1/16 Panzer IV

I started this project a little while ago. Full interior with over 2000 parts. So far looks to be another quality kit from Trumpeter, it even comes with an aluminum barrel.
I got some of the sub assemblies put together and some painting done as well.........
Feels good to get another project underway.

The rear bulkhead of the lower hull was pretty sparse for a kit that includes a " full interior ". I filled the space with an extra fire extinguisher and some ammo pouches for the MG34s.
Now onto the engine compartment.....I think I'm gonna be here for awhile.

The parts that you already painted (the exterior surrounding the fire extinguisher), how did you get that 'rustic' look? I'm asking because it looks cool and vintage.

I started with the base coat, off white, then a wash of the darker color, panzer grey. I made some paint chips with a small brush and a scrap of sponge. Used Tamiya black panel liner to outline and make streaks. Usually I over do it and have to go back with the white, then maybe more grey again. It's a process of going back and forth to your satisfied.

Thank you for your answer. Much knowledge in that.

I particularly like the color variants in the ammo bags!

Thanks, I got that from the book "Super King". Great reference book

I got some weathering done on the main engine, think I'll stop messing with it and move on to the other one.

Finished the engine compartment sooner than I thought I would......

Looks amazing!

The smaller unit there with the geared flywheel, is that a generator or what is it?

Also was going to say I was watching YouTube the other day and saw a vide that immediately made me think of you and your super-scale projects. This one here...

That's a pretty cool video.....lots of inspiration there.
The instructions don't say what the smaller unit is for, my guess would to rotate the turret.
That's another reason why I like the book "Super King" so much, the author explains what almost every part in the King Tiger is. If Trumpeter got it wrong he showed how to fix it, or he showed how he scratch built anything not included in the kit. He spent three years building that kit.

I finished the interior of the lower hull. Pretty much built straight from the box. Only exceptions are, I left the covers of the ammo boxes off, added a couple more MG ammo pouches. Also added some wiring and some decals I had left over from other kits.

kevin said:

I finished the interior of the lower hull. Pretty much built straight from the box. Only exceptions are, I left the covers of the ammo boxes off, added a couple more MG ammo pouches. Also added some wiring and some decals I had left over from other kits.View attachment 125104View attachment 125105View attachment 125106

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That is absolutely superb work, I almost climbed in and drove off. Pantherman

Pantherman said:

That is absolutely superb work, I almost climbed in and drove off. Pantherman

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I agree. Fantastic looking

Simply, WOW!!!!

I agree that is so alive, great skill and awesome outcome. Wow back in those days no luxory at all, not even a cup holder. I bet sitting next to that tranny was like sitting next to a fireplace. Respect for those that endured.

durangod said:

Wow back in those days no luxory at all, not even a cup holder. I bet sitting next to that tranny was like sitting next to a fireplace

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I don't recall where I heard it or read it from, but the Russians were the least concerned with crew comfort on their WWII tanks. Whether true or not, I don't find it hard to believe.

kevin said:

I don't recall where I heard it or read it from, but the Russians were the least concerned with crew comfort on their WWII tanks. Whether true or not, I don't find it hard to believe.

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I've read much the same, they also have, to this day, a dislike for large crews. Both large in number (T-34 and the super-heavy JS-1 had 3 crewmen) but also large as in physical stature.

Max height for a Russian tank crew is officially 5ft 9in, although many say 5ft 6in is a practical limit. Explains why the T55/60/72/80/90 are so short compared to Leopard/Challenger/Abrams.

They did experiment with 4-man crews in the early part of the cold-war, but have used autoloaders and 3-man crews since the T-72.

At no point since the 1918 revolution was crew comfort a thing for the designers. But modern analytics are proving that a comfortable crew performs better. Air conditioning in addition to filtering and circulation alone is huge, the Brits even have tea pots inside theirs!

I guess if they were fighting in frozen land, the heat may have been a blessing. You get much colder faster just sitting.