Dragon Pz. IV Ausf. G Kharkhov (18.05.13):

[wbill76]

Nice job on the paint and markings Ben! Great score on the ponies as well.

[hasenpfeffer]

Hey Ben, In the book "Platz der Leibstandarte" (all about the early '43 battle for Kharkov) most of the Pz IV pics show the use of the open horn tracks. I couldn't find a pic with the solid horns. So I'd go for ATL-03 if I were you. 40 cm/open horn. Of course there was plenty of evidence of Winter Ketten being used as well. ATL-19. Up to you and the look you're going for.

[Hinksy]

Apr 21, 2013 21:21:03 GMT -5 hasenpfeffer said:

Hey Ben, In the book "Platz der Leibstandarte" (all about the early '43 battle for Kharkov) most of the Pz IV pics show the use of the open horn tracks. I couldn't find a pic with the solid horns. So I'd go for ATL-03 if I were you. 40 cm/open horn. Of course there was plenty of evidence of Winter Ketten being used as well. ATL-19. Up to you and the look you're going for.

Cheers Hasenpfeffer,

I actually ordered some ATL-04's last night as after looking on their use on other G models it seems to be the way to go.

Now I've just read your post and am thinking "Dammit - Winterkettens"! I have just Emailed Steve at Armour Models who I use for my Friuls, RB barrels and other bits asking for him to change the type of Friuls ordered.

Bill - glad you like the finish so far. The decals always make such a difference when applied and set the model off a treat. Did you find putting the faces on the skull decals a total PITA too?


Thanks lads,

Ben

[hasenpfeffer]

Ahhh geez, you were right about the ATL-04. That pic of the Hummel really threw me I guess... (Be careful what you type late at night!)

Good luck with getting the winter ketten.

[Hinksy]

Apr 22, 2013 7:36:16 GMT -5 hasenpfeffer said:

Ahhh geez, you were right about the ATL-04. That pic of the Hummel really threw me I guess... (Be careful what you type late at night!)

Good luck with getting the winter ketten.

No worries,

Here's the site I use for my Friuls:

www.armour-models.co.uk/products/manufacturers/friulmodel-tracks/index.html

It seems that the 03 and 04 both have open horns and are both 40cm. I think it just boils down to the year of use when choosing them. The site says:

ATL-02 are 36cm, open horned and were in use 1938-41

ATL-03 are 40cm, open horned and were in use 1940-41

ATL-04 are 40cm, open horned and were in use 1941-44

ATL-05 are 40cm, openclose horned and were in use 1942-45

ATL-19 being the Winterketten for III's and IV's. It seems I managed to get an Email to him just in time as he said on his reply that he was about to start processing my order for the 04's! I think I got the last pack too as they are showing as out-of-stock now!

I've used the Winterkettens once before on a Pz.III and they really did the job - finished it off perfectly! I've ordered some Black Track solution too.

Cheers buddy,

Ben

[wbill76]

Ben,

The skulls required a little bit of extra care but I found that by applying the white base first and then adding the black over it along with some setting solution did the trick nicely. Given how fine the black lines are, I think it worked out vs. having them printed as a single decal with thicker lines IMHO. But then I've had practice with DML's 251 halftrack number-jungle license plates too!

[Hinksy]

Apr 22, 2013 19:58:09 GMT -5 wbill76 said:

Ben,

The skulls required a little bit of extra care but I found that by applying the white base first and then adding the black over it along with some setting solution did the trick nicely. Given how fine the black lines are, I think it worked out vs. having them printed as a single decal with thicker lines IMHO. But then I've had practice with DML's 251 halftrack number-jungle license plates too!

That's exactly what I did Bill - I let the white skulls set then went back to them with water and M/Sol - the main bit with the facial features was okay but that toothy mouth bit was a total PITA to get straight!

Ben

[Hinksy]

Hi lads,

Just to let you know - I'm still here but haven't had a chance to even look a model This week has been a KILLER at work! We are so busy!

Shouldn't moan mind you!

I have the weekend off though and my Winterkettens and 'Black Track' Solution have arrived so now - it's Friul time!

Ben

[Leon]

Slow and easy mate.Waiting patiently.

[Hinksy]

Apr 25, 2013 18:25:40 GMT -5 Leon said:

Slow and easy mate.Waiting patiently.

Cheers Leon - she's coming on sweeeet!

I'm going to blast through my new W/ketten this weekend and get the wheels on. I'm not deliberately postponing the w/wash application I simply want her all ready to go before I make the final BIG step into virgin w/wash territory!

QUESTION TIME:

It just so happens that I had to do a re-stocking of my weathering products and when I was putting all my new stuff away including my new Filters a thought came to me: (I bought some Mig Warm Grey for Panzer Grey - it looks very nice):

Guys - if this was your build would you be weathering/chipping the basecoat grey at all PRIOR to the w/washing? My build didn't leave the factory with a w/wash! It's the one on the paint options that's an early 1943 Panzer Grey before the change to DY. I'm simply taking the liberty of adding the w/wash over the grey as I'm sure it might well have seen a w/wash at some time.

At present, following the decals, it has all been sealed in using Vallejo SATIN varnish. I decided against my usual gloss varnish as my previous tests using the HS method on w/washes have seen the white slide off the super smooth glossy surface in big pieces. I'm planning something far mor subtler.

Do you think a filter prior to the w/wash application would be a problem? Perhaps a filter over the w/wash alone would be enough? It would definately tone it all down?

Many thanks,

Ben

[wbill76]

I wouldn't bother with chipping or weathering the base coat under the WW unless you plan to have large sections of the Pz Gray exposed Ben and/or have the WW be heavily worn down. Otherwise you're just expending effort on areas that are going to be covered by the WW and you'll have to do it all over again when you weather the WW portion. Definitely should filter/weather after you get the WW on as it will be quite stark if you don't.

[Hinksy]

Cheers Bill,

Seems the way to go matey - I seem to have the perfect surface for the w/wash to drop onto (Satin) and as mentioned previously I'm going to go the way of AK Worn Effects airbrushed on followed by a couple of misting coats of white - I can adjust as required. I'll onlt be showing worn areas around hatches etc and other areas of heavy use where the crew would be clambering about etc.

Anyway, the spare track run is mounted on the Glacis plate now (painted with a flat black and Dark Rust mix 50/50 mix and several coats of Mig rust wash and Track Wash allowed to build up prior to fitting), the road wheels are on and the Muffler has been painted with some Vallejo Model Colour 'Dark Rust'.

I'm getting started on a few Friuls now, I'll be finishing them tomorrow and the w/wash goes on next weekend! Sorted!

I'm not using AK's Friul Blackening Solution this time - my buddy Steve who runs Armour Models here in the UK and is who I use for my Friuls and AM upgrades/barrels etc. has started stocking 'Black Tracks'. It's the same price as AK's stuff, inside the box (see photo) are 3 bottles of different solutions that have to be used in turn and the effect is very similar to AK's stuff but a little different - I like to mix things up a bit!

A few photos for good measure:

Friuls, Black Tracks and plenty of 0.5mm Brass Rod - perfect to replace that awful thin Friul wire!















Thanks for looking guys,

Hopefully I'll have at least one completed run of Friuls by tomorrow. I'll have to complete the rest during the week if I run out of time - I hope you like her so far lads

I'm NOT working from home next weekend AND we all have next Monday off for May Day Bank Holiday so I'll be hoping to get stuck right into that w/wash.

Ben

[Leon]

Like her,Damn Ben i love it. :)I don't want to marry it like Andy.

[Hinksy]

Apr 27, 2013 14:49:23 GMT -5 Leon said:

Like her,Damn Ben i love it. :)I don't want to marry it like Andy.

Cheers Leon!

[dupes]

Looking real good! Going to look even better with those winterketten, too.

What are "Black Traks"?

[bbd468]

Shes comin along awesome Ben! Yeah, those winterketten tracks are gonna look sweet on the Pz.IV!

Gary

[deafpanzer]

Starting to look like a beauty! Love 'em Winterketten Friuls!!!

[Hinksy]

Cheers for the great comments fellas!

Apr 27, 2013 17:53:52 GMT -5 dupes said:

Looking real good! Going to look even better with those winterketten, too.

What are "Black Traks"?

Dupes - Balck Tracks was what I used before AK's own stuff came out - it costs exactly the same and it's nigh on impossible to tell the difference between Friuls treated with Black Track and Friuls treated with AK's Blemishing Soltion. As there are three bottles (degreaser, blackening stuff and reactive agent) it takes a bit of thought and extra care to do but the effect is very good. Definately an excellent product - it may even have the edge on AK's stuff in the colour it gives the Friuls? The best thing is that in some cases it can be used more than once - depending on what Friuls you are blackening.

You need three containers, each marked 1, 2 and 3 and after cleaning the tracks you go immerse them into container 1 for 'x' amount of minutes, then straight into container 2 for 'x' amount then container 3. In container 3 the magic happens and you get the amazing reaction take place - the stuff in bottle three is the reactive agent that activates the stuff in bottle two.

Now, the instructions say it will treat 3 sets of Friuls BUT not in my experience Imo the set will more than don job on a set of Tiger or Panther tracks but hasn't got enough 'oomph' left in it to treat another set of tracks. I reckon it would easily do three sets of Panzer I tracks or two sets of Panzer II or III tracks. Anything bigger it really loses it's power and turns them a tinge of brown but that is all. The idea is you can pour the contents of each container back into the bottle for use on your next Friuls. I'll be disposing of it after I've done my Friuls as being Winterketten there is a lot of surface area to treat.

Here's a handy link and a photo of links treated with Black Tracks:

www.modelarmour.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=1197:ti-hobbies-blacktracks&Itemid=60



Cheers guys,

Ben

[dupes]

Oh oh ohhhhhh...that's a box of chemicals. Couldn't tell from the packaging! It's got to be similar to this:

www.micromark.com/blacken-it-4-fl-oz,7267.html

I'm actually working on my own home-made formulation to see if it's possible to whip it up in MUCH larger batches for a lot less money (I think it is). Will share if I can get it to work.

[Hinksy]

Apr 28, 2013 9:39:19 GMT -5 dupes said:

Oh oh ohhhhhh...that's a box of chemicals. Couldn't tell from the packaging! It's got to be similar to this:

www.micromark.com/blacken-it-4-fl-oz,7267.html

I'm actually working on my own home-made formulation to see if it's possible to whip it up in MUCH larger batches for a lot less money (I think it is). Will share if I can get it to work.

Yep, three bottles!

I don't think that Blacken-It is available 'off the shelf' in the UK? I can't find it anywhere?

I'm assuming it's all the same sort of thing. I don't think I'll be turning out any more than 5 models this year so I'll be using Friuls on them all - painted Friuls don't look anywhere near as good as blackened Friuls imo!

Cheers Dupes,

Ben

[dupes]

100% agree about blackened vs painted friuls (at least the ones that are supposed to be metal, and not rubber!).

[ironhand6]

Wow! ive been watching for a while now and I have to say im very impressed. You sir have some modeling skills, and I love the winterkettin

[Hinksy]

Apr 30, 2013 10:30:19 GMT -5 ironhand6 said:

Wow! ive been watching for a while now and I have to say im very impressed. You sir have some modeling skills, and I love the winterkettin

....and you Sir are too kind!

Nothing looks better than Winterketten Friuls! It's a shame that they are so tedious and boring to assemble but the end result is more than worth the hassle.

I've high hopes for this one - really looking forward to have a crack at a whitewash!

Thanks Ironhand!

Ben

[Leon]

Can't wait to see her with shoes on and whitewashed Ben.keep up the fine work.

[Hinksy]

Apr 30, 2013 17:58:42 GMT -5 Leon said:

Can't wait to see her with shoes on and whitewashed Ben.keep up the fine work.

Thankyou!

I'm taking my time with this one now. The basecoat is looking sweet and the decals are on. The Winterketten, like any Friuls, take time to assemble and during the week time is at a premium. What I've been doing is assembling short 20 link runs every night when I go to bed. I work 2pm-10pm so by the time I get to bed it's nigh on midnight - I've nearly completed one full run and will complete the other by the end of play on Saturday.

I'm going to paint the tools up too so when I start getting the whitewash on this weekend I'll have the tools and blackened tracks ready to drop straight on. I know the crew would have probably whitewashed the tools too but I'm going to make it look like they removed the tools prior to the whitewash. I'll leave the Jack in place when the w/wash goes on but everything else will be fitted afterwards.

As it happens we have a May Day bank holiday next Monday so this weekend is a three day weekend! Plenty of time to get some good work done.

These Winterketten Friuls are excellent.

Ben

[ironhand6]

Hinksy I cant wait too see her done up in the white

[Hinksy]

May 2, 2013 9:47:45 GMT -5 ironhand6 said:

Hinksy I cant wait too see her done up in the white

Cheers buddy - this weekend! Fingers crossed!

Oooh, I was looking at the on-line site that I use for my weathering products www.creativemodels.net/

I have never looked at the kits they stock before and was pleased to see that they actually stock sell a good number of kits with a 20% discount. Now, being a BIG Pz.III fan I've always liked the look of Dragon's Pz.III Ausf.M with Wading Muffler (kit # 6558).

I ordered it yesterday along with an Aber barrel all for £30 (posted)

Have any of you built this kit - I'm going to build it after this IV is done.



modelarmour.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2033:dragon-pzkpfwiii-ausfm-wwading-muffler&catid=37:kits&Itemid=60

I'd love to hear hear from anyone who has built this kit or has links to blogs?

Many thanks lads,

Ben

[deafpanzer]

Always wanted to get this kit. I think Bill might has... I am trying to remember who build it in my Pz III GB. LOL Need to go back there to refresh my senile mind.

[ironhand6]

 
now that's interesting. I too would like to hear first hand accounts of this kit. if nothing else, please do a WIP so we can get a little
more info on a cool tank!

[Hinksy]

May 3, 2013 23:55:50 GMT -5 ironhand6 said:

 
now that's interesting. I too would like to hear first hand accounts of this kit. if nothing else, please do a WIP so we can get a little
more info on a cool tank!

No worries Ironhand,

It arrived yesterday and the Aber barrel this morning - it looks like it's going to be a lovely kit to work with.

Update on the Pz.IV:

I've been badly delayed by several annoying things today - namely an electricial coming round meaning no electrics for two hours meaning no internet and no shower as I'd just got back from the gym. I decided to rattle off a few more Friuls but then realised I'd lost my Nokia with the excellent camera built into it with the auto focus function that I use for all my blog updates. I've searched EVERYWHERE and can't find it It'll turn up. Dad has the same phone so I'll have to use that until it turns up. It's not my 'main' phone but my main phone has a poor camera. I dug out my Digitial Camera but you'll see that the images are nowhere near the usual quality and look pretty blurred BUT it does do the job!

So, in the hope that I'll be getting the whitewash on tomorrow I've given the tank a good coat of Vallejo Matt Varnish. I don't want the w/wash coming off in clumps so I reckon a matte surface is definately the way to go!

Friuls for the left side are now on and look great! I'm nearly there with the second run which I'll finish in the morning. I've added some simple wire detail to the Bosch headlight bases which adds a little extra.

Photos (do you think the Friul run looks okay across the rollers or does it need a bit more sag?):













Box art for my new Pz.III Ausf.M kit with wading Muffler and Aber Barrel:



Thanks for looking lads,

Update tomorrow - it's whitewash time!

Take care

Ben