Panzer IV Ausf.D Build

[Guest]

3rd hull coat done. It's a bit rough (fine grade sandpaper) but I'm going to have to live with that I think. Putting the decals on might be problematic though...not sure really until I get there.

Do you have decal solution, like Micro Sol? That usually works well if applied liberally (once the decal is in position). On the other hand, these are Tamiya decals so they’ll probably work fine anyway — I don’t think I’ve ever seen silvering with them at all. If the underside of the model is as rough as the upper surfaces, you can always try with a spare decal on the bottom first.

[Guest]

Do you have decal solution, like Micro Sol?...

I do now....think it sounds like a worthwhile investment looking at the reviews. Thanks for the advice :smiling:

[Guest]

Beware that Micro Sol weakens the decal while it’s wet, so try not to move it if at all possible after applying it. If you’re putting a decal over things like ridges, recessed lines, grilles, etc., put it in place, press it down with a soft cloth, and apply Micro Sol. Leave that to sit for a few minutes so the decal gets soft, and while it’s still wet, press down again over the detail, and apply some more Micro Sol. Repeat as necessary. But be careful you don’t tear it

There’s also Micro Set, which goes under the decal to help it adhere, but to be honest I’ve never found it to actually do much — if a decal doesn’t stick, highly thinned white glue sticks it down very well too.

[Guest]

thank you

[Guest]

Exhaust(s) done. I'm pretty happy with the result...although not sure if it needs to be a little 'greyer'...

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[Steve Jones]

I would be happy with that George:thumb2: The newer the Panzer the greyer the exhaust would have been but as you are going for a used rather than a factory look then I would say its spot on sir.

[Guest]

Thanks Steve. One thing I'm a bit unsure about is what colour to do the jerry cans. I'm guessing they'd have been a copper/brass base colour sprayed over with grey?

[Steve Jones]

That would have been the standard issue. However during the course of the war desperation for fuel cans would have meant the Germans using all types of jerry cans from different areas of the war ie North Africa and also using allied ones acquired during battle. So if you want to break up the monotony of grey you can do with other colours. Also you may want to consider using some of the jerry cans as water cans. The Germans would mark these with a white cross to make sure they were used for water only.

[Guest]

Jerry cans done (thanks for the advice Steve) & the bucket...I'm very pleased with both! I'm going to use the strand of electrical cable wire to hang it from the little fuel cap underneath the exhaust...if I can get to it!

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I'm hoping that I've pretty much done with the spraying....at least the grey colour. This brings an overwhelming sense of relief! :tears-of-joy:
I'm not happy with the finish as it's too rough, however this will have to do. The plan is for the tank to appear wet, so a coat or two of something a little shinier may help this become less evident.
On doing a bit of final spraying in a few areas I've come to the realisation that I may have had the spray mix too concentrated, as this time I did roughly a 60/40 mix (paint/thinner). I had a jar of German Grey with a small amount left in it & pretty much guessed the mix this time round. The finish seemed smoother....ish.

Figures next. Tricky finding a reasonably life-like pasty complexion flesh colour...I might have to mix something up instead!

[Guest]

jerry cans. I'm guessing they'd have been a copper/brass base colour sprayed over with grey?

German jerrycans were made from steel, not brass, with a coat of paint on the inside as well as on the outside.

[Guest]

I've begun on two of the figures. Are these colours correct?
I'm using Vallejo Panzer Aces #333 'German Tank Crew' for the commander (right) & #334 'German Tank Crew I' for the turret chap (I'm not sure if he's a gunner).
Looking at some photos I'm a bit confused, but have assumed that the commander would have worn a darker uniform to his underlings. The Tamiya instructions state dark green for all the figures, which I reckon is perhaps a little vague...
I may not use these if they don't turn out looking half decent, so my question is forward looking as well :smirk:

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[Guest]

All the crewmen should be wearing black uniforms: tank crew field uniforms in the German army were this colour because it wouldn’t show stains from oil etc. as well.

These same uniforms in field grey (like your sitting figure) were worn by assault gun crews, who were from the Artillery branch — they would not be worn by Armour crews (certainly not at this point in the war — by late 1944, anything goes, pretty much ).

[Guest]

Excellent...thanks

[langy71]

George,
these are the crew i did for my 'Tiger Dio' a few years back, if memory serves they were done with German Grey, washes and a bit of drybrushing with a lighter grey to make the fabric edges pop.
The Commander was also given a 'Pea Dot cam' Jacket... HTH :thumb2:
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[Guest]

Just don’t paint a camouflage uniform for the crew of this Panzer IV — far too early for that Here’s a good photo of the real thing: