Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf H Project

[TBowman]

Thank you again guys for the nice comments.


Track Link Weathering (cont.)

The next step with adding some color to the track links is fast, simple and easy. Perfect for someone as impatient as myself.

First, mix the color of your choice with some thinner. For the first layer I use a very thin, liberal coating on the links that will act as a wet base to help blend the additional colors when added.





Randomly blotting the first layer on the links.



While still wet, mix in some of the other two colors and apply randomly over the first layer. I use less of these two colors but up to you.





Same to other side


Because I am impatient, I use a hair dryer to speed things up. At this point, the colors really come out when dry.





Some before and after photos





One side is finished





When completely dry, I will rub them down with a dry cloth to remove some of the coloring on the high points.

I know there are many who think I am a fool for weathering my tracks since it will be run in the dirt anyways but I like the model to be complete in my shop before it rolls in real dirt. Just me.

Hope everyone finds these posts useful and helpful. More steps coming soon.

Tim

[Kent W]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for this informative step by step how to do.
I will do this on my Panther track links later on, something I dare to do now.
Must get hold of some of those MIG pigment first.

Kind regards
Kent

[Björn Johansson]

Hi Tim
Just love it looks really good!
Thanks for sharing with us.

[TBowman]

Hi guys

Well, spent last night building the control box and this morning wiring it up.  It was a miracle that everything worked after I got done with it.  Some photos of it in progress. I couldn't get it to the ground by myself so for now, the test run will need to wait.  Maybe tomorrow. :-\


What a mess




when everything was wired






A short video. Not sure why the quality of video came out so bad on youTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxMqWO2Acj8

Looks more impressive in real life. LOL

regards
Tim

[johan1]

Wow the amount smoke is just perfect
Very impressive !

[TBowman]

Thanks Johan

Managed to lift it to the ground this morning.

Heres a boring video of it in the front yard to work the bugs out of the running gear. Road tires were coming off right and left as they are net yet bonded in place.

The left motor/drive sprocket gears need some tuning as this was causing some issues ans the track tension needs to be adjusted still. All in all though, it was good to see it moving under it's own power outside of the shop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAyY7KrlT8

kind regards
Tim

[Kent W]

Nice video Tim!

Not only was the hull nice to look at but just look at that green grass and a PALM!
You are a lucky man.

Here we have today 70cm of snow and -22 degrees below zero :(

Kind regards
Kent

[cahlfors]

The guys are right. The smoke looks very realistic - it has the right blow to it - and the climate looks nice, too!

The maiden voyage is really something. My rubber rings came off too, despite that I had glued them...

Cheers to many more fieldings!

/Chris

[Björn Johansson]

Love it Tim

Its great too see her in motion
and hear the engine roar and smoke

[TBowman]

Hi all,

Thanks for the nice comments. The smoke unit is from Richie Wignall (wiggytronics) and I am very happy with it's performance. Highly recommend his units. email is r-wignall@sky.com He is currently working on a generation II version.

A few more runs in the front yard putting the running gear through it's paces and adjusting the drive gears,sprocket drive shafts and track tension, it is running smoothly and reliably enough to switch back to the hull and turret. The schurzen doors on the turret's right side have been completed and installed and something I had been procrastinating on, the rear reflector, was finished and soldered to the fender. This allowed me to finally zimmerit, paint and install the rear fenders.

Looks like a small thing but happy its done.


Still have the convoy lights to wire up and install. The rear light will be a modified, Mike Stannard light so it will be functional.

Happy building
Tim

[Björn Johansson]

Its those small details that counts?

Can´t say it to often "great build" and
a huge inspiration source.

Hope to see more off it!

[Gabriel]

Wow, amazing detailing. Great build Tim!

[Kent W]

Outstanding work again my friend!
Love that reflector, so tiny and still one of those things that make the whole difference.
May I ask if one of your son’s toys had to bite the dust?

Btw, do you know why the BKA forum is out?
Hope it is only temporary but in the time we live in one never know...

Kind regards
Kent

[TBowman]

Hello guys

Wheels coming off to paint the top coat of faded, dark yellow color over the running gear and lower hull. Still need to fabricate this late-style tow bracket but can add after paint anyway. Will start work on the many turret details as well.





Hi my friend Kent, yes, sadly, BKA forum is no more. Dave pulled the plug on it. He has been thinking about doing so for some time and finally decided to do it. I did my best to let Dave know that it is a nice alternative source for us(even though the numbers of people who post there are small). BKA was a bad experience for Dave and he wants to put it behind him. I respect Dave and his decision.

Kindest regards
your relative in California

[TBowman]

Hi everyone

Another, not so exciting, video but I couldn't wait to see it move with the turret on. The Main gun is not tightly mounted, nor completed internally and this is the reason for the extreme muzzle bounce. However, with some main drive gear adjustments and one track link removed from the left side, seems to be running a bit better.

This video was taken last week before I pulled it in the shop for wheel removal, paint etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmmXcD0Kif4

Best regards
Tim