Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. L - 10th Panzer Division, Tunisia 1943 Tamiya 1/35

[PlaStix]

Hi all. Hadn’t signed up for this GB because I wasn’t sure I’d get time to take part. Still not sure, but any excuse to build a desert tank!

I've chosen something relatively straightforward to make to, hopefully, give me enough time to finish it. If it goes well I might try to do a vignette for it too.

Speaking of which, I have made the 1/48 version of this kit from Tamiya, as the same tank, for the MTO GB back in 2016:

 

This is the kit I'm using for this GB:

 

This is the desert scheme for this version, not the most spectacular!:

 

Got this PE grill set for it, designed for the Stug III kit, but will hopefully fit okay:

Plus I have some leftover tracks from a Dragon kit, on which I used individual track links:

 

I still need to finish the Leopard 2 I’m currently building and then I should be able to make a start on this, once the GB starts.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stix

 

 

 

[modelling minion]

Welcome to the GB mate, can't fault your choice of subject as I built the same one from the 1/48 kit.

The Panzer III is a classic tank from the desert in WWII and I'm sure this will be a great model too.

I have no doubt that this will turn out just as good as your other builds and I'm very much looking forward to watching your progress.

 

🇺🇦

[Dansk]

Great stuff Stix.

I don't know much about tanks but looking forward to follow your progress and learn more.

Welcome to the Desert.

[Ozzy]

Nice choice Stix’s, looking forward to a brush painted masterclass.

[IanC]

Great choice Stix. One of my favourite Tamiya AFV kits.

 

And a perfect opportunity to go down the 'what shade of yellowish brown were German tanks fresh off the boat in Tunisia' rabbit hole. If you're so inclined... 😄   

 

 

[PlaStix]

Hi @modelling minion, @Dansk, @Ozzy & @IanC. Thank you all for your comments. Over last weekend, I did get all the contents of the box photographed, then washed and, once dry, I did make a bit of a start. Sorry it has taken me until now to get this thread updated.

 

First off, some photos of the box contents. This kit was originally released in 1997 and I reckon Tamiya was really on their game with this kit. It does really look well detailed. These are the contents Tamiya included:

 

Some closer views:

 

 

 

Tamiya did include a figure in this set, but I won't be using it as his uniform doesn't look suitable for the desert. I have some other figures I might use.

 

 

The decals:

 

Sample of the instructions:

 

This isn't included in the box but Tamiya do make a suitable, basic, etch set for this kit:

 

After a couple of hours of modelling on Saturday, this is where I had got to - adding parts to the lower hull:

 

 

 

By the end of Sunday's modelling session I had got most of the lower hull parts ready for painting:

 

 

So, hopefully, over this coming weekend, I'll get some paint added to all these parts.

 

Comments and suggestions welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stix

[Ray_W]

Should be good Stix, one to follow.

 

Ray

[modelling minion]

Off to a very good start mate, and your usual very neat building standard.

Are you off to the Victory Show this weekend for some 1:1 inspiration? I'm going on Sunday.

 

🇺🇦

[MARADER]

Stix, good beginning!

[PlaStix]

17 minutes ago, modelling minion said:

Off to a very good start mate, and your usual very neat building standard.

Are you off to the Victory Show this weekend for some 1:1 inspiration? I'm going on Sunday.

 

🇺🇦

Hi Craig. Thank you.

As for the Victory Show, I'm not sure at the moment. I've been struggling with Plantar Fasciitis in my right heel since the end of last year and, what with quite a lot on at work at the moment, it's been playing up over the last month or so, so I'm not sure it would enjoy wandering around the fields near Cosby!! If it's not too painful, I may have a wander up to the area in my village that's at the end of the runway and I'll take some photos of the aircraft from there. I would really like to get some photos of the Lancaster from there on Sunday, if it does fly. I hope you have a great time. I was going to ask before, how are you doing these days? How are your post-Covid symptoms now?

 

18 minutes ago, MARADER said:

Stix, good beginning!

Thank you Volodymyr.

 

Kind regards,

Stix

[SoftScience]

Always excited when you have a project. 

I've been meaning to ask; what do you use for your camera? You always take such nice sharp closeup photos. 

[modelling minion]

1 hour ago, PlaStix said:

I've been struggling with Plantar Fasciitis

That sounds extremely uncomfortable mate and I don't blame you for not wanting to trudge across across uneven fields. I hope that you're able to get to the end of the runway for some decent pictures, and yes I hope the Lancaster turns up, I'm particularly looking forward to seeing the Blenheim up close.

1 hour ago, PlaStix said:

I was going to ask before, how are you doing these days?

I'm still plodding on thanks mate, I'm a lot better than I was a year ago but nowhere near where I want to be. I still get extremely tired after doing anything, particularly at work, and after a day out like the Victory Show I will about as much use as chocolate fireguard for a couple of days. As an after effect of covid (another added bonus) I have been diagnosed with sever sleep apnea so have to try and sleep with a mask on which is as much fun as it sounds. Still, it could be a lot worse!

 

🇺🇦

[PlaStix]

Hi @SoftScience. Thank you for your comment and question.

I use my iPad's camera. I used to use my proper Canon Power Shot camera, but I seemed to have more issues with focus, depth of feild, keeping it steady, etc.....plus the image was quite small on the viewscreen on the back. Combine the latter with my poor eyesight and I stood no chance of being able to tell if the picture was going to turn out okay!

With my iPad, the viewable image is much bigger, filling the whole screen, and I find it easier to keep an iPad steady. The only issue I have, sometimes, is that the large area of the actual iPad can block some light, especially under the house lights, but the iPad can be turned so the camera lens is in different locations, when taking the photos. It might not be obvious, but most of my photos, especially of my finished builds, are taken in daylight, with the light coming from the right-hand side. I have table set up at right angles, but next to, a south facing window, in an uptairs room,. With the light usually coming from the one direction, across the model or parts of the model, I feel I'm in more control of how I want the model to appear. Having said all that, the 'in-progress' photos, above, were taken on our dining room table, where I do my modelling these days, above which, and to the left, I installed a set of small, ceiling spot lights. You may be able to see the shadows fall to the right slightly. The earlier sprue photos were taken on our kitchen table, just before I washed the sprues.

The other thing I will mention, is that I try to avoid taking my photos in sunlight. I find that the brightness of the sun makes the the shadows too stark and the colours too vivid. I always try to take the photos of models on bright, but cloudy days, which seems to make the light a bit more diffuse.

Another good thing about using the iPad is that I can edit the photos there and then, without having to upload them anywhere first. The editing only usually consists of cropping the image to get rid of any unecessary clutter, straightening the image and adjusting the brightness. The final thing that's useful is I can then upload the images straight to Flickr.

Hope that's of some use and please let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind regards,

Stix

 

 

[SoftScience]

13 hours ago, PlaStix said:

Hi @SoftScience. Thank you for your comment and question.

I use my iPad's camera. I used to use my proper Canon Power Shot camera, but I seemed to have more issues with focus, depth of feild, keeping it steady, etc.....plus the image was quite small on the viewscreen on the back. Combine the latter with my poor eyesight and I stood no chance of being able to tell if the picture was going to turn out okay!

With my iPad, the viewable image is much bigger, filling the whole screen, and I find it easier to keep an iPad steady. The only issue I have, sometimes, is that the large area of the actual iPad can block some light, especially under the house lights, but the iPad can be turned so the camera lens is in different locations, when taking the photos. It might not be obvious, but most of my photos, especially of my finished builds, are taken in daylight, with the light coming from the right-hand side. I have table set up at right angles, but next to, a south facing window, in an uptairs room,. With the light usually coming from the one direction, across the model or parts of the model, I feel I'm in more control of how I want the model to appear. Having said all that, the 'in-progress' photos, above, were taken on our dining room table, where I do my modelling these days, above which, and to the left, I installed a set of small, ceiling spot lights. You may be able to see the shadows fall to the right slightly. The earlier sprue photos were taken on our kitchen table, just before I washed the sprues.

The other thing I will mention, is that I try to avoid taking my photos in sunlight. I find that the brightness of the sun makes the the shadows too stark and the colours too vivid. I always try to take the photos of models on bright, but cloudy days, which seems to make the light a bit more diffuse.

Another good thing about using the iPad is that I can edit the photos there and then, without having to upload them anywhere first. The editing only usually consists of cropping the image to get rid of any unecessary clutter, straightening the image and adjusting the brightness. The final thing that's useful is I can then upload the images straight to Flickr.

Hope that's of some use and please let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind regards,

Stix

 

 

That does sound rather convenient. Which version do you have? I'm really floored by the quality of the photos compared to my latest Google pixel phone, which seems to have worse depth of field algorithms than my earlier phones did.

 

As for photography on cloudy days; that's one silver lining to your UK weather, I suppose. But I do agree. Back when I lived in the Pacific Northwest, about 11-12 years ago (my, how that time has flown), I used to get incredible outdoor photos on cloudy days.  We don't get too many of those in the DC area, now. More frequently in late fall and winter, but even then, this is a really sunny part of the world. Not a bad thing, mind you, but certainly not as good for photography.

 

Anyhow, I'm going to see if I cAn find a second hand iPad for a decent price. I think I'd prefer that to a complex dslr camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dansk]

On 9/1/2023 at 4:49 AM, SoftScience said:

That does sound rather convenient. Which version do you have? I'm really floored by the quality of the photos compared to my latest Google pixel phone, which seems to have worse depth of field algorithms than my earlier phones did.

 

As for photography on cloudy days; that's one silver lining to your UK weather, I suppose. But I do agree. Back when I lived in the Pacific Northwest, about 11-12 years ago (my, how that time has flown), I used to get incredible outdoor photos on cloudy days.  We don't get too many of those in the DC area, now. More frequently in late fall and winter, but even then, this is a really sunny part of the world. Not a bad thing, mind you, but certainly not as good for photography.

 

Anyhow, I'm going to see if I cAn find a second hand iPad for a decent price. I think I'd prefer that to a complex dslr camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

all ipads are not created equal.

cross ref here for lens type-

https://9to5mac.com/2022/08/12/ipad-camera-list/

[PlaStix]

On 01/09/2023 at 03:49, SoftScience said:

Which version do you have?

Hi SoftScience. Sorry for the slow reply. I haven't really kept up with this thread for a while. Hopefully I'll be back into this from now on.

With regards your question about my Apple iPad - I have a 6th generation version, but as @Dansk kindly pointed out, there are a variety of versions out there. Mine was relatively new when I purchased it. I still really like using it for my photos of the kits I am making.

 

So, following my last build post, at the end of August, above, I didn't get any painting done as the weather was way to hot to try and do any. My technique with brushes does rely a bit on the paint drying as I am working. But, with it being so hot, I thought the paint might dry a bit too quickly. So, once it started getting a bit cooler, I decided to carry on with actually building the upper hull, turret and preparing the smaller parts ready to be painted. So this is where I am at the moment with my build - upper hull:

 

Turret:

 

Bag of the smaller parts:

 

 

Painting will, hopefully, start soon!

 

Comments and suggestions welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stix

[modelling minion]

Great to see your build underway again Stix, hopefully you will be able to get some paint on soon, now that its cooled down.

[PlaStix]

On 26/09/2023 at 16:31, modelling minion said:

Great to see your build underway again Stix, hopefully you will be able to get some paint on soon, now that its cooled down.

Thank you Craig.

 

Apologies for the lack of updates again. I have managed to start a bit of painting and basic weathering.

 

A couple of weeks ago I got the main painting done on the parts that I was going to apply Humbrol's Desert Yellow to. All applied thinned with water, using a medium flat brush:

 

Then, over a few days recently, all the above parts were given an overall wash of very thinned, Revell's Gunship Grey. Once this was dry, I used a fine pointed brush to apply thinned Revell's Anthracite, in and around all the details. Once dry, everything was given a dry-brushing with a lightened version of the Desert Yellow colour and the tires were given a couple of thinned coats of Revell's Anthracite, applied with a fine pointed brush:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stix

[modelling minion]

Your usual painting technique with your usual very high standard and results my friend.

The base colour has gone on very well and the wash has picked out all the details very well indeed, she's already getting that "used in the desert" look.

[Ray_W]

Gorgeous work and exceptional finish, as always. I also appreciate the detail in how you went about it.

 

Ray

[Keeff]

Fantastic start Stix, and exceptional brush work as usual.  I still haven't worked out how you do it ..... and I've watched your video too! 

 

Looks like I'll have too follow along ..................

 

Keitih 😁

[81-er]

That's really great work on the paint, Stix, very effective. I'm amazed you've done it all with a hairy stick!

 

James

[SoftScience]

Your wash/dry rushing look great as always. I really like how they turned out on the tread pattern on the fenders. Not too stark! Which means the difference in color values you chose to use, is just right.

 

 

[PlaStix]

Hi @modelling minion, @Ray_W, @Keeff, @81-er and @SoftScience. Thank you all for your kind comments. I was quite pleased with how it ended up looking at this stage.

 

Last weekend was taken up with cutting the wheels, sprockets and idlers off the sprues and touching up the paint plus weathering in those areas where they were attached. I then assembled the pairs together ready for attaching to the hull. Before the latter were attached, I added some Vellejo Thick Light Mud,, which I stippled on sparingly, to represent sand and dust, but just on the areas that would be behind the wheels and tracks, etc. With the wheels, sprockets and idlers in place, this is how it looks at the moment:

 

 

 

 

One very annoying bit from the weekend, was the fact that, when I actually came to start testing the Dragon DS tracks, one length just started to crumble - as I tried to get them to fit around a sprocket. I'd heard about this type of thing happening before, to other modellers. I had replied to someone, about a year ago or so, that I've used Dragon DS tracks before, without any problems - which was true at the time! So I will now have to use the tracks that Tamiya provide in the box. Not the end of the world, but annoying all the same. The Dragon tracks were much finer in the details.

 

So, hopefully, next week I will get the Tamiya tracks painted and fitted in place.

 

Comments and suggestions welcome.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stix

 

 

[Wings unlevel]

This is really being built with care and attention.

 

Gerard