Panzer Kampfwagen IV Ausf.D North Afrika

GaryG64 · May 5, 2023

I've been working on this Panzer build and I'm going to need to encapsulate myself in a mosquito net for all future builds.

I'm being so careful with this part in the grip of my tweezers. Just I am about to reposition it.... ZIP— SWOOOOSSSHH. I could have sworn I heard a sucking sound as I saw the part leave the grasp of the tweezer followed by a low grumbling sinister laughter from within the wall.

My "loosing parts" streak is still going strong! Good thing I have Tamiya on speed dial and saved in my email.
Two contacts are in constant use - my psychiatrist and Tamiya. LOL

Pantherman, notice the clean(ish) look to the bench? lol

Pantherman · May 5, 2023

GEG64 said:
I've been working on this Panzer build and I'm going to need to encapsulate myself in a mosquito net for all future builds.

I'm being so careful with this part in the grip of my tweezers. Just I am about to reposition it.... ZIP— SWOOOOSSSHH. I could have sworn I heard a sucking sound as I saw the part leave the grasp of the tweezer followed by a low grumbling sinister laughter from within the wall.

My "loosing parts" streak is still going strong! Good thing I have Tamiya on speed dial and saved in my email.
Two contacts are in constant use - my psychiatrist and Tamiya. LOL

Pantherman, notice the clean(ish) look to the bench? lol

The carpet monster is an ever hungry beast!!
Liking the build so far and the bench is improving, not quite there yet, but improving.
Pantherman

GaryG64 · May 7, 2023

Well, when Christi and I move, after I retire, then the bench will be cleared. There isn't a reason a 6'x 2½' should be this cluttered. It would be so daunting to tackle this little room to clean it out right, so...

I also have my ducks, Goose, and pheasant mount to relocate in the cleaning process not to mention the hundreds of books (3 large book shelves).
Kind of ready to move to get my new place in order. However, it may never reach the organizational skills of the Pantherman. lol

GaryG64 · May 8, 2023

No Scar, this is not your tank. Out of the tank, Scar. C'mon, out.

GaryG64 · May 9, 2023

I'm not posting as much with this build but, here are a few.

GaryG64 · May 11, 2023

It's mostly assembled other than 2 parts from Tamiya, the bow gun and ball. Weathering to do and some small parts here and there.

Now there is the thought of wanting a half-track to add. If that happens I'll surely need to get Erwin Rommel in the mix. I saw his figure on ebay with some other troops. If I do get the ½ track then I will definitely need to stop.

Somewhere in the Pacific is a fairly large diorama.
As I picture North Afrika in my head, this diorama will not fit on my shelf and will be my largest one yet. Lots of planning to do.

(The armored vehicle, the motorcycle, the tent and Otto with his radio, several petrol barrels and Jerry cans, a Panzer IV, and now a possible ½ track and more figures.)
Whoa! Put the brakes on Trigger!

Pantherman · May 11, 2023

GEG64 said:
It's mostly assembled other than 2 parts from Tamiya, the bow gun and ball. Weathering to do and some small parts here and there.

Now there is the thought of wanting a half-track to add. If that happens I'll surely need to get Erwin Rommel in the mix. I saw his figure on ebay with some other troops. If I do get the ½ track then I will definitely need to stop.

Somewhere in the Pacific is a fairly large diorama.
As I picture North Afrika in my head, this diorama will not fit on my shelf and will be my largest one yet. Lots of planning to do.

(The armored vehicle, the motorcycle, the tent and Otto with his radio, several petrol barrels and Jerry cans, a Panzer IV, and now a possible ½ track and more figures.)
Whoa! Put the brakes on Trigger!

Go big or go home !!!!!!
Pantherman

GaryG64 · May 12, 2023

A little weathering and some decals applied. I'll need to cut around the 813 decals to fit into place... and Scar is at it again.

GaryG64 · May 15, 2023

Im not very good at tracks and it seems my tracks are a bit too rusty for North Africa. I'll have to doctor them where they sit as I glued the idle wheel to the hull and I won't be able to remove the tracks.

Any suggestions on making the tracks better looking?

Of course I still have weathering to do with pigment powders over the tank, maybe the pigment will tone down the bright red color?

Pantherman · May 16, 2023

GEG64 said:
Im not very good at tracks and it seems my tracks are a bit too rusty for North Africa. I'll have to doctor them where they sit as I glued the idle wheel to the hull and I won't be able to remove the tracks.

Any suggestions on making the tracks better looking?

Of course I still have weathering to do with pigment powders over the tank, maybe the pigment will tone down the bright red color?

Maybe a black wash just on the tracks so that some of the red comes through? Sand pigment will cover the bit's your still not happy with?
Pantherman

GaryG64 · May 16, 2023

Pantherman said:
Maybe a black wash just on the tracks so that some of the red comes through? Sand pigment will cover the bit's your still not happy with?
Pantherman

Thanks. I'll give that a go.

GaryG64 · May 16, 2023

The rusty tracks have been fixed (Thanks Pantherman) and pigments are down to give it that dusty desert look.
I'm hoping to keep as much dust on the tank as possible. I'm thinking of a diluted white glue mist to lock it into place then hit it all with a matt varnish to seal it all in.

Pantherman · May 16, 2023

GEG64 said:
The rusty tracks have been fixed (Thanks Pantherman) and pigments are down to give it that dusty desert look.
I'm hoping to keep as much dust on the tank as possible. I'm thinking of a diluted white glue mist to lock it into place then hit it all with a matt varnish to seal it all in.

Looking good. I have tried the PVA mist spray and it didn't go well. Maybe suggest a matt varnish brushed on liberally to bind the dust ?
Pantherman

GaryG64 · May 16, 2023

Pantherman said:
Looking good. I have tried the PVA mist spray and it didn't go well. Maybe suggest a matt varnish brushed on liberally to bind the dust ?
Pantherman

I guess the misting probably would turn to mud... Thanks for the heads up

GaryG64 · May 17, 2023

This is a proposed setting.
I'll start the tank crew later.

And Scar finally has a home <3.

Then, of course, try my hand at making the North Africa diorama.

Edbert · Aug 5, 2024

I know it was an entirely different thread, we were discussing "necro" posting on old threads, that was today, 8/5.

These pictures showed up on my view, thank the algorithm I guess, but I LOVE this, great work Gary!

GaryG64 · Aug 5, 2024

Edbert said:
I know it was an entirely different thread, we were discussing "necro" posting on old threads, that was today, 8/5.

These pictures showed up on my view, thank the algorithm I guess, but I LOVE this, great work Gary!

Thank you!
I think after I finish the colonel's jet I'm going back to German armor. To me, they are more fun to build.
I really enjoy weathering and figures, and this has both.

TimM63 · Aug 5, 2024

GaryG64 said:
This is a proposed setting.
I'll start the tank crew later.

And Scar finally has a home <3.

Then, of course, try my hand at making the North Africa diorama.

How did I miss this? This is great work Gary. Very nice . The figures are amazing.

Edbert · Aug 6, 2024

I intend to try using pigments soon, I've been reading that alcohol is often used as a binding agent. Is that only with certain brands or formulas?

urumomo · Aug 6, 2024

Alcohol would never be a binder .
It would just evaporate .

Panzer Kampfwagen IV Ausf.D North Afrika

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