Jerry,
I've got both companies kits, HB's is a much simpler build by far.
Dan

Thanks, Greg & Dan!

Now, I KNOW that this is completely OFF TOPIC, so everyone,

Please accept my apologies, Jerry especially...

I remember reading a thread somewhere concerning a 1/35 GAZ AA, and the contributor dissed the MINIART kit by calling it "absolutely awful"..? (paraphrased) This contributor neglected to explain WHY the MINIART AA is "awful". That's why I asked for a recommendation.

Dan- You say that the HB kit is "much simpler", by far"... How so? Less parts? Or is the MINIART kit more difficult to build, as in "fit-issues", or "ease of assembly"?

"Over-engineering" and high "parts-counts" have NEVER put me off, EXCEPT when the details are completely hidden, such as the case is with certain aircraft kits, or in the case of AFVs where the view inside of the vehicle from open Hatches is very minimal, at best. What concerns me most is ACCURACY- Shape, general dimensions, and DETAILS. Dimensions don't necessarily have to be completely accurate down to 1/10000 of an inch, or if an Inspection or Drainage Hatch in the Belly Pan of a Tank has 6 bolts or 7... That's just being ridiculous.

I don't actually COUNT rivets, but I DO expect a high degree of accuracy in kits that we have to spend a small fortune to buy, anymore... I'll buy a kit, let's say a Soft-skin, if there is only a minimal Engine Compartment, if I plan to show the vehicle in question with it's Hood, (Bonnet), closed permanently. If I plan to do a detailed Engine Compartment, then it's nice to have a somewhat detailed Engine Compartment to start with, in which case, I'll go "all out" with extra detail, whatever that may entail, i.e, scratch-building, kit-bashing, PE and/or multi-media updates, back-dates, or in-between-dates...

Any comparison between the MINIART and HOBBY BOSS AA kits, (doesn't need to be a "part-by-part" slugging match), would be much appreciated...

THANKS to ALL...

Ok,I hate to break into Dennis' thread but here is what I have finished since last time. Did I mention I hate photo etch?

I also gathered some parts for the base today (at great personal risk ).

Have a look-see.



Thanks guys. I will hopefully pick up the pace a bit. Too hot to work outside anyway.
J

Yeah, PE ... love/hate! 😝
Curious to see what's going on with that black background ... looks like you had a chopping party!

—mike

Ummm...black box ?? Ya got me on that one.
J

Note: Revised comment. I meant to say black background ... referring to images on the first page.

Ahhh Ok,got ya. I just put up the black paper to keep the focus on the subject and not all the usual clutter in the rear.
I do have a plan though. It may suck,but it is a plan never-the-less. LoL
And I hope Dennis knows I was just joking. Typed words do not always translate well and I don't know how to use emoji's
J

Dennis, sorry Jerry. The Miniart one has finer details, but is more challenging to assemble. It looks great when done, and the wheels are great. The HB one is not as refined and not a challenge to assemble, you will need aftermarket wheels as HB supplies rubber tires.

Looking forward to see how this shapes up Jerry as you know I like to follow your builds. I've got to admit I'm the same where it comes to vehicles as I always think diorama and what figures can I incorporate. Just lately I seem to have bought a lot of vehicles as the prices have been too good to miss so I've got a few dios kicking around in my head, if only to get the stash down a bit lol. Normandy's one of my favourite areas of modelling so following this with great interest.

Thanks for checking in Kurt. I know what you mean. This tank was one of several PzIVs I had sitting around for years and I wanted to do a scene like this so-shazam!
I dusted off my airbrush and bought some Tamiya paints as I had heard that they were easy to use.The buff and dark yellow and red brown worked super but the green splattered all over. Too much thinner? Not enough? This reminds me. I suck with an airbrush.

Basic colors on the hulk so far.


Thanks folks,even you lurkers,
J

Time for figures yet?

Nope but almost. I wanna get this tank ready to "plant". first.
J

Hi Jerry - nice work - I'll bet that by the time you get this weathered to your liking and placed in a dio, any of your problems with the green overspray/random dots won't be evident. While I can't say if "authentic" or not, I really like the soft edge of your free hand work - I wish I could do that! Sorry for not posting - I've been traveling for work - and have limited or non-existent email access - but, I came home yesterday, so while fighting the jet lag, have been checking out the forum.

Take care
Nick

Nothing wrong with that camo paint job... I don't even notice the green problems!

Still watching with great interest!

Nick and Pat,
Thanks guys for looking in even though I am maintaining a glacial pace with this one.
I did get something done not much but at least it's progress.
Painted the turret numbers on and added the balkenkreutz. Painted th base colors on the tools,etc and added the spare tracks on the hull front. There will be more on the very front as well. Started basic weathering on the treads and did a first wash of oil paint which is why there is a slight sheen still.

Nice build so far. The main coat looks great. Look even better once you weather it.


Cheers,
Tom

I'm going to have to come and visit Armorama more regularly just to keep up with this PzIV.

Looking forward to seeing this take shape Jerry. Thanks for sharing.

Best wishes

Des

Jerry

This is coming along great. I've also got a Normandy dio w/ PzIV and figs idea been kickin' around, and yours is off to a really nice start.
It's always nice when someone progresses thru their build almost casually, with the results being sharp, timely, and neat as well.
I'm lookin' at you Jerry

Sincerely
Dave



P.S.
I'll be looking for some figures Jerry
Thank You in advance

Jerry - looking good! Would you mind posting a side view? Just curious....as I mentioned before, I really like your freehand camo work. As I recall you did something similar a few builds ago on a little car - (or, just my imagination!!)

Take care
Nick

Good build, Jerry.

Dennis, the MiniArt GAZ kits are outstanding, mainly because the tires are the "slice" method of building so the treads surpass anything you can find in resin, much less styrene.

This one ?

OK,I did get work done on this one here. I had to take time off after that to re-arrange my work space as so.



Wilst trying to replace my adjusting desk lamp with a newer,cheaper one,it fell apart right on top of the tank.



The damage was not too bad but when ever something like this happens as a setback I immediately loose interest in the project. I will get back to it but not for a while. Not too long though,I think.
What bummed me out the most is that I am always sooo careful about removing things from under an area where I will work so as to prevent something falling and damaging whatever. This one time I relax and....BAM. Instant payback. Cheap-ass lamp. Ya get what ya pay for.

J

Yup, have had that happen to me, are you going to return the Truck of Luft people?

Doh! I hate when that kind of stuff happens.

Kimmo

Jerry,
That's why I don't reorganize anything in the middle of a project! My philosophy is to make a huge mess, revel in it, then clean up when I'm done-- otherwise Murphy will become involved in my modeling projects, and I hate it when he sticks his big nose into my detailed work. Plus, it "sharpens my senses" when I'm looking for that knife or file I set down amid all the detritus of used sandpaper, scrap plastic, dirty paint brushes, bits of dried putty and styrene dust floating on my bench-- I'm "very careful" where I put my fingers that way-- if it was neat, I'd get "sloppy" and hurt myself! Look at the bright side-- the lamp could have hit your head while bending over the Mk IV, and its a lot easier to pull out the glue than to remove stitches!
VR, Russ