f matthews

I have a couple of the Miniart T-54/55s, I just need to actually start one (once I clear put some of the many projects I have on the bench at present. I’m not much of a modern armour guy, but after seeing some T-54/55s and Centurions here, I’m slowly getting over my “nothing after 1945” rule… Following this build for sure.

Thanks! Finish line is in sight at last.

Still chugging along on this build, but I’m very close to finishing it up. My New Year’s resolution is to clear up my backlogged projects, so I’m on my way… I finished most of the rest of the build yesterday, then added markings and painted the tracks this morning, and started with filters and washes (on the turret at least) this afternoon

Filters and washes were applied to tone down the markings and liven up the monochromatic finish.

This should be finished up soon…

Been working on this and a companion build a little bit every day so far this month. I should have the turret finished up soon.

A little more progress-basecoat of field grey on the lower hull.

Moving along to the turret. Detail on this kit is excellent, although there is a lot of cleanup of sprue attachment points. Side-by-side with my companion Ausf.D build: Turret exterior-I replaced the grab handles with bent wire.

I added a primer coat to the recesses and lower hull/suspension since that will be difficult to airbrush after the wheels are added. Fenders were installed as well. The driver/radio operator’s front plate in my kit was warped and I slightly melted it trying to correct it under a lamp bulb. I was able to pretty much straighten everything out with sanding and clamping.

I’d like to check that one out! I’m also building that kit, but as a straight Ausf. D, so it gets some mods here and there.

Bringing another long-ago-shelved project back to the workbench. This one was started in January, 2018 and discontinued a few weeks later when I realized that the kit had accuracy issues with the engine deck and brake access hatch plate. I picked up some aftermarket “fixes” in resin, but was nit happy with how they worked. Miniart discontinued this issue of the kit and retooled it to make the necessary corrections. Miniart’s customer service is top-notch and they send me the updated sprues. Unfortunately, I’d already built the hull with the original parts, so it took some work to disassemble and I gave up. I’m currently on an early war/Panzer III jag and started building Miniart’s Pz III Ausf. D after New Years. That kit is excellent and I was having enough fun with it that it inspired me to pull this one out of mothballs. Here’s where I left it in Jan/Feb of 2018: Getting back to the build with the new, improved engine deck and brake access plate set in place. The removal of the old back plate took some work, but I managed to get things together. The engine compartment doors have big slots that show what’s underneath, so I added an “engine” from a 1/32 Monogram Panzerspähwagen that I built in the mid-1970s as a kid(!)-I didn’t even clean the years of accumulated dust off of it… Moving right along, return rollers and the drive and idler wheels are added, as was the engine deck and front hull plates. The superstructure box is just set into position for the photo. Having fun with this one finally. With the Miniart updates parts, this has become a joy to build. Here is the tank I am planning to model: Quote

I am aware that the turret-facing interior side of the extra turret and hull armor (Schurzen) of Panzer IVs (mid-late Ausf.Gs until the end) is the base yellow colour, but what about the turret sides themselves? In 30 or more years, I can’t recall any really definitely clear wartime shots showing if the turrets were the base yellow or if they had the disruptive green and/or brown camo sprayed or brushed on. Were they partially painted as in 1/2 way down the sides? This would seem like a waste of resources (paint and time). I’ve seen modelers and restorers paint these areas, but I’m doubting the authenticity of this. Does anyone have either definitive info as to painting directives or good, clear photos showing the turrets behind the schurzen? I have seen photos of vehicle hull sides where the hull schurzen sheets have fallen off or been removed and there is camo on the hulls visible in several photos, but not as clear as to how this was on the turrets. Maybe it was on some and not others? The vehicle-facing side of the side skirts are pretty clearly Dark Yellow here: This shot appears to show no disruptive camo on the turret sides? This shows camo on the hull behind the side armour: This shot also appears to lack disruptive camo on the turret: This just looks completely wrong:

I’ve been waiting for someone to build one of these. I like that you build some of the more underrepresented vehicles-I prefer those too!

Very nice! I like these rare subjects a lot-always good to see someone build one (and do it well!). I have one of these in the stash that I hope to get to one day-I agree that IBG can make some nice kits.

The AFV has the later tracks, hut in rubber-band form, which is a no-go for me. I had the opposite problem building the AFV Vally Mk II, which has the early MkI wheels. I had to order a set of Accurate Armour wheels (like the ones in the Tamiya kit)! If you were in the US, I’d happily send them to you (shipping has gotten ridiculous and is more than a whole new kit)!

I built these tracks for my MkI AFV Vally. They are made far simpler (and moderately workable) if you cut the double-bar “pin set” in half. Glue up all the shoes, then insert the pins from each side, applying glue to only one pin in one hole. The other pin and hole are held in place by the first and are moveable because there is no glue in the second hole. Also remember that you’ll need to build the retractable antenna system for the turret rear for the earlier radio (No. 10 iirc) and the wheels are much different on the Mk I/early Mk II than those from the Mk II/IV. Note that the rear radiator compartment door handles are installed backwards here (my error):

This was the first one that I finished a month or two ago-built out as vehicle number VAE 546 in its original configuration at trials in Finland in 1934. I skipped doing an interior on that one, but wanted to build it into my current project.

This is my second build of four Finnish Vickers tanks and is the later version of the Vickers 6 Ton with chassis no. VAE 546 which was subsequently modified with a 45mm main gun. The Combat Armor Models 6 Tons are fantastic kits and the recent Finnish versions have fairly complete and beautifully detailed engine and fighting compartments. Fit on the lower hull is spot-on and is every bit the equal of a Tamiya-engineered kit, just with better detail. LOVE these kits! They aren’t always easy to find, but WELL worth seeking out.

Tracks now assembled. Getting closer…

The old Tamiya kit is terrible by today’s standards. I loved it as a kid in the mid-1970s, but even rebuilding it anew in the late 90s before there were many other options like there are today, it was not good. The old Tristar kits can be found cheaply and the HobbyBoss reboxes are among the least expensive kits in their line. The old Tristar 38(t) or Panzer I Ausf. As are excellent kits. I just finished up a Tristar Pz IA-here’s a near-complete shot: Bronco’s 35(t) is the best version of that model in kit form (CMKs kit is not great, although it is fairly accurate and Bronco’s is superior to the Academy 35(t). I love the early-war stuff. Lots of great options out there.

I got the basecoat painted a month or so back.

A little turret work. And in three sessions (over the course of several months) the construction was largely complete.

This is a build I’ve been working on in small bits since the Panzer III GB earlier this year ended. That got me motivated to do another Pz III. These Dragon Panzer III kits are really nicely done. Assembly is straightforward and enjoyable. I got to this stage within a few days last Spring then got distracted.

On a roll with old Tristar versions of old Panzers I guess. After posting my Tristar Pz IV Ausf. B, someone mentioned the Tristar Pz I Ausf. A and I remembered that I had one I’d started a while back-TEN years and nine months back. Anyway, I pulled it out of mothballs and in a couple of weeks, was able to finish it up. Nine days over almost eleven years for what was supposed to be a weekend project!

I finished up the last details (fender stuff) and started the base. Here is the beginning of many hand-painted bricks… And the individually-painted cobblestones: Pretty well along: A test shot of the finished project: Better shots will follow for posting.