My next project will be the Panzer IV Ausf D from Tamiya. This is one of the older kits from Tamiya, and the date molded on the lower hull is 1975.
This particular kit has been reviewed countless times, and many have noted that since this kit was first molded, at a time when motorized models were popular, the allowances for motors, batteries, and switches rendered the dimensions of the model to non-scale proportions. Because of this, some modelers pooh-pooh this kit as inaccurate, and not really worth the time and effort, especially considering that there are much more detailed and accurate representations of this particular subject. In addition to that, the details are considered simple, somewhat "soft," or lacking altogether.
However, because of its age, this kit has a number of pluses.
First, it is pretty inexpensive. I got this one at a local hobby shop for $21.xx, out the door. It can be found for about the same online via online dealers, or EBay.
Second, due to the lack of lots of small detail, and a lower parts count (compared to more recent kit releases,) and Tamiya's ability to manufacture kits that fit like they are supposed to, beginners can build this kit into a nice representation of the Panzer IV. The instructions are easy to follow, and the parts, even though they are coming from molds that are quite old, are free from flash and heavy mold lines. This makes clean up and assembly that mush easier.
Third, for a modeller that may be a bit more experienced, but wants to try some new techniques, or perhaps some scratchbuilding, this kit is a great candidate. The low price and general quality of the kit parts would allow a person to try out some new stuff without too much worry of money wasted if things go bad.
As for me, I plan on building this one pretty much out of the box. I want to feature this build on my YouTube channel and focus on newer kit builders. This will also be the first time I have finished a WWII German vehicle in grey. All of my German vehicle builds in the past have been in the usual dark yellow and/or camo schemes.
[ATTACH]112079.IPB[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]112080.IPB[/ATTACH]
This particular kit has been reviewed countless times, and many have noted that since this kit was first molded, at a time when motorized models were popular, the allowances for motors, batteries, and switches rendered the dimensions of the model to non-scale proportions. Because of this, some modelers pooh-pooh this kit as inaccurate, and not really worth the time and effort, especially considering that there are much more detailed and accurate representations of this particular subject. In addition to that, the details are considered simple, somewhat "soft," or lacking altogether.
However, because of its age, this kit has a number of pluses.
First, it is pretty inexpensive. I got this one at a local hobby shop for $21.xx, out the door. It can be found for about the same online via online dealers, or EBay.
Second, due to the lack of lots of small detail, and a lower parts count (compared to more recent kit releases,) and Tamiya's ability to manufacture kits that fit like they are supposed to, beginners can build this kit into a nice representation of the Panzer IV. The instructions are easy to follow, and the parts, even though they are coming from molds that are quite old, are free from flash and heavy mold lines. This makes clean up and assembly that mush easier.
Third, for a modeller that may be a bit more experienced, but wants to try some new techniques, or perhaps some scratchbuilding, this kit is a great candidate. The low price and general quality of the kit parts would allow a person to try out some new stuff without too much worry of money wasted if things go bad.
As for me, I plan on building this one pretty much out of the box. I want to feature this build on my YouTube channel and focus on newer kit builders. This will also be the first time I have finished a WWII German vehicle in grey. All of my German vehicle builds in the past have been in the usual dark yellow and/or camo schemes.
[ATTACH]112079.IPB[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]112080.IPB[/ATTACH]
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