Crayons

And don't forget the 15 future Tiger I releases, because we need more of them.

Great job on this Simon. The canvasesque covers on the smoke launchers turned out really well.

RM have come through with the goodies and my replacement set of wheels arrived in the post this morning. Very crisp detail on them too. And as per my luck, I finished designing my wheels in LW last night. STL's for future use if I ever decide on the lunacy of making another ANCIENT member 234 family. What scares me the most is that I know I have about four or five other Italeri offerings of different kits circa the same vintage. Thank you to all those at Royal Models.

Maddoxx, question for you: Where did you acquire the dark sorcery to shrink real furniture down to fit into models?

I fully expect to be chased out by a mob, wielding pitchforks and brands of fire as I'm not a wingy thing person, I can fly/have flown several Huey's if that saves me from the unruly masses. Pretty much all of my service was spent on vehicles using the m242 Bushmaster, so I'll take a cannon over an MG any day for engagements. When as in aerial combat the LOOF is very narrow due to speed and angles, a heavier, harder hitting projectile, be it ball, tracer, ap or HE and all the derivatives in between is much more advantageous as it is in ground fire. A blend of smaller calibre and heavy cailbre is kind of the best of both worlds (for the purpose of actually getting hits). Now, it comes with a trade off, ROF (cannon specific). With modern aircraft, combat or otherwise, one round anywhere be it MG, cannon or AA it is going to do damage (crippling or otherwise, the aircraft in 99.9% of scenarios is out of the fight), the old wingy things with the their cables and handful of hydraulic lines, didn't suffer from the same issues. The Soviet era BUK is a classic example, the missile itself doesn't hit the aircraft, but explodes near it, sending a metric Fton of shaped shrapnel into the target aircraft. Damaging vital systems and ending the flight abilities of the aircraft. HE cannon rounds did/do a similar thing, utilising shrapnel to do the damage. Now, would they penetrate the rear armour of a pilots seat, no, not their design, but I bet sure as, that pilot is out of the fight for X amount of time healing broken bones from the explosion concussion. Never look at WWII era gun cam as being the first part of the engagement, the bit they show of the enemy going down in a hail of mg bullets is to win the hearts of the people, it is rarely truthful. Also, look at the reasoning and performance of the weapons selected and the thoughts/doctrine of the time, it isn't a random theory someone conjures up after a hard night on the single malt. My two cents, no change or refunds given.

I'm not a fan of the Pz. IV, but I do look like the look of this. Going to be keeping an eye on this.

Thank you. I have had to give up on some of the old school scratch work. Tipping point came with the need for new engine hatch hinges. I just could not figure how to scratch build eight of them efficiently given their profile. And this build is already way over my allotted time frame. But, silk purse, sows ear. Hoping for pleather, best outcome. I do have a diorama already drawn out for this vehicle, but I might just put that on hold and move onto the next project (after this build is completed) which is a WIF.

Minor update: Still no word further word from RM with regards to the wheels (been about a month now). Nearly finished designing my own replacements in LW which is taking an age due to work commitments. Very basic semi scratched interior as some of it will be visible through the now opened drivers hatch. I'll run some leads from my 3d printed batteries to a random point up the back. There is actually a junction box they feed into just behind the batteries, so I might make it even though it wont to be seen. Drivers hatch just needs a fillet on each hinge and some bolts and it is done. Replacement visor covers are RM from the set as are the PE lifting hooks. The RM set does provide PE additions for the visors to be in the open position, but I opted to have them closed. Thank you for looking.

Coming along very nicely Maddoxx. Looking forward to seeing it all DAK'd up.

Just as an FYI, the ancient Tamiya offering, whlist being less detailed is actually more accurate in terms of dimensions

Nice work on what looks like very fragile running gear.

Thank you for the link Pete, I have looked at various AM wheels and I really don't want to sink more money into this ancient kit. I am currently waiting on RM coming up with replacement wheels, but as a "I'm not holding my breath" I have started work on designing my own in Lightwave. I was hoping to avoid 3d on this, but the engine hinges just could not be scratch build. No to mention, Italeri leave out two hinges altogether, and those are the rear engine hatch hinges. So, the gloves are off. EDIT: My bad, it's Heavy Hobby not Heavy Model. I knew weight was involved.

I'm going to admit, I only like this tank because of what Becker made it into. But, count me in for watching it. Odd thing though, typo on the label or did they make one box and dymo label the rest?

I don't have any plans to do an engine, for three reasons. Firstly, you wouldn't see it anyway. Secondly, I have don't have any schematics for the the Tatra engine nor do I have access to one to take measurements from. Thirdly, it's beyond my meagre skills to make. I believe Heavy Model do do an engine in resin, but it costs more than the value of a 44 (initial release) year old plastic kit. Edit: If Heavy Model wish to donate one, far be it for me to turn such a generous donation down. And I can already think of a suitable diorama setting if such a thing were to happen. Similar to what I have planned for a Stug III Ausf. B build I have in mind.

Thanks Bullbasket. It was steamier than Satan's crotch the day I was doing that and the epoxy was sticking to everything but the plastic. Note to self, Tamiya epoxy doesn't like steamy weather. I plan on going back and tidying them up at a later stage.