I have come to a predicament on what to do with my panzer IV turret schurzen.
Should I attach it before I paint it or leave off and paint it and then attach it to the turret?

Karl

Karl;

I would suggest that you base-coat both turret and turret-schurzen, and then assemble, and then add the camo to the visible outsides (if that is planned).

This discussion has been around before. IIRC, folks worked around to discover that many such tanks actually had no camo either on the inside of the schurzen or on the adjacent hidden sides of the turret. After all, the crew did the camo... and getting your spray-gun, mop, brush, or even paint-rag down behind the schurzen, where only the most eagle-eyed of pilots ( ) (and your tank commander ) would ever see the fine camo you applied, probably just seldom ever happened.

So, a modeler should be able to skip doing that camo that probably was not done in reality.

Of course, if you want camo there, I would suggest doing that before final assembly!

Bob

See Bob the problem I face is getting paint on the inside of the schurzen that sits near the stowage bin.

If I do paint the parts separately I face the task of gluing and making the brackets line up onto the turret.

Thanks
Karl

Karl:

OK - here's how I would approach the problem you describe...

Assemble the turret schurzen with the brackets attached. While still slightly pliable and adjustable, mount the schurzen assembly onto the turret and get all the brackets positioned as you want them. Maybe apply a small piece of blue tack gum to each upper mounting location to hold the brackets in place. Let things complete setting up, and take the dry schurzen assembly off, remove any tack from turret and assembly, paint turret and inside surfaces of assembly. IF you are planning on decals or other details on the turret walls, now is the time to do these, as well. When the turret is ready, clean the contact-surfaces at the bracket-attach points on the turret and cement the thing together. Follow up with a brush to detail-complete the base coat around the attachment points. You are now done and ready to do whatever stuff you want to the completed assembly and the outside faces.

Just a suggestion!

Bob