Left side is missing Matt

I see two hooks on the right side and two hooks on the left side.

Hi guys,

I'm sorry about the confusion -- it is actually caused by me. In a way, you're both right -- the hook is in place up to and including the Panzergrau paint, but disappeared in the HS'ed set of pictures. As I had to use a bit more brush pressure in some parts of the model to take down the yellow paint, I inadvertently tore off the hook -- but not to worry, it is kept safe and sound on the side till the weekend when it'll come back in place.

And, again, thank you very much everybody for the kind encouraging words!

@Chris -- thanks, this is a nice addition to my vocabulary

@Steve -- I'll take care of these sink marks one way or another, as I am really annoyed by them. The markings I intend to put shortly, I think for this model I'll use decals. I've never used stencil-painted markings, and given the big amount of experimentation already going in this model, I'll leave them for another one. Once I put the markings, I'll apply the chipping on them by using a small brush making sure they conform with the paint chipping underneath them. Then I'll gently airbrush several acrylic layers with slightly different colors of what will be the general dusting up of the tank. This will blend in additionally the markings with the rest of the model, and it will also reduce the very sharp contrast between the grey and the chipped yellow (it really annoys me right now ). And then, all the weathering with oils, filters, washes, and pigments will bring in even extra blending. Overall, I chose to put the markings on after the first round of chipping, as since I'll be using decals, I wouldn't have been able to properly use the HS on them.

And also, yes, you're absolutely right that on a number of vehicles the hull boards were left unpainted in yellow. There are a number of examples where the boards were painted, also. I guess it very much depended on the specific vehicle situation. As I am not necessarily following a concrete reference for this model, I decided to go for the second option purely on choice, no concrete reason why

The diluted/liquified mud as a paint is something I am very much considering, but still wondering about. Realistically, if we're talking about just mud splashed all over the vehicle, the yellow paint should also have the respective mud-like texture. As I am not confident in my ability to make a convincing mud paint effect, I decided to go on and use airbrush. I guess in this case we could be talking about mud which is quite diluted in water and applied by brush -- hence lacking the distinctive texture. This I think I'll recreate using oils and filters if I go down this path.

Have a very nice day, everybody!

Ivan

Gentlemen,

I had a few hours for the hobby this weekend, and here are the results:

First I applied the decals -- as simple as they get -- depicting a 3.Zug, 5.Leichte Division vehicle. No pictures were taken at this point as it was just decals on the previously presented tank.

Then I moved (perhaps a bit too fast, later will tell why) on to the painting again. I airbrushed gradually several thin layers of light color to simulate the heavy dusting in the Western Desert which the vehicles accumulated fast. I used again my favorite Tamiya acrylics, this time in the very light range: Buff, Deck Tan, Desert Yellow 50/50 mix with White, and at the end, even a bit of pure White.

This gave me the effect I was after in terms of merging the decals into the vehicle, and also significantly reduced the contrast between the dark and light paint. I added manually just a little additional chipping here and there to represent very "fresh" damage on the paint -- which shouldn't be that big given the rapid dusting up.

And here's the problem I noticed: apparently I didn't wait long enough for Gunze's Decal setting solution to dry up enough, and the 5. Leichte insignia on the turret bin (the stroked through D) decal bulged up a bit under the paint. I hope it'll settle down when left alone for a while. If not, I'll figure out a solution.

Then, I proceeded with the basic wash. I used AK's DAK Vehicle wash and went over the whole vehicle. I cleaned up most of the spillage, and now I am giving it a couple of days to tighten up and touch it a bit additionally with some white spirit for modulation if needed.

Finally, for literally 5 minutes I made a quick test run of some additional color modulation using Oil paints -- the dot technique as it is known. The results can be seen on the turret top and on the top of the turret bin. I didn't want to continue any further with it at this point as it would mess up the wash. Hopefully next weekend Also, with Oil paint I added a slightly darker yellow-reddish color right under the mud guards as a starting point for some slightly darker streaking.

So this is it so far. The paint looks a bit rough at a few places -- either because of the HS technique or because my airbrush spat out a few thicker dots. Once fully dry, I'll treat these areas with a very fine file or sanding paper to even these out.

And now some pictures:





















Next steps would be also including some more play with color (Oils and dot technique), and some serious use of filters.

Thanks a lot for your time and attention! And have a very nice and successful week!

Ivan

P.S.: The controversial turret hook is back in place

P.P.S.: I didn't deal with the sink marks on the gun mask yet. I have very limited time lately for modeling, and had I addressed these yesterday, I wouldn't have been able to do as much work as I actually did. I'll try to squeeze 10-15 min during the week for them so that I'll have more time to paint retouch in the weekend.

Hi everybody,

Here's a bit of an update on this one

I had a bit of time last weekend and finally am able to post a few images. I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures -- the light was not ideal for the shoot, and since I am using my iPad camera, they are also a bit too grainy.

I made an almost full pass (save for the upper hull) with an additional set of washes and filters. The model did suffer an accident -- I dropped the turret on the floor, and (of course) it fell gun-down. As a result, the barrel mounting cracked a bit -- I'll have to take care of it together with the sink marks on the mask, I just can't force myself to do it just yet.

I used a lot of oils (as opposed to the pre-made filters of Mig/AK) as an experimentation, and honestly, I loved it! The process is less restrictive and feels more creative. I personally feel much more comfortable and in control compared to using the pre-made filters. I guess I still have a lot to learn

Next step would be to use some pigments to add more dusting on the lower hull and here and there on the rest of the model -- and finish off the washing/filtering of the upper hull.

And now, a couple of images:



















Thank you very much for your time and any comments you may have!

Have a great weekend,

Ivan

Hi Ivan. Love what you´ve done with the damaged area. The effect looks natural and believable. The weathering already is looking good.
I liked your original stowage ideas and think this would work. If the tank is limping home, it has left the main fighting area and probably wont need to be 100% fighting ready. As you say, there is so much evidence of these being overloaded with extreme stowage. It looked great on the back and gives this something extra.
I dont know if you have plans for figures, but these could also show similar "wear". Some crew with bandages/wounds would convey a past battle?

Gentlemen,

It's been a while, too much occupations at work. I managed to spend some time on this one lately and here's the update.

I worked across the board on this one, adding the running gear (well, most of it). I used the support rollers of a newer Pz.III by Dragon, assembled the Fruil tracks, etc. Better go for the pictures

Before that, I do apologize for the washed out quality of the pictures -- I did use a good camera, but a bad light. During the week I hope I'll catch better conditions.





















And here's one of the bigger additions: the figure. It is a DAK Panzer crewman with bandaged head by Tristar: I think it fits nicely with the overall mood of the vehicle.



And some close-ups of the guy. I'd like to work more on him, I'm still bot extremely happy with my figures.













And to finish off, I used to link up the Friul tracks with the wire provided in their package (some sort of brass-like yellowish metal). How well does this hold on chemical treatment of the tracks (i.e. AK's tarnishing liquid, or home-made concoctions)?

Thank you very much for your time and attention!

Ivan

This just keeps looking better and better Ivan. Great work! Although, to be honest, I am not convinced by the positioning of the figure (nice paint job though). To my eye it doesn't look natural with his feet in mid air. I think it would look better if you were to rest his feet on the hull. My opinion (not that you asked for it) would be to place this figure on the front of the turret and add a tank commander standing in the hatch. I look forward to seeing her with all of the stowage added.

I see those pesky sink marks are still there on the gun. They really show in the head on views.

The tank is very impressive man. Very good. Nice damage.
You are better with the figures than you give yourself credit for. The painting is quite nice. I would tone down the buttons though,they are a bit too bright. I also agree about the pose. It doesn't look natural in the position he is sitting at. Try being in that pose yourself and see if it feels like something that you would do.
Small nit pics about a very nice build.
J

Beautiful, there is nothing else to say



Paul

Damn, fine job!

Stunning Ivan,simply stunning
Andy

Ivan,

That is some seriously, great work. I'm impressed and wish some of my work was as good as that.

I'm a little late to the party, so to speak and I haven't read all the replies, but I have to question the damage. In your first post, you mentioned that you were considering the damage to be a result of an anti-tank mine or a shell hit. I'd have to go with a shell impact because a mine would have exploded under the first/second road wheel and not the fourth. Maybe I'm missing something, though.

Really, really nice work.

Steve

Beautiful work.

Gentlemen,

Long time no post Thank you very much indeed for your very kind words!

I went with this model (together with a couple of others -- please see below) to Bulgaria's Scale Models Club exhibition in early October -- this happened to be the biggest scale models event on the Balkans (in terms of number of models) so far I think.

Got the GOLD in the Tracked Vehicles in 1/35 -- sheer luck if you ask me -- then again, I'll always take a handful of luck over a truckload of intelligence

Here are two pictures of how the model appeared there, taken in better lighting setup than what I usually get at home:





And here are the rest of the entries I took with me -- you know them anyway from other posts







Overall, there's so much more I'd like to do with these models, but I think the time has come to leave them aside as they are. Time to move on to new adventures in styrene

As always, thanks a lot for your time and attention! Have a very nice day from me

Ivan

Beautiful work Ivan! Love the concepts and execution of all of them.

Beautiful build - thanks for sharing. I really love the damage you executed. Inspired me. Well done again mate - terrific work.

absolutley wonderful looks great

Impressive build and painting and the gold medal is well deserved.

Ole