Replaced weld seam along top edge of lower armor plate. Added weld seams to the brake cooling covers. Damaged front fenders. Added wiring for both headlights.

Added weld seam around trailer hitch coupling. Added tow cable bar retainer chains (these are out of scale by a good bit but cannot find authentic looking chain any smaller. These are 40 links/inch) PE chain looks bad in my opinion...chain is not flat!

Of note: David Schemel did a post build review of this kit (Takom 8002) in the October 2020 issue of FineScale Modeler magazine, in which he described many of the issues I had. He also states, as I did, that "Despite some easily overcome problems, it was a fun, quick build"...

I have completed the initial painting using the three color camo scheme, which is my first go at this camo and only my second tank build. Will post some final pics once completed...Ken

Finished up Takom's Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf M. Kit Number 8002 as described above.

3rd SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf" on the Kursk Bulge. Belgorod region, USSR. July, 1943.

Despite the issue I had with the kit as described above, it built up to a nice representation of a III M. Late getting this done as I was waiting on the Friulmodel tracks...

Well done, it looks great!

Thanks Colin, appreciate you taking the time to comment. Interaction with fellow modelers is what keeps things going both for sites like this and keeping the modelers motivated to keep modeling!...thanks again...Ken

Only on a modeling site is this OK to say :-) You have some nice dirt and dust there. Very natural looking.

Thanks Nick, I'll take Dirty and Dusty any day! We can combine all that and just say "I go for Grungy"!

So, Dragon VS Takom. Did you feel there was a clear winner or was it a mixed bag?

Hey Greg, thanks for the note. I feel the Dragon kit was the better technical build overall. The main issues that I had with the Takom kit that puts it where I did, were the tracks and the poor fit of the road wheel halves. There were other minor issues as I described above but easily dealt with save for the clearance issue with the turret schurzen.

Once the tracks were upgraded and the wheels dealt with it came around as a very nice build in the end.