Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Panzer IV Ausf.J Sd.Kfz.161/2
Thirian24
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Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 08:59 AM UTC
Thank you Robert! Sorry I missed your reply sir!
brekinapez
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Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 10:59 AM UTC

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I understand what you're saying and that would be one more notch in my learning belt with the fighting compartment. The real issue is.. I have so many kits currently.. I really can't justify buying more until I build a few handfuls of the ones I currently have.



For what it's worth, don't get caught up in buying lots of kits, there will always be more. Some may go out of production for a while but invariably they resurface sometime later as a re-release by the same company or reboxed under a different label. Nowadays especially, there is no shortage of subjects to choose from and new releases come much faster than when I started building back in the late 60's, and even the 70's.



So, you're saying not to do stuff like this?:
jasegreene
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Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 12:09 PM UTC
This is looking great.
Thirian24
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Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 11:47 PM UTC

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This is looking great.



Thank you very much!
Thirian24
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Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 11:48 PM UTC
That's a fine collection you have there, Shell! I'm definitely jealous of a few items you have in your stash!
Armorsmith
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2015 - 02:05 AM UTC

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I understand what you're saying and that would be one more notch in my learning belt with the fighting compartment. The real issue is.. I have so many kits currently.. I really can't justify buying more until I build a few handfuls of the ones I currently have.



For what it's worth, don't get caught up in buying lots of kits, there will always be more. Some may go out of production for a while but invariably they resurface sometime later as a re-release by the same company or reboxed under a different label. Nowadays especially, there is no shortage of subjects to choose from and new releases come much faster than when I started building back in the late 60's, and even the 70's.



So, you're saying not to do stuff like this?:



Shell, A good stash but I'm hard to impress. There are 2 guys in my club that can easily put that to shame. One guy has over 3500 kits and the other guy over 5000. I would consider what you have a healthy obsession, theirs a serious mental problem. Here's hoping that you will one day have them all built.
brekinapez
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2015 - 02:10 AM UTC
Hope so, I've somehow managed one a month since I started building again.

But, gotta keep those obsessions healthy.
Armorsmith
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2015 - 02:15 AM UTC

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Hope so, I've somehow managed one a month since I started building again.

But, gotta keep those obsessions healthy.



Sounds like about my build rate. Build mostly OOB with some AM PE and minor modification/scratch on occasion. Model on!
Thirian24
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Posted: Friday, December 18, 2015 - 05:56 AM UTC
Just wanted to see what the tracks look like with the drive sprocket and idler weathered. Need to matte clear them and apply a bit of mud on the tracks.


Armorsmith
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Posted: Friday, December 18, 2015 - 06:16 AM UTC
Looks really nice. My only negative is that the mud is applied a bit too evenly and perhaps a bit thick as noted earlier. Just remember to keep that in mind for next time. Nevertheless an outstanding effort and result.
Thirian24
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Posted: Friday, December 18, 2015 - 06:22 AM UTC
Yes it does look unrealistic. Which is a same on this nice job so far.
Thirian24
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Posted: Friday, December 18, 2015 - 06:23 AM UTC
Maybe I should chip it off and retry it
KevPak
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Posted: Friday, December 18, 2015 - 08:19 AM UTC
Dustin-

You might want to try something like this:



Heavier texture and darker color towards the bottom with less texture and lighter in color towards the top. Try not to make the boundary sharp or even - it should be patchy and uneven. I used three different shades of brown to make the mud! Good luck.
Thirian24
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Posted: Friday, December 18, 2015 - 08:31 AM UTC
Wow that is very nicely done sir!! That's definitely what I was going for.
Thirian24
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 04:41 AM UTC
Bit of work done with the lead pencil. Just need todo the other side and add a bit of mud to the tracks and it'll be done.





Merry Christmas everybody!
Armorsmith
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 08:08 AM UTC
Looking good. You might want to hit the high spots on the tracks where they contact the ground. these would be shiny from the constant wear. Otherwise really sharp build.
Thirian24
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 08:58 AM UTC
Thank you sir! It's a bit hard to see in that last pic. But I did do that to the tracks.

Hang on, I have some completed pics to upload.
Thirian24
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 09:09 AM UTC
Here are the completed pics. I'll get some posted with better lighting. I added another layer of "dried" mud. It looks way better now. I think it gives it another dimension.






Cheers,
Dustin
TRM5150
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 09:21 AM UTC
Well done Dustin! You finished this one off in style! Looking forward to the finals soon!
Thirian24
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 09:29 AM UTC
Thank you very much, Todd!

Have a great Christmas Sir!
TRM5150
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 09:38 AM UTC
Thank you and a Merry Christmas to you and you family my friend!
Modelrob
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 03:50 PM UTC
It came out great Dustin, The dry mud helped a lot. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Again job well done.
Armorsmith
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 06:18 PM UTC
The dried mud make it look much better than it was with that dark thick application. Very nice recovery. Outstanding work for a beginner armor modeler!
KevPak
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 09:55 PM UTC
Congrats on a job well done!
Thirian24
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Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 11:59 PM UTC
Robert, Armorsmith, Kevin,

Thank you fellas very much for the kind words! It is very much appreciated. In all seriousness I didn't expect to have much better results with this kit, from the Tiger. I'm more surprised myself that this kit has turned out pretty decent. I'm extremely happy with it. Thank you all so much for the help along the way. I appreciate it very much. Now to start back on the Tiger after I post good pics of this Pz. IV

Cheers and merry Christmas.