Tamiya Sturmgeschutz IV (AKA a bit of German for Cheeky Chalky)

[Augustus]

After running into more barney with the 35(t), and Chalky wanting to see a bit of German armour, I put that to one side for a while to do this.

It's an old Tamiya kit from 1975, according to the hull, but on first looks it's a nice little kit. It's not got a huge amount of parts but they are nice and crisp looking, although I'm not sure about the plastic cast tow rope.

Here's a couple of shots of the sprues. It's Saturday morning here so I'll give it a couple of hours later and hopefully have the first update.

[InitialProduction1]

Those have always been a nice little kit, I have the old Tamiya one to, but sold under the Academy name. I got caught by thinking it was a new kit by Academy. after I bought it I found out different. It even shows the kit has individual tracks, not. Anyway I'll get the popcorn to watch this build.
I'm big I might need two. Lol.

[chalkyw]

Oh dear, what have I started!!!! ......I'm loathe to say it but I've got that one lying around somewhere half built, a nice little kit.

Oh well suppose I'd better watch

[Augustus]

Nothing much to report but I did manage to get the round bits done while watching Til Death Do Us Part (Hole In One was a classic episode) and Steptoe and Son on YouTube all afternoon.

[leander]

it really is a nice kit! got the academy version myself but stopped working on it when a tragic paint accident happened
do you already have any ideas about the camouflage pattern?

[Augustus]

it really is a nice kit! got the academy version myself but stopped working on it when a tragic paint accident happened
do you already have any ideas about the camouflage pattern?

No I haven't thought that far ahead apart from what it said in the box. Do you have any special idea?, apart from the accident which could well feature in my build I am going to do this camo which will be my first attempt so any tips are welcome.

[leander]

I really hope there won't be any accidents!
until now I have only primed and highlighted the stug in german yellow.

I really like those two:

http://www.panzerscale.com/Galerie/Fahr ... uG_IVl.htm

[Stokesy44]

Fantastic little kit especially given its age. I made one last year and it was a really fun build.

Looking good so far. Wheels, wheels and more wheels!

[chalkyw]

Not sure how accurate he is but Andy's Hobby Headquarters on YouTube has a few vids on painting German camo

[Augustus]

Not sure how accurate he is but Andy's Hobby Headquarters on YouTube has a few vids on painting German camo

Cheers, I'll have a butchers, it's not just the German bit I have no clue to, it's how to do camo at all.

[Augustus]

Im really enjoying doing this kit. Taking my time, there's something really relaxing about sanding while watching episodes of Steptoe And Son, maybe it's my new Ultimate sanders

Should have thought more and added the little side brackets a bit later because I've managed to snap two off so far. Apart from that no real headaches.

[RobBye]

Looking good so far.

I'm following along, as I have a similar, old Academy StuG IV I'm saving for the Heinz 161 SIG, toward the end of the year. Glad to hear these kits are enjoyable.

[chalkyw]

Have you decided on a camo scheme for this one yet???

[Augustus]

Have you decided on a camo scheme for this one yet???

Not made up me mind yet mate, but will probably go the tri-tone route. I'm gonna have a go at doing it freehand and am really dreading it along with the problems with the airbrush itself.

Still like everything, you don't know till you have a go. And the time is getting close to paint time. I've only got a few bits left to stick (I am going to post a wee update later) and haven't made up my mind what to do about schurzen yet. I'll probably mount it all except one panel and maybe do a bit of damage to the adjacent one.

[Augustus]

Looking good so far.

I'm following along, as I have a similar, old Academy StuG IV I'm saving for the Heinz 161 SIG, toward the end of the year. Glad to hear these kits are enjoyable.

Cheers Rob. Yep it's a nice kit to build, I had just a few minor issues. I could not get the exhaust to sit properly. I tried to adjust the locating pins but it wouldn't fit and I couldn't see why, it just wouldn't play ball! In the end I had to adjust the seating bracket. It looks a tiny bit off but hey, it's in a war, bits are gonna get broken. Another bit of problem was with the hook, it was one of those where you need 3 hands. I managed to get it right in the end but then noticed the concrete block I wanted to add covers its location anyway, so it's not even needed.

But generally goes together nice and with the schurzen you have a variety of options as to how you want it to look.

[Augustus]

Soon be time for the paint, just a few bits to add and a few decisions to make.. Then black primer, a base coat of dunkelgelb, and a bit of camo, yet to be decided, on top.

[Stokesy44]

I sense paint approaching

Gotta love the Stug

[chalkyw]

Have you decided on a camo scheme for this one yet???

Not made up me mind yet mate, but will probably go the tri-tone route. I'm gonna have a go at doing it freehand and am really dreading it along with the problems with the airbrush itself.

Still like everything, you don't know till you have a go. And the time is getting close to paint time. I've only got a few bits left to stick (I am going to post a wee update later) and haven't made up my mind what to do about schurzen yet. I'll probably mount it all except one panel and maybe do a bit of damage to the adjacent one.

Sounds good mate, tri tone looks cool .....Just a thought about the schurzen but have you thought of scratch building some and adding a few dents and bends to them?? you could use the kit ones as a template and cut some metal ones out of a soft drinks can or if you're like me you could use a beer can left over from Sat night

[Augustus]

All primered no thanks to Vallejo. It's horrible stuff and has gunked up me airbrush something chronic.

[Augustus]

Have you decided on a camo scheme for this one yet???

Some great camo schemes here. It also shows various shades of denkelgelb (and the other colours) which changed slightly as the war progressed.

http://www.thefewgoodmen.com/thefgmforu ... erns.3370/

[SergioSolo]

Cool model! I just finished building mine:

So, you had problems with Vallejo's black Primer?

[Augustus]

Cool model! I just finished building mine:

So, you had problems with Vallejo's black Primer?

Lovely clean build and quality video!

Yes, had plenty of problems with the Vallejo primer. I'd read about problems with it but bought it just the same (due to lack of local alternatives, and got burned, the vast majority of the bottle is going in the bin. Would buy some Ultimate as of all the great reviews it gets but I thought I read it needs at least .4 needle. May be wrong I'll have to look into it more.

I was going to buy some Vallejo Air paints, I've not used them before, but this whole business has turned me off Vallejo even though they obviously have a big fan base, and the model air range may be a whole lot better than their primers

Anyone got any good stuff to say about using Vallejo paints, I'm not against them if they're any good.

I started off using Tamiya, then added Mr Hobby, then tried and loved Ammo so have stuck with them (a bit of AK in the mix to one).

[chalkyw]

Some great camo schemes here. It also shows various shades of denkelgelb (and the other colours) which changed slightly as the war progressed.

http://www.thefewgoodmen.com/thefgmforu ... erns.3370/

A great looking site Augustus, loads to choose from there......I'm thinking 15.PzGrenDiv - Germany, March 1945 when I finish mine as its still sat in the box half finished, I might even give it a go at the weekend if there's time

[Augustus]

Some great camo schemes here. It also shows various shades of denkelgelb (and the other colours) which changed slightly as the war progressed.

http://www.thefewgoodmen.com/thefgmforu ... erns.3370/

A great looking site Augustus, loads to choose from there......I'm thinking 15.PzGrenDiv - Germany, March 1945 when I finish mine as its still sat in the box half finished, I might even give it a go at the weekend if there's time

I'm worried about doing the camo, the base colour was bad enough with all the sticky out bits.

[AgentG]

Go slow and don't rush the painting process. Remember, several light coats of paint are better than one or two heavy ones.

For the camo pattern, turn down the air pressure, thin the paint out and just take your time. I like to get in close with the airbrush and just softly "breathe" the paint onto the model.

Nothing says you can't go back with a brush and touch up some areas.

Then again mud and weathering cover a multitude of sins....

G

[chalkyw]

Go slow and don't rush the painting process. Remember, several light coats of paint are better than one or two heavy ones.

For the camo pattern, turn down the air pressure, thin the paint out and just take your time. I like to get in close with the airbrush and just softly "breathe" the paint onto the model.

Nothing says you can't go back with a brush and touch up some areas.

Then again mud and weathering cover a multitude of sins....

G

Lol......what he said Augustus......and remember you can always repaint if you cock it up

[Augustus]

Thanks for the tips guys, I might take the plunge a bit later today, so good or bad I'll let you know (but there might not be any pictures).

[Augustus]

Ok, so I didn't like my camo, I put on a too thick/wide/large pattern which I didn't realise til I'd finished and sat back and looked at. This wasnt helped by my AB sputtering its way too a slow death and me have to make the pattern larger by going over the spit and spatter.

For the camo I used Ammo paints Forest Green, Mig-065, and AKs Rotbraun Base, AK-169. As the pattern was large it completely overawed the base coat of Ammos Dunkelgelb Mig-010.

I was very unhappy and didn't know what to do. In the end I airbrushed a coat of Vallejo Dark Brown wash.It's looking a bit better. The wash has darkened all the colours and they seem to blend more. I'm still not happy but it's better than before.

[SteveAFV]

Doesn't look bad to my inexperienced eyes but if it's not what you are after.... Is a respray an option?

[Augustus]

Doesn't look bad to my inexperienced eyes but if it's not what you are after.... Is a respray an option?

I've only base coated the skirts so far so we'll see.

[chalkyw]

Looks good to me Augustus even if you did want to do it differently......did you think of spraying more Dunkelgelb to reduce the size of the green and brown??......still think it looks good though

Stick to Allied armour mate......they're all green

[Augustus]

Looks good to me Augustus even if you did want to do it differently......did you think of spraying more Dunkelgelb to reduce the size of the green and brown??......still think it looks good though

Stick to Allied armour mate......they're all green

To tell the truth mate I was having so many problems with the AB I was just glad to get it finished and didn't even think of that.

[mincemeat]

I came to this party late. I had the same problem with the exhaust. I opted to eliminate the locating pin and straighten it out.

The Badger primer (US original of Ultimate) is pretty awesome.

Chalky had a good suggestion. You can always re-prime and start over as well....but if the airbrush is giving you problems it's just no fun. What AB are you using?

[Augustus]

I came to this party late. I had the same problem with the exhaust. I opted to eliminate the locating pin and straighten it out.

The Badger primer (US original of Ultimate) is pretty awesome.

Chalky had a good suggestion. You can always re-prime and start over as well....but if the airbrush is giving you problems it's just no fun. What AB are you using?

I was using the Neo, but have since got the Badger 105 Patriot with both the .3 and .5 needle, as well as the Ultimate black primer. But have now totally covered the model in Vallejo wash and a oil pin wash too, so I'll leave the new toys for the next kit.

I've given the Badger some good practice sessions and am loving it. I find it way better than the Neo.

[Augustus]

A small chip off me old mukka Chalky's block.

Still deciding on which wash.

[chalkyw]

A small chip off me old mukka Chalky's block.

Still deciding on which wash.

Niiiiiiice ......I've got AK's wash for wood which is a dark colour and soaks in to the wood.

[Augustus]

Been a long time but I'm finally calling time on the Stug. It all started going downhill after I didn't like the camo. Since then the poor old Stug has been through a lot. It's been a bit of a test bed for for a few weathering experiments but I've decided to finish it.

I lost the retaining bar for the spare wheels so I added a small length of chain. I used Vallejo washes and decided they are rubbish. I used oils on the figures face.it bears the scars of having the side skirts on, then off, then on, then off with the scaffolding that held it crudely chopped off. The wheel wells have has so many coats of paint, wash, plaster, pigment, rust etc that it's been left with a pinkish hue. The tracks have been on and off so many times they are stretched and loose and a few of the road wheels have fallen off. And much, much more?

So it was time to stick the figure in, give it a dusting of pigment and a thin coat of AKs Ultra Matte.

Please have a little piece of pity when casting your eyes over her.

[chalkyw]

A proper battle scarred veteran mate