guys thanks for the comments.

Zon, the cooker stove came with the kit it also comes with a lizard and a dog.

@Erich, you M13/40 is looking good what figures are you putting with it

@ Bob, dido what Jeremy said, looking good. What type of camo pattern are you going to but on that guy

Sal: which kit? I looked at both the Tent Set and the Tiger, and they don't seem to include the other goodies.

Thanks, zon

Thank you gents, for the kudos.

@ Sal: I plan to do the captured vehicle in Aussie camo (XF-60 or XF-59 for the base and XF-65 for the mottle)



P.S. Sal: the package was mailed at 3:14:49 PM today.

Bob

Thanks all for your compliments.

Sal: I will use a German Afrika Korps figure from Tristar, basically sitting on a PzI, with a "Italian had" from Hornet.

Bob: I have copied the way of using pigments from Bill Plunk, whom I will thank by this way to share his kowledge with us and let me learn.



I mix different pigments in a small cup with tap water and brush them on the tank
Darker "Brick Dust and "Gulf war sand" around the lower hull, brighter pigments on the upper hull



Once dry, I "clean" the surface with a stiffer brush. Plan surfaces less pigments (because blown away by the wind); corners, edges, and especially the rear deck more "dust".
Note: Jerry cans ( same as tank filler caps) with Diesel are always full of dust around the fillers neck. In opposite to Gasoline (wich evaporate), Diesel, which is splashing beside while filling, is soaking the dust.
Thats even the reason why you should not follow most modellers style to create oil/grease strains, because every oily surface would be covered by dust within minutes, as you can see here (the guy in blue its me, checking my truck front suspension after a "dune wide jump" in the Lybian dune area, called Idhnan Uwbari):



Note "Clean" axle paint, but everywhere grease was coming out after greasing mechanical parts, totally covered by sand/dust

Dont even use "African Earth" as many modellers do for desert dust, because this pigment is in the desert reality Iron Oxide (or simply rust), which is very seldom in Lybia (and even in the North Sahara, I think I can tell you all the places where you will find it, and nearly no one is in the Western desert). "African earth" fits perfect for a vehicle used in Black Africa (Congo etc.) or Australia







The best desert dust copy in my eyes is "Beach sand", nearly 100% the dust of Nothern Lybia and South Tunisia (Mareth line for eg).

For your M13/40 "Aussis version": This M13 was from the very 1st production run, build in late 1940.
Means: No rectangular cover on the turret roof. No "mushroom" style cooling water expanse tank over the rear engine deck. Filler cap of the water expanse tank located a bit more forward
You should even try to use license plate with lower registration number (around 3000-3050). No license plate on front, because front license plates was introduced on Italian tanks from March 1941on

I could give you details, but I have to leave now for a 4 days business trip. But if you google M13/40 "pictures" you can easily find all the differences of the 1st M13/40 production run to update the Tamiya one (If you want).

Erich

Erich, thank you for the tips.

Bob

Bob: looks like a fun camo scheme. Looking forward to seeing it.

Erich: Thanks for the tutorial on your dust application (and to Bill Plunk too!) Do you know how close Iraq would be to Libya from a dust color standpoint?

Happy Modelling, -zon

hi Erich!
I like very much the outcome of your tank!
I think you are right on the chipping and rust side: no much wet in the desert to make metal rust.... but rust is soooo cool I can hardly make without some
keep up the wonderful job!
ciao
Edo

Jeremy,

While on hols here in the States I picked up Tamiya's PaK40 & SdKfz 251 from HobbyLobby for a song (gotta love those 40% coupons!) so would like to join up. Trouble is I've already had a few days' start on the gun so cannot get a pic of it on the sprues. Is it still eligible? The 251 is still untouched...

And I did some homework - the Pak40 was arriving in theatre by late 42/early 43...

I can't post images til I get home from holiday at Easter. (Borrowing a PC at the moment!)

Tom

Take pictures of what you have on the sprues before you continue, even if you just use the camera on your phone. I don't have a problem with your situation, I know what it's like to be away from home and without resources but still wanting to tear into a kit

Cool - will do! (Good thing Mom's got a well-stocked toolbox for her doll house stuff...)

Tom

Zon, It is Dragons Kit # 6063, Deutsche Afrika Korps

@Bob, Looking forward to seeing the camo, and I'll be on the look out for a package to, I'll let you know when it arrives, Thanks

Sal: Thanks for the info. I've been scouring the net and everybody seems out of stock. I'll just keep my eyes open.

Happy Modelling, -zon

Aloha,

Since I've been in a paint stripping quagmire for the past couple of weeks, I decided to put some effort into some of the accessories for the dio.



Happy Modelling, -zon

Ok guys, ready to call this 1 finished
Sprayed it with a Dull coat this morning so I'll take a different picture for the Gallery
I really enjoyed this Campaign and there are some great kits being build here. Please comments are always more then welcome thanks for looking

Awesome Sal! All I can say is that your work keeps getting better with each build bud Once you post your photos in the campaign gallery we will be at 4 completed builds, not bad at all

Sal, I just figured out that you need some space to set all of these builds and wondered what SWMBO thinks

Bob