1-35 Tamiya Panzer IV Ausf. D

[spock1701]

Hi guys, and welcome to another build.

My Neo airbrush broke yesterday, so I am for the moment unable to continue work on my British Universal Carrier build. As I had finished my BMW R75, I thought it was time to dig into the stash!

This time I will be tackling the relatively unremarkable but very reasonably priced Tamiya Panzer IV D. In researching this kit I found several intensive builds that made heavy compensation for the kit's lack of detail and accuracy failings, such as missing bolt heads and incorrect tracks.

I decided to get the tool kit Tamiya makes for added detail:



Now, as an admittedly novice modeler (as I am sure those of you who follow my builds know) and a penniless teenager, I am unable to correct these things. So I apologize to those of you who may feel their rage building as they see how Tamiya has cocked up this tank.

If any of you feel that you can suffer this injustice no longer, please feel free to donate any Dragon kits you have lying around to me so that you don't have to see me build bad kits anymore. The "Rid Quentin of the Tamiya Menace" charity would love to take your generous donations.

And without further adue:



This is a pretty vanilla kit, no extra bits to speak of.



I started the rear plate, which is the first step in all Tamiya kits:



Assembled the sprockets:



And filled the ever-present hull holes, sanding to come:

[arilo76]

looking forward to see it done.

[SteveAFV]

I have this same kit to build next. Also take a look at the Hobby Boss pz IV ausf d. I have that too and it isn't that much more expensive than the Tamiya. It's a rebrand of the Tristar molds and was considered a big step up in detail and quality when it came out. I didn't feel ready for it right away so it's the Tamiya first.

I think I've read the same build reports you mentioned and I did splash out on some photo etch and a metal barrel from Poland. It will be my first time with PE and I'd rather wreck it on an inexpensive kit. I think I may stick with the tracks even though I think I'll make a mess of them!

I look forward to watching your build. I may start mine soon too.

[Augustus]

Hey mate,
Although lots of lovely tiny detail and absolute accuracy is nice it's not necessary to make a nice model. A decent eyecatching paint job (I see your Neo is broken, mine too) and weathering can do wonders.

I'm a novice like you and I've got a couple of Tamiya kits under my belt. I don't care if their not incredibly detailed or 100% accurate, I had fun building them and was pleased with the way they came out.

I like the look of this tank and will be following with interest.

[SteveAFV]

I'm a novice like you and I've got a couple of Tamiya kits under my belt. I don't care if their not incredibly detailed or 100% accurate, I had fun building them and was pleased with the way they came out.

Fun is the important factor

[DownUnderDan]

I'm a novice like you and I've got a couple of Tamiya kits under my belt. I don't care if their not incredibly detailed or 100% accurate, I had fun building them and was pleased with the way they came out.

Fun is the important factor

I couldn't agree more SteveAFV. I enjoy researching my topic of choice to model, but just as much for the history then any rivet counting. To me if you are going to stress over some inaccuracy in the kit, you have kind of missed the point of why all of us got into this hobby in the first place. To have fun.

The other simple truth is if you know the prototype well enough there are very few, if in truth any built models that are really that accurate. If its not the kit, its usually the finish which is often simplified or over weathered. So just have fun.

Dan

[mincemeat]

I just got two of these babies! I'm looking forward to seeing how you build this up.

[SteveAFV]

I just got two of these babies! I'm looking forward to seeing how you build this up.

Seems the old kit is popular! We should have done a buddy build!

[chalkyw]

Nice kit, remember this one from when I was a kid......I'll be another one watching

[mincemeat]

I just got two of these babies! I'm looking forward to seeing how you build this up.

Seems the old kit is popular! We should have done a buddy build!

I'm all for it and we can do that, but I don't know when I'll get to it and it takes me several months to finish a kit. I'm a terrible buddy.

[SteveAFV]

I'm all for it and we can do that, but I don't know when I'll get to it and it takes me several months to finish a kit. I'm a terrible buddy.

Oh I'm slow on glacial levels. Then I suddenly rush it and usually bodge something.

I am doing the Tamiya and the pz kfw IV GB/SIG starting soon too. I had plans to build the Tamiya IV ausf D as a preliminary to those but seems time has caught up with me.

But I'm hijacking this thread and I wanna know how the OP is going on his ausf d.

[spock1701]

Well thank you, guys, for showing so much interest. This will be a rather long update, as it's been several days since I was able to access the internet.

The upper hull is mostly finished, along with the turret. I found that some of the tools in the on-vehicle equipment set either were less detailed than the kit ones or didn't fit the model. I filled some holes to accommodate some of them. The coaxial machine gun I especially like.

The little areas you see that have paint on them are where I used filler and wanted to see what it looked like painted. The final color of the model will be dunkelgrau, I just used dark yellow for this because I have copious amounts of it.



Last minute I decided to do the late version with the extra armor plating.













Really the only step left before I can start priming is assembling the wheels, which I am NOT looking forward to. I started and managed to finish about 4 or 5 of them. Only 11 left to go.

[SteveAFV]

Sweet.

If you are going with the extra coaxial MG will you leave it out of the hull mounted position? Not sure if they carried two mgs Will you have the cupola hatch open too?

[spock1701]

Sweet.

If you are going with the extra coaxial MG will you leave it out of the hull mounted position? Not sure if they carried two mgs Will you have the cupola hatch open too?

1. I am a total noob so I hadn't thought of that first point
2. No, the hatch will be closed. The instructions for the equipment set depicted it as such and I didn't want to do the commander figure that came with the kit. It's terribly molded. Bad even for Tamiya.

[SteveAFV]

1. I am a total noob so I hadn't thought of that first point
2. No, the hatch will be closed. The instructions for the equipment set depicted it as such and I didn't want to do the commander figure that came with the kit. It's terribly molded. Bad even for Tamiya.

I'm noob too fella but I read that somewhere. It's your universe though, nothing to say someone wouldn't grab another mg if it was going spare

I have the same addon kit and I liked the idea of the commander at the mg in that position I will need to choose a figure set to fit though, as you say the figures in this kit aren't great looking.

[mincemeat]

Those wheels.....never my favorite part either. That's why I like the WWI tanks, they're all internal. Progress is looking good and your chugging along. Keep posting.

[InitialProduction1]

Good looking build spock1701, not a fan of the German running gears, wheels, suspension, or what ever they want to call it.but I love the poly caps, makes painting so easy. Again cool build.

[spock1701]

Hi guys, and, once again, welcome.

The two hull pieces got put together yesterday, and I have to say, apart from the front seam they fit pretty well.



The wheels are now, mercifully, finished , along with the support rollers, which were fine to put together, not much trouble.

[Madmattmodels89]

Great job so far mate! Keep up with the great work it's looking fantastic so far!

[SteveAFV]

Great progress.

[SteveAFV]

Sweet.

If you are going with the extra coaxial MG will you leave it out of the hull mounted position? Not sure if they carried two mgs Will you have the cupola hatch open too?

1. I am a total noob so I hadn't thought of that first point
2. No, the hatch will be closed. The instructions for the equipment set depicted it as such and I didn't want to do the commander figure that came with the kit. It's terribly molded. Bad even for Tamiya.

Did some research and the coaxial MG is actually through the mantlet so I so I'd think they carried two mg. one in the hull port and the other in the coaxial mounting in the mantlet or moved to the commands position on the cupola. I'd be interested if anyone had anything to add to that but felt I should correct my earlier statement.

[spock1701]

Hi guys. Welcome back to the build.

I put on the primer coat a couple of days ago but the internet wouldn't allow me to upload the pictures until this morning, so I've been waiting to move to the base coat and am thus suffering from withdrawal.

The Ultimate primer goes on great, super resilient and smooth. It says use a .4 airbrush needle but my Paasche Talon only has a .38 but it works just fine and cleans up pretty easily.





I was digging through the extra bits in the kit and I thought that it might spice up an otherwise unremarkable kit if I added some stuff to the tank. I set up some extra track links, jerry cans, and other stuff the way I think it might go in the final. Please let me know what you think of the placement. I welcome any advice. Thanks.

[SteveAFV]

That does look a supersmooth primer finish.

[digger303]

Hi guys. Welcome back to the build.

I put on the primer coat a couple of days ago but the internet wouldn't allow me to upload the pictures until this morning, so I've been waiting to move to the base coat and am thus suffering from withdrawal.

The Ultimate primer goes on great, super resilient and smooth. It says use a .4 airbrush needle but my Paasche Talon only has a .38 but it works just fine and cleans up pretty easily.

I was digging through the extra bits in the kit and I thought that it might spice up an otherwise unremarkable kit if I added some stuff to the tank. I set up some extra track links, jerry cans, and other stuff the way I think it might go in the final. Please let me know what you think of the placement. I welcome any advice. Thanks.

Since you asked about placement.
The spare track slightly obscure the drivers vision....so I would shift it slightly maybe about a 1mm to the left side.
The jerry cans on the back need to be place and secured so they didn't leave the vehicle when it was moving( just how would you pack stuff if you where driving ).
Very nice work though...well done.

[SteveAFV]

I've seen jerry cans in the right hand side fender and spare track on the turret roof. I'll try to sort some photos later.

[spock1701]

I'm planning to depict the tank parked by a roadside, so the jerry cans would be there from a recent refueling while stopped, so they should be fine. The jerry cans would just be painted the same color as the tank, right.

[chalkyw]

I'm planning to depict the tank parked by a roadside, so the jerry cans would be there from a recent refueling while stopped, so they should be fine. The jerry cans would just be painted the same color as the tank, right.

Sounds like a good plan to me Spock .........I guess the Jerry cans would be dunkelgelb, desert or panzer grey depending on the setting

[spock1701]

Hi guys. Welcome back.

Sorry about the delay, it's been a busy month.

I have painted the model, glossed it, put on the decals, and glossed it again. Unfortunately, I only have pictures of the painted model. Here they are:







I've been thinking about the small dio I might do, and I think it will be this kit, Tamiya's BMW R75, and an extra figure. (Sorry about my poor drawing skills)

[CharleyGnarlyP290]

I built that one last year and loved it. It was an experiment in that in all of my years modeling armored vehicles I had never done a German vehicle in grey! And, sure, it may have dimensional errors, or whatever, but in the end, it looks like a Panzer IV.
It is actually one of my favorite builds so far.

[SteveAFV]

Looking great! I like the dio idea and the motorcycle looks good painted.

[spock1701]

Hi everyone. It's been a while, what with school and all, but I finally had a moment to sit down and work on this build.

I just coated the model with Ultimate's Dark Dirt wash, which is absolutely brilliant and 100% worth the high shipping price to the US. I always do it over a gloss coat, so it doesn't stick so much to the model and I can wipe it off.

I tend not to use moist q-tips to wipe it off, as I find that using dry ones leaves a nice, dirtier feel to the model. Sometimes there's a tough patch that just won't come off dry, so I use moist ones for that, but otherwise I like the dry effect.

I just need to let the wash dry for a while before I get to that bit. Next after that is a gloss coat and oil filters.

[arilo76]

Nice progress mate

[spock1701]

Hello all.

I've de-washed the model, and I think it's looking pretty good. It looks dirty enough to me.

The next step is a matte coat and oil filters.









I've been working on the spare tracks that I'm putting on the model, and I'm not quite sure what the best way is. If you guys have any suggestions, please let me know, because I need some better ideas.

[AdamLuscombe]

Great work

[Quax]

Great work the wooden handles look especially cool!

[spock1701]

Greetings again, fellow plastic enthusiasts.

I have managed to last through school to Christmas break without dying of brain tiredness or sleep deprivation, so last night I sat down to a well-earned (in my view) modeling session. These are the fruits of my labor.

I gave the tank a matte coat, which I had to do over twice because I had thinned the varnish too much the first time and it didn't stick very well, but I eventually fixed it (mostly). I love the way the varnish fades the color of the paint and makes it look older.





Then I gave the tracks a coat of rust-colored paint, which came out okay despite the fact that the paint had coagulated somewhat in my cold basement.

[jjab99]

Nice work, well done.

[spock1701]

Hello, all!

I have almost finished up this build, and I should have final pictures in the next week once I finally get around to making a decent DIY photo booth. Unfortunately, my time and resources are rather limited, so I have yet to find a satisfactory solution.

Anywho, I have some pictures here. Please feel free to comment on anything you see. Any error, improvement, anything. Part of what makes the forum so great is that I can learn from people who are better than me. Which is most people here.

First is the muffler. I painted it first with Vallejo Model Color Red Leather to give a base coat to the rusty area. I then mixed MIG Medium Rust pigments with white glue and water and brushed the mixture on. Then I dipped the already-wet brush in dry rust pigments and dabbed them on the muffler to give texture to the rust. I am quite happy with the results, and I welcome your comments on the procedure.



I also gave the whole tank a filter of blue oil paint to deepen the gray color and make the decals look less like stickers and more like paint. I found with my Universal Carrier build that oil filters that are the same color as the paint the decals are on has the best effect. I, unfortunately, do not have gray oil paint, so blue had to do. The lighting isn't great and it was pretty subtle, so you might not be able to see it much.







Then I turned my attention to the tracks. I brushed the top surfaces with a mix of Vallejo Metallic Grey and German Camo Black Brown to create a worn metal look. Then I airbrushed them with Tamiya Buff for a dusty effect.





Lastly I airbrushed some Tamiya Buff on the lower hull and wheels of the model. Please let me know what you think of the effect.

[mincemeat]

Great update Spock, although most of your pics are broken. I like your idea for the rust application, although you may want to consider using other rust pigments dry on top, or perhaps don't mix them altogether in one conglomeration. It breaks it up and the color won't be as uniform. I'm by far no expert on armor or even general weathering for that matter, just my lay opinion. You've done a great job overall!

[spock1701]

Broken pics? Oh dear, it looks like photobucket sh*t its pants again. I'm going to try out Flickr and see if that works better

[mincemeat]

Pics are back. It looks great man! I've been using Flickr since I joined the forum in 2014, haven't had any issues that I know of. 1TB of free storage!

[digger303]

Hello, all!

I have almost finished up this build, and I should have final pictures in the next week once I finally get around to making a decent DIY photo booth. Unfortunately, my time and resources are rather limited, so I have yet to find a satisfactory solution.

Anyhow, I have some pictures here. Please feel free to comment on anything you see. Any error, improvement, anything. Part of what makes the forum so great is that I can learn from people who are better than me. Which is most people here.

First is the muffler. I painted it first with Vallejo Model Color Red Leather to give a base coat to the rusty area. I then mixed MIG Medium Rust pigments with white glue and water and brushed the mixture on. Then I dipped the already-wet brush in dry rust pigments and dabbed them on the muffler to give texture to the rust. I am quite happy with the results, and I welcome your comments on the procedure.

[url=http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/laser ... g.jpg.html]]

great work, way out shining my poor examples.
you did ask for anything that stands out and two minor things caught my eye.... the internals of the exhaust would have almost no rust as it would be covered in soot and the inside of the main gun would be shiny dull steel colour not painted. As I said totally minor, but do catch the eye. Otherwise great work.

[Bissyboat]

The classic kit that still builds together nicely.

[demarcation]

Fantastic work buddy!!

[spock1701]

Thanks for all your support, guys! I appreciate having eyes on my work besides my family, who know as little about modeling as you can possibly imagine.

[digger303]

Thanks for all your support, guys! I appreciate having eyes on my work besides my family, who know as little about modeling as you can possibly imagine.

Seems very foreign to me that others have almost no interest at All

[spock1701]

Hi guys. The final pics are done.

Available here: viewtopic.php?f=46&t=21563

Please check out and comment!