First armour build - 1/35 Tamiya Stug IV

Post by **ElCapitan** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:44 pm

Recently I had an urge to try my hand at armour modelling so was recommended this kit as a good starting point. Building out of the box to get a feel for it.

I have to say, it's been a really quick process so far. I'm enjoying not having to worry about painting small bits and pieces before I can progress the build, and most of the parts don't need much cleaning up because Tamiya are clever about where they attach to the sprue.

Sorry the photos are few and far between, I found it so easy to get carried away!

Post by **privatepete** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 7:15 am

Hi Rob very nice clean build so far, keep up the good work

Post by **ElCapitan** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 11:41 pm

Thanks Pete!

Here's where I'm up to now. I still need to do the schurtzen and join the hull halves, and it'll be ready for some battle damage before painting.

No major problems, although some guess work involved in placing certain parts.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:00 am

Schurzen are done - no problems with them apart from some ejector pin marks on the inside of them. I don't think they will be visible but might get rid of them anyway. I don't think I'll bother filling the holes on the lower hull as they won't be visible.

I may or may not get primer down on Saturday if I get a chance, but if not then this will lay dormant for a while until Warring Weather is done.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed Apr 26, 2017 9:19 am

One more photo before this gets put to the side for a while.

This is the only position I could put the figure so that both his hands touch the vehicle...I'm not sure why, it's as if he's too tall. I'll maybe not use him when I come to complete this model. He needs more cleaning up if I do decide to use him.

I've not attached the machine gun yet, will do that last.

Post by **privatepete** » Wed Apr 26, 2017 11:12 am

Hi Rob you've done a very cracking job with the build can't wait to see it in paint, keep it up

Post by **aur0ra145** » Thu Apr 27, 2017 2:14 am

Looking good! Looking forward to seeing paint on this one.

Post by **Augustus** » Tue May 02, 2017 10:56 pm

I had the same problems with his hands so put a folded tarp under his left.

Post by **SergioSolo** » Wed May 03, 2017 2:11 am

Nice first armor project! I did one a few months ago and shared the painting process in my channel. A very enjoyable kit

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed May 03, 2017 9:50 am

Augustus wrote: Tue May 02, 2017 10:56 pm I had the same problems with his hands so put a folded tarp under his left.

Thanks for the tip! Good to know it's not just me

SergioSolo wrote: Wed May 03, 2017 2:11 am Nice first armor project! I did one a few months ago and shared the painting process in my channel. A very enjoyable kit

Thanks Sergio, I've been using your videos as a reference on certain parts

Post by **TheNordus** » Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:27 pm

Surprised by the quality of this kit, I thought it would be a waste, being so old, but it looks pretty nice to me. Good job!

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 10:06 pm

This one's back on the bench!!

Finally got round to priming in Ultimate black. Excuse the bad photo and polka dots! Haven't primed the tracks yet, I'll do them at a later date.

Post by **digger303** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 11:08 pm

those polka dots are making me zone out

Post by **TheNordus** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 11:11 pm

Can't wait to see more progress!

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed Mar 21, 2018 2:29 pm

Polka dots are so last season. I've ditched them.

Just finished putting down the base colour of Vallejo Model Color Dark Yellow. Over this I did a light coat of Sand Yellow on the top surfaces, just to fade it a bit. I'm happy with the subtle difference it makes.

I'm not entirely sure what to do next

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Mar 21, 2018 3:08 pm

Paint looks good mate. Are you planning a camo or the single colour for the desert?

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:29 am

Stokesy44 wrote: Wed Mar 21, 2018 3:08 pm Paint looks good mate. Are you planning a camo or the single colour for the desert?

I've just gone with the colour scheme on the instructions to be honest. German yellow I guess. I've been using SergioSolo's youtube series as a rough guide.

You can tell I know a lot about armour

I'm really enjoying it though!

I rusted it up too, this one's been in service for a while! Just some dry brushing around the edges and raised detail with Vallejo Model Color Flat Earth. The exhaust is stipled with flat earth and bright orange.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:02 am

Very nice work. That exhaust is superb. What's next? I'm enjoying seeing this Stug come to life

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:25 am

Stokesy44 wrote: Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:02 am Very nice work. That exhaust is superb. What's next? I'm enjoying seeing this Stug come to life

Thanks - I'm particularly pleased with how the exhaust looks too!

Next I plan to put some decals on it. Then gloss and some weathering.

Sort of winging it.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:39 am

ElCapitan wrote: Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:25 am
Stokesy44 wrote: Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:02 am Very nice work. That exhaust is superb. What's next? I'm enjoying seeing this Stug come to life
Thanks - I'm particularly pleased with how the exhaust looks too!

Next I plan to put some decals on it. Then gloss and some weathering.

Sort of winging it.

Sounds like you're going in the right direction. I love a build from this point on, the construction's done, base is done, its time for the art!

Post by **TheNordus** » Sat Mar 24, 2018 1:59 am

It's looking really nice. Dunkelgelb is a good colour choice, I believe they were often rushed out of the factory in a single colour, I'm not an expert on StuG IVs in particular but they were never used in the desert, considering they were introduced in 1944 and the war in the desert ended in 1943. I've got one of these built up and waiting for painting in my closet. Unfortunately it's been waiting there for a good few months now, probably about half a year.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:12 am

Thanks for the boost!

Last night I got the decals on - fairly straightforward - the way I like to do it is dip them in water for about 10-15 seconds, then leave them to the side for another 30 seconds to a minute by which time they should have released from the backing without sliding off into the water. I don't fully understand why some people leave them in the water the whole time, though perhaps there is a reason that I'm missing.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:29 am

Very nice.

I do decals exactly the same way. I even count to 15 with the decal in the water then I touch it on a tissue to draw off any excess before letting it sit until it releases.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:36 am

Stokesy44 wrote: Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:29 am Very nice.

I do decals exactly the same way. I even count to 15 with the decal in the water then I touch it on a tissue to draw off any excess before letting it sit until it releases.

Thanks Stokesy!

Good to know I'm not alone doing them that way - it just makes so much more sense to me - too many decals ruined in the past by leaving them in the water to release.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:43 am

Just catching up on this and it's looking great Rob.

Really like the initial weathering and the way the exhaust came out.

Looking forward to seeing this come to life now the decals are on

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:26 am

ElCapitan wrote: Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:36 am
Stokesy44 wrote: Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:29 am Very nice.

I do decals exactly the same way. I even count to 15 with the decal in the water then I touch it on a tissue to draw off any excess before letting it sit until it releases.
Thanks Stokesy!

Good to know I'm not alone doing them that way - it just makes so much more sense to me - too many decals ruined in the past by leaving them in the water to release.

Yep, I'm a simple man. Put decal in tweezers, hold in warm water for 15, drain off excess, be patient and don't try and 'ease' the decal till it wants to be 'eased'!

The only fancy thing I do is use Microscale's decal solutions.

I brush the kit surface with their blue stuff just prior to application. Once the decal's down, if there are no conformity issues I use cotton buds to roll off the fluid, press the decal down and remove any air bubbles. If required I apply their red stuff if the decal needs 'encouragement' to conform. Repeat as necessary.

Saw a vid by Paul on decaling a few years back, he was very hot on the absolute minimum exposure to water as a way of helping decal application.

Post by **TheNordus** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:48 pm

Looking good. Personally I like to use almost scalding hot water when putting on decals. I dip them in the water and count to 10, after which I pull the decal off the backing with either a brush, tweezers or my finger and then put it on the model, wet as it is. Recently I've started putting a dab of mark setter on the place where I want the decal instead of just water, but I'm not sure if it's beneficial. I've never had problems with decals tearing unless they were of dubious origin to begin with, or kept poorly. Only sometimes large decals want to fold over themselves when I pull them off the backing and that's a real bother.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Fri Mar 30, 2018 11:53 pm

I've never had a real issue with decals tearing either, apart from in the cockpit of my Mig-29.

Anyway, bit more work done today. Its proving to be a productive week!

First I faded the decals a bit by stippling with an almost dry brush. I used a strange concoction of Tamiya JA Grey and Deck Tan to add a bit of warmth to it. I also applied some of this to the upper surfaces to give more of a weather-beaten look.

Following that I got out my trusty Mig Panel Liner in neutral brown and set to work adding some grease and dirt in all the nooks and crannies, and used it for some streaks here and there too. I'm pleased with how it turned out, I want this thing to look pretty battered. Also I added the running gear to see how it all looks.

And that's where I am on this experimental journey. Haven't even primed the tracks yet, but hopefully soon!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:56 am

Great work Rob. Really liking the fading on the hull and the decals. Scuffs and grime look pretty sweet too. Not bad for a first armour build. Not too bad at all!

Post by **ElCapitan** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 11:06 am

Stokesy44 wrote: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:56 am Great work Rob. Really liking the fading on the hull and the decals. Scuffs and grime look pretty sweet too. Not bad for a first armour build. Not too bad at all!

Thanks, I'm pleased with how it's going! Just the tracks and a bit of mud I think then it'll be done.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 12:57 pm

Rob the weathering and chipping is really good, really like the damage to the spaced armour

Post by **ElCapitan** » Fri Apr 13, 2018 8:54 am

Thanks Kev! Sorry for not acknowledging your comment, I've been too busy to spend much time on here recently!

I've been keeping this building going slowly though - this week working on the vinyl tracks.

First I primed them with Ultimate black, then I stippled some Vallejo flat brown in random places so that there was still some black visible. Next I tried using pigments for the first time - Humbrol orange which was all I could get in my LHS. Looks like rust to me! Also I used the pigment from some evaporated Ultimate dark dirt wash to add a dry earthy-ness between the treads.

Finally I used a 6B pencil to gently rub across the raised details and give a metal effect. The top track in the picture has not yet had this treatment, so you can see what a big difference it makes! It's a time consuming job but I think anything relating to tracks takes time.

Post by **alextheblue** » Sat Apr 14, 2018 7:50 am

Cheese and rice Rob! First armour build, this looks like you've been building tanks for years. Beautiful work!!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Apr 14, 2018 7:58 am

Weathered tracks. Mmmmmm, nice!

I’m still waiting for the admission that this is your 101st not 1st armour build

Post by **ElCapitan** » Sat Apr 14, 2018 3:40 pm

Thanks guys, thats a big boost! I swear this is my first one. I'm really enjoying it, I can't wait to finish it so I can start another armour build

only need to attach the tracks, paint the machine gun and then flat coat it I think. I'm not going to bother with mud effects I don't think.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Apr 14, 2018 3:52 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 8:54 am Thanks Kev! Sorry for not acknowledging your comment, I've been too busy to spend much time on here recently!

No worries mate, It's the same for me and my car build, really struggling to get any real bench time of late, poxy work

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:43 am

Tracks are on - what an ordeal that was! Trying to pull the two ends of the track together and then press the tiny studs through the tiny holes was nearly impossible.

Next I just need to paint and attach the machine gun, add the spare track and then flat coat the whole thing. I'll add the little commander later on.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 10:28 am

Really nice work on the tracks. The chipping and grime on the hull and skirts looks great too

Post by **demarcation** » Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:00 pm

Looks fantastic!

Post by **digger303** » Fri Apr 20, 2018 12:57 am

Post by **ElCapitan** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 8:20 pm

Sorry for the radio silence, I've been struggling to get time for posting recently while we do some redecorating round the house. I did find time to put a couple of coats of Testors dullcote on this though and am now calling it finished! You can see the finished model here viewtopic.php?f=46&t=24960

Thanks everyone for the support along the way!

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Mon Jun 25, 2018 6:55 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Sun Jun 17, 2018 8:20 pm Sorry for the radio silence, I've been struggling to get time for posting recently while we do some redecorating round the house. I did find time to put a couple of coats of Testors dullcote on this though and am now calling it finished! You can see the finished model here viewtopic.php?f=46&t=24960

Thanks everyone for the support along the way!

Crumbs mate, is everybody decorating?

It takes up so much time.
I could never be a decorator as i take as much time decorating as fastidiously modelling.
Awesome job.
DW

Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 11:25 am

Donkeywalloper wrote: Mon Jun 25, 2018 6:55 pm
ElCapitan wrote: Sun Jun 17, 2018 8:20 pm Sorry for the radio silence, I've been struggling to get time for posting recently while we do some redecorating round the house. I did find time to put a couple of coats of Testors dullcote on this though and am now calling it finished! You can see the finished model here viewtopic.php?f=46&t=24960

Thanks everyone for the support along the way!
Crumbs mate, is everybody decorating?
It takes up so much time.
I could never be a decorator as i take as much time decorating as fastidiously modelling.
Awesome job.
DW

I hate decorating. I hope to have the painting finished tonight, then I'll put a blind up and my wife can take over with the finishing touches.

Post by **digger303** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 12:00 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Wed Jun 27, 2018 11:25 am
Donkeywalloper wrote: Mon Jun 25, 2018 6:55 pm
ElCapitan wrote: Sun Jun 17, 2018 8:20 pm Sorry for the radio silence, I've been struggling to get time for posting recently while we do some redecorating round the house. I did find time to put a couple of coats of Testors dullcote on this though and am now calling it finished! You can see the finished model here viewtopic.php?f=46&t=24960

Thanks everyone for the support along the way!
Crumbs mate, is everybody decorating?
It takes up so much time.
I could never be a decorator as i take as much time decorating as fastidiously modelling.
Awesome job.
DW
I hate decorating. I hope to have the painting finished tonight, then I'll put a blind up and my wife can take over with the finishing touches.

I think we all hate decorating and we like a peaceful existence even more so we just get with the program