Global Scale Modeller

Many thanks to Digger and Garion for allowing me to gatecrash their JPz build with the first of the format the Aus F. As most of the Aus F's had Zim more or less the kit unusually comes with epoxy two part putty and a zim tool as well as PE schurzen. I think this is my first Border kit so we'll see how it goes

there are 3 paint schemes that don't give a clue about upper surfaces and a tiny decal sheet.





































cheers

Paul

Looks like a nice kit. Those link and length tracks look great with the built in sag.

Good luck with the putty too

Happy to have you with us Paul ! Being a newbie with tanks it will help me for sure to have another one in our group build. Seems you have a nice kit at hand. Heard good things about border models kits. Can't wait to see the zimmerit in action But the way your instructions show it, seems a bit more complicated then other technics I saw on you tube.

Can't wait to see the first part of the build. On my side, as I said to digger, I'm stuck because I've been waiting for 2 weeks for an order from VMS that I should get today.

CHeers

Great to have another build going and being a Borer kit adds another layer of interest for me. Really keen to see how this Border kit goes I've heard so many contra views about border particularly the 1/35 aircraft.
The parts detail looks very crisp on the sprues.

Hi all, here's a progress report on the Ausf F

I've spent my time so far working on the zim on the underside of the hull around the wheels, this allowed me to try a couple of things as well as see what the Border epoxy was like as against milliput. I found that the Border one was like chewing gum at best and a real struggle so removed the small area I'd tried and progressed with the Milliput, this is Standard milliput and although I can get it quite thin enough for seal I think it will look ok - its only there because I haven't decided if or how many schurzen will get used. I'm using a Liang roller and stamp 0.7cm and its going ok except for a bit of a lean in the pattern, Hans obviously had beer or two at lunchtime...



I've added the suspension to the side and tidied up a bit, I know it looks messy but hopefully will improve with a bit of paint....



this is the lower glacis plate



and this is the roller and stamp



Ive desprued all the wheels and will get all the remains of the gates off them over the next few days as well as add the rear plate and add zim as well as the upper glacis.

cheers

Paul

Looks pretty good to me

Making good progress and the zim looks good.

The zimmerit looks good to me ! but true this method seems a bit harder then other I've seen like using tamiya putty or Mr surfacer. But your off to a good start !

Hi all and thanks for comments

bit of forward movement, the kit goes together well and I haven't found any issues with the instructions which is nice! The only issue Ive had is the plate with the drivers hatches in doesn't seem to fit against the lower part of the front glacis plate, I presume I've got something wrong but Im not sure what or how although luckily it will disappear under the zim...

this shows the gap between the plate and the glacis (unattached) as well as zim added to the upper plate, the gap its as bad with a bit of pressure and wiggling on the top but its there

[/url

Zim on the rear plate with the tow clamp and tool box added, its a bit messy but won't look so bad with the muffler in place and a bit of paint...

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2r4eq2y]

zim on the drivers hatch plate



all the wheels on temporarily so as I can make the tracks up



tracks made, they went well for a change, usually for me they go badly wrong....



Zim now on the upper side plate



cheers

Paul

Looks good, but going around all those details must be a time consuming pain.

Great progress. The Zim doesn't seem to be slowing you down!

In a way it makes the kit a better deal purchase wise. I always consider time spent versus cost when buying kits. The Zim adds hours to the build so it brings the cost per hour down. Winner winner chicken dinner. Its also great to see you taking it on and not being a wimp by buying Zim stickers (like me ).

Late in but sprinting through the build ! Nice progress ! again, I love the zimmerit. Boy that's a huge gap ! For me, I would go with tamiya epoxy putty or a trim of plastic with any putty on top of it.
Great work !

thanks for all the kid words guys, I'm still behind but catching up!

side zimm done now just waiting for the front to be added. First intro to the gun barrel, the kit supplies (but doesn't mention) the barrel with the thread showing where the muzzle break was removed in the field as it caused a large amount of dust to be created give the enemy a "here I am" clue... later in factory it was removed entirely.



pretty much ready for primer now with schurzen on as I intend to have it, the hoops for them to go over the hook were quite delicate and I broke two getting them off





as Ive said elsewhere a coat of paint hides a multitude of sins and the Jpg is now looking a little tidier with a AK 3rd Gen Black primer, as it took a while I did thin it slightly with the 3rd gen thinner but I don't usually. Ive also done the wheels, tracks and schurzen but not photo'd them yet. I've also added some patches of damage to the zimm.





cheers

Paul

Quick addition of AK Dunkelgelb Ausgabe '44 (RC061)



Paul

Wow, seeing the Zim getting built up has been great. Under paint it now looks seriously good. Great perseverance with a difficult skill.

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon May 19, 2025 6:32 pm Wow, seeing the Zim getting built up has been great. Under paint it now looks seriously good. Great perseverance with a difficult skill.

Thanks Stokesy, I was getting better towards the end, its the getting it thin enough to keep it in scale that's the real issue and I wasn't 100% successful there

MRP Olivegrun (MRP-035) added



Real Colors Rotbraun added as well as the impact spots in the zim picked out ready for chipping the top plates



Thanks all for looking

Paul

Sorry I missed that last update, but I must say the zim is really impactful to the eye....looks great.

Looks good with the paint going on

Nice progress on our buddy build on your side ! and as digger, seem I missed one update. Love AK RC colors. for me the best paint but being lacquer I try not to use the few I have because of the configuration where I live.
Can't wait for the next update !

thanks for all the comments so far, much appreciated!

Weathering completed on the underside of the hull using AK ground effects as the base



Tracks now on and the sharp eyed amongst you will notice that I have broken a few of the schurzen clips in the process but I can stick them back on shortly. Zimm washed so as it stands out a bit more.





muffler added and the rear deck weathered just the top to do.



cheers

Paul

Loving it all, the Zim, the paint job, the weathering...

Bravo Sir

Killing it.

How have I missed this
Cracking build This far Paul the Zim is top draw

Great job ! even better looking then when you sent the email because I was looking at it on my phone ! coming along great !

Hi all

Alclad matt added and the schurzen so its almost there





playing around with some of the Jagdpanther stowage, I'm still trying to decide whether or not to add a tarp and some other bits that the kit came with before the final photos.



cheers

Paul

I've decided against the tarp this time so calling this it. I'll put a couple here and a few others in the portfolio, it was an enjoyable build and good fun being in a buddy build where we also chatted of page via email. Thanks for all the support Garion and Digger!
Forgive me for recycling the diorama again.....

This one shows all the bits that actually are in the box but not "used" in the instructions (or mentioned) various gas masks, helmets, boxes and buckets!



now with some of the Black Dog stowage from the Jagdpanther set









cheers

Paul

The scene works well and you did a marvellous job with the zim.
It was a pleasure having you join in as you did.

Great finish.

So much to admire on the build. Superb stuff

Superb build Paul Looks like these Border kits are really top draw