Pz IV G - LAH Kharkov

 Thought I would get some paint on this one

Period photos show that LAH - G's at Kharkov were in the 2nd tropical scheme under the whitewash

Done in Gaia lacquers RAL 8020/7027

Pz IV F2 -24 Panzer Division

 Here's one from the archives' 

This is the build I posted 3 years ago😮 but at the time I couldn't decide on a subject.

I recently bought Jason Marks book "Death of the Leaping Horseman" and in it are a couple of pictures of the Division's F2's. 

So, this is what I've finally decided on, # 433 as in this picture from the book.

Panzer 1A

This is Dragon's Pz 1 A, Half started, it's been sitting in the drawer of doom for many years, so time to hopefully get it done.

My corrections so far as follows

Redid the welds on the hull, the turret welds will probably look ok under paint

Dragon's jack is not quite the correct shape so that was redone along with all the tool stowage. I've used ET models tool clamps here, these are the best 3D tool clamps I've come across

Dragon missed the crowbar under the antenna trough so that was added

Redid the engine deck armor, I folded the small angle iron supports from 0.14 strip and added the horizontal bars from 0.75x0.25 strip

The orange lifting hooks are from Heavy Hobby

The front and rear towing hooks and the horn are from the BSK set

The jack block is a Lithokraft item with corrected mounting bracket and hook

The rear hatch should be inset rather than proud as in the kit 

Reworked the antenna trough as the kit one is incorrect 

The tracks are T-rex

The only major thing left is to construct the rear mounted smoke launcher

Panzer III progress, weathering

Some progress on the Pz III J

The effect I was after is a heavy layer of dust and some dry caked mud around the lower hull

The dust was done with Revell enamel #89

The lower hull was done with Ammo's enamel products, Dry light soil and Dry steppe along with Gunze Mr weathering colors, shade brown and Grayish brown

Pz III J - 24 Panzer Division

 I started on a few Panzer III builds recently and this first one is from 24 Pz Div based on this picture.

I've used the following aftermarket :

Aber- screens, exhaust deflector, mg barrels

Masterclub tracks

Elefant tow cable clamps

Griffon PE clasps

My own detailing on the jack block, horn mounting, and the stowage boxes from styrene sheet

Pretty much ready for painting, as usual I'll paint the tools separately

 

Tools

 I thought I would do a post on some of my most used tools.

Having a trade background, I have to say I'm definitely a tool nut and have spent a small fortune on tools over the years. 

So, if you're a tool nut as well, hopefully this may be interesting.

The cutters and pliers I use are mostly Tsunoda brand

I rarely use files so these are my go to sanding tools. The jig is made by Wave from Japan, it's small and handy for squaring up small parts and plastic rod etc. The others are home made with the sandpaper stuck on with double sided tape or superglue so it's easy replaced when it's worn and you can make a specific size to fit tight spaces

I probably have too many drills 

For a lot of the drilling I do I use these round burrs. Especially for enlarging holes and drilling out exhaust's where you can get a feather edge without damaging the plastic

I especially like these sets, they go from 0.1mm up to 3.0 in 0.1 steps, they also come in 0.05 mm steps as well.

I've recently bought some bulk packs in the smaller sizes because I've broken a few of the smaller ones

For sawing I like this Japanese pull saw, I have some Xacto razor saws but this has a 0.15mm blade so a very fine kerf

 
These etched blades are only 0.1mm but not sure of the brand

For tweezers I go for swiss made, and the self locking ones are from Minishema Japan.

I thought I would try these chinese made stone tweezers, but unfortunately they're not comparable to the swiss made ones, too much pressure on the part and they flex and twist. Ok they're cheap