Panzer III J - Completed w/ Revised Jack Block

[afvfan]

For my first entry for the new year I'll start off with a Mk III J built from the old DML Imperial Series kit (9011). The only additions are the PE engine screens and front light wiring. I used Vallejo's dark grey paint set for the base coats. The paint worked well, though I did have to do some color mixing to get the end result to come out right.

This picture shows the first two colors laid down on a coat of Model Master grey enamel primer.


The finished product.














As usual, comments and critical observations are always welcome.

[TRM]

Wow...out of the blue!! Nice job on the III Bob!! The coloring blends decently throughout!! Love the dusting on the lower end, well done!! Tools look great too! Another fine addition for the cabinet my friend!!

[deafpanzer]

WOW! Nice work on the little panzer! Nice color modulation work and I really like the look of those tracks too!

[Leon]

Great finish on the Panzer Bob!Nice work on the modulation and tracks.

[Tojo72]

I like the very subtle dusting and the tracks look really good,Fruil like.

[wbill76]

Nice work on the old Imperial war-horse there Bob! Got to love all the subtleties in that gray finish for sure. Nice!

[afvfan]

T - Yeah... I'm not much for posting WIP pics. I really had to lighten that supposed mid tone (#052) that we had talked about to get the finish to come together. The actual color looks closest to the 2nd finished picture (the others are a bit light). The more I look at the pics though, the more I think I'll go back in and redo that jack block. Just not happy with it.

Andy, Leon, and Anthony - Appreciate the comments, guys. The tracks were done by laying down an initial base coat of Life Colors dark brown track paint (UA905). I then hit them with a very thinned wash of a craft paint labelled "Fawn" (a light tan). A coat of Vallejo's Dark Steel pigment (73.123) was added to the cleats, guide teeth and inner track areas where the roadwheels hit. After polishing that out, I went back and lightly added some Light Earth pigments with fixer. When that dried, I hit them with a light brushed on coat of the Light Earth to give them the dusty look.

Thanks Bill. I just love making these old kits shine. I still can't believe the number of people who complain about them. Got to thank you again for the much needed screens. They make a huge difference.

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While writing this response I remembered two other things I did. One was to cut down the length of the coax MG barrel (it was way too long), and I added a wire antenna (hidden in it's trough)to the supplied mount.

[Tobi]

Excellent weathering effects, really pulling the contrasting panzer grey shades together!

[afvfan]

Thanks Tobi. I've always found doing a single colored vehicle to be more challenging than camo'd ones.

[wbill76]

Glad to have helped out in a small way there Bob! You're right about the older kits, with some TLC they can still look good.

[desertrat]

wow nice and subtle, love the weathering and the tracks, superb!

[afvfan]

Thanks DR!

[TRM]

You did do a fine job overcoming the little bump with this one set where the colors seem to be a little too close to each other making it difficult to shade. Similar to what you did, I have done by just adjusting with a lighter color or skit one or two of the applications giving things more variations!

I have to chuckle too, as I know you welcome and respect criticism on your work as this is the best gauge for checking yourself and I neglected bringing up the block in an effort to focus on the final results which you nailed if you ask me!

The plastic block look is tough to remove sometimes. Sometimes if you lightly scratch the surface, paint with a light tank you can was with something darker and the grain will show nicely. Basswood works well as a replacement. Similar to balsa but more dense. One of the local craft stores would have some in a small pack for a couple bucks...if you don't have any.

Not to drag this on any longer than I need to (yeah, I think you know me by now...LOL) One suggestion would be to remove the straps from the plastic on or make up a wooden block and then use some fine copper wire, like from a lamp cord, and make the block look like it's lashed to the hooks. Might add a little focal point to draw the eye!

Okay...now I will leave you be...LOL!!!

[82s1]

Excellent, excellent, excellent!! Very realistic weathering. The color modulation really works on this model. I particularly like the work you did on the tracks.

[afvfan]

Jan 14, 2015 8:57:05 GMT -5 TRM said:

The plastic block look is tough to remove sometimes. ...

That it is, but I normally can do a better job than that one. I think part of the problem was that I hit the "I just want to get this thing done" point and I rushed it. I'm definitely going to have to try it again. Good suggestions about the wood and wire. I've done that in the past at times, and I may go that route if the next painting attempt fails.


82s1 - Thanks for the comment. Glad you like the effort.

[TRM]

Jan 14, 2015 14:31:49 GMT -5 afvfan said:

Jan 14, 2015 8:57:05 GMT -5 TRM said:

...and I may go that route if the next painting attempt fails.

Or just leave it off!!! LOL!! So the block was lost in transit!! Doubt it would be the first one!!

[afvfan]

Or just leave it off!!! LOL!! So the block was lost in transit!! Doubt it would be the first one!!

Not a bad idea. Unfortunately, I've already sent pics to the guy getting this one, so he knows there's one attached.

[wing_nut]

What a way to kick off your year. Getting a single color scheme t look that good is no small accomplishment. The tracks are just beautiful.


Adding to T's comment, I like to go for the scribing of the kit parts. All the cracks, splits and checking were cut in with a hobby knife. I chiseled off the molded on detail and used some PE on the kit block but the same results can be had without the PE. It's just a little more tedious if your trying to work within the molded on strapping. Paint and washes bring out the details.

[82s1]

Jan 15, 2015 10:48:16 GMT -5 wing_nut said:

What a way to kick off your year. Getting a single color scheme t look that good is no small accomplishment. The tracks are just beautiful.


Adding to T's comment, I like to go for the scribing of the kit parts. All the cracks, splits and checking were cut in with a hobby knife. I chiseled off the molded on detail and used some PE on the kit block but the same results can be had without the PE. It's just a little more tedious if your trying to work within the molded on strapping. Paint and washes bring out the details.

Wing Nut:  Absolutely amazing realism.  This is definitely a serious piece!!!

[afvfan]

What a great jack block, Marc! Thanks for posting the picture. I've already decided to scrape off the bands and redo them in PE from leftover frets that I have hanging around. If I can come up with something that looks half as good as yours, I'll be happy.

[afvfan]

Here's a pic of the revise jack block. It didn't turn out anywhere as great as Marc's, but it's levels above what it used to look like!

[Leon]

Nice work on the revised jack block Bob!

[TRM]

Well done Bob!! Jack looks much better!!

[wing_nut]

Dunno what the heck you're talking about. That looks damn good to me. May not be as worn as mine, but yours looks "real". can'r ask for more than that for a model.

[mrt51]

Wow that looks great!

Terry

[deafpanzer]

For sure your block is far better than the kit supplied block... great work!

[afvfan]

Thanks guys! And with that, I'm calling this one officially done.

[wbill76]

Nice work on jack block V2.0 Bob. Very nice indeed.