A Tale of Two...Panzers

(Littlebro) I recently got two 1/56 scale Pzkw IV kits from a friend. One was a resin kit of a Pzkw IV D and the second was a Warlord Pzkw IV F/G/H.

As my ETO armies for Bolt Action are ~ late war, and I already had one -H model, I thought why not just make them from the same zug? My brother was about to finish HMS Dreadnought and would be looking for his next build, maybe we could each do one?

...............

I thought I'd tackle the resin kit as it would take some modifying to turn a D into an H, whereas the other kit would be straightforward. 

First I'd have to square off the hull and relocate the hatch and other details. A fresh exacto blade removed the Hull MG detail and the bullet splash rails around the hatch. Set aside for later! The hull was built up with sheet styrene, and blended in with Squadron Putty.

Some sanding and touch upstairs after overnight curing and I could relocate the opening for the crew hatch.

Some exacto work, cut and fill was required. Fortunately the hatches are cast separately in white metal.

To upgrade to an H model also meant changing to the entirely different 7.5cm KwK 40 L/48 gun. The mantlet would be usable (also in white metal) but the gun would need replacing and the front of the mantlet reshaped. 

(new barrel from the parts box!)

The end of the short gun was removed, the stub drilled out, the new barrel end tapered, and the two joined with ACC.

Squadron Putty was again used to build up the mantlet to closer-to-prototype dimensions. 

Go heavy, trim when firm, sand when dry. A few applications were required due to shrinkage.

The end result is satisfactory. Shown here with the relocated MG port and hatch.

Yes, I know the MG should have a hemispheric mount, and my crew hatches were backward. The first was a conscious decision,  the second only noticed after the ACC had set. Que Sera.....

A coat of Army Painter primer and it's not looking bad.

But we're going to need schurzen...

Fortunately for me, my brother had a set of side skirts in his spares box.

These were quickly added and were not a bad fit considering they weren't designed for this kit. Only modest clamping to get them aligned and secured.

The bigger challenge was the turret schurzen. This was all scratch using my existing Warlord pzkw iv as a pattern.

Down to the drafting table where a paper pattern is made, transferring measurements with a dividers.

The paper patter was transferred to sheet styrene, cut and bent.

Each of the turret braces were similarly measured and cut from thicker styrene. 

Despite my best efforts, about half took some trimming as they were installed. Additionally,  the turret schurzen was too long, so I cut a section out of the middle and installed it in two halves.

Not perfect, but it'll do. Some hinges on the "doors" and some primer...

OK. Time for camo. Generally using the same colors and pattern as the lead #121.

Close.

Now for some panel lines / shadows.

And decals.

Now for some flat spray and an overnight dry time.

My weathering materials

First, dots of the oils applied then brushed aggressively with a clean brush and thinner to get some grime and streaking.

Then we mix the light pigment and some thinner and splash liberally,  heavy on the wheels/tracks are, less as we move up. This is dried grime. 

Repeat with the dark pigment,  more sparingly; this is the wet mud.

Here are 121 and the "new" 122 after some time in the field. For 123, here's Willi...

-----------------------End Part One-----------------

Well, my brother performed his usual excellent DIY on the resin Pz IV!  He gave me the easy job of building the Warlord kit. One I was already familiar with.  Bob now has the first two of in our ZUG, and I was tasked with creating No. 3

This is how I operate.  My "tool box" is somewhat limited to not only what I have but what I am comfortable with.  I am a hand painter that is primarily an enamel user (as long as I can get it).  Many times I am mixing custom colors as I need them.  This build being no exception.  Since the kit is a straight forward assembly I am only tasked with making this Pz IV-H look like it is part of gang!

A Testors Man, but note the relatively new tool addition - The Gundam Marker!  A very fine point for use in panel lines and depressions!

First I mixed up a color to try and match Bob's base.  Two coats was sufficient and I did most of the painting on the sprue.

Even the treads were painted on the sprue (another custom mix) before detaching and attaching to the wheels.  Then assembly began and was straight forward.

As I add pieces to the hull I try and mark out panel lines etc. as I go, either with a wash and dry brushing plus the Gundam marker.

My single DIY was to drill out the antenna lug and insert 0.50mm brass rod instead of using the kit plastic, which would inevitably get broken off😁

With the panel line marking and other details the camo can begin.

The Testors Green is too dark, so I had to mix in a bit of white and gray to get close to Bob's color.

After correcting the green I add the red which is a color I had already in my stash mixed for Hull Red!  I tried my best to copy the established zug pattern by Bob.  

Decals are next and I am 123.  The 3 lies over the schurzen hinges so some extra MicroSol is required for melt down and proper adhesion.

Same goes for the "1" on the starboard side, but the real purpose here is to show that I made the decision for open hatch and commander.  The dark gray and flesh had to be mixed!

Now for grime time.  Brother Bob's tool box is fuller that mine, but my faithful Tamiya Weathering Master provided me the means to "splatter" my tank.  A little water and mixing in the different colors (Snow, Soot, Rust) on a wide brush which I flicked with my finger sent out a sufficient amount of mud and grit.

I think the result is pretty good and blends in with Bob's two Panzers.

Time for a little head to head with some Sherman's???

‐-----------------------End Part Two----------------