Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have to say i agree about the pioneer tools. The metal on them is actually a mix of silver and matt black enamel. It looked a more gun metal shade when wet, but it definitely dried too silver. The stock of the MG34 was my first ever attempt at getting woodgrain by brushing on and then brushing off oil paint. I'm pleased with the result there, but this was the last thing I painted on the kit. I reckon I'd better go back and look at the tools again. I don't want to make them too weathered though, because I want the tank to look like it's getting ready for its first action. See below.
Ken, you're bang on the money about the PE zimm around the hull MG. After I fitted it I sat for a long time and thought about the best way to fill those grooves. I even had a go at masking it up and filling them, but ultimately I bottled out because I was so concerned about affecting the zimmerit finish. It shouldn't be a problem in the future because I don't anticipate using PE zimm again.
Andy, by and large the PE zimm was easy to work with. I had no fit issues at all, and attached it with gererous amounts of gel type superglue. I'm not sure i'd recommend it though: look at the hull MG34 and read Ken's completely accurate feedback about that. Also the finish is very regular and probably too shallow. Furthermore, it's impossible to model chipped zimm if you're using a PE set. I'm about to embark on Dragon's Panther A (Late) - I suspect the same kit you're entering this month. I'm using the Atak set for this, which will be my first time with resin zimm. How did you find your build? - it looks very good and will provide very stiff competition for this KT! I'm only using the resin zimm because of the particular patterns of zimm found on Panthers - I'm not sure I could properly replicate that with putty. For Tigers with a standard horizontal pattern I think I am OK with putty from now on, having tried it on two Tiger I's (the first one ended up in the bin, but
this was the second one .)
Frank & Brad, it will be going into a diorama. It'll be called "A New Ride" and set in summer 1944. I have assembled a crew who will be proudly posing in front of their fantastic new tank while a propaganda corps camera man takes a picture. I'm half way through painting the figs and have the photographer's Kubel to build next. Then shells, fuel barrels, and a tree (almost finished - needs the leaves tinting). I'll give you a heads up when it's done.
Thanks again for the feedback lads,
Sean
